The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 332: The Final Opportunity]

In other circumstances, the red and blue sides might have reached a compromise, but in an election year, both parties were eager to grab onto each other's weaknesses to gain an overwhelming advantage.

California had 55 electoral votes, the most in the nation. The fires that continued to rage in Los Angeles had transformed the city into a heated battleground for both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Hawke only needed to make a suggestion, and Brian would jump on it without hesitation. It wasn't that Hawke had any magical power; it was just that Brian, as a typical American politician, had inherited the persistent spirit of the United States.

Contracts and agreements meant little when faced with someone like Antonio. Brian promised him verbally that if he stepped down, past issues would be forgotten. Perhaps Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gray Davis had given him a false sense of security, or maybe Antonio felt he had no choice.

...

As mid-August approached, Antonio held a press conference, where he dismissed a group of women, led by Karen Crowley, from their positions and subsequently resigned from the mayorship of Los Angeles.

During the press conference, Antonio admitted to making mistakes in the firefighting budget, taking accountability for issues like hiring female firefighters, and he claimed that he had spearheaded the introduction of the Smelt Fish Protection Act among others.

In short, as he stepped down, the mayor shouldered all the backlash that the California Democratic party had faced from public scrutiny.

...

According to California law, if one side voluntarily withdrew from a recall election, the other side would automatically win. With Antonio's resignation, Brian became the new mayor of Los Angeles. He had already resigned from his position as mayor of Covina last month.

Once the Los Angeles City Council formally approved the transition, Brian and Antonio began the handover process. The two sides appeared to have an understanding, reminiscent of Schwarzenegger and Davis, with everything seemingly going smoothly on the surface. Brian's plans would naturally wait until the handover was complete.

As for promises, the commitments made by the United States to its allies defined Brian's stance. It looked good on the surface, but soon enough, the knives would be drawn behind each other's backs.

...

With water flowing in from Northern California and the state legislature passing relevant amendments, neighboring states sent rescue resources to Los Angeles, finally bringing the raging fires under control.

Multiple city council members faced significant losses amid the disaster and chaos, while others had their property directly threatened. In record time, Brian's proposal was passed unanimously. ...

Following Brian's agreement, Schwarzenegger deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles to maintain law and order in the post-disaster environment.

The rampant arsonists quieted down. After over twenty days of devastating fires, they finally extinguished.

...

In many northern neighborhoods of Los Angeles, wooden houses were reduced to ashes with not even a wall standing. Recovery and rebuilding would be a long process, but many were eager to stake their claim.

The scorched areas became prime real estate. Hawke collaborated with the Ferguson family's Pacific Investment Company to acquire a trading company while the fire still raged. Together, they established a new company -- West Coast Environmental Technologies Group.

The company focused on two main areas: connecting with municipal projects and supplying vehicles and equipment to firefighters. With fire ravaging an area of 387 square kilometers, everything in the burned zones -- trees and houses alike -- turned to rubble.

West Coast Environmental Company would soon sign a series of contracts to "Clean Up Los Angeles" with the municipal department, and then subcontract the work out.

...

"After this fire, the firefighting department has exhausted its equipment, and what remains are unusable waste products," Brian remarked in the living room of the Ferguson family mansion in Woodland Hills. He addressed Hawke and Mary Ferguson.

Once the handover process was complete, the city hall would sue the Chinese suppliers to hold them accountable for their failings, ensuring they faced financial reparations.

Mary added, "The Democrats dropped the ball entirely. Over-inflated prices for contractual obligations are understandable, but the fire retardants they bought turned out to be accelerants -- it's terrifying."

Yet Hawke knew that even for Americans, pursuing a multinational lawsuit against Chinese suppliers wouldn't be easy. While the Chinese suppliers were often seen as easy targets, they could just as easily retaliate with cunning tactics.

However, the Chinese in Los Angeles were a different story. Hawke reminded, "The Clearwater Fire Company employed by the firefighters used a lot of Chinese equipment. They approached fire with more fire, which resulted in even greater disaster. Twitter has received numerous relevant videos -- don't let them off the hook."

Brian understood instantly. "The city will sue Clearwater. Citizens harmed by their foolish actions must also file lawsuits, forcing them to pay hefty compensations. In the short term, they might have to sell the company at a loss to raise funds."

Hawke nodded slightly. "They used top-of-the-line fire trucks, and all the equipment was newly purchased. West Coast Environmental Company will conduct tests and help the fire department address the aging equipment issues."

...

At that moment, Erica came from the study, inviting a few people to join her.

Mary led the way, while Hawke and Brian followed behind.

Brian spoke quietly, "The $5 million fee will be transferred to your West Coast studio's account this afternoon."

Hawke nodded lightly, "Sure."

As they approached the study, Brian added, "Let's discuss the company side of things after."

Hawke entered the study with him.

...

This study, nearly as spacious as the living room, was filled with Paul Ferguson, Erica's grandfather, Carter Ferguson, and Brian's father, Gordon Ferguson.

Paul gestured for everyone to sit casually and focused his attention on Brian. "Was the handover smooth?"

"Very smooth," Brian confidently replied. His team consisted of several trusted members he'd brought along, and the Ferguson family had assigned capable and experienced staff to assist him.

"Face issues head-on and be cautious; don't act impulsively," Paul advised before turning to Hawke. "You did an excellent job. Even I would struggle to reach such heights."

Gordon, Brian's father, had always looked down upon his son. "Without your guidance, Brian wouldn't be where he is today."

Quickly, Erica interjected, "The plan was originally Brian's; Hawke only provided some suggestions."

Paul glanced at his granddaughter and then at Hawke. As the only daughter of the Ferguson family, even if the family encountered difficulties in the future, he believed Hawke's talents would ensure Erica's protection.

Every prominent family aimed to thrive, but Paul keenly sensed that the conflict between the Democrats and Republicans was intensifying and that the divisions were becoming more serious.

Key figures on both sides acted with impunity over the years, and once exposed, it would lead to a fight to the death.

At that moment, Gordon stated, "Now that Brian's handover is complete, should we immediately initiate an investigation into Antonio's Democratic forces?"

Paul confirmed, "Absolutely; given the current climate, this is essential."

He looked to Hawke. "Don't you agree? What do you think?"

Hawke had a clear agenda: to fuel a fierce battle between the parties in California, ideally leading to mutual destruction.

"The way things stand, we are already at war with the Democrats. Even if we wanted a truce, they wouldn't stop," he said quickly. "California has the most electoral votes in the country, making it crucial. The Democrats can't afford any mistakes."

Brian added, "The latest poll shows that support for both parties is almost equal."

Hawke continued, "California turned blue in less than twelve years. Unlike San Francisco, where the Democrats truly took control of Los Angeles for less than five years. This is the best opportunity for a color change; if we let it slip, California will turn permanently blue."

Before this, the Republicans had been striving to flip California, with Schwarzenegger's rise to power the previous year serving as an attempt.

He added, "More importantly, this directly affects our personal interests. If California goes fully blue, our opportunities for advancement would be nearly locked away, and Twitter might even consider moving out of California."

Hawke turned to Brian, "It's hard for you to rise any higher; there's little hope for governor or senator positions, and even the House of Representatives would run on luck. The conflict we initiated isn't for Washington; it isn't just about party politics -- it's our own fight to expand our growth prospects."

Paul Ferguson resonated with this perspective and agreed, "Your thoughts align closely with mine, Brian needs to focus not just on carving out his own space but also on the family's development."

In that moment, Brian felt the weight of expectations pressing down on him.

Erica looked at her cousin, recognizing the difference between them. She could pursue her desires within some boundaries, while Brian shouldered the family's burdens.

Consensus was reached in the study, setting the stage for a new conflict.

Gordon said, "Next month, the President is coming to Los Angeles to visit disaster victims, and he might stay for several days."

Paul stated directly, "The battle has to truly ignite during that time, drawing all the party's significant forces into it, aiming to return California back to red."

He turned to Hawke. "Did you manage to acquire anything?"

As the pivotal moment approached, Hawke grew even more cautious. "Nothing's solidified just yet; I need a little more time."

After their brief internal meeting wrapped up, everyone began to leave one by one.

Brian approached Hawke for a final discussion about the promised benefits.

*****

/Sayonara816.