America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 203 This guy is too shrewd.

Stretchers were carried out, and ambulances sped away.

The two seriously injured suspects were also carried out of the basketball court.

One was bleeding from a head wound, the other was shot and fell into a coma.

Bratton, the then-director of the LAPD, looked grave; another serious crime had occurred in Los Angeles.

A police inspector quickly walked over.

Bratton asked, "What's the casualty situation?"

"No one was injured." The police inspector quickly reported the situation at the scene: "One suspect was killed by SWAT, and two others were seriously injured, presumably subdued by Hollywood actor Martin Davis. Among the victims, more than ten have been confirmed dead, and more than a dozen are seriously injured, mainly Burbank High School basketball team members and staff."

Bratton cursed under his breath and said, "Collect the CCTV footage, comfort the injured, contact their families, try to keep them from saying anything inappropriate, take statements from those who are calm, I need to find out what exactly happened in the arena."

This case is bound to cause a sensation across the United States.

Several policewomen arrived and spoke with the cheerleaders to learn more about the situation.

Everyone's words pointed to one thing: Martin Davis!

Martin Davis saved them, risking his life to subdue the armed robber.

The LAPD only managed to get a recording of the SWAT team storming into Helen's DV camera, but they found the filming tapes on the cameraman's camcorder.

Bratton and several police inspectors watched the videotape together. The video was short, less than ten minutes long, but it clearly recorded the scenes from Martin Davis's manager noticing something was wrong, Martin telling people to leave quickly, all the way to the scene where Coke exploded on the head in the convenience store.

"A model of self-rescue," a police inspector said.

Another female police inspector chimed in: "Without Martin Davis, none of those dozen or so girls would have survived."

The video clearly shows that the robbers were in a bloodthirsty frenzy, rushing into the store and firing indiscriminately. If Martin Davis hadn't bravely intervened, everyone hiding inside the store would have been shot dead.

The deaths of a dozen or so young girls have a far greater negative impact than the killing of an equal number of men.

Police Commissioner McLean, who is in charge of public relations, said: "Martin Davis is a hero who saved Los Angeles from a massive massacre."

Everyone knew that if there were more deaths, the pressure they faced would be many times greater.

Those who can attend this top private high school come from at least wealthy middle-class families.

"The subsequent public opinion is a problem." The body of the deceased was barely cold when Bratton was already considering the social impact.

To reach his position, he often thinks like a politician: "We must guide public opinion."

"I think Martin Davis is the key," McLean said.

Bratton offered, "I haven't allowed him to contact any outsiders for the time being. Let's go see him together."

McLean and Bratton went to find Martin.

The LAPD was very accommodating, specially arranging for two beautiful policewomen in their twenties to chat with Martin and Bruce.

Martin chatted idly with them, not surprised to see Bratton and McLean; he knew the LAPD would definitely approach him for a talk.

McLean glanced at Helen, the reporter, and stepped forward to shake hands with Martin. He introduced himself and then Bratton, saying, "Let's find a place to talk privately for a few minutes."

Martin nodded: "Okay."

The three of them walked together towards an open space.

Bratton spoke first: "On behalf of the police, I thank you, Martin. You prevented a heinous crime from escalating into something far more brutal."

Martin frankly stated, "I am also afraid of fear, and I am also trying to protect myself."

Bratton added, "I watched a video. You were very brave. At the most opportune moment, in the most appropriate way, you took down the vicious thug."

Martin specifically asked, "Will I get into trouble if I hit too hard?"

"Trouble? Not at all!" With so many witnesses, Bratton knew the story would inevitably spread, and emphasized, "You're a hero in Los Angeles! I'll write a report on this and submit it to the mayor's office and the city council!"

Martin understood perfectly. He stopped and said, "Actually, I also want to express my gratitude to the LAPD."

Bratton and McLean stopped, momentarily confused about what Martin was up to.

Martin said very seriously, "Back then, Old Brooks and I, my manager, were trapped in the corridor by thugs armed with automatic weapons. It was the LAPD who rushed in and rescued us in time. As far as I'm concerned, the LAPD are the heroes."

McLean was stunned. The chief had just laid the groundwork, and he, the person in charge, hadn't even spoken yet, when the other side not only raised their hands in surrender but also shouted that they were one family.

This guy is so savvy!

After performing such a heroic feat, shouldn't one be arrogant and haughty to the point of looking down on everyone else?

Bratton reacted incredibly quickly, saying, "It's the LAPD's job, Martin. On behalf of all LAPD officers, I invite you to visit the police headquarters."

Martin made a special trip: "I will definitely visit in person to express my gratitude!"

He's definitely going to benefit from what happened today. He'll gain something by building a good relationship with the LAPD, the biggest gang in Los Angeles, which won't hurt him.

Bratton shook hands firmly with Martin: "LAPD never shortchanges its friends."

"Shall we discuss the specifics?" McLean said.

Martin said, "I'll call the agent; you can talk to him about this."

McLean nodded: "Okay."

Martin took out his phone and went to the side to make a call.

Bratton asked, "What do you think?"

"A very smart and sensible young man." McClain tried to remain objective so as not to influence his superior's judgment: "He will inevitably become a hero in this city, and we will give him a push from behind, using his deeds to attract public and media attention and reduce our pressure."

Bratton nodded: "Okay, since he's willing to cooperate, our work will be much less troublesome. Also, you go and handle the WarnerMedia reporter."

"Leave it to me," McLean said.

After Martin finished his call, he said a few words and went back to the car.

The police still have many follow-up matters to handle.

Especially in terms of public opinion.

On the other side of the car, a lot of cheerleading girls and their parents came.

As soon as Blake Lively saw Martin, she rushed over and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face. She frantically checked him to make sure he wasn't hurt, and choked out, "You're okay, you're okay, that's great! You went out with a gun to save Old Brooks, you scared me to death..."

Martin gently patted her back, reassuring her, "It's all over now, we're safe and sound."

A middle-aged man came up behind Blake.

Martin tried to let go of Blake, but Blake clung to him, still groping him all over, as if trying to prove he was unharmed.

Ernie Lively exclaimed, "Black!"

Blake then released Martin, took two steps back, and introduced, "This is my father."

Martin shook hands with him: "Mr. Lively."

Ernie shook his hand solemnly: "You saved my daughter and my family, thank you."

Martin said, "Don't mention it, Blake and I are friends."

Ernie pulled out his personal business card and handed it to Martin: "You should have heard of me. Give me a call if you need anything."

Martin exchanged business cards with him, exchanged a few polite words, and Ernie left with his daughter.

Blake kept turning back to look at himself, his eyes sparkling.

There's no way a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl could handle this kind of person or situation.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack have been forgotten by Blake; Martin is now her only idol.

Then, Judith, along with her parents, and the girl and her family whom Martin couldn't name, came over one by one to express their gratitude to Martin.

Martin gained a lot of goodwill and favor from people.

Both Burbank School and Hall School in North Hollywood are top-tier private high schools in California, and students who can attend these schools do not come from ordinary families.

Martin knew very well that he could use these favors at least once.

"Sister, Martin's over there." Elizabeth approached, holding the hand of a woman who was almost half a head shorter than her on each side. "Without Martin, I'd probably be in an ambulance."

Ashley and Mary also expressed their gratitude to Martin.

Elizabeth came over, but instead threw herself into Martin's arms and started crying.

Martin looked completely innocent, spreading his arms to indicate that he hadn't done anything.

Mary was about to step forward, but Ashley stopped her: "Let her have a good cry. She'll feel better after she's had a good cry and goes back to sleep."

"I'm sorry," Mary said, pointing to Elizabeth. "She was too frightened."

Bruce, that scoundrel, sat in the back of an ambulance, watching the show with great interest, finding it more and more entertaining the more he watched.

He glanced at the Olsen sisters, then shook his head. The two skinny, hunched-over women were clearly not Martin's type.

"Kohler's situation is absolutely not my fault!" Bruce found ample reason and excuse for his own rottenness: "It's all Martin's fault! That scoundrel infected and corrupted me!"

Elizabeth is leaving with her sisters.

Martin advised, "Go back early and get some rest."

Elizabeth asked, "When are you going to Louise's?"

Martin said, "I'll contact you when I get there."

"I'll come find you then." Elizabeth was led away by her sisters.

Martin went to Old Brooks, took the water he was offered, unscrewed the cap, took a sip, and then saw Thomas.

The agent rushed over.

Accompanying him were people that Martin found quite unexpected.

Louise, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a business suit, walked over quickly, glanced at Martin briefly, and casually said, "It's good that you're alright."

Martin deliberately showed off the wound on his hand, which was covered in iodine: "I'm injured!"

Thomas, standing nearby, exclaimed, "You scared me to death!"

Martin got down to business: "I've already told you what to do. You handle the media issues with the LAPD. Go ahead."

Thomas, the "tool man," quickly got to work.

Martin looked at Louise and smiled at her.

Louise said, "What, you didn't expect me to come? Don't forget, you still haven't paid back the formula you owe me!" She sneered, "You want to die if you don't pay back your debt? It's not that easy."

The second update will be a little later.

(End of this chapter)