America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

The sky was already brightly lit, and both crews had not started work, temporarily coming to a halt.

The Actors Guild, Directors Guild, and Producers' Alliance sent representatives overnight to coordinate related matters.

Martin, Louise, and Ridley Scott were busy applying pressure, while Jerry Bruckheimer and Megan Ellison were also occupied, spending the whole morning on phone calls.

In contrast, Gore Verbinski was enjoying the drama with relish, wishing Johnny Depp would be arrested by the FBI so he wouldn't have to work with him anymore.

Even most of the "Lone Ranger" crew couldn't wait for Depp to be finished off.

Depp had been a perfect example of how to be detested and loathed over the past few years.

By the afternoon, more FBI agents arrived at the Death Valley set, officially arresting Hodgson and Sanchez.

Legally, Depp himself and the "Lone Ranger" crew were not too affected; the evidence linking them to the dealer ended with Hodgson, and Hodgson took all the blame.

Inside a trailer serving as an office, Megan Ellison asked, "Are you sure this isn't Martin Davis orchestrating this mess as a self-directed vendetta against me?"

Jerry Bruckheimer asked clearly, "No, those three men not only had guns but also brought detonators. If it had been other stars, they might have been finished. You know Depp, he can't go a day without those things."

Megan, stressed out by Depp, exclaimed, "Jerry, I can tolerate Depp, but only if he can work normally. He can't perform worse than he is now. Keep him in line."

Jerry replied, "I will."

Megan breathed a sigh of relief, "So this issue is finally over, can the crew resume filming tomorrow?"

"No, the matter isn't over," Jerry knew Hollywood far better than Megan, "This involves Martin Davis and even his safety, if we don't settle this, it could become very troublesome."

He emphasized, "Martin Davis is an extremely, extremely difficult person."

Megan frowned slightly, "I think Depp is hundreds of times more difficult than Martin Davis!"

Jerry shook his head, "It's different, Martin's dedication far exceeds that of Depp, but his ability to cause trouble in private is also far greater than Depp's. We'd best resolve this complicated situation."

After a moment's thought, he said, "I'll go talk to Martin, he should give me some face."

Not having to go herself, Megan was indifferent, "Go ahead."

Jerry got in touch with Martin through Ridley.

They arranged to meet in front of Martin's trailer.

When Jerry arrived, he saw the Mercedes trailer and immediately understood why those three foolish dealers had targeted the wrong location, as this trailer looked almost identical to the one Depp was staying in from the outside.

A sunshade was set up in front of the trailer, with chairs and a table placed underneath.

Martin invited Jerry to sit wherever he liked and poured him a cup of tea.

Jerry didn't touch the teacup and went straight to the point, "Your trailer is the same model as the one Depp is staying in."

Martin said, "Just because the trailers look alike, I almost got shot to death."

Jerry couldn't help but criticize internally, those three dealers never had the chance to fire, as they were the ones who got shot to death.

After all, he was a seasoned figure in Hollywood and had been a top producer for over a decade; his experience was not superficial. He said with a smile, "This whole affair started from a misunderstanding, and you and Depp haven't had conflicts in the past. Can we let bygones be bygones?"

Martin didn't say a word.

The "Lone Ranger" project had an initial budget of 230 million US Dollars, which, after being played around with by Depp back and forth, actually had production costs that could reach 250 million US Dollars. Part of that investment came from Jerry Bruckheimer's company.

Even if he had to plead and cajole, Jerry would make Depp finish the film.

Thinking of Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck, he steeled his heart and said, "Let's consider this a favor you owe me."

For such a top-tier producer to say such words, Martin had to give him some face, no matter what: "Jerry, you must have heard, those guys had not just guns on them, but also explosives. If I hadn't been alert, America might already be mourning Martin Davis."

He laughed self-deprecatingly and then said, "Because of the dealers Depp brought in, my crew had to shut down production. Many people were affected, including Ridley; the victims aren't just me. My demand is simple, just have Depp face my crew and publicly apologize as soon as possible, say he's sorry, and we'll put this matter behind us."

"Agreed." Jerry stood up and shook hands with Martin, "Wait for my call."

Martin watched him leave.

Bruce asked, "Do you really intend to let it go just like this?"

But Martin answered a different question, "When Jerry Bruckheimer himself steps in, you've got to give some face."

Bruce always felt that things couldn't be that simple.

......

Ten minutes later, Jerry appeared inside Depp's trailer.

In front of Depp were bottles and glasses of alcohol, and he was pouring and drinking by himself.

Jerry waved his hand to have the others leave temporarily, took a glass, poured a drink, and after having a drink with Depp, said, "There's something I need to ask you a favor."

Depp let out a belch from the alcohol, "Old friend, just say what you need, as long as it's within my power."

Jerry said, "For the sake of our crew, for the sake of the film, and for the events of last night, go and say sorry to Martin Davis and 'The Martian' crew."

Depp shook his head, "I didn't do anything."

Jerry asked, "It's just us two here, tell me, were those dealers called by you?"

Depp was silent at first, then nodded, "Yes, I brought harm to Hodgson."

Thinking of Hodgson and his own brother, a wave of pain hit Depp, his mind foggy from the alcohol, couldn't help but let some thoughts bubble up and said, "Alright, Jerry, for you, I'll apologize to them!"

Jerry replied, "I'll contact the people over there now, you come with me in a bit."

Depp waved his hand and filled his glass to the brim, downing it in one gulp.

After Jerry went out to make a call, a few buddies came into the trailer from outside and asked, "Boss, you really going to apologize to Martin Davis? Hodgson was taken away by the FBI!"

"Apologize? Haha..." Depp laughed darkly and speaking in a low voice, said, "Hodgson is my brother, taken away by the FBI for me, and I should apologize to the mastermind behind it all?"

He demanded, "Give me a beer!"

A lackey brought over another bottle of beer, Depp opened it, and blew into it straight from the bottle.

After a while, Jerry entered the trailer and said, "Johnny, stop drinking, come with me."

Depp got out of the car, following Jerry towards 'The Martian' crew.

They soon approached the edge of the two film crews' territories.

Martin, Louise, and Ridley Scott were standing by a rock, waiting for Depp and his party to arrive.

From "The Martian" crew, dozens of people arrived.

Although no one from the "Lone Ranger" crew was notified, twenty or thirty people still spontaneously followed to watch the excitement.

Louise saw Depp and his entourage and asked Martin in a low voice, "Do you really plan to accept Depp's apology?"

Martin was noncommittal, "If he's willing to apologize sincerely."

Jerry got closer and closer, heading straight for Martin and the others.

Depp, who was originally following him, suddenly stopped, pausing about twenty meters away from Martin's group.

Depp was aware of his slight frame and didn't dare get any closer.

Jerry sensed something and stopped to look back at Depp, not understanding what he was intending to do.

Martin nodded at Daddario, who moved the DV he was carrying, aiming the lens at Depp's direction.

Depp halted in his tracks, undid his belt, took out his 'big brother,' and began urinating towards "The Martian" crew!

This urine stream was both foul-smelling and lengthy, leaving everyone stunned for a moment.

Depp opened fire with a broadside, "To the bastards of 'The Martian' crew, this is Lord Depp's apology to you, your gift!"

In his eyes, including Martin Davis, all the bastards from "The Martian" crew were murderers who had harmed his brother Hodgson!

Depp would never apologize to those who had hurt a brother; he wanted to utterly humiliate them!

Jerry turned to look at Depp and was dumbstruck for a moment.

This asshole!

At that moment, Jerry wanted to kill someone—wanted to kill Depp!

Martin, like a volcano on the verge of erupting, seemed about to rush toward Depp.

He really wanted to hit someone.

Ridley was angry too, but the old man, ignoring his aging legs and arms, rushed over and grabbed one of Martin's arms.

He was afraid that Martin would kill Depp, that wretched villain, with a single punch!

Louise had been holding onto Martin's arm and now hung on his body to prevent him from charging.

Martin's gaze passed over Bruce, and Old Cloth immediately understood.

Bruce was the first to charge toward Depp.

Martin's two bodyguards and Louise's two female bodyguards followed suit.

Among the crew were many hot-blooded youths, and someone among them shouted, "Do him! Take down that sissy nurtured by a slut!"

Dozens of people noisily followed Old Cloth and the bodyguards.

Depp had just opened with a scattershot broadside and used an extremely insulting method!

In contrast, not a single person from the "Lone Ranger" crew came forward to support Depp; those who were watching the excitement even retreated, signaling that they were merely spectators and had nothing to do with that wretched sissy.

Seeing the situation turning sour, Depp's people turned to run.

But Bruce was prepared, leading the most agile bodyguards to circle around and block their escape.

Depp and his entourage, soaked in alcohol and narcotics, were no match for Bruce and his people.

Dozens from "The Martian" crew surrounded them, and screams were incessant.

The hangers-on were brutally beaten.

Depp was pushed and stumbled unevenly.

Bruce didn't join the fray but muttered a few words to Martin's bodyguards and Louise's female bodyguards instead.

The two female bodyguards smiled gleefully and immediately charged in.

Bruce loudly exclaimed, "Depp exposed himself in front of so many women; he's insulting women! He's committing lewd acts against women!"

One of the female bodyguards shouted, "Throw this disrespectful bastard onto the spot where he peed."

Another female bodyguard plunged into the crowd and kicked Depp's behind, causing him to fall face-first, landing in the spot where he had just urinated.

One of Martin's bodyguards yelled, "Depp did not just insult women with his member; he's also offending our LGBT community!"

Another bodyguard bellowed, "He's discriminating against our transgender community!"

"This asshole exposed his organ in public, committing a lewd act against women!" said the female bodyguard, employing the left-wing feminist tactics she had learned from being with Louise for many years: "Don't let this sexual harasser who insulted women get away!"

Some woman, undeterred by the stench of urine on the ground, scooped up some of the wet mud Depp had urinated on and smeared it directly onto Depp's face.

Another woman grabbed the back of Depp's head, forcefully pushing it down.

Depp's face hit the wet ground, and the filthy mud splashed everywhere, urine flying all around.

Various comments about Depp's lewd harassment of women and other vulnerable groups filled the air.

The scene turned into complete chaos.

With the reputation of Jerry Bruckheimer, had he stood up and shouted, he might have been able to stop the conflict.

But he never opened his mouth, instead desperately suppressing the urge to join in personally.

Megan Ellison arrived with the crew's security personnel, shouting to the person in charge, "Hurry up!"

The person in charge wasn't foolish enough to rush into the crowd to break it up; instead, he drew his gun and fired three shots into the air.

The sound of gunshots quieted the crowd.

Depp collapsed in the midst of his own urine.