The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 302: The Director]

After Fox 11's news broadcast, Twitter reposted the news, along with countless other online media outlets.

The video of Jamie Spears drugging Britney immediately set the internet ablaze.

Recent recordings and videos only featured Jamie and Manninger's conversations, but the LAPD evidence was mostly text and lab reports -- far less striking than a video.

The story of a pop princess and her estranged father was undeniably juicy.

Jamie became the hottest topic in North America, his scandal quickly reaching the East Coast and then to the other side of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Even in East Asia, where the languages differed entirely, the story made headlines.

At that moment, whether in America, Europe, Asia, or Latin America, those newly embroiled in scandal were forced to grovel before Jamie. With one man's actions, he had rescued the reputations and careers of countless individuals.

As for Manninger Jenkins, he had fallen off the map, with no media or audience showing interest in him anymore.

In Twitter's office, Edward browsed the news and comments online, turning to Hawke, "A father-daughter feud like this, with a star of Britney's caliber, is hotter than the combined scandals of Kobe Bryant and David Beckham."

Hawke agreed, "This is Britney Spears, the biggest star of the 21st century. In terms of influence over the last two to three years, MJ and Madonna can hardly hold a candle."

...

Edward received a call, hung up, and told Hawke, "Fiona has earned Britney's trust; she's now managing Britney's official Twitter, and she just posted something."

Hawke quickly found Britney's Twitter account.

...

The new tweet contained no text, only a series of images of a haggard Britney, tears streaming down her face.

Right now, Britney didn't need to do much; simply revealing her true state would earn her global support.

Under Britney's tweet, comments filled with comforting messages for her and angry tirades against Jamie flooded in.

...

Not long after, someone on Twitter released another piece of news.

Jamie had quietly exited a hotel, only to be cornered by a group of fans, one of whom threw a rotten egg at him.

Online, there were no new updates on Manninger.

...

Edward asked, "What about the other one, Renee Russell?"

"On vacation, and she won't return before the New Year," Hawke thought for a moment, adding, "Notify Campos to keep an eye on Renee."

Edward dialed the phone.@@novelbin@@

...

Hawke considered the current situation: Megan had no direct competitors anymore; she'd quelled Manninger's upheaval and was now the only deputy director at Fox 11. Ṝάℕɵ𐌱Ě𝐒

Yet, nobody could guarantee a 100% successful promotion to full director at Fox 11.

The people truly deciding that position were beyond Hawke and Megan's influence.

Internally at Fox, after Renee Russell's sick leave, there were still murmurings, but no investigations were made, calming the fears.

...

The following day, Britney's camp filed a restraining order against Jamie, prohibiting him from approaching her.

...

The next day, manager Larry Rudolph spoke with reporters, declaring that Britney's finances were nearly depleted, all her earnings over the years had been siphoned off cleanly by Jamie.

Britney's lawyer filed a lawsuit, announcing actions against Jamie and the financial manager.

The nightly news cycles obliterated any trace of Manninger's scandal.

Fox's stock prices began to steadily recover.

...

A new week arrived, and Cynthia Rosenberg made her way to the top floor of the Fox building.

She waited briefly in the break room until she was invited into Roger Ailes' office.

Roger, sitting heavily on a single couch, appeared larger than life, his protruding belly exaggerated, almost like a nine-month pregnant woman.

Cynthia placed the final report for the Fox 11 director position before Roger.

He didn't look at it but asked, "You're leaving early?"

Cynthia replied, "I start intervention treatment next week, which is supposed to be quite grueling, and I can't balance work anymore."

"Seems the competition yielded results." Roger's team had been monitoring the situation at Fox closely.

As Cynthia had told Megan, though it wasn't explicitly stated, the upper management viewed competition as encouraging.

The helm of Fox 11 had to emerge from fierce rivalry due to the increased external competition.

Cynthia said, "It's quite evident that Megan Taylor has won, and she has won extremely decisively."

New York was satisfied with Fox's efficiency; the negative news from Manninger had been swept away by Britney's father, and the stock prices of Fox were on the rise.

Roger said, "This woman is particularly strategic; she withdrew to let two rivals engage in mutual destruction before stepping in to fix things."

Cynthia had always been a supporter of Megan, "She came back and swiftly dealt with Renee Russell, driving her to withdraw from competition, and quieted the storm caused by Manninger. She is both forceful and knows when to compromise..."

She said seriously, "I believe Megan is the best fit for this position."

Roger pondered for a few seconds with his eyes downcast and said, "Starting next week, Megan Taylor will serve as the acting director of Fox 11."

Cynthia remarked, "I'll ensure a smooth transition with her this week."

Roger nodded slowly, not speaking further.

Cynthia rose to take her leave.

Roger then notified his assistant to draft a notice announcing this decision.

...

Cynthia returned to her office and called Megan, stating directly, "The chairman just made a decision: starting next week, you'll be the acting director of Fox 11. If things go well, you'll get the position permanently."

A rush of joy surged through Megan, and she struggled to contain her excitement, "Thank you for your recommendation and support."

Cynthia didn't elaborate further, reminding her, "Do well; this role carries significant responsibility."

"I will," Megan replied.

Cynthia waved her off, "Go back and manage the Ace News team's affairs; be here for the transfer in the afternoon."

...

Megan acknowledged her and left the director's office.

As she reached the elevator, her smile couldn't be contained any longer. She pulled out her phone, her excited hands trembling, her bright eyes sparkling.

When the elevator arrived, Megan stepped inside, joined by two others from Fox 11.

"Congratulations, Megan," one man in a suit immediately said, "Happy to hear you're stepping into the director role."

Another woman chimed in with enthusiasm, "Congrats on becoming our new director!"

Megan smiled and nodded, "Thank you."

As she exited the elevator, she hastened toward the Ace News team, where everyone she passed greeted her with smiles.

Upon her entry into the Ace News studio, everyone, including her assistant Aisha, stood up, applauding to welcome the new acting director of Fox 11.

Megan raised her hand to calm the applause, waiting for it to settle before saying, "Let's not make it too grand."

Aisha understood and stepped forward, "The chairman's office has issued your appointment announcement."

Megan smiled, "Thank you, and I truly appreciate everyone's support!"

She walked toward her office, embracing every individual in the workspace, expressing her gratitude.

In her office, she summoned Aisha and informed her that starting today, she would act as the producer for Ace News.

Whether Aisha secured a permanent position depended partly on her performance and partly on whether Megan could stabilize her own position as director.

...

Megan asked Aisha to step out and called Hawke, reaching him.

"Calling me at this hour -- sounds like you have good news," he spoke.

Megan replied cheerfully, "The chairman's office has just sent an internal notice that I'll be taking over for Cynthia as the acting director of Fox 11 starting next week."

Hawke's response was succinct, "Congratulations."

"I don't want to say thank you because no word can express what you've done for me or my gratitude toward you." After accepting that she wouldn't marry Hawke or interfere with his life, Megan felt liberated.

She suddenly exclaimed, "Might get boring with just me; how about I bring in another stunning woman with a different vibe to play some games with you?"

To Hawke, Megan had always been a reliable choice and that anyone she picked would likely be solid as well, so he didn't hesitate, "Just tell me who she is first?"

Megan probed, "What about Caroline Jones?"

"Ha..." Hawke laughed, "My sheep."

Megan thought it over, "I'll log this debt -- I'll find a suitable candidate."

Hawke stated directly, "I'm coming over to your place tonight."

Megan said, "It's already close to noon; I'll look for some Valley tapes to study. Learning leads to growth."

Hawke admired her-driven work ethic, "I'll wait for you."

...

Megan hung up, calling her assistant Aisha in, instructing her to go to the nearest video and DVD store and purchase the latest releases from the Valley.

After lunch, she sat in front of her computer and began working diligently, displaying a strong research spirit.

By the evening, Hawke fully appreciated Megan's research efforts.

...

Britney's case entered the judicial process, and there were advancements on the civil litigation front.

The court granted the restraining order requested by Britney's lawyer, issuing Jamie Spears a long-term protection order, preventing him from coming within a hundred yards of Britney.

This also included her residence and vehicles.

...

Before Christmas, the court made a verdict regarding the poisoning case.

Considering the severe negative societal impact, the jury unanimously agreed, finding Jamie Spears guilty of poisoning, sentencing him to 30 months in prison.

Manninger Jenkins hired a legal team and was ultimately sentenced to 10 months of community service.

Britney Spears finally escaped her vampire father's control and signed a new three-year contract with manager Larry Rudolph.

The latter helped Britney switch to CAA, which, given its strict management, could lead Britney down a different path.

*****

/Sayonara816.