America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

"Do you think Disney Studio is cursed or something?"

Emma Watson's gossip had a huge influence. The cast and crew of "Escape from Tehran" spent their breaks discussing this topic, "The Amber Heard from a few months back, and now Emma Watson..."

Another person whispered, "It might not be a curse, maybe it's their special hobby? These Hollywood sluts, one after another, they're not normal. Amber Heard set an example, and Emma Watson deliberately followed and even outdid Amber."

Someone nearby said, "Could there be a next one? Disney Studio is getting them hooked!"

A woman took a bottle of perfume from her pocket, sprayed a little on her finger, and rubbed it under her nose, "Now when I walk through the main entrance of the studio, I always spray some perfume on first."

Another woman spoke in an even lower voice, "Do you remember? A few days ago, Emma Watson was chasing Martin. Do you think Martin would give her another chance?"

"If it were you, would you?"

"After such a terrible thing happened, even if she's Hermione Granger, I'd steer clear away from her."

A shout from an assistant director echoed in the studio, "Attention all departments, shooting in five minutes!"

The chatter died down. Although director David Fincher wasn't known for an explosive temper, no one wanted to challenge the authority of an A-list director.

The male lead, Martin, appeared on set. Many were silent, but internally, they were very curious—if Emma Watson approached Martin again, how would he react?

Martin was in excellent form today, nailing many scenes in one take. The only retakes were because David Fincher wanted to shoot from different angles to see the effects.

The morning's shooting wrapped up, and the crew went to lunch before calling it a day.

Martin and Bruce entered the cafeteria, got their food, and sat down, only to notice many people glancing over.

Looking up, they saw why.

Emma Watson, with her meal in hand, was walking their way.

Silsa Ronan had arrived at the cafeteria early, waiting for Emma Watson to show up, and how could she miss a chance to provoke her arch-rival?

She quickly walked over to Martin's side, and as Emma approached, she pinched her nose and fanned in front of it as if she smelled something odd.

Emma Watson halted, and even with her strong mental fortitude, she had no desire to face her rival's mockery now.

She and her team desperately defended themselves, even releasing news claiming it was just acting, but no one listened, no one believed.

The media and the public must be blind!

"Don't come any closer!" Silsa, as if possessed by the spirit of an actress, pointed at Emma and took out a small bottle of perfume from her pocket, "Don't make us lose our appetite!"

Emma Watson turned and walked away, finding an empty table to sit at.

The few people who considered sitting there saw her approaching and turned to walk to another side.

Emma Watson had been in the entertainment industry long enough to recognize these were just opportunistic bastards eager to kiss up to the powerful and kick down the weak.

She bowed her head and sped up eating, suddenly recalling Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint. Those bastards still contacted her, but their attitude had clearly changed.

They used to be bootlickers; since that day, they had become the most ordinary of friends.

Also, a project her agent was discussing for her, directed by Sophia Coppola and called "Shiny Ring," had its negotiations abruptly halted by the production company.

After eating quickly, Emma Watson went straight back to the "Noah's Ark" production's rest area.

Feeling irritated and gloomy, her mood dipped.

When Alanna came back in, Emma Watson said, "Did you bring it? I need some more."

Alanna opened her bag, took out a small plastic bag from a compartment, and passed it over.

The moment Emma Watson took it, she transformed entirely, unintentionally perking up, her hands trembling.

...

Martin left the cafeteria, followed by Silsa Ronan.

They chatted as they walked.

Silsa said, "Teacher, have you got any time coming up? My mom wants to invite you over to the house."

Martin thought about his schedule and said, "There's no time soon. Once 'Escape from Tehran' wraps up, I'm committed to a series of media promotion activities for 'The Martian,' and I promised Elizabeth to be home every evening."

Elizabeth had been tolerant enough; whenever she was in Los Angeles, Martin spent every evening at home, safe and sound.

Silsa replied, "Okay then, maybe another time when you're less busy."

Martin glanced at Silsa, "Now that you've settled in Los Angeles, there'll be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Silsa nodded, then added, "I've learned a new song. Want to hear it?"

Martin said, "Go ahead."

Silsa hummed softly, "All the sorrows, all the grievances, all the laughter, all the successes, they all rest in your understanding of me, you are my eternal reliance, you are my eternal reliance..."

Her eyes, clear as lake water, stayed fixed on Martin.

"It's a very nice song," Martin said. "Who is the original singer?"

Silsa smiled, "The melody I borrowed from someone else, but the lyrics are my own."

Martin casually said, "Not bad."

Silsa followed up, "I wrote it specifically for you."

Martin suddenly thought of Taylor Swift, whom he seemed to have mentioned to Silsa before, and said, "You're a student who loves to learn."

Silsa had been puzzled for a long time, and now she couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, why are you having me learn singing and dancing? What will I use them for?"

Martin thought for a moment and asked, "Between a purely commercial musical and an artistic one, which would you choose?"

Silsa didn't even think before saying, "I'll choose whichever one you tell me to choose."

For a former child star like her, facing a transition, what choice did she really have, when so many child stars had fallen after growing up?

Martin said, "Keep practicing."

In the days that followed, the filming of "Escape from Tehran" continued, but Emma Watson never again visited the set.

Martin heard from different crew members that every time Emma Watson encountered Silsa Ronan, she would immediately give way.

In the battle between these two arch-rivals, Silsa Ronan was temporarily in the lead.

The filming of "Escape from Tehran" also reached its final stage. That day, Nicholson, Leonardo, and Lorraine visited the set again.

After shooting a scene, Martin led them into the lounge.

Lorraine took out a box and handed it to Martin, "This is for you."

Martin saw the ribbon on the box and asked, "Why are you suddenly giving me a gift?"

After dealing with Emma Watson and having nothing else to do, Leonardo decided to play a joke on Martin, saying, "After failing to scheme for my fortunes, Jack and Lorraine have decided to launch an offensive against you. This is Lorraine's marriage proposal gift to you."

Martin's hand, which had been reaching out, immediately withdrew as he looked at Nicholson.

That old rascal, far from denying it, continued Leonardo's joke, saying, "If you want to marry Lorraine, I have no objections. We can go register today, and I could have the wedding ready for you tomorrow."

Lorraine, used to the antics with the three men, said, "I have no objections either."

"I do not agree!" Martin took the gift box and opened it, finding a beautifully crafted commemorative medal inside.

Lorraine explained, "I've made quite a bit of pocket money following you guys. This is a gift I had specially made."

Martin accepted it gratefully, "Thanks."

Lorraine didn't stand on ceremony with them, "Next time you stir up trouble, remember to call me over to take photos and videos."

Leonardo readily agreed, "No problem."

Lorraine then asked, "When can I get my Pulitzer Prize?"

Martin joined in the banter, "If you expose all of Jack's scandals, you can make money and win awards. Two birds with one stone."

Lorraine continued the jest, "Great idea. I know quite a few of Jack's secrets..."

"Do you believe I can stop your trust fund at any time?" Nicholson asserted his paternal authority.

Lorraine quickly shut her mouth.

Nicholson turned to Martin, "We've got nothing else to stir up lately, so Leo and I have discussed doing something more challenging."

Leonardo picked up, "Exactly. We don't bother with anything that isn't challenging."

"Don't go too far!" Martin warned, realizing that whatever they were planning was directly related to him and cautioned further as a self-reminder, "Playing too many pranks on people can lead to psychological scars, making them develop paranoia."

Nicholson replied, "We plan to do something good for a change, not rotten things like you do."

Martin took out several bottles of water from the fridge, handed one to each person, and waited for them to continue.

Leonardo revisited an old topic, "I often hear people discuss our trio on the outside. They like to ask why each of us has won an Oscar Best Actor award, it's really even."

He shook his head with a sigh. "Every time this comes up, I don't know how to respond."

Martin simply gave him the middle finger, "Enough!"

Nicholson added, "Now among us three, you're the only one who doesn't have the Oscar Best Actor statuette. Leo and I decided to get busy in the coming months to see if we can get you to that Oscar Best Actor throne."

Martin said, "I only have two movies coming out this year, one is 'John Wick: Chapter 2', and Jonathan's character certainly won't win awards. The other one, 'The Martian', is about to be released where my role is significant, but the film is a science fiction type, inherently flawed..."

Nicholson pushed his glasses up, "Without difficulty, what fun would it be for Leo and me to get involved?"

"That's right, we want to tackle the difficult tasks!" Leonardo said with enthusiasm. "Think about last year, you had me sell ugliness, which netted me an Oscar Best Actor. This year, it's my turn to get you to sell."

Martin asked out of curiosity, "What's your plan?"

Leonardo had given it considerable thought, "The plan I've developed is called the Martin Hardship Selling Plan!"

Martin was skeptical at the sound of it, "Hardship selling?"

Leonardo nodded, "You come from a poor background, climbed up from the very bottom, the most representative person of the American dream in Hollywood."
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Nicholson chimed in, "Just give it a try, there's always a first time for everything."

Martin couldn't bear to refuse the goodwill of his two buddies, even though he knew they weren't reliable in this regard.