Chapter 14

PS. Here's today's update, and I'm also taking the opportunity to promote the 515 Fan Festival on Qidian. Everyone has 8 votes, and voting also gives Qidian coins. I humbly request your support and appreciation!

"Bang! Bang..."

Gunshots rang out one after another. The bloodied man, who had just struggled to his feet, was hit with several bright blossoms, ultimately collapsing to the ground. Several police officers cautiously surrounded him.

The video on the screen ended. In the first editing room of Channel 6, Kara took a deep breath. Her excited eyes had turned to amazement, as if she had discovered a new world.

"You can all leave now," Kara said to the others nearby. "Go ahead and leave."

She turned to look at Murphy, who was sitting beside her. "I'm completely blown away! It's filmed so well! I can't find the right words to describe this video."

"Thank you," Murphy replied.

"It's really amazing." Kara seemed still to be immersed in the shock of the video. "This is exactly the news effect I've been pursuing!"

"Thank you," Murphy said politely.

"No, Murphy, don't say thank you." Kara shook her head. "The one who should say thank you is me. I should thank you for bringing it to me."

"You're too kind," Murphy lightly patted Kara's arm. "We're friends, right?"

Kara grabbed Murphy's hand, her eyes filled with enthusiasm. "This video must be mine, it must be!"

Since she was the first to see it, Kara was naturally Murphy's first choice. He asked, "Dear, how much are you willing to pay?"

The previous words were just talk. If the price wasn't right, Murphy wouldn't sell it to Kara and Channel 6.

The last news video had significantly boosted the program's ratings. Kara knew the impact this video could have. "Tell me what price you think is fair."

Murphy didn't hesitate. "One hundred thousand dollars."

A video of such a realistic police shootout, with people getting shot, blood splattering, and a high-speed car chase, was a rare find. Kara pondered for just a few seconds before saying, "I can pay that price, but the video needs to be reviewed by my superiors. As long as they have no objections."

What do commercial TV stations need?

Therefore, it was no surprise that after watching the video, Kara's boss not only agreed to the price of one hundred thousand dollars but also promised to help Murphy with any police and legal issues, to avoid a court injunction, and to allow further investigation into the case.

In short, the TV station was willing to agree to these conditions because they knew that once the news video was broadcast, it would attract widespread attention, and the subsequent investigation would bring more viewers to the station.

Like Murphy, the TV station wouldn't do anything without a benefit.

"Send the video and my script to the production room."

After an editor left with the video materials, the editing room was left with just Kara and Murphy. She came over to Murphy. "The check for one hundred thousand dollars will be available for cashing early tomorrow morning."

Murphy flipped through the cash check in his hand, feeling quite moved. "This is the most money I've ever earned."

"Only one hundred thousand dollars!" Kara pulled a chair over and sat next to Murphy. "Spend it wisely."

"To me, this is a huge sum of money, and it will have many uses." Murphy put away the check and turned to look at Kara. "Someone like you, with your background, wouldn't understand the difficulty we face in earning money."

The other party had a good upbringing, graduated from a prestigious university, and became the head of the news department at the TV station at the age of 26. How could they understand the hardships of someone like him?

Kara was silent for a moment. She had seen many people from the slums, but Murphy was the first one she had seen who worked so hard.

She admired people who worked hard and constantly strove for the future.

"You should hire a lawyer for yourself."

Regardless of the reason, the fact that the video was delivered to her first was a big help. Kara, who rarely showed any kindness, said, "The police will give you a lot of trouble."

Although Murphy had said he didn't capture the two criminals, Kara could now guess many things.

"I already have a lawyer," Murphy smiled. "And I'm just doing my duty as a good citizen."

Kara rolled her eyes. If everyone in Los Angeles were a good citizen, the two dead criminals could be honored citizens of Los Angeles.

The door to the editing room was knocked on, and a middle-aged man pushed it open. "Kara, are you really going to broadcast these videos in the program, and in the way you've planned?"

"Yes," Kara put away her smile and turned to look at him. "Is there a problem?"

"You're inciting racial conflict!" The middle-aged man approached, emphasizing, "This could lead to a series of social issues."

Kara didn't even think about it. "That's exactly the effect I want."

"What?" The middle-aged man seemed to disbelieve his ears. "You're creating chaos through the news."

"Creating? Is it not a fact that a white police officer shot an unarmed black man!" Kara emphasized again. "This is something no one can deny."

Hearing this, even Murphy had to look at Kara with admiration. He hadn't thought of this point. The last black man who died didn't seem to pose any threat, yet the white police officer still shot him...

Compared to Kara, Murphy realized he was far behind in news sensitivity! He also understood why Kara and the TV station were willing to pay one hundred thousand dollars and provide assistance when necessary. The benefits this video could bring them far outweighed the cost.

As for whether this would incite racial conflict, who cared at the TV station? They hoped for such a situation, as it would provide eye-catching news.

"We are in the news business." Kara stared at the editor, speaking with a serious tone. "We must have higher aspirations!"

The editor was speechless, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. Under the pressure of Kara's sharp gaze, he slowly left the editing room.

"Very well said."

After the door to the editing room closed, Murphy stood up and said, "We shouldn't be limited to the present; we should have higher and more distant aspirations."

Kara caught on to something and asked, "Do you have more ideas?"

"Yes, this video can bring us more." Murphy paced back and forth. "We can make it into a series of special programs, emphasizing the black suspect and the white police officer..."

Murphy knew very well what kind of conflict this could stir. "Following this direction, we can find and broadcast past news on this topic to enhance the effect. When the news loses its immediacy, we can even make a documentary."

"Great idea!" Kara's eyes lit up even more.

Murphy reminded her, "To do this, we first need to avoid a court injunction."

"Such an injunction won't happen." Kara was very confident. "Don't forget, Channel 6 is part of the Fox network!"

Murphy wasn't sure about the power of Rupert Murdoch's Fox network, but he knew it was very significant.

These two people, like lifelong friends, stayed in the first editing room, enthusiastically discussing various possibilities.

Kara sought fame, and Murphy sought profit; they were a perfect match.

As the time approached 6 a.m., the morning news was about to air. Murphy followed Kara into the editing hall behind the scenes. He was now a regular at the station, and no one would stop him under normal circumstances.

As the news was about to air, as Murphy and Kara had expected, the police followed the trail to this location.

"Who's in charge here?"

The middle-aged male detective who had questioned Murphy before led the team. "We are from the LAPD's Major Crimes Division."

He pointed to the gunfight video on the screen. "None of this can be broadcast. It must all be handed over to the police, including all copies."

The middle-aged detective looked very authoritative, as if he had the final say.

Murphy and Kara exchanged a glance and made a gesture inviting him in.

"What are you going to do?" Kara quickly walked over. "I'm the head of the news department. If you have any issues, you can talk to me."

"I demand that you collect all the gunfights, car chases..." The middle-aged detective pointed to the screen again. "All of it must be collected and not broadcast. These are..."

"Sorry," he was interrupted by Kara. "This is the property of Channel 6."

"These are evidence of a crime!" The middle-aged detective glared at Kara, who remained unfazed. "What evidence? This is our news!"

Kara's stance was very firm. The female detective beside the middle-aged detective spoke up. "There are two police officers in critical condition in the hospital, four dead, eleven injured, and a large number of violent crimes. These are all very important evidence."

However, Kara remained unmoved, crossing her arms. "This is news that the TV station must broadcast."

"You are forbidden to broadcast!" The middle-aged detective roared.

"Are you interfering with press freedom?" Kara looked at the middle-aged detective calmly. "If you want to take this away and prevent the TV station from broadcasting, you can."

She said each word clearly. "Please show us a court injunction!"

"You..." The middle-aged detective seemed at a loss for words.

Kara turned to the security personnel who had entered with the police. "The program is about to start. Please ask all irrelevant personnel to leave."

She then turned to the two detectives. "If you have any more questions, our legal department will contact you. I have work to do, thank you."

This was, after all, a media department, and the police didn't dare to do much. They had to leave reluctantly, watching as Murphy's video was broadcast on Channel 6's morning news, becoming a social focus in Los Angeles.

After the news ended, Murphy asked the security personnel at the door and walked over to Kara. "There are still police outside. It looks like I need to go to the police station."

"Don't forget to contact your lawyer," Kara reminded him.

It's almost 515, and I hope to continue to impact the 515 Red Envelope List. On May 15th, the red envelope rain will reward readers and promote the work. Even a small amount is love, and I will definitely update well!

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