When Gal Gadot finished speaking, the living room fell silent. Murphy had pursued Gal Gadot when she was just eighteen, and they had been together for nearly ten years. They knew each other well, and some things didn't need to be said outright for the other to understand.
Murphy had always known that Gal Gadot had reservations about the Diego Ross incident. She never voiced them because he hadn't gone too far. Gal Gadot, having studied law, was naturally more cautious.
But given their current status and position, being cautious wasn't a bad thing.
"So, that's how it is." Murphy cupped Gal Gadot's face and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, dear."
Gal Gadot smiled without saying anything more, but Murphy clearly understood her intent.
Murphy knew this wasn't a lawless society.
This was a society governed by rules, and breaking them could lead to punishment. He had once walked the edge of these rules, understanding the risks involved. That was a desperate move, and he hadn't done anything that risky since.
Some might think him cowardly, but it had nothing to do with cowardice and everything to do with intellect.
When you have nothing, you can risk everything for a chance. But once you have assets, those risks must stay within the boundaries of the rules.
It's a simple principle.
The reporters camped outside Wave Manor didn't leave just because Murphy hadn't shown up. They seemed determined not to leave until they got an interview with him.
The Hollywood Chinese Theatre shooting had been fermenting for two days, with the media increasingly tying the shooter's identity and motives to "Dark City." The shooting had affected the film's box office performance in North America, causing a significant dip. The day after the shooting, it earned less than $2 million, a new low since its release.
In the following two days, "Dark City"'s daily box office in North America hovered around $1 million, as if the shooting incident had exhausted all its momentum.
Moreover, society and the media were full of condemnation for the shooter and sympathy for the victims.
Three days after the shooting, the Los Angeles police held the first press conference about the case, revealing numerous details and the latest developments.
Murphy had been closely following the Hollywood Chinese Theatre shooting incident and watched the police press conference live on CNN.
The police disclosed information that aligned with what Murphy already knew.
After three days of investigation, the Los Angeles police confirmed that the man in the red baseball cap was key to the incident. He was a devout Catholic dissatisfied with Murphy's "Diego Ross" and had spread many negative messages about Murphy, which might have motivated the shooter.
The police also confirmed that the shooter was likely a fan of Murphy or "Dark City," evidenced by the magician's magic ball and the message "I am the agent of chaos."
Crucially, they hadn't caught the shooter yet but revealed that he was likely a white man with black mid-length hair, about 5 feet 11 inches tall, and bulky.
With the police holding a press conference and confirming aspects of the case, Murphy ended his brief seclusion at Wave Manor. He needed to attend a meeting at 20th Century Fox.
Not wanting to be disturbed by reporters, Murphy rented a helicopter, which picked him up from the helipad in the manor and flew directly to the Fox building, which also had a helipad, thus avoiding the reporters.
"Seems like we should buy a helicopter," Murphy said to Gal Gadot as the helicopter took off. "It makes things much quieter."
"Is it really quieter?" Gal Gadot pointed outside, where the engine roared. "The noise is pretty loud."
At the manor's gate, many reporters watched the helicopter land behind the white villa, hearing its engine noise.
"Who's visiting Murphy Stanton in a helicopter at this time?" a curious reporter asked.
Another reporter realized, "No, he's escaping!"
Everyone else caught on quickly, and soon they saw the helicopter take off, heading towards Century City.
"It's great to be rich," one reporter envied. "Flying a helicopter for such a short distance!"
Century City and Wave Manor were both in Beverly Hills, not far apart.
"Murphy Stanton is dodging us," another reporter noted.
"What can we do if he hides?" another said. "Can you fly up there? Can you chase him?"
The first reporter gave the disappearing helicopter the finger. "Think you're so great with your money, huh? Showing off with a few bucks..."
Regardless of what the reporters said, they could only watch as Murphy left. Some guessed he was heading to either the Fox building or CAA's Death Star building and rushed there.
By the time they arrived, Murphy was already in the meeting room at 20th Century Fox.
"Currently, the situation is very unfavorable for us. Many media outlets are pinning this on 'Dark City,'" Kara Faith said seriously in the meeting. "Before the incident, 'Dark City' was doing too well. Now, many who were singing its praises will jump at the chance to bring us down."
"Many media are already doing that," Bill Rossis added. "Several newspapers are attacking 'Dark City' and Murphy, claiming that the unlimited movie violence is the root cause of the shooting."
Murphy hadn't said much but understood that such an incident, with the shooter using the magician's trademark, would inevitably be linked to "Dark City." The current media reaction was normal.
"The Hollywood Chinese Theatre shooting has already impacted 'Dark City''s box office trend," Kara Faith continued. "The North American daily box office has been declining over the past three days. Audiences are clearly influenced by the negative media coverage and the incident."
With the shooter potentially being a magician's fan and the incident occurring just before "Dark City"'s screening, some fans would inevitably choose not to watch the film.
Such an incident couldn't help but affect the film.
Everyone in the room, including Murphy, understood this.
"I've already spoken with the company," Kara Faith said. "Fox's media outlets will fully cooperate with us to appropriately guide public opinion."
Murphy nodded. "We can steer this shooting incident towards being seen as an individual's actions."
"Agreed," Kara Faith said. "Not every act of violence inspired by a movie stems from the movie. It's always the individual at fault!"
Such blatant falsehoods were no challenge for the media and people like them.
Since Kara Faith's visit to Wave Manor, 20th Century Fox had formulated a PR and crisis management strategy.
"One more thing," Bill Rossis reminded. "Regardless of the shooter's motives, the shooting happened outside a theatre about to screen 'Dark City,' and some victims were there to see it. We need to take action, especially for the victims."
"I'll handle that," Murphy volunteered. "It's best if the director and the film's stars visit the victims."
"Take a few stars with you," Kara Faith suggested.
Murphy thought for a moment. "It's best if James doesn't show up now."
James Franco was likely facing more pressure than Murphy as the film's director.
"Okay," Murphy said to his agent. "Bill, get in touch with Maggie and have her join Gal and me at the hospital, along with Henry Cavill."
"Maggie won't be a problem," Bill Rossis said. "But Henry's filming in Africa and probably can't make it."
"Then it's just me, Gal, and Maggie," Murphy decided. "Coordinate with the police and hospital, and arrange for our media partners. We'll go as soon as possible."
Bill Rossis nodded. "No problem."
Given the situation, avoiding it wasn't an option. They had to address it, and shootings weren't unusual in this country.
The meeting ended quickly, and everyone set about their tasks. Murphy returned to the helicopter, fully aware that the shooting had inevitably affected the film's previously excellent box office performance in North America.
Meanwhile, in a small office building in Santa Monica, Archbishop Marcos Costello, just back from the Vatican, was watching a replay of the LAPD's press conference on the Hollywood Chinese Theatre shooting.
He hadn't expected such a favorable situation to arise while he was away.
"Have you investigated?" Archbishop Costello asked his assistant. "Are you sure that man was a devout Catholic?"
The assistant responded firmly, "Absolutely sure! He attended Mass regularly and often defended the church online while attacking Murphy Stanton."
Archbishop Costello stood up, pacing in his office. "This is a great opportunity to strike back!"
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