America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

In the café, Martin saw Nolan off and welcomed Blake Lively.

Compared to when they last met, Blake's matured face looked even more seasoned.

Possibly because of her long-term fitness regimen, her physique outdid even that of a Victoria's Secret Angel and had become even more stunning than before.

Remembering her preference, Martin ordered a Blue Mountain and casually asked, "You got here so quickly?"

Blake revealed a hearty smile and replied, "I was just at my agency, checking my phone and happened to see on the gossip news that you were nearby. I thought you were on a date with some beauty and wanted to come over and make trouble, but I didn't expect it to be Director Nolan."

Martin laughed too, "Listen to you, speaking like that, it's easy to cause misunderstandings, I'm a good man..."

Blake deliberately sized him up and asked, "After we broke up, you've become like a completely different person, a thorough playboy. Was it because my breakup with you was such a blow?"

Martin took a sip of his coffee and didn't speak because the truth can be hurtful.

Blake's personality was entirely different from Annie's. She didn't indulge in self-pity and maintained her usual cheerfulness: "I didn't expect that you really were hit hard by me."

Martin frankly replied, "Yes, you did hit me hard, so much so that from then on, I stopped believing in love."

"Shall I come back then?" Blake said, as if joking, "When we lived together, we were in constant contact. Your star aura gradually faded, and I thought we had reached the end of the road. Who knew that after we parted, you became even more dazzling. I find that I still adore you deeply."

She leaned forward, towards Martin's side: "You've always been my idol!"

Martin pushed her away and said, "You're just a crazy fan who wants to screw over the idol!"

Even after being called out, Blake was not the least bit embarrassed: "Actually, I just wanted to thank you in the most sincere way."

Martin didn't understand what she meant.

"DC's Green Lantern!" Blake dropped the joking tone and spoke earnestly: "You might have heard, the lead actress for 'Green Lantern' was originally going to be me. My father has a tight partnership with Warner Bros., and at that time, if I wished, the role would have definitely been mine. But the warning you gave me allowed me to steer clear of a disaster."

She understood the severity of such a failure: "My career was on the rise. If I had encountered a failure on a $200 million blockbuster, my acting career could have been over."

Martin said, "No need to be polite, we've known each other since you were 17. I couldn't just watch you fall into a pit."

The Blake Lively of the past, after the failure of 'Green Lantern', had essentially seen the end of her acting career and turned into a super internet celebrity.

Blake spoke with interest: "Everyone in the circle says you have a good eye, and it's true indeed."

Martin shook his head and smiled: "Warner and DC were both too hasty. The new management wanted to make a mark, and DC wanted to catch up to Marvel. Being in a hurry often causes problems."

Whether it was 'Gods of Egypt', 'Green Lantern', or other projects, in reality, Martin hadn't made much effort. With the style of Warner's new management, as long as they were given a small stick, they would boast of having conquered the entire universe.

Blake said, "I'll be more cautious in the future when cooperating with Warner." She asked with a smile, "Martin, can I consult you before I take on new films in the future?"

"Sure," Martin didn't refuse but laid it out plainly: "You know, with films, no one can guarantee success."

Blake was generous and cheerful: "Successful or not, I will always properly thank you."

Martin couldn't see himself getting back together with her: "Let's just remain friends."

But Blake said, "I really miss the days when we lived in Sherman Oaks. You didn't sell the house in Cody Community, did you? I want to go back and see it."

"No," Martin checked his watch: "Let's go have dinner first, and then we can head over there afterward."

"Okay," Blake said with a smile.

After dining at a nearby restaurant, Martin had Bruce drive over in another car, and they, along with Blake, went to the house in Cody Community.

A few years ago, Blake and Martin had lived there together.

The house had always been regularly maintained and cleaned, and its value in Cody Community had continued to rise significantly, greatly outpacing the depreciation of the US dollar and property taxes, so Martin hadn't sold it.

Now, he primarily owned four properties.

There was this one in Cody Community, the Davis Estate in Beverly Hills, the large flat in Manhattan's Upper East Side, and a large vacation villa in Miami.

The latter two were bought at a low price when Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck were in crisis. With the economic recovery in North America, they have now more than doubled in value.

Martin and Blake arrived in Cody Community and found that the house opposite was being renovated.

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Having lived there for a while, Blake asked, "Did Gillian Flynn move away?"

Martin nodded: "She bought a big mansion in Malibu."

Blake took another glance in that direction: "She should thank you properly for where she is today."

Martin responded, "Your thanks are enough for me."

Upon entering the villa, Blake said, "Help me check thoroughly if my body fat percentage is suitable. I don't want to overdo the fitness and end up having muscles all over."

Martin conducted the check himself, ensuring softness where it should be soft, fullness where it should be grand.

Honestly, there aren't many actors with a physique as good as Blake Lively's but Alexandra Daddario is definitely one of them.

This purely decorative actor also passed the audition with Martin's recommendation and joined the cast of "The Martian," playing the spaceship system operator Beth Johanson.

Martin spent a long time checking everything for Blake Lively.

After nightfall, the two were ready to leave when they ran into Mr. Jones from next door.

"Hi, Martin, Blake," Mr. Jones waved enthusiastically, "Haven't seen you in a while."

It was a rare encounter with the old neighbor, so Martin parked the car, got out and said, "I come back every now and then. Seeing no lights on at your place, I didn't want to disturb you."

Mr. Jones said, "I went to a community committee meeting and took the chance to give some gifts."

As if remembering something, he quickly opened his bag and took out a beautifully wrapped DVD, handing it to Martin, "I was planning to mail this to you in a few days, but since we've met, I won't need to send it."

Martin accepted it and, as expected, it was a Sacred Valley art film DVD. The cover prominently featured the lead actors, with Mr. Jones's daughter Jenna as the female lead and Brad Pitt, who was shining bright as a huge star in Sacred Valley, as the male lead.

Blake poked his head over, glanced curiously and said, "A Pitt movie, huh."

Mr. Jones said, "It's only his old fame that carries him. Otherwise, he would struggle to make it in Sacred Valley and never become an A-lister."

Martin asked curiously, "Why is that?"

"Maybe he's getting older, and his abilities in that department are lacking," Mr. Jones pointed to the DVD in Martin's hand and said, "But this one is still decent. I watched the scenes with Pitt and Jenna on set. Before each shooting, I made a point of finding Pitt and telling him to be more forceful, more ferocious, to really go at it, and not be limp like a sissy."

He went on, "Jenna can't be taking the initiative in every scene, can she? That would wear her out, and don't forget she's the director."

Martin joked, "Next time, prepare a gun and give Pitt a bullet before shooting, tell him if he doesn't perform well, you'll blow his head off. I bet Pitt will then give an outstanding performance."

Mr. Jones chuckled, "Good idea, next time I'll make sure Pitt knows, if he doesn't hit on Jenna hard enough, I'll be the one shooting his ass!"

Blake quipped, "Maybe Pitt would like that."

Mr. Jones said, "Then his taste would be quite special."

Blake thought to himself that this father's hobby was special enough. How many Sacred Valley actresses' fathers would take an art film directed and starring their daughters as a gift to give away, while occasionally boasting about it?

Martin put away the DVD, said goodbye to Mr. Jones, and left Cody Community.

Mr. Jones couldn't help but regret that, after so many years, he had never seen Martin and Jenna make an art film together.

Martin drove first to Burbank to drop Blake off at her home.

Blake took the disc and said, "How about we find a place to enjoy it together and pass this long night?"

Martin shook his head, "I have to go back to Beverly."

Remembering certain things from when they lived together, Blake asked, "You're still the same, right? If your girlfriend is at home, you won't spend the night out?"

"Elizabeth is on a business trip," Martin explained casually, "Another friend, rarely off work, has come back from Australia."

Blake handed back the DVD to Martin, saying, "Let me think, who could it be? Louise Mel? Jolie? Aniston? No, they haven't been to Australia recently. Then it must be Charlize Theron."

Martin replied frankly, "Correct answer, your reward is to get home early."

Blake, not entirely convinced, said, "I've seen Charlize Theron at a few fashion events. She's definitely top-notch pretty in clothes, but without clothes... Martin, is she prettier and sexier than me when undressed?"

Martin pretended not to hear and parked the car by the curb, "You can get out now."

Blake shrugged and got out of the car.

Martin quickly returned to Beverly Hills and drove straight into Charlize Theron's home.

And there, he saw the nearly bald South African beauty.

"What do you think, isn't this hairstyle incredibly cool?" Charlize flexed her arm, showing off her muscle lines, "I'm now a post-apocalyptic warrior woman."

Martin looked her up and down carefully.

For several months, Charlize Theron had been engaged in intense fitness training; her muscular definition was obvious, and combined with her nearly bald look, her whole person was intimidating and rugged.

Martin was reminded of Furiosa from "Mad Max: Fury Road."

He walked behind the couch where Charlize was sitting, one hand on her shoulder, the other hand couldn't resist touching the short stubble on top of Charlize's head, clicking his tongue, "Sally, this feels great."

Charlize was slightly annoyed at being touched on her head, but she didn't stop Martin. Instead, she thought of a nasty trick to get back at this bastard, "Tonight you can only attack from behind."

Martin said, "I always respect a lady's needs."

Suddenly, Charlize stood up, went behind the couch, took off her t-shirt, her body tensed up, and muscle lines faintly showed across her back.

With her tall stature and broad shoulders, her solid frame leaning on the couch, she looked back at Martin and beckoned, "I'm going to make you feel like you're taking on a man!"

Martin angrily slapped down, emitting a crisp sound, forcefully flipping her over, and pressed down directly.

This woman might have gotten too into her role as Furiosa and forgotten who was the real master of war.