Chapter 728: Five Million Dollars to Kill Martin.

Near the dazzling shores of Venice Beach, a palatial villa gleamed under the California sun, its expansive swimming pool shimmering with activity as models flitted about, adding to the ambiance of luxury and allure.

Perched on the terrace overlooking her domain, Michelle Bryan surveyed the scene below with a satisfied smile.

Emerging from below, Fernandez approached her, his demeanor deferential. "Boss, we've secured all the goods," he announced.

"Excellent," Michelle replied, her tone tinged with satisfaction.

As Fernandez's phone buzzed, he excused himself to take the call. Upon returning, his expression was hesitant, prompting Michelle to urge, "Spit it out if you've got something to say."

"Regarding our arrangement with Depp," Fernandez began cautiously, "Pu's people reached out, inquiring about our progress with Martin Davis."

At the mention of Martin Davis, Michelle's mood darkened visibly.

Sensing her displeasure, Fernandez hurriedly withdrew. "I'll check on the distribution downstairs," he muttered, eager to escape the tension.

Left alone, Michelle drained her wine glass in one swift motion before reaching for her phone. "Bring Lynch to me," she commanded, her voice clipped.

Moments later, Lynch appeared on the terrace, awaiting her orders.

Michelle wasted no time. "Have Nikia, Marlena, and Mia been located?" she demanded, her tone icy.

Her fury simmered as Lynch reported their elusive status. "They've vanished without a trace," he confessed. "We've scoured Los Angeles and even checked their hometowns. No luck."

Michelle's resolve hardened. "Keep hunting. Dead or alive, I want them found," she declared firmly.

Lynch nodded, vowing, "Consider it done." His next question was met with anticipation. "And Martin Davis?"

Michelle's lips curled into a calculating smile. "We'll handle him in due time. For now, focus on locating those traitors."

As doubts gnawed at her, Michelle pondered her dwindling options. With her top assets gone rogue, the future looked uncertain. Yet, she remained undeterred, determined to regain her grip on power.

...

Meanwhile, in Nokia Plaza, Los Angeles...

The vibrant atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as the "Transcendence" roadshow, a flagship production of Annapurna Pictures and Warner Bros., drew crowds eager for a glimpse of Hollywood glamour.

At the crew's temporary enclave nearby, Megan Ellison, clad in a sharp suit, awaited the arrival of Daniel, the Warner Bros. distribution head.

Impatience etched his features as he scanned his watch. "Where's Johnny Depp?" he inquired anxiously, the weight of expectation heavy in the air.

As the name Depp fell upon her ears, Meghan's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of frustration creeping into her expression. "I've already had someone rush him," she reassured, though her tone betrayed a sense of urgency.

Today's roadshow hinged entirely on Depp, the undisputed star of the show, whose presence was paramount for the event's success.

Daniel cast a worried glance at his watch, the minutes ticking away relentlessly. With less than half an hour until showtime, the absence of Depp threatened to derail their meticulously planned schedule. "We might have to consider postponing," he suggested, his concern palpable.

Megan weighed the options, her mind racing to salvage the situation. "Let's have the director and the leading lady take the stage first and buy us some time to wrangle Depp over here," she proposed, her voice laced with determination.

Daniel nodded in reluctant agreement. "It's our only option for now," he conceded, his frustration evident. "Back when Warner Bros. collaborated with Depp on 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' he wasn't like this, even if he was occasionally tardy."

Megan's lips twisted in a bitter smile. "If only you could witness his antics on set, you'd understand my frustration," she remarked, her tone tinged with exasperation.

Daniel sighed, the weight of disappointment settling upon him. "Depp was supposed to be our ace in the hole after losing Martin Davis," he lamented. "But comparing him to Martin is like night and day. Martin, for all his quirks, was a consummate professional."

Meghan's eyes flashed with a mix of annoyance and resignation. "Spending millions to hire a prima donna who treats everyone like garbage," she muttered, her voice thick with disdain. "But if it means a hit film, I suppose we'll endure the humiliation."

Confidence flickered in Megan's eyes as she recalled the positive reception to "Transcendence" in internal screenings. "We've got a winner on our hands," she declared, her tone brimming with assurance.

Turning to Daniel, she broached a delicate topic. "You've got a good rapport with Martin, right?" she inquired, her expression hopeful.

Daniel nodded. "We go way back," he confirmed.

Megan's request hung in the air, tinged with uncertainty. "Could you extend an invitation to Martin for the premiere of 'Transcendence'?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation.

Daniel hesitated, memories of past rejections flooding his mind. "I'll send the invite, but I can't guarantee he'll accept," he cautioned, a note of caution in his tone.

Meghan's gaze hardened, unwilling to accept defeat. "You're my partner in this," she insisted, her voice firm. "Surely you won't deny me this small favor?"

With a resigned sigh, Daniel relented. "I'll do what I can," he conceded, knowing he couldn't refuse her plea.

As the outdoor activities commenced, Depp remained conspicuously absent, much to the chagrin of the gathered fans in Nokia Plaza, their disappointment palpable.

"Johnny Depp!"

"We want Depp out!"

"Give us back the captain!"

The square erupted into chaos, fans clamoring for the elusive star, while media reporters jostled for the best vantage points.

Caught in the midst of the tumult, Meghan strained to hear over the din. Turning to her assistant, she inquired urgently, "Has Depp arrived yet?"

The assistant shook their head. "I just spoke with him. He claims he's still en route," they reported.

Frustration mounting, Meghan retreated to a quieter corner, her fingers flying over her phone as she dialed Amber Heard's number. "Where are you?" she demanded as soon as the call connected.

Amber's voice crackled through the line. "We're still at home," she admitted sheepishly.

"Damn it!" Meghan's usually composed demeanor slipped, her agitation palpable. "The whole event's in chaos, and the star of the show is still lounging at home!"

With a steely resolve, she instructed, "You've got thirty minutes to drag Depp here, understood?"

Without waiting for a response, Meghan ended the call, her jaw set in determination.

Meanwhile, in the opulent confines of their mansion atop the Columbia Building...

Amber glanced at Depp, who lay sprawled on the bed, the remnants of a wild night still clinging to him. "We've got to go," she urged, nudging him gently.

Depp groaned, swatting at her hand. "Leave me alone," he muttered, his voice thick with sleep.

Frustration simmered beneath Amber's calm exterior. "You have a commitment today, Johnny," she reminded him firmly. "You can't skip this one."

But Depp, still lost in the haze of sleep and excess, refused to budge. "Go away," he slurred, turning away from her.

With a sigh, Amber's patience wore thin. "You have an event for 'Transcendence' today," she persisted, her tone tinged with exasperation.

Depp's response was less than gracious. "Shut up," he snapped, his words laced with irritation.

Unfazed by his outburst, Amber took matters into her own hands. Seizing the moment, she leaped onto the bed, hastily removing her pants and proceeding with her infamous act.

Depp's eyes shot open in horror as the unmistakable sound reached his ears, jolting him awake. "What the hell are you doing?" he exclaimed, recoiling in disgust.

But Amber remained undeterred, using the chaos to her advantage. "Are you awake now?" she demanded, her voice firm.

As the argument escalated, Depp's resolve weakened, and he begrudgingly followed Amber downstairs, the weight of obligation heavy on his shoulders.

Left behind in the aftermath, Depp's long-serving nanny surveyed the scene with a mix of resignation and concern. Taking out her phone, she snapped a photo of the chaos, a silent witness to the tumultuous morning.

Hurrying to the waiting nanny car stationed at Nokia Plaza, Amber's silence spoke volumes as she settled into the passenger seat, her gaze fixed firmly ahead.

Meanwhile, Depp staggered towards the car, his movements unsteady, his disheveled appearance a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. With a gentle nudge from his bodyguard, he sank into the backseat, his eyes bleary as he reached for a copy of the Los Angeles Times.

As his gaze fell upon the front page, Depp's features twisted in disdain at the sight of Martin Davis's photo alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Though the article bore no relevance to his world of cinema, the mention of his nemesis ignited a flame of animosity within him.

Casting the newspaper aside with a dismissive flick of his hand, Depp's frustration boiled over as he turned to his assistant, Colson. "Any progress with Martin Davis?" he demanded, his tone laced with malice.

Colson shook his head, his expression cautious. "Not yet. They claim he's still elusive," he reported.

Seizing upon an opportunity for vengeance, Depp's voice crackled with determination. "Tell them I'll pay five million dollars to anyone who can make Martin Davis's life a living hell," he declared, his eyes flashing with vindictive fervor.

Colson hesitated, voicing his concern. "Is the price too steep?" he ventured.

Depp scoffed. "I'm worth hundreds of millions. Five million is a drop in the bucket," he retorted, his arrogance palpable. "Make it happen, and the reward is yours."

Eyes glittering with greed, Depp's followers eagerly nodded in agreement, enticed by the promise of wealth and the thrill of revenge.

Arriving at Nokia Plaza, Depp was met with the wrath of Megan Ellison, who wasted no time in chastising him for his tardiness. Refusing to relent, Depp engaged in a heated exchange with her, his stubbornness evident as he adamantly refused to don makeup.

As tensions reached a boiling point, the disappointed fans clamored for their beloved star, their chants echoing through the plaza. Many had waited patiently since dawn, only to be met with disappointment as the hours wore on without Depp's arrival.

Amidst the commotion, Ivan, observing from a distance, seized the opportunity to stir the pot. Placing a call, he whispered a command, igniting a wildfire of rumors that Depp had indulged in a night of debauchery before gracing the event with his presence.

Though Depp eventually took the stage, his demeanor betrayed the toll of his revelry, his unsteady gait and unfocused gaze hinting at the excesses of the night prior. Yet, as he attempted to address the crowd, his words were drowned out by a chorus of jeers and insults, the audience's disappointment palpable in the air.