[GodOfReader: Sorry for not uploading earlier—I thought I could still upload while drunk, but I ended up falling asleep as soon as I got into bed. What's worse is, I had already opened my laptop to upload a chapter, but the moment I closed my eyes while waiting for it to boot up, I passed out. And FUCK—when I woke up, my laptop screen was shattered to pieces. My mom told me earlier, "If I hadn't cleaned up the glass shards, you'd be covered in cuts, you fucking idiot." I still got some cuts on my left arm, but it's already bandaged, and my dad cleaned it up. Good thing I still have my gaming laptop—otherwise, I wouldn't be uploading anything for weeks until I bought a new one.]
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With Martin's comforting presence below the stage, Jennifer Lawrence finally regained her composure.
The young girl looked up at Martin with dewy eyes that sparkled like water. "Really, Martin? You really will help me find a suitable role?"
"Of course. I never go back on my word to a friend." Martin spoke with unwavering conviction—as far as he was concerned, this wasn't a problem at all.
Meyers Productions churned out so many films each year, there was bound to be a role that suited this young lady.
First, let her build up some experience. When the time came to launch The Hunger Games, wouldn't the female lead already be in place?
"We're… friends?!"
You could visibly see the change—this little "gloomy ghost" of a girl had turned into someone glowing with joy.
Pfffft!
A massive snot bubble burst from her nose, carried out by a sudden laugh.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Martin couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Flushed with embarrassment, the girl ducked her head and buried it in his chest—then shamelessly wiped her snot on his shirt.
Serves you right for laughing at me, hmph!
After that, the relationship between Jennifer and Martin grew significantly closer.
At the very least, Martin had openly admitted that she was his friend.
In the following days, she didn't return to the Prom Queen set but clung to the District 9 crew instead.
The sweet-talking and pretty young girl, coupled with everyone seeing how close Martin was to her, meant the whole crew treated her warmly and attentively—making her giddy with happiness.
Strange... It seems like every time something bad happened on that other set, I'd somehow end up closer to Martin?
With that thought, her resentment toward Irina and the others in that production began to fade.
But Martin, having accepted this friend, naturally wasn't going to let her suffer any wrongs.
On the fifth day, Jennifer once again visited the District 9 set. Before she could even say a word upon seeing Martin, she heard him speak first:
"Jennifer, you can go back now."
Jennifer Lawrence froze. Then her eyes reddened.
But before she could cry, Martin added:
"Those people you disliked have all been fired. Since you've already put effort into that film, there's no need to waste it."
Huh?
Ah—
So powerful!
Jennifer was both overjoyed and stunned. For the first time, she truly understood how valuable it was to have a powerful friend like Martin.
When she returned to the Prom Queen set, she happened to catch sight of Irina's little group of four leaving in tears.
Seeing Jennifer, the girls didn't even dare meet her eyes.
They kept their heads down and hurried away.
Once they were far enough, the Latina girl muttered, "This is all Irina's fault. If it weren't for you, we could've been friends with Jennifer."
The white girl added, "Exactly. It was Irina's idea! We're totally screwed now. I have no idea how badly my manager's going to chew me out."
The Asian girl nodded in agreement.
Irina sulked in silence, simmering with resentment.
Jennifer, if you had backers, you should've shown them earlier! Who would dare mess with you then? Pretending to be some innocent lamb… disgusting.
To this day, the four girls only knew it was some bigshot who'd gotten them fired—they still didn't know exactly who.
But someone else from the crew, a more well-connected type, quickly pieced things together.
When word got out that Jennifer had returned to the production, the assistant director came flying in like a student about to be scolded, standing in front of Jennifer and pleading:
"Jennifer, I'm so sorry. Could you please ask Mr. Meyers not to fire me? I swear I'll do my job properly. Please!"
Jennifer hesitated.
Back in the office, this guy hadn't exactly gotten the upper hand. In fact, he was the one who got slapped by her.
And now… he did look pretty pitiful.
But suddenly, Martin's words echoed in her mind:
"In this industry, it's survival of the fittest. If you don't show strength, you'll be eaten alive, bones and all. Never show mercy to a threat. If you do, they'll only come at you harder. The only way to deal with an enemy is to knock them down—and crush them Six feet under ."
Jennifer suppressed her sympathy. Her face blank, she gave a cold "Hmph," then turned around and flicked the back of his head.
The assistant director looked as if he'd been reduced to ash.
The day after he left, a new director arrived.
And Jennifer? She had basically become the Empress Dowager of the production. Everyone listened to her—utterly respectful. Even the lead actors and the new director were all cautiously attentive.
Thankfully, Jennifer wasn't the domineering type. She didn't cause trouble.
With that, the production environment became relatively peaceful, with far fewer problems.
The production company behind Prom Queen was a small one, and the film itself was a low-budget teen comedy. These kinds of movies were mostly used by theater chains to pad their box office numbers during the off-season.
Hollywood had tons of these small studios—new ones popping up and old ones folding every day.
For companies of this size, how could they dare defy Martin's word? Forget firing a small-time director—even letting go of a producer wouldn't be an issue.
...
Time passed, and it was now July. District 9 was entering its final stretch of filming.
After finishing a scene, Robert, who played Wikus, sat beside Martin, his face a mix of sorrow and doubt, watching the playback on the monitor.
When the screen showed him fully encased in the alien exosuit, holding a mechanical flower in one hand and raising his head in a solitary close-up, he couldn't help but exclaim in awe:
"Whoa… I was really good, wasn't I?"
Martin nodded. "Honestly? Yeah, you did a great job—but it's also because I directed you so well."
Then he glanced at Robert and nodded again. "You've been in a good emotional state lately too—not like before, when you got so lost in character it was scary."
Donny lifted his chin proudly. "I told you! Once I put my mind to it, I can pull through. And now I've proven it!"
Martin widened his eyes. "Excuse me? Isn't this all thanks to me? If I hadn't drink with you, chatted you through your issues, and helped you work through your mental block, you'd be institutionalized by now!"
"Lies. It was obviously my own doing."
"Hah, you ungrateful fucker"
"Hey! You two done patting yourselves on the back yet?"
Martin and Robert turned to look—it was Drew Barrymore, who had somehow shown up without them noticing, arms crossed and watching them mockingly.
Martin rubbed his hands with a smirk. "Woman, have you forgotten who your BOSS is?"
Robert mimicked him, also rubbing his hands. "Woman, have you forgotten who your BOSS is?"
Martin turned, stunned. "I'm the boss here, okay?"
Donny responded with the same shocked expression. "That's what I meant!"
Drew sighed. "Okay, okay, enough clowning. Martin—"
Martin narrowed his eyes. "Hmm?"
She quickly switched tones. "Yes, my dear boss. I've got something to ask you."
"…That's better."
Drew rolled her eyes dramatically.