American Gossip King

Chapter 4: The Importance of In-Depth Journalism

Back in the cabin, Ian saw Kate Beckinsale dressed in his own clothes.

Kate looked exceptionally dashing in her menswear, while her own Charlie Mills outfit seemed too big and baggy.

Ian looked at Kate Beckinsale’s discarded clothes, especially her underwear, and wondered if he should collect them and sell them as used items.

Forget it, I won't make much money and I'll just get looked down upon by beautiful women.

Such an opportunity is rare, and there's a good chance of winning the favor of a beautiful woman. There's no need to waste money on a few used items.

Kate, who had already tied her long hair up, glanced at Charlie Mills' corpse, unable to hide her disgust, and turned to Ian, saying, "Can we go now?"

"Of course." Ian stepped out of the cabin.

Once on deck, they saw the ship drifting aimlessly on the sea. The dark sky made it impossible to discern which way to go. Kate, inexperienced, asked Ian, "Which way is home?"

Ian smiled and said, "With navigation, there won't be any problems."

Kate let out a long sigh.

Ian had arrived at the cockpit and was beginning to fiddle with the instruments and maneuver the ship.

Kate didn't know anything about this either, and there just happened to be a chair nearby.

She then sat down next to Ian.

She hugged her knees, gracefully turning her head to look at the young man: "Where are you a reporter from?"

Only then did she finally feel like getting to know the boy beside her.

Ian, holding the helm, said casually, "The Los Angeles Herald is my company."

"He's a boss? Sorry, I've never heard of this newspaper company."

"Very weak," Ian replied. "Our daily sales are only around four thousand copies, and we're burdened with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. To make matters worse, just a day ago, I lost the last fifty thousand dollars of the Los Angeles Herald. We can't pay our debts, and we can't even pay salaries... We're on the verge of bankruptcy."

Ian sighed softly as he spoke.

Well, it's not too bad at the start. After all, there's already some good news, and we've already climbed out of the slump. It's clear that fate didn't intend for me to stay in the trough for too long.

I am coming!

I saw it!

I will change!

Kate looked at Ian in astonishment: "I thought you were an excellent reporter, you shouldn't have ended up like this!"

Ian smiled: "Not before tonight."

He gazed intently at the sea: "Before that, I was a spoiled brat, spending my days eating, drinking, and having fun. After my father died, I inherited the Herald newspaper, but I made a complete mess of it..."

He quietly recounted his past.

Even though he didn't do it, since he has inherited Ian Karl's body, he should also inherit his past stupidity, mistakes, and scoundrels.

Wouldn't a reformed prodigal son be more attractive?

Americans love this!

Look at those blockbuster movies, which one doesn't feature an ordinary person who suddenly realizes the truth and saves the world?

The market decides everything—since the mainstream customer group is the "loser" (or "low-class people"), then of course the "loser" should save the world, and thus a similar perception is formed.

Sure enough, Kate's eyes lit up when she looked at Ian.

She initially thought Ian was a ruthless guy, but after learning about his past, she felt like she could understand him.

Although his approach to journalism is somewhat excessive, at least he is trying to improve, isn't he?

So she nodded gently: "No matter what, I should thank you. You saved me. I couldn't have done it without you."

"I hope you can maintain this understanding," Ian said casually.

Kate was taken aback: "What did you say?"

She sensed something was off about those words and a sense of unease crept into her heart.

Ian calmly steered the boat, lit a cigar he had taken from Charlie Mills, and said leisurely as he puffed on it:

"You know, good news is never just about one story, right? When a major event happens, a good journalist will dig deep into it, digging as deep as possible into a big story. After all, big stories aren't easy to come by these days, so when you find one, you have to dig it out to the bone. It's like catching a sheep and fleecing it; they won't stop until they've squeezed out every last bit of value. So, an event isn't just valuable in its own story; the follow-up reports and continuous digging are also valuable."

Kate stared at Ian in disbelief.

Are you telling me the news?

What does this mean?

Ian spat, glanced at the cigar, and tossed it away.

Trash cigars.

You dare to call yourself a top-notch enforcer?

Then he turned to Kate and chuckled, "For the media, every big event is like an oil well; you have to dig deep for a while. For example, why did Charlie Mills kill that producer couple? Who commissioned him to do it? There might be some inside story. And who was the buyer?"

Kate looked at him, bewildered.

She finally realized what was happening.

She screamed, "Aren't you turning the boat back? My God, are you going to meet the buyer?"

Ian nodded slightly: "Yes. Since there are follow-up reports, of course we should continue to investigate, otherwise we'll miss an opportunity."

Fuck!!!

Kate was so shocked she was numb.

She covered her face and screamed, "You can't do this! You'll kill us!"

Ian pointed ahead and smiled, "Since you don't want to join, I won't force you. I'll drop you off before then... Sorry I can't take you back."

Kate turned around in surprise and saw that the ship had already approached a small dock.

Thank goodness, he didn't intend to drag himself into the battlefield.

Ian also regretted missing the opportunity.

He had originally intended to drag Kate into the follow-up operations—having a Hollywood star involved would generate better news value. However, a lingering sense of morality prevented him from doing so.

The latest novel is first published here!

Pity!

For a businessman, to some extent, the bottom line of conscience is his ceiling—the higher the bottom line of being a person, the less money he earns, and the lower the ceiling of his business!

I'm clearly not a qualified businessman yet.

It's okay, I'll improve!

As the boat pulled toward the dock, he said, "You can get on now, but be careful."

Kate looked at Ian speechlessly.

She said softly, "You don't need to take such a risk, Ian. If you're willing to give up the risk now, we can go get something to drink together..."

Her tone carried a hint of tenderness and seduction.

A young couple who have just gone through a life-or-death experience would naturally go to a hotel room right now.

Isn't this the normal process of things developing?

But you want to go into journalism?

Are you even a man, Ian Karl?!

Ian is a man, of course, but he knows better than anyone that beautiful women are readily available, but good news doesn't always wait for him... Beautiful women are the most abundant resource in this world!

If you pursue beautiful women, you will lose everything.

Pursue wealth, and you'll have everything!

Kate Beckinsale, you'll be mine sooner or later!

I'm not in a hurry!

He quickly and efficiently moored the boat at the dock.

Then he pulled Kate towards the dock: "I can't miss this opportunity. I need at least $100,000 to keep the Los Angeles Herald alive!"

Kate quickly replied, "I can give it to you!"

Ian gently shook his head.

He smiled at Kate's face and said, "Don't underestimate a man's pride, and even more so, don't underestimate the professionalism of a top-notch reporter."

Whether for the sake of the company's development or for the upgrade of his eyesight, Ian would not let the opportunity slip by.

He has to do it!

Even if it's risky!

At this moment, he even felt a surge of immense excitement, a fervor for adventure.

Interesting!

Did time travel really change my mindset?

Or is it my dual journalist qualifications that have significantly enhanced my professional competence?

As they escorted Kate onto the dock, Ian said, "By the way, could you give me your contact information? I believe we'll stay in touch after the reports come out, even if the police have to contact us."

Kate Beckinsale took a deep breath and pulled a business card from her bag: "At least Charlie Mills didn't throw my bag away."

Ian put away his business card and picked up his camera, hanging it around his neck.

After thinking for a moment, he gently embraced Kate and kissed her delicate face.

Kate stared at him blankly, without refusing.

This man... is very charming.

She even hoped he would take things further, but Ian just chuckled and went back to the ship.

Feeling the warmth Ian had left her, Kate shouted, "Ian Carr, what makes you think you can stand up to those guys?"

Ian stopped in his tracks.

He glanced at Kate, gave her a confident smile, and raised the Glock pistol in his hand: "Now I have a gun."

(End of this chapter)