Chapter 25: Strangling the Scandal in the Cradle

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The office of Full Speed PR was still brightly lit late into the night.

Caroline Jones, with her straight golden hair and striking red lipstick, hung up the phone and pressed the intercom. "Sasha, Amanda, come in."

Two women, both notably less attractive than Caroline, entered the office.

Without wasting any time, Caroline got straight to the point. "Ten minutes ago, Donny the junkie and Sarah the idiot were caught cheating in a hotel. Someone took photos, and the Boss has pushed the problem down to us."

Curious, Sasha asked Amanda, "Were those two ever a thing before?"

Amanda replied, "Yeah, they used to be."

With little time to spare, Caroline gave orders: "Sasha, call all the major freelance journalist studios and active paparazzi. Find out who’s behind this."

Sasha immediately started making calls.

Caroline continued, "Amanda, get in touch with the gossip media outlets. If they’ve received any related news or photos, ask them to hold off on publishing."

She thought for a moment. "Based on what Donny said, whoever took the pictures used a camera, so they’ll probably sell them to print media first. This is explosive news, worth a lot. Smaller outlets can’t afford to pay the high price. Focus on American Weekly, National Enquirer, and Hollywood Life."

Amanda nodded. "I’ll call those three first."

Caroline clapped her hands. "Alright, time to get moving and clean up these idiots' mess!"

The two assistants got busy with phone calls.

Meanwhile, Caroline opened her makeup bag and touched up her brows and lip gloss.

Not long after, Amanda called out, "Got something!"

Caroline immediately grabbed her bag, striding out in her high heels. "Tell me on the way."

...

At the Melrose Plaza McDonald’s, Hawk arrived right on time. The receiving editor from American Weekly, James, was already waiting.

After brief introductions, James got straight to the point. "I’ve never seen you before. New to the game? You mentioned some important news?"

Hawk nodded and flipped through some pictures on his laptop before turning it towards James. "Took these just half an hour ago."

James took one look and instantly recognized them. "Big news." He asked, "Was it obtained legally?"

Hawk replied, "I took the photos myself, all above board."

"Okay." James was about to make an offer when his phone rang. He stepped aside, spoke quietly for a moment, and then returned. "Mr. Osman, this news is too big. It’s out of my price range. The editorial team will need to evaluate it. Please wait a bit."

American Weekly wasn’t Hawk’s only option. He glanced at the time. "I’ll wait five minutes."

Three women entered the restaurant through the mall entrance. Amanda gave a quick glance and quietly said, "That’s James from American Weekly. That should be them."

Sasha pretended to head to the counter, casually passing by the table, her eyes briefly scanning the laptop and camera bag before quickly returning with a burger and fries.

She said, "Young guy, fresh face. I think he’s new. He’s got a laptop and camera gear with him."

"Good! I’ll go have a word with him, see what he’s after," Caroline whispered. "If it doesn’t work out, I’ll signal you two for targeted action..."

Sasha and Amanda nodded in agreement.

Caroline quickly made her way toward Hawk.

Hearing the rapid clicking of high heels, Hawk glanced over, something he did whenever anyone passed by.

Wealth and power never play by the rules.

Rules are for ordinary people.

A tall, well-proportioned blonde with flawless makeup and red high heels walked briskly toward him.

Caroline, recognizing James, said, "I’ll take a moment to chat with him."

PR and the media aren’t always at odds—more often, they collaborate. James nodded, "Ten minutes."

He stepped away, leaving them alone.

Hawk closed his laptop.

Caroline glanced at Hawk. "No watch, no accessories, no cologne, wearing mid- to low-range brands, and sporting a pretty silly haircut. Your skin looks like you spend a lot of time outdoors. Your finances must be tight."

She spoke confidently, "Listen carefully to what I’m about to say. It might help you get out of this rut."

At this moment, sitting across from Hawk was a poised and elegant woman.

She radiated a bit of pride. Caroline placed her handbag on the table, revealing a slender wrist adorned with a watch. "I’ve done work like yours before, and I was even worse off than you back then. Now? I carry a Hermès bag, wear a Cartier watch, and dress in Chanel."

Hawk cut straight to the point. "You’re in PR?"

"A PR consultant, previously a freelance journalist." Caroline gave a quick smile and introduced herself, "Caroline Jones, Full Speed PR. And you are?"

"Hawk Osman," he replied with a nod.

Caroline sped up. "Oh, Hawk, may I call you that? Thank you. My employer is a generous woman with extensive connections in Hollywood and the media industry. She’s willing to help friends out—like offering a steady job with good pay."

Seeing no reaction from Hawk, she added, "Of course, I wouldn’t let you go through all this trouble tonight for free. Would you like to cash in those photos?"

Normally, at this point, most people would ask how much, and then she’d lead them into a trap, turning it into blackmail.

Hawk’s eyes glanced at her Hermès bag, which she had strategically placed on the table. What was inside?

He wasn’t playing by her script at all. "I may be a freelance journalist, but I hold myself to high standards. Every photo I take must be real, must serve the public, because the public has a right to know!"

Caroline tried to bring him back on track. "You love doing journalism, that’s great! My employer and I could help you land a job as a reporter, like at Newsweek where James works."

She made a gesture like counting money. "How much?"

Hawk’s expression grew stern. "You’ve insulted both my professional ethics and my character!"

Caroline kept a neutral face, but inside, she was fuming: Is this guy an idiot or a genius?  

She studied Hawk for a moment. From the way he looked, there was no way he was all that bright.

"We’ve got nothing more to discuss," Hawk said firmly.

The best PR strategy is to kill a scandal before it spreads. Caroline, tapping her Hermès bag, said, "Five thousand dollars. Hand over all the photos."

Hawk reached for his laptop.

Caroline suddenly burst into a radiant smile, but her words were cutting. "Judging by your accent, you’re just some hick from Wyoming. A dumb kid from the mountains who came to L.A. hoping to make it big. Don’t be naive."

She picked up her Hermès bag, tapping her fingers on the table as she issued a threat. "I’ll find out who you are, what you’ve done, and every dirty little secret you’re hiding. And if you don’t have any, I’ll dig into your family. Trust me, I’ll expose it all, and you’ll be ruined."

"You’re welcome to try," Hawk smiled back. "Because I’ll do the same to you. And I guarantee, your skeletons far outnumber mine."

Caroline froze for a moment.

Meanwhile, Sasha and Amanda, having received their signal, moved quickly into action.

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