"Aha…"
The middle-aged male reporter had been noticing Daisy for a while, seemingly interested in her. He introduced himself, "I'm Joel Weston, entertainment reporter for the Los Angeles Independent."
Joel Weston extended his right hand to Daisy.
Daisy only nodded in acknowledgment, clearly not interested in continuing the conversation with him. She turned her attention to the entrance of the Death Star building, giving Joel Weston the cold shoulder.
"So cool…"
Reporters are experts at reading people, and Joel Weston was no exception. Seeing his warm approach met with cold indifference, he withdrew his hand reluctantly and also turned his gaze towards the building's entrance.
Daisy ignored the other reporters around her, focusing solely on waiting for her target to emerge, while contemplating her own plans.
Over the past year, she had often followed Murphy Stanton, especially after he returned from Venice. With his new movie releasing, a large number of reporters trailed him, giving her the perfect cover to continue disguising herself as a journalist.
Murphy Stanton was always surrounded by a swarm of media reporters, many of whom were freelancers and paparazzi. Daisy didn't have to worry about being noticed, which made it very convenient for her to tail him. However, this also meant challenges.
With so many reporters following him, Murphy Stanton's bodyguards were always close by, and under such public scrutiny, she couldn't find a good opportunity to strike.
From November until now, Daisy hadn't found any chance to eliminate the traitor without drawing attention to herself. Murphy Stanton was constantly the focal point of reporters and cameras.
Despite not finding the right moment, Daisy was patient and not in a hurry.
She understood clearly that as long as she could eliminate Murphy Stanton, it would cause true chaos, shaking the entire world!
The previous two incidents didn't achieve Daisy's goal. Adding to her frustration, the LAPD had completely targeted the wrong person, arresting an unlucky individual who liked clowns, had weapons at home, and couldn't prove their innocence, acting as her scapegoat.
Though the case hadn't yet been adjudicated, this situation assured her that the police wouldn't come looking for her.
"He's coming out… he's coming out…"
The voice of a reporter near the entrance of the Death Star building interrupted her thoughts. Daisy looked up and saw Murphy Stanton entering the lobby, heading towards the door.
Instinctively, she reached into her coat, gripping a concealed, compact lady's handgun. This was her latest legally purchased firearm—small, delicate, and easy to carry, a popular choice for women's self-defense.
Even though gun restrictions were strict, with Daisy's financial resources and relatively clean background, obtaining a firearm wasn't too difficult.
She squeezed the handgun tightly before releasing it, pulling her hand out from her coat, and like the other reporters, she turned on her camera and aimed the lens at Murphy Stanton, who was surrounded by four burly bodyguards.
Daisy had a unique set of ideals and logic, but she wasn't foolish. She looked down on people like John Hinckley Jr. and Sara Jane Moore, who ended up ruining their own lives.
She knew that to achieve her ideals and uphold the magician's principles, she first needed to avoid getting caught by the police.
Otherwise, once in prison, all her ideals and principles would be for naught…
The glass doors of the Death Star building were pushed open from inside. Four tall, burly bodyguards formed a protective circle around Murphy, keeping the reporters at bay as they escorted him forward.
A black Rolls-Royce Phantom had already pulled up, waiting for its owner to board.
"Director Stanton…"
"Murphy…"
Questions and shouts came from all around, but unlike when he entered the building, Murphy didn't respond this time. Instead, he headed straight to the car and got in.
"Hurry!"
A reporter called to his assistant, "Quick, get the car!"
Fearing Murphy Stanton would recognize her, Daisy had kept to the outermost edge of the group of dozens of reporters and paparazzi. When she saw Murphy get into the car, she immediately turned off her camera and rushed to her black Ford parked by the roadside. Just like the other reporters and paparazzi, she got in and quickly followed the black Rolls-Royce Phantom and the trailing bodyguard car.
The black Rolls-Royce Phantom showed no intention of shaking off the reporters, driving steadily. Based on past experiences, Daisy guessed Murphy Stanton was probably heading back to Wave Manor.
"Ugh…" she sighed, "another wasted day."
CAA, 20th Century Fox, Stanton Studio, and Wave Manor—these were the places Murphy Stanton frequented most.
This was Daisy's conclusion after trailing him for so long.
She had never seen Murphy Stanton sneak out to meet women privately like other directors. This guy was always either at home or at work…
In some ways, he was an anomaly among Hollywood directors, and it was precisely because of this that finding the right moment to strike was so challenging.
Besides Wave Manor, every other place Murphy Stanton frequented was teeming with reporters, many with their cameras rolling, plus those ever-present bodyguards…
Despite practicing shooting for over a year and engaging in planned fitness training, Daisy was confident that she was quite formidable among ordinary women. But facing professional bodyguards, she would likely…
"Forget it." Daisy shook her head. "I'll just wait patiently; the opportunity will come eventually!"
In the front seat of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Murphy had just hung up from a call with Carla Faith. He told the driver, "Take me home."
Yesterday, he had arranged to have dinner with Carla Faith to discuss the upcoming Oscar promotional campaign for "Spotlight." However, Carla had called to say she had a sudden issue to address on a set in Nevada and that they'd have to reschedule the dinner for another time when Gal Gadot was available.
Today, Margot Robbie had arranged to have tea at the manor with Gal Gadot, so Murphy had gone to CAA alone.
Having given instructions to the driver, Murphy dialed Gal Gadot's cell phone to let her know he was coming home for dinner. The phone rang for a while but went unanswered.
Murphy shrugged, not thinking much of it. Like him, Gal Gadot rarely carried her phone around when at home.
"Probably having tea in the garden again," he thought, deciding not to call the landline. After all, Century City wasn't far from Wave Manor, and he'd be home soon.
Sitting in the car, Murphy continued to contemplate the acquisition of Sony Columbia Pictures, especially the financing issues.
Financing wasn't as easily resolved as it sounded. Besides CAA's assistance, he needed a financial institution to act as a financing channel.
This aspect posed some challenges, but as long as Sony Columbia Pictures was willing to talk with Stanton Studio, financing wouldn't be too hard to arrange…
Additionally, friends like Robert Downey Jr. and James Franco could provide some funding, especially Downey, who was very interested in becoming a shareholder in one of Hollywood's Big Six.
If his close friends wanted to invest, he would welcome them. If they weren't interested, he wouldn't insist.
Such matters had to be based on voluntary participation.
However, Murphy knew well that acquiring Sony Columbia Pictures would be an arduous task. Even with CAA's full support, it would be challenging.
But difficulties wouldn't stop him. As in past years, he thrived on challenges.
After pondering for a while, Murphy glanced out the window. The Rolls-Royce Phantom had entered the luxurious residential area of Beverly Hills. Passing one mansion after another, he then turned to check behind him, seeing at least seven or eight cars following him. It seemed the reporters and paparazzi wouldn't give up until they saw him return home.
This situation had been ongoing for many years, and Murphy didn't mind. He wasn't doing anything secretive and wasn't afraid of being photographed.
After another ten minutes, the Rolls-Royce Phantom turned onto a quieter road, approaching Wave Manor. The estate gates opened, allowing the Phantom and the trailing bodyguard car to enter before closing, shutting out all the reporters.
The Phantom drove along a straight path through the front garden's woods and stopped at the villa entrance. Getting out, Murphy saw the butler waiting at the door.
Entering the living room, Murphy didn't see Gal Gadot or the visiting Margot Robbie. He took off his coat, handing it to the butler, and asked casually, "Is Gal in the garden?"
"Yes," the butler replied. "Having afternoon tea with Miss Robbie."
Murphy headed towards the stairs. "You go ahead with your tasks. I'll go find them."
Outside Wave Manor, seeing the gates close, the reporters waited a while. Some checked the time and, realizing it was getting late, called out to colleagues before driving away.
These were reporters who frequently tailed Murphy and knew his habits. Once he was home, he rarely came out again.
Waiting any longer would be pointless; they decided to leave.
Seeing others depart, most reporters started their cars and turned away from Wave Manor, clearly unwilling to wait further.
However, Daisy parked by the roadside, staying put and keeping her eyes on the gates.
Thud, thud—
Her car window was suddenly knocked on from outside. Daisy turned to see the middle-aged reporter from earlier.
"It's getting late," the reporter called out. "Not leaving? How about we grab a drink together?"
Daisy firmly shook her head, her expression cold. "No need, I'll wait a while longer."
Once again rebuffed, the middle-aged reporter walked away, then drove off.
In front of Wave Manor, only Daisy and her car remained.
_________________________
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