In the hotel room, the main lights were turned off, replaced by dim orange wall lamps. The soft lighting illuminated every corner of the luxurious suite, creating an atmosphere and setting the mood.
"Are you really going to do this?"
Standing in the center of the room, Gal Gadot, dressed in a women's business suit and high heels, appeared exceptionally tall. Opposite her, sitting on a sofa, was Margot Robbie, looking up at her.
"I'm willing to!" Margot Robbie said fearlessly. "No matter the consequences, I'm ready to bear them!"
The two had already had a brief encounter before, and Margot Robbie could sense Gal Gadot's mindset. In her long-term relationship with Murphy and their various intense games, Gal Gadot not only enjoyed being the prey but also desired to become the hunter. However, she felt powerless in front of Murphy and could only suppress these thoughts, unable to act on them.
The previous incident had made this very clear.
Thinking back to the time she had whipped Margot Robbie, Gal Gadot's face slightly reddened, her eyes gradually showing a hint of fervor. For someone obsessed with such games, especially wanting to be the hunter, this invitation was hard to refuse. In fact, she didn't want to refuse at all.
Besides, she had already hit Margot Robbie once before; doing it again wouldn't be a big deal.
Margot Robbie knew that no matter what, she couldn't rush things. It was best to take it slow and steady.
"Gadot..." She looked at Gal Gadot. "Don't you really want to be a hunter? Without practice, how can you become one?"
She knew that Gal Gadot was struggling and hesitating. She continued, "We're best friends, inseparable confidantes. If I won't help you, who else will?"
Gal Gadot bit her lip, tying her curly dark brown hair into a ponytail. "Maggie, you need to make some preparations."
"I'm already prepared," Margot Robbie said.
"You..." Gal Gadot frowned slightly. "You need a safe word."
Margot Robbie was puzzled. "What's a safe word?"
Compared to the novice Margot Robbie, Gal Gadot, who had been through numerous battles with Murphy, was a seasoned veteran in this field. She explained, "Once we start, if you say 'no' or 'stop,' it's hard for me to distinguish whether you mean it or want more. So, we need a specific word. When you say it, I'll know you've reached your limit."
"Oh, I see," Margot Robbie's eyes twinkled. "I'll call you 'Dodo' when I've had enough."
"Alright then!"
Influenced by Murphy, Gal Gadot had become more action-oriented. Once she decided to practice on Margot Robbie, she didn't hesitate. She walked over to the chair, roughly grabbed Margot Robbie's arm, and twisted it before she could react.
Margot Robbie hadn't expected Gal Gadot to act so swiftly. She quickly stood up and turned around, going from facing Gal Gadot to having her back to her.
"You..."
She was about to speak when Gal Gadot covered her mouth and pushed her onto the back of the sofa chair.
"Don't talk!"
Gal Gadot commanded, "Before speaking, you must ask for my permission. No talking without approval!"
She removed her hand from Margot Robbie's mouth, twisted her arms behind her back, and pulled out a thin leather belt from her business suit, skillfully tying Margot Robbie's hands.
"Bend over here!"
Gal Gadot pointed to the back of the sofa chair. When Margot Robbie lifted her hips and leaned over, Gal Gadot took two steps back, her hands on her waist, and pulled out a brown belt from her business suit pants. She folded it in her right hand and slowly raised her arm, the brown belt forming a graceful arc...
In Boston, Murphy welcomed a visitor in his presidential suite.
"Murphy, this is Robbie Robinson, the former editor of the Boston Globe's Spotlight column."
Bill Rosseis, who had been there before, introduced the two men. "Robbie, this is Director Murphy Stanton."
"Hello, Mr. Robinson."
Murphy extended his right hand, and the bald man opposite him shook it briefly. "Hello, Director Stanton."
"Please, this way." Murphy led them into the suite's reception room. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he pressed the intercom button and asked the dedicated butler to bring coffee. After a few more courtesies, Murphy got straight to the point. "Mr. Robinson, I wonder what urgent matter brought you here so late?"
"Nothing urgent." Robbie Robinson set down his coffee cup. "I just returned from the suburbs and noticed some fans holding signs with your name outside the hotel. I remembered you were in Boston..."
He glanced at Bill Rosseis. "So I contacted Mr. Rosseis and decided to visit you. It's a great honor to meet such a talented young Hollywood director."
Since the other party was being friendly, Murphy reciprocated courteously. "It's an honor to meet a Pulitzer Prize winner like you."
Murphy wasn't naive. He knew that Robinson had come at this hour for a reason, especially since he and the crew were leaving Boston the next day.
After a few more polite exchanges, Robinson moved on to the main topic. "Director Stanton, you acquired the film adaptation rights for our report. When do you plan to start shooting?"
"Very soon!" Murphy didn't hide anything. "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it will be my next film!"
He thought for a moment and added, "However, it's hard to say the exact timing. It depends on my work schedule."
In reality, the film's schedule also depended on other factors, including the response from the other party involved and the ongoing collaboration with 20th Century Fox.
"The sooner, the better," Robinson sighed. "Perhaps this will make some people behave a little better."
Murphy didn't quite understand. "Behave better? Who?"
Robinson just shook his head and smiled without answering.
"Oh?" Murphy thought for a moment, then guessed. "Are you saying similar incidents are still happening here?"
"Such things..." Robinson spread his hands. "It's impossible to eliminate them completely."
He seemed somewhat resigned. "I'm sure you're aware, Director Stanton, that the influence of print media has been declining sharply since the turn of the century. Although our report won a Pulitzer Prize, not many people know or care about it. A film, on the other hand..."
"A film reaches a wider audience," Murphy understood. "And garners more attention."
Robinson nodded slightly. "Exactly! A film by a director like you is a global event. I believe this could lead to significant changes."
Murphy stroked his chin, considering Robinson's words carefully.
"This is my hometown."
The Pulitzer Prize winner sighed again. "I grew up here, worked here. I just want the children of Boston to be a little safer."
Hearing this, Murphy stood up. "Mr. Robinson, I will do my utmost to make this film."
"Thank you!" Robinson also stood up. "If you encounter difficulties or resistance during filming, or if you need my help, you can call me. I still have some influence in Boston."
Murphy nodded solemnly. "I will."
The film would undoubtedly be shot on location in Boston. Given the subject matter, it would likely face some resistance. Having someone like Robinson on their side would undoubtedly make things smoother.
With the confirmation that Murphy's next film would be based on their report, Robinson left behind a personal business card and soon departed.
Only Murphy and Bill Rosseis remained in the presidential suite.
"Any response from the Archbishop of Santa Monica?" Murphy asked about something he hadn't paid much attention to recently. "Has he made any moves?"
"Not yet," Rosseis thought for a moment. "But they're keeping a close watch on us."
That was expected. Murphy had met the Archbishop a few times. Despite his age, the man was clearly a strong-willed individual who wanted to make a difference.
Murphy lightly tapped the sofa armrest with his fingers and asked, "What about our mole?"
"He's back from his European vacation," Rosseis lowered his voice slightly. "He's very interested in this job, and it seems he's nearly out of money."
"Good." Murphy nodded, thinking for a few seconds before saying, "Get him active. Don't let things stay quiet. We need to stir up the emotions of those who previously attacked us so that we have an opportunity to use him."
Rosseis understood what to do. "I'll have someone continue contacting him under the guise of the Catholic Church."
The mole always believed he was working for the Archdiocese of Southern California, a belief they had deliberately cultivated.
"Handle these matters," Murphy stood up. "I'm heading to Vancouver with the crew tomorrow. You return to Los Angeles and visit Carla Faith at 20th Century Fox. Ensure she keeps up the promotional efforts for 'The Dark City!'"
As he turned to walk to the bedroom, Murphy left with a final instruction. "If the Archbishop or the Vatican does anything related to us, notify me immediately."
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