America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Before Martin arrived, he had done some research and knew that the Privat Group was one of Ukraine's oligarch groups, with its core, Privat Bank, ranked among the top 500 world banks.

Of course, this minor detail wasn't enough to alarm the top brass of the oligarch group.

Martin said, "We're loose on the outside and tight on the inside. The exterior remains the same, but inside, apart from necessary personnel, everyone else is replaced with professionals."

Alexandrovich added, "We need some female security personnel."

"No problem," Lebrov said as he made a phone call.

Soon, three security team leaders entered the reception room, and they began to discuss the matter together.

Martin then found Nicky and gave her an alarm provided by the security personnel. If anything went wrong, she just had to press the button on her watch, and the security personnel would immediately receive the message.

…

"Servant of the People" had made Alexandrovich a household name in Ukraine, and the Saintess Pop Group selection contest he initiated and organized caused a sensation in the CIS and Eastern Europe regions during its budget stage.

Martin joined the competition as a judge for the finals, further fueling the excitement.

There were many reporters covering the production team, some even waited around the clock.

Andre, wearing a badge and holding a camera, left the TV station and got into a car.

Shortly after, two other people also got into the car.

Andre asked the bearded man, "Victor, what's the situation on your end?"

Victor rubbed his beard and replied, "That girl named Nicky keeps moving between the TV station and the hotel. She's very cautious, and our people can't get to her."

Andre asked, "Can we take action along the way?"

Victor shook his head, "They take a bus and there are security vehicles both in front and behind. Unless we hire armed robbers."

Andre tapped the steering wheel, "It looks like we need to devise a trapping plan."

He then looked at the blond young man on the other side, "Leonid, any progress on your end?"

"Yes, a dance teacher took our money and our information," Leonid flicked his beautiful blond hair and said, "I've already communicated with her, she will try to persuade some of the more naive competitors."

He added, "Among these contestants, some come from humble backgrounds, have limited experience, but are filled with dreams of becoming a star."

"Ordinary people all want to leave Ukraine and go to a paradise-like country," Andre had done just that, leaving Ukraine to pursue dreams in America, "Believe me, the American dream will convince many."

Leonid asked, "Boss, after this is over, can we also go to America?"

Andre laughed, "Of course! I will take you to enjoy the warm sunshine of Los Angeles. Just stick with me, the money you'll make will be five times what you make here, and it will be in US dollars!"

Both Victor and Leonid laughed happily.

…

In the TV station, a break room near a practice room.

Erica-Herzog with her golden ponytail walked slowly in, took off her sweaty dance clothes, kicked off her dance shoes, and sat on the floor.

Nastya Zhekpunikhova, with long dark brown hair, gave a glance to her companion.

Misha Normannova, flipping her red wavy hair, walked to the door of the break room, looked outside to see if anyone was there, and then closed the door tightly.

The three were roommates, and their relationship was the best among the finalists. Seeing the door closed, Erica asked, "Got a secret to share?"

Based on the recent choreography practices, Nastya made a bold assumption, "In the critical phase of the finals, it might proceed with contestants forming trios."

Erica folded her arms around her knees and massaged, "We haven't been informed from above."

Misha said, "Come on, think with the brain under that blond hair, Erica! You're not really a bimbo, are you?"

Erica shrugged, "I've been a switchboard operator for too long, a bit disconnected from society, less knowledgeable."

Nastya rolled her eyes, "If it wasn't for me and Misha, you would have been sold long ago!"

The relationships among girls were peculiar—often bonding at first sight into close friendships. She reminded Erica again, "There are many bad people in the candidate group. Think more when you face problems and check with me and Misha first."

Nastya, the youngest but had been performing on stage since she was six and had participated in two talent shows since she was fifteen, was undoubtedly the most knowledgeable among them.

Misha also said, "Don't end up being sold and helping count the money."

Erica quickly responded, "Okay, okay, I will consult you guys whenever I encounter something."

Nastya returned to the main topic, "As you know, having participated in two talent shows, although I was eliminated in both, I'm very familiar with the process of these competitions. Saintess Pop Group selects only three members, and in the end, they will definitely have us group in threes, keeping this as an important part of the assessment."

She suggested, "We three live together, practice singing together in the evenings, and if the physical strength allows, we should also practice dancing together."

Misha declared, "The opportunity is right before us, we absolutely cannot miss it!"

Compared to the millennials Nastya and Misha, Erica, born in 1988, took her chances more seriously. At 25, still having achieved nothing, she didn't want to go back to being a switchboard operator.

After discussing, they all changed their clothes and left.

Erica headed to the adjacent Latin dance room, ready to consult the dance teacher, Olga, about some dance questions.

After some time training, Olga got to know these pupils well. Seeing Erica was a bit naive yet patient, she gave thorough explanations.

Erica was somewhat anxious.

Olga advised, "Be patient, and keep a normal heart."

Erica tossed her golden ponytail to the back of her head, "Among all the candidates, I am the oldest, missing this opportunity could mean never making it big. Teacher, I don't want to go back to being a switchboard operator."

Olga shook her head with a smile, "There are always opportunities around us... hmm, I had a student, almost your age, who was eliminated in the Kiev regional finals, she was so upset she wanted to jump off a building, but opportunities always appear unexpectedly, she was spotted by a Hollywood scout!"