The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 290: Megan's Vomiting Incident]

In Los Angeles, on Ocean Park Boulevard,

Hawke returned from Florida to his company, where he signed an advertising deal with AMG, one of the top three cinema chains in the country.

During that time, Twitter had been negotiating collaborations with advertisers.

In the same day, he represented Twitter to sign advertising agreements with Coca-Cola, Revlon, and Cadillac.

Additionally, Hilton Hotels were also in talks with Twitter about advertising.

This deal had been arranged through Paris Hilton's efforts.

In the conference room, Hawke sincerely thanked Paris, who had come for a visit. "Thanks for bridging Twitter and Hilton."

"You're too polite; I hardly did anything," Paris replied, showing clear growth since before. While seemingly modest, she continued, "During a family gathering, I learned that the Hilton hotels were planning to expand their online business and partner with ad sites. I just casually mentioned that Twitter's popularity and user base would be perfect for them."

She pulled out a box of candies and a gift box for Hawke, saying, "I never thanked you for retrieving the tape I lost."

Hawke accepted it without hesitation.

Paris, filled with anticipation, asked, "Aren't you going to open them?"

Hawke opened the candy box to find luxurious candies wrapped in gold foil, adorned with rhinestones. One piece could easily cost over a hundred dollars.

He opened the gift box to uncover a pair of open-finger gloves, crafted from black silk and gold thread, embedded with diamonds and sapphires.

Paris introduced, "These gloves were specially made by my glove brand just for you."

Since she had introduced a significant business deal, Hawke felt obliged to compliment her. "They're stunning, unique. I can't describe how it makes me feel."

Paris replied, "Yes, one of a kind."

Hawke accepted, thanking her.

Now more mindful, Paris was determined. "I gifted the first few pairs I had made to friends: one for you, one for Britney, one for Lindsay Lohan, and one for me -- each with a unique design."

Hawke understood immediately that this was advertising sponsorship. Britney and Paris needed no introduction, and Lindsay Lohan was also a popular child star at that time.

Paris continued, "Britney has worn them on stage a few times, and it garnered a lot of attention."

Hawke remarked, "Britney is currently one of the most followed stars on Twitter."

"It's a pity she doesn't always think things through," Paris expressed with some exasperation. "She constantly gets into trouble."

Hawke remained noncommittal, opting not to engage further on that topic.

After some more casual conversation, Paris took her leave.

...

Hawke walked her to the lift, returning to his office where he bumped into Caroline.

She followed him inside.

Hawke inquired, "How are the negotiations with Hilton Hotels going?"

Caroline sat down across from him and responded, "Hilton's very interested in collaboration; eight million dollars is not an issue. They want us to run a dedicated Hilton promotional campaign on Twitter."

Hawke nodded, "Do you have any ideas?"

"I have some preliminary thoughts," Caroline stated. "I spoke with Sasha yesterday, and we're considering launching a theme-based interactive campaign for Hilton, encouraging Twitter users worldwide to share their memorable moments while staying in Hilton hotels."

She made a key point: "With the rise of smartphone photography, most Hilton hotels provide internet access, making it easy for Twitter users to share their experiences."

Hawke asked, "Will there be any rewards involved?"

"Yes, we've already discussed it with Hilton," Caroline replied. She straightened in her chair, saying, "Users can share stories related to Hilton through tweets, photos, or videos to redeem a small gift at local Hilton hotels, including Hilton-branded candies."

Hawke chuckled, "That's one way to market your own candy brand."

Caroline continued, "If users post videos showcasing the Hilton hotel features, services, environments, and surrounding attractions, they'll be granted exclusive member benefits from the hotel."

Such initiatives were commonplace in the post-social-media era, but they still held value in this nascent stage.

Hawke instructed, "Prepare a complete plan to present to Hilton."

"Sure," Caroline said, tapping her red high heels lightly on the floor.

She paused, catching sight of a gap in Hawke's desk, which reminded her of how ewes get back into their pens by slipping through gaps like those.

Should she attempt it?

Megan Taylor, that shameless girl, had likely tried it.

Thinking of Megan brought Caroline back to reality. "Megan is sick; she's hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center."

Hawke, having just returned from Florida and heading straight to the company, hadn't been in contact with Megan. "What happened?"

Caroline had visited once and explained, "It seems there is something wrong with her stomach; she went to the hospital the other night. It's not serious, just under observation."

Hawke said, "Please inform the Savior to buy her some flowers."

"Sure," Caroline stood up to leave the office, heading next door to greet Edward.

...

Hawke checked the time, choosing not to rush over immediately, instead handling a few accumulated tasks before calling Edward to leave Twitter for Beverly Hills.

He picked up some flowers en route and arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he called Megan to let Edward park near the hospital floor.

Holding the flowers, he entered the hospital and soon located Megan Taylor's room.

Inside, Megan's assistant Aisha was there. Upon seeing Hawke, she greeted him, saying, "I'll check with the nurse to see if she needs more medication this afternoon."

Hawke set down the flowers, pulled up a chair, and sat beside Megan's bed. "What happened all of a sudden?"

Megan, without any makeup, had her long, blonde hair draped over the pillow, and her normally fair complexion now appeared pale.

She smiled faintly, saying, "Without you in Los Angeles, I just got unlucky."

Hawke didn't quite get it, asking, "What do you mean?"

Megan treated Hawke as her anchor and elaborated, "This past Monday, the general manager of Channel 11, Cynthia Rosenberg, submitted a plan to Fox Television about her retirement early next year, leaving that position open."

Hawke inquired, "She doesn't seem old; why the sudden decision to retire?"

"She looks good and has great makeup, making her seem in her fifties, but she's actually of retirement age," Megan explained, adjusting herself for comfort. "Last week, Cynthia was diagnosed with breast cancer and plans to retire for treatment."

Hawke added, "You want to contest for that position."

Megan had mentioned that previously: "When you invited me to join Twitter, I refused because I was about to take on the role of assistant director at Channel 11 and aimed for the manager position."

She held onto Hawke's hand by the bed, saying, "But I'm not the only one interested in that position; Channel 11 has more than one assistant manager."

Hawke understood, "Are you saying your illness relates to your competitors?"

"I made a fool of myself this time, almost becoming a joke for Fox," Megan's tone was bitter. "With Cynthia deciding to retire, the competition for the role has everyone on edge, including myself."

She hurriedly explained, "Cynthia recommended me to Roger Ailes, but there are too many contenders, making the position hard to fill. The other night, I participated in a Fox show that included several well-known anchors, which Roger Ailes also attended."

"The show was live, and just before it began, I suddenly had a gastroenteritis attack, leading to severe vomiting."

Megan rolled her eyes at the ceiling. "Luckily, I vomited backstage, so it didn't ruin my career. Unfortunately, I vomited right in front of Roger Ailes, leaving a dreadful impression and at least ruining Cynthia's recommendation."

Hawke directly asked, "Did anyone else vomit? What did the medical results say?"

"No one else vomited," Megan handed him a report from the drawer. "The results showed high levels of Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus, causing gastritis, but everything else was normal."

Hawke asked, "Anything else?"

Knowing each other well, Megan understood his implication, responding, "I made breakfast and lunch myself, and had dinner at the company cafeteria. Many others had the same meal but displayed no symptoms. I didn't touch the food at Fox while attending the show; Gretchen was in production as well -- I was cautious."

She sighed helplessly, "Fox wouldn't target all personnel because of me, and I won't make such an absurd request; that would destroy my chances in the competition entirely."

Hawke said, "So it's a bacterial infection and not poisoning?"

Megan forced a smile, "I'm not sure if it's my issue or someone else's doing, but the timing and setting were too convenient, right in front of Roger Ailes."

She continued, "I remember mentioning that the image of Fox's female anchors wearing short skirts, tights, and high heels was designed by Roger Ailes, who puts great emphasis on their appearances. Such an incident, even with Cynthia's endorsement, would seriously damage my standing."

Hawke reflected for a moment, asking, "What about Gretchen? Is she vying for that position too?"

Megan replied, "No, she's not qualified. Following Roger Ailes' rules, managers of Fox's subsidiary channels are typically promoted from within."

Hawke, whose thoughts diverged from Megan's, considered, "Perhaps Gretchen can't compete but also doesn't want you to win."

Whether coincidental or manipulative, the outcome for Megan remained the same.

At this sensitive time, all the problems were the competitors' doing.

*****

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