The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 265: The Wall Crumbled]

Santa Monica, Ackerman Charitable Foundation Headquarters.

In Barak Bernanke's office, Melissa Ackerman flipped through two medical reports, each titled with the names Rachel Lee and Veronica Lee. They contained comprehensive analyses of the women's blood, blood types, organs, and overall health. In simpler terms, these two women from a Korean background carried the Hh blood type and were in excellent health.

Melissa looked at Barak and said, "They are perfect candidates for blood donors and spare organ banks, especially that girl. She's not even fourteen yet; her organs are much younger and match me perfectly."

Barak replied, "Finding a match in both blood type and organs isn't easy."

Melissa set the medical reports aside and said, "Nowadays, it's not as convenient to get things done. In the past, with these small-time operators, we would have just taken them. Why bother with all this hassle?"

"Even though we smoothed over the issues at Venice Beach Club, we've drawn some attention," Barak said as he securely stored the medical reports in a safe. "This may seem more complicated, but it's actually safer."

Melissa was unconcerned about the methods, just focused on results. "What's the progress now?"

Barak detailed, "Andy Carroll used Rachel's character flaws and personal inclinations to make her the leader of a theft ring. Rachel was caught stealing from multiple Hollywood celebrities' homes but has been bailed out by LAPD."

He poured Melissa a cup of coffee and continued, "Using this situation, Carroll suggested that Veronica shut down her company in Los Angeles and move to Baltimore. Veronica is still considering it."

Recalling how her father Buddy Ackerman nearly faced dire circumstances two years ago, she urged, "Tell Carroll to speed things up and deal with them quickly."

Barak thought for a moment and said, "We could help turn up the heat."

He pondered further, "Let's engage the media, widely report on this. Have journalists and paparazzi camp outside to crank up the public pressure and shrink their living space, forcing them to come to terms faster."

"Good idea," Melissa agreed enthusiastically. "A string of Hollywood stars' homes were robbed; the media will be interested."

Barak said, "I'll arrange for someone to leak that information."

Melissa waved a hand dismissively. "Go ahead."

Barak called in a female assistant and set things in motion.

...

Los Angeles had an abundance of news tipsters, and the previous theft at Paris Hilton's residence had already made headlines. Due to the pressure from Brooklynn Private School and the fact that the suspects were minors, Rachel and the others' identities were kept under wraps for the time being.

Minutes later, a tip line at The National Enquirer received a tip-off from a news contact, which promptly made its way to the editor's office. The editor quickly reached out to an external reporter and relayed Rachel's name and home address.

Almost simultaneously, outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, World News, and The Hollywood Life also received news leads regarding Rachel. They immediately dispatched reporters to gather the exclusive scoop.

Even on Twitter, someone tipped off with relevant news leads. However, curiously, the caller didn't ask for a tip fee.

...

Beverly Hills, Burton Road.

Johnny stopped his car a few hundred meters from Veronica's home and asked Nicholas, "Has everyone else arrived?"

"I'll make a call," Nicholas replied, pulling out his phone to dial.

The other three girls couldn't drive and had trouble with public transport, so only one managed to come by. But one was better than none.

Nicholas flipped down the sun visor and adjusted his hairstyle in the mirror before saying to Johnny, "Dad, I'm heading in."

Johnny advised him, "Make some noise."

"Got it." Nicholas exited the car and strode toward Veronica's house.

...

Nicholas met up with his waiting companion, Amanda, at an intersection. The two of them approached Veronica's door, knocked forcefully, and shouted, "Rachel! Rachel! Are you home?"

The loud knocking and shouting stirred Veronica inside the house. She opened the door to see Nicholas and Amanda, her expression darkening.

Nicholas, sporting a Hollywood pedigree and wearing a cheeky grin, asked, "Auntie, is Rachel at home?"

Veronica snapped, "She's not home! And don't come looking for her again. She's not going out with you anymore..."

Before she could finish, Amanda yelled inside, "Rachel! Are you home? We want to take you out to have fun!"

Veronica was enraged and wanted to lash out.

Nicholas shouted inside, "Rachel! Rachel!"

"Shut up!" Veronica barked.

But Rachel heard the commotion from the upstairs window and peeked outside, asking, "What are you doing here?"

"Come out! Let's hang out!" Nicholas waved at her.

"Sure!" Rachel responded.

Veronica was furious. Not only were these kids coaxing her daughter into trouble, but they kept coming back.

She stepped back, disregarded the two at the door, and slammed it shut.

Nicholas knocked again, calling, "Rachel, are you coming?"

There was no reply.

However, Nicholas soon heard raised voices, indicating Rachel and Veronica were arguing.

He pushed, "Rachel, if you don't come out, we're leaving!"

Eventually, Rachel did not come out, and Nicholas and Amanda walked away.

Once outside, Nicholas said to Amanda, "We'll come back tomorrow. We have to rescue Rachel from her mom's grasp."

Amanda, a playful girl lacking resoluteness, agreed, "Yeah! We have to save Rachel! I'll be back tomorrow."

...

Not far across the street, in a parked Chevrolet, Fiona adjusted the camera lens, documenting Nicholas and Amanda's every move.

Just moments ago, Nicholas's shouting had caught her and Betty's attention from across the street.

Fiona grabbed her walkie-talkie and asked Betty in the other car, "Do you get the feeling this boy is stirring the pot?"

Betty replied, "Sounds like it's definitely possible. How about you keep an eye on things here while I tag along with that boy to see what's up?"

Fiona nodded, "Sounds good."

Betty took off in a Mustang, following Nicholas after he split from Amanda, noticing he climbed into a car with another man.

...

In a standalone villa, Veronica and Rachel engaged in a heated argument, which concluded when Rachel retreated upstairs and locked her bedroom door.

Veronica sat in the living room, her chest heaving from anger. After taking a glass of water to somewhat calm down, she suddenly recalled her fiance Carroll's words.

The environment had too much influence on children.

Suddenly, the phone rang. Veronica answered to find it was from Brooklynn School, requesting she bring Rachel for some follow-up matters that afternoon.

Veronica already sensed what the "follow-up matters" entailed; Brooklynn School had helped bail Rachel out but, being concerned with its reputation, was pressuring LAPD discreetly.

Now that Rachel was out, the school would likely try to push for her to voluntarily withdraw.

In her thoughts, Veronica heard a clamorous noise outside, growing louder. She rushed to the window.

...

A swarm of media vehicles, bearing logos, arrived and reporters equipped with cameras disembarked, numbering nearly twenty.

Their aim was clear as they aligned outside her home. Some even raised their cameras to photograph the house.

Across the street, Fiona showed up, displaying her Channel 11 press credentials, carrying her camera, and moved in on the scene.

As Veronica prepared to take Rachel to school, the moment they stepped out of the house, they were immediately confronted by reporters.

Neither had ever experienced such chaos, bombarded by a flurry of questions.

"Rachel Lee, we heard you took several classmates on a theft spree?"

"Why did you steal Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Kate Beckinsale's underwear?"

...

Having finally helped Rachel into the car, they sped off toward Brooklynn School. The reporters relentlessly pursued them the entire way, and even into the evening, these vultures hadn't dispersed.

Veronica even noticed someone filming from a nearby building, heightening her fear.

The calls from newspapers and news outlets flooded in, all attempting to interview them, tossing various challenging questions their way.

As details about her and Rachel began to leak, partners and friends reached out via calls and messages inquiring about the situation.

Veronica felt her reputation tarnished, leaving her feeling completely humiliated.

The psychological defenses of this businesswoman in Los Angeles were steadily crumbling.

*****

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