The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 240: For Example, Cutting off the Roots.]

Knowing which movie project it was made it much easier to investigate relevant film information.

By nightfall, the information regarding Ang Lee and Brokeback Mountain was already on Hawke's desk.

Ang Lee's long-time producer, James Schamus, collaborated with Universal Pictures to recently establish a film company called Focus Features.

Aside from these two companies, the BlackRock Film Foundation was also a stakeholder.

The Brokeback Mountain project came from James Schamus's initial push.

In the past, Hawke would have deemed this a purely commercial movie endeavor.

But with BlackRock involved and considering the marginalized community plan, he couldn't help but notice the correlation.

BlackRock had propelled the approval of Brokeback Mountain.

Hawke vaguely remembered that the evolution of gay-themed cinema in Hollywood had Brokeback Mountain as a landmark event.

As Brokeback Mountain achieved great success at the Oscars, it had a profound impact across North America, marking the entry of gay-themed cinema into Hollywood mainstream culture and gradually shifting towards an LGBT narrative.

...

"Hollywood has always been at the forefront of cultural trends," Hawke remarked, closing the notes on Brokeback Mountain and addressing Erica in the living room. "BlackRock chose the most suitable entry point."

Erica, engrossed in reading Brokeback Mountain's novel, replied, "Movies and entertainment stars have such a significant influence on the general public."

She didn't personally like homosexuality, commenting, "This Hollywood circle is already chaotic enough. I can't imagine what it will turn into as BlackRock kicks off the marginalized community plan."

Hawke said, "Monsters are running rampant; for instance, men can enter women's restrooms as long as they consider themselves female..."

That version felt too progressive, leaving Erica puzzled: "They wouldn't even need to undergo gender reassignment surgery?"

Hawke shrugged, "If he identifies as a woman, but you insist he's not, then you're guilty."

Even though he hadn't delved deeply into it, he had seen too many related news pieces online: "There are even cases where a group of transgender individuals go to elementary schools to teach kids and allow minors to freely choose their gender, even undergo surgeries without parental consent."

Erica asked, "How would the financial aspect be handled?"

Hawke thought for a moment and replied, "The government funds it, perhaps by reallocating the fire department's budget to gender diversity initiatives."

"The current state of America is already surreal," Erica couldn't fathom, "If it actually develops in such a direction, this country..."

She frowned, "The Donkeys have gone mad!"

Hawke pointed out a reality: "These individuals will make up the Donkey's core support base. They will spare no effort in supporting the Donkeys for their own privileges."

Erica understood, "So this is the purpose of the marginalized community plan?"

Hawke said, "At least, it's one of the purposes."

Erica sighed, "Brian's future mission will be tough."

Hawke nodded, "I can't speak for other states, but given California's social climate, this will become part of the prevailing trend; if Brian wants to enter the Oval Office, he must overcome them."

Erica set aside the novel and asked, "Does this Brokeback Mountain mark the official start of the marginalized community plan in Hollywood?"

"If I'm not mistaken, the film is targeting the Oscars," Hawke recalled Ang Lee winning the Best Director Oscar for this movie. "Focus Features and BlackRock's side will pour money into the awards."

Erica remarked, "What they desire is precisely what we oppose."

At that moment, the intercom buzzed; security reported Jennifer Huey had arrived.

...

When Hawke and Erica reached the living room door, she was just walking in from outside.

Earlier that day, Hawke had arranged to meet her tonight.

Jennifer settled onto the sofa and inquired, "You said you wanted to discuss something privately?"

Hawke moved to the side of the long sofa, saying, "Do you remember when we first met?"

"In Wyoming," Jennifer recalled vividly. "That was when you and Erica took down six armed thugs from a mining company."

Hawke said, "I received news that the investors behind that mining company were from BlackRock's Wyoming branch, and Douglas Coster was the head back then."

Jennifer nodded, "That's right, there were many casualties back then. Pressured by the FBI's investigation, after compensating the families, that mining company went bankrupt."

Hawke asked, "After I returned from Wyoming, I didn't keep track of the situation there. How many bodies were eventually found?"

"We found 17 bodies," Jennifer thought carefully. "There might be some other missing persons, but you know more about Wyoming than we do; it's vast and sparsely populated, so it's challenging to search."

Understanding Hawke's thoughts, she simply stated, "The mastermind behind this case was indeed BlackRock's Wyoming branch. The incident occurred on Native American reservations, and most victims were Native Americans who didn't cooperate with the mining company; once compensation was settled, it ultimately became a closed case."

Many cases involving large corporations typically unfolded this way: a hefty payout to close the matter.

Hawke asked directly, "Is there a family with multiple deaths, leaving survivors?"

Jennifer hadn't been following the case for a while and said, "I'll need to go back and look it up."

Hawke added, "And also look for any documents or case files that can point to BlackRock's Wyoming branch."

"You're asking me to make a mistake," Jennifer cautioned.

Erica chimed in, "I owe you a favor."

Hawke's stance remained very clear: if you wanted to take me down, then I would make sure to eliminate you too.

Jennifer glanced at Erica before turning back to Hawke, saying, "I'll see what I can find."

She didn't hold back at all: "I heard your family is hosting a social gathering next month; you must invite me."

Erica recognized her true target was Brian and replied, "Sure."

Jennifer checked the time and said, "I don't want to interrupt you any longer." She stood to leave, telling Hawke, "I'll reach out to you right away when I have news."

Hawke and Erica escorted her to the car.

...

Back upstairs, Hawke and Erica relaxed together, recounting their experiences from Wyoming.

They had left in haste due to safety concerns but hadn't anticipated it would implicate BlackRock.

While Erica wanted an opportunity to utilize LAPD's traditional tactics, Hawke believed that either they would not act or, if they did, it was necessary to eliminate the threat without leaving any loose ends.

In certain aspects, Hawke still retained the simpler, more straightforward thinking.

For example, cutting off the roots.

...

The next morning, when arriving at Twitter, Hawke discovered Edward had returned to work.

The Savior was dressed in a sharp suit, brimming with energy.

Hawke entered the office and asked, "Are you sure everything is alright?"

Edward flashed a dazzling smile: "I've been in observation for several days. The doctor said I'm perfectly healthy -- strong enough to kill a bull."

He inquired, "Boss, was the driver really Miller Collins?"

Hawke confirmed, "Yes, the FBI performed a DNA test, and it has been confirmed to be Miller Collins himself."

"Damn bastard!" Edward declared earnestly, "Boss, don't worry. I will accompany Maria Collins to his funeral!"

What could Hawke say? Naturally, he had to encourage his most loyal underling: "Just do your best."

Edward nodded vigorously, "I will!"

He started thinking, besides funerals, cemeteries, wedding photos, etc., what other scenes are suitable for performance?

Edward resolved to head back and study some adult film footage carefully.

...

There was a knock on the office door, and Caroline stepped in quickly, flaunting her golden bangs.

She placed several documents on Hawke's desk, stating, "These need your signature ASAP."

Hawke took them, glanced through, and said, "From now on, the authority to sign these will be delegated to you."

Caroline's makeup couldn't hide the dark bags under her eyes from lack of rest. "Why do I feel like my workload is increasing while my leisure time is shrinking?"

Hawke casually remarked, "Because your abilities are growing, and your responsibilities have increased."

He didn't forget to motivate her: "You are about to become the operations director of a company valued at more than a billion!"

Caroline blinked, seemingly unable to believe, "Is there an investment company that wants to assess it?"

Hawke revealed the materials submitted by Peter Thiel and Reid Hoffman, saying, "Clarium Capital plans to participate in Twitter's upcoming financing round, and you will oversee the specific work."

Caroline stepped forward a bit, the sound of her high heels clicking on the wooden floor: "I won't disappoint your trust."

Hawke knew well that tangible benefits could engage people's motivations: "You, the Savior, Sasha, Harland, and Kasim can all participate in this financing round as investors."

"Miss Baa, do you have any money?" Edward teased, "I remember you always maxed out your credit cards."

This time, Caroline had a different response: "Most of my income over the past year, I've saved. Haven't you noticed? For more than six months, I've only worn last season's discount items, and I haven't bought a new bag in eight months."

Edward's mind sparked with an idea: "I can introduce you to a fantastic channel for luxury goods, way cheaper than the market price."

Caroline, while trying to save for investment to become a Twitter shareholder, still felt the impulse of years of following trends: "Don't even bring up discount stores."

Edward shook his head, "My friends near Compton have a morning market street where they sell luxury goods dirt cheap, and they're guaranteed authentic."

Caroline was skeptical, "I believe it's cheap, but guaranteed authentic..."

Hawke reminded her, "You're not thinking about this the right way."

Edward elaborated, "They aren't producing luxury goods; the cost for them is merely physical labor. If they were fakes, wouldn't that increase costs, thereby reducing profits?"

Caroline caught on immediately, realizing that with Twitter's upcoming financing, they had to be smart with expenditures, turning to Edward: "You must take me there one of these days."

Edward said, "No problem, I'll just charge you a 10% finder's fee."

At that moment, Hawke stated, "We will hold a press conference with the Clarium Capital." He looked at Caroline, "You will represent Twitter at the event."

*****

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