The Wolf of Los Angeles

The next morning, Britney, accompanied by Paris and Fiona, arrived at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, where LAPD would assess the neurological damage due to drugs.

This woman had some problems with her brain to begin with, and Fiona lectured her for a long time last night.

During the assessment, Britney suffered various symptoms: vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and intermittent seizures. The LAPD were experts at exploiting situations, and with Milner's help, the report on Britney's drug damage was unfavorable for Jamie and Manninger.

...

That day, alongside her manager Larry Rudolph, Britney held a small press conference. Under the gaze of numerous media outlets, she didn't attack Jamie; instead, she reminisced about their father-daughter bond, sharing memories before she became famous.

Even in the 21st century, amidst rising female empowerment, a daughter directly accusing her father wasn't advisable. Britney redirected her criticism towards Manninger Jenkins.

"My father has always cared for me; this incident resulted from bad influences." Facing the cameras, Britney still embodied the sweet girl image: "He was manipulated by Manninger; without him, my father wouldn't behave this way. The true culprit is Manninger."

Though other media questioned her afterward, Britney couldn't respond, tears hindering her. Eventually, Paris rushed over with Larry Rudolph, supporting Britney as they departed.

...

The following day at the Westside precinct, Fox 11's legal advisor, Pierce, completed the bail paperwork. Manninger could leave the station but not exit Los Angeles. Somewhere along the line, news leaked; as he exited, dozens of reporters and paparazzi ambushed him.

Outside, Britney's fans hurled accusations. Manninger knew better than to fall for the media's provocation. He remained silent to questions and insults.

...@@novelbin@@

Finally squeezing through the crowd, he hopped into the car driven by his assistant Gibbs, who asked, "What's the word on the case? Is there a link to Jamie Spears?"

Pierce replied truthfully, "Not favorable for you. Jamie is a wimp. He has reached a plea agreement with the LAPD. He said that he gave Britney drugs at your behest and that the drugs came from you. The police investigated your consumption records and found that you illegally purchased prescription drugs and controlled drugs through the dark web many times. Some of them were of the same type as those in Jamie's hands."

"Foolish girl, useless father!" Manninger couldn't hold back, controlling his anger he inquired, "Is it troublesome?"

Pierce continued, "Britney just underwent a legal drug damage assessment; results indicated nerve and brain damage leading to intermittent seizures, dizziness, and headaches -- potentially irreversible..."

Manninger swore about Jamie, "How much poison did he administer?"

Pierce pretended not to understand this and said, "I have a suggestion for you. Hire a professional lawyer as soon as possible to deal with this case."

Having some prior connection to Manninger, he warned, "Today, Britney's management at Sony Records and various fan organizations have contacted Fox to negotiate about this situation."

Fox Network doesn't care about things like agencies and fan organizations. But Sony Records is affiliated to Sony Entertainment, both are giants in the media industry. Britney is one of Sony Entertainment's cash cows, so Sony Entertainment will inevitably put pressure on them.

Manning knew very well that this matter was not as simple as it seemed.

...

As the vehicle approached the Fox Television Center and parked underground, Pierce immediately headed upstairs. Meanwhile, Gibbs reported to Manninger, "The 7 o'clock news broke the story, hosted by Renee Russell, leading with the top headline. The chairman's office has asked about it."

Manninger was unsurprised by Renee's involvement; he only worried about what followed. "What did the Chairman's office respond?"

Gibbs replied, "Get the legal department to bail you out."

Manninger felt his heart sink; if Fox wanted to protect its people, they'd exhaust resources. However, it also depends on the situation.

For example, in the incident with Megan Taylor and the Dwarfs Gang, the former was doing news on the Fox Network to boost ratings, and was retaliated by the Dwarfs Gang. Naturally, the Fox Network mobilized its resources to wipe out the gang. ȓäꞐ𝔬₿È𝘴

This time, Manninger's trouble was not caused by work, but by pure selfish desires.

He asked, "Where did the news come from?"

Gibbs responded, "Purchased from a freelancer; rumors circulated that Renee had commissioned several freelance reporters who often work with the 7 o'clock news to collect news about you."

Manninger shut his eyes, "I've been away from the frontline for too long. Although my position is superior to hers, I can't seem to source such assistance."

Gibbs fell silent.

"Since Renee wants war, we'll give her one!" Manninger retrieved a flash drive from the car's compartment. Gibbs chose to remain oblivious.

...

After exiting the vehicle, Manninger walked toward the elevators and soon reached the 11th floor of the building.

As he strolled towards his office, many peers regarded him with unusual curiosity. In media, it is normal for male superiors to sexually exploit their female subordinates, or for female superiors to sexually exploit their male subordinates.

However, surreptitiously drugging someone to drive them mad, then coercing them was despicable.

This sentiment had spread across the Fox Television Center and was publicly acknowledged.

This is common among people in this industry.

But secretly giving someone drugs to drive them crazy and then raping them is despicable.

This sentiment has spread throughout the Fox Television Center and has long been observed by those who are interested.

...

Manninger disregarded them, reaching his office. Settling into the executive chair, he opened his computer to analyze Fox's stock price.

The first thing he noted was the news:

"Affected by the incident in which Fox 11 deputy director Manninger instigated the poisoning of Britney, Fox's stock price fell by 6%, and its market value evaporated by $2.1 billion."

Realizing the implications of that figure, Manninger understood he was finished. Such a significant drop indicated this problem extended beyond Roger Ailes; the parent company would intervene.

...

For Rupert Murdoch, far-off in New York, Manninger was a mere blip on the radar. Confronted with negative media-driven stock fluctuations, Murdoch adopted a simple and effective decision-making approach in the face of stock price fluctuations caused by negative news.

Murdoch promptly called Roger Ailes, "Calm the public opinion as soon as possible."

Roger Ailes understood what that meant.

...

Just as Manninger entered his office, and was orchestrating a counteroffensive, he received a call from the Chairman's office.

The slightly aged voice of the chairman's assistant sounded in the receiver: "Resign gracefully; for the sake of the company and yourself, maintain your dignity."

After pondering, Manninger replied, "I'll submit my resignation tomorrow morning."

The chairman's office deliberately released the news to people who had originally stood on the same front with Manninger and were preparing to fight back against Renee Russell.

Men like Gibbs, for example, immediately backed off.

...

Manninger said nothing as he exited the Fox Television Center.

There were some things that he originally didn't want to do because they were the tacit rules of the TV network. Once the tacit understanding was broken, he would hurt himself before hurting others.

But Manninger no longer has such concerns.

...

The next morning, many employees at Fox Television Center received an email from Manninger that documented multiple incidents from 1999 to 2000 regarding financial misconduct in acquiring news materials, defrauding the company in the process, along with supporting evidence. These included many purchases by Renee Russell.

Fox's staff hardly expressed surprise -- they all knew many were engaged in similar deeds. All hostile eyes were directed at Manninger, who sent the email.

Yet they were powerless against him; Manninger had already resigned.

*****

/Sayonara816.