America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 289: Chapter 286 Public Apology

When the news that Martin was preparing to hold a press conference spread throughout the studio, Heath Ledger and CAA had no choice but to accept the terms Martin proposed.

To formally apologize through the media and compensate Martin and Aniston each with 200,000 US Dollars for emotional distress.

After posting bail, Heath Ledger was released.

That day, all three crews filming at the Brooklyn Studio got the news and gathered outside the office building early.

Will Smith, who had just arrived in New York, said cheerfully to producer David Heyman, "I didn't expect to catch such an exciting show right after coming over."

The latter, with his arms crossed, looked toward the brown-haired young man approaching in the distance and said, "The news of Heath Ledger's drug use nearly injuring Martin and Aniston has spread in the industry. Taking drugs is one thing, but causing chaos on a film set..."

He shook his head, speaking from a producer's perspective, "I would never use such an actor."

Will Smith, considering his own safety, said, "I wouldn't allow him on my set."

Media journalists around them began to turn their cameras to take photos of the incoming figure.

Christian Bale, who got along well with Heath Ledger in the crew, couldn't help but shake his head, "The compensation has been paid, and a private apology would suffice. This is going a bit too far now."

People have different stands and thus different opinions. Kate Blanchett, a member of the Australian Gang, shifted her gaze toward Martin and Aniston emerging from the office building and said, "This is extremely excessive!"

Not far from them, Heath Ledger's agent, Kevin Huvane's face looked rather unpleasant.

This incident had a significant impact.

Shamus was relatively positive. The buzz around "Brokeback Mountain" had already started, and the damage wasn't too severe; at worst, they might lose a Best Actor nomination at the Oscars.

For the promotion and marketing of the film, they just needed to downplay Heath Ledger's involvement.

Compared to these related parties, Heath Ledger himself was much more composed. Accompanied by Michel Williams, he went straight to Martin and Aniston.

Dozens of cameras turned their way.

Heath Ledger bowed, "I apologize to you for what I did that day! It may be a bit late, and I can't undo the harm I caused you, but my apology is sincere, and it was all my fault!"

Martin sized up the other party, who was about 1.85 meters tall and solidly built without a hint of impulsiveness.

Aniston nodded slightly, "I accept your apology."

Martin said, "I, too, accept your apology."

Heath Ledger said, "Thank you."

Michel Williams tugged at him, and Heath Ledger gave a regretful smile to the two before returning with his fiancee.

Martin looked at the media journalists being blocked by the studio's security and said softly, "Let's go too."

Aniston followed Martin and left the place.

The media journalists dispersed, hurrying back to file their stories.

Elsewhere, Michel Williams admonished Heath Ledger, "For our daughter's sake, quit it!"

Heath Ledger, making who knows how many promises, said, "I can definitely quit it!"

"Don't let something like this happen again," Michel Williams sighed, feeling drained.

Arriving at the soundstage, Martin entered his makeup trailer; he still had work to continue today.

While waiting for the makeup artist, Bruce reminded Martin, "I filmed the incident on my phone that day."

Martin waved it off, "Keep it; it might be useful in the future."

Bruce replied, "I'll save it later."

After makeup, Martin entered the soundstage and put aside these messy affairs, focusing all his energy on work.

That day, Thomas represented Martin in an interview with the media, detailing the events of that day.

More media followed up with reports, and Heath Ledger also published an apology in the Los Angeles Times.

A few days later, at the luncheon for Oscar nominees hosted by the Academy, the new list of Oscar nominations was announced, missing Heath Ledger's name among the Best Actor candidates.

The negative repercussions of his drug-induced driving almost causing injury to two fellow actors on the set had become evident.

This kind of incident, if taken seriously, is closely related to every actor.

In the Four Seasons Hotel, Kevin Huvane watched as his girlfriend Betty packed his luggage, showing no inclination to help.

Betty asked, "Should I book today's ticket?"

But Kevin kept shaking his head, "No rush to leave."

Betty, who also worked in the entertainment industry, said, "Heath Ledger is in this state now, staying in New York won't make a difference. Wait until his film is about to be released, then think of a strategy. Audiences are forgetful; as long as there are enough good reviews, these negative impacts will fade quickly."

"I want to meet Martin Davis," Kevin said.

Since joining CAA, Kevin had sailed smoothly, handling stars as if they were puppets in his hands. Now, he simply couldn't settle his feelings, "I need to talk to him."

Betty advised, "There's no need."

A message notification beeped on Kevin's phone, and he glanced at it before leaving the room, "I'm stepping out."

Betty warned once more, "Don't confront him; he likes to fight and always does it under the guise of self-defense."

Knowing better than to physically confront Martin, Kevin waved his hand and left the room, heading down to the hotel's business floor. There, in the entertainment area before the business lounge, he saw Martin playing pool with his agent.

Thomas, leaning on his cue stick, asked, "Are you sure?"

Martin potted a red ball and casually pointed toward the lounge, "Jen and Steve are finalizing the last terms with Ari. Once it's settled, we can officially notify CAA."

Seeing Kevin approaching, Thomas greeted, "Thought you'd gone back to Los Angeles."

After sinking the black ball, Martin stood up.

Kevin glanced at Martin and said, "We could have been friends."

Martin couldn't be bothered to say much and just looked at Thomas.

Thomas, very conscious of his position, stepped in front of Martin, claiming the moral high ground, "Is this how you at CAA operate? No sense of right or wrong? Arrogant and overbearing? Michael Ovitz wasn't much different back in the day."

Kevin responded coldly, "You have no right..."

"He might not have the right, but do I?" Ari's voice came from behind Kevin, "Does Ari Emanuel have the privilege of speaking directly to a senior partner of CAA?"

Kevin couldn't hide his surprise, "How are you here?"

At such an occasion, Ari of course had to defend his client, "If I hadn't come, would you have continued to blame Martin? Ha, you think it's still ten years ago when CAA was the only game in town? If you want to start a war, WMA is ready to join!"

Martin didn't need to say anything; the talent agency was already standing in front of him.

Kevin ignored Ari, his gaze fixed on what was behind him.

Aniston and Steve walked over from behind.

A bad premonition welled up in Kevin.

Steve looked at Aniston, and with her slight nod,

"I intended to inform you by phone, but since you're here, Kevin, I might as well tell you now." Steve had his moment of triumph, "Jen and I have formally initiated the termination procedure, and I am heading back to Los Angeles today to deal with the related matters."

Kevin immediately looked at Ari, "You are joining WMA?"

At that moment, Aniston called out to Martin, "Let's go for a big meal to celebrate."

Martin set down his golf club and took the lead to leave with Aniston.

Ari invited Steve, "Let's go, my private jet will fly us back to Los Angeles."

Thomas eagerly ran up, "Me too, I'm also going back to Los Angeles."

Ari chuckled, "Hurry up and pack your bags, I won't wait for you if you're late."

The three agents almost simultaneously headed for the elevator.

Kevin lost his patience and strode in the other direction, immediately calling to inform Bryan Lord – CAA headquarters was shaken.

This time, it wasn't Harley Berry who was poached, but Jennifer Aniston!

When together for over a decade, one takes the other for granted, even growing weary.

Yet it's only upon a sudden loss that one realizes the other's value.

In the restaurant, Aniston specifically asked for a bottle of champagne and had the waiter pour it out.

"I don't know why, but I feel relieved, and a bit of loss," Aniston raised her glass and suddenly smiled, "But it's worth celebrating!"

Martin clinked his glass with hers, "To Jen, cheers!"

They both drained their glasses and laughed together.

Aniston pulled out her phone, switched it off, and said, "I hope that in a few years, we can still sit together and drink to this."

From the sadness and anger post-divorce to the ease and joy of the present, Aniston's attitude had completely changed; the woman in her thirties had become more practical, no longer putting so much weight on love and marriage, preferring to enjoy the present.

With wealth, fame, and power, why bother binding herself in marriage again?

Aren't strong, young lovers delightful?

Especially the one in front of her – tender when needed, dominating when called for, and steadfast when necessary.

Martin understood Aniston's words, proactively responding, "I hope it will be the same many years from now."

After dinner, they left arm in arm, heading back to their room.

For Martin, it was both Rachel's charisma and the allure of a wealthy woman.

Who wouldn't like a rich woman like Aniston, who had looks, figure, and poise?

…

Discover hidden tales at M V L

In Long Island, New York, a wealthy residential area,

The three-person reporter team from "World News Report," driving a utility company repair van, parked on the outskirts of the community.

Lukaku, driving the van, reminded Azar and Courtois, "Quick, change your clothes. I found out that Harvey Weinstein often invites directors and actors to discuss scripts and roles at Villa No. 21 here."

After getting dressed, Azar checked the tools, uttering, "To think as a journalist you need to be skilled in communication technology, I'm really a talent!"

Courtois envied, "You have the highest salary among us too!"

Azar turned on the van's roof light, rifled through the community's telephone line maps, and after comparing them with the actual setup, he pointed to the southeast, "Go there, the signal switch closest to Villa No. 21 is in that direction."

Once back in the van, Lukaku voiced, "Are we pioneering a whole new type of journalist?"

Courtois asked, "The kind that ends up in jail?"

"To hell with you!" Azar didn't appreciate his fatalism, "Don't jinx us! The paper's done so much, and with all the commotion in England, we've been fine till now."

Arriving near the switch, Lukaku suggested, "Phone tapping alone has limited effects. Should we consider another approach?"

By chance, a mother and daughter passed by the repair van, the little girl clutching a cute stuffed toy.

Courtois had an idea, "How about this: when someone's in the villa, we play the role of a business doing a big plush toy giveaway? I recall the company providing a hidden camera device disguised as the eyes of a toy."

"That's a good idea."

With no one around, the three got busy, working so skillfully they hardly seemed like journalists.

"World News Report" reporters prided themselves on being multi-talented.