American Gossip King

Chapter 9 Even News Can Have a Twist of Fate

The Los Angeles Herald newspaper office is located on a street not far from Elk Street, so close that driving there would be a waste.

The newspaper office has only two storefronts, and all the employees combined number only seven or eight.

What can you expect from a local newspaper company on the verge of bankruptcy?

Upon arriving at the company in the morning, Ian entered the newspaper's office lobby.

The editors in the office lobby glanced at him, but didn't even bother to greet him.

His gaze was indifferent, even carrying a hint of disdain.

One employee went even further, saying, "Mr. Carl, I will be resigning before the end of the month, and I hope you can settle all my salary before then."

Ian forced a helpless smile: "Yes, Locke, but I suggest you wait a bit. The Herald will make great progress soon."

Even our own newspaper is like this!

Doesn't anyone like themselves?

The employee sneered, his face saying, "I don't trust you."

After passing through the office lobby, Ian entered his office. Since no one reported to him anyway, he was about to take a nap when an old man with white hair walked in.

It was editor-in-chief Ron Lloyd.

The old man is 52 years old this year. He is an American redneck who came to Los Angeles to make a living and once hoped to create a great career with old Carl.

He had not accomplished his great task, and he was already old.

Fortunately, I still have farmland in my hometown, and I'm ready to go back to farming.

He seemed to be in good spirits, with neatly combed hair and a steady, powerful gaze.

Ron Lloyd sat down opposite Ian and tossed him a draft of the Los Angeles Herald.

He said with a serious expression, "The layout is done, and it should be ready by noon. You did a good job this time, but this alone isn't enough."

He spoke with the tone of an elder to a younger person.

Ian took the newspaper and looked at it.

The headline prominently displayed:

Mysterious Shooting at Riverside Pier; Pearl Harbor Heroine Suspected at Scene. Was a Pearl Harbor Attack Striking in Los Angeles?

very good!

Looking at the headline, Ian smiled with satisfaction.

Although this news isn't exactly big news, it does involve Kate Beckinsale—although she's not very famous now, she did participate in the filming of the blockbuster Pearl Harbor, which was promoted from the early stages of production.

Who doesn't know how to piggyback on someone's internet traffic?

The combination of celebrity influence, gangsters, death, and gunfights already creates a compelling story.

Ian's article was also very well written, with comprehensive content, suspense, and excitement. It even adopted the clickbait headline style of Hong Kong media, making the news very exciting.

Nodding, Ian glanced at the account.

The money hasn't arrived yet.

Fake!

Even a company as big as CBS delays payments!

CBS is Columbia News Network, one of the largest news networks in the United States, at its peak it had nearly two hundred television stations.

However, CBS in this timeline isn't as awesome as it was in the old timeline.

They have not yet merged with Columbia or been acquired by Viacom for $35 billion. They remain independent with a market capitalization of just over $10 billion and a profit of around $800 million last year. They own only about 70 television stations.

Even so, it is still a behemoth.

Channel 4, which Ian Associates is affiliated with, is one of the companies owned by CBS.

"How did you get it?" Lloyd asked.

Ian replied, "Fight to the death."

Lloyd: "..."

Good journalists have to work hard to get good news, that's fine.

The problem is that Ian Carl, you spoiled brat, are now desperately trying to get the news.

Ian had already told Lloyd, "Contact the car dealership again, sell my Porsche in a couple of days, and then immediately return the money to that bastard Garrick."

What?

Lloyd was stunned. You're actually willing to sell your favorite sports car? That's something you pestered your father for three months to get.

All for picking up girls!

Now you're actually willing to sell your manhood?

Ian laughed and said, "Go contact them; the company needs funds for development."

Lloyd looked at Ian with suspicion, feeling that Ian Carl seemed to have become a different person overnight.

He asked curiously, "Ian, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Ian shook his head gently. "I only slept for three hours because of this stupid news. I'm really tired now and need to catch up on some sleep. Remember, wake me up at eleven... You absolutely must wake me up, it's very important!"

As he spoke, he put his legs up and leaned back in the chair to fall asleep.

………………

At 11 a.m., Ian woke up to Lloyd's calls.

Seeing that it was almost time, he left the newspaper office and drove his Porsche to the address on the business card.

This is an apartment area near Hollywood, and the environment is quite nice—Kate Beckinsale doesn't currently have the means to buy a house in Hollywood.

The latest novel is first published here!

He parked his car downstairs at the apartment building and waited silently.

Occasionally, one or two pretty girls would pass by and give Ian a flirtatious look—the Hollywood area has plenty of handsome men and beautiful women.

Ian just smiled and ignored him.

The wait wasn't long; it was almost midnight. Ian took out his phone and dialed: "It's me, Ian Carl."

Kate was still asleep in her apartment room.

What happened last night kept her tossing and turning until she finally fell asleep in the early hours of the morning.

At that moment, she picked up the phone, still confused, and said, "Ian Carl? Couldn't you have called me later?"

Ian laughed. "I bet you didn't have time to buy a newspaper. Turn on the TV, it's CBS Channel 4's midday news."

Kate was stunned.

However, she still got up and picked up the remote control.

The television screen turned on, and she saw a presenter sitting in the studio: "Last night, a shooting occurred at a lakeside villa outside Los Angeles, resulting in the deaths of three Black men. According to reports from reporters on the scene, Hollywood newcomer actress Kate Beckinsale is suspected of involvement in the case..."

Kate was completely stunned.

Then she saw Ian interviewing an injured black man who believed he had been involved in the shooting and had developed a...love affair with Charlie Mills?

What kind of international joke is this?

Kate instantly snapped awake, sitting up and yelling into the phone, "Ian Carr, what have you done?"

Ian chuckled and said, "Do you know what kind of news is good news? It's news with a plot twist, just like a movie needs a twist in the story. News is the same. First, make everyone think that Kate Beckinsale might be the murderer, and everyone will pay attention to you. Then, present the evidence, and everyone will find that you are innocent."

Kate Beckinsale was stunned.

Is this how things can be done?

Ian said, "The reports are out, the police should contact you soon. My advice is, leave immediately, leave your phone at home, and don't answer any calls. I'm right downstairs!"

Kate yelled into the phone, "Why should I listen to you?"

Ian laughed, "Your reputation will be even greater. Believe me, I have no reason to harm you. When the whole world starts to wrong you, then we can clear your name, and they'll feel guilty towards you, and your public image will be fantastic!"

After a pause, Ian continued, "If you want to harm someone, first elevate them to a high position and then crush them to the bottom. If you want to help someone, you might as well try the opposite... No need to thank me, it's a win-win situation. And right now, only I can vouch for your innocence!"

Kate Beckinsale stared in astonishment, her mouth agape.

There are no fools in the entertainment industry, so she certainly understood that Ian was right.

So she nodded decisively: "Okay!"

Ian smiled as he put down the phone and looked at himself in the mirror.

The report came out, and the number under the right eye also started to rise.

1/1000, 2/1000...

Slow and steady.

It's decided, the only way to upgrade my cheat program is to create news!

This made Ian breathe a sigh of relief.

However, it's clear that more than just one or two people are seeing the report, meaning that it's not just one person who gains experience from seeing it.

I knew it! Otherwise, it would be too easy to upgrade.

To Ian's surprise, although his experience hadn't increased much, the fatigue in his right eye caused by overusing X-ray vision last night was greatly reduced.

So, can improving your experience also relieve fatigue in your right eye?

That's good!

Ian let out a long sigh.

(End of this chapter)