The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 170: The Ordinary Life of an Heiress]

In a conference room of a corporate building, Hawke represented Twitter and West Coast Media Entertainment Studio to sign two contracts with Paris Hilton.

One was a video rights transfer agreement, where Paris bought the rights for $5 million. The other was hiring Hawke to create a career strategic plan for her, with a fee of $1.5 million.

After signing the agreements, Paris shook Hawke's hand and said, "My family brought in Roonie for me, which shows my parents believe in Roonie's capabilities. Roonie highly recommended you, so I trust you won't disappoint me."

Hawke replied, "I need to understand your situation better; please don't leave just yet."

Paris nodded, "I'll be waiting for you."

Hawke instructed Edward to take her to the meeting room.

...

At that moment, Roonie approached and said, "Can we have a word alone?"

Hawke replied, "Sure, go ahead."

"Do you remember what I said last time?" Roonie didn't wait for a response. "We will have opportunities to collaborate."

She continued earnestly, "There are no personal grudges between us. The conflict we had last time was simply due to working for different employers. This time, we share the same goal."

Hawke quickly saw through her motives. "Paris Hilton is quite a troublesome girl. She's manageable when sober, but a nightmare when drunk. Your job as a public relations manager won't be easy, and the public relations fees that the Hilton family can afford are no walk in the park, right?"

Roonie admitted, "The PR fees are more than what Wagner offered last time, but it's not a one-time payment; it's for the entire coming year, which includes managing Paris."

She glanced toward where Paris had just left. "She averages a scandal every two days, one person could support a hundred paparazzi. Just the sight of her drunk in nightclubs could fill their pockets. Guiding her is incredibly difficult."

Hawke understood the essence of the situation. "Most people have a class envy mindset. She's someone who's never known struggle and doesn't understand discretion while enjoying life's pleasures. This will only lead to more scandals because the gossip media will cater to public sentiment."

Roonie replied candidly, "That's why I brought you in to see if you might have any special solutions."

Hawke thought for a moment. "Changing this girl is nearly impossible. Do you think you can change her lifestyle? Instead of changing, why not create?"

Recalling their last confrontation, Roonie said, "I excel in change, while you excel in creation."

Hawke stated, "If I help you solve these issues, you owe me a fee."

"Didn't Paris just pay you $1.5 million?" Roonie said with a bold face. "I helped you land a job, and I haven't even taken my cut yet."

As Hawke walked out, he remarked, "I now believe Caroline is a product of your teaching."

Bringing up that traitor, Roonie couldn't help but add, "If she could betray me, she could betray you one day too."

Hawke asked, "Do you think Caroline is afraid of dying?"

This made Roonie think of Wagenen and Redford, causing her to fall silent.

...

Just as Hawke stepped out of the conference room, he received a call from the bank: $1.5 million had just been transferred to West Coast Media's account. Shortly after, Twitter's financial department confirmed the $5 million had also arrived.

Paris lived extravagantly, but she paid promptly. In business, prompt payment was a sign of good faith.

Hawke's mind raced as he rejoined Roonie and pushed through into the meeting room.

Paris, being sober today, directly told Hawke, "I want to be a star, to be the center of media and public attention, to have countless people chasing after me, and to have a career that is mine alone."

Hawke nodded and asked, "A successful career in the limelight?"

"Yes," Paris affirmed. "Genuine fame derived from a career, not like what I have now."

Hawke continued, "I need to know how far you're willing to go for this career."

Paris, thinking he referred to financial matters, replied, "My trust fund can withdraw another $8 million at any time, but more than that would need my parents' approval."

Seeing she misunderstood, Hawke clarified, "The tapes you purchased can be used for publicity, similar to the 'Selfie Scandal.' To be honest, the 'Selfie Scandal' was my creation."

Before Paris could respond, Kim Kardashian exclaimed, "You ran the 'Selfie Scandal'? Oh my God, you're amazing! You turned two scandal-ridden individuals into hot stars."

Roonie shot Kim a glance.

Kim quickly zipped her lips.

Paris asked, "How do we execute this?"

Hawke explained, "Sell the tape to St. Valley Productions, have it re-edited, and released through their channels..."

"Stop!" Paris interrupted. "I don't want it that way. If I wanted that, why would I hire you to buy back the rights?"

Hawke understood, then asked, "Are you looking to change your current lifestyle and ways?"

Without hesitation, Paris replied, "No, why would I change? This is my life, and I won't alter who I am because of the media's chaotic reports."

A life indulging in pleasures -- who wasn't attracted to that? Hawke then asked, "What are you good at?"

After a long pause, Paris earnestly answered, "Spending money, enjoying life, fashion, showing off, partying, dressing up. I'm also quite interested in cooking, but I don't know how to make any dishes..."

Roonie buried her face in her hands. Even the most outrageous Hollywood stars usually had a talent for acting. How could a girl who only knew how to spend money and enjoy life ever build a career for herself?

She tentatively suggested, "How about Paris introduces the lives of the wealthy on a TV show?"

Paris immediately jumped in, "I'm good at that too."

But Hawke shook his head. "There are already plenty of shows like that. If you pursue it, even if someone watches, it will only attract envious gazes."

Roonie thought for a moment and agreed, "Paris is way too flashy."

Hawke took the opportunity to get to know more about Paris Hilton's background, personal habits, and thoughts before concluding the meeting for the day. He needed time to think about how to proceed.

Paris and Roonie's group said their goodbyes shortly after.

...

Hawke accompanied them downstairs, watching the car drive away. He turned to Edward and said, "Call Campos and have him send someone to follow Roonie Chase."

Edward asked, "Boss, are you worried she has other motives?"

"It doesn't seem that way," Hawke replied cautiously. "But it's better to be safe than sorry."

Edward quickly pulled out his phone to call Campos.

Hawke returned to the office.

...

Caroline sneaked out from the operations department and asked, "Should we take down the news on Paris Hilton?"

"No need," Hawke had already mentioned during the copyright talks that the video had gone viral. "This news is useful for my subsequent plans; let it stay in the headlines."

Controlling the news' heat was also crucial, and Caroline replied, "I understand."

...

Not saying much more, Hawke entered his office and recalled what Paris had just said.

This princess of the Hilton family had quite a few strengths. Still, none would truly change the public's perception of her.

Most likely, the most correct thing Paris ever did in her life was being born into a good family, allowing her to do whatever she desired without constraints.

Without any standout skills, unwilling to alter her life of indulgence, and wanting to create a successful career in the limelight, what could she possibly do?

Hawke suddenly thought of the short skirt she wore today, covered in sparkling rhinestones.

A life of indulgence requires substantial wealth to support it. Paris was indeed wealthy, a quintessential pampered heiress.

To create a career in the limelight required television, film, or other programs.

Hawke ruled out television or film. He understood that world was too complex for him to manage.

Given the instability that Paris Hilton represented, it could blow up at any moment.

Suddenly, he thought of a person -- a wealthy individual who had been a judge and host, ultimately stepping into the Oval Office.

It felt like a variety show concept.

Hawke began to form an idea -- the contrast between Paris's everyday behavior and her show personality might be the key.

Contrast often brought excitement.

He grabbed a piece of paper and quickly jotted down a title: The Ordinary Life of an Heiress.

Oh, and Paris had mentioned her interest in cooking, despite not knowing how to cook at all.

He added a note: Episode one: Cooking.

The content would focus on the contrast of a wealthy woman in the kitchen.

As for the planning and filming, that required strong professional knowledge -- something Hawke couldn't handle.

He recognized his limitations; he could churn out some wild ideas, but actual production required expertise he didn't possess.

However, he also knew he could find help in Los Angeles. With enough money, there was no shortage of professionals in that field.

Besides, Paris Hilton was covering the costs herself.

Hawke quickly wrote down his thoughts and added a few more points. He got a fresh sheet of paper to re-organize his ideas.

...

By the time he had a basic outline ready, he picked up the phone and called Eric Emerson and Katherine.

Both had just completed post-production on their new film and returned to Los Angeles from an overseas vacation.

Before long, Eric and the big-faced Katherine entered Hawke's fourth-floor office together.

Katherine hugged Hawke and said, "Eric and I went on a global trip, and now you've turned into the founder and CEO of a major company!"

Hawke joked, "I don't have a wealthy girlfriend like you, so I had to tough it out and start a business."

Eric approached and asked, "You mentioned on the phone that you thought of a show idea and wanted us to help look it over?"

"Yeah, you two are more skilled in that area," Hawke handed over the handwritten plan. "Eric, you've already directed two official feature films, and Katherine, you're now an experienced producer with your crew running smoothly."

Eric took it and examined it carefully. "A reality show?"

Katherine leaned over to take a look, and before long, she burst out laughing. "Paris Hilton? Isn't her video the one from your site?"

Hawke shrugged. "She hired me at a high price to create a career strategic plan."

Typically, movie directors wouldn't venture into reality shows, but Eric, remembering how Hawke had helped him, immediately said, "I'll direct the first episode."

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.