America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 229: Exaggerated

Coming out of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin's cell phone rang with a text message alert. He took it out and took a look. It was from Lily.

"Another reporter has come to me to inquire about you. It seems that he wants to dig up some scandal about you. He said it's from the News of the World. You have to give me some benefits, otherwise I will tell everyone about your past, such as the scandal with Elena..."

Martin texted back: “I got it.”

Bruce came over at this time, also holding a mobile phone in his hand, and asked, "Ivan said that recently a reporter approached the club to inquire about the news related to you, hoping to dig up your murder and arson."

"I got it, too." Martin shook his phone and sighed, "Why do people always want to discredit their own heroes?"

He asked, "Which newspaper reporter?"

Bruce said, "Ivan asked someone to find out about the News of the World."

It was the same company that Lily had mentioned, and Martin thought the name sounded familiar and intimidating.

Martin thought for a moment and asked, "Where is this newspaper from?"

Bruce knew a little bit about it: "The weekend edition of the Sun." He specifically reminded: "The Sun is very good at digging into private information, and its bottom line is also relatively low."

Martin nodded: "Tell those two guys to pay more attention to the tail behind them."

"You will soon receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and your fame and influence will rise even more." Bruce took out his phone and sent a text message, saying from a professional perspective: "If you fall headfirst from a high place at this time, man, the news effect will definitely explode."

Martin suddenly stopped and said, "I don't think something is right." He turned around and walked away: "Let's go back to the hotel."

Bruce followed up: "Another bad guy wants to mess with you?"

"Can you use a more elegant word?" Martin was dissatisfied, but what he thought was different from what Bruce said.

The names of The Sun and News of the World kept spinning in Martin's mind, reminding him of some vague memories. It seemed that the latter had used many dishonorable means to obtain news.

The two got in the car and Martin said a few words to Bruce.

Back on the 12th floor of the hotel, Bruce entered the suite and took out the special infrared device he brought with him. He checked all the rooms carefully and said, "No problem for now."

“Don’t let your guard down, think about Atlanta,” Martin said.

Bruce opened the suitcase, took out his laptop, found a place to hide it, and pulled out two small cameras, which were directed at the door in a cross-shot manner, so that the picture could cover almost the entire living room.

Afterwards, he covered it up so that it couldn't be found without careful observation.

Martin felt safe again.

…………

In the hotel lobby, Alex, White and Albert completed the check-in procedures and took the elevator to the 11th floor together.

They had done things here before and were familiar with the layout of the hotel. After leaving the elevator, they first looked at the security passage and then entered the room.

"Boss, Martin Davis lives on the 12th floor." White learned the details: "Suite 1206, with a male entourage."

Alex checked the time: "Call and ask someone to come over."

White made the call, and soon there was a knock on the door and a hotel staff member entered the room.

"Hey, Wolfe." Alex went over to shake his hand. "Big business is coming again."

Wolfe had worked with them more than once: "Who are you targeting this time?" he realized belatedly: "Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?"

Alex asked back: "Why, are you scared? Don't worry, it's not Greenspan, it's Hollywood star Martin Davis."

Wolfe relaxed, "Not today. He showed up after noon and came back more than two hours ago. He hasn't been out since."

White asked, "You found a woman?"

"No." Wolf knew what they wanted to ask: "I heard from the lobby manager that he exchanged contact information with Kate, a female reporter from the Washington News. You should have heard of that woman. She is a famous news socialite with a loose belt."

Alex understood what he meant: "Great! If Kate goes to the 12th floor, you must inform us immediately." He specifically said: "Wolf, the reward this time will not be lower than last time. Find a way to let us into Martin's room."

Wolfe said: "It's difficult today. He may not go out. It would be best if Martin went to the White House to attend the Independence Day celebration tomorrow morning. The hotel will also focus on the Independence Day activities. Also, those who were awarded medals in previous years would be particularly excited after returning and would do many extraordinary things."

Alex nodded: "Contact me if anything happens."

Wolfe left quickly.

Alex said to White again, "We have professional ethics and can't just write things out of thin air. There are a lot of high-end escorts here, right? Contact the agent and ask him to prepare a good item. If Martin and Kate don't do anything, we can create big news ourselves."

White and Albert didn't think there was a problem; they were the News of the World and they were doing creative work.

…………

July 7th, American Independence Day.

On this day, various celebrations will be held in Washington, the most eye-catching of which is the Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn of the White House.

At 8:30 in the morning, the four Carter siblings finished their breakfast and sat together in the living room of their new home, waiting for the live broadcast of the celebration.

In another nearby community, although Justin was on vacation, he still did not stop working. He called the Washington branch and asked them to prepare the corresponding Coke and gifts, and send someone to deliver them to the hotel where Martin was staying after the awarding ceremony.

Commercial promotion and marketing are going on all the time.

Thousands of people sat in an orderly manner on the South Lawn of the White House. Like every year in the past, the White House invited a large number of basic industry practitioners, military families, etc. to participate in the celebration party.

Martin sat in the second row, sitting at the same table with Ali and his daughter, as well as several sports stars whose names he couldn't remember, probably stars in the golf or rugby industry.

The highlight of the celebration was, of course, Bush's speech, in which the topic revolved around Iraq, and he called on all Americans to be determined in the Iraq war.

Then comes the commendation.

Someone came over to remind him, and Martin followed the others to the side of the podium.

Soon, it was his turn to go on stage.

"Martin Davis, a 24-year-old young man, saved 16 people directly and dozens more indirectly at Burbank High School."

Boo turned his gaze to the side of the stage, landing on Martin, and spoke loudly into the microphone: "Martin showed extraordinary courage and bravery in the face of the horrific massacre, reminding us of the morality and responsibility we shoulder when facing all forms of evil!"

He led the applause: "Martin Davis deserves today's honor!"

Thousands of people on the South Lawn applauded enthusiastically.

Martin came to the podium, greeted the crowd, and stood straight with a serious expression.

Xiaobu took the white enamel five-pointed star medal from the ceremonial officer's tray and hung it around Martin's neck from behind.

Martin was awarded a medal for the tragedy, so when he stood in front of the microphone, he did not say much, only a brief speech with a heavy tone: "May the dead rest in peace, may evil stay away from the world, and may God bless America."

The audience burst into warm applause again.

Xiaobu came over to shake Martin's hand and said, "Seeing you reminds me of my youth, when I was fearless and had no fear at all."

Martin was not willing to lag behind in business praise: "Mr. President, I heard that you were a soldier. You must have been an outstanding soldier when you were young."

Xiaobu laughed: "I have been promoted to lieutenant due to my meritorious service."

The two stood side by side and allowed the media reporters in the audience to take photos together.

Atlanta, Carter's new home, Lily watched the live broadcast on TV and wondered: "Why do I think Martin is more handsome?"

Harris, like many young Americans, looks down on the man in the White House: "Because there's a pig next to him."

Hall muttered, "He's really good at pretending." Elena glanced over and saw that her sisters and brothers all shut up.

Martin stepped down and returned to his seat in the second row.

…………

Hilton Hotel, 12th floor.

Under Wolfe's command, White and Albert pushed the service cart and turned into the corridor from the freight elevator.

The hotel was very quiet during the day, with only the sound of their footsteps.

The two stopped in front of room 1206, looked around, and saw no one there. White took out a room card and swiped it to enter the room.

All their actions were seen by the person behind the cat's eye diagonally opposite.

White closed the door, took out the miniature camera hidden on the cart, and replaced the decorations in the room.

Albert leaned against the door and observed the movements outside through the peephole.

After finishing the living room, White went to the master bedroom and said, "Don't worry, the celebration won't end so soon. The leader is in the hotel lobby. They will notify us as soon as they come back."

Albert urged: "Hurry up."

White laughed and said, "You got some hot news this time, so you'll definitely get a bonus. Where are you going to go?"

At this point, Albert perked up: "Las Vegas!"

White had a unique idea: "I plan to go to Tijuana. I heard the red-light district there is very special."

He was used to doing this and completed the installation quickly.

Albert called him: "Go, go!"

The two cleaned up the few traces, left the room, and walked towards the cargo elevator.

Just as they entered the elevator, someone in the corner secretly glanced at the floor where the elevator stopped, and then made a phone call: "11th floor."

Albert and White quietly returned to their room and called Alex.

Not long after, Alex came up from downstairs and asked, "Are you done?"

White nodded, "Done."

Alex opened his laptop and clicked a few times on the desktop. A picture of the upstairs suite appeared. He nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad, let's wait and see. If there is no news, we will help him create it."

Albert said: "Today is the peak of Martin Davis' life. I don't know how he feels to fall from the peak to the bottom."

The three of them laughed at the same time.

Alex pointed to the trailer and their changed clothes. "Let Wolf take them away later."

…………

Before eleven o'clock, the White House celebration ended and people left one after another.

Martin joined Bruce and waited for Jonathan to drive over.

Bruce whispered, "I just received a message from the hotel that someone pretended to be a waiter on the 12th floor and entered our room."

He spoke very quickly: "It is confirmed that there are three of them. Murphy has opened a new room on the same floor and is keeping an eye on them."

Martin nodded and considered a strategy.

Jonathan drove over and asked the two to get in.

Martin did not get in the car, but walked to the driver's side and said, "John, I have encountered a situation that may be very complicated."

Jonathan said: "I am just a staff member of the White House. There is nothing I can do."

"It may be related to the President of the White House, and it may also endanger the reputation of the country." Martin started by boasting: "The three gunmen in the Burbank Middle School incident were Russians. The grandfather of one of them was the leader of a large gang in Russia. After the shooting, the LAPD cleared out Russian forces in Los Angeles and got important information from them. The grandfather was going to take revenge on me because his grandson, the gunman who I shot in the head with Coke, died of his injuries."

Jonathan had a blank expression but he listened.

Martin continued: "I was worried about retaliation, so I hired two bodyguards to protect me secretly. Just over half an hour ago, they found two tall white men pretending to be hotel waiters and entered my suite."

Jonathan was moved: "Are you sure?"

"Sure!" Martin said seriously, "I'm worried now. What if the Russians want to retaliate against me? Will they place explosives? Or use guns or something like that? Those polar bears are crazy! That's not the best. If that's the case, the consequences will be disastrous."

"I need to report to my superiors, please wait a moment." Jonathan picked up the intercom.

A few minutes later, he led Martin and Bruce into an office.

A tall middle-aged man came over and shook hands with Martin: "I am Brian, a senior director of the White House Secret Service."

Martin shook his hand. "Hello."

A female staff member nearby came over and asked Brian to walk aside with her. She whispered, "Supervisor, I have contacted the LAPD. Mr. Davis's relationship with Russia is true."

Brian realized the seriousness of the problem. Martin Davis had just received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. If he was killed by the Russians, how would America save face?

There was another explosion or shooting in Washington on Independence Day...

Brian found Martin again: "Can your bodyguard determine their location?"

Martin said, "On the 11th floor."

Bryan reported the matter to his superiors again, and the White House took it very seriously, so he called the FBI himself.

An elite team set out quickly and arrived near the Hilton Hotel.

Someone has contacted the hotel's top management.

…………

It was almost noon, and Alex asked the hotel for a meal. As a journalist with a high level of professionalism, staying up long periods of time to cover news is a basic quality.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door: "Sir, your lunch is here."

White went over, looked through the peephole, and saw the waiter pushing the food cart and opening the door.

The waiter turned and ran away.

A stun grenade flew over White's head and landed in the room, exploding.

White fell to the ground as the world spun around, and vaguely felt many people stepping on his body and rushing into the room.

White felt like vomiting blood in so much pain, but before he could open his mouth, a hard leather boot landed on his face, and his tall nose immediately tilted to one side.

Alex and Albert screamed.

The former was hit in the head by the butt of a shotgun and his face was covered in blood.

The latter was pinned to the ground, with a huge knee on his neck.

"Don't move!" A loud shout rang out: "FBI!"

The third update of 4000 words is here, please give me your monthly votes!

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(End of this chapter)