Chapter 538: Pillow Talk

Under the starlit sky of Sherman Oaks, the grandeur of the mansion on the south hillside was accentuated by the serene night. Inside, the atmosphere was anything but tranquil.

Louise, poised and elegant behind the bar, vigorously shook a cocktail shaker, the sound echoing sharply as it struck the wooden surface. The abrupt noise startled a pair of wild mandarin ducks outside, their fluttering wings adding to the night's chorus.

Martin, lounging comfortably, turned towards her with a playful smile. "Hey, dear, what's got you so worked up?"

Kelly Gray, leaning casually against the bar, supported Martin, her tone a mix of pride and expectation. "I've just been elected to the Georgia State Assembly. A little congratulations would be nice, don't you think?"

Louise skillfully poured three cocktails, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Be careful, Martin. His girlfriend's twin sisters live next door. We wouldn't want to disturb them, now would we?"

Kelly, her confidence bolstered by her recent foray into politics, teased, "Why not invite them over too?" Her tone was light, yet daring.

Martin, ever the voice of reason, lightly flicked her forehead. "Don't be ridiculous, Kelly."

Kelly, undeterred, offered Martin his drink. "Apologies. So, how will you celebrate my victory?"

Martin, with a thoughtful expression, proposed, "Let's spend tonight just talking, really connecting."

Kelly, initially puzzled by his suggestion, soon realized its deeper meaning. But it was Louise who burst into laughter, fully understanding the subtext. "Oh, she doesn't need that kind of communication. Leave it to me."

Kelly caught on quickly. "Then let's not waste any time. Good communication is key to emotional release!"

The villa came alive with their laughter and chatter.

After celebrating Kelly's achievement, the three friends found themselves seated side-by-side at the bar, their conversation flowing as freely as the wine.

"It's been a while since we've all been together like this," Louise remarked nostalgically, refilling everyone's glasses.

"I come here quite often now," Martin replied.

"Yes, but it's different," Louise noted, a tinge of melancholy in her voice. "I miss the old days."

Kelly playfully nudged her. "That just means you're getting old."

"You're one to talk!" retorted Louise, engaging in a lighthearted tussle that ended with both women playfully grappling on the carpet, calling out for Martin's assistance.

Martin, seizing the moment, whipped out his phone, capturing the spontaneous scene. "Come on, put some effort into it! Kelly, go for her hair!"

In a sudden twist, Kelly and Louise teamed up, dragging Martin down into their playful fray. Laughter and playful shouts filled the room, making the ceiling seem to vibrate with their energy.

Later, as they all lay together, each woman resting her head on one of Martin's arms, he seized the moment to broach a more serious topic. "Has Erica been elected to the Senate yet? She's a prominent figure in the Georgia Democratic Party, isn't she?"

Kelly responded with a blend of humor and respect, "It wasn't easy, but her famous pink kettle campaign really set her up for success."

Martin, his tone turning serious, said, "I'm thinking about Harvey Weinstein. He's got ties to the Democratic Party too, doesn't he?"

In the opulent living room of a mansion in Sherman Oaks, the tension was palpable under the soft lighting. Kelly, with a concerned frown creasing her forehead, pressed Martin for his reasoning. "Why? What's got you thinking about Weinstein?"

Martin, his expression a mix of suspicion and worry, shared his doubts. "I suspect the last shooting incident on Nolan's crew was orchestrated by Harvey's gang. I was the intended target. I've always been vigilant about firearms, but the unlucky one turned out to be that British crew member..."

He continued, the weight of responsibility evident in his voice, "If I'm not careful, it's not just me at risk - Davis Studio would crumble without me."

Louise, leaning against the bar with a thoughtful look, connected the dots. "You're saying our financial stability hinges on the success of your projects?"

Martin, acknowledging the gravity of their interconnected futures, responded, "Exactly. The films I choose aren't just artistic decisions – they're financial lifelines for all of us."

Kelly and Louise fell silent, contemplating their investments in Martin's movie selections. Their financial gains had been substantial over the years, and as Martin's influence in Hollywood grew, so did their profits.

Kelly, breaking the silence with a chuckle, teased Martin, "See? He's always thinking several steps ahead, binding us together with shared interests and gains."

But Louise, her mind racing with possibilities, added, "It's not just about us three. Martin, you've built a network of allies and resources..."

Martin took the opportunity to elaborate on the current situation, sharing his insights and strategies. "Congressman Erica has been a staunch advocate for women's rights. This could be a big opportunity for her."

Kelly's thoughts drifted to Erica's iconic pink kettle campaign.

Martin, sensing their intrigue, added, "This could be far more impactful than a kettle. We're talking about a movement that could resonate on a massive scale."

Kelly, pondering the internal dynamics of the Democratic Party, suggested cautiously, "We can try leveraging this. If things go south, we back out. With your growing influence, especially with the Coca-Cola Cult, you're becoming hard to ignore."

Louise agreed, "Financially, Harvey might not match your wealth, but his years in the industry give him an edge. Give it five or six years, and you could surpass him."

Martin, embracing them both, shared a sobering thought, "There's a chance I won't last that long against him. Now's the time to act."

Kelly, standing up resolutely, declared, "We've invested a lot in you, Martin. Now it's your turn to deliver."

The next morning, Martin left the mansion, his steps light yet purposeful, like a seasoned predator ready for the challenges ahead.

...

At Warner TV, the recording of the latest episode of "The Helen Show" had just wrapped up. Helen, one of North America's top three female talk show hosts, alongside Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres, retreated to her dressing room.

Her assistant knocked and entered. "Boss, Damian's called. He's asking to have lunch with you."

Helen, preoccupied with other thoughts, responded briskly, "Decline it. I've got plans with Martin at Beaver Lishan Villa."

An hour and a half later, Helen arrived at Martin's lavish home as agreed.

Martin had arranged for a gourmet lunch to be prepared. The two shared a close bond, having experienced the Burbank High School incident together.

Inviting Helen into the dining room, Martin initiated conversation over their meal.

Helen, eager for the promised news, asked, "You mentioned important news and exclusive information?"

"Just watch," Martin replied, picking up the remote to turn on the restaurant's TV. The LCD screen flickered to life, displaying the video Ivan had procured.

As Harvey Weinstein's face filled the screen, Helen instinctively set down her utensils, her attention riveted. The scene unfolding was one of coercion and intimidation – a powerful man using his stature to impose his will on a resisting woman.

Helen, a woman of the entertainment industry herself, was all too familiar with its darker aspects. Despite her stature, she was not immune to the industry's unspoken rules and had her own experiences to recall. The footage resonated deeply with her, stirring a mix of professional understanding and personal disgust.

In the plush confines of Martin's Beverly Hills mansion, Helen and Martin sat transfixed by the unfolding drama on the screen. The ambiance in the room, once filled with the casual ease of old friends reuniting, had shifted palpably as the video played.

The screen displayed a stark contrast to the image of the entertainment industry often idolized by fans. The woman, perceived as a noble goddess by her admirers, was reduced to a mere participant in the predatory dynamics of the industry's power plays.

As the video reached its conclusion, a coercive conversation unfolded. The man's words were a blend of temptation and threat, a clear embodiment of the unspoken rules that governed the dark underbelly of Hollywood – conform and receive opportunities, or resist and face the ruin of your career.

The footage was followed by a phone recording, the voice on the other end purportedly that of Matt Damon, delivering a stern warning to the victim. Helen's disbelief was palpable. "Matt Damon? He doesn't strike me as that type of person."

Martin shared a critical insight, "Previously, it was Ben Affleck handling such matters, but he's lost his sway. Damon seems to be the new enforcer."

Helen, lost in thought, murmured, "I haven't heard much about Ben lately."

Martin concurred, recalling his recent attempts to track down Pete and Ben's whereabouts. "Los Angeles is too vast to keep tabs on everyone."

Pivoting to the matter at hand, Martin inquired, "What do you make of the news value here?"

Helen, her journalistic instincts kicking in, recognized the potential impact. "It's explosive, but it's also risky. One misstep could backfire tremendously."

Martin nodded, understanding the delicacy of the situation. "We need to tread carefully."

Helen, her resolve firming, declared, "But if handled right, I don't want to miss out on breaking such a story."

Martin suggested, "Perhaps it could be featured on your talk show when the time is right."

Helen agreed, "Absolutely, when the timing is perfect. And it would be prudent to gather more evidence."

Both agreed to maintain silence for now, understanding that their current reticence was preparation for a future revelation.

As Helen departed post-lunch, Martin received an unexpected call from the community committee. A vice chairman, Mr. Brandt, was on his way to discuss a matter of neighborhood concern.

Upon his arrival, Brandt was courteous, understanding the stature of the residents in this affluent community. "Mr. Davis, I apologize for the intrusion. I need to discuss an issue concerning your property."

Martin, intrigued, urged him to continue.

Brandt, with a friendly smile, mentioned, "Your trash bin has been damaged again. It seems we need to replace it."

Martin, recalling a recent incident, suggested, "You might want to talk to Mr. Stewart Townsend next door. I saw him kicking my bin."

Brandt nodded in understanding, "That explains the recurring issues with your bins. We've had to repair or replace yours and Mr. Townsend's bins multiple times."

He added with a sheepish grin, "I remember the first time was right after you won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor."

Martin, seeking to keep the peace with his neighbors, advised, "Perhaps have a word with Mr. Townsend. Ms. Theron and I are on good terms; I'd rather not stir trouble over this."

Brandt, appreciating the delicacy of the situation, promised to address the issue and promptly took his leave.