In the morning, Martin returned from his routine exercise and continued to free-load at the Carter family''s house. Just as he reached the yard''s entrance, he heard an argument ring up through the open door.


    "I''m your damn father, you bunch of losers!" Scott Carter''s voice boomed like a truck horn, "If I don''t have money, who else am I going to ask but you pieces of shit? Maybe your goddamn mother? Harris, stop hiding like a coward. You used my cardst time, and you still owe me 20 US dors."


    Harris replied, "I didn''t use your tape. I''m absolutely certain I don''t owe you money."


    "Here''s 10 US dors!" Elena pped the money on the table, her expression cold as she said, "You can leave now!"


    Scott picked up the money, turned, and walked away. As he was leaving, he ran into Martin. Elena''s suppressed rage surged anew: "Scumbag, I heard you made some money? Even bought a car? When are you paying me back the money you owe?"


    Martin was perplexed, "Are you out of your mind?"


    Elena came out of the door and with a thud, punched it.


    Scott hurried off, grumbling as he went, "How did I raise such a bunch of wastes of space."


    Elena turned back inside as if she hadn''t heard a thing.


    Martin, thick-skinned, didn''t show the slightest embarrassment and followed her in for breakfast.


    Holle suggested, "You should have broken his nose."


    Martin sat at the dining table and said, "He''s your dad. If I had hit him and he had decided to contact child services, then sent you and Lily to foster care, what do you think would have happened?"


    Holle was silent.


    Lily chimed in, "We would never see you again."


    "Shut up!" Elena shouted. "Everyone,e over for breakfast."


    After breakfast, the two idiots, Lily and Holle, went to school, and Harris went back to his room to review his lessons.


    Elena cleared the table, then pointed at Martin''s neck: "Got injured?"


    Martin shrugged: "Scratched by someone." He took out a check and handed it over: "Your payment."


    Elena''s eyebrows shot up when she saw the amount: "800 US dors! Wow, that''s quite a bit!"


    Martin handed another check to Elena: "This 200 US dors is for Monica. Don''t mention the amount you received. By the way, I''m nning a backyard party this Wednesday afternoon to celebrate. I''ve invited a few friends and colleagues, and you should invite some friends over, too."


    Elena agreed, "No problem, I''ll make sure to bring a bunch of lively folks."


    After getting ready and slinging a bag over her shoulder, she asked, "You''re free now? Take me to the supermarket."


    Martin took out his car keys and headed to the neighboring backyard to get his car. As they drove out of the neighborhood, they passed by a lottery store and Elena asked to stop to buy a lottery ticket.


    "Should I get one for you?" she asked.


    Martin took out money and handed it to her: "Pick any."


    Elena quickly returned with the lottery ticket and handed the stub to Martin: "Hopefully you''ve got the luck of the devil."


    Martin tucked it away and asked, "You''ve been persistent with this?"


    Elena seriously stashed the stub: "With the state of the Carter family, winning the lottery is the only chance at a better life."


    She suddenly looked exhausted: "I too want the dumbass Harris to attend a good university. I want the idiots, Lily and Holle, to go to private schools. But what can I do? I''m good for nothing!"


    Driving, Martin thought for a while, then said, "Learn a skill, find a stable job. If you want to learn, I can teach you bartending."


    Elenacked confidence: "I''m pretty stupid."


    Martin encouraged her: "I''m not very bright either."


    "Right!" Elena had a realization: "If an idiot like you can learn, I definitely won''t have a problem."


    Martin dropped off Elena and contemted the necessities for the party, making a trip to the supermarket for shopping.


    He then took out Kelly Gray''s business card, made a trip to the Marietta Library, used a publicputer, and looked up rted information through the Inte.


    Grey Film Company had an official website.


    Kelly Gray, at 31 years old, came from a wealthy family. Her Gray Film Production Company was not veryrge in scale, but it had partnerships with several cableworks.


    Furthermore, after graduating from the University of Southern California, Kelly Gray had worked in Hollywood for four years.


    For Martin, in terms of real connections, Kelly Gray was a top-tier presence.


    Martin''s personal experience told him thatworking was a key element to sess.


    Having established a good initial contact with Kelly Gray, Martin naturally wouldn''t let the opportunity slip away.


    Once home, he thought of an excuse, mulled over it again, and then dialed Kelly Gray''s phone number.


    Martin began with an introduction of himself and invited Kelly Gray to the club when she had time.