Chapter 597: Russian Spy!

Nicholson threw more fuel onto the fire, saying, "Men with stable families tend to garner more favor. Leo, think about it – you could be a candidate for commander-in-chief or governor. Don't most politicians showcase their family values?"

Leonardo contemplated the relationships of Obama, Bush and Clinton's, and then nodded in agreement, saying, "You have a point."

Martin chimed in, emphasizing, "For an Oscar win, consider tying the knot!"

Nicholson playfully added, "I have a suitable candidate right here. As long as you and Lorraine don't nsist on a prenuptial agreement, she can step in anytime..."

Leonardo suddenly snapped back to reality, his eyes widening. He accused them, "You two scheming rascals are conspiring to get me married!"

Martin, feigning innocence, responded with a caring tone, "Hey, buddy! We're just trying to help you secure that Best Actor Oscar."

With an innocent shrug, he continued, "Someone asked us how many Oscars the trio has. We have four. If they inquire who among us lacks one, we'd all be embarrassed for you if you don't clinch it soon!"

Leonardo had nearly fallen into their trap but regained his composure, sneering, "Daniel Day-Lewis, the king of all bastards, boasting two Oscars! Jack Nicholson, three-time Academy Award winner, a prime example of failed marriages! Martin Davis, Hollywood's ultimate playboy, known for courting other men's wives or fiancées, and also an Oscar winner..." He paused, correcting himself, "Sorry, you got the line wrong!"

Martin halted him with a raised hand, interjecting, "I'll admit you're right, but the part about pursuing other men's wives or fiancées is pure slander!"

Nicholson, never one to back down, taunted, "So, you have the guts but lack the honesty to own up to it?"

Martin responded by raising both middle fingers simultaneously.

Leonardo, however, raised an eyebrow, saying, "I actually had a Russian actress with a husband in mind for you."

Martin couldn't be bothered to argue.

"Unfortunately," Leonardo continued, "Marina Alexandrova divorced her husband two months ago. She used to be your type, but now she's off the market."

Martin inquired about the party, "Can they speak English? Communication could be a challenge."

Leonardo reassured him, saying, "Everyone attending the party aspires to make it in Hollywood or the United States. They're all fluent in English."

He, having hosted similar gatherings before, continued, "Rest assured, I've considered every detail, from health screenings to the venue. One of you will handle security, the other finances, and I'll oversee the rest."

Martin, curious, asked, "Did you invite these guests through Natalia?"

Leonardo nodded, explaining, "Natalia stepped away from the fashion scene for a few years after her marriage, but her husband was quite well-known in Britain and the United States. She wields some influence, and many models and actors from former Soviet Union countries who wish to break into Western Europe and the United States follow her lead. She's amassed quite a network."

Martin had a nagging sense of familiarity with the name but asked cautiously. When he learned that the other party had recently divorced, he suspected Leonardo was up to his usual antics.

He prided himself on his integrity and couldn't fathom poaching someone else's partner.

Nicholson, ever intrigued by unusual pursuits, piped up, "I hope we'll spot a swallow at the event, and then we can test the limits of the swallow."

Leonardo mused, "Raising swallows isn't a walk in the park."

Martin stated a fact, "We're just entertainment stars. They wouldn't invest in training a swallow for us."

Nicholson checked the time, "No more chit-chat, let's get some rest and be fresh for tomorrow night."

Martin and Leonardo left Nicholson's room one after the other. Returning to his room, Martin informed Bruce, who was trailing him, "Tomorrow night, the secret bodyguards will be with us."

Bruce nodded, "They've been tailing us since we left Los Angeles."

Martin felt relieved and shared a few instructions before calling it a night.

---

The following morning, after her divorce, Natalia found herself busy, explaining the necessary precautions to those who had flown to Paris.

Thanks to generous funding and Leonardo's promise to introduce the Hollywood crew, everyone assured her that this would not pose an issue.

Natalia's career had been disrupted by her marriage, and restarting it was no easy feat. She hoped the trio of Hollywood stars could assist, and they were determined to do their best this time.

Exiting Sasha Ruth's room, an eighteen-year-old model, Natalia ran into Marina, who was about to leave. She inquired, "Heading out so early?"

Marina grinned and replied, "My uncle lives nearby. I'll be right back."

Natalia cautioned, "Don't be late; we're departing at four sharp."

Marina nodded, "I'll be back before noon."

As Natalia descended the stairs with Marina, a Ukrainian actor approached her. He was around thirty, short in stature, and carried a serious demeanor.

He addressed Natalia, saying, "We're old acquaintances. Do me a favor and introduce me to people in Hollywood!"

Natalia responded, "Alessandro, this really isn't the right time. I told you back in Kiev that I'd introduce you to Leonardo when the opportunity arises."

Alessandro inquired, "Why can others attend the party but not me?"

Natalia explained, "Because they're women, and you're a man."

Alessandro understood the situation, but he wasn't ready to give up, suggesting, "Maybe someone there prefers men."

"Please don't push this further. I'll introduce you when the time is right." Natalia was about to leave when she added, "That's final."

Alessandro had no choice but to concede. He picked up his briefcase and approached the glass curtain wall, watching as Natalia departed in a Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle.

Inside his bag was a comedy script centered around Napoleon. In this humorous tale, Napoleon was portrayed as a lustful maniac, and his conquest of Europe was dictated by the size of women's breasts in various European countries.

Alessandro had immense confidence in the script; after all, he'd play the role of Napoleon.

Ambitious as a Jew with dreams of making it big in the United States and Hollywood, Alessandro believed that his arrival in Hollywood would elevate him to the status of a comedy master akin to Jim Carrey.

The only thing missing was an opportunity.

---

Meanwhile, Marina entered her uncle's watch shop, greeted her aunt, and proceeded to the back of the store with her uncle.

Upon entering a room, her uncle shook his head in disapproval.

Marina set down her bag, took out her mobile phone, watch, and other items, placing them on the table. She followed her uncle into the storage room.

Her uncle closed the door, his expression turning grave, "Marina Alexandrova, your actions during your stay in Paris are under my control!"

Marina responded calmly, "I received instructions from my superiors before I came." She went straight to the point, asking, "What is my mission for tonight?"

"You joined our special recruitment only after your divorce was finalized in May," her uncle explained.

In a stern tone, her uncle remarked, "You've only been out of the hospital for less than two months. Your special training, experience, and abilities are seriously lacking."

What mattered to them wasn't just Marina's skills, but her status as a well-known actress. "So, for tonight, you don't need to do anything extraordinary. Your task is to ensure that Leonardo's party proceeds smoothly. If you can get close to Martin Davis and win his favor, establish a good rapport with him."

Of course, being in the entertainment industry, Marina understood the implications behind these words. She replied, "I'll do my best."

Her uncle added, "If he's willing to take you back to Los Angeles and help develop your Hollywood career, you must seize the opportunity."

Marina nodded and patiently awaited further instructions.

"Multiple sources suggest that Martin Davis and his Coca-Cola Cult have an influence on American politics. Moreover, he has close ties with several figures in Washington," her uncle continued in his unwavering tone. "Your mission is to stay by Martin Davis's side, use your connection with him to influence him, and through him, extend your reach into his network."

Marina was slightly surprised by the apparent simplicity of it all. After all, they were family. Following the directives from her superiors, her uncle softened his tone and cautioned, "You lack the necessary skills, so don't act recklessly. This mission may extend throughout your lifetime."

Marina inquired softly, "Why was Martin Davis chosen? He's just an entertainment star."

Her uncle explained, "We've conducted a comprehensive analysis. Considering Martin Davis's trajectory, he has the potential to have a political impact similar to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He possesses ambitions and advantages that Schwarzenegger did not. Born in the United States, he has the backing of a significant interfaith organization."

After a brief pause, he shared what he could, "Sending someone to him now is a preemptive move. It's much easier to enter the political arena this way."

Marina grasped that she was essentially a contingency plan, to be used only if necessary in the future.

Despite her limited two months of special training, Marina suspected that many others like her had been dispatched to the United States by higher-ups.

Marina had seen news reports of a similar nature. Just last month, Anna Chapman, a Russian socialite in New York, was arrested by the FBI on espionage charges.

Her uncle concluded, "With the skills you've honed in the Russian entertainment industry, you know what to do tonight to impress Martin Davis. Even if you can't make it to Los Angeles this time, you must maintain contact with him."

Marina assured him, "I will."

Her uncle added, "Our people will be discreetly positioned outside to ensure the party proceeds smoothly. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, you can reach out to me using your usual contact information."

Marina remained at the location for a while, returning to the hotel around noon. After lunch, Natalia visited once more.

She instructed everyone to take showers, style their hair, apply makeup, and change into their evening attire.

Marina donned a perfectly fitting evening gown and knocked on Svetlana Kudchenkova's door across the hall.

Having flown together to Paris and known each other from before, they had naturally grown closer in this foreign city.

They meticulously checked each other's makeup, accessories, and outfits, striving for perfection.

Then, they waited patiently for the car to pick them up.