56-60

*Chapter 56: The Legendary Champagne Toast*

It was Sunday, yet the William Morris office building was bustling with activity.

Dani received a fax, hurried out of her office, and with a loud bang, pushed open the door to the conference room next door.

Hawk, Johnson, Edward, and Caroline, who were deep in conversation, all turned to the door.

Hawk reacted first: "Has the data been compiled?"

Dani nodded and, with a hoarse voice, said, "The opening weekend box office numbers for The Scorpion King are in. Friday brought in $14.55 million, Saturday hit $16.21 million, and today’s projection is around $11 million. The weekend total will definitely exceed $40 million."

Hawk was the first to clap, raising his fist in celebration: "Congratulations, Mr. Box Office Champion!"

Johnson fist-bumped Hawk, then grabbed him in a big bear hug, shouting, "We’re the damn box office champions!"

Hawk let go of Johnson and gave Dani Garcia a hug as well.

Caroline, standing nearby, stepped back with a smirk: "Whoa, whoa, whoa. I’ll pass, thanks. Your cheap clothes might ruin my Chanel."

Hawk ignored her and moved on to hug Edward.

The group inside the room celebrated with hugs, except for Caroline, who felt oddly left out.

Johnson came over again to fist-bump Hawk and said, "Your plan was unconventional and wild, but I have to admit, it worked!"

Dani added, "Universal’s most optimistic forecast was $35 million for the first weekend, and now we’ve hit $40 million!"

Johnson said, "What an incredible experience."

Caroline, feeling left out, chimed in: "Hey, everyone, it's time for champagne!"

Dani sent someone to grab some champagne.

Johnson personally went out for a bit and returned with a few gift bags.

He handed Hawk a sealed envelope. "The remaining $50,000 is in here."

Hawk glanced at the check and stuffed it into his pocket.

Johnson then distributed gift bags based on gender to everyone in the room.

New to Hollywood, Johnson had limited connections and power. He said, "This success is all thanks to you guys. I’ve prepared a small gift. I hope you like it."

Dani was the first to open her gift box, revealing a Rolex ladies' watch.

Caroline had one too, though the style was different.

Hawk also opened his box to find a Rolex Datejust gold watch.

Even the usually quiet Edward got a Rolex.

Hawk, not one to be shy, accepted his gift without hesitation: "Thanks."

The champagne was popped, and the atmosphere in the conference room became lively.

However, with the final payment received, the contract between the West Coast studio and Johnson’s team officially ended.

Hawk clinked glasses with Johnson and tried to secure more business: "What’s the situation with Alison Faith, the artist you mentioned last time?"

Johnson gave a brief update: "Her new label is collecting songs for her, and she’s also trying her hand at songwriting. It’s still the preparation phase; we’re not ready for a big promotional push yet."

He added, "Joanna is aware of your work. If they need your help, they’ll give you a call."

Hawk didn’t push further, grabbed Edward, and headed downstairs to leave.

As they reached the lobby, the click of high heels echoed from behind. Caroline caught up with them and said, "Hey, country boy..."

Hawk stopped. "Ms. Caroline, something on your mind?"

Caroline was still fixated: "Did you delete the photos?"

Hawk sighed. "I told you, I only took pictures of the wall."

Caroline raised an eyebrow. "I don’t trust you." She extended her hand. "Give me your phone, and I’ll believe you if I check."

Hawk, getting an idea since Caroline worked PR for Sarah Parker, subtly signaled to Edward to start recording.

Just as Hawk predicted, Caroline, without shame, let out a series of sheep-like bleats: "Baa! Baa! Baa..."

The sounds were awkwardly exaggerated, like something you’d expect from... well, a particular kind of situation.

Hawk, however, remained serious: "You can look at my phone, but I want to see yours too. How do I know you didn’t take pictures of me?"

Caroline didn’t want to hand over her phone, but since she had already made a fool of herself, she figured she might as well follow through.

She pulled out her Motorola, unlocked it, and handed it to Hawk.

Hawk gave her his everyday Nokia, knowing there was nothing incriminating on it.

Caroline quickly scrolled through the photos and found the picture in question—a shot of the conference room wall, with no sign of her or any "camel toe."

Meanwhile, Hawk noted down Sarah Parker and Bo Derek’s private numbers from Caroline's contact list.

After checking the photos, Caroline handed Hawk’s phone back. "Satisfied?"

Hawk returned her Motorola, waving her off: "See ya."

Caroline lifted her chin, strutting out the door with her Hermès bag in one hand and her red high heels clicking behind her.

Before she even reached her car, Sarah Parker called to invite her to dinner to discuss next week’s promotional plans for Sex and the City.

Caroline returned to the office, reviewed the pre-prepared PR plan she had drafted, and familiarized herself with the details.

Sarah Parker, dissatisfied with her current standing, wanted to re-enter the film industry. Over dinner, she set a goal: to push for the Best Actress in a Television Series award at next year’s Golden Globes during awards season.

For Caroline, a client with ambition was a good thing—it meant more opportunities for PR and, naturally, more money.

...

Later that night, in the Sherman Oaks hills, Hawk sat in his car, binoculars in hand, watching the mansion of Sarah Parker and her husband, Bo Derek, from a distance.

Suddenly, the lights went out in the house.

Hawk, using the streetlight for illumination, continued watching. No cars came out.

Unexpectedly, red and blue lights flashed. A patrol car approached.

Knowing he couldn’t avoid it, Hawk stayed put. He instructed Edward to remain in the car and pulled out a card given to him by Erica as he stepped out.

The police car pulled up nearby. A patrol officer got out, recognized Hawk’s look, and asked, "Everything alright?"

Hawk casually showed the card to the officer. "My car was making some noise. I was just checking it."

The officer shone a light on the card, recognized it, and said, "Need any help?"

Hawk smiled. "I’ve got it covered."

The officer was about to leave but added politely, "If you run into trouble, call 911."

The police car, lights flashing, drove off.

Hawk glanced at the card in his hand—pretty handy.

He got back in the car, took another look through the binoculars, and said, "Let’s head back. We won’t get anything tonight."

Edward started the car and pulled away. "Boss, if I’d been here alone, I’d be in trouble."

Hawk nodded. "We don’t need to stake out anymore. We’ll sneak into the Sex and the City event and see what we can find."

After a moment of thought, he added, "Tomorrow, we’ll go check out the venue hosting the event."

"We’ve already pulled off a stunt with Sarah Parker once," Edward pointed out. It was during that event that he met Hawk. "Do we really need to do it again?"

Hawk didn’t share the full truth and simply said, "Last time, all the drama was pinned on Downey. Sarah Parker got forgiven by Bo Derek and was barely affected. I think there’s something off about this couple. We might dig up something bigger. Cheating is juicy, and I doubt Sarah Parker will stop. Sticking with her could lead to more scoops."

This was Edward’s area of expertise. "Yeah, once a woman cheats, she just keeps going. I’ve seen it."

Hawk asked, "Have you experienced that yourself?"

Edward, normally a tough guy, fell silent.

...

The next morning, Hawk posed as an ordinary moviegoer and went to the Burbank Nova Theater.

He walked through the lobby, studying the movie posters, and finally stood in front of the Sex and the City promotional poster.

The fan meet-and-greet, featuring Sarah Parker and the rest of the cast, would take place there the following night.

Hawk double-checked the time, then went to look at the theater’s layout. Besides the main entrance, there were two emergency exits.

One of them led directly backstage, off-limits to regular attendees.

Hawk approached the ticket counter and bought two tickets for the next day’s event—each one costing a hefty $39.90.

Regular movie tickets were only about $7.

The production team wasn’t aiming to make money from the ticket sales; they were using it as a filtering mechanism. Only hardcore fans would pay that much.

Hawk inspected the tickets, noting the warning against bringing any recording devices to the event.

He left the theater but didn’t go far. Instead, he circled the building, examining every exit carefully.

*Chapter 57: Counter-surveillance and Surveillance*

*Burbank, Nova Theater.*

A large crowd of fans wearing Sex and the City t-shirts stood under the lights in front of the entrance, waiting to get in.

Hawk, wearing a blonde wig, a bag over his shoulder, and a t-shirt featuring a photo of Sarah Jessica Parker, mingled with the crowd, inching forward.

Edward started the car and drove to the back of the theater, finding a discreet spot to wait patiently.

Hawk handed his ticket and entered the theater, moving forward with the crowd. Once inside the screening room, he found a seat that offered a good view of the stage, which was illuminated with spotlights, clearly set up for a media event.

The official entertainment media hired by the production usually do their job for a fee, reporting what they’re supposed to, so they were not his competition.

People were still moving around up front, with most fans not seated yet. Hawk had to stand up, adjust his glasses, and mimic the actions of the fans around him to avoid looking out of place.

At 8 PM, the fan event began.

Director and producer Anders, along with the show’s lead actress and producer Sarah Jessica Parker, took the stage with the main crew of Season 5.

What followed was the usual format of the event: media interviews and interactions between the creators and the fans.

During the event, Sarah Jessica Parker even came to the front of the stage to shake hands with the fans.

Being closer now, Hawk observed more closely. The 37-year-old actress had taut facial skin, seemingly untouched by time.

White people tend to age more visibly than other races.

Hawk suspected that Sarah Jessica Parker had used some cosmetic procedures.

Beverly Hills is the most advanced place in the world for cosmetic technology.

After watching for a short while, Hawk left the screening room, heading down an emergency exit to the restroom. From his bag, he pulled out a sweater and changed out of the t-shirt.

Not far away was the exit the audience would use when leaving.

Hawk circled to the other side. The emergency exit on this side led backstage, where security stood at the door.

Occasionally, some audience members, mistaking this for a restroom, would try to enter, only to be turned away by two burly guards.

Hawk bought some snacks and drinks from the concession stand and sat down in a spot where he could observe the passage, enjoying his snacks.

Less than half an hour later, Hawk saw a female staff member go in and out of the passage three times, complaining to the people at the concession stand that the actresses were too demanding and had too many quirks.

One actress threw a fit because the bottled water contained soda.

Another, who didn’t get along with her, threw a fit because the bottled water didn’t contain soda.

Despite the complaints, the staff member went to the supply room to grab a mop.

When she turned into another passage, Hawk got up and followed her.

The staff member entered the supply room to get her tools, only to turn around and find a blonde man with glasses closing the door. She opened her mouth to scream.

But Hawk was quicker, with a flick of his wrist and the activation of his calming superpower, a $50 bill appeared in front of her.

He glanced at the name on her badge, "Lina. Want to make some money?"

Seeing him flash cash and mention money while glancing at her chest, Lina reached into her pocket, pulled out a small plastic bag, lifted her skirt, and prepared to undress, saying, "You have to wear protection. $50 for three minutes. If it goes over, it'll cost another $50."

Hawk was dumbfounded. How did this happen?

This was absurd!

Seeing the acne spots on her face, Hawk quickly said, "Not that."

Lina stopped, surprised. "You’re not interested in me?" She was upset. "You’re wasting my time."

Hawk pulled out another $50 before she could speak again and quickly said, "I need some information about the lead actress."

Lina refused sharply, "No way. I’d lose my job."

Hawk looked at her, understanding. He put the money away and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Lina called after him. "You didn’t tell me exactly what you need."

Hawk said, "Just keep an eye on when Sarah Jessica Parker leaves, and let me know." He knew how to ensure cooperation. "I’ll give you another $50 afterward if you get the information."

Lina took the $100.

Hawk gave her a backup phone number.

Lina pocketed the cash, grabbed her mop and bucket, and muttered to herself, "Those jerks think $10 is enough for information? Ha! At least this blonde guy knows my worth."

Hawk returned to his snacks.

Later, Lina passed by him again and whispered, "She’s in the dressing room and hasn’t left yet."

Hawk called Edward, telling him to wait at the theater’s side door leading to the backstage.

Edward called back, saying, "There are a lot of people here, about twenty reporters. I think most of them are waiting for Sarah Jessica Parker and the other stars."

Hawk replied, "Just wait and see what happens."

As the event drew to a close, Sarah Jessica Parker was in her dressing room, having her assistant gather her belongings.

There was a knock on the door. The assistant opened it to find a handsome man standing there.

Jason Lewis, a model-turned-actor with a great face and an amazing body, smiled at the assistant, "I’m here to see Sarah."

The assistant left the room without hesitation, closing the door behind her.

Jason approached Sarah from behind, gently stroking her hair. "I just bought a new house in North Hollywood. It’s very private. Want to check it out?"

They’d been involved since the filming started. Sarah’s only concern was, "There are so many reporters outside."

Jason snapped his fingers, "My new assistant has a similar build to yours. She’ll wear your clothes and get in your car."

He smiled wryly, "No one cares about me anymore. No one will notice."

Sarah nodded slightly, "Okay, have her come in."

Jason went out to get the assistant.

Meanwhile, Lina, eager to earn her $50, kept an eye on the dressing room while pretending to clean the hallway.

Before long, the blonde man escorted a woman into Sarah’s dressing room.

A while later, the assistant emerged with Sarah, but Jason and another woman didn’t come out.

Lina noticed something odd. As someone who frequently cleaned the place, she was sensitive to footprints on the floor.

The woman dressed like Sarah, wearing a hat and sunglasses, was wearing flat shoes.

But Lina remembered that Sarah had arrived wearing high heels.

With the theater frequently hosting events like this, Lina quickly figured out what was happening.

They were using a decoy to distract the reporters outside.

Lina moved to a secluded spot and made a phone call.

She was told to keep watching and see which car the person who left the dressing room got into.

The event was winding down, and fans were leaving.

The stars began exiting their dressing rooms, heading toward the side door leading to the backstage exit, and getting into their cars.

As these people left, the reporters followed.

A red Bentley pulled up to the side door, and Sarah Jessica Parker was escorted into it by her assistant and bodyguards.

As the car drove off, most of the remaining reporters followed.

Edward also followed, but soon received a call from Hawk, telling him to stop at an intersection.

Two remaining reporters, still waiting by the side door, lost patience and followed director Anders when he exited.

After a long while, Jason Lewis emerged from the backstage area and got into his car, parked right at the theater's main entrance.

He observed for a moment, seeing no paparazzi, and called Sarah.

She came out quickly, dressed in her assistant’s uniform, wearing a brown wig and new makeup, rushing toward the main entrance.

The thrill of it made her giddy.

Lina, holding her mop and bucket, casually followed from a distance.

At the concession stand, she saw the blonde man in glasses chatting animatedly with the female cashier and felt a wave of discomfort, silently cursing the cashier as a "bitch."

Hawk saw the woman with brown hair and Lina with her bucket, instantly understanding the situation.

Lina quickened her pace slightly, moving toward the concession stand, and discreetly pointed toward the brown-haired woman.

Hawk nodded, ending his chat with the cashier, and as he passed by Lina, slipped a $50 bill into her hand.

The brown-haired woman exited through the main door and looked around before heading to a black Ford.

Hawk stayed by the doorway, discreetly extending his phone’s camera.

The night didn’t offer great visibility, but it was clear enough to capture the woman getting into the Ford.

As the car started, Hawk stepped out, noted the license plate, and called Edward.

He quickly descended the steps, got into his Mondeo, and followed.

---

Chapter 58: They Didn't Even Call Me

North Hollywood, Toluca neighborhood.

The Mondeo drove in from the north, and Hawk spotted Edward standing by the parking lot entrance. He turned the wheel and drove towards him.

Once the car stopped, Edward got into the passenger seat and pointed a few dozen meters ahead. "They went into that house."

Hawk pulled out his binoculars and observed closely.

It was a small standalone house. A black Ford, the exact car he had noted before, was parked under a streetlight near the gate. The house's walls were unusually high, over three and a half meters, covered in rose vines that blocked the view of the house itself. Hawk could easily guess that the house behind the wall was likely a one-story building.

Edward also pulled out his binoculars, peering through the streetlight's glow. First, he looked at the car, then at the tall wall and even taller roses, and said, "Boss, with my vast experience, I can tell those two idiots chose such a secluded place to mess around. They're bound to get frisky in the yard. I’ll find a way in and get some footage."

Hawk shook his head. "You'd get a bullet to the head before you even got inside. No need to go to jail for that."

Edward scratched his head. "So what do we do?"

Hawk’s mind flashed to the scandalous news about "Cheating Gate," especially the images of Sarah Parker and Broderick looking so close and loving. He started forming a plan. He needed to see for himself what was going on between this couple and then devise a strategy to bring down Broderick.

Edward waited for Hawk’s orders.

Hawk pulled out his phone and sent Edward a number he got from Caroline. "You’re going to pretend to be from the Sex and the City production team. Find a public phone and call Broderick. Tell him Sarah Parker is here, with someone else. Got it?"

When it came to relationships, Edward instantly understood. "Boss, don’t worry, I’ll make sure Broderick comes rushing over."

"Get to it then," Hawk said.

Edward jumped out of the Mondeo, got into the van, and sped off to another location.

Hawk took out his camera gear, drove into the parking lot, and found a good spot to set up the tripod and camera. The tall streetlight nearby cast enough light for filming at night. He then grabbed his digital camera, attached a long lens, and retrieved a night-vision device from the car to check for any hidden security cameras across the street.

No surveillance cameras were found.

Under the calm night sky, Hawk waited for the drama to unfold.

...

Sherman Oaks, a hillside mansion.

In the living room, Broderick checked the time. His wife, Sarah Parker, still hadn’t come home. The event should’ve been over by now.

Broderick had a bad feeling.

Just then, his phone rang. He answered, "This is Broderick."

"Hello, I’m a colleague of Sarah’s from the Sex and the City crew," said an unfamiliar voice. "Mr. Broderick, after the event, Sarah and Jason Lewis went to Toluca in North Hollywood."

The person gave him an address and added, "They went into a house together. They’re definitely fooling around!"

Broderick was suspicious. "Why are you telling me this?"

The caller was furious, nearly shouting, "They’re fooling around and didn’t even invite me! I won’t let them get away with this!"

Broderick hung up, also irritated. "They didn’t invite me either!"

The thought of Sarah being with someone else didn’t upset him as much. Sarah liked it, and so did he. It wasn’t that big of a deal. The only problem was that he wanted to join in.

Broderick immediately dialed Sarah’s phone, and when she answered, he could hear strange noises in the background, especially Sarah’s excited shouts.

He asked coldly, "Where are you? I love you so much. Why didn’t you call me?"

At that moment, Broderick felt heartbroken. "Is this how you repay my love for you?"

Sarah was surprised. "How do you know?"

"Someone from the crew tipped me off," Broderick replied. Usually, no one had access to his private number. "Did you give my number to someone?"

Sarah paused for breath and said, "It must’ve been David or Sam, those bastards. They saw my phone and probably memorized your number."

"You’ve been with them too?" Broderick asked, getting confirmation. "Next time, let me know when you’re with them."

Sarah asked, "Are you coming over tonight?"

Broderick was already at his car. "Wait for me."

...

In the parking lot, Edward got out of his van and said, "Boss, I made the call. Based on my experience, he’s definitely coming."

Hawk checked the time and handed the camera to Edward. "Sherman Oaks is close by. If Broderick’s coming, he’ll be here soon."

He reminded him, "Turn off the flash. Get whatever shots you can."

Edward quickly disabled the flash, grinning. "If they start fighting in the street, the headlines will be explosive!"

Hawk pulled him into hiding. "Be quiet. We wait patiently."

Not long after, a Mercedes pulled up and parked opposite the Ford. The person inside didn’t get out, clearly scanning the area.

After confirming no one was around, Broderick stepped out, checked the house number, and knocked on the door.

Hawk adjusted the tripod and zoomed in.

Edward, hiding behind a car, muttered, "This seems off. Shouldn't he be kicking the door down or something?"

Hawk kept his eyes on the scene through the camera lens.

The door opened, and Sarah, in a nightgown, appeared. To their surprise, no fight broke out. Broderick immediately embraced Sarah and passionately kissed her as they walked inside, closing the door behind them.

Hawk turned off the camera, realizing the situation had gone completely off-script. He cursed, "Two freaks!"

"They’re nuts!" Edward, now understanding the situation, grumbled. "This isn’t news. A husband meeting his wife late at night and showing affection? Who cares!"

Hawk glanced at the streetlight, quickly packed up the camera and tripod, and headed back to the car.

Edward, confused by Hawk’s silence, followed and cautiously asked, "Boss, you’re not taking this too hard, are you?"

"Hollywood’s full of weirdos!" Hawk said as he thought aloud, "Now, how many people are in that house?"

Edward replied instantly, "At least three!"

He suddenly realized, "No way... Sarah and Broderick... are they...?"

Hawk pulled out a rope with a hook and strapped it around his waist, then connected his camera to a harness.

"Boss, you’re going to climb the wall?" Edward, always eager for something illegal, said, "Let me do it! The boss shouldn’t be doing this."

Hawk pointed to the streetlight. "Can you climb that?"

Edward looked at the 7-8 meter high pole and shook his head repeatedly. "If I could do that, I wouldn’t have left Compton. I’d be a big shot in some gang with a crew to look after me."

Hawk pointed north. "I’ve observed earlier; patrol cars come from that direction. Go to the next intersection and call me if you see any police lights."

"Got it!" Edward hopped into the car and headed north.

Hawk left the parking lot, crossed the narrow street, and stood beneath the streetlight. After a quick look, he grabbed the top part of the pole, clamped his legs around the bottom, and began climbing up.

He learned this technique from a video he’d seen in his previous life, where an old man in his fifties or sixties scaled a 10-meter pole in just a few seconds.

Hawk had practiced in Las Vegas, so even with a camera on his back, he quickly reached the six-meter mark.

He secured himself with the rope and leaned back slightly, stabilizing himself. With his hands free, he set up the camera and aimed it over the wall.

Just as he suspected, the yard was small, and the house behind it was a single-story. The house was brightly lit.

The front of the house had large sliding glass doors, and there were sizable windows on either side. Likely because of the tall wall's sense of security or perhaps their urgency, both the doors and windows were open, and the lights illuminated everything happening inside.

Broderick sat on the sofa, watching as Sarah and Jason performed.

Before long, he joined in.

Hawk captured everything with his camera.

*Chapter 59: The Mole*

The explosive scene was captured in full by the camera. Hawk suddenly felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. Holding the camera in one hand, he leaned against a lamppost and slid down.

He quickly checked everything, making sure nothing was missed, crossed the street, and hid in a parking lot.

After a short while, a patrol car with flashing red and blue lights passed by, heading south.

Hawk didn't rush to leave. He called Edward and sat in his car to review the footage.

It was night, and the distance was somewhat far, so the footage wasn't exceptionally clear. However, the camera that Eric had gifted him was powerful enough. With a few zoom-ins, it was possible to identify the three people involved in the action.

At that moment, Hawk fully understood why Bro Derek had forgiven Sarah Parker after her affair scandal, and why they still appeared loving afterward.

They were both perverts. The couple just liked that sort of thing.

Edward arrived, knocked on the passenger window, and quickly jumped in. "Boss, did you get anything?" he asked.

Hawk turned the camera screen towards him. "Take a look."

Edward’s eyes widened instantly. "I knew it! I knew it! These guys are wild!"

He stammered, "These bastards are playing so crazy, and we can only watch from the outside. It's too much, too unfair!"

"What? You want to join in?" Hawk teased, while connecting the camera to his laptop to transfer the video.

Edward shook his head rapidly. "No way, man. A guy with two girls, maybe, but this stuff? No thanks."

Hawk laughed at Edward’s twisted thinking. "What about you, boss? Ever feel like joining?" Edward asked, testing him.

Hawk casually replied, "If young Brooke Shields and Jennifer Connelly teamed up, I'd be happy. Nowadays, if Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron invited me, I probably wouldn't say no."

Edward rolled his eyes. "I’m pretty sure you’re delusional, boss."

Hawk finished copying the video and made two more backups.

Edward asked, "So, are we selling the footage next?"

Hawk began teaching his underling a few things. "We have three options. First, we could sell it to a TV station like we used to. I'm sure Megan Taylor will offer a good price. Second, we could reach out to adult industry players; footage of Sex and the City’s lead actress in a threesome would sell well. Lastly, we could sell it to the people involved themselves. They might offer more, but it’s risky."

Edward wasn’t interested in the complexities. "We’re just in it for the money, right?"

On the surface, that wasn’t wrong, but Hawk was in it for more than money. Bro Derek, a high-powered film producer, wasn’t easy to take down—he didn’t have a drug problem like someone as self-destructive as Robert Downey Jr.

What Hawk had, for now, was evidence of Bro and Sarah's twisted relationship.

This video might serve as a stepping stone, stirring up something unexpected.

After all, Bro Derek wasn't just anyone. His position as a top film executive and producer placed him far above most actors.

Hawk glanced at his phone. Midnight Entertainment was already airing tonight’s show.

He started his car and headed directly to Beverly Hills, arriving at the Fox TV Center. After telling Edward to guard the backups, Hawk went upstairs with his laptop.

Using his Channel 11 correspondent badge, he reached the top floor just as the Midnight Entertainment show ended.

When Claire mentioned Hawk had arrived, Megan Taylor, still in full makeup, came straight to the reception room to meet him.

Hawk gave her a quick glance. Megan was dressed in a short skirt, stockings, high heels, and a fitted blazer with a plunging neckline, emphasizing her legs, chest, and face in classic Fox style.

"You look even prettier in person," he complimented.

"Thanks," Megan replied, getting right to business. "What did you capture this time? Is it headline-worthy?"

Hawk, already booting up his laptop, replied, "Hold on a sec."

Megan moved to his side. Hawk warned, "You might want to prepare your budget. I’m not sure if your monthly limit can handle this."

Megan asked, "Is it explosive?"

Hawk didn’t joke around. "Very explosive."

Megan took out her phone to arrange extra funding. Fox TV Center was still bustling with employees at this hour.

As the laptop finished booting, Hawk played the video.

The screen showed three people—one sitting on a couch watching, while the other two were deeply engaged. The footage started blurry, but the camera soon adjusted, bringing the scene into sharper focus.

Megan tapped the spacebar to pause. She examined the three people on screen closely and quickly identified them. "The woman is Sex and the City's lead actress, Sarah Parker. Sitting on the couch is her husband, Bro Derek, and that man… he looks familiar."

Hawk, having researched the couple’s background, said, "That’s Jason Lewis. He was a model who did some high-profile runway work before becoming an actor, though his career didn’t take off."

Megan nodded slightly, then resumed the video.

Bro soon joined in, turning the scenario into a full-blown threesome, with the camera zooming in even closer, making the participants’ faces even clearer.

Megan’s breathing quickened, her warm breath brushing against Hawk’s side, almost igniting the air around them.

This was a media professional’s natural response to such sensational footage.

When the video finished, Megan placed a hand on Hawk’s shoulder. "Play it again."

Hawk could feel her hand trembling slightly as he restarted the video.

Megan’s eyes were wide open, not even blinking, as she made sure the footage and the people in it were unmistakable.

These kinds of videos were highly sensitive.

Unlike some adult industry actresses who could be hard to recognize with clothes on, many Hollywood actresses shone in their outfits but looked quite ordinary when stripped down, sometimes leading to doubts about their identity.

Megan knew there were no lines journalists wouldn’t cross. "I’ll need to have someone confirm their identities," she said.

Hawk didn’t trust her either. "Do it here."

Megan called a few people in. One person brought a laptop.

They pulled up footage from Sarah Parker’s past works that had some racier scenes.

One of the women pointed to the screen. "Look, here, here, and here. The mole positions on Sarah match exactly."

One of the men added, "Not just the moles. The breast shape is the same."

The other man agreed. "No doubt."

Megan dismissed them, reminding them to keep quiet.

Once the door was closed, Hawk spoke first. "One hundred thousand dollars, and the video is yours."

Megan sat across from him, crossing her arms and pressing her chest down. "Downey’s dead, but Sarah’s not."

Hawk replied, "But Sarah’s being screwed by two men—one of them being her husband. You can use this to dig deeper into Hollywood’s threesome culture."

He stood up slowly. "I’ve already contacted Christina from Channel 6’s Entertainment Tonight."

Megan knew the rarity of such a scoop; it was a seller’s market. "The usual deal."

Hawk agreed. "No problem."

They signed the agreement and Hawk received his check. Due to the late hour, the process took a bit longer.

As Hawk was leaving, Megan, who was off work by then, walked out with him.

In the elevator, Megan teased him, "Your pants are worn out."

Hawk glanced down. He must have torn them when he slid down earlier. "Climbing walls has its risks."

Next time, he thought, he’d bring a lift and pretend to be a maintenance worker.

As they walked to the parking lot, Megan looked him over again. "You’re in pretty good shape."

Hawk casually responded, "Not bad. I work out regularly."

Megan nodded and said no more, heading to her car.

Back in the car, Hawk told Edward, "Buddy, you’ll get a bonus tomorrow."

The next morning, before 10 a.m., Megan arrived at the station and called for a meeting with the core team of the show.

Before everyone had even arrived, Claire rushed in. "Megan, the channel director, Cynthia Roseburg, wants you to temporarily shelve the footage from last night. Head to her office right away!"

Megan instantly realized something was wrong. Her eyes sharpened as she scanned the faces in the room.

There was a mole in her team.

*Chapter 60: We Are the Rules*

Fox Television Center, Channel 11, Director's Office.

Cynthia Rosenberg smiled as she praised the woman across from her, Megan Taylor. “The recent shows have been excellent. Ratings are rising significantly.”

Megan knew her boss wasn’t just calling her in for compliments. She subtly hinted, “It’s because the headlines have been explosive lately, giving us a solid foundation to work with.”

Cynthia quickly shifted the tone. “We've also been spending more. Last night, we spent $100,000 for just one story.”

Megan was prepared for this. She responded directly, “A reporter captured footage of Sarah Parker and her husband in a threesome with a former male model.”

Cynthia cautioned, “Sarah Parker’s husband is Bro Derek, a high-ranking executive at Ackman Films and a producer. I’ve told you before, any news involving well-known producers requires extra caution.”

Her words were firm: “Pull the story. Don’t run it.”

“That story cost us $100,000, and we’ve signed a transfer agreement,” Megan argued, trying to make the most of their investment. “The National Enquirer previously reported scandals involving Sarah Parker, and Bro Derek was mentioned.”

Cynthia waved her off, her tone becoming stern. “Do you really not understand, or are you pretending not to? Sarah Parker having an affair makes Bro the victim, showing off his dignity. But this story involves him directly and could damage his career.”

Megan tried to speak again.

Cynthia raised her hand to stop her. “Roger Ailes, the chairman of Fox Network, personally called me. Do you understand now?”

Megan was speechless. Roger Ailes was Rupert Murdoch’s most trusted man—the emperor of Fox.

It hit her that this was not just an unspoken industry rule but connected to something deeper.

Most of Fox’s upper management, including Bro Derek, were Jewish. Megan was well aware of the immense power Jewish communities held in both the media and entertainment industries, a force impossible to fight against. She stood up in silence, preparing to leave.

Before she could, Cynthia added, “The story is sealed. No leaks. As for the person who provided the video, tell them they can keep the money but must keep their mouth shut.”

Megan immediately understood that the source had also been exposed. She replied, “Media law clearly states that news sources are protected under the principle of freedom of the press.”

Cynthia said flatly, “You still don’t get it, dear. We are the rules.”

Megan knew the “we” Cynthia referred to did not include her.

Cynthia urged, “Go take care of it.”

Megan returned to the show’s production room and instructed Claire, “Gather everyone for a meeting.”

Minutes later, the room was packed.

“The threesome story is canceled and sealed,” Megan said sternly. She then turned to one of the team members, a man with a large nose, “Abraham Adler, care to explain why?”

He was one of the few people who had seen the video. Calmly, he replied, “I didn’t want the show to be at risk.”

Megan showed her tougher side. “Pack up your things and leave my team. Wherever you plan to go, ask the person you called last night.”

Everyone in the room turned to look at Abraham, some with anger, others with disdain. No one likes a traitor or a snitch.

As Abraham packed up, he wasn’t too worried. Being Jewish gave him a distinct advantage in the industry.

The night before, when he confirmed that Jewish producer Bro Derek would be exposed in a scandal, he immediately contacted a mentor. There was an unspoken understanding among Jewish professionals in the industry—they looked out for one another as long as things didn’t get too extreme.

Celebrities like Donny didn’t hold much power, but Bro Derek had significant resources at his disposal, making him a far bigger player.

After sending Abraham off as an example, Megan instructed Claire and Molly, “Oversee the destruction of the video. Bring me the storage disk.”

Someone handed over the storage disk.

Internally, these kinds of videos were tightly controlled, with only two backups—both were to be destroyed.

Megan personally took the disk to the storage center. Following protocol, she labeled it and had it locked away in Fox’s secure vault, where it would remain a resource under Fox’s control.

Standing by the window, overlooking Century City, Megan took out her phone and called Hawk. “Got time for a coffee? My treat.”

Half an hour later, she met Hawk at a café in Westwood. He had just come from the gym.

After ordering coffee, Hawk asked curiously, “What’s up? Something wrong with the video?”

“Yeah,” Megan answered directly. “The story hit a snag. Roger Ailes pressured my boss, so the news has been pulled, and the video is sealed.”

“You know who Roger Ailes is, right?” she asked.

“Of course, the big boss at Fox,” Hawk replied, slightly surprised but not shocked. After all, Bro Derek wasn’t a celebrity.

His main concern was something else. “Megan, I signed a copyright transfer agreement with your team. There’s no way I’m returning that $100,000.”

Megan glanced at him. “No need to worry. I’m not asking you to return it. I’m here to inform you and to warn you—if you have any copies of the video, don’t let them leak. This involves Hollywood’s and the media’s Jewish community, and it’s more trouble than you realize.”

Hawk nodded. “Jewish power in the media industry is scary, for sure.”

Megan didn’t want to lose such a reliable source of sensational headlines, so she gave him a serious warning. “They believe they are the law, so they don’t feel the need to follow any rules. Your information was leaked, and they might come looking for you. Be careful.”

Hawk made a gesture of slicing his throat. “Like this?”

“Not that extreme,” Megan reassured him. “Bro Derek doesn’t carry that much weight. He’s just a mid-level executive at a mid-sized production company. But those people instinctively close ranks and…” She was about to say they had a persecution complex but quickly rephrased, “They protect their own.”

“I understand,” Hawk smiled. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

Megan waved it off. “It’s no big deal.”

“It sounds like you’ve been warned, too,” Hawk said, sensing her frustration. “If the video leaks, will you be in trouble?”

Megan forced a smile. “I might lose my job.”

Hawk imitated her concerned tone. “Don’t worry. I’m a man of principles. Since I took $100,000 from you, I’ll make sure the video never leaks.”

All Megan could do was nod and, like Hawk, express her gratitude. “Thanks.”

Hawk got up to leave. “I’ve got to go back to work.”

Megan, keeping her promise to treat him, paid for the coffee and the tip.

Hawk left the café, drove onto Santa Monica Boulevard, and parked in a quiet spot.

He carefully considered the situation. Megan had no reason to lie. If what she said was true, then his identity as the video source had definitely been exposed. Bro Derek would know that Hawk Osmond was the one who captured the footage.

It wouldn’t be long before someone came to remind or warn him.

Of course, a well-known Hollywood producer wasn’t likely to meet a paparazzo like him in person.

Hawk wasn’t one to sit idly by. Since confrontation seemed inevitable, why not take the initiative?

Sarah Parker’s public relations manager happened to be an acquaintance of his.

After some thought, Hawk dialed Carolyn Jones’ number and said, “Miss Meh, I’ve got something to discuss with you. If you’ve got time, how about we rent a private pool and have a chat while we swim?”