America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

This art party was held right across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, also one of the many high-profile events in early May around the MET Gala.

Martin had specifically invited Mene to come along.

Daniel had managed to get another admission ticket to the MET Gala.

Arriving on Fifth Avenue and entering the foyer of the private club where the party was hosted, Martin saw Alexandra.

She was wearing a tight-fitting, red, one-shoulder evening gown which gave off a weighty impression.

Next to Alexandra was a slightly younger girl, whose looks, height, and hair color resembled Alexandra's, but the size of her chest made it easy to distinguish who was the elder sister and who the younger.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The younger sister was at least two sizes smaller than her sister.

Alexandra introduced her to Martin, saying, "This is my sister, Catherine. She loves acting too and came to join in the fun."

Catherine was lively, and she bounced over to grab Martin's arm: "Can we take a selfie together?"

Martin nodded, "No problem."

Catherine handed her phone to Alexandra, cautioning her, "Make sure I look pretty and make Martin look handsome; don't take the photo like you do with mom and dad, where you always make people look ten years older."

Alexandra shrugged, "I can't help it. That's my level of skill."

Mene came over and asked, "Shall I give it a try?"

With his experience taking flattering pictures of many women in their forties and fifties, he could make people look several years younger.

Alexandra handed her phone to Mene; Mene squatted down, taking the photo from a low angle, which easily gave the effect of long legs.

After a few shots, Mene gave the camera back to Catherine, and she was overjoyed with the results: "You're not bad at this."

Mene said with a smile, "Practice makes perfect."

Catherine's attention quickly shifted back to Martin: "Can I show off our selfie at school? So many little bitches on the Upper East Side always brag about how close they are with some celebrity. This time I'll show them who's the queen."

Martin answered politely, "The photo is yours; you can show it to anyone."

Alexandra called everyone together, "Let's go in."

The party was filled with an artistic atmosphere, with sculptures, abstract paintings, handicrafts, and fashion design among other modern art pieces. Many people were holding drinks, circling around different artworks, engaged in sophisticated discussions.

Since the Alexandra sisters were too young and not likely to share common interests with Mene, and he also wanted to leave some private space for Martin, he found an excuse to leave their side and blended into the older women's art circle.

Martin chatted with the Daddario sisters while leading them into a section with fashion design art pieces that caught their interest.

Unexpectedly, he ran into someone he knew.

When Angela Lindvall saw Martin, she took the initiative to come over and say hello.

Martin also introduced her to the Daddario sisters.

Angela, having attended two pre-wedding supermodel parties, was familiar with Martin's strengths and weaknesses and asked directly, "Is this your new girlfriend?" Enjoy more content from empire

Martin wasn't embarrassed and said, "Alexandra is my friend in New York." Wanting to avoid dwelling on the subject, he changed the topic, "Aren't you usually joined at the hip with KK? Why don't I see KK around?"

"You don't know?" Angela asked and then realized the news about KK hadn't spread yet. She said, "KK is sick, she's having some health issues, and Victoria's Secret canceled her contract. She took a big hit, so if you have time, it'd be good to visit her."

Martin asked, "What illness?"

Angela sighed and shared, "Something with her thyroid. It seems like she has an endocrine problem, which caused her to gain quite a bit of weight."

She did feel some sisterly affection for KK: "KK misses you; more than once she told me you're amazing. For the sake of our past interactions, please visit her."

Martin nodded and inquired, "Is she in New York?"

Angela replied with an embarrassed smile, "She'll come to New York in a few days. I'll call you then."

Martin responded, "That would be fine."

Angela glanced at Alexandra and Catherine, who had intentionally moved some distance away, and said, "Have a pleasant evening."

Martin couldn't help but smile, "I'm shooting at Brooklyn Studio, feel free to visit me on set, and I'll treat you to some special delicacies."

Recalling something, Angela remarked, "Indeed, I haven't tasted your special delicacies for quite some time. A biology professor from New York University once said that the special delicacies of a vibrant person can help women maintain their beauty and health."

Martin was surprised, "That's a new idea?"

"We can experiment with that next time," said Angela as she quickly excused herself from the area.

Martin returned to Alexandra's side.

She asked curiously, "Are you very close with the supermodels?"

Martin thought to himself that 'very close' was an understatement. Many of the supermodels who regularly participated in the Victoria's Secret shows had more than just superficial encounters with him, and they had also 'tested' each other intimately.

"Leonardo and I are close friends," he always liked to tell the truth, "You might have heard that Leo is particularly well-acquainted with the supermodel crowd. I've attended Heidi Klum's and Alexander Ambrosio's pre-wedding parties with him and am quite familiar with the Victoria's Secret folks."

Alexandra smiled faintly, her thoughts unclear, when she suddenly said, "I did consider a career in modeling, but by the time I was fifteen, it was no longer an option."

Martin played along and asked, "Why? Your parents didn't agree?"

Alexandra looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then mimicked cupping her chest, "The fashion industry didn't want me."

Catherine was blunt, "The modeling agencies thought her breasts were too big."

Martin found himself at a loss for words momentarily.

Catherine continued, "Those ignorant fools never considered how perky Alexandra is; no matter what she wears, she fills it out perfectly."

Alexandra feigned annoyance, "Enough, shut up."

Catherine pursed her lips and fell silent.

Another person came over to greet Martin, which couldn't be helped; his fame was rising, and his commercial value was large.

While Martin was away talking to someone, Alexandra said to Catherine, "You're too direct."

"I'm helping you out, dummy!" Catherine replied with a sisterly concern, "I'm telling Martin what your biggest asset is, so he focuses on your strengths! Even the most arrogant guys in school, when they see how big yours are, would be interested."

Alexandra responded with resignation, "During the shoot, I was pressing right against his arm, and he didn't react at all."

Catherine said, "You're such a blockhead, just keep it simple and direct. If you want to sleep with him, just go for it! With a catch like him, once he leaves New York, good luck running into him again."

She was no pushover, "If you don't want to sleep with him then move aside, don't hog and hinder others."

Alexandra rolled her eyes in frustration, "You're only 16, 16!"

Catherine was unruffled, "So what if I'm 16? Does being 16 mean I don't have freedom and rights?"

Coming over to greet Martin was Producer Graham King, who often collaborated with Scorsese.

Martin had recently worked with him on "Infernal Affairs" and was quite acquainted with him.

Graham also introduced a middle-aged man to Martin, saying, "This is Chuck Hogan, a novelist from Boston."

He then looked at Martin, "I don't need to introduce Martin, do I?"

Chuck Hogan stepped forward to shake hands with Martin, saying, "You were particularly brilliant in 'Infernal Affairs,' I, as a Boston native, felt like you were a tried-and-true Bostonian."

Because of Graham, Martin was quite polite, "I spent a long time experiencing life in Boston, which is a city with a long tradition and many heartwarming stories to tell."

Graham laughed and said, "You two don't need to be so formal—Director Scorsese is a good friend to both of us."

Martin asked, "I heard that Director Scorsese's new project is starting to prepare?"

"Yeah, your good buddy, Leo, will be coming to New York soon," Graham said straightforwardly, "I came over first to prepare; Director Scorsese has high demands this time. The preparations might take a year. Poor Leo, he might have to actually spend time in a mental hospital to get the experience."

At this news, Martin was delighted, "I'll definitely call Leo and cheer him on when I get back."

Graham laughed, and then turned the topic back to Chuck Hogan, "Aren't you trying to sell your novel? This guy here has the power to promote adaptations."

He then said to Martin, "Don't let Chuck's modest fame fool you, he is an exceptionally talented writer, and in literary circles, some of his works are mentioned in the same breath as Stephen King."

Chuck modestly replied, "It's just a joke among a few friends, not to be taken seriously."

Martin looked puzzled at Graham, who understood and explained, "In the next few years, I need to oversee the new film projects for Director Scorsese, as well as help him with a series about Prohibition for HBO, and simply won't have the time."

Chuck didn't want to put Graham in a difficult spot, "Martin, if you have the time, would you take a look at my novel? It's a story about Boston."

Most novelists dream of their works being adapted.

To say nothing of the outcome, even if the adaptation isn't great, the novel's sales often see a significant boost, not to mention the related licensing income.

Although Martin had never heard of him, considering the success of "Dark Domain" which unearthed "Limitless," he said earnestly, "I've experienced life in Boston and am very interested in stories about it."

Graham slapped Chuck on the back, "Quick, bring the book over."

Chuck waved to someone behind him, who came over with a bag and pulled out a book from it.

Clearly, he came prepared to a cultural arts party.

Possibly he carried books with him at all times, ready to pitch to the right person whenever the opportunity arose.

Chuck handed Martin the novel, along with a business card that contained his private contact details and the address of his personal studio.

Martin took them, first tucking away the business card, then glanced at the novel's cover, which was titled "Prince of Thieves."

He tried to recall, but at that moment, he couldn't remember a movie by that name.