America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Los Angeles Convention Center, an investor exhibition hosted by NASA is underway.

NASA displayed many future plans, such as establishing a lunar base, manned Mars landing, outer space travel, and Uranian exploration, and so on.

Martin mingled among the crowd, occasionally stopping in front of the exhibition booth of a certain project to pick up some materials for review.

But these space-related projects were almost like a book of secrets to him, a two-time academic underachiever.

Martin would definitely not invest in what he was unfamiliar with and did not understand.

Someone came over and took the initiative to greet him, "Good morning, Martin, I didn't expect to see you here."

"Hello, Greg." Martin shook hands with the newcomer with considerable politeness.

The two sides had done business before, with Greg Peters representing Netflix in purchasing "The Trouble with Romance" starring Jennifer Siebel.

The day-to-day relationship between Martin and Jennifer Siebel was now being managed by Elizabeth Olsen.

After returning from a business trip, Elizabeth told Martin that Jennifer Siebel was planning a new movie project.

Following Greg was a considerably older balding middle-aged man, who introduced, "This is Mark Randolph, the founder and CEO of Netflix. Mark, I don't need to introduce this gentleman, do I?"

As Netflix was now seeking something from Hollywood, Mark Randolph stepped forward and shook hands with Martin, "I'm a massive fan of yours, I've seen all your works, you have to give me an autographed photo, I can show it off back at the company!"

Martin was also adept at the business mutual-flattery game, "I've heard the story of Netflix's startup from many people, started investing in Netflix's stocks a few years ago, and now I'm a shareholder of Netflix, I definitely need a photo with you, a business legend."

Greg knew just what to say, "How about we take a snapshot right now? I'll be the photographer."

Martin and Mark Randolph immediately stood together, letting Greg take a few photos, which he then sent to each of them separately.

Meeting Martin was an unexpected pleasure for Mark Randolph, who wanted to further expand Netflix's business and said directly, "Netflix is planning to invite David Fincher to direct a project, and you are friends with David, have you heard him mention this?"

Martin nodded, "Director Finch mentioned it to me, a political drama. The last time he talked to me about it, you were discussing adaptation rights with the British."

Mark Randolph said, "We've bought the rights already, and we're looking for someone to adapt the script. Besides the talented director and producer David Fincher, I also need a male lead with great acting skills and market appeal, are you interested, Martin?"

Greg interjected timely, "Martin, you're also a shareholder of Netflix."

"I personally have no objections to working with Netflix." Martin spoke truthfully, but it wasn't the right time for cooperation, and he showed a sense of helplessness, "I probably won't have a suitable opening in my schedule for the next three years."

Mark Randolph had no doubts about this, as the stars of Hollywood were never short of invitations, but he didn't give up the hope, saying, "When the first draft of the script is done, could we send it to you to take a look at the script for us?"

Martin had heavily invested in Netflix's stocks from the primary market in the past few years for his own business gain, "No problem, you can come to me at any time."

Before winning an Oscar for Best Actor, Martin would not consider getting directly involved in Netflix movie projects.

He was not short on projects right now.

The reality of the industry must be considered; appearing in streaming media works during this time would significantly increase the difficulty of winning an Oscar for acting.

This was not seven or eight years later.

After ending the casual conversation with the two Netflix executives, Martin took another round through the various exhibition areas. Those space projects involving the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus felt a bit too distant for him.

The money he had wasn't enough to even make a small splash in these terrifyingly expensive projects.

As for the return, it was hard to see.

As someone who enjoyed life, Martin felt it was wiser to invest in something more practical.

As he was reflecting, he arrived in front of an exhibition hall labeled "SpaceX."

A tall, sturdy Caucasian man was standing in front of the hall. Martin found him somewhat familiar.

Upon seeing Martin, the man approached him like an old acquaintance, pointing and saying, "Are you Martin Davis?"

Martin remembered who he was, "You're Elon Musk!"

"Interested in investing in space projects?" Musk approached him with the attitude of a familiar, "SpaceX is pushing a space travel project, aiming to realize manned space travel soon, and we could be among the first tourists."

Martin didn't follow up on his offer and instead said, "How about you invest in my movie instead? I'm working on a space movie project."

Musk knew he was talking about "The Martian", "I can sponsor your movie project." He was a standard businessman, "But on one condition."

Martin signaled him to continue.

Musk said, "How about after your contract with Cadillac expires, you become the spokesperson for Tesla electric cars?"

Not being very familiar with Tesla's situation, Martin asked, "Your electric cars are already on the market?"

"The second-generation Model S will be widely available next year." Musk was clear that if he could get Martin on board as a spokesperson, Tesla's brand influence would skyrocket, "This is a revolutionary automotive product that can set the spokesperson apart."

He gesticulated as he spoke, "Just think, while a host of gas cars are driving on the road, you're riding in a Tesla. Wouldn't everyone's gaze be focused on you?"

Martin replied in a standard tone, "Hollywood has rules, I can't discuss work behind my agent's back. You should talk to my agent about this first."

He didn't outright refuse, "I'm currently working on a space movie project. If you're interested, you can come to Disney Studio's 'The Martian' workshop to discuss advertising sponsorship cooperation."

Incorporating SpaceX or Tesla into the movie wasn't difficult at all.

Musk was very interested, "I'll go talk about it."

Besides these, Musk was also deeply interested in Hollywood, as his current wife, Talulah Riley, was also a somewhat famous actress.

Martin remembered this actress because she had appeared in "Inception," although in a minor role.

After leaving the SpaceX exhibit hall, Martin had essentially seen all the exhibition rooms and simply headed to the front lobby to wait for a while. He then met up with Lily and Elizabeth, who had gone to see the space exhibition, and they left the convention center.

The trio waited until Bruce drove up, and they all got in the car to head home.

Martin took out his phone and called his investment manager Flynn. He said, "I'll soon have a substantial amount coming in from acting fees. When it arrives, transfer it directly to my investment account and purchase all Tesla stock with it."

He thought for a moment and then added, "If Tesla has any plans for financing or stock expansion, let me know right away."

Such an opportunity might be hard to come by, but it was worth trying.

As his confidante, Elizabeth knew somewhat about Martin's financial situation. Aware that his stock investments from the past few years had all appreciated, she said, "I have some funds on my side too, and I'll invest with you."

Martin nodded, "That's fine."

Lily also said, "Count me in."

Bruce's funds had always been invested alongside Martin's, so there was no need to mention it.

He turned the wheel, and the Escalade left the Los Angeles Convention Center.

......

After their car had driven off into the distance, a man left an open-air café not far away. Alone, he crossed the small plaza in front of the convention center and got into a Mercedes sedan that had just parked at the curb.

The man was wearing a suit, dressed like a successful businessman.

His name was Lynch, who had once, under the alias Braun, invited the Trio of Scoundrels from Hollywood to participate in a special golf event at the Los Angeles Country Club.

But the three scoundrels had turned him down.

Removing his sunglasses, Lynch glanced at the blonde woman beside him and said, "Martin Davis and his girlfriend have left."

The blonde woman, Michel Brian, was touching up her makeup in front of a mirror and asked, "Are Martin Davis and Elizabeth Olsen in a good relationship?"

"Martin is constantly involved in scandals, but Elizabeth has never said anything," Lynch, who had adopted the name Braun, had specifically looked into this.

Michel Brian nodded slightly, a thought crossing her mind, and asked, "Have you warned that idiot Fernandez and his gang?"

Lynch said, "Fernandez knows what's at stake. He called you right after Depp's lackeys approached him and didn't take any action afterward, acting as if those goods and those people never existed."

Michel put away her makeup bag, "These Mexicans have some brains after all." She looked in the direction the Escalade had departed, "They destroyed my merchandise and now they don't want to pay me."

Lynch reminded her, "Boss, people like Martin are problematic. You need to be careful."

"We're high-end operators, we don't need those basic and boring methods." Michel had risen to the top position in a particular industry within the Hollywood circle over the years. Even when she was caught a few years ago, she was only fined and sentenced to a few years of house surveillance.

Later, with the discreet assistance of a big shot, she got away with just a fine, and her house surveillance ended early.

With no outsiders in the car, Michel said, "These male Hollywood stars, they all crave women and wine."

Lynch followed up, "Martin Davis is a typical example."

"Although I don't know if that's his taste," Michel smiled broadly, "but how many in Hollywood can resist these temptations? Even if he doesn't indulge, we can find a way to turn him into our client."

She stood up, "The profits he continually generates for us could offset the payment for that batch of merchandise."

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Over the past few years, they had frequently developed Hollywood clients using these methods. Stars from Hollywood often were generous, and not only could they make money from the women's business, but there were also other high-profit ventures to be done, like with Johnny Depp.

The temptation after gaining fame in Hollywood is too great. Stars who have climbed up from the bottom are like Brazilian football stars emerging from the slums, now lavishly squandering both their money and bodies.

Lynch then asked, "Boss, which method shall we use to develop Martin as our client?"