America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 482 The Best Sisters

The freshly redecorated awards room gleamed as Elizabeth handed the Oscar trophy to Martin and said, "You should place it yourself."

Martin opened a glass case and placed the little Oscar inside, then turned on the crystal light inside.

Light shone on the little Oscar, reflecting dazzling golden rays.

Martin was extremely satisfied with the display case and looked around at the others.

The Saturn Award, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild trophies, as well as the key to the city of Los Angeles, the bronze certification for Martin Day, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and so on, were all kept in individual glass cases.

Other awards such as the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award, Teen Choice Award, and BAFTA were relegated to sharing display cases due to space constraints.

This awards season alone, Martin had won no fewer than twenty awards of various sizes, and having a separate case for each one seemed too extravagant.

Elizabeth came over and said, "Lily had over ten cases custom-made, and the extras are stored away. I believe they'll be needed soon."

Martin laughed, "No matter what, I still need to get an Oscar for Best Actor."

Eliza remembered something, "Isn't 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' going to Cannes in May? Try to bring home a Best Actor award from Cannes."

Martin nodded, "I hope the French will all want to cut off the edges of their flag when they see me."

Elizabeth didn't understand his meaning.

Lily entered the room just then and overheard Martin's remark. She explained, "Martin means that the French would cut off the two edges of their flag and wave the middle part to welcome him."

Elizabeth turned to look at Lily, feeling a bit puzzled.

Lily shrugged, "I've heard that tired joke too many times."

Elizabeth said, "Martin isn't Napoleon."

Lily casually spoke nonsense, "But he's always searching for a Joan of Arc."

Elizabeth smiled and asked, "Has he found her?"

Martin pointed at her, "Isn't that her?"

Lily went back to business, "Thomas just called. He should be arriving in about an hour with Lamelas, the global marketing president of Coca-Cola."

Martin left the awards room and changed into formal attire upstairs with Elizabeth.

Lily had to go to the academy for classes and left by car.

Martin returned to the living room and specifically looked up the sales data for the commemorative Coca-Cola bottles.

Last night, on Oscar night, the commemorative Coke sold exceptionally well, completely selling out across North America.

It wasn't long before Thomas arrived with Lamelas at Martin's house.

They had met previously at a medical center, where it was Lamelas who represented Coca-Cola Group and signed the lifetime endorsement deal with Martin.

"Congratulations, Martin," Lamelas said with a smile. "You've finally won your first Oscar."

Martin was equally polite, "Without the support of Coca-Cola, I couldn't have won this trophy."

Thomas chimed in at the right time, "Our collaboration is mutually beneficial, it's God's will!"

Lamelas and Martin both laughed.

The former then said, "The sales of the commemorative Coke are astonishing. We've decided to expand production and will also release a special edition Coke for your new movie 'John Wick'."

Martin responded, "I don't understand business, but I trust Coca-Cola's market insight. You've proven it time and again over the past hundred years."

Because Martin's commercial value was increasing, making him more important for Coca-Cola's market expansion, it was after he won his first Oscar that Lamelas, a heavyweight from the Coca-Cola Group, personally came to offer his congratulations. Continue reading on empire

He didn't beat around the bush with empty pleasantries and was practical in his congratulations, "Martin, you've won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. According to our agreement, the $2 million bonus will be in your account today."

Martin was forthright, "Our partnership will achieve even greater success in the future."

After exchanging some pleasantries, Lamelas soon took his leave.

Martin saw him out, and Thomas stayed behind.

Back in the living room, Thomas mentioned, "Cadillac and Cartier also called me to congratulate you. I expect the prize money will be transferred in the next few days."

Elizabeth was slightly surprised, "We don't have to spend our own money on the campaign, and on top of the honor of an Oscar, we get a cash bonus?"

"A total of five million US dollars," said Martin. "That's why we put so much effort into the campaign."

Elizabeth nodded repeatedly, "If it were me, I'd push hard for it too."

Remembering someone Thomas had met, he said, "Liz, your agent couldn't get a hold of you and asked me to relay a message. When you have time, stop by the office. There's a role... "

"I'll stop by this afternoon," said Elizabeth, who wasn't too ambitious about her career at the moment. "I hope it's not a role that requires too much time and effort."

Martin said bluntly, "If you like it, go act; if not, turn it down."

Eliza promptly agreed, "I will."

Thomas glanced at the time and said, "I need to go. This afternoon I have to head to Warner Bros. to talk about your salary for Nolan's new crew. Now that you've got the Oscar, your pay can increase by 3 million US dollars."

A typical Oscar for Best Supporting Actor would increase one's salary by only about 1 to 2 million US dollars, but Martin was different—his commercial appeal was much stronger.

The Oscar ceremony had ended, yet the media hadn't quieted down. The follow-up coverage allowed many outlets to ride the wave of attention a bit longer.

This Oscar had little controversy, and the media coverage the day after Oscar night acknowledged it as the least suspenseful Oscar in history.

In the major awards categories, all the expected favorites took home the gold statuettes.

"Vanity Fair's" Oscar special issue provided a detailed critique of this year's Oscar results, highlighting Martin's victory.

"With his stellar performance as the Joker in 'The Dark Knight,' Martin Davis won Best Supporting Actor at this year's Oscars. Could this be the beginning of a change for the Academy? In the past, no one has ever won an Oscar for acting in a superhero comic adaptation, but Martin has conquered both the public and judges, bringing a comic book character into reality!"

The Los Angeles Times' commentary on Martin's win was concise: "Martin deservedly takes home Best Supporting Actor!"

The Hollywood Reporter got straight to the point: "Rather than a victory for the Joker or comic adaptations, it is a triumph for Martin himself!"

Warner Bros. kept busy for the next half of the month, riding the wave of media attention.

First, in coordination with the "John Wick" crew, they released a new film poster, which added 'Oscar winner' after Martin's name.

This would surely attract additional attention.

Indisputably, though, and to the increasing embarrassment of the Academy, the Oscars' influence on the commercial film market was diminishing each year.

Therefore, this year the Academy was keen on reforms, hoping to regain its past glory.

Subsequently, Warner Bros. and Nolan jointly held a press conference, announcing the official launch of a new project, an original science fiction film, with Martin confirmed as the male lead. The specifics and the film's title were kept under wraps.

This news also garnered widespread attention from movie fans.

'The Dark Knight' not only brought Martin fame and a satisfying salary, but it also created a horde of Nolan fans.

These fans were even more fanatical than celebrity fans. Since last year, using IMDB ratings as their battleground, they had engaged in never-ending skirmishes with "The Godfather" and "The Shawshank Redemption," with the three films taking turns at the top of the IMDB TOP 250 chart.

The commotion even forced the IMDB administration to change its rating rules multiple times.

Nolan's announcement of a new project continuing with Martin immediately sparked widespread interest.

......

In a West Hollywood apartment, Aisha suddenly let out a scream so tragic it seemed she had encountered the greatest misfortune of her life.

Tony hurried into the bathroom and asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"

Aisha cried out, "It's here, the monthly occurrence again." She sobbed heartbreakingly, "I've failed, I've failed!"

"It's okay, it's okay, we'll find another chance," Tony said, comforting Aisha, but secretly feeling a twinge of schadenfreude.

She didn't show it, instead saying, "Don't be like this, you've already done enough. Even if you can't have a child for Martin, you're still his best supporter. How about this, I'll let you be the leader of our sisterhood."

Aisha's attention was somewhat diverted as she said, "Really? Let me be the leader of the sisterhood?"

Tony replied, "I'll call everyone in the sisterhood, have them all support you. I'll skip my party today so you, as the new leader, can establish your authority."

Aisha wiped the tears from her eyes and quickly sorted herself out. She came over and hugged Tony tightly, "You're my best sister!"

Tony's stomach, however, recoiled, "Aisha, you're my best sister too."

As Aisha packed to leave for the party, she asked again, "You're really not going?"

"I don't have time to go," Tony said, taking out her cell phone and waving it, "You heard this morning, my family called and asked me to go home for a while. I might be there for some time, I'll call you the next time an event comes up."

Aisha said, "I'll miss you."

Tony replied with a smile, "I'm not going away forever." She pointed at the digital clock on the wall, reminding her, "You better leave now, or you'll be late."

Aisha grabbed her bag and hurried out.

Tony carefully packed her belongings, ready to leave West Hollywood and not return.

Because she was several days late, she had gone to the hospital for a checkup, and it was confirmed.

Tony succeeded where Aisha failed, and how could a winner be comfortable being with a loser?

The so-called sisterhood was nonexistent the moment Tony decided to abandon the other members of the sisterhood.

Having moved her luggage twice, Tony locked the door behind her, said goodbye to the apartment, and headed downstairs. She got into her car and quickly drove out of West Hollywood towards Burbank.

She had rented an apartment in Burbank where she would rest easy for the time being, waiting until her pregnancy was visible.