Hollywood Road

"The documentary plan is set and will first air on Channel 6," Kara Faith said while driving her Audi with Murphy in the passenger seat.

"If the response is good, we'll push it into the video and DVD market," she continued.

"Sounds good," Murphy said, leaning back in his seat, feeling a bit uncomfortable in his tailored suit. "Time is pressing. If the protests die down, the documentary's appeal will also drop."

Kara gave him a thumbs up. "Your news sensitivity is getting sharper."

"Thanks," Murphy replied casually. "I learned it all from you."

Due to the media's persistent coverage and the ultra-sensitive "glass heart" of the black community, the protests in Los Angeles hadn't died down even though some time had passed since the initial incident. The protests were even spreading to surrounding areas, with some human rights organizations joining in.

The two black men were criminals, but even criminals have human rights. These organizations were adept at finding faults, especially since the deceased were black.

The media fanned the flames, repeatedly questioning if the police would have fired if the victims were white.

This issue was becoming a national focus again, with the black human rights issue being pushed to the forefront by the media. Unlike the praise received during the North Hollywood shootout a few years ago, the LAPD was under immense pressure, and several officers involved in the standoff were forced to take leave.

"What's wrong?" Kara asked, seeing Murphy lost in thought.

"Feeling guilty?" she teased, knowing they were the catalysts of this event.

Kara had no regrets; she had always sought out sensational national news, and this incident was exactly what she hoped for.

"Dear, you're joking," Murphy said, feigning ignorance. "Did we do something?"

Even while driving, Kara couldn't help but glance at Murphy. He calmly said, "The continuous protests in front of LA City Hall and the LAPD are due to their mishandling and the blacks' sensitivity. What does that have to do with us?"

Kara laughed. "Indeed, it has nothing to do with us."

She looked at Murphy's calm profile, his words seemingly undeniable facts.

"What are you looking at?" Murphy asked, turning his head.

Kara shrugged. "You're quite handsome."

She had never met anyone who matched her temperament so well.

The Audi left the city and headed toward Santa Monica. As Kara passed an intersection, she suddenly thought of something. "You've been making quite a bit of money lately. Why don't you get a new car? Your Ford should be scrapped."

"As long as it runs," Murphy replied, thinking that his old Ford was the reason he was riding in Kara's car. "Every dollar I have is put to good use, not for frivolous spending."

Kara remembered something Murphy had said before and asked, "Are you really planning to leave this industry?"

"Yeah," Murphy nodded. "It shouldn't be too long now."

"That's a pity. You're very suited for this line of work," Kara said, showing some regret. The past month had been the fastest rise in her career, all thanks to the guy in the passenger seat. "Got any plans?"

She knew Murphy well enough to know he wouldn't act without a plan.

"Of course. I might need your help then," Murphy paused, looking at the straight road ahead. "I want to get into Hollywood and make movies."

"What?" Kara asked instinctively, then laughed. "You... want to make movies? Are you kidding?"

Murphy shook his head seriously. "Of course not."

"How did you come up with this idea?" Kara looked at him incredulously. "You must be crazy to want to enter a completely unfamiliar industry."

Then she added, "I almost forgot, you are crazy."

"Thanks," Murphy replied, not bothered by her words. "You know me best."

Indeed, wanting to break into Hollywood without any connections or experience was almost as crazy as it sounded.

But Murphy kept telling himself that there had once been a crazy guy who left an engineering job to become a director in LA and ended up winning an Oscar and becoming the "King of the World" with the highest-grossing movie ever.

Sure, he wasn't a genius like James Cameron, but he was still willing to try.

At just twenty-one, Murphy knew he had plenty of time to bounce back even if he failed.

As they entered Santa Monica, Kara drove toward the beachfront villa area.

"No wonder you suggested the documentary," she said, seemingly realizing a lot. "You already had plans to enter the film industry."

The car stopped near a luxurious villa. Kara parked by the road and led Murphy towards the house.

"You look especially beautiful today," Murphy said.

Kara was wearing a short dress that highlighted her long legs and curvy figure. With her exquisite face and golden hair, she looked as stunning as any Hollywood actress.

"Thanks," Kara replied, glancing at Murphy in his suit. "You look good too."

As they walked, she teased, "If Hollywood doesn't work out, you could try San Fernando Valley. I'm sure the directors there would be interested in you."

Murphy shrugged but said nothing.

Kara naturally took his arm, and Murphy, not used to such formalities but able to adapt, escorted her to the villa entrance. Following the staff's directions, they headed to the seaside garden.

There were quite a few familiar faces among the guests. Murphy couldn't place them all, but they were likely notable figures from his past journalism days.

"Thinking about something?" Kara asked, ignoring a lecherous man trying to greet her. She leaned closer and whispered, "Worried about failing? Don't worry, if it doesn't work out, my door is always open for you."

Murphy heard the sincerity in her voice. For her to say such a thing showed how much she valued him.

"I will," Murphy replied, recalling what Ross had mentioned earlier. "By the way, a friend told me today that the victims and perpetrators in the Beale Street case were likely drug dealers."

"What?" Kara turned to him. "Reliable source?"

"Very reliable," Murphy said. "He'd seen them before."

Kara frowned. "What kind of friends do you have?"

Murphy slowed his pace. "An old prison buddy, someone I fought alongside."

Kara suddenly remembered that she was with an ex-convict, and she slowed her pace too.

She came from a privileged background, had a good education, and a promising career. She and Murphy were worlds apart.

But... this man had never shown any signs of being a lowly figure.

Kara shook her head slightly, stopped thinking about it, and led Murphy into the party.

The party was enormous, spanning the entire garden and a private beach, covering thousands of square feet. Murphy saw hundreds of well-dressed guests and dozens of bikini-clad women near the beach.

Kara Faith was here mainly because of her TV network, so she didn't know many people. She introduced Murphy to a few people he found unfamiliar.

Murphy was polite, seizing the opportunity to network in a circle he normally couldn't access.

Of course, Murphy didn't introduce himself as a freelance journalist. Kara introduced him as the chairman and president of Stanton Studios.

No one doubted or found it strange. In LA, the media and entertainment capital, such studios were everywhere.

But no one knew that Stanton Studios had only one employee: Murphy.

After mingling for a while, they moved to a resting area on the beach to get drinks. A black man suddenly approached them.

"Hello, beautiful lady," he said, towering over them. "Can I buy you a drink?"

He seemed attracted to Kara's looks, completely ignoring Murphy.

Murphy carefully observed the man, who looked very familiar against Kara's fair skin.