Chapter 456: Out of Control

As the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow across the room, Martin extricated himself from the tangled embrace of Jolie and Aniston.

His phone, previously silenced, buzzed with a flurry of notifications and missed calls.

He sighed in relief, thankful that none of the calls were from Nicholson, he wasn't in the mood for Nicholson's usual antics, which might have driven him to a dramatic reaction.

Carefully navigating through a minefield of scattered clothes and peculiar clown statues, remnants of the previous night's escapades, Martin made his way to freshen up.

The statues, he recalled, were a bizarre find by Jolie and Aniston. They seemed to have taken a peculiar interest in them, much to his bemusement.

Post-shower, Martin returned and dialed back the missed calls. They were all from Flynn, his investment manager. They had scheduled a meeting that morning, and Flynn seemed eager to discuss something important.

As Martin ended the call, Jolie and Aniston stirred awake, exchanging looks before promptly turning their backs, evidently not in the mood for morning conversations.

"You two can sleep in," Martin said as he searched for formal attire. "Just make sure to tidy up a bit later, please?"

Aniston's voice was tinged with playful irritation. "Really, Martin? You leave us to clean up?"

Martin, focused on his tasks, replied, "I've got important matters to attend to."

Jolie stretched languidly, her voice sultry, "And what could be more pressing than this?"

Martin, not rising to the bait, gestured towards the clown statues. "Feel free to use whatever you like here," he suggested with a mischievous smirk.

Before departing, he grabbed a DV camera. "Remember to take pictures. I'll enjoy them later."

Aniston's response was to fling a pink bottle in his direction, causing Martin to hasten his exit amidst the sounds of muffled laughter and a resounding thud.

Dressed sharply, Martin descended the stairs just in time to see Flynn's BMW pull up beside the fountain. Flynn, briefcase in hand, was ushered in by Bruce, Martin's butler.

Flynn quickly got down to business, informing Martin that the last investment of $5 million had been converted into Apple stocks. Martin, now more knowledgeable in financial matters, mulled over the decision to invest an additional $5 million in Apple.

"What about diversifying?" Flynn suggested, mentioning the impressive growth of Martin's initial Apple investment.

Martin, recalling a familiar name, asked, "What about Netflix? I remember they're based in Silicon Valley."

Flynn nodded, "I'll gather the information for you."

Their conversation was interrupted by the click of high heels descending the staircase. Jolie and Aniston, now lightly made up, joined them in the living area.

Flynn, momentarily taken aback by the presence of the two Hollywood A-listers, shot Martin a look of envy.

He knew of the rumors linking Martin with Jolie and Aniston, but seeing them in person added a new dimension to the gossip.

Jolie, eyeing Flynn curiously but saying nothing, followed Aniston to the dining room.

After a brief further discussion about Netflix, Flynn excused himself, leaving Martin to join Jolie and Aniston for breakfast prepared by his personal chef.

The morning, while starting in a haze of the previous night's indulgences, transitioned smoothly into the realms of business and casual domesticity.

As the morning light bathed the dining room in a warm, golden hue, Martin joined Aniston and Jolie for breakfast. The atmosphere was a curious blend of tension and casual domesticity, the events of the previous night still hanging in the air.

Aniston, delicately handling her knife and fork, gazed out the window. "This place feels different every time I come here," she mused.

Jolie, ever the inquisitor, leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "How long has it been since you first came here?"

Aniston's voice dropped to a whisper, "Less than a year, then you came into the picture..." She paused, her grip tightening on her cutlery as her gaze shifted to Jolie, a mix of challenge and rivalry in her eyes.

Jolie, nonchalant, toyed with her table knife. "You seem to forget, Jane. I often do action movies. Knife throwing isn't foreign to me."

Martin, sensing the growing tension, intervened. "Let's not start a scene. Remember what we discussed yesterday."

Aniston's expression softened slightly, a hint of pragmatism in her tone. "For the sake of your millions, I'll play along."

Jolie's reply was laced with innuendo. "You were quite persuasive last night, Jane. Pushed hard and I agreed."

With a final note on the topic, Martin concluded, "Let's wait and see what the media says."

After breakfast, Jolie and Aniston departed, leaving Martin to his own plans. He headed to Warner Studios, where he met with Christopher Nolan at the 'The Dark Knight' studio.

Nolan, buoyed by the film's success yet concerned about maintaining its momentum, sought Martin's advice. "As 'The Dark Knight's popularity grows, so does the scrutiny. The Rotten Tomatoes score dipped to 93%. I'm considering a strategy. Some film critics are privately paid for positive reviews. Should we engage in that?"

Martin pondered the ethical dilemma. "How much for a positive review?"

"About $50," Nolan disclosed, a hint of discomfort in his voice.

Martin was surprised. "That low? I would've guessed $100."

Nolan elaborated on the widespread nature of the practice. "In cities like Los Angeles and New York, it's become a sizable business. Paying for IMDb ratings is also quite common."

Martin, however, saw a different path. "I believe 'The Dark Knight' doesn't need such tactics. Its fan base is fervent. They'll organically boost its presence online."

Nolan, recognizing Martin's insight, inquired further.

Martin elaborated on his strategy. "On IMDb, there's a constant battle between 'The Godfather' and 'The Dark Knight' for the top spot. It's a fan-driven frenzy."

Nolan immediately made some calls, confirming Martin's observations. The enthusiasm was undeniable, a natural promotional force.

Martin, however, voiced a concern. "This kind of fan rivalry can be a double-edged sword for a film's reputation."

Nolan nodded in agreement. "It'll draw attention, but we risk alienating some audiences. We have to accept that no film can please everyone."

Martin listened, opting not to interject as Nolan mused on the film's box office trends and the potential need for an international promotional push, comparing 'The Dark Knight's performance to that of 'Spider-Man 3.'

Their conversation delved deeper into the intricacies of film marketing, the room filled with the soft clinking of cutlery and the distant hum of Hollywood, a world where art, commerce, and strategy converged in the most fascinating ways.

In the well-appointed office at Warner Studios, the conversation between Martin and Nolan continued, taking a decisive turn towards the international promotion of 'The Dark Knight.'

Nolan, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and ambition, shared the strategy. "We're focusing on Europe and Latin America. These regions hold the greatest overseas potential for 'The Dark Knight'. Emma will lead the team in Europe with Bale and Michael Caine, while you and I will tackle Latin America."

Martin, understanding the gravity of his role in this venture, responded confidently, "I'm all in. Count on me."

Later that afternoon, following Martin's meeting with Nolan, a buzz began to build across various movie websites, including IMDb.

Enthusiastic fans of 'The Dark Knight' had initiated a campaign to rally support for their favorite film, urging others to join them on IMDb to boost its rating. Their goal was clear: to propel 'The Dark Knight' to the number one spot on the Top 250 list, overtaking 'The Godfather.'

The internet quickly became a battleground for passionate fans. A surge of 'The Dark Knight' supporters flooded IMDb, their fervor pushing the film past 'The Godfather' to claim the top position.

Not to be outdone, fans of 'The Godfather' launched a counter-campaign, determined to reclaim the number one spot. The digital space, brimming with participants, soon spiraled into a heated clash of loyalties.

Both factions not only boosted their favored films but also began to downvote the rival, resulting in a tumultuous wave of opinion that spilled over from IMDb to other websites and even caught the attention of traditional media.

As Martin prepared to embark on his international promotional tour, the fan rivalry had escalated, now dragging 'The Shawshank Redemption', ranked third, into the fray.

Before his departure, Martin sought out Nicholson for a final update on various matters, including Jennifer's progress at Franco's acting school and the unfolding situation with Ben and Franco.

Nicholson, always in the thick of Hollywood's machinations, had news to share. "After Ben's meeting with Franco, there's been some movement. And regarding Cassie's legal troubles, it's escalating. The evidence is stacking against him, and without a settlement, jail is a likely outcome. He's strapped for cash, as you predicted."

"So, Affleck is partnering with Franco?" Martin inquired, his interest piqued.

Nicholson's smile held the cunning of a seasoned player in the game of Hollywood. "Looks like it. But as for you, you have place to be in Latin America now. I've got things covered here."

Martin nodded, reassured by Nicholson's confidence. With that, he turned his focus to the task ahead, ready to dive into the whirlwind of international promotion, leaving the complex web of Hollywood behind, for now.

The journey ahead promised new challenges and opportunities, and Martin was more than prepared to meet them head-on.