Martin finished his phone call and set the device down. He picked up a knife and fork and skillfully cut into the delicious roast meat prepared by Lily. Savoring a bite, he complimented her, "When did you develop this cooking skill?"
Lily deftly sliced the barbecue into square portions and replied with a smile, "I practiced with Hall. Initially, I wasn't very good, but Hall was very supportive. Even if I over cooked, used a little to mich salted or burned the meat, he'd still eat it all."
Martin observed a moment of silence for Hall, then quipped, "It's quite a feat that he grew up just fine."
Bruce, engrossed in his meal, glanced at Martin and then Lily, musing that his brother might have lacked basic human rights since childhood.
After finishing his meal, Martin handed a set of documents to Lily, saying, "Take a look at this."
Lily hesitated, thinking it might be some form of study materials. After all, Martin, known for his eccentricity, had gifted her several boxes of unusual items in the past, including bison horns.
With more confidence addressing Martin than Elena, Lily responded, "I've worked hard; you don't need to give me more."
Martin couldn't help but smile, saying, "Just take a look."
As Lily opened the document, she found a series of photos, predominantly featuring a substantial mansion. Not to mention the spacious yard and sports facilities, the property even consisted of two large villas.
Having spent over a year in Los Angeles, Lily was aware of property values in the area. This mansion was easily worth over $20 million.
Martin inquired, "How do you like it? Impressive, isn't it?"
Lily misunderstood, "It's too expensive..."
Martin clarified, "Don't worry, I'm not buying it for you. This house has just been listed, and I want you to purchase it in your name."
Lily was taken aback, "Why don't you do it yourself? It's going to be quite a hassle for me to go through the process."
Martin explained, "This house belongs to a friend of mine who's facing some financial difficulties. He's looking to sell his property to raise funds, and since I have a good relationship with him, I don't want to take advantage of his situation and buy it at a low price."
Internally, Lily pondered which unlucky individual Martin was referring to, someone blessed with such an extraordinary friend. She imagined this person must have been cursed from birth. These thoughts, however, were best kept to herself.
Martin inquired, "If you don't want to do it, I'll find someone else."
Quickly, Lily replied, "I'm fine." She straightened her posture a bit, bolstered by her financial status, and stated, "After you purchase it, save a room for me and let me decorate it as I wish."
Martin agreed, "Alright." Unlike Elena, Martin had his unique way of being demanding. "In the future, the villa's cleanliness will be your responsibility."
Looking at the picture of the villa in the document and then at her artist's hands, Lily felt a sense of impending doom.
Teasingly, Martin said, "Go ahead, Miss Multimillionaire, and buy that mansion."
Lily stood up, adjusted her attire, took the documents from Martin, and contacted a real estate agent. She then stepped out and hopped into her red Cadillac, driving straight to Beverly Hills.
After more than half a year on the set of "The Dark Knight," Lily had become quite worldly and wasn't easily daunted.
Martin and Bruce climbed into a Volkswagen and followed her.
In the prime location of Beverly Hills, situated north of Sunset Boulevard, Brad Pitt Peterered past the outdoor swimming pool in the rear garden before entering the main house through the back door. As he picked up his bag and gazed at the somewhat empty residence, he felt a profound reluctance to depart.
Brad Pitt had invested over $12 million to purchase the property a few years back, initially acquiring an almost derelict house, essentially paying for the land. Subsequently, he spent an additional $25 million to raze and reconstruct the structure, transforming it into its present state.
"I believe this house is worth $30 million," Brad Pitt remarked to his investment advisor, "but we can only list it at $13 million."
The advisor explained, "Times have changed. With the economic downturn and the declining real estate market, we need to sell swiftly at a lower price. There aren't many buyers willing to spend tens of millions on a house all at once. If you observe the surroundings here in Beverly Hills, many houses are on the market but unable to sell due to their price."
Brad Pitt recognized this fact, which was why he agreed to the sale in the first place. He had once believed that keeping too much cash on hand was an inefficient use of assets. However, when the need arose, he realized that working capital was a vital asset for emergencies.
The advisor added, "If you don't sell this one, you'll have to sell the house or the estate in New York..."
Brad Pitt had grown increasingly uncomfortable with Los Angeles and had decided to leave this city that made him feel insecure. "No, we can't sell the New York house. What about the stocks in the stock market?"
The advisor grimaced, "You can't easily find someone to take over the Fannie Mae stocks in your possession."
He had indeed advised Brad Pitt against investing in Fannie Mae, but his warnings had fallen on deaf ears. Consequently, most of Brad Pitt's liquidity was tied up in Fannie Mae stocks.
Today, Fannie Mae's stock had become nearly worthless.
With a sense of desolation, Brad Pitt mused, "I hope the next owner will take good care of this house."
At that moment, the investment consultant's phone rang, and he announced, "Good news, the real estate agent is bringing someone to view the house."
Brad Pitt was in desperate need of a significant amount of liquidity to address his problems, possibly even to avoid legal issues. He hurriedly departed and said, "Let's go."
As they drove out of the gate, two cars approached. Brad Pitt recognized the real estate agent's Mercedes-Benz in the lead, but the unfamiliar red Cadillac behind them caught his eye. Peering through the Cadillac's windshield, Brad pitt saw a young woman behind the wheel.
The real estate agent's Mercedes-Benz, driven by Susan, parked by the fountain in front of the mansion. Upon Lily's arrival, Susan began her pitch: "This house was built only six years ago, and the previous owner lived here for only three years. Everything is in pristine condition..."
Lily proceeded up the steps, taking in the spacious and well-manicured front courtyard, adorned with flowers, plants, and palm trees. The outdoor barbecue area was roomy, suitable for hosting large gatherings without feeling crowded.
Two large two-story villas with attics, connected in an L-shape, stood independently in the yard.
Behind the house, there was a garden and outdoor swimming pool on one side, and a tennis court and a helicopter pad on the other.
In comparison to this mansion, Martin's current house appeared far less impressive.
Lily couldn't help but wonder whether $13 million was ever going to be sufficient for this acquisition. She figured that it might be a stretch to acquire the land with that budget.
Curious, she inquired, "Susan, who's the current owner of this house?"
Susan was candid, "It belongs to Brad Pitt. You've likely heard of him. But if you need to raise funds promptly, he won't sell it at this price."
Upon hearing Brad Pitt's name, Lily instantly understood why Martin hadn't personally handled this matter.
Brad Pitt was a "good friend" of Martin!
Lily accompanied Susan as they went through the property. She eventually agreed to purchase the house without the furniture at a final price of $12 million.
During the economic crisis that had enveloped around world, individuals who could quickly produce a substantial amount of cash were few and far between.
The following day, Lily and her lawyer completed the necessary formalities with Susan and then had no choice but to transfer the property to Martin before it had even had a chance to warm up.
Brad Pitt had only held onto the proceeds from the house sale for two days. A substantial portion was allocated after reaching a settlement agreement with Caroline's group of victims.
In these trying times, Brad Pitt expeditiously took a page from Nicholson, the head of the Bastard Trio, when it came to handling illegitimate children. He provided a significant sum and signed relevant agreements to facilitate the person's departure without having to enter the legal process, a decision largely driven by guilt. Within the judicial process, with the correct paternity testing, the financial consequences would have been far more severe than he was willing to endure.
With these concerns resolved, Brad Pitt and his legal team could now focus on addressing the breach of contract lawsuits brought forth by Breitling and Cadillac. These opponents were far more menacing in comparison. Failing to settle out of court or losing the lawsuits could potentially lead to bankruptcy for Brad Pitt due to the substantial compensation involved.
To assemble a high-caliber legal team, Brad Pitt once again raised funds by selling a luxury apartment near New York's Central Park at a discounted rate. Ironically, he had never resided in it, having completed renovations.
Given New York's significant exposure to the economic crisis, real estate prices were already low. People were eager to divest their properties in exchange for cash, causing prices to further decline. Under Martin's watchful eye, Lily swiftly took to the internet and flew to New York to acquire a spacious apartment with a Central Park view spanning over 300 square meters.
The central theme here was that a true friend should aid in resolving financial difficulties promptly. Though Brad Pitt was yet unaware of these efforts, he would undoubtedly express his gratitude when he discovered them.
Meanwhile, in Beverly Hills, Martin, disregarding Lily, who was engrossed in her work in New York, made a call to his beloved Elizabeth. Together, they embarked in a Porsche to visit a luxurious villa in the North District of Sunset Boulevard.
Upon arrival, Martin pressed the wireless key, causing the wrought iron gate to swing open automatically.
Elizabeth steered the car along the winding path, leading them to the villa's fountain square. After parking, she remarked, "This house is enormous, much better than my sisters' residences."
Martin emphasized, "There's an indoor swimming pool, but the furniture is yet to be purchased temporarily."
Elizabeth eagerly hopped out of the car and exclaimed, "Let's go inside and take a look."
The mansion, constructed six years prior, was meticulously maintained and exhibited few signs of age. While Martin had no plans to alter the exterior, the interior would require significant decoration and the procurement of new furniture to enhance its quality.
The more Elizabeth explored the property, the more contented she became. The courtyard was spacious, the building was generously proportioned, and amenities such as an indoor swimming pool, fitness room, a private cinema accommodating over a dozen viewers, and a sizable dining room for more than 30 guests made the house exceptionally appealing.
"Two years ago, this house would have sold for at least $28 million," Elizabeth remarked, showcasing her knowledge of the property. "You've made quite the steal."
Martin smiled, refraining from any further comments.
He had claimed women, endorsements, movie roles, and now luxury homes.