"Don't worry, someone will be here soon, and maybe we can find a new breakthrough from her."
Laila comforted her, but in reality, she was also consoling herself. She believed in facts. While some people could twist black into white and vice versa, she would not allow anyone in her company to experience unfair treatment as long as she was there.
Perhaps it was due to encountering too many things in her past life. She hoped that, through her own efforts, she could spare more people from facing the setbacks she had experienced.
Moreover, in this lifetime, she truly felt fulfilled. With a loving mother and grandfather, an abundance of money, unlimited support, and the golden finger of rebirth helping her realize her dreams in her most beloved career, even if she were to die now, she wouldn't feel like her life had been wasted.
So, she had to seek justice for Downey. She believed that there was still justice in the world. It might take some time to find it, but it was there, waiting for you, unswerving. It just depended on whether you had the patience to uncover it.
Around ten in the morning, she received a call from Xiao Yi, informing her that the people had arrived. Laila asked Demi to go downstairs and bring them up.
Shortly after, a knock on the door sounded. Demi and Xiao Yi, along with a man and two women, entered the office somewhat awkwardly.
"Boss, let me introduce. This is Kathy, the little princess we searched for for two days, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson."
Laila stood up, walked out from behind her desk, smiled, and shook hands with the three of them, then led them to the sofa on the side. "I'm Laila Moran. Welcome, please have a seat."
"Thank you." Mr. Thompson, among the three, was relatively calm, but he was also somewhat overwhelmed by Laila's aura.
After all, despite her young age, Laila already had a significant reputation in Hollywood. In such a large office, it was challenging for them to remain calm.
Laila had Demi bring in some fruits and beverages and then smilingly observed Kathy.
Perhaps due to being with her parents, today Kathy was dressed more in line with her age. With a height of over 160, which was already good for a 14-year-old girl, and if you added high heels, she was almost 170 cm. Apart from her slightly less developed chest, it was no wonder she could be mistaken for an adult when going to a bar.
She had a beautiful head of red curly hair, and her chestnut-colored eyes were clear, resembling a little deer. Just by seeing her sipping her drink with small sips, one could hardly imagine that a media war had erupted because of her in the outside world.
"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, I believe you already know the purpose of your visit."
She trusted Xiao Yi's ability to handle things, and she believed he wouldn't just bring people in without proper preparation.
Mr. Thompson nodded and involuntarily rubbed his big hand, "Yes. I'm sorry. Kathy caused such big trouble."
Laila smiled, "You don't need to apologize to me. Nobody wants something like that to happen. But I hope you can cooperate and help Mr. Downey wash off the accusations as soon as possible."
"Of course, if there's anything we can do, we will definitely not refuse." Mr. Thompson finally relaxed a bit in Laila's smile, and he became more fluent in his speech.
Laila was very satisfied with this kind of cooperation, and she needed it. She didn't want them to provide false testimony, claiming to have seen something they hadn't. That kind of deception wouldn't hold up under scrutiny, and if exposed, those who originally supported her might turn against her.
What she wanted was more cooperation, something that could bring her more benefits. Unfortunately, she was a director and a businesswoman, a merchant selling her own films. She had so many people under her care, and if she didn't work hard to make money, would she let all these people under her go hungry?
"Can I talk to Kathy for a moment?" In the United States, the protection of children was stringent, similar to what was portrayed on television. If a case required questioning a minor, it had to be done in the presence of a guardian. Moreover, the guardian could end the questioning at any time, regardless of any urgent reasons to continue.
Kathy, who had been obediently holding the drink brought by Demi, was suddenly named. Her little hand trembled, almost causing the drink to spill.
Unfortunately, her parents didn't see her nervousness. Perhaps they wanted to give her a small lesson, letting her know what it meant to be "a naughty child who would be punished by bad people." They readily pushed their daughter forward.
Seeing the height that was almost indistinguishable from an adult, the still tender face of young Kathy, and the two teardrops that seemed to fall or not in her eyes, Laila couldn't help but feel amused.
"Don't be nervous; I won't eat you. I just want to ask you a few questions. Okay?"
Kathy looked fearfully at her parents and, under their urging, nodded at Laila.
Laila pulled her to sit next to her, holding her hand. "Could you tell me in detail what happened that day? Don't miss any details."
Kathy hesitated for a moment, stealing a glance at her parents before staying silent.
Following Kathy's gaze, Laila also looked at her parents, understanding her hesitation. The events of that day were probably something little Kathy didn't want to mention, likely involving parts prohibited by her parents. Even without going into details, the fact that she went to an adult's bar late at night and got into trouble was enough to make her parents angry.
"Kathy, I know you're a good girl, and that day can't be blamed on you. But the man who accidentally spilled your drink that day is a good person. Now, he's being falsely accused by a bad person, and you're the only one who can help him. Do you want to watch him be unjustly thrown into prison for false charges?"
Kathy hesitated again, stealing another glance at her parents. Seeing no signs of anger, she nodded, "I'll help him."
"Thank you!" Laila patted her hand and motioned for Demi to bring the recording device. She was prepared to record all of Kathy's words and then find useful clues from them.
"It was Vicky's birthday that day, and she wanted to celebrate it in a special way." Kathy lowered her head, twirling her fingers, and began to recount what happened that day.
"Her brother is a bartender in that bar. As long as we greet her brother, we can sneak in from behind. Vicky said she's already 15, an adult, and should play with adults. I didn't want to go, but they all went. If I didn't go, they wouldn't play with me in the future."