America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 474 Benefits Fought With Life on the Line

University of California Medical Center, the entrance teemed with people, cameras and camcorders lined the streets like long and short cannons.

TV broadcast vans from Warner Television Network, NBC, ABC, and CNN all pulled up to the hospital's main entrance. Live cameras were pointed at the scene, and reporters from each network intermittently interviewed people on site, with the news airing on a rolling broadcast.

Continue reading at empire

Above, the buzzing of an engine could be heard as the Fox Television Network helicopter flew directly over the medical center, shooting from above.

The crowd at the entrance grew larger and larger, and soon after, people appeared wearing red T-shirts, numbering in the hundreds in just over half an hour.

"They're all supporters of Martin Davis," said an NBC reporter. "If there's trouble with Martin, this hospital and the LAPD are going to have a lot of problems."

Another reporter chimed in, "Martin could probably double our bonuses this month."

A reporter behind suddenly said, "If Martin dies..."

Innumerable gazes from colleagues instantly fixed on him; most people there might have harbored similar thoughts, but such things could be thought, never spoken aloud.

That reporter was just past his internship stage and his supervisor scolded, "Shut up, you've seen the footage from multiple angles, Martin is a hero!"

The young reporter, likely with some background, retorted, "Those people went specifically for Martin, what kind of hero is he?"

Warner Television Network had sent their ace, Helen. When she arrived, she overheard the conversation and said, "Are you blind? With those criminals' madness, if it weren't for Martin drawing their fire to protect others, how many more at the docks would've died?"

Some knew Helen had a close relationship with Martin and said, "Helen, how's Martin doing, ask around, will you?"

Helen looked particularly grave, "Martin's personal phone is unreachable, and his agent isn't answering."

Someone picked up the conversation, "The situation might not be good."

As they spoke, a red Porsche drove by and entered the hospital gates.

An observant reporter commented, "That's Elizabeth Olsen's car, Martin's girlfriend is here."

Once the Porsche was out of sight, another reporter looking around said, "The place is going to turn red soon."

Reporters noticed, the flow of Martin's supporters in red never ceased.

One car after another entered through the hospital's gate.

Lily and Elizabeth got out of the Porsche together and entered the medical center, and after asking, they headed to a treatment room.

Thomas, Chad, Mene, and others living close by hurried over as soon as they could.

Elizabeth was nearly in tears, asking, "What's happening, where's Martin? Martin?"

Lily pursed her lips tightly, not saying a word. Her hand, tucked into her jacket pocket, was clenched tightly around a scalpel—she was just realizing how powerless she felt when a family member was truly hurt.

Thomas said, "Martin's been hurt, he's getting treated inside."

Finally, Elizabeth couldn't hold back her tears, which began to fall. In her hand, she held a cross her mother had given her, praying to God for protection.

Lily came over to hug her, "Martin's a tough guy, he'll be fine."

Elizabeth, much softer in character than her, began to weep on Lily's shoulder.

Mene paced back and forth anxiously, scratching his head, thrown into a fever of concern, wanting to help but not knowing how—nothing was more frustrating.

His gift of gab was useless in situations like this.

The treatment room door opened and a nurse said, "Is Thomas Ryan here? Martin wants to see you."

Thomas quickly strode forward, "That's me."

The nurse nodded and let him follow her inside.

Lily visibly sighed with relief.

Elizabeth suddenly had a bad premonition, "Martin, Martin..."

"Martin's fine, it must be just a minor injury," Lily said, her spirits lifting enough to joke a little, "If Martin was really in bad shape, the first one they'd call would definitely be me, not Thomas."

Elizabeth lifted her head from Lily's shoulder, stepped back, puzzled as she looked at Lily.

But she said nothing, turning back to look towards the treatment room.

Inside the treatment room, Martin, his left arm in a sling around his neck and bandages on his right thigh, had various small cuts around his neck and shoulder, all carefully treated.

Thomas inquired, "How are you feeling?"

Martin smiled, "Don't worry, it's not serious."

Because the bullet was a ricochet and was further slowed down by a Nokia phone, the wound on his right leg wasn't deep, just a flesh wound; it didn't even need stitches and would heal over time.

His left arm, which had taken the full force of the Russian's blow, was of course not feeling great, with a very slight fracture, but just to be cautious, the doctors immobilized it.

In fact, in his former life as a stunt double, Martin had suffered much worse injuries than this.

The first thing Martin asked was, "What about Old Cloth?"

"After answering questions from the LAPD and FBI, he's on his way here!" Thomas checked his watch and said, "He should arrive in half an hour at most."

Once Martin was assured Old Cloth was alright, he moved onto other matters, "What's the situation with this incident?"

"The five major television networks are airing continuous coverage, with TMZ and other web media releasing updates every ten minutes," Thomas had been keeping up with media updates through his assistant Natasha, "The whole country is focusing on this incident right now."

"Your two old friends, Bradt from the Los Angeles Police Department Public Relations and Nevies from the FBI have contacted me," he said. "They suggest you avoid interviews and public appearances for now. They're on their way to Los Angeles."

Martin thought for a moment and said, "Tell them I'll wait for them until this evening."

Thomas said, "They will be here soon." He added, "The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department have also talked to the hospital. As long as you keep a low profile, the hospital will stay silent."

The incident had already occurred, and from the moment Martin took that intentional fall, he had been considering how to maximize the benefits.

He said, "Don't respond to any media inquiries or the people outside for now, ask them to keep silent as well."

Thomas replied, "They are all our own people, there won't be a problem with that."

While thinking, Martin said, "About this matter, immediately contact Rita and Martha's Oscar PR team. Have them constantly monitor the situation and adjust their strategies accordingly. I believe this incident will be extremely beneficial for the Oscars."

Thomas took note of this.

Then Martin added, "Remember to call Chad to come over."

Thomas pointed outside the door and said, "He's right outside."

Martin nodded, pulling at the wound on his arm. It wasn't time to be acting tough, and he winced in pain. With his eyes, he signaled towards the Nokia 1100, lodged with a bullet, and said, "Send a blurry picture to the people at Nokia, see if we can make some money from them."

Thomas glanced at the cellphone and carefully stored it away for Martin, saying, "This time, they're definitely going to be begging us to take their money!"

After that, a nurse came in to move Martin out of the treatment room and into the hospital ward.

As soon as the bed left, Lily and Elizabeth rushed over.

Elizabeth, looking at Martin's arm, couldn't help but burst into tears again.

Martin sat up on the hospital bed and shook his head slightly at her, indicating he was okay.

On the way, Thomas had already instructed Chad and Mene on what to do.

After entering the ward and getting a few words of caution from the nurse, she left on her own accord.

In her eyes, Martin's injuries really weren't that serious.

Martin said, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I'll recover quickly."

Elizabeth said, "You almost scared me to death!"

Seeing Martin was fine, Lily went to the ward's balcony by herself and called Elena and Harris.

Martin called Chad over and said directly, "Hurry and cut out a trailer for 'John Wick,' coordinate with Warner Bros. and use this incident to promote the movie."

Chad, having a business mind of his own, said, "I've seen the video from the dock. Your performance was just like Jonathan stepping into reality, our film simply has to explode!"

Martin smiled and said, "To explode, we need to have a good publicity and marketing."

Chad replied, "With such great material at hand, even I know what to do. Warner's professional team won't have a problem, especially Daniel, he's really good at this."

Martin said, "I'm fine here, you need to push forward with this now."

As Chad prepared to leave, he said, "I'll head to the studio right now, meet with Daniel first, and cut a trailer overnight."

Mene spoke a few words with Martin and then left with Chad.

Elizabeth poured a glass of water and brought it to his lips, saying, "Drink some water, your lips are all dry and peeling."

After drinking a few sips, Martin said, "It's nerves."

"You rest and recuperate," Elizabeth was still worried, especially seeing Martin with his arm in a sling and leg wrapped in bandages, she deliberately complained, "You're like this and still thinking about work."

Martin replied, "After such a big incident, I was almost killed by stray bullets. Luckily, I fought for my life and survived. Of course, I have to use this incident to reap the maximum benefit."

Elizabeth didn't understand these matters and said, "I'm here with you. Just tell me what you need me to do."

Her phone rang, and upon answering, it was someone inquiring about Martin's condition.

Elizabeth didn't say anything, hung up the call, and turned off the phone right away.

At that moment, there was a knock on the hospital room door. Lily went to open it, and in came Leonardo and Nicholson.

Upon seeing Martin's beaten-up appearance, both were somewhat shocked, "Is the injury that severe?"

Martin said with a smile, "It's just a small wound, made to look serious."

Nicholson, with his wily old age, immediately caught on, "If this is played right, your Oscar for Best Actor is in the bag!"

Leonardo could understand and couldn't help scratching his head, as he imagined a future where he saw two jerks flaunting their little golden men while he continues to be mocked every day.

Nicholson tried to console him, "No worries, I'll give you one of mine when the time comes. After all, I have three."

Leonardo ended up being the most heartbroken person in that hospital room, even more so than Martin.

The two didn't stay long. After chatting with Martin for a bit and making sure his injuries were indeed not life-threatening, they quickly took their leave.

In their interaction with the media reporters, besides boasting about how the trio had closely cooperated to take down a dozen armed felons, they divulged nothing more.

By mid-afternoon, personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI formally paid a visit.