Chapter 238: The Day Is Coming

Upon entering the steakhouse, Martin glanced at the table Anne Hathaway had reserved—a seat by the glass window. The transparent, spotless window offered no privacy, leaving the paparazzi outside with a perfect view for their cameras and recorders.

Martin smirked and remarked casually, "Clever move. But only this once, alright?"

Anne Hathaway playfully traced her finger across Martin's palm and whispered, "I understand. But I genuinely wanted to treat you to dinner."

"Alright then, let's sit."

Martin didn't mind being used by Anne this time. This woman was ambitious and materialistic but not particularly shrewd, making her easily manipulated. It seemed she needed some grooming in the future.

The meal turned out decent, and Martin left feeling satisfied. Afterward, he dropped Anne off at her new apartment, which was notably more modern and situated in a bustling neighborhood compared to her previous place.

This time, Martin didn't linger. Once Anne had gone upstairs, he instructed Gordon to drive away. From the rearview mirror, he noticed a few paparazzi loitering near the apartment, clearly prepared for long-term stakeouts.

"That's the treatment of a true celebrity," Martin mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. With the rising fame of the women around him and his own growing prominence, dating in America was becoming increasingly inconvenient. Perhaps it was time to establish a few private getaways abroad.

.....

[Author's Note: Private Getaways] In America, wealthy figures like actors, politicians, and athletes often secretly purchase homes designated as "playhouses" for activities they want hidden from public scrutiny. Some, if they can afford it, even set up these hideouts abroad—like a private island in the Caribbean or a farm in Australia or New Zealand.

America's most infamous "playhouse" belonged to Jeffrey Epstein, known as the "Island of Revelry." This notorious retreat wasn't just for his personal indulgence but also a means to establish powerful connections. His guest list reportedly included Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and Donald Trump. After his arrest in 2019 for sexual assault charges, his ties to countless elites were exposed, tearing the facade of America's so-called "civilized society." His subsequent death in jail under suspicious circumstances only fueled speculation about whether it was a suicide or silencing murder.

Martin, however, had no intention of using women to build networks. His "playhouses" were strictly for personal leisure. He considered Australia a suitable location, with its vast, sparsely populated areas. Hawaii, with its idyllic islands, seemed another excellent option.

....

As September rolled in, Martin made calls to his parents, relatives, and the women in his life, confirming none of them planned to visit New York. He then moved into a luxurious Manhattan penthouse he had rented specifically to witness history and satisfy a lingering sentiment from 2nd Martin Soul.

The 350-square-meter apartment on the top floor of a building near Central Park offered an extraordinary view of Manhattan, including a clear line of sight to the Twin Towers. After a few days of living there, Martin began contemplating purchasing the property post-9/11 when property prices would plummet. He also considered acquiring a few storefronts along Fifth Avenue during the ensuing real estate chaos.

On September 10, Martin again checked on his friends and family, ensuring their locations were safe. Then he invited Scarlett Johansson and Anne Hathaway to stay at his penthouse, providing them with a temporary haven.

"Wow, this place is incredible!"

"An infinity pool in the sky!"

"The view from this balcony is amazing!"

The two young actresses, who hadn't been getting along during the drive over, were immediately captivated by the luxurious apartment. Having recently gained modest fame and still limited by their finances, they were utterly in awe of the penthouse's grandeur.

Scarlett was slightly less surprised, having stayed at Martin's Beverly Hills mansion before. Anne Hathaway, however, was visibly starstruck.

"Martin, did you rent or buy this place?" Anne asked.

"Rented for now, but I'm planning to purchase it soon," Martin replied casually.

Anne couldn't hide her envy. To her, the opulent penthouse was worth a fortune. Yet Martin's calm tone made it seem as trivial as buying groceries.

Unaware of the looming disaster, she had no idea the property would soon be a bargain.

Scarlett, however, was more interested in teasing Martin. "So, you didn't return to the hotel that night. You stayed at Anne's, didn't you?"

Martin nodded without denying it. Anne Hathaway, feeling triumphant, puffed out her chest slightly, as if to assert dominance.

"That was lucky for you two!" Scarlett remarked. "If those tabloid photographers hadn't been high and lost their minds, they might've gotten compromising photos of you both!"

Anne, still resentful about the incident, scowled. "Sophia, that b***h! I never provoked her, yet she tried to ruin me."

Then, her mood shifted to glee. "But I heard she's completely out of work now. All her savings went into bail, and she's so desperate she's considering doing Penthouse shoots. Serves her right, haha!"

Martin flicked her forehead, interrupting her laughter. "Don't laugh so loudly—it ruins your image."

Anne pouted, covering her forehead as if in pain. "Ouch, that hurt!" she whimpered.

Martin kissed her forehead lightly, making Anne blush with delight as she glanced smugly at Scarlett.

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Is this woman an idiot or what?"

Just then, Martin turned to her and asked, "Scarlett, is Lost in Translation entirely shot in New York? Don't you need to go to Tokyo for some scenes?"

Scarlett's demeanor shifted, lighting up at the mention of her ongoing film project. "Not right now. Sofia isn't planning on shooting extensive Tokyo scenes. She's crafting the setting using shots from a Starbucks window. We'll do necessary Tokyo scenes later, to save costs."

"She wants to invest more in the story," Scarlett continued. "Honestly, her vision is impressive. All the scenes are clear in her head, and filming moves so fast. I think this movie might even wrap in less than a month." (Fun Fact: It only took 27 days to shoot.)

"You were right, Martin. Working with her is helping me grow."

Hearing the name "Sofia" made Anne grimace. "Ugh, why does Scarlett's director have the same name as that scheming woman? It's so annoying!" she grumbled before heading to the balcony to admire the view of the ocean.

Meanwhile, she fantasized about the day she could afford such a lavish home of her own.