"Whenever I think of my wife, I always think of her head."
This was the first sentence Martin saw in the printed manuscript, followed by descriptions written from the perspective of the male protagonist.
The title of the manuscript was "Gone Girl."
A story within a story, the female lead was the main character of an illustrated serial called "Amazing Amy."
Martin didn't need to look any further to confirm that this was David Fincher's "Gone Girl."
In his previous life, Martin had seen all of David Fincher's works.
Gillian patiently waited for Martin to appreciate her work.
From the beginning, when she first ntioned the idea to Martin, Gillian had a plan and goal in mind. The "Dark Domain" she introduced to Martin had already been adapted into a movie, raking in nearly 400 million US dollars at the global box office, making the author Alan Green a hot property in Hollywood.
Originally, Alan Green hadn't been doing as well as her.
Gillian had changed her fate once through marriage and divorce, ascending the social ladder.
To change her fate again, she believed that her work and Martin were the key.
Gillian had carefully studied the styles that Martin liked, which is why she could write such a dark and gloomy-thed novel that was full of intrigue and with a plot that was engaging and twisty.
Martin read through the manuscript quickly and didn't take too long before he set aside the printed pages.
With a hint of anticipation, Gillian asked, "Martin, is my writing okay?"
Martin did not beat around the bush and was quite direct, "The plot is very captivating, although it doesn't fit with the Hollywood mainstream."
Gillian laughed awkwardly, "Sotis, I also feel the the and human nature are too dark."
But writers often have their own convictions, and she added, "I always believe that even between the closest of lovers, there can be so chilling secrets; secrets that may remain buried deep in the heart for a lifeti or could erupt at any mont, growing robust and becoming terrifying."
Martin knew Gillian had been through a divorce, and a failed marriage must have had an impact on her.
The ominous chills and dark humor were precisely the most captivating aspects of this work.
The work had an eerily gloomy atmosphere; although there was no visceral bloodshed described within its lines, violence was portrayed so vividly. Most impressively, it was not only thrilling but also amusingly entertaining.
"Actually, I also like the exciting and dark style," Martin confessed sincerely as he patted the manuscript, "Gillian, we're old friends. 'Limitless' also ca from your introduction. If you agree, Davis Studio can now fund the purchase of this work's film and television adaptation rights and invest resources to promote its publication and distribution to a wide market."
There was one thing Martin didn't need to ntion to anyone else, about Ben Affleck.
Gillian had been waiting for this day and without any hesitation said, "I would like to collaborate with Davis Studio. Adapting my work into a movie has always been my dream."
Martin reminded her, "We will have to wait until you have finished writing the entire book and it's published before we can promote the adaptation; it may take a few years."
Gillian, a reporter for "Entertainnt Weekly," was very familiar with these matters and said, "No problem, I promise to complete the remaining part of the novel within a year."
Martin suggested, "Have your agent contact my studio to negotiate."
Gillian nodded, "I'll call my agent when I get ho."
She didn't have a dedicated agent but as a mber of a writers' association, the association would recomnd suitable candidates for her and safeguard her interests.
That was the significance of paying the mbership fee.
Leaving behind the printed manuscript, an elated Gillian went ho, found a bottle of champagne, poured herself a glass after popping it open, and celebrated for herself.
She went upstairs and, looking out to Martin's house across the street, reflected on finally reaching the mont that could change her fate.
Martin stored the printed manuscript carefully and called Jessica to explain the situation in detail, intending to have soone deliver the manuscript to her the next day.
Lily finished tidying up and ca down from upstairs, asking, "What about dinner?"
Glancing at the ti, Martin replied, "You find sowhere to eat; I've got plans with Old Cloth tonight." He specifically reminded her, "Stay at your dorm tonight."
Lily puffed out her cheeks, dissatisfied, "You're going to sneak a woman back here again."
"What do you an sneak? I'm bringing her back openly!" Martin picked up his car keys and walked out, "Elizabeth is my public girlfriend."
Lily mustered her courage, "You have even more secret girlfriends in Los Angeles."
Martin shook his head, "Don't slander people. Jolie and Aniston, they're just lovers who co together to have fun."
Lily wanted to speak again, but upon seeing Martin raise his fist, she promptly shut her mouth.
She had experienced the "loving iron fist" too many tis over the years.
Martin casually selected a car from the garage and, soon after Bruce, drove out from ho on his own.
Lily picked up her keys, ready to leave the villa, but found the living room coffee table cluttered with cups, a coffee pot, beer cans, and other items.
The previously tidy living room had beco sowhat disordered because of Martin's return.
Lily conscientiously put down her car keys, started cleaning up the trash, rearranged the sofa, and eventually grabbed a cloth...
It took her nearly half an hour to finish.
Lily got into her red Cadillac, pulled out her phone, and called her tutor, "Ma'am, how long will our exhibit continue? Could I keep the space at the exhibit where I sold a sculpture today?"
Thinking of how Jolie and Aniston had been praising her and her newfound fa, along with selling a piece at a high price that day, her tutor said, "That space has always been yours. As long as you have a suitable piece, just bring it over before the exhibit opens tomorrow."
Lily thought of Cassie Affleck's generosity today and tentatively asked, "Can the price be raised a little? I might have a suitable custor who wants to buy."
The artist's ntor, accustod to the practice of bolstering artists, agreed, "That's no problem, I'll communicate with the organizers."
With her sweetest voice, Lily said, "Thank you, ma'am."
The female ntor in her fifties suddenly made a request, "I heard the big star ne is good friends with Martin, could you help get a signed photo of ne?"
She had recently attended a few gatherings for successful won in the art circle, where ne was often ntioned and had specifically watched his movies, taking a great interest in him.
Lily knew ne and could directly ask for it, so she imdiately agreed.
On her way, Lily received a ssage on her phone from Cassie Affleck.
After thinking it over, she replied, "I'm planning to turn off my phone and fully imrse myself in work. The academy has reserved a booth for tomorrow, and I need to finish sculpting my nearly completed works."
The other side quickly responded, "I'll co to see your new work tomorrow."
On the drive ho, Lily pondered how to set a price that would give her a hefty cut without making Cassie Affleck feel so pained as to disappear.
......
Since Bruce had arranged to watch the Lakers ga with Cohler, Martin went alone to Griffith Observatory,
After a short wait, Elizabeth Olsen, who had just finished class, arrived at the agreed-upon viewing platform, almost running up to Martin.
Martin had already spread his arms to wait for her.
Knowing Martin's physical strength, Elizabeth leaped and threw herself into his arms, wishing she could crawl right inside him.
Martin spun her around in his embrace and said, "You seem lighter than before."
Elizabeth was delighted, smiling as sweetly as honey, "Really? I've been dieting."
"Let see if you've slimd down anywhere else," Martin said as he kissed Elizabeth.
After a long passionate kiss, they went together to the nearby scenic restaurant, seated by the window, where they could look up at the stars unobstructed or look down upon the bustling night scene of Los Angeles.
As for the taste of the food, that was secondary.
The couples who ca here were all about the romantic ambiance.
Elizabeth peeled a shrimp for Martin with an apologetic face, "I enrolled in an acting school and had a class this afternoon. The school had invited Judi Dench..."
Martin didn't care about that, "No problem, we are eting now, aren't we?"
Elizabeth stuffed the shrimp into Martin's mouth, blinked her eyes, and smiled sweetly, whispering, "Now I'm feeding you, but after dinner, you have to feed ."
After finishing their al, they didn't linger at the observatory but drove back to Martin's ho.
Earlier, Elizabeth had fed Martin, and now it was his turn to feed Elizabeth.
With Bruce not coming ho tonight and the skies turning completely dark, Martin simply carried Elizabeth up to the top-floor terrace to watch the stars.
Elizabeth poured Martin a glass of wine, handed it to him, and asked, "Is the house in Beverly Hills almost done being renovated?"
"It should be close to finished, I haven't been over there lately," Martin said, then took the initiative to invite her, "Shall we go have a look together tomorrow?"
Elizabeth replied, "Sure!"
The next day, they didn't leave the house until nearly noon and headed together towards Beverly Hills.
Arriving at Sunset Boulevard North District, Martin drove straight through the gate and along the main road to the villa.
The construction manager Schmidt was waiting by the fountain in the villa's front square.
After greeting Martin and Elizabeth as they got out of the car, he led them into the villa.
The main and auxiliary buildings of the villa were completely renovated, only leaving the basent vault, storage room, and backyard still under construction.
The forr was mainly about changing doors and locks to upgrade security levels.
The latter involved raising the backyard walls to prevent people from easily coming down from the hillside or peeping.
Martin, who aspired to be an outstanding photography master, valued privacy and security highly, not wishing to end up like Teacher Chen.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, was most interested in the gym, recreation room, and indoor pool. If the pool had been filled with water, she would've wanted to drag Martin in for a swim.
Upon reaching the master bedroom on the second floor, Elizabeth carefully examined the walk-in closet, contemplating how she would fill it up.
With a plan in mind, while Martin was talking to Schmidt, Elizabeth took a frad photo of her and Martin out of her bag and placed it on the bedside table of the master bedroom.
Martin noticed but didn't say anything as he glanced back.
In the future, his house wouldn't just be this one.
With construction noise coming from outside, Martin called to Elizabeth, "Let's go, we can't move in just yet."
They went downstairs and before leaving, Martin asked, "Have you greeted the neighbors yet?"
Schmidt pointed to the houses on either side, "This house is currently vacant, tough economy. Miss Lily Carter has visited next door; the owner is Charlize Theron. She's out filming and doesn't mind."
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