The Wolf of Los Angeles.

At the recently concluded 2009 Academy Awards ceremony, the film "Slumdog Millionaire," which reflects Indian society, won Best Director and Best Picture, becoming the biggest winner.

This is entirely in line with the current tone of mainstream Western public opinion.

India was praised to an extreme degree.

Significant amounts of money from India have also flowed into Hollywood, with Spielberg's DreamWorks live-action films successfully securing funding from India.

India’s largest telecom group injected $5 million into DreamWorks, which could allow DreamWorks to survive for a few more years.

During his recent round-the-world trip, Eric visited Mumbai, India. As an Oscar-winning director, he received the warmest welcome from Bollywood and met a wealthy Indian businessman who wanted to invest in Hollywood films.

He told Hawke, “The last stop on my trip was Mumbai, where I met a super-rich man in Bollywood named Anil Ambani, who is said to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars. He doesn’t get along with his brother, who is also a super-rich man.”

“The name Ambani sounds somewhat familiar.” Hawke has been dealing with Indians frequently lately and has gained a basic understanding of India’s top wealthy and powerful classes.

Eric explained in detail: "Anil has an older brother named Mukesh Ambani. Their father was the late Indian tycoon Dhirubhai Ambani. Since their father's death, the two brothers have had a huge conflict over the distribution of their inheritance and have been competing with each other in many ways, including the Bollywood film industry. At the end of last year, Mukesh invested $5 million in Spielberg, and Anil also wanted to invest in Hollywood films to surpass his brother."

Hawke vaguely remembered who the brothers were; they owned a super mansion in Mumbai that was once listed among the world's top ten mansions, which seemed to have been built by Mukesh Ambani.

He asked, "Is Anil going to invest in your new work?"

"Yes, and the desire is very strong." Two Oscars for Best Picture and one Oscar for Best Director give Eric enough leverage when facing Indians: "As long as we can compete for the Oscars, investment is not a problem."

He smiled and said, "I recommended you to Anil. Anil learned that your film investment fund has been working with me and Tom Cruise for a long time and wants to join in. He may come to Los Angeles next week to discuss the specific details of the cooperation."

As early as during the investment and filming of "Los Angeles Fire", the West Coast Investment Foundation established a separate film foundation, with most of the funds coming from Abu Dhabi and Malaysia.

Its operating mode is also a relatively traditional one of using others to generate profits.

If the other party is truly interested in investing, Hawke certainly wouldn't refuse, saying, "You can contact him. I have many collaborations with India, and he's welcome to Los Angeles."

Spielberg's DreamWorks has undoubtedly dug itself a hole.

Hawke's film foundation is much more sophisticated than traditional Hollywood studios.

Eric immediately contacted the Indian side and arranged a time.

Hawke said goodbye and left. After getting into his car, he called Bart and briefly explained Eric's Sugar Puppy movie plan.

"An Oscar-caliber director making a movie about Sugar is a great opportunity to promote Sugar," Bart said excitedly. "Zuckerberg is planning to take Sugar public, and once the movie is released, Sugar will go public, which will definitely attract a lot of investors."

Hawke said, "Let's pick a few of the most popular Sugar Babies who want to promote themselves and have had some ups and downs. Perhaps their stories have something to offer."

Bart smiled and said, "Don't worry, boss, I'll take care of these."

Hawke didn't say anything more and hung up the phone.

Everyone in that line of work is a master screenwriter, capable of crafting a compelling and intricate story.

Hawke had previously discussed a related story mode with Eric, which became the most widely circulated version more than a decade later.

A sick mother, a gambling father, a younger brother in school, and a broken woman.

Family, a recurring theme in Hollywood movies for decades, holds a position far higher than saving the world.

The success of "Philip" may seem like a victory for demons and monsters, but it is actually still the core of traditional American family values.

Everything in this film is based on Philip's struggle for his family.

To put it bluntly, even with the current booming development of the LGBTQ movement, demons and monsters still belong to a niche group and cannot support the market for a big-budget film.

Hawke vaguely remembered that Disney in his previous life had misjudged the market benefits that LGBTQ+ could bring.

Not long after, Pierce Madden called, saying that Indian billionaire Anil Ambani's investment manager had already contacted him.

Hawke instructed the foundation to speak with the other party first, and then made separate phone calls to Edward and Campos, asking them to collect relevant information about the Ambani family as soon as possible.

He has a net worth of billions, but he wasn't a first-generation entrepreneur; he inherited it.

According to Eric, this person is quite emotional and always wants to outdo his older brother in everything.

Hawke envied these super-rich second-generation heirs who seemed to win without lifting a finger.

If possible, it would be best to make money off them.

Back at the hilltop estate, Erica had already finished get off work and was standing in the front yard directing the workers to plant flowers.

She had been too concerned about the irises, which led to overwatering and the death of two-thirds of them.

This time, Erica brought in a batch of hydrangeas and red roses.

Hawke got out of the car, listened for a while as she pointed at the workers, and advised, "These flowers should be left to the professionals to manage."

Erica, already aware of her limitations, said, "I'm just designating the planting areas; the rest is up to them."

She said with a sense of helplessness, "I've discovered something: all the flowers that I haven't taken care of are still alive, while the ones that I've taken care of the most are the ones that die the fastest."

Hawke laughed, "That's why you're such a ruthless female detective." He pulled Erica toward the villa, "Our best hobby is still hunting."

Erica nodded, took Hawke's arm, and gossiped as they walked, "You visited Eric. He and Catherine haven't broken up, have they?"

“No,” Hawke said simply. “You would never guess that these two got married in the Maldives, incredibly fast, and Catherine is pregnant.”

Erica was quite surprised: "I thought they were going to break up."

Hawke said, "Love and marriage are always so wonderful."

Erica said with a hint of anticipation, "Should we start trying to conceive? In a few years, my physical vitality will start to decline."

Hawke said seriously, "Sure, we'll get married if she gets pregnant."

Erica said deliberately, "Hey, isn't your proposal a bit too simple?" "Simplicity means sincerity." Hokra led her into the house: "We've always been in good health, so we don't need to worry about those precautions anymore, starting today."

The two closed the villa door and all the curtains.

…………

Mumbai, India.

Juan, who was in charge of protecting the West Coast business delegation, walked through the corridors in the dark to personally test the infrared alarm devices that had been set up.

The city is dangerous; even though the delegation was staying at the Four Seasons Hotel, they booked an entire office building.

Security inside the building was handled by people brought by Juan.

This is because, on the one hand, Mumbai is in a state of chaos, and on the other hand, no one dares to trust the Indian police and security forces anymore.

In November 2008, Indian military and police defecated a huge object in Mumbai, so large that it shocked the world.

Following the terrorist attack on a Mumbai hotel, New Delhi authorities deployed the Black Cat Special Forces, touted as one of the world's strongest special forces. In the battle between 200 special forces members and 10 terrorists, nearly 200 hostages were killed and more than 300 were injured. The Black Cats themselves suffered more than 20 casualties, including their commander.

The events that occurred during the Black Cat Special Forces' journey from their base to Mumbai are something even the most outrageous Hollywood directors wouldn't dare to film.

Movies really do need logic, but Indians never talk about logic.

Juan returned to the security room and found Gilberto, the head of the expedition team, there. He asked, "How is that man?"

“We’ve already seen a doctor, but the effects haven’t been noticeable yet.” Gilberto thought of that unruly bastard in the expedition team and said, “When we return to Los Angeles, I’ll report this to my superiors and have her dealt with seriously.”

Juan stated bluntly, "It must be dealt with."

Before the inspection team set off, they were repeatedly reminded not to sample any food or drinks outside the hotel, especially street food.

But with so many people, problems always arise. One of the female members couldn't resist her cravings and sampled coconut water and food from the streets of India. When she returned to the hotel, she turned into a jetpack warrior, unable to do her work, and the inspection team had to leave someone behind to take care of her.

Gilberto said, "We just received a notification to gather information about the Ambani family, especially about the relationship between the Mukesh and Anil brothers."

Juan asked, "A secret affair? Or..."

Gilberto said, "The public information mainly concerns their brotherly relationship and their rivalry."

Juan was used to these kinds of things and knew how to do them, so he immediately made arrangements for people.

First-hand information quickly reached Los Angeles.

The delegation will stay in India for an extended period. Everyone in the delegation is taking the most serious approach to business negotiations with the Indian side. Due to the massive scale of the investment, every single item, from policies and taxes to workers and loans, will be discussed in detail.

It will take at least two years to finalize this so-called multi-billion dollar technology investment.

Apart from Juan and Gilberto, the others were unaware that the purpose of the talks was to stall for time.

Taking things too seriously can drag on for a very long time.

The U.S. authorities are also pushing for a so-called India strategy, and the business layout of West Coast companies is in line with the U.S. international strategy.

…………

Silicon Beach, Los Angeles.

On the east side of Ocean Park Avenue, there is an office building that is very low-key, gray and inconspicuous, and even the company sign is the simplest Sugar Baby.

Thanks to the company's rapid development, the term "Sugar Baby" has become deeply ingrained in people's minds, much like the term "Miss" on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

Inside the company's meeting room, Zuckerberg, with a hint of surprise, shook hands with Eric and said, "Director Ethan, welcome."

He glanced at Bart: "I heard you want to make a movie about Sugar Baby. Sugar Baby can open up the company's offices to you and the crew to film as you please."

Eric was very direct: "My idea this time focuses on the users of Tangbao, not the company."

Zuckerberg invited him to sit wherever he pleased: "It's okay, which Sugar Baby have you got your eye on? I'll rent a plane and come pick them up directly."

Bart coughed lightly. Although these were common practices in Hollywood, it was a bit too direct to mention them in such a high-level business meeting.

Eric said, "I want to talk more with some of your top sugar babies to understand their upbringing, their journey in this industry, why they chose this industry, and the changes in their lives after choosing this industry, especially the changes after they earned a high income."

“No problem.” Zuckerberg was very enthusiastic: “The website can help you screen suitable Sugar Babies, especially those with complicated experiences, the stories that seem to happen to them, which are more suitable for making into movies.”

Eric became interested: "You know something about them?"

Zuckerberg smiled somewhat lewdly: "Sugar Baby at the top is the company's most important client. Like Hollywood stars, he needs to have some special personas... such as Snow White, or Kaden who joins the entertainment industry to rescue Little Pony, or making films because he likes this kind of thing."

Neville whispered a reminder: "That's the star of the Holy Valley."

“Essentially, they’re all about exchanging their bodies for the opportunity to become famous and earn money.” Zuckerberg spoke very quickly, but he made it very clear: “The company will create the most suitable persona for some of the sugar babies based on their actual experiences and personal characteristics, and then use that persona for marketing. This will attract the attention of more sugar daddies, who will be very generous in opening their wallets and giving the sugar babies gifts.”

“You’re right, the principle is the same.” Eric didn’t look down on him, because he essentially earned his opportunities by selling his body; he only got the first two movies by groveling before Catherine.

Someone brought in a large stack of documents. Zuckerberg picked out a few and handed the top one to Eric, saying, "This girl is named Evelyn. She is a Russian girl who practices ice dancing and has studied contortion. She had to retire at the age of 17 due to an injury, but she was unwilling to live a poor life in Russia, so she came to North America alone and joined Sugar Boys by chance."

This is one of his key top-tier sugar babies: "Evelyn's ice dance and contortion skills are very attractive. She has all the best qualities of a Russian girl. In less than a year, her monthly income has reached six figures... Of course, in our publicity and hype, she earns as much as a million dollars a month, but in reality, this is very difficult."

Eric looked at the file carefully and said, "This girl is very pretty."

“Slavic people, 18 to 20 years old is the prime of their lives.” Zuckerberg commented simply, then returned to the main point: “This girl made a fortune, but she didn’t spend it lavishly. Instead, she brought her parents and sister from a poor Russian town to Los Angeles to enjoy California’s sunshine, beaches, freedom, and democracy. Encouraged by Evelyn, her sister Angelica also registered to join SugarBaby.”

He infinitely elevated Sugar's status and prestige: "Sugar saved Evelyn, saved this Russian family, and is saving many more poor girls and boys across America... no, dozens of people of different genders, and their families."

Zuckerberg pulled out a second copy and handed it to Eric: "And this one, a little older, not yet thirty, with a really hot body. Her daughter has a congenital disease and used to work as a prostitute. She was later introduced to Sugar Baby by Jacqueline, whom you've worked with before." (End of Chapter)