The Wolf of Los Angeles

Chapter 56: The Champagne Celebration

Sunday at William Morris Agency, the office building buzzed with activity despite it being the weekend.

Dani Garcia rushed out of her office, clutching a freshly printed fax. She pushed open the nearby meeting room door with a bang, interrupting a lively discussion between Hawk, Dwayne Johnson, Edward, and Caroline.

All heads turned toward her.

Hawk reacted first. "The numbers are in?"

Dani nodded, her voice raspy with excitement. "The Scorpion King’s opening weekend box office is in. Friday: $14.55 million. Saturday: $16.21 million. Sunday projections: around $11 million. We’re looking at over $40 million for the weekend!"

Hawk was the first to clap, rising from his seat and raising his fist. "Congratulations, Mr. Box Office Champion!"

Dwayne met his fist with a grin before pulling Hawk into a bear hug. "We’re the **** box office champions!"

Hawk extricated himself and gave Dani a quick hug.

Caroline stepped back. "Whoa, whoa! Don’t even think about it. Your bargain-bin clothes will ruin my Chanel."

Ignoring her, Hawk hugged Edward for good measure.

As the group celebrated, Caroline stood off to the side, feeling oddly left out.

Dwayne clapped Hawk on the shoulder again. "Your plan was unconventional, even wild, but it worked like a charm!"

Dani added, "Universal’s most optimistic projection was $35 million for the weekend, and we hit $40 million!"

Dwayne grinned. "A truly incredible experience."

Caroline, unwilling to be left out, chimed in, "Hey, everyone! Time to pop some champagne!"

Dani sent someone to fetch it, while Dwayne stepped out briefly, returning with several gift bags.

He handed a sealed envelope to Hawk. "Here’s the remaining $50,000 balance."

Hawk checked the envelope briefly and pocketed it.

Dwayne distributed the gift bags, dividing them by gender. "I prepared a little something for everyone. This success wouldn’t have been possible without you all."

Dani opened her box first, revealing a Rolex Lady-Datejust. Caroline received a similar gift in a different style.

Hawk’s box contained a gold Rolex Datejust, which he accepted with a grin. Even Edward got a Rolex.

"Thank you," Hawk said, tucking the watch into his bag.

With champagne flowing, the mood was jubilant.

But with the final payment made, the contract between West Coast Entertainment Studio and Dwayne’s team officially ended.

After a toast, Hawk broached a new topic. "So, about Allison Faith—the singer you introduced me to—what’s her situation now?"

Dwayne explained, "Her new label is scouting for songs, and she’s trying her hand at songwriting. It’s still a prep phase, not yet time for full-scale promotion." ṛἁƝ∅ꞖÈＳ

He added, "Joanna knows about your work from this campaign. If they need help, they’ll call you."

Hawk nodded and signaled to Edward to leave.

---

In the lobby, the sound of hurried footsteps in heels followed them. Caroline caught up, calling, "Cowboy!"

Hawk paused. "Miss Baa-Baa, what now?"

"The photos—did you delete them?" she demanded.

Hawk sighed. "Didn’t I tell you? I only took pictures of the wall."

Caroline raised a skeptical brow. "I don’t trust you. Hand over your phone. I’ll check myself."

Hawk considered her ties to Sarah Parker and had an idea. He discreetly gestured to Edward, signaling him to start recording audio.

Edward, quick on the uptake, activated the recorder on his phone.

Feigning indignation, Caroline leaned in, parting her lips in a sultry bleat. "Baaa... baaa... baaa…"

Her voice wavered suggestively, drawing stifled laughter from Hawk and Edward.

Hawk countered, "Fine, but I’ll check yours, too. How do I know you didn’t take photos of me?"

Reluctantly, Caroline handed over her Motorola after unlocking it. Hawk, in turn, handed her his everyday Nokia—empty of anything incriminating.

Caroline scanned his photo gallery, quickly finding the date in question. Sure enough, there was only a picture of the conference room wall.

Meanwhile, Hawk found Sarah Parker and Bro Derek’s private numbers in Caroline’s contacts, mentally noting them before returning the phone.

Caroline handed back his Nokia. "We’re even."

"Goodbye, Miss Baa-Baa," Hawk said, waving casually.

Caroline strutted out, her Hermès bag swinging as she clicked away in red heels.

Outside, she answered a call from Sarah Parker, who wanted to discuss her promotional plans for Sex and the City over dinner that evening.

---

Later that night in Sherman Oaks, Hawk parked outside Sarah and Bro Derek’s hillside mansion. Through binoculars, he watched the house as lights flickered off inside.

Suddenly, the glare of flashing red and blue lights illuminated the street. A patrol car approached.

Knowing he couldn’t avoid it, Hawk calmly stepped out and told Edward to stay in the car. Holding the card Erica Ferguson had given him, he approached the officer.

"Everything okay?" the officer asked.

Hawk showed the card, replying, "My car made a strange noise. I was checking it."

The officer glanced at the card and nodded. "Need any assistance?"

"All good now. Thanks."

The officer returned to his patrol car with a polite reminder. "If you need help, call 911."

As the patrol car drove off, Hawk admired the card’s usefulness before returning to the driver’s seat.

He resumed his surveillance briefly before concluding, "Let’s head back. Nothing tonight."

Edward started the car, grumbling, "If that were me parked here, they’d have cuffed me already."

Hawk reassured him, "We’ll shift focus. Tomorrow, we’ll scope out Sex and the City’s event venue."

Edward hesitated. "Didn’t we already get a story out of Sarah Parker? Why her again?"

Hawk explained, "Last time, the fallout landed entirely on Downey. Sarah was practically unscathed, and Bro even defended her publicly. I think their relationship isn’t as perfect as it seems. If we keep digging, we might find something bigger. Once a cheater, always a cheater."

Edward nodded, adding knowingly, "Yeah, I’ve seen it. Once they start, they never stop."

Hawk asked, "Personal experience?"

Edward fell silent, his swagger momentarily deflated.

---

The next morning, Hawk visited the Burbank Nova Theater, blending in as a regular moviegoer.

He wandered through the lobby, studying posters until he reached the one for Sex and the City. A fan event was scheduled for the next evening, with Sarah Parker and other cast members in attendance.

After confirming the date and time, Hawk examined the theater’s layout. Besides the main entrance, there were two emergency exits—one leading directly backstage and inaccessible to the general audience.

At the box office, he purchased two tickets for the event. Each cost a steep $39.90, far above the standard $7 ticket price.

The high price served as a filter; only die-hard fans would pay.

The ticket explicitly prohibited recording devices, further ensuring exclusivity.

Outside the theater, Hawk circled the building, meticulously noting each exit. A plan was forming in his mind.

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