Chapter 482: The Real Events

On this particular day, Martin received two guests, his new neighbors, at his doorstep.

Cameron Stewart beamed as he stepped inside, saying, "Martin, we moved in last month. We knew you were caught up with the Oscars, so we didn't want to disturb you."

Following suit, Kristen Stewart handed over a bottle of red wine, saying, "A small token, some red wine my mother brought from Australia."

"Thank you," Martin accepted the gift, motioning for them to make themselves comfortable. "Since we're neighbors, no need for formalities."

Kristen, fluent in Hollywood etiquette since the age of nine, chimed in, "I'm a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the Academy. I voted for you. I even bought two tickets to watch 'The Dark Knight'..." As she spoke, Kristen suddenly revealed a red shirt underneath her coat, declaring, "I'm part of the Coca-Cola Cult."

Martin wasn't surprised; the Coca-Cola Cult boasted millions of members across various walks of life.

"Delighted," Martin responded politely.

Cameron extended an invite, "We're hosting a housewarming this weekend. Do join us."

Accepting the invitation, Martin contemplated his upcoming schedule. "I'll be there."

The Stewart siblings bid quick goodbyes, eager to visit other neighbors.

Martin summoned the housekeeper, passing on the wine and requesting a suitable gift for the weekend's gathering.

The pre-release promotion for "John Wick" had commenced the prior week, not overly demanding Martin's time on weekends.

Later that afternoon, Martin met Daniel at the Warner Building, overseeing "John Wick's" promotional activities.

Daniel inquired, "The project was inspired by a real incident, right?"

"Marcus's dog got killed..." Martin briefly recounted the incident, mentioning a dog named Daisy.

"I plan to generate more buzz around this," Daniel suggested.

Considering it, Martin proposed, "Marcus's side shouldn't pose a problem. Reach out to Thomas. He's Marcus's agent now."

Daniel nodded affirmatively. "I'll contact Thomas immediately."

The Santa Monica Pier incident had already put "John Wick" in the spotlight, yet a movie thrives on its attractions.

The proposed campaign titled "The True Events Behind John Wick" aimed at highlighting Marcus amidst Martin's sustained popularity.

Exiting Daniel's office, Bruce hurried up to Martin, breathless. "Jessica called. Antonio got shot."

Immediately concerned, Martin asked, "Our former landlord?"

Bruce nodded gravely.

"Which hospital?" Martin's urgency heightened.

"St. Ryder Hospital in North Hollywood," Bruce answered.

The duo dashed to the hospital.

Upon reaching the hospital, Martin sought the ward where Antonio lay. Spotting Jessica seated nearby, he inquired, "What happened?"

Standing up, Jessica explained, "The LAPD is inside taking statements. They won't allow visitors. Thankfully, Antonio's life isn't at risk."

Relieved at the news of Antonio's safety, Martin asked, "How did it happen?"

Jessica recounted, "Two armed intruders stormed in this morning. Antonio confronted them, unaware, and things escalated, leading to gunfire."

Just then, the ward door creaked open, and two LAPD officers emerged.

Martin stepped forward, meeting the lead middle-aged police officer's smile with a polite nod.

"Hello, Mr. Davis," the officer greeted warmly.

Concern etched Martin's face as he inquired, "Is my friend alright?"

The younger officer glanced back toward the ward, eyes lingering on a figure resembling Martin.

The senior officer adopted a serious tone, stating, "Mr. Antonio is the victim. We've recorded his statement and retrieved surveillance footage. Rest assured, we're committed to apprehending the culprit."

"Please ensure justice for my friend," Martin urged politely.

"Ensuring justice is the LAPD's responsibility!" the senior officer asserted.

Exiting the ward, the senior officer contacted their superiors, recommending the North Hollywood apartment case be elevated in urgency due to Martin's connection with the victim.

The directive came swiftly, "Return to the team immediately. We'll convene for a case analysis. We aim to nab the armed robbery culprits today."

Rushing back, the urgency was evident. In Los Angeles, many similar cases often went unsolved. However, when it involved a friend of the city hero Martin Davis, urgency was paramount.

In the ward, Martin glanced at the overweight man on the bed and jested, "Thank goodness for your ample backside."

Bruce inquired, "How did you get shot in the butt?"

Antonio chuckled helplessly, "Indoor shooting, ricochet."

"It's going to be okay," Martin reassured. "The LAPD will sort this out, and those thieves won't get away."

Antonio winced, patting his flattened belly, "Lying down is so uncomfortable."

Surprised, Bruce queried, "Where's your 'friendship gun'? Thought you were a sharp shooter."

Antonio quipped back, "You called it the 'friendship gun'."

As the doctor entered, Martin and Bruce prepared to leave.

Antonio introduced, "Meet Doctor Hyena, my good friend."

Scratching his chubby face, Antonio chuckled, "Since you didn't use the business card I gave you, I personally came to see Doctor Hyena."

The doctor nodded to Martin and Bruce, reassuring Antonio, "You won't need my anorectal suturing surgery."

"Martin, if anyone among your contacts needs medical help, Dr. Hyena's your man," Antonio said with a smirk.

Martin cheekily gestured a farewell to the injured man, "Let's head out. Catch you later."

That afternoon, Martin received a special call from the LAPD: Antonio's case was closed, and the culprits were behind bars.

  ...

At Warner Studios, Elizabeth Olsen filmed an Estee Lauder commercial, courtesy of WMA leveraging her exposure through Martin's network.

During her break, Lily, on spring break and avoiding Elena's stringent care in Atlanta, assisted Elizabeth on set.

Feeling a bit bored sitting alone, Lily stepped outside for some fresh air.

The bustling photo studio across the way caught her eye, particularly a man clad in a red triangle jacket dashing inside.

Curious, Lily queried a nearby individual from the "Smallville" crew co-produced by Warner and DC.

Though not a comic reader, Lily's attention had been drawn to DC superheroes due to Martin's association with Batman. She knew Spider-Man, Batman, and Superman held iconic status in the United States.

A striking blonde woman emerged from the opposite direction, exuding undeniable beauty. Catching Lily's gaze, she offered a slight nod in acknowledgment.

In return, Lily reciprocated the gesture with a polite smile and nod.

The blonde then disappeared into a nearby trailer.

Feeling stifled by the studio's air, Lily opted not to return indoors. Instead, she settled on a roadside bench, retrieving her iPhone for some entertainment.

Shortly after, Elizabeth called.

Answering the call, Lily inquired, "Has filming wrapped up?"

"Filming's ongoing, but my temporary assistant vanished," Elizabeth said. "Have you left?"

Embarrassed, Lily admitted, "The air inside was stuffy. I've been out for some fresh air. I'll wait for you outside once you're done."

Across in a trailer, Allison Mack, renowned for "Smallville," observed Lily through the car window.

Youthful and captivating, Allison was tasked by her leader Lanier with recruiting young, beautiful women to serve wholeheartedly.

Alison, curious about Lily's presence, stepped out of the car to approach her.

Lily spotted someone approaching. Upon looking up, she recognized the stunning blonde from earlier.

"Hi there," Allison pointed toward the studio, introducing herself with a smile. "I'm Allison Mack, part of this crew. You might've seen me on TV."

Lily, straightforward, shook her head. "I don't know you."

Allison's smile faltered briefly before she recovered, gesturing toward the advertising crew studio. "Do you work here? What's your name?"

Lily responded curtly, "I'm Lily, a temporary assistant."

Alison immediately engaged, "For someone like you, being a temporary assistant seems beneath you. If interested, you could join my team. I'm in need of assistants."

Lily was taken aback, "Is it that simple to become a celebrity assistant?"

"It's not easy," Alison clarified earnestly. "I suggested it due to your demeanor. It's a professional role, and you'd undergo specialized training before starting."

She handed Lily a business card, explaining, "This is the NXIVM Senior Manager Program Training. Many Hollywood assistants have excelled through this, even becoming managers for celebrities."

Lily examined the card intently.

Alison continued, "This project advocates for women's rights, offers professional training, and fosters self-realization by addressing emotional barriers. I am a testament to its success. Without NXIVM's Senior Manager Project, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Lily remained skeptical, replying casually, "I'll consider it."

As Elizabeth called again inquiring about a missing kettle, Lily, in her role as a temporary assistant, retrieved it from her bag and hurried back to the studio.

Observing Lily's departure, Alison couldn't help but admire her figure, considering the potential reward from her leader if Lily were to join.