The Wolf of Los Angeles.

Century City, Beverly Business Club.

Hawke took out a bottle of water, unscrewed the lid and took a sip, then asked Brian, "Do you understand the situation?"

Brian said: "I called the detective bureau and the situation was very clear: the shooting was caused by the Los Angeles fire and insurance compensation."

He also took a bottle of water: "I told you about the insurance situation last time, but I didn't expect there would be a problem."

Hawke had already thought about it and said, "The first case is a good example for everyone else. Others with similar situations may follow suit and become unable to continue their normal lives. They may just drag others into hell with them."

He asked, “How many similar situations are there?”

Brian wasn't very clear either, as he came from a wealthy family in both the political and business circles and had limited knowledge of the living conditions of the lower and middle classes.

But at least he knew that if this matter was not handled properly, there would be a lot of trouble, so he replied: "At least a few hundred people."

Hawke recalled Tom Cruise's words: "There are some Hollywood stars among them."

Brian's mind worked quickly and he came up with a basic solution: "Today I will let people fully understand the specific situation, provide them with legal aid and basic assistance, and urge the local court to mediate."

Hawke is not a saint and does not have universal sentiments. Strictly speaking, he cannot be separated from this matter.

Reflection and the like are out of the question.

The biggest benefit Hawke has gained from hanging around Los Angeles in the past few years is that he has learned some American philosophy.

Most typically, war movies made by Americans can be said to be full of humanistic care and anti-war reflection in various ways, but the reality is just the opposite.

Hawke did not need to participate in the usual municipal handling methods. He focused on the other side: "This incident will affect the reputation you built with the Los Angeles fire, and will shake our relationship with Schwarzenegger in advance, and even shatter the basis for possible cooperation between the two sides."

Brian responded, "Congressman Boneson had previously contacted Schwarzenegger and wanted to discuss the gubernatorial election, but Schwarzenegger rejected our proposal. Now this case with a clear target has suddenly broken out, and public opinion has quickly uncovered the relationship between Eunice Insurance Company and Maria Shriver. Schwarzenegger will suspect that we are involved."

At this point, he thought of more: "In the last governor recall election, we worked with Schwarzenegger. He has some understanding of our work style. Considering the positions and interests of both parties, he will definitely suspect that it was us who did it."

In the past few years, the two sides have shared common interests.

Now that there is a conflict of interest, positions are naturally different.

Hawke frowned slightly: "The case just happened, and the Detective Bureau has not yet held a briefing. Although there is a possibility of internal leaks, I am more inclined to believe that there is someone behind this."

The LAPD is like a sieve, with people from all factions. There is no prior selection of personnel, no special confidentiality measures, and it is not difficult for the media to find out the results of the trial.

He added: "The relationship between the gunman and the insurance company, and the relationship between the insurance company and Maria Shriver, has been exposed by the media. There will inevitably be public criticism, especially against Schwarzenegger and you."

Brian has been the mayor of Los Angeles for more than a year and has improved a lot in handling emergencies: "My response measures will not make me the primary target of attack."

He asked, "For Schwarzenegger's side, us?"

Hawke said: "Our first priority is to focus on getting rid of you and wait and see what happens to Schwarzenegger."

He thought for a moment and reminded, "You can try to communicate with Schwarzenegger."

Crisis often also means opportunity. Bernanson's talks with Schwarzenegger did not produce any results. Schwarzenegger's approval rating was still good during his first term, so there was no breakthrough for the time being.

Hawke cannot predict whether this incident will bring about changes, but he can wait and see how things develop.

Brian agreed that he should focus on taking care of himself first and then consider other things.

Hawke added: "Another point, if there is someone behind the gunman, find a way to find that person."

Brian responded, "I'll go to City Hall to arrange the work and have someone go to the Detective Bureau."

"I'll go back to the company and mobilize the media to respond. That's it for now. Let's keep in touch." Hawke left the business club first and got in the car with Raul to go to Coast Building.

Brian came out a few minutes later and took a car to City Hall, making calls all the way.

Hawke came to the company and immediately found Caroline and asked her to activate the response mechanism. All public opinions against Brian on Twitter would suppress traffic and popularity.

…………

Governor's Mansion, Sacramento.

In the small conference room, Schwarzenegger was holding a small meeting.

Secretary of State Bill Jones, Assistant to the Governor Daniel Ketchel, and staff member Steven Zhang all rushed over.

After learning about the situation, the group sat in front of the TV and watched the case briefing held by the LAPD. Because the media had already exposed the case, the detective bureau there directly announced the case.

These contents are quite unfavorable to Schwarzenegger.

The case could not bypass Eunice Insurance Company.

During the subsequent routine question-and-answer session, several reporters asked about Maria Shriver's relationship with Eunice Insurance Company.

Although a spokesperson for the Detective Bureau said it had nothing to do with the case and refused to answer questions, the focus of public opinion naturally fell on the governor's wife.

The press conference ended and the TV was turned off.

Secretary of State Bill Jones was the first to speak: "We must be prepared for the impact of public opinion." He looked at Schwarzenegger and asked: "Can we calm it down with money?"

Schwarzenegger knew it was his wife: "There's nothing I can do. I talked to her before she came, but it fell apart. You know her, there's no way to talk."

Daniel, the governor's assistant, has a closer relationship with Schwarzenegger: "No matter how the public relations are done, this matter is bound to implicate you. My suggestion is that you hold a press conference today to clarify that this is Maria Shriver's personal behavior. If necessary, get a divorce."

As soon as these words were spoken, the conference room immediately fell silent.

In fact, what the people present are saying is correct. After Schwarzenegger was elected governor, the help that Maria Shriver could provide is no longer important. Now that the other party is facing a serious public relations crisis, the best way is to sever the relationship.

Steven said: "This can also show the outside world that you have nothing to do with this matter, and it can also urge the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office to investigate this matter."

After being married for 20 years, it is pure nonsense to say that they still love each other. Schwarzenegger has long been fed up with the bad habits of the daughter of a wealthy family.

But he was also worried about divorce: "Once divorced, the issues between Patty and me, the division of property, and Joseph..."

When a husband and wife turn against each other, their hatred is as high as the sky, and both sides expose each other's secrets, causing greater harm to public figures.

During the last recall election, Daniel, who had dealt with Hawke many times, said: "Ask Hawke Osmond for help. With his ability, it won't be difficult for you to smoothly get through this public opinion crisis."

"No!" Secretary of State Bill expressed a completely different opinion. He said in detail: "Have you forgotten? Brian Ferguson intends to run for the next governor. He asked Bernardson from the 13th District to act as a middleman and talk to Arnold."

Schwarzenegger said: "The Ferguson family has made it clear that they will not support me in next year's election."

Bill tapped the conference table vigorously to attract everyone's attention, and then said, "Hawk is Brian's best friend and biggest supporter. We rejected the Ferguson family, which is equivalent to standing on the opposite side of Brian. In the last recall election, Hawke showed those methods. Who do you think is most likely to have done this?"

There were no political novices present, and combined with the meaning of Bill's words, the name Ferguson family flashed through their minds.

Daniel said, "Early this morning, Brian's assistant Bacon called me to inquire about this incident and revealed that it had nothing to do with them."

Bill said: "It is true that it may have nothing to do with them, but it is also possible that they did it, and the two parties have a conflict of interest."

No one refuted his words because in political activities, there are no eternal allies and everything starts from interests.

Daniel said at this time: "I suggest that the next response be divided into three parts. On the one hand, normal public relations, communicate with the mainstream media, and suppress media opinions as much as possible; secondly, the governor should have a good talk with his wife, at least to make a gesture and shut some people up; lastly, I will go to Los Angeles and have some contact with Hawke Osment."

He reached out his hand to stop Bill from saying, "It's possible that this was not done by them. Regardless of whether it was done or not, we have to make a clear statement. After all, the Ferguson family and the Pacific Investment Group they control were our financial backers in the last election."

Schwarzenegger agreed: "Yes."

Bill emphasized: "But we must be mentally prepared. After this incident, whether it was done by the Ferguson Group or not, they will be more wary of us and widen the rift between the two sides. We don't trust them, and they won't trust us anymore."

Schwarzenegger couldn't help but swear in German again.

Those who play politics are dirty from hand to heart.

Schwarzenegger looked at his watch and said, "Let's take action."

Daniel returned to the office to pack his luggage and prepared to leave for Los Angeles.

Steven came in at this time, closed the office door, and said, "Personally, I think it's okay to expose the fact that Arnold and the nanny have an illegitimate child now."

Daniel stopped organizing his briefcase and said, "Tell me about it."

Steven said, "If Arnold doesn't give up the election, he will definitely face Brian before the gubernatorial election. With Hawke Osment's methods, or more precisely, with the size of Twitter, it's easy to dig out these private information. Patty and Joseph are both Twitter users."

He shrugged. "Instead of being blown up by others, it is better to take the opportunity to blow yourself up. This way, the public opinion about the illegitimate child will overwhelm the negative impact of the insurance incident on Arnold. The political influence of extramarital affairs and illegitimate children is much smaller than that of the insurance incident. Don't forget that the insurance incident is directly related to the Los Angeles fire!"

The Los Angeles fire is a pain for all of California. (End of this chapter)