America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz-Chapter 753 746: Cutting Flesh

Malibu, a massive mansion, stood alone on a small seaside hill.

Harris Carter stood on the rooftop, gazing at the Pacific to the west, where the sea and the sky blended in a seamless vista, undoubtedly one of the selling points of the house.

Real estate agent Schneider was on the phone in the distance, negotiating the price with the homeowner.

Harris wasn't in a hurry, patiently waiting.

After a while, Schneider hung up the phone and came back. He said, "The owner's bottom line is 30 million US dollars. Any lower, and he feels there's no need to sell."

Harris knew the homeowner's situation and shook his head, "20 million US dollars, that's my final offer."

Schneider didn't relent, "If you say that, we can't talk."

Harris shrugged and replied, "There are plenty of luxury homes to choose from in Los Angeles. If that's the case, let it be."

This was an utterly unbalanced negotiating duel; the homeowner was constantly urging a fast deal. Schneider also knew that it wasn't every day he could find someone who could come up with such a large sum of money to buy a mansion on short notice.

He relented, "Wait, let me make another call."

Harris felt he was about to close the deal and added an important weight to his side, "I have sufficient funds and don't need to go through loan procedures. The transaction will be paid in full, in cash."

After another phone call by Schneider, the house, originally listed for 36 million US dollars, was sold to the eager buyer for 20 million US dollars under the condition that the seller desperately needed the money.

The seller also stipulated one crucial condition: to handle the transfer procedures and money transfer with utmost speed.

Both parties reached an agreement, and Harris prepared to leave the building.

"Wait, Mr. Carter," Schneider called out to him, taking the initiative to ask, "You mentioned before that you're looking for a property in downtown Los Angeles. I have a top-floor penthouse that occupies the entire top floor of a skyscraper. The owner bought it for 18 million US dollars but is now willing to sell it for 13 million US dollars."

Harris understood immediately which property he was talking about and said, "Let's go have a look tomorrow."

Schneider replied with a smile, "Sounds good."

Harris descended the stairs, got into his car, and drove away from the mansion. He then dialed Martin's number.

Martin answered the call and asked, "Did everything go smoothly?"

Harris replied directly, "The deal for the Malibu house is done, for 20 million US dollars."

Martin responded with a laugh, "Well done."

"It's not so much that I did well, but that the homeowner desperately needed the cash," Harris modestly remarked and added, "That real estate agent has invited me to view a top-floor penthouse downtown tomorrow. I think it might be Depp's place."

Martin replied, "If the price is right, take it. If we play the long game, these properties always sell."

If it hadn't been for Depp's urgent need for money, such a price wouldn't even be a consideration.

At Davis Studio, Martin hung up the phone and refreshed his browser. On the TMZ homepage, there was another daily exchange of bad blood between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp.

The court wouldn't convene so quickly, and the messy fight was sure to drag on, slowly chipping away at Johnny Depp's remaining good reputation until nothing was left.

Most of what Amber Heard said was pure fabrication.

But some parts weren't made up, such as those concerning Lily Depp.

One could imagine that when Lily Depp grew up, she might turn out to be someone like Robert Downey Jr.

The office door was knocked twice from outside, and Bruce stepped in, saying to Martin, "Ivan just received an interesting piece of news."

Martin closed the TMZ page and inquired, "What's happened?"

Bruce simply stated, "There's gossip circulating that Anna Purna Pictures is preparing to sell the movie rights for 'The Seventh Son.'

Martin couldn't help but laugh, "Is Megan Ellison losing confidence?" He pondered for a moment, "She intends to sell the rights to recoup her investment."

Bruce pulled up a chair and sat across from him, "Likely so."

Martin tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said, "We can't miss such a drama. Tell Ivan to keep a close eye on the situation with that film."

"I asked around; the movie used too many special effects shots, and post-production isn't finished yet," Bruce added, "Even if there's a deal, it will have to wait until the film is complete."

Martin declared, "We're going after the rights too."

Bruce didn't understand, "Why?"

Martin explained simply, "Epic productions are loved by many companies in Hollywood. Just like how Ridley Scott has messed up in the epic genre time and again, but can still pull in huge investments, it's possible that a company might bid high for 'The Seventh Son's' rights out of confusion."

His plan to get involved was certainly to stir the pot: "By joining in, we can stay up to date with the developments, and when the time comes, we can act to drive down the transfer fee for the rights."

Bruce commented, "You don't think the movie will succeed?"

Martin spoke earnestly, "The chances of 'The Lone Ranger's' success are higher than that of 'The Seventh Son.'

Since the new millennium, besides the 'The Lord of the Rings' series, Hollywood has produced few costume epics that haven't flopped.

Bruce went to call Ivan.

Martin finished his work at hand, took a bracelet gift box specially selected from Cartier, and left the studio.

Passing through the pedestrian bridge that spanned between ABC Television Network and Disney Headquarters, Martin entered the Disney Studio. Bruce was just about to take the golf cart when a car came from behind and stopped next to them.

Elena Satine sat in the driver's seat, waving at the two, "Martin, Old Cloth, get in."

Martin and Bruce got into the golf cart together.

As Elena Satine drove further in, she said, "I haven't been here for a while, and I never expected to run into you all today as soon as I came."

Martin casually asked, "Aren't you starring in Marvel's 'Agents of SHIELD'? Isn't the shooting busy?"

"I'm playing a minor role." Elena Satine specified, "A siren named Lorelei, a fugitive from Asgard who fled to Earth."

Martin followed up on her words, "What kind of superpowers does she have?"

Elena Satine laughed, "She can enchant and control men with her voice."

Martin nodded, "That's a very nice superpower."

"Actors from Eastern Europe like me usually end up with these kinds of roles," Elena Satine said with a resigned smile. "It's hard for us to get the good serious roles."

Unable to detect her accent, Martin asked, "Which country in Eastern Europe are you from?"

Elena Satine replied, "I'm Georgian, but I grew up in Russia."

"We're here," Martin pointed to the "La La Land Studio" ahead on the left, "Just park on the side of the road."

When the golf cart stopped, he took the gift bag from the seat, got out, and said to Elena Satine, "Thank you."

"Goodbye," Elena Satine waved and continued driving ahead.

When Martin entered the studio, the receptionist said, "Mr. Davis, Miss Mel asked you to go directly to her office once you arrived."

"Got it." Martin nodded with a smile and headed straight to Louise's office.

As Martin came in, Louise turned on the TV and pulled out a DVD, sliding it into the player.

Louise briefly said, "It was sent over by a young director who is very eager to take on the direction of 'La La Land'. His name is..."

Glancing at the documents on her desk, she said, "His name is Damien Chazelle, born in 1985, even younger than you, with no significant credentials to his name. His past work includes only one musical titled 'Guy and Adeline on a Park Bench'."

Martin picked up the director's information, he should have heard of him, but didn't recall the film Louise mentioned.

"He knows he's inexperienced," Louise said. "During the initial director's interview yesterday, he gave me this DVD, which contains a musical short he filmed. I've watched it, and it's quite distinctive."

"Let's watch the short film first," Martin suggested.

Louise had already pressed the play button.

The short film started with an intense flurry of jazz drumming.

A young drummer sat at his jazz drum kit, practicing with near madness, to the extent of blistering his hands and continuing even after applying band-aids.

It was a story about the growth of a young drummer and, likely due to budget constraints, it only lasted a brief 20 or so minutes.

Though the story wasn't complete, it was enough to remind Martin of one film.

"Whiplash."

The nearly mad jazz drummer, combined with a somewhat familiar director's name, made Martin think there was a good chance, but he wanted to read the script to be sure.

As the short film ended, Louise commented, "This director wants to adapt his experience joining a band in high school into a film but couldn't find investors. He ended up funding this rough short film himself to attract investors, and I think it's quite distinctive."

Martin gestured towards the DVD player, "Call him and ask him to come over in the next few days. I'm interested in investing in this project."

Louise, who now almost believed Martin could do no wrong, did not hesitate, "Consider Pacific Pictures in on this project."

Martin nodded, "Negotiate with him to shoot a segment of 'La La Land' to show us. If it passes our evaluation, then the director's position is his."

"Perhaps he will surprise us," Louise remarked.

"I'm off to practice the piano. If there's anything, find me in the music room," Martin left Louise's office.

On his way to the music room, he passed the dance studio and made a point of looking inside. Mandy Moore was practicing a dance routine, and Silsa Ronan was also there.

Martin waited for them to finish a segment, then gestured to Silsa Ronan.

Dressed in her dance outfit, Silsa immediately ran over, smiling, "Did you need me for something?"

Martin handed her the gift bag, "Happy 18th Birthday, this is your present."

"Thank you." Seeing the Cartier logo, Silsa asked, "May I open it now?"

Martin made a go-ahead gesture, "Feel free."

Silsa opened the gift box to find an exquisite white gold diamond bracelet lying inside. She stretched out her hand, revealing her pale wrist, "Can you help me put it on?"

Martin took the bracelet and clasped it on Silsa's wrist.

Silsa raised her arm, twirling it back and forth in front of her eyes, looking at it from the front and back, growing happier by the second, "It's so beautiful, I love it."

Martin pointed forward, "I'm off to practice the piano."

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