The Wolf of Los Angeles

Chapter 398 - 398: Jumping Back and Forth

[Chapter 398: Jumping Back and Forth]

In downtown Los Angeles, at the FBI field office.

A black SUV was blocked at the entrance. The guard informed Larry Fink and Robert Kapito that outside vehicles were not allowed inside and they had to walk to the office building.

Fink and Kapito exchanged angry glances. It was clear that when the FBI in Los Angeles confirmed this as a spy case, they were positioned squarely against BlackRock.

The two had no choice but to exit the vehicle.

Just at the entrance, a cameraman was filming while a female reporter in a Fox News vest rushed up, microphone extended towards Fink and Kapito, loudly asking, "What are your thoughts on the involvement of several BlackRock executives in the Russian spy case? Is this a widespread issue within BlackRock?"

Kapito turned his head and glared.

Fink shot a look at his bodyguard, who promptly moved to separate the reporter from them.

Not far away, a Fox News broadcast truck quickly transmitted live footage back to the TV center, and Channel 11 interrupted its news to air this information.

...

Meanwhile, Twitter held a press conference where Operations Director Caroline Jones, together with the legal team, announced details of the lawsuit against BlackRock.

Due to BlackRock spies leaking parts of the Manhattan AI Project to Russia, leading Twitter to abandon its optimal choices and adjust the plan, Twitter sought civil damages totaling $3.32 billion.

As soon as this news broke, BlackRock's stock price experienced a new wave of turmoil on the New York Stock Exchange, continuing its decline.

---

In Palm Beach, Florida.

There was a nearly 100,000-square-foot estate known as Mar-a-Lago, once the winter retreat of the President, bought by the Trump in 1985 to become a private club for his family.

Investment manager Weissel hurried into the study and said, "Sir, you should really check Twitter. The legal team has unveiled some terms of the civil lawsuit against BlackRock."

Since the last time Donald Trump had spoken with Brian on behalf of the Democratic Party, he had become an avid Twitter user.

For reasons he couldn't explain, he found this social media platform particularly appealing.

At that moment, Donald Trump opened Twitter, logged into his account, and immediately saw the related news. After browsing through it, he remarked, "$3.32 billion? Twitter really dares to ask for that."

Weissel replied, "The lawyers also published the related compensation details, which were calculated meticulously."

Donald Trump usually appeared somewhat comical, but with decades of business experience jumping back and forth among the three parties, his skills spoke for themselves.

His expression turned serious. "Even if this spying incident is settled, BlackRock will still lose a lot. A $3.32 billion compensation isn't realistic, but it won't be low either."

Weissel responded, "Investing in BlackRock now carries too much risk. I suggest we suspend negotiations with the BlackRock Group."

Donald Trump had initially thought to capitalize on the chaos, but given the current situation, he realized he could fall into a trap, so he immediately said, "You should inform BlackRock about this."

Weissel went to make the call.

On another sofa, group advisor Besant suddenly spoke up, saying, "The political landscape in California is undergoing dramatic changes, especially in Southern California. In 2001, the Democrats managed to unseat the Republicans and take the mayor's position in Los Angeles, but within less than three years, the Republicans regained control, and Southern California, which had turned blue, reversed back to red."

Donald Trump replied earnestly, "I've researched this carefully. All of this happened after Hawke Osment and the Ferguson family formed their alliance."

He praised, "Old Paul Ferguson really has a sharp eye; the Ferguson family's motto is truly applicable here."

"Don't care where someone comes from; focus on what they've done, where they stand, and their capabilities," Besant remembered that line well.

Donald Trump suddenly thought of his eldest daughter, who was caught up in the modeling scene, socializing with models and so-called socialites, falling far short of being the Ferguson family's princess.

Besant continued, "I think it's wise to distance ourselves from the BlackRock Group and the forces behind them."

"I'm thinking the same. In fact, I'm considering leaving the Democratic Party for the Republicans. What do you think?" The declaration surprised Besant, who had already switched parties twice, moving from the Republicans to the Reform Party, then to the Democrats, and now potentially back again?

While there wasn't a term for being a political opportunist here, Besant could hardly shake the thought.

Politicians always prioritized their interests; he quickly returned to normal, saying, "Rejoining the Republicans isn't out of the question, but we need to find the right timing."

Donald Trump nodded, "Let's observe how circumstances unfold."

---

By Hubert Mountain Park, next to a serene artificial lake,

Russell quickly walked into the corridor and approached Alexander, saying, "You shouldn't be contacting me anymore."

"I know this violates regulations, but the higher-ups keep pressing for updates," Alexander replied helplessly. Even while working in intelligence, the hierarchy could suffocate.

Especially the folks from Moscow, who, to achieve their political ends, didn't care how ridiculous their orders were.

He asked, "How long will it take you to get it done?"

Russell shrugged, "I just started. If all goes well, about a month, that's the fastest."

Alexander immediately shook his head. "A high-ranking official in Moscow is headed to Brussels to meet with the EU and demands results within three days."

Russell didn't know what to say. Even if he hadn't been involved in politics, he knew everything being done was for the country, yet it also played into the political realm.

Alexander had already planned his approach when he came: "Given the urgency, they don't want to wait. We might just have to throw money at this. I've gathered a sum and transferred it to your account at UBS. If $500,000 isn't enough, let's make it $1 million!"

Russell punched the pillar in front of him: "Time is limited; it has to be done this way."

Alexander put a hand on his shoulder: "Get it done quickly."

Russell had long accepted being a pawn, saying, "You need to leave Los Angeles today, abandon all contact points and information I know, and find a way back. Don't stay in the U.S."

Both knew Moscow's orders were absurd, but a command was a command; it needed to be executed.

Alexander put on a baseball cap: "Take care."

Russell nodded lightly, turned, and walked out of the corridor.

...

As Alexander watched his retreating figure, he turned decisively to leave.

He had to leave North America, return to Moscow, and report the situation to superiors. If possible, he hoped the top leader would be made aware of what was occurring here.

Although he couldn't make a significant change in the larger context, at least those politicians and oligarchs who performed political theatrics could think about the plight of the frontline workers,

Perhaps in the eyes of the new political oligarchs, these remnants from the Soviet era were merely pawns to be sacrificed on the chessboard.

...

Russell exited Hubert Mountain Park, took the tram to his parked car, and called Lola: "Do you have time tonight?"

The person on the other end responded, "I was just about to call you; let's go out for drinks tonight."

Russell replied, "Sure, where?"

"I heard the Avalon Bar on Sunset Boulevard is pretty good," Lola had been wanting to check it out.

Russell said, "See you tonight."

He hung up, drove back to his rented apartment, tidied up, washed all the accumulated clothes, dried them, and even sprayed air freshener.

---

In downtown Los Angeles, at the FBI field office,

A lawyer presented documents and entered the holding area with FBI agents. After a brief wait, the suspect was brought in.

"Boyle, sit down!" the guard barked.

The man called Boyle complied, taking a seat in the restraint chair, and the guard secured him in place.

The lawyer stated, "I request to be alone with my client."

The guard turned and exited the meeting room, locking the iron door behind him.

Boyle felt uneasy, lowering his head to scratch his itchy nose. On one of his hands, a tattoo of an inverted pentagram was visible.

He was one of three journalists from World News Weekly who had been involved in wiretapping Twitter.

Boyle asked, "When can I be bailed out?"

The lawyer quietly said, "Your case is quite complicated; you might have to stay in for a while."

Boyle's expression soured.

"The organization will offer you cash compensation based on your sentence," the lawyer reminded him. "This amount is significantly higher than your salary."

Boyle's mood immediately lifted as he replied, "No problem, what's a few years in here? I consider it an extended vacation."

The lawyer glanced at the door, took out a note, and placed it on the table in front of him.

Boyle quickly recognized the message: "Keep your mouth shut."

The signature was a black goat head.

Boyle instantly understood the situation and, without a word, simply nodded.

"Wait for your court date," the lawyer said, standing up and exiting the meeting room.

---

In another building at the field office, Jennifer Huey stood in front of the surveillance room, listening to separate interrogations regarding Larry Fink and Robert Kapito.

Both had lawyers present and did not provide any useful information; all matters related to the spy case were claimed to be the actions of Eugene Kropov alone, with no connection to BlackRock.

This was all expected. Jennifer asked, "According to regulations, how many days are we allowed to hold them in Los Angeles?"

An associate replied, "Under the Anti-Spy Act, given their circumstances, we can hold them for a maximum of 72 hours, and any longer requires new justification."

Jennifer replied without hesitation, "Inform them that they are not to leave Los Angeles within 72 hours, as we will have more questions."

Another person responded, "Got it."

...

Fink and Kapito exited the interrogation room, exchanging a glance as they headed outside.

They had been notified that they could not leave Los Angeles temporarily.

Fink got into the car and said to Kapito, "I want to pay a visit to Hawke Osment."

*****

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