Chapter 20: Next-Level Connections

In the morning, Martin returned from his routine workout. He continued his habit of freeloading meals at the Carter house. Just as he reached the gate, he heard the sound of an argument from the open door.

"I am the father of you bunch of losers!" Scott Carter's voice was loud like a truck horn. "If I don't ask you bunch of crap for money, who should I ask? Should I ask your damn mother? Harris, don't hide like a coward. You still owe me $20 from the last time you used my tape."

Harris said, "I didn't use your tape; I'm 100% sure I don't owe you money."

"Here's $10!" Elena slapped $10 on the table, her face cold, and said, "You can leave now!"

Scott picked up the money and left. As he stepped out, he saw Martin. Fueled by the confrontation with Elena, he suddenly grew more aggressive. "You scum, I heard you made money? Bought a car? When are you going to pay back what you owe me?"

Martin replied, baffled, "Are you out of your mind?"

Elena came out from the doorway and punched the door with a loud bang.

Scott hurried away, muttering as he went, "How did I end up raising such a bunch of losers."

Elena turned back inside, pretending not to hear.

Martin, thick-skinned and without a hint of embarrassment, followed in to eat breakfast.

Hall suggested, "You should break his nose."

Sitting at the dining table, Martin said, "He's your dad. If I beat him up, he might go to the child agency and have you and Lily sent to foster care. Guess what will happen then?"

Hall said nothing.

Lily chimed in, "We'd never see you again."

"Shut up!" Elena yelled. "Everybody, come eat breakfast."

After breakfast, the not-so-bright Lily and Hall went off to school, and Harris went back to his room to study.

Elena cleared the table and pointed at Martin's neck. "Injured?"

Martin shrugged. "Got scratched." He took out a check and handed it over. "Your payment."

Elena's eyebrows shot up at the figure. "$800! Wow, that's not bad!"

Martin handed her another check. "This $200 is for Monica. Don't tell her how much you got. By the way, I'm planning a backyard party on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate. I've invited a few friends and coworkers. You should invite some friends too."

Elena agreed, "No problem; I'll make sure to find some lively folks."

After tidying up, she slung a bag over her shoulder and asked, "Free now? Take me to the supermarket."

Martin pulled out his car keys and went to the backyard to fetch his car. They hadn't driven far out of the community when they passed a lottery shop, and Elena called for a stop to buy a lottery ticket.

"Should I buy one for you?" she asked.

Martin handed her some money. "Pick something random."

Elena quickly returned with the ticket and handed Martin the stub. "Hope you get lucky."

Martin put it away and asked, "Do you always buy these?"

Elena said seriously, "Given the state of the Carter household, the only way for things to get better is to win big in the lottery."

She suddenly looked exhausted. "I also want that idiot Harris to go to a good college, and the blockhead Lily and useless Hall to go to private school, but what can I do? I'm no good at anything!"

Martin drove in silence for a moment before saying, "Learn a skill, get a stable job. If you're interested, I can teach you bartending."

Elena lacked confidence. "I'm pretty dumb."

Martin encouraged her. "I'm not smart either."

"Yeah!" Elena suddenly realized. "If a fool like you can learn it, I must have no problem."

After dropping off Elena, Martin went to the supermarket to buy supplies for the party.

Later, he found Kelly Grey's business card and went to the Marietta Library to use a public computer to look up some relevant information online.

Grey Entertainment Company had a website.

Kelly Grey, currently 31, came from a wealthy family. Her Grey Entertainment Production Company wasn't large but collaborated with multiple cable networks.

Moreover, after graduating from USC, Kelly Grey worked in Hollywood for four years.

In terms of the people Martin had genuinely connected with, Kelly Grey was on a whole other level.

Martin's personal experience taught him that networking was a crucial element of success.

Having made a good first impression with Kelly Grey, Martin wasn't about to let that connection slip away.

When he got home, he found an excuse, thought things over, and called Kelly Grey.

Martin introduced himself and invited Kelly Grey to the club whenever she had time.

*****

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