The Wolf of Los Angeles Chapter 76: Hawke Was So Reliable

[Chapter 76: Hawke Was So Reliable]

At West Coast dia Entertainnt Studio, Hawke changed into a tailored business suit, put on his Rolex gold watch, and donned leather shoes as he ca down from the second floor, grabbing a new business bag while greeting Edward, who was similarly dressed, saying, "Let's go."

The two of them stepped out and got into the Mondeo, with Edward driving towards Orange County.

Hawke sat in the passenger seat, contemplating how to handle the situation.

Ms. Baa's phone call hinted at so details.

Hawke thought about it throughout the drive and ca up with a preliminary plan, but he knew he would need more specific information before moving forward.

As they arrived at St. Joseph's Hospital, they were t with a crowd of hundreds of fans and dia reporters gathered at the entrance, prompting Edward to slow down.

Hawke observed carefully, noting many fans waving posters of Steve Nutt with a baseball bat.

The reporters anxiously waited, occasionally snapping photos of the hospital entrance and the crowd of fans.

Two television broadcast vans were even parked on either side of the street.

Hawke's impressions of Steve Nutt and Daisy had mainly co from online news.

Now, he was gaining a much more direct experience of celebrity culture.

They resembled a toned-down version of Beckham and Victoria, but they had learned from the Olsen twins and established a jointly-owned business brand.

...

Driving into the hospital, Hawke and Edward headed straight for the patient room, taking the elevator to the fifth floor, and as they exited, they saw Caroline waiting by the room door.

Caroline's eyes lit up upon seeing Hawke, and she said, "That outfit doubles your credibility."

Hawke cut to the chase and asked, "Are there many people in the know right now?"

Caroline entered work mode: "I've got the situation under control. Those knowledgeable include , assistant Amanda, agent Biles, and caregiver Sophia. The hospital has a confidentiality agreent with Steve, so things should be stable for now, but over ti, information will inevitably leak out."

Hawke glanced toward the patient room and said, "I need to understand the details and et with the involved party."

Caroline opened the door and entered first.

...

Inside, Steve turned to look as soon as the door opened.

Behind Caroline, a young man entered.

Though unremarkable in appearance, he wore a tailored suit, had a Rolex gold watch on his wrist, and carried an elegant briefcase -- an obvious sign of an elite. 𝘳𝓪𐌽ꝊΒƐ𐌔

Caroline made introductions between the two.

Hawke shook hands with Steve and said, "To solve this issue, I need to know everything in detail."

Agent Biles handed over a confidentiality agreent and inquired, "West Coast dia Entertainnt Studio? I haven't heard of it before."

Hawke clarified, "I collaborated with the team from Castle Rock Productions on D.C. Heights, and with the crew of The Scorpion King which was produced by Stephen Somrs and starred Dwayne Johnson."

Biles hadn't heard of the forr but knew of the latter, and while Hawke reviewed the confidentiality agreent, he stepped aside to send so texts.

The agency quickly responded after inquiring, confirming that both Dwayne Johnson's agent and Stephen Somrs' assistant had collaborated with West Coast Studio, and the forr held Hawke Osnt's capabilities in high regard.

Biles tucked his phone away and subtly nodded towards Steve.

Caroline noticed everything but chose to remain silent.

She had seen firsthand how Hawke could think outside the box; sotis unconventional thods were more effective than standard public relations.

Hawke confird that the confidentiality agreent was solid and signed it with Edward.

He was straightforward: "I want to see the child first."

The caregiver brought over the baby carriage.

Edward stepped forward to take a look and remarked, "It might turn out darker than when he grows up."

Hawke replied, "I need to know the sequence of events, including all related circumstances."

Steve recounted his story first.

Hawke entered the patient room, listening to Daisy recount her side of things, and called for Biles and Caroline to explain the specifics.

Afterward, he asked all four of them so questions.

Caroline expressed her concern, reminding him, "Are we working together to resolve this crisis?"

Hawke understood her implication: "Give so ti; I need to think it through."

Steve thought about how Miller Collins had lost all his endorsents and faced lawsuits for breach of contract, leaving him extrely unsettled.

As the star player of the Dodgers, he was also carrying several endorsents.

Miller Collins' fate was a clear warning: once a public image crisis struck, businesses would surely abandon him.

After a mont, Hawke asked Steve, "I need to clarify the specific goals here."

Steve said, "Daisy and I's careers and reputations shouldn't be greatly impacted; it'd be best if we could maintain the current situation."

"I can guarantee that," Hawke replied, speaking calmly and slowly. "If you cooperate, I can help elevate your status to beco a symbolic figure in Arican sports."

Steve was incredulous: "You really believe you can pull that off?"

Hawke displayed an air of confidence: "You guys must have confird that The Scorpion King grossed over a hundred million in North Arica, creating a comrcial miracle, and I played a part in that."

Agents had communication channels, and Biles had just taken a mont to call Dwayne's wife and agent, Dany Garcia.

He nodded again towards Steve.

Caroline opportunely interjected, "Hawke has created miracles more than once."

Steve asked, "Alright then, what do you need to do?"

"The two of you, along with those in the know, including Mr. Biles and Ms. Jones, must follow my lead," Hawke stated bluntly. "For the commission, it's $600,000."

Biles wanted to object.

Hawke reminded Steve, "If this situation spirals out of control, you stand to lose $1.5 million from People magazine alone, along with potential penalties and losses from other endorsents..."

Steve interrupted Hawke, saying, "Fine, $600,000, I'll give you a $200,000 advance, and the rest at the end of our photo shoot with the magazine."

Hawke added, "During this ti, all expenses incurred will be your responsibility."

Steve didn't care about the small sum: "Sounds good."

Hawke stated, "Let's sign it then."

...

The contract was drafted, and Hawke signed an official agreent with Steve and Daisy.

anwhile, Edward slipped his hands into his pockets and turned off the recorder.

Hawke outlined his thoughts broadly and everyone quickly agreed.

"Alright, let's not disturb Daisy and the baby's rest; we should head outside," Hawke said as he moved to the lounge area, waiting for everyone to join him. "Mr. Biles, please coordinate with the hospital to secure the vacant room on the left as our temporary office and reception area."

Steve looked over at Biles, who imdiately went to take care of it.

Hawke asked Caroline, "Is your Coca-Cola girl trustworthy?"

Amanda recalled her first eting with Hawke, where she almost doused his cara and notebook with soda, never expecting they would be working together today.

Caroline responded, "She's trustworthy."

Hawke nodded at Amanda, pointing toward the door: "You stand guard at the patient room; aside from us, even if doctors and nurses co, make sure they take off their masks to confirm who they are."

Caroline understood another aspect of Hawke's business and advised, "Follow Hawke's orders."

Amanda exited and stationed herself at the patient room door.

Hawke turned to Steve: "Have your teammate Wilson co over; he's a crucial factor."

Steve gritted his teeth, "Seeing him would make want to kill him..."

Hawke knew how to ease tensions: "Haven't you been with his wife? Find an opportunity for her to get pregnant."

Steve's anger evaporated in an instant; he found Hawke extrely reliable and felt fortunate to have partnered with him, saying, "I'm starting to have faith in you now."

Hawke replied, "Just get him here, and I'll have a good chat with him; we can discuss the rest later."

Steve calmly went to make the call.

At that mont, Biles returned, and the door to the adjoining room had already been opened.

Hawke went next door.

Caroline hurried after him, whispering, "I'm coming too."

"Ten percent," she often teased him, so Hawke didn't forget to tease her back: "Ms. Baa, let hear a few bleats. "

Caroline shalessly closed the door and bleated, "Baa! Baa--"

Hawke frowned at her antics: "Why imitate a sheep when you're a perfectly good person?"

"You!" Caroline felt like she'd been pushed over the edge.

Hawke returned to the topic: "Let's hold off on the dia announcent and the notification to People magazine for now; you can think of a reason. Also, reach out to Wilson's agent and have him lean towards us to help convince Wilson to cooperate with our plan."

He specifically reminded, "Getting teammates' wives pregnant is a huge no-no in the team."

"I know how to handle it," Caroline said as she went to make the call.

Hawke turned to Edward: "Engage all your baseball-loving friends to search for any incidents of discrimination against black players in recent years, in MLB gas or elsewhere -- photos, news articles, and videos will all be necessary.

*****

/Sayonara816.