[Chapter 68: Sowing Discord]
Outside the black wall, the lift gently landed at the bottom.
Hawke quickly asked, "Did he spot you?"
"He saw me," Eric handed the camera over to Hawke, unable to suppress a grin. "I got everything I needed."
Since they couldn't linger, Hawke instructed Edward and Eric, "Let's move."
He glanced at Benjamin Daniels and asked, "You not coming with us?"
Benjamin Daniels waved cheerily, "Wish you guys safe travels."
Even with the best plans, unexpected situations could arise, just like the surprise of Edward knowing Benjamin 'Bull Daddy' Daniels.
If he dared to use it, he also had to be ready for the risks it entailed.
...
The three hopped back in the car, and Edward slammed down on the gas, shooting the van forward.
Hawke took out his laptop in the back and connected the camera to download the footage. He hit play.
With enough daylight, Eric's professional level showed in the clear footage -- the moment Miller and Kevin emerged, their faces were instantly recognizable.
As for what happened next, it was quite the eye-opener, with some parts straight out of scandalous realms.
Finally, as Eric got caught, the video abruptly ended.
Hawke gathered several storage drives and made copies, saying to Eric, "Your filming skills are impressive. When you get a moment, teach the Savior a thing or two."
Driving, Edward chimed in, "Boss, don't you think my video has a rare sense of authenticity?"
Eric, feeling good, retorted, "What authenticity? You shot it terribly."
He grew worried, "I wonder if Miller recognized me."
As Hawke focused on making copies, he said dismissively, "Not a big deal."
But Edward wasn't done, "Let him recognize you! Knowing who's behind this will make revenge all the more satisfying!"
Eric shot a look at the driver, "Savior, your theory is unique, but it sounds quite plausible."
Hawke stated, "The moment that Bull recognized the Savior, our risk of exposure spiked. Unless we drop this today, but it's fine; sooner or later, we'll have to face something similar. It's better to get it over with."
Edward scratched his head, "I didn't expect to run into Bull Daddy here; last time we passed through, he wasn't by the lift."
"Doesn't matter," Hawke replied, having finished making a copy and handing one to Eric. "Keep one for yourself."
He added simply, "A hot star often represents a complex web of interests; we've acted quickly in the past, and the subjects had no clue about us; all the real pressure falls on the buyers."
Eric replied, "I'm not afraid."
Hawke warned, "Take special care over the next few days; don't go out causing trouble. Stay close to me."
Edward was no issue, but Eric needed to first call Katherine to discuss operations for the new project with Hawke.
Hawke created a few more copies, and as the van turned onto Santa Monica Boulevard, passing by the Bank of America, he made Edward pull over. He grabbed one copy to bring into the bank and opened a safe deposit box.
...
On the other side, Miller had made a few calls and hurried out the front door.
The high-lift work vehicle remained parked; the workers on it were still maintaining the street lamps and poles.
Miller spotted Benjamin Daniels right away and fast-walked over, demanding, "Were you guys responsible for that?"
"Not us," Benjamin Daniels replied with a laugh, showing his crooked teeth. "They borrowed our truck, then they ran off."
Several workers sidled up, standing behind their boss.
Miller quickly steadied himself, asking coolly, "Who are they?"
Benjamin Daniels lingered, clearly with an agenda as he beamed at Miller.
Miller understood the game all too well, rummaging through his pocket to pull out a wallet, taking out all the cash and stuffing it in Benjamin Daniels's hand. "Tell me who they are; how do I find them?"
Benjamin Daniels pocketed the cash with a grin. "There were three of them, I only recognize one -- he's called the Savior, real name Edward Connor, from Compton. I've got his phone number..."
Miller noted down the name and number; he saw Benjamin Daniels's numbers were overwhelming and turned back, receiving a call from his agent yelling, "Get over here quickly!"
He hung up, composed himself, and dialed the number he had just noted.
The situation needed swift resolution.
Miller dialed the number.
...
In the van, Edward's phone suddenly chimed.
He took it out, seeing it was an unknown number.
Upon answering, a stranger's voice replied, "Edward Connor, the Savior, right? This is Miller Collins."
Edward switched to speakerphone mode.
Miller continued, "Since I know who you are, I can find you. I'm not sure what you want, but I advise you to give me what you've filmed, or I will use my vast resources to hunt you down. At that point, it won't be a calm conversation anymore."
Edward didn't hesitate, replying in a teasing tone, "Oh no! I'm so scared of you coming after me!"
After issuing his threat, Miller's tone shifted. "You want money, right? Just return the footage, and I'll hand over $500,000, no problem."
Hearing that number struck Edward's breathless.
Hawke, ever the schemer, remained silent.
Eric could hardly contain himself, shouting, "You think money can fix this? Just so you know, I'm the one who filmed it! Eric Emerson!"
Miller quickly realized, "You? You're the trash director! You think just filming it allows you to release it? My team, my sponsors, my agency will all turn against you! No media outlet will touch this; they still won't use it even if we deliver it to them!"
He retorted, "Taking you down is like squashing an ant!"
Eric thought about the intel they had gathered and realized Miller was indeed powerful.
Miller tried to sow discord among them: "Hey, Savior, you've got another buddy. Just bring the footage to me, and I'll give you $1 million -- cash today."
A seven-figure sum was an undeniably tempting offer, especially for broke guys like Hawke and Edward.
Eric trembled slightly, conspicuously looking toward Hawke, a frown of worry plastered on his face.
Hawke was ready for this and finally spoke up, "No media will touch it? That's fine, we'll make three hundred copies and send them for free to every TV station, newspaper, and internet news site in the country. Someone will bite."
Miller hissed, "You fools won't get anywhere..."
"Fool is you," Hawke shot back, more piercingly, adding, "By the way, your team, your friends, your sponsors will all get copies. Does your teammate know you're gay? I bet not. I'm a caring person; I'll help notify the team."
He slowed down, "If they found out, wouldn't that be something? Would they dare to shower and change clothes with you? You might just encounter betrayal."
Silence fell on the other end.
In killing someone, targeting the heart is essential. Hawke twisted the knife and turned it thrice, "Oh, your sponsors are quite a few; they're certainly strong. I recall several brands are male-oriented, looking for a healthy image. If they learn you're gay, they might have a dramatic change of heart -- are you ready to inform them? I could help you with that call."
"No!" Miller almost shouted.
It was evident that Hawke had thrown him off balance.
Since Hawke was helping Eric, he was going all in: "And what about your wife and daughter? Do they know you're such a troublemaker? Or, should I say, are you the one creating troubles for them? What would they think of you? I have your wife's number; I can call her anytime."
With a fierce front, Miller lost his previous bravado.
Then the call abruptly ended.
Edward remarked, "Boss, he thought we didn't understand anything; little did he know we know more than he does!"
Eric stared at Hawke, not sure what to say next.
How many friendships could withstand a million dollars' test?
He mimicked Edward's tone. "Boss, I was worried that they were really powerful. Hearing him, I realize he's just a bluff."
"Don't be careless," Hawke reiterated. "He has money, and money can do a lot."
Without hesitation, Eric responded, "I'm with you."
Edward asked, "Boss, was what you said true?"
Hawke replied, "It mainly puts him off-balance, so he's less likely to use those resources. Miller is a professional athlete; his greatest marketability lies in his masculinity, and being gay would ruin everything. Football doesn't welcome LGBTQ."
In ten years, Hawke would never say those things over the phone.
He glanced at the time and continued, "To prevent Miller and his allies from striking back, we need to find allies of our own to stand firm against the pressure."
Edward reacted instantly, "Media, big media!"
Hawke affirmed, "I checked; Miller's sponsoring brands aren't main advertisers for Fox. Channel 11 remains our best bet."
Fox was an excellent source of protection.
*****
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