Chapter 605: A Clut!

In a spacious Manhattan apartment, the tall figure of Taylor Swift was engaged in a phone call. Karlie Kloss, who was even taller than Taylor, leaned in to listen on the other end of the phone.

The shorter Selena Gomez managed to slip between them, while the recently acquainted Cara Delevingne joined the group, curious about the conversation.

Taylor sighed at her girlfriends and continued speaking to Martin, "I read in the newspaper that you're in New York for a shoot? I'm coincidentally on vacation here, and karlie and Selena are with me. We also have a new friend, Cara, whom we'd like you to meet. How about we have a party tomorrow night?"

On the other end, Martin replied, "No problem at all. I have a spacious apartment on the Upper East Side. It's large, well-insulated, and overlooks Central Park."

Karlie playfully nudged Taylor, urging her to accept quickly.

Taylor agreed, "Alright, we'll have a party at your apartment tomorrow night."

Martin added, "I'll arrange for a car to pick you up at six o'clock tomorrow evening. Do you have any plans for tonight?"

Taylor explained, "Tonight is just a girls' night out. We're heading to Central Park to catch a show."

Martin thought for a moment and mentioned, "It seems I'm not far from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where I'm staying."

Taylor assured him, "We won't come looking for you tonight; it's girls' night. See you tomorrow night, Martin."

"See you tomorrow night."

Taylor ended the call and turned to her three friends.

Karlie Kloss readily declared, "I'm in for tomorrow night."

Selena Gomez chimed in, "You mentioned it helps with your singing voice last time. I'm also working on an album and would like to give it a try."

These girls, accustomed to the entertainment industry since their early teens, were unfazed by such invitations.

Taylor then looked at Cara Delevingne.

Cara remarked, "Martin Davis is my idol. I know Martin's ex-girlfriend, Blake Lively. She told me that a fan's greatest achievement is meeting their idol."

Taylor laughed and confirmed, "Alright, it's settled!"

Karlie Kloss placed her hands on Taylor's shoulders and revealed, "I've even prepared a gift for Martin."

Curious, Selena asked, "What's the gift?"

Karlie wheeled her suitcase over, opened it, retrieved a 30-centimeter-long cardboard box, and placed it in front of them. "A whole box of Durex."

Taylor chuckled, "Okay, make sure to bring it tomorrow." She picked up her bag and said, "Now, let's head to Central Park."

The four of them left the apartment, got into the same car, and made their way to Central Park.

  ...

At the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

After dinner, Lily arrived at the bar first. She ordered a penicillin cocktail and sat at a table, waiting for Martin and the others to join her.

She took a sip of the golden beverage and glanced at the bar's backdrop. Below the name of the creator of Penicillin, it read: Louise Meyer.

But Lily knew that this drink was initially crafted by Martin.

Suddenly, a woman approached her and greeted her, "Hi, we meet again. Do you remember me?"

Lily looked up and recognized a blond woman she had seen before.

The blonde woman took a seat directly across from Lily and introduced herself, "My name is Allison Mack. We met at Warner Studios, in front of the 'Smallville' crew's studio."

Lily recalled, "You're the one who tried to sell me some kind of management course."

Allison Mack smiled, saying, "I didn't recognize you last time. You're Lily Carter, the young sculptor."

She reiterated, "It's not a management course; it's about purifying your soul, making you a purer person, and helping you achieve greater success in your art."

Lily inquired, "Purify my soul? I consider myself a very pure person; I don't think I need purification."

Alison was about to speak again when she was interrupted by Lily, "Excuse me, my friend will be joining me soon, please excuse me."

Alison acquiesced, "Certainly, I won't disturb you for now."

Lily casually waved her hand, and Allison Mack left the bar area but remained in the vicinity. She ascended to the second floor and entered a private room.

Inside the private room sat a middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses. He exuded an air of wisdom and sophistication, akin to a knowledgeable professor.

At his feet, two women knelt, one holding a wine bottle and glasses while the other held a fruit platter.

They acted as if they were subservient slaves in the presence of the middle-aged man.

Alison greeted him respectfully, "Master."

Keith Lanier glanced at her and remarked, "You're late."

Alison raised her hand and slapped herself, the impact causing her cheeks to visibly swell.

Lanier observed her silently.

Alison went on, "I encountered a girl downstairs who seems fitting to become your slave leader. I've imprinted her private position uniquely as the leader with your initials."

When she mentioned the last part, she and the two individuals kneeling on the floor simultaneously pulled down their pants, revealing an imprint above their private areas with Raniere's initials, marked with a soldering iron.

Lanier stood up and inquired, "Where is this person?"

Alison led him to the second floor, pointing to Lily, who was alone, heading to the bar.

From Lanier's perspective, Lily possessed not only a delicate and beautiful face and a tall, alluring figure, but also an exceptionally unique presence.

"Who is she?" Lanier asked.

"Lily Carter," Alison, one of the slave girls, sought to be rewarded by her master and actively recruited new slave girls for Raniere.

She knew that the girl downstairs would undoubtedly pique the master's interest. "She's a young sculptor."

After observing for a while, Lanier confirmed his interest in her. He returned to the private room and declared as he walked, "Regardless of the means, bring her into the church's headquarters. I will personally baptize her and purify her soul."

Alison followed him and suggested, "Master, this girl might be a bit challenging to handle. I intend to purchase her artwork, use that as an opportunity to establish a connection with her, and then guide her into our sacred organization."

Lanier, a well-known leader in Los Angeles, responded, "Very well, I will allocate an additional $500,000 for you to handle this matter. Do not disappoint me."

Alison was delighted, saying, "Master, I will certainly not let you down."

Upon their return to the private room, Catherine Oxenberg, who was part of the meeting, arrived with a gift, her daughter India Oxenberg.

Downstairs, Martin, Bruce, and Mene entered the bar together and quickly noticed Lily, who stood out in the crowd.

The trio approached her, pulled out chairs, and sat down. Lily pushed her nearly untouched penicillin cocktail towards Martin, saying, "This cocktail is terrible, here, take it."

Martin picked it up, recalling that it was Louise's favorite.

Mene asked Lily, "Are you here alone? Has anyone bothered you?" He playfully gestured, "I came prepared to rescue a damsel in distress when I entered."

Lily showed a carving knife concealed between her fingers, twirling it like a butterfly, and said, "I've taught myself some self-defense techniques for sculpting humans."

Mene understood the implication and nodded, saying, "It looks like it would incapacitate someone."

Lily then casually mentioned the encounter with the woman who had approached her earlier, offering courses and soul-cleansing assistance. She snorted and asked, "Have you ever seen anyone purer than me?"

Mene was the first to respond, saying, "Never!"

Bruce, understanding Lily's tone, chose to stay silent.

Martin cautioned, "As you grow up, be cautious. When you hear about soul purification or cleansing, stay away; eighty percent of the time, it's a cult."

Lily listened and replied, "I'll remember."

Chad, Tiger Chen, Marcus, and others joined them at this point.

Martin waved them over, saying, "Come on in."

After they were seated, Martin signaled the waiter to bring drinks. Since the crew had a break tomorrow, they could indulge a little without worrying about work.

With glasses filled, Martin raised his and toasted, "Here's to our movies continuing to be successful."

"To success!" They all raised their glasses and drank together.

Mene excelled at lightening the atmosphere, regaling them with amusing anecdotes from shooting in France last year. He particularly enjoyed talking about Isabelle Huppert and his interaction with Sophie Marceau, earning envy from the group.

Although these European artistic goddesses were known for their open personalities and fearless demeanor, they weren't accessible to just anyone.

Bruce slung his arm around Mene's shoulders and praised, "Uncle Mene is indeed the most invincible among us."

Martin agreed, "I can't compare to Mene."

Chad chimed in, "Absolutely."

Marcus added, "You've achieved things we can only dream of."

Tiger Chen gave Mene a thumbs-up, saying, "If I had half your skills, I wouldn't have to work on every set and could enjoy financial freedom."

Mene waved off the compliments, saying, "I've been practicing for over a decade."

Laughter filled the group as they shared jokes and continued to enjoy their wine.

Lily, with an exhibition to attend the next day, left the bar ahead of the others.

As soon as she left, Martin's phone rang; it was Taylor Swift calling.

The bar was noisy and crowded, so Martin gestured that he needed to take the call and stepped outside to answer. Taylor's voice sounded urgent, "Martin, please come quickly, we're in trouble. A group of troublemakers is after us. We're at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Hurry!"

Martin inquired, "What's happening? Call the police!"

Taylor responded, "It's not that severe; we're confronting them. Please hurry and bring more people."

With that, Martin relayed the situation to the group in the bar, and they all agreed to follow him.

Bruce discreetly checked his firearm before they left.