[Chapter 227: Determined to Win]
Santa Monica, Hawke and Edward entered the safe house and t with Campos, who was waiting for them.
When Campos saw Hawke, he handed over several photos. "Fiona found a girl nad Irene at Caltech," he said. Hawke took a look at the pictures. The girl in the photos was about eighteen and very pretty.
Campos continued, "According to Fiona's discreet inquiries, Irene started dating an off-campus boyfriend earlier this year. The boyfriend sotis drove to the school apartnt on weekends. According to those who saw him, he resembles Guerrero, the guy who committed suicide."
Hawke had not yet figured out how to trigger this incident and said directly, "Let's keep a long-term watch; for now, don't alert her."
He asked another question: "What's the situation over at St. Beatrice Church and the Welfare School?"
Campos replied, "On the surface, everything seems the sa as before. Garcia and I went in with Kingsley, and it felt like their security was much tighter than before."
Hawke hesitated montarily but said, "Check it out, but don't make contact with the church. We can investigate through the children. The last boy Kingsley was with ca from Guatemala, which indicates they have used Latin Arican children more than once."
He took this approach for the sake of Campos and his team. People were not emotionless animals. The Butterfly Consulting Company, also from Latin Arica, would certainly have its own perspective on this.
Campos perked up. "Boss, this is our specialty. We know exactly where to start."
Hawke nodded. Most of the elite from Butterfly Consulting had previously worked as police in xico. Campos was smart and considered many aspects: "If we do uncover sothing, what then?"
Hawke replied, "Find soone to go to Brazil or Colombia, keep changing locations, and send emails to the world's dia."
"Got it," Campos said. This kind of task was not difficult for him.
...
After leaving the safe house, Hawke felt inexplicably lighter. Even Edward had started whistling a cheerful little tune. Campos had close ties with the xican immigrants and would soon find so clues.
Feeling a rare mont of downti, when Hawke returned to the office, Edward ca over to ask for ti off. Hawke freely granted him leave.
Thinking about the promise made with Erica last night, he planned to go practice shooting in the afternoon. Before he could reach out to Erica, a call ca in.
Emma Batson, the broker representing BlackRock's San Francisco office, wanted to visit in the afternoon to discuss investnt matters again. Hawke had to cancel his original plans and spent so ti scrolling through Twitter in his office.
His focus remained on the Ice Bucket Challenge. As more people participated, unexpected incidents began occurring. So faced electric shocks, while others, like the bullies from Cleveland, doused their classmates with ice water mixed with cigarette butts, mud, and vomit.
The latter caused quite a stir on Twitter. Hawke thought for a mont and directly forwarded the video to Tom Cruise. Incidents involving school bullying could not be entirely prevented.
...
Venice, Manhattan Beach.
The afternoon sun shone brightly. Edward drove his Audi A8 to the beach and turned into the parking lot, quickly spotting Michael, who was riding a motorcycle.
Michael, head wrapped in a scarf and looking gloomy, stared longingly at the bikini-clad beauties on the beach across from him.
Edward strolled over casually and asked, "Where are the girls?"
Michael pointed to a group of girls gathered nearby and said, "Over there. See the long-haired woman in the orange bikini? The one with the best figure, that's Maria Collins. The girl in the green polka dot swimsuit next to her is her daughter, Dorothy."
He added, "I made sure to check; today is Dorothy's class beach day."
"Beach day?" Edward adjusted the rearview mirror of the motorcycle, checking out his stylish look. "I love this swimsuit day."
Michael looked puzzled. "Savior, you're in the high-inco class now, with so many beautiful won in Los Angeles. Why look for soone older who's divorced and has kids?"
Edward tapped the handle of his motorcycle. "You don't understand the appeal of won in their age group. They're not comparable to those inexperienced girls. No matter what you want, they'll be willing to cooperate and make it happen. Understand what emotional value ans? A woman in this age group can help elevate your emotional value to new heights."
Michael stood firm. "I still prefer younger won; eighteen is the best."
...
Not wanting to debate further, Edward grabbed his beach bag and headed toward the changing room. After changing into his swim trunks, he admired his tanned physique in the changing mirror.
Over the past year, he had spent a lot of ti working out and training with Hawke. While he might not have been extraordinarily muscular, the definition was noticeable.
Outside, a commotion ensued. Edward put on his beach shoes, hurried out, and quickly located his target, ignoring Maria Collins in a bright red bikini, surrounded by n vying for her attention.
His gaze fell on Dorothy. As soone experienced in this area, Edward knew that once he won over the child, getting close to the mother would be easier.
He patiently waited for an opening instead of rushing in. Children were always full of energy, and that energy in a crowd could sotis lead to instability.
Finally, Edward saw his chance. Dorothy and another girl ran toward the water, laughing and playing, unaware of a beach vehicle barreling toward them.
The crowd scattered, and Dorothy fell on the sand, while her friend ran off. Edward rushed forward, grabbing her arm, shouting, "Co on! Hurry!"
When Dorothy looked back, she saw the vehicle zoom past, nearly on the spot where she had just fallen. Edward urged her onward: "This place isn't safe; let's get to higher ground!"
Dorothy lost her shoes but held tightly to Edward's hand until they reached the steps at an outdoor shower station.
He paused to ask, "Are you hurt?"
Gasping for breath, Dorothy took a while to catch her breath before replying, "I'm okay."
She looked up at Edward and shyly said, "Thank you for saving ."
"It was nothing, just a little help," Edward waved off, then asked, "Where are your parents?"
Dorothy snapped back into reality. "Right, my mom. Where's my mom?"
Amid the chaos on the beach, the beach vehicle had finally co to a stop, and many parents were searching for their children.
Dorothy spotted Maria in the crowd and waved, "Mom! Mom!"
Maria, tall and leggy, followed the sound, quickly jogging over to embrace Dorothy. "Sweetheart, you scared !"
"I'm okay," Dorothy quietly pointed at Edward. "This gentleman saved . If it weren't for him pulling up and bringing here, I would have been hit by that vehicle."
Wearing a bikini, Maria genuinely thanked him, "Thank you, thank you for helping Dorothy."
Edward smiled, "Just a bit of help, no need to ntion it."
Maria had a number of African Arican friends from her ex-husband's team and didn't mind him at all; in fact, she thought he looked quite handso when he smiled.
Edward played it cool and gestured to Dorothy. "She's safe now; she's in your hands. Goodbye."
Maria quickly called out to him, "Wait, you can't just leave like that. You saved Dorothy..."
The two sides pulled together and ultimately walked toward the changing room.
When Edward erged from the changing room in designer attire, he exuded a confident deanor befitting his executive role at Twitter, even driving out in the latest high-end Audi A8.
He perfectly embodied the image of a successful man.
It was worth ntioning that attire and cars could effectively reduce the communication costs between people.
When Maria and Edward t up again, they successfully exchanged contact information. She even invited him out to dinner to express her gratitude.
...
At Twitter, in the fourth-floor reception room.
Emma Batson's second formal eting with Hawke ultimately failed to reach an agreent.
There was an irreconcilable difference between BlackRock and Twitter on a crucial issue. The forr demanded that the latter maintain a consistent stance on significant social issues, but Hawke could never agree to that.
Since there was no basis for cooperation, continuing the conversation seed pointless.
Emma Batson excused herself and headed downstairs.
...
Hawke stepped out of the reception room and into his office, standing by the window, watching the business car start its engine below.
Would BlackRock try other ans to achieve what they couldn't at the negotiation table?
Hawke made no speculations but focused on prevention. He made a call, saying, "Have soone follow Emma Batson around the clock."
Business matters were never solved solely through business ans.
...
Inside the traveling business vehicle, Emma Batson took out her phone and dialed Douglas. "I didn't handle the work as best as I could. I tried every way to convince Hawke Osnt to cooperate with BlackRock, but he finally refused."
Douglas was ntally prepared for this. "They ultimately rejected BlackRock's goodwill."
Emma stated bluntly, "Because of our differing positions."
Douglas understood the implication and replied, "My private jet is leaving for Los Angeles in two hours. You wait for at the hotel, and once I arrive in L.A., we can discuss it further."
"Sure, I'll be at the Beverly Hilton," Emma provided her room number without hesitation.
Douglas acknowledged and hung up the phone.
In recent tis, Twitter had generated considerable reactions worldwide, and its influence was visibly growing.
BlackRock was determined to achieve their goal. This was closely tied to the turnaround plan that BlackRock and Vanguard International had devised for the donkey party.
*****
/Sayonara816.
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