Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm-Chapter 453 - 452: The Hit Reality Show

At Drew's insistent request, Martin brought her along to the Murdoch couple's party—something that really annoyed Anne Hathaway.

Anne was the kind of girl who loved to show off.

Being invited to a Murdoch-hosted event was exactly the kind of thing she'd brag about to her friends.

But Drew Barrymore, that damn woman, just had to come up with an excuse about "needing to expand her network."

Please.

It was obviously just for vanity!

Sulking, Anne stayed behind at Martin's luxurious apartment, drinking alone.

Martin?

He didn't care one bit.

A little jealous pout?

Nothing a good night's sleep couldn't fix.

Murdoch's New York estate was located in Long Island—a castle-like mansion, one of the grandest in the area.

Built in 1919, it was once the second-largest estate in America, spanning 443 acres and boasting 126 rooms.

A European-style garden stretched in front of the mansion, and an 18-hole golf course lay beyond.

Fun fact: The Great Gatsby mansion in the film was based on this estate, and Taylor Swift's Blank Space MV was filmed here.

When Martin arrived, the Murdoch couple personally came out to greet him—showing immense enthusiasm.

The other guests weren't surprised.

After all, with his 32.7% stake in the West Qurna oil field, Martin was now richer than Murdoch himself.

He might not have the same influence yet, but they were definitely equals.

Murdoch clasped Martin's hand firmly—his other hand giving Martin's elbow a couple of friendly pats, a subtle Western gesture of warmth.

"Martin, I was old friends with your grandfather, Chuck. Damn, I envy him for having such an outstanding grandson."

"Oh? Is that so, Mr. Murdoch? Well, thanks for the compliment. But I think it'd be even better if you said that to his face."

Murdoch burst into laughter.

Then, with a grin, he said, "Call me Rupert."

Gesturing to the Asian woman beside him, he introduced, "And this is my wife, Wendi Deng."

Wendi extended her hand, and Martin gave it a light shake.

She was wearing a custom-tailored loose-fitting gown, but even so, the slight bulge of her stomach was noticeable.

In 2001, Wendi had used advanced reproductive technology to bring her and Murdoch's first test-tube daughter, Grace, into the world.

And now, less than two years later, their second child was on the way.

Martin knew—this one would also be a girl.

Her name?

Chloe Murdoch.

In 2013, after Wendi and Murdoch's divorce, both daughters secured their share of the Murdoch Family Trust, while Wendi herself got...

A traditional Chinese courtyard mansion right next to the Forbidden City.

At the time, Murdoch offered her a large sum of money.

But Wendi?

She insisted on the courtyard mansion instead.

Afterward, she often hosted exclusive parties there—where Beijing's socialites and celebrities desperately tried to get an invite.

Honestly?

For what, exactly?

Nobody really knew.

Oh, and she also walked away with a three-story penthouse on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue—a 743-square-meter luxury apartment valued at $90 million.

From a woman who seduced her own adoptive father for a green card, to a billionaire's wife, to an international socialite...

Wendi Deng?

She was the ultimate gold digger blueprint.

And the funniest part?

Murdoch and Wendi didn't divorce because of anything Murdoch did.

In fact?

The old man was too old to even do anything.

Nope.

It was all because of Wendi.

First, she had an affair with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Blair, by the way, was the godfather of one of Murdoch and Wendi's daughters—so he had free access to their estate.

Plenty of alone time.

Plenty of opportunity.

Blair?

Denied everything.

But Murdoch?

He produced damning evidence—statements from household staff who had seen it all.

Wendi?

She stayed silent.

And the second reason for the divorce?

Even more ridiculous.

Wendi Deng was physically abusing Murdoch.

Yes.

You read that right.

Wendi Deng.

Beating up Rupert Murdoch.

After successfully securing her children's place in the Murdoch Family Trust, Wendi stopped pretending.

She went from sweet and submissive to verbal and physical abuse.

In 2011, she shoved the 80-year-old Murdoch to the ground—where he was unable to get up.

It took the housekeepers to carry him to the hospital.

That was the last straw.

And when the story leaked, it became the final push for the divorce.

Some conspiracy theorists believed it was all deliberate.

That Wendi planned the abuse, just to have a reason to leave.

After all, back when she first arrived in the U.S., she had seduced her adoptive father Jack—leading to his divorce.

At the time?

Poor Jack actually thought he had found "true love" in his old age.

But Wendi?

She had a clear goal—

Marriage = Green Card.

And the moment she got her citizenship?

She dumped him.

Now?

Some journalists believed she had done it again.

This time, she had everything she wanted from Murdoch—

Her daughters in the family trust.

Guaranteed alimony.

And now?

She just wanted out.

Looking at the string of young men she paraded around after the divorce?

Yeah.

That theory wasn't too far-fetched.

Of course, right now, Wendi and Murdoch were still in their "lovey-dovey" phase.

And Martin?

He had zero interest in exposing her true colors.

After a polite handshake with Wendi, Murdoch signaled for her to take Drew to socialize—while he led Martin to a private meeting room on the second floor.

"Martin," Murdoch started, "I want to buy The Voice USA for Fox."

Martin raised an eyebrow.

So that's what this was about.

Business.

And when it came to business?

Martin wasn't about to hold back.

"Rupert, The Voice USA is a project I personally developed. I have no doubt it'll be as big as American Idol—so in terms of price..."

"$70 million."

Murdoch cut straight to the point.

That was exactly what Fox had paid for American Idol's licensing.

Martin?

He shook his head.

Calmly, he said—

"Rupert. Inflation."

He had leverage.

Because The Voice USA was directly ripped from the future hit, The Voice Netherlands.

When that show launched?

It dominated Dutch ratings.

Later, when China bought the format?

It sparked a nationwide craze.

Soon, multiple countries followed—France, Germany, South Korea...

And in the U.S.?

NBC's The Voice became American Idol's biggest rival.

In the original timeline, the British version debuted with 8.42 million viewers—far surpassing other talent shows like X-Factor and Dancing With The Stars.

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This show?

It was a goldmine.

And in this timeline?

It was Martin's original idea—his weapon to boost Myers Entertainment's brand.