Daisy wouldn't miss any news about Murphy. Just a glance at the headline, and she clicked in.
"Murphy Stanton Allegedly Under Secret Investigation by LA Police, Involved in Multiple Criminal Activities!"
The headline was incredibly shocking, making it hard for Daisy to resist. However, when she saw the actual content, it seemed somewhat sensationalist.
The Facebook account that published this news had a profile marked as a journalist. Daisy read through the lines, but the person didn't provide any evidence.
"I have a friend who is an insider in Hollywood. Recently, I heard from her that a sheriff from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department approached her to inquire about Murphy Stanton. Although the sheriff didn't specify, he implied that Murphy Stanton was involved in several criminal investigations and could be facing significant trouble soon."
Murphy being investigated by the LA police? Daisy scratched her cheek. If she were to guess Murphy's persona based on his films, he would definitely be a criminal mastermind. If he really committed crimes...
Daisy shook her head, guessing this was just a rumor. After all, there had been previous allegations about Murphy being involved in downtown LA drug trafficking and a shooting incident, heavily covered by many media outlets, especially tabloids, but none of them had proven any connection to Murphy.
In her view, either these matters had nothing to do with Murphy, or Murphy was too clever, leaving no evidence behind.
Daisy closed her laptop, rested her chin on her hand, and stared at the black screen, letting her mind wander.
If the report she just read were true, what kind of crimes would Murphy be involved in? She blinked, hoping it would be something like the murder traps from "Saw." The thought of such brutal killings thrilled her. If this were true, could she possibly join him in a criminal duo?
Despite these thoughts, Daisy's rational mind told her this news was more likely baseless media hype.
As the release date of "The Wolf of Wall Street" approached, Daisy kept a close eye on news related to Murphy. About half a month before the film's North American premiere, she read in a major newspaper that the LA police were indeed investigating Murphy!
This time, it wasn't insider tips or idle speculation. The report directly quoted Jessica Chastain, who disclosed to the reporter that she had been informally questioned by a sheriff from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, who told her he was investigating Murphy Stanton on behalf of the LAPD.
Could Murphy really be a criminal genius?
For some reason, Daisy's first reaction to this news wasn't anger but excitement—a deep, bone-level excitement.
She hoped this was true! Her inner wish wouldn't be shared with anyone.
"How are the preparations going?"
In the garden of Wave Manor, Murphy was having afternoon tea with a few people, asking Bill Rossis, "And how about Robert?"
Bill Rossis set down his white porcelain teacup and said, "Don't worry, everything is ready. We're all set for a dramatic reversal."
Kara Faith, who had just poured herself a cup of tea, looked up and said, "This kind of reversal will create the best shock effect."
Murphy nodded. Sitting next to him, Robert Downey Jr. suddenly said, "We've all gone all out for the promotion of 'The Wolf of Wall Street.'"
Everyone laughed. From the initial hype over Robert Downey Jr.'s explicit scenes to Murphy's investigation by the police, they had used every possible promotional tactic to grab attention and interest.
Robert Downey Jr. turned to Kara Faith and said, "If Fox doesn't support this film in the awards season, we'll go protest."
"Robert, relax," Kara Faith smiled. "I've already secured enough support for this film."
She stood up, ready to leave. "I need to contact Fox's media to create more buzz."
It wasn't just the 20th Century Fox media involved. This was the most crucial promotional push before the release of "The Wolf of Wall Street," and many media outlets under the News Corporation would also join.
Although these media outlets didn't know the details, they were instructed by the parent company to closely follow this event.
The day after the report about Murphy's investigation by the LAPD came out, numerous media outlets and newspapers across the USA, as if coordinated, began focusing on the event. Even many tabloids rehashed old rumors about Murphy, making the public opinion seem unfavorable to him.
Some websites even dubbed Murphy as the "criminal director."
By afternoon, the entrance of Wave Manor in Beverly Hills was crowded with reporters from various national media stationed in LA. Many tabloid reporters and paparazzi tried to sneak into the manor, but Gale Gadot had already hired a professional security team, making it impossible for them to get in.
Murphy and Gale Gadot were now completely exposed to the cameras, with no privacy in the short term. Some paparazzi even rummaged through garbage bins near Wave Manor to estimate the number of used condoms and infer their intimacy frequency.
This was a common problem for celebrities, which Murphy and Gale Gadot had anticipated, so it didn't disturb their lives much.
Instead of avoiding it, Murphy, accompanied by security personnel and Grace, walked out of the manor gate to address the matter.
Grace had communicated beforehand, so although the scene was chaotic, it didn't get out of control when Murphy appeared.
However, the reporters' questions came like bullets from a Gatling gun.
"Director Stanton, what do you think about the LAPD investigating you?"
"There's been a rumor that you're connected to drug trafficking in downtown LA. Is this true?"
"Why is the LAPD investigating you? What illegal activities have you done?"
"Will you go to jail for this, like your friend Robert Downey Jr.?"
"Are all Stanton followers involved in your criminal activities? Will they be investigated too?"
Most reporters were troublemakers, asking as if Murphy was already headed to jail.
"Quiet! Everyone quiet down!"
A particularly loud security personnel, equipped with a high-powered megaphone provided by Murphy, shouted, "Quiet! Quiet! Everyone, quiet!"
The booming voice immediately silenced the crowd at the gate of Wave Manor. The reporters looked in surprise at the security personnel with the megaphone. Those quick to react realized Murphy was about to respond and quickly took out recorders or notebooks to capture the crucial news.
Murphy took the megaphone from the security personnel and calmly said, "Friends from the media, I know why you're gathered here this afternoon, but I can't give you a clear answer. When I saw the news about the LAPD investigating me, I was as shocked and curious as you. I don't know what I did to attract the LAPD's attention."
The reporters laughed, easing the atmosphere. Murphy made a gesture for quiet, and the manor gate fell silent again.
"I suspect it might be due to the violent and criminal content in my films. The LAPD might be investigating me for incitement."
Making a small joke, Murphy then adopted a serious tone, "Before coming out, my lawyer and agent had already gone to the LA County Sheriff's Department to understand the situation. Jessica Chastain, who revealed this to the media, was a former assistant of mine. She informed me that the investigating officer is a sheriff named Gatlin Collins."
Many reporters noted the sheriff's name.
Finally, Murphy deliberately spoke loudly, "I don't know if this investigation is Sheriff Gatlin Collins' personal act or a legitimate police action. As soon as my lawyer has the latest information, I will update my official social media. Thank you all!"
With that, Murphy retreated into the manor under the security team's cover, not waiting for further questions.
"Is there a hidden agenda in the police investigation of Murphy?"
Some reporters quickly inferred from Murphy's words, "Or is it not a legitimate police action?"
Quick-thinking reporters were already on the phone, "Find out if there's a sheriff named Gatlin Collins in the LA County Sheriff's Department. If so, get his detailed information!"
Meanwhile, a meeting was taking place inside the LA police department.
"I oppose acknowledging this as an official police action!"
A middle-aged officer near the front of the table stood and said loudly, "This is a foolish move! The entire LAPD's reputation will suffer for one person's stupidity! Gatlin Collins is investigating not an ordinary person but a billionaire, a world-renowned director!"
The room fell silent, everyone knowing such identities equated to trouble.
The middle-aged officer's voice rose, "Gentlemen, haven't you considered the consequences? If we admit to this, we'll have to fabricate evidence. With Murphy Stanton's financial and social influence, he'll surely bring this to other law enforcement agencies' attention. Do you want to see all the LAPD's top brass forced to resign?"
Another officer across from him sighed, "If Gatlin Collins' actions were legitimate, we could support him. But he broke the rules first."
The police chief at the head of the table, unwilling to abandon his protégé, said, "Let's assess the situation further before making a decision."
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