America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

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No one expected that this year's Cannes Film Festival would end in such chaos, with the battle between the two Isabelles sure to be remembered in the annals of film history.

Martin quickly returned to the hotel, and a steady stream of information kept coming in; it took a tremendous effort from the Cannes committee to appease Ajani, preventing the matter from escalating to the police.

In fact, Ajani wasn't hurt; the witchy sect leader was likely faking it most of the time.

Martin waited up until late night, only relaxing when Mene returned to the hotel.

The next morning, he specifically invited Mene to have breakfast together.

Peeling an egg at the breakfast table, Martin asked, "Are you alright?"

Mene replied with an embarrassed smile, "Just ruined a suit, nothing else."

Bruce said, "Last night you played the hero to save the beauty."

Confronted by Martin and Old Cloth, Mene didn't hide anything and said directly, "Actually, I could have pulled Yuper away, but I wanted to leave a deeper impression on her, so I stepped in between."

Martin gave Mene a thumbs up: "Impressive."

Bruce then said, "I didn't expect you to turn into a jerk!"

Mene scratched his head: "I learned it from you! Remember last time you were going after the Kardashian sisters..."

"Shut up!" Bruce snapped, embarrassed and angry.

Martin looked at Old Cloth: "Sisters? Buddy, what did you say at the start? Only loved Cohler?"

"Kim forced her way in, and Cohler was worried her sister would be sad and found it difficult to say no," Bruce said with a face full of innocent indignation: "What could I have done?"

He awkwardly but forcibly changed the subject: "Did Yuper say anything to you? After all you've done?"

Mene said, "She's taking me to meet the French female director Jeanne Labruna in the afternoon, recommending me for the lead male role in her new film."

Martin asked with concern, "Are you going to take it?"

"It's a lead role, after all," Mene laughed softly: "It's hard to refuse Yuper's kindness."

He took a sip of milk and added, "Yuper thinks that me acting alongside her fits the current social climate in France—you know, a white woman and a black man."

Martin nodded: "An art house film?"

Mene kept it simple: "Yuper's lead character is a promiscuous high-class call girl who initially loves her job but suddenly finds it stale. She seeks to rekindle her passion for work and finds the male protagonist, a psychologist."

Having researched Yuper thoroughly for this year's Cannes Film Festival, Bruce said, "The characters played by your art film goddess are never just ordinary people."

With Mene's description, Martin could imagine the final result of the film, a typical European art film style and vibe.

Mene continued, "The film won't start shooting until later this year, and it doesn't conflict with Nolan's new film schedule. I think it's worth trying. With Yuper in the production, I'll be able to meet more European filmmakers."

Martin had no intention of interfering: "You make your own decision."

Bruce unveiled Mene's true motive: "You just want to meet more European art house goddesses, right?"

Mene flashed a big white smile and laughed, "Old Cloth, I'll introduce you when the time comes!"

Thomas rushed into the dining room and approached Martin: "There's an emergency."

Martin pointed to the chair opposite: "Sit and talk."

Bruce poured him a glass of water.

After sitting down, Thomas said, "There was a call from the company—Chanel just got in touch with them, Karl Lagerfeld wants to see you."

He had come in a hurry, took a sip of water, and continued, "I contacted Chanel's headquarters using the contact info provided by the company and confirmed that the caller was Lagerfeld's assistant. Karl Lagerfeld is currently in Cannes and wants to see you this afternoon."

Martin asked, "Why does he want to see me?"

Thomas said, "Advertisement endorsement! He's interested in having you as the spokesman for Chanel No. 5."

"Wait a minute!" Martin voiced his doubt: "Isn't Chanel No. 5 a women's perfume? Why would they want a male spokesperson?"

Thomas was just as puzzled: "I'm not sure."

Martin frowned in thought, saying to himself that he couldn't possibly be what Karl Lagerfeld was looking for. After all, what kind of men hadn't the fashion icon seen or experienced?

Thomas suggested, "We'll know once you meet."

Martin asked again, "Has Chanel No. 5 ever had a male spokesperson before?"

"No, never before," Thomas could confirm that: "After Nicole Kidman's contract with Chanel No. 5 expired, Chanel chose not to renew with her, like she was box office poison—their endorsement was not effective."

He had made some inquiries after the phone call: "This time, Chanel plans to have both male and female spokespersons. The female spokesperson is said to be Audrey Tautou, who played Coco Chanel in 'Chanel, The Fashion Pioneer.'"

Martin was somewhat unfamiliar with the name Audrey Tautou: "Has she starred in any other well-known films?"

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Thomas said, "Amélie, some also call it 'Amélie'."

That latter name made Martin think of the corresponding movie, which must be "Amélie".

Martin said, "Alright, I'll meet him this afternoon."

Thomas stood up, "I'll go and reply to them."

At half past two in the afternoon, Martin arrived at the Cannes yacht marina and boarded a white luxury yacht.

Under the sunshade on the top deck, Karl Lagerfeld and his boyfriend Baptiste Giabiconi stood up to greet him.

Martin shook hands with Lagerfeld and nodded slightly at Giabiconi as a way of greeting.

The latter, a little-known model just last year, had become one of Europe's hottest male models after a chance encounter with Lagerfeld.

Since flattery costs nothing, Martin looked at Lagerfeld's signature sunglasses and white hair and remarked, "I did not expect to have the honor of meeting the Caesar of the fashion world here in Cannes."

Lagerfeld smiled, "The leading actor among Hollywood's post-80s, truly deserving of the title!"

He said, "Congratulations on winning the Oscar and the Cannes Best Actor award. Martin, there are few young actors who have achieved such tremendous success in both art and the commercial realm as you have."

In front of the high-taste Lagerfeld, Martin too spoke in a manner that complemented his own stature, "God has endowed me with a remarkable gift, and my efforts have allowed this gift to realize its potential, that's all."

Lagerfeld nodded slightly and asked, "What do you think of Chanel No. 5?"

"The most iconic fragrance for women," Martin spoke as if he were an artist, "It awakens their souls more than abstract emotions or beauty could."

He was drawing from some knowledge from his past life when many girls had sold their souls and bodies for Chanel No. 5.

Martin directly voiced his doubt, "Chanel No. 5 has never had a male spokesperson before, why do you want to choose me, Lagerfeld?"

Lagerfeld calmly said, "Having a man interpret the most classic women's perfume seems absurd and far-fetched."

Martin quietly waited for him to continue.

Lagerfeld went on, "But the definition of Chanel No. 5 is revolution, breaking the shackles of societal norms. You are a vibrant young man, and yet time has bestowed upon you a certain mature charm. The fusion of youth and maturity is perfected in you!"

He scrutinized Martin thoroughly, "I can see that beneath your attractive exterior, you hide a wild and exuberant heart. The masculine aura you exude will make countless women's hearts flutter."

Coming from a man with a boyfriend, these words made Martin feel uncomfortable all over, even causing him to get goosebumps.

But he remained composed, with just a hint of a confident smile.

Lagerfeld continued, "If a remarkable man like you can be captivated by Chanel No. 5, it will send a message that anyone can fall for Chanel No. 5!"

He emphasized the last sentence, "This will add a legendary allure to Chanel No. 5."

Hearing this, Martin grasped the core issue; even Chanel No. 5 needed to create buzz in this era of information overload.

From his multiple encounters with Cartier, he understood that luxury goods required a more sophisticated marketing approach.

Martin spoke politely, "I'm greatly honored by your interest."

Lagerfeld gave him a slight nod.

Martin got straight to the point, "Karl, right now I can't give you a definite response. My management company and team need to weigh the pros and cons."

He always believed in being paid for his work. His five major sponsors had just forked out 6 million US dollars for the Cannes Best Actor award, "I'm currently engaged in business cooperation with several brands and I need to give them a heads up as well."

This matter involved various aspects and Lagerfeld did not expect an immediate answer from Martin.

"Now that the business talk is over, we can discuss something else," Lagerfeld asked, "How about joining me for some fishing at sea?"

Martin glanced subtly at Bruce and Thomas and said, "Of course, I've never fished on a luxury cruiser before."

Soon, the yacht slowly started up and sailed out of the marina.

With fishing rods available on board, Martin, who had tried sea fishing back in Los Angeles, wasn't an expert angler but could handle the rod competently.

Before nightfall, the yacht returned to the marina, and Martin said his goodbyes and departed.
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Walking down the long pier, Martin got into a car and told Thomas, "Go back to Los Angeles and analyze this matter carefully with the agency. I can't ascertain the full impact at the moment."

Thomas hadn't encountered such a situation before and asked, "If you sign with Chanel No. 5, the influence will be tremendous. Are you worried about negative repercussions?"

Martin replied, "If it's not suitable, I would rather pass on it."

Thomas said, "There's no need to give a response for the time being, we will play it by ear."

Martin reminded him, "Give a heads-up to all the sponsors."

The three returned to the Wuyang Hotel. Mene called, and said he wouldn't be returning that night and they would meet at the hotel lobby's front desk while checking out the following day.

Early the next morning, Martin and his party split from David Fincher and Thomas, catching a flight to Paris and from there to Morocco to join the Nolan Crew.