America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

In the studios of the San Fernando Valley.

The crew of "Game of Dogs" had already started shooting, and Marina had a scene to film in the morning. It was under thirty seconds long, and with her acting skills, she nailed it in just one take.

Susie Flavio had been waiting on set, and when she saw Marina come out, she walked up to her with words of encouragement, "You did a good job, your acting is very good."

Marina also wanted to establish herself quickly, and it was necessary to have a good relationship with a casting director, "Ms. Flavio, thank you for giving me this opportunity."

"Didn't I say you could just call me Susie?" Susie accompanied her as they walked out, "You have a good image and not bad acting skills. What you lack is luck and opportunities. The right opportunity could make you famous with just one project."

But Marina knew that such opportunities were too hard to come by, "It still comes down to luck."

Susie glanced at her and said, "Indeed, without someone to support you in this circle, it's impossible to get ahead. I heard from Natasha that you have a connection with Martin Davis?"

Having someone support you could save a lot of trouble. Marina wasn't a newcomer to the entertainment industry, "I was originally going to Paris, but Martin brought me to Hollywood."

"You're a lucky girl," Susie probed, "Could you introduce me to him when Martin comes to visit the set one day?"

"Sure," Marina agreed verbally, but she felt somewhat troubled inside.

Since arriving in Los Angeles from New York, Martin had never contacted her, not even once.

These past few days, Marina had called Svetlana, who said Martin had called her several times.

After taking off her makeup, Marina came out to find her agent, Natasha, had arrived and was chatting with Susie.

Natasha waved at Susie and called for Marina to leave the studio together.

The two went to the café opposite the studio.

As Natasha added sugar to her coffee, she asked, "Is everything going smoothly on the set?"

Marina nodded, "It's not bad, better than I expected. People in the crew are pretty nice to get along with, and Susie has been a big help. The producer, Catherine Oxenberg, has also been very good to me."

"That's good to hear," Natasha said, "It's not easy for newcomers to Hollywood. You need to take care of yourself."

Thinking about Martin, who hadn't contacted her for many days, Marina deliberately said, "I know, these are all appearances. Many people in the crew understand that I was brought to Hollywood by Martin. They're not being nice to me, but to Martin."@@novelbin@@

"Ah, Martin..." Natasha sighed deeply.

Marina suddenly felt something was off and asked, "I haven't seen Martin for a long time. When I call, it's his manager Bruce who answers. Has Martin been very busy recently?"

Natasha seemed to be in a difficult position for a moment.

Marina inquired, "Did something happen, is that it?"

Natasha nodded slightly and spoke softly, "You're free now."

Marina questioned back, "I'm free now?"

"Martin's manager, Bruce, called me," Natasha explained, "He asked me to tell you that he'll introduce you to a Disney production for a significant supporting female role, probably auditioning in December. That will fulfill the promise he made to you."

Marina understood. Martin Davis no longer wanted to be entangled with her. If they met again in the future, they would owe each other nothing.

Under normal circumstances, not just in Hollywood, even in Russia's entertainment industry, there would be nothing to complain about.

She had given, and she received in return.

If they met again in the future and if they were both interested, they could have another friendly match.

The problem was, this did not fit Marina's plans at all.

In coming to Los Angeles, becoming famous and a star was only incidental; her most important mission was to stay close to Martin to reach the high echelons of American politics.

Natasha tried to comfort her, "The beginning in Hollywood is the hardest. With the role you have now, and the upcoming supporting role introduced by Martin, you've made a start in Hollywood. The rest of our growth depends on our efforts."

Marina felt a flurry of emotions. Had she come all the way to Los Angeles for this result?

She suddenly thought of someone and asked, "What about Svetlana? Natasha, is Martin treating Svetlana the same way?"

"Uh..." Natasha obviously didn't want to say.

Marina pressed, "It's not the same?" Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

Natasha nodded slightly, "Martin met with Svetlana at the agency yesterday, saying he'd introduce her to a major production."

Marina couldn't understand; she didn't think she was any less attractive or talented than Svetlana—in that aspect, she was even more skilled...

Like a diligent agent, Natasha said, "You're stunning and your acting skills exceptional, and I also have resources at my disposal. I've personally watched Martin grow from an unknown like you to the superstar he is today. I know how to handle things. Just trust me, and you can definitely become a star in Hollywood."

Although she didn't show it on her face, Marina's mind was elsewhere, but she simply nodded in agreement.

Natasha continued, "Don't let this affect you. Martin is a playboy, with women coming and going all the time—it's normal."

If she were just an actress, Marina certainly wouldn't be much affected; it was all too common for women in the industry to part their legs.

But she wasn't just that, nor was she willing to accept failure so easily.

So, Marina planned to talk to Svetlana later, to find out what was going on with Martin.

......

After her accent modification class, Svetlana had just come out of a multifunctional building at Paramount Pictures, when she saw Martin sitting on the bench opposite. Basking in the admiring glances of the people around, she quickly walked over to him.

Martin patted the spot beside him, "Sit down, let's talk."

Svetlana sat next to him, linking her arm through Martin's, "How come you're here?"

Martin said half-jokingly, "I was here on business and remembered you were taking a pronunciation class. Just thought I'd drop by to see you."

Svetlana smiled happily, "It's almost noon, shall we find a place for lunch together?"

Martin replied, "Sure."

The two headed toward the gate of the studio.

Svetlana asked, "Should I ask Marina if she's free?"

A few days ago, Marina had asked her about Martin.

The two were quite friendly, and having battled alongside Martin in the same room, Svetlana felt a bond of comradeship. She thought if she could help, she should.

In the unfamiliar Los Angeles, Marina was her only friend.

Martin shook his head, "No need, just the two of us is fine."

From his response, Svetlana sensed Martin seemed less interested in Marina and asked softly, "Did Marina do something wrong?"

"No, I haven't seen Marina since I came back from New York, nor have I contacted her," Martin said casually, "Everyone has people they like and others they like a lot. Marina is great, beautiful, sexy, and has a unique charm, but... how should I say it?"

He seemed unable to find the right words and thought for a moment before adding, "I like Marina, but it's not that special kind of like. Some people are content just having had someone."

Svetlana questioned, "So, you won't contact her anymore?"

Martin, like a playboy, said, "I'll be very busy with work for a long time to come; there just won't be enough time."

Svetlana sighed softly, but didn't know what else to say.

Martin added, "I always see things through. I've recommended Marina for a role in a Disney production, it's a significant supporting character. Coupled with her role in John Wick: Chapter 2, she'll have a much higher starting point in Hollywood than I had when I first came to Los Angeles."

He intentionally asked, "Does this count as keeping my promise?"

"Of course, it's keeping a promise." Svetlana, who had seen and heard too many people who forget their promises once satisfied, said, "Martin, you're a good man who keeps his word."

Martin smiled, "A good man is a stretch, but I do have basic integrity."

Svetlana leaned a bit closer to Martin and proposed, "After lunch, how about we go to my apartment?"

Martin replied, "I have a long-term suite at a hotel."

Svetlana quickly changed her suggestion, "Let's go to the hotel then."

The two got into the same car in the parking lot, had lunch at a restaurant in Beverly Hills, and then entered the Ritz-Carlton Hotel together.

Svetlana could clearly feel that Martin preferred her type—blonde, long-legged, and with a body honed by rigorous training.

She admitted to herself that she might not have Marina's charm, but she had the better figure.

The atmosphere created by Martin noticeably affected Svetlana, making her hear, see, and feel a lot.

According to Martin's logic, if Marina did not come to seek Svetlana, her identity as a swallow would be in question.

Because such occurrences were all too common in the entertainment industry, and the other party wasn't new to it.

Martin always believed that the nature of the entertainment industry was largely the same worldwide.

But should Marina come seeking Svetlana and inquire about him, it would all but dispel his and Nicholson's last bit of doubt.

In the mid-afternoon, Martin took a call and used company matters as an excuse to leave the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Svetlana left as well.

As she drove back to her apartment, Ivan trailed her quietly.

Nothing happened that day.

But the next day, Ivan followed Svetlana to North Hollywood, where she met with another target—Marina.

The two women entered a café.

After a short wait, Ivan followed them in.

Passing by their booth, he placed a listening device in the greenery behind Marina.

Marina and Svetlana chatted about their situations for a while, and the conversation quickly turned to Martin, with almost all the questions about him.

Without overthinking, Svetlana thought Marina was not ready to give up on Martin and roughly relayed what Martin had said.

Hearing Martin's lack of interest, Marina felt emotionally devastated and couldn't stop the feeling of defeat rising within her.

Her original plan was to use Martin as a channel to contact influential Americans and gather important information.

If Martin were to enter politics, she could even influence his choices through pillow talk.

Though using Martin could destroy him, Marina, a staunch Russian nationalist, didn't care what happened to him.

Now all those plans were falling through.