America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 302: Chapter 299 Recommendation Letter

As soon as he returned to Los Angeles, Martin received a call from Aniston. Instead of rushing home, he went to the hotel they had agreed to meet at.

In the suite at the Four Seasons Hotel, flames ignited as soon as the two met.

The story of a teenager and a goddess in real-life posters entered a whole new phase.

Finally satisfied, Aniston lay askew on the couch and said, "There's one thing I'm very curious about."

Martin wrapped his arms around her and asked, "What's that?"

Turning her head to look at him, Aniston's eyes were filled with doting affection, "Be honest with me, was your place really plastered with my posters?"

Martin knew he must not change his story, as everything he had said before would fall apart, "Of course, it's just that they aren't there anymore."

"Why?" Aniston asked.

"They all got damaged," Martin's fingers touched Aniston's lips, "They all turned into holes, and I was too embarrassed to let anyone see, so I took them all down."

Pretending to be angry, Aniston said, "You really are a bad boy."

Martin had done this many times in person, let alone making up a story about posters, "No choice, I have a great talent; I've been strong since I was young."

Aniston didn't want to hear a man bragging, she picked up her bag, which had fallen onto the side of the couch, took out a sealed envelope, and handed it to Martin, "Here's my handwritten recommendation letter, and I've also spoken to Vice Chancellor Diana at the California Institute of the Arts."

Martin put it away, "Thanks."

"Is that all the thanks I get?" Aniston was quite unsatisfied, "All talk and no action?"

Martin understood, he had to show his gratitude through actions.

Without a word, he thanked her with all his might.

Out of the blue, Aniston asked, "Will you stay the night with me?"

Without hesitation, Martin replied, "I can."

Aniston immediately became much more proactive.

The reason Martin accepted was that Blake was not in Los Angeles.

Being a star actor involved too much traveling for filming and promotion.

After going through a divorce, Aniston was extremely disillusioned with marriage, and she didn't want to get involved in another love affair that could easily get hurt. She wanted someone like Martin, a strong performer, not demanding, and without an eye on her wealth, as a long-term lover.

The next day, after having lunch together past noon, Martin and Aniston left the hotel separately.

Returning to Cody Community, he happened to meet Mr. Jones, his neighbor, driving home.

Jones honked his car horn and stopped first, waiting for Martin's Escalade to halt before rolling down his window and calling out, "I got the recommendation letter for you; are you coming to get it?"

"Sure," Martin responded.

Jones waved his hand and drove home.

Martin got out of his car and headed alone to the house next door. Just as he rang the doorbell, Jones' voice came through the intercom, "Martin, please come in."

The iron gate opened, and Martin entered, only to see Mr. Jones standing in front of the villa waving. He followed Jones through the front yard and into the living room.

From the adjacent hallway, Jenna, dressed in a sports crop top, swiftly approached and greeted Martin, apologizing, "I was just working out; I didn't have time to change. Please excuse me."

Martin smiled and said, "No problem."

Jenna went on to say, "I have high hormone secretion, so I need to keep up with a high volume of exercise. I heard you work out often too? Let's do it together sometime."

Facing this enthusiastic invitation, Martin gave a noncommittal response, "If there's a chance."

Mr. Jones handed over a sealed bag to Martin, "Recommendation letter from the director of the Los Angeles Museum of Modern Art. He's one of the well-known alumni from the California Institute of the Arts."

Accepting it, Martin said, "Thank you."

Mr. Jones chuckled, "The last time you authorized 'Wanted Order' for Jenna, letting her both direct and star in the Sacred Valley version; the film is now on the market."

At this point, Martin had no choice but to inquire, "The results must be good, right?"

"Exceptional!" Mr. Jones replied, pride unmistakable in his voice, "It set a new sales record for films starring Jenna, more than tripling the sales numbers of 'Caribbean Pirates' during the same period."

Martin exclaimed, "That's quite explosive!"

The studio had granted Jenna's company the rights to adapt and authorize 'Wanted Order' based on a basic fee plus a share of the sales.

This would also contribute to the film's offline revenue.

In other words, as the male lead and one of the investors of 'Wanted Order,' Martin would also enjoy a share of the profits.

Mr. Jones was in great spirits, "Once it wins a few awards, the sales figures will climb even higher."

Martin nodded and said to Jenna, "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Jenna courteously invited, "If you have time one day, you're welcome to visit the set."

Back when Bruce first came to Los Angeles, Martin had accompanied him to observe a live shoot with Jenna Jameson.

Once the veil of mystery and curiosity had been lifted, the interest waned.

Martin politely exchanged a few words before making his excuses to leave.

The Jones father and daughter saw Martin out of the courtyard gate.

Back home, Martin packed his bags briefly and lay down on the bed to catch up on sleep.

Aniston, in her thirties, had displayed a rather surprising vigor; Martin had hardly slept the previous night.

After a nap, Martin and Bruce headed out again to the fitness center in North Hollywood, and en route, Martin made another call to Mene.

The female personal trainer at the fitness center, famous for her exceptionally developed glutes, had resigned and was said to have gone back to Mississippi to get married.

Martin put on his boxing gloves and said, "I thought you would start something with her, especially since she seems to be right up your alley."

Bruce geared up in protective equipment, picked up a focus mitt, and said, "A serious relationship? No way. The personal training scene is messy. To sell fitness classes, they usually treat themselves as a freebie, especially when dealing with high-end clients like us."

Martin bumped his fists together, making a thumping sound, "Let's start."

Bruce bent down in a boxing stance, ready to train with Martin.

Outside, Mene came near the boxing ring, gestured from afar, and then sat down on a nearby chair to wait.

He waited until Martin and Bruce took a break before going over to greet them.

Martin, with Bruce's help, took off his gloves and leaned on the railing to catch his breath, glancing at Mene: "You seem to have put on some weight."

Mene scratched his head and said, "Perhaps an overabundance of nutrition?"

Bruce, who was drinking water next to him, almost spat it out.

Martin grabbed a bottle of water, handed it to Mene, and squeezed through the railing.

Mene pointed towards the cycle area, "I got a membership here, I come at least three times a week."

Bruce came over and gave Mene a pat on the shoulder, "Keep up with body management. Many people start getting fat the moment they slack off."

Mene, seeing Martin head to the changing room, lowered his voice and said, "I'm gaining weight because of Emma Thomas."

Bruce walked away from the changing room, "What happened? Don't tell me it's her..."

"No, not that," Mene, understanding Bruce's implication, earnestly explained, "Emma Thomas has a sweet tooth, the very sweet kind, to the point that even I find it overwhelming."

He elaborated, "Lately, Emma's been having me join her for midnight snacks, all bursting with sweetness. I had to keep up with her to get her attention."

Bruce had seen Emma Thomas, a middle-aged woman who didn't seem to manage her figure much and appeared rather plump.

He nodded at Mene, "That's tough."

"You know what I've been through, compared to that, this is nothing," Mene said cheerfully. After all, Emma Thomas was not yet forty, quite young compared to other female directors and producers he had dated.

He changed the subject, displaying a hint of pride, "A year ago, doing part-time work and acting, I'd earn just tens of thousands of dollars. Bruce, do you know what my current fee is? After these two years of progress, I can now make up to 100,000 dollars per film. Among the young, black actors in Hollywood, I'm one of the few sought-after supporting actors."

Bruce sincerely wished him well, "May you become the next Morgan Freeman."

"I don't have a granddaughter, and I don't want to..." Mene shrugged.

Bruce said, "Keep up with the latest about Emma Thomas, especially concerning the New Batman and Christian Bale."

Mene knew what his next step was, "I got it."

The two then retreated to the rest area and waited for a while until Martin came out of the changing room with his bag.

He checked the time, "Let's find a place to grab a drink, my treat."

The trio left the fitness club and drove to a nearby bar.

They only had a few drinks before calling it a night.

Back at home, Martin went into his office, turned on the computer and webcam, and made a call to Elena.

A few minutes later, Elena and Lily appeared on the webcam together.

Elena asked, "What's up so late at night?"

Martin spoke straight to the point, "Good news, I've got recommendation letters from the director of the Los Angeles Museum of Modern Art and Jennifer Aniston."

Lily on the other side jumped up, cheering, "I can go to the California Institute of the Arts now!"

She grasped Elena's arm and shook it vigorously, "Elena, I can go to college in Los Angeles! Ha ha…"

Before she could finish laughing, Elena broke free from Lily's grip, raised her fist, and delivered two punches.

Lily, whose joy had turned into chagrin, immediately quieted down, looking like she wanted to say something, but seeing Elena's fist still near, she shut her mouth obediently.

After enjoying the little drama, Martin continued, "Even with recommendation letters, don't slack off, Lily. If your test scores are too low, they might still not accept you."

Lily glanced at Elena and said, "I have been working hard."

Elena, knowing she couldn't stop her sister, simply asked, "Is the tuition expensive?"

Martin replied, "Don't worry about the tuition..."

"No need," Elena cut him off without hesitation, "I have some savings here, enough to cover Lily's first year of tuition. After that, she'll have to fend for herself."

Lily confidently replied, "I'll get a part-time job and earn money."

Martin didn't say more, knowing that people need to go through certain trials to truly grow.

At that moment, Lily said, "I just finished a bunch of works, I feel they're better than the sculptures I've done before. I'll mail them to you tomorrow."

Martin replied, "Sure, the next time my crew gives away mementos, I'll hand out your sculptures."

Lily was overjoyed.

But Martin, being the person he was, didn't let her happiness last more than five seconds, "You're running low on raw materials, right? I'll send you another batch."

Lily's face fell immediately.