The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 370: Unfulfilled Promises]

Burbank, France Cafe.

During the day, there were not many people around. Alice sat in a booth, her mind heavy as she looked at the woman across from her and said, slightly surprised, "So, the business and partnership you mentioned is just about making baseless accusations against others?"

Fiona had conducted a targeted investigation and learned a lot. She replied, "Do you really consider this baseless? Then let me ask you something: did Jamie Foxx seduce you into having a relationship? He promised you something beforehand, but didn't follow through after?"

Alice thought back carefully, gradually recalling the events from over two years ago. She had indeed had brief contact with the African American star Jamie Foxx.

She exploded with anger, "That disgusting bastard! At least when others sleep with me, they give me a chance to audition. But him? He promised I could be the third lead in his new film, yet all the phone numbers he gave me were fake! They're all fake!"

Such things were not uncommon in Hollywood, especially among African American stars. Fiona pushed a coffee toward her and asked, "Can you tell me a bit more?"

Alice's gaze flickered. "Are you a reporter?"

Fiona was straightforward. She took out an unmarked check and pushed it toward Alice.

Fiona didn't say a word but encouraged her with her eyes.

"He got hands-on during the photo, and after it ended, he pulled me into a corner of the banquet hall and started touching me inside my clothes," Alice admitted. Ninety percent of her words were true, and the remaining ten percent she thought insignificant. "He said he had a script that was perfect for me, and since I was worried about finding work, I followed him to the hotel. But when I got to his room, he insisted on sleeping with me..."

Fiona asked about the contradictory focus: "Did he give you the role he promised?"

"Role? There was no role at all!" Alice remembered how it had gone down and was extremely angry. "He tortured me for half the night, then the next day, he just pulled up his pants and ran away, leaving me with contact information that was fake."

Fiona inquired, "Did you ever think of reporting this?"

Alice was taken aback by the question. "Can you even report something like this? Doesn't this happen all the time in Hollywood? Even if I report it, what good would it do? The media wouldn't cover it, my career would be ruined, and no crew in Hollywood would ever hire me again."

"You didn't choose to report it, but neither did you build a career of your own in the entertainment industry," Fiona stated, piercingly.

Alice understood and regretted it now: "I should have reported it back then; at least I would have gotten some money."

Compared to the small actors in Hollywood dreaming of stardom, Fiona, with her police background, was far more resourceful, easily guiding Alice to the way of thinking they wanted.

At that moment, the opportunity arose, and she directly said, "It's not too late for you to report it now."

"Report it now?" Alice genuinely didn't understand. "It's been two years; I have no evidence at all. What would reporting accomplish?"

Fiona had studied Hawke's plan closely and said, "This kind of thing doesn't require evidence because you are a woman; you are naturally entitled to protection."

Alice had many concerns: "He is a top star in Hollywood. If I report it, my whole career will be ruined."

Fiona said, "You could get a million dollars in compensation; as for your career, do you even care about your Hollywood career anymore? From what I gather, you're in contact with agents from the Valley."

Hearing the figure of a million dollars, Alice's mind started turning, but the mention of the Valley made her uncomfortable.

Fiona laughed lightly. "With a million dollars in compensation, you could easily refuse the Valley."

Alice wasn't particularly wise, but she had some street smarts. "You all want to target Jamie Foxx?"

It was clear as day, and Fiona confirmed, "So you don't need to worry; I'll have your back no matter what. Regardless of the outcome, you will receive $100,000."

Alice declared, "I want $200,000!"

Fiona frowned, "That's too much."

"$200,000; I won't settle for a dollar less," Alice decided to secure this sum. "I will do my best to cooperate with you."

Fiona thought for a moment and finally said, "I'll initially pay you $100,000 in two installments. Once everything is done, I will give you the remaining $100,000."

With the price agreed upon and Alice determined, they discussed for a while before quickly leaving the cafe.

...

That night, Campos collected the news and sent it to Hawke. Hawke instructed Fiona to proceed with the planned actions. He then called Tom Cruise to get things rolling on his end.

The next day, Edward went to the LAPD's West Division and sought out his old friend, Sheriff Milner.

In an East Hollywood apartment, cameras were set up. Alice, who had already received the first payment of $50,000, sat in front of the lens, glancing at the teleprompter across from her.

The teleprompter displayed her organized account of the sexual assault and accusations.

Fiona had studied it closely and emphasized that Alice should highlight elements of women being unable to resist strong men as well as themes of seduction.

After filming was complete, she had Alice create a Twitter account and directly post on it.

Soon after, the post circulated to many media personnel's Twitter accounts.

Having completed these tasks, Fiona drove Alice straight to the West Division.

...

In the back, four Mexican-American bodyguards drove a van, trailing behind them.

Fiona accompanied Alice to the West Division, having previously contacted Sheriff Milner.

He sent two trusted subordinates to meet Alice, who had come to file a report.

Alice provided a photo with Jamie Foxx, the address of the party, and the hotel where the two of them entered later.

The LAPD conducted a preliminary investigation and verification. Although the hotel's surveillance had long been erased, relevant records still existed. Based on the times Alice provided, Jamie Foxx had indeed rented a room there.

According to standard procedure, a female victim coming in to report would have another party contacted for understanding the situation.

The West Division immediately applied for a subpoena for Jamie Foxx.

...

The process for issuing the subpoena was very swift. Two officers arrived in the office and asked Milner, "Sheriff, are we subpoenaing the target now?"

"Of course," Milner replied.

The blonde officer said, "We just did a check. Jamie Foxx is currently on Hollywood Boulevard promoting his new film, Ray, surrounded by a throng of reporters."

They chose today for a reason. Milner feigned deep thought for a moment and reminded, "We must follow protocol. The other party is a Black man and a star; when serving the subpoena, mind your attitude, understood?"

The two officers nodded, "Understood."

...

Hollywood, Hollywood Boulevard.

A spacious area, where over a dozen reporters had set up cameras and equipment focused ahead to capture everything.

Jamie Foxx knelt on one knee, pointing at his own star on the Walk of Fame, smiling ear-to-ear.

To promote Ray, this African American star was awarded his own star on the Walk of Fame.

Crowds had gathered around to watch, including some homeless individuals looking to join the excitement.

Aside from tourists, this famous boulevard was bustling with them.

Once the photo op concluded, one reporter asked, "Jamie, can I ask you a few questions?"

A smile spread across Jamie Foxx's face as he replied, "Sure."

"Are you aiming for the Best Actor Oscar this time?" the reporter asked loudly.

Jamie Foxx displayed his ambition, "The Oscars are the highest award in the film industry; winning an Oscar is an honor every filmmaker dreams of..."

Suddenly, the homeless individuals on the outskirts scattered, as if encountering a natural predator.

Their commotion caught Jamie Foxx's attention, making him instinctively turn his head to look outside.

...

Two police cars pulled up, one after the other, stopping at the curb as six officers got out and walked briskly toward Jamie Foxx.

Two officers separated the reporters and held them back.

The blonde officer swiftly approached Jamie Foxx, presenting his badge and handing over the subpoena. He said, "Mr. Foxx, we received a report regarding an ongoing investigation; we need to speak with you for clarification..."

His voice wasn't loud, but every media person outside also heard it.

A stir broke out on the scene, and reporters scrambled to capture images, wanting to get the camera uncomfortably close to Jamie Foxx's face.

His agent was also nearby, and upon seeing the police cars, rushed over, pushing through the crowd of reporters, exclaiming loudly, "This is defamation! You're ruining Mr. Foxx's reputation..."

The blonde officer pointed at the subpoena. "This is a legal subpoena; we hope Mr. Foxx can cooperate."

The agent warned Jamie Foxx, "I will call the lawyer."

For the time being, both sides found themselves in a standoff.

Since Jamie Foxx had some protective leverage, the LAPD was acting very civil.

...

A few minutes later, the blonde officer returned to the police vehicle. The star ceremony on the Walk of Fame for Jamie Foxx concluded hurriedly. He hopped into the vehicle driven by his agent, following the lead of the two police cars to the West Division.

...

Inside the car, Jamie Foxx looked pale.

His agent understood the nuances of these stars and directly asked, "Have you forced any actresses recently?"

"No," Jamie Foxx denied initially, then added, "Those women, with just a bit of temptation, would take off their pants without needing to be forced."

The agent recognized the crux of the issue: "Your promises were big, but you didn't deliver?"

Jamie Foxx saw no problem with that. "Isn't that how Hollywood operates?"

The agent couldn't help but feel frustrated. He glanced in the rearview mirror, noting a large crowd of reporters following behind them.

*****

/Sayonara816.