American Gossip King

Chapter 15 Do you know what I gave up?

A Porsche drove through the streets of Los Angeles, hair fluttering in the wind.

The surrounding scenery flashed by, and the phone beside me rang.

Ian casually took it, glanced around, and asked in a relaxed tone, "Ian Carl, who is this?"

"Fuck! Ian Carl, didn't you write down my number?" A familiar female voice came from the other end of the phone.

Ian paused, then finally remembered: "Tori?"

Tori is Ian's girlfriend, roughly speaking.

His predecessor was a womanizer; he never had a steady girlfriend. Besides, the women he hung out with weren't exactly saints either.

The message "We're doomed" that I posted a few days ago was from Tori.

Not long ago, she apparently started dating a college rugby player? And then she sent herself that breakup message.

This put him in a great mood: "Weren't we over? Tori, why are you calling me?"

Tori said softly, "Because I was disappointed in you back then, Ian, but now you're famous, you're one of the most famous reporters in America, and you even saved Kate Beckinsale's life! So I want to give you another chance."

Ian laughed: "But I'm not someone who cherishes opportunities."

"Fuck!" Tori shrieked. "Ian Carl, you can't forget your friends just because you have money."

"That's how it works. We're over, baby. Don't come looking for me again." Ian smiled and hung up the phone.

Ian decisively severed all ties with the past and moved forward!

………………

CBS Channel 4 television studio.

A middle-aged white man sat in the studio.

He spoke confidently to the camera: "This is CBS News Channel 4, and I'm host Burt Wayans. Tonight's focus is on a reporter who recently made headlines. This is the reporter who personally rescued a Hollywood star from being kidnapped by a psychopath and even went into battle to cover a real gunfight. He is..."

"Ian Karl!"

The audience below the stage cheered.

Amidst enthusiastic applause, Ian gracefully walked onto the stage and sat down on the sofa next to the host.

Host Bert Waynes looked at Ian: "Mr. Carl, what made you choose to go to the villa after rescuing Miss Kate Beckinsale?"

Ian replied, "Of course it's basic human conscience. After I learned that Charlie Mills was involved in human trafficking, out of a journalist's conscience, I had to rescue other potential victims... Unfortunately, I didn't meet any."

"But didn't Charlie Mills fall in love with Miss Kate Beckinsale? Why would he sell her?"

Ian continued, "Yes! That's what I sensed from my limited contact with him. He's an extremely complex person; I felt the pain and contradiction within him. On one hand, he wanted to be with Miss Beckinsale, but on the other hand, he couldn't go against the will of his buyer. His behavior at the time was very complex and contradictory; he even dressed up in Miss Beckinsale's clothes, fantasizing about being with her. In a sense, I don't think he was a cross-dresser, but rather suffering from unrealistic delusions. I've already written an article about Charlie Mills's psychological state under those circumstances. For details, please follow the Los Angeles Herald; we will soon publish an exclusive report on Charlie Mills's psychological analysis, based on an interview with Ian Carr, who was present at the time—guaranteed to be true!"

Everyone laughed, their eyes filled with even more admiration and joy as they looked at Ian.

These kinds of interview shows are opportunities to build a persona and attract popularity, and Ian wouldn't miss them.

Bert Waynes laughed and said, "That's fine, Mr. Carl. You didn't pay the GG fee."

"Don't be like that, Bert, we're all friends," Ian replied with a smile.

Bert Waynes asked, "Did you ever hesitate about this choice? I mean, what were your thoughts on continuing to go there when you were already out of danger?"

Ian replied, "I believe this is something I must do, no matter how dangerous it may be."

Bert Waynes immediately said, "You know that's not the reason I was referring to for my hesitation."

The audience below the stage then let out low chuckles.

Ian looked at the host, then at the audience.

Their eyes conveyed a knowing meaning.

Then he burst into laughter and spread his hands:

"Okay, I admit it, it was a really tough decision for me. It wasn't that there might be a gunfight waiting for me at the villa, but that I gave up the chance to escort Miss Kate Beckinsale home! Good heavens, do you know how difficult that was? In that situation, it's so natural for two people who've been through so much together to develop feelings for each other, but to save the innocent, I gave it up! Do you know what I gave up? I gave up Kate Beckinsale! I'm such an idiot! I'll be a laughingstock for the rest of my life! I'm such an idiot!!!"

At the end, Ian yelled, clutching his head and looking frustrated and dejected.

This caused the audience to burst into laughter.

At this point, the story of Toby Fallon and Nicole Kidman hadn't happened yet, so Ian wouldn't mind just taking over the rest of the story and giving it a makeover.

Ian Carr's decision to abandon taking Kate Beckinsale home in order to save an innocent person, and his lifelong regret for it, is a story with great potential for sensationalism!

The love-hate relationship between a woman and two men is also reminiscent of Pearl Harbor!

Bert Waynes chuckled, "That's certainly a major regret. Sometimes opportunities are fleeting; missing this one means there might not be another. But it's hard to say. Perhaps we should ask the person involved how they feel?"

Ian feigned surprise: "Kate?"

With Ian's surprised expression, host Bert Waynes exclaimed, "Let's welcome the beautiful English Rose, Miss Kate Beckinsale!"

Amid cheers from the crowd, Kate walked out in a black low-cut evening gown. Her graceful demeanor and exquisite beauty instantly captivated everyone.

The latest novel is first published here!

The audience erupted in cheers and thunderous applause.

Kate sat down next to Ian quite naturally.

The host asked, "Ms. Beckinsale, did you hear Mr. Carl's frustration just now? What do you think of his decision to abandon you in order to save others?"

The conversation was pre-written, and Kate said gracefully, "There will always be opportunities; there's no need to rush."

Then the audience erupted in cheers again.

Someone started whistling wildly.

The host smiled at Kate and said, "So you're still willing to give him a chance, right?"

Kate turned to look at Ian, who was all smiles.

That bastard!

Kate suppressed her inner trembling and said softly, "Mr. Carl is a man who is willing to risk everything for justice and the press. His dedication is something we should all learn from. I admire dedicated people; that's the source of America's greatness."

She thought to herself:

You're not doing this for justice, Ian Carl, you're just doing it for the news!

I wouldn't have said such disgusting lines if my agent hadn't insisted.

Oh, by the way, I think you wrote this script?

You're shameless!

Kate paused slightly before continuing, "So... yes, I will give him a chance."

The audience erupted in applause and whistles once again.

Kate turned to Ian: "But you've missed your best chance, Ian Carl! The time for impulsiveness has passed; only reason remains. If you still want me, you'll have to put in ten times the effort."

Ian smiled and replied, "How about we start with a cup of coffee?"

Kate gave him a charming wink: "Okay."

"Yay!" Cheers erupted from the audience once again.

(End of this chapter)