The Wolf of Los Angeles

[Chapter 244: Sin]

"This woman is an absolute maniac!"

From Tom Cruise's perspective, Nicole Kidman's actions were utterly irrational.

Just as Nicole Kidman believed Tom Cruise had squandered her youth, her emotions erupted at the moment of their divorce.

In the case of ex-husbands and ex-wives, right and wrong were hard to define; it all came down to perspective.

Tom Cruise continued, "Nicole Kidman hired a small PR firm and launched a campaign based on falsifying information and spreading rumors about me in connection with the ice bucket challenge."

Since Tom Cruise was now paying for the services and could leverage entertainment resources, Hawke found himself aligning with Tom's viewpoint.

It was also the most fundamental professional integrity.

Hawke asked directly, "What do you plan to do about it?"

"I can't act too rashly; she is a woman after all," Tom Cruise expressed his hesitation. "When it comes to ex-couples, public opinion will always side with women, regardless of who's right."

He snorted, "After so many years of the feminist movement, this has morphed into a stereotype against men."

Hawke remained quiet for a moment, considering the matter. With Pat Kingsley silenced, Nicole Kidman was still running amok...

It seemed the latter hadn't told the former the true reason for remaining silent.

Nor could she.

Hawke asked, "What's the current situation with Pat Kingsley?"

"She hasn't been to St. Beatrice in a while," Tom Cruise replied succinctly. "I suspect she's severed contact on her own."

Hawke calculated the situation and said, "If I remember correctly, Nicole Kidman announced her conversion to Catholicism after her divorce from you."

Tom Cruise nodded, "Yeah, she's stated that repeatedly in public."

Hawke confirmed this detail and thought of something Tom Cruise could handle: "You should have someone who can influence Nicole Kidman, right? Think of a way to get her to attend a mass at St. Beatrice's Cathedral and possibly make some donations to their school. Just make sure she's involved with that community."

At the last Fox event, Nicole Kidman had called him a disgusting man.

Then let this disgusting man give her a little push.

Tom Cruise was a smart guy: "Got it, I will keep you posted."

Before leaving, Hawke specifically asked Eric about the box office performance of Dark Journey.

The film had been in theaters in North America for nearly two months and was nearing $50 million in box office receipts.

The production and distribution companies would easily recoup their investments from ticket sales alone.

...

On his way back to the office, Hawke called Campos to ask about the St. Beatrice Church and school.

Recently, following the recording incident with Pat Kingsley, he had devised a media strategy concerning this Catholic institution and minors.

He'd left the investigative legwork to Campos' team.

The team initially planned to start with the involved immigrant children.

Disappeared illegal immigrants and missing immigrant children is not uncommon here.

Yet few cared to investigate.

This was mainly due to a lack of proportional inputs and outputs and the inherent danger.

At the Butterfly Company, they had someone consistently looking into this matter.

Similar to the rumors about many Catholic priests and boys, such matters weren't hidden at all; it was not difficult to uncover if one had the will to look into it.

...

Los Angeles, Overland Avenue.

Juan carried a bag as he and Betty strolled down the street.

This area had the highest concentration of Mexican immigrants in California.

With two Latino individuals walking here, they went unnoticed.

Turning past the old post office building, Betty glanced at the address and said, "We need to go deeper in."

Juan remarked, "Finding a relative of a child at the welfare school isn't as easy as it sounds."

"They're very cautious," Betty replied. Having played the role of as a kind-hearted person in the community of illegal immigrants from Latin America for a long time, she had finally gleaned some information.

St. Beatrice Catholic Welfare School couldn't just accept any child; it focused on those who had lost their direct relatives.

Such individuals posed minimal threat.

The two finally arrived at an old house, and Betty stepped forward to knock on the door.

After a significant wait, a plump middle-aged woman answered, eyeing the two strangers suspiciously. "Who are you looking for?"

"You must be Mrs. Frida?" Betty pulled out a fake business card and handed it over. "We are volunteers from the Los Angeles Palm Springs Children's Relief Association, specifically providing financial assistance for multi-child families. A former colleague from the Langley restaurant spoke about your situation..."

Upon hearing "financial assistance," Frida's demeanor softened instantly. She accepted the business card and opened the door wider. "Please, come in."

Betty stepped inside first, with Juan playing the role of her submissive sidekick.

The house was messy; a nearby baby stroller held a mixed-race baby sleeping in it.

Betty noticed a family photo on the coffee table showing five children. "They're adorable."

"They sure are," Frida replied with pride. "Caring for them is exhausting, but it's heartwarming when they're all around me."

Her happiness was short-lived, and reality hit hard. "My ex-husband and three former boyfriends are all irresponsible jerks. They all ran off when we had kids, so I'm struggling to keep afloat."

Betty pulled out a form. "Could you fill in the kids' information? Are they in school? Include the info about the schools they're currently attending. Every child qualifies for some aid."

This seemed to spark Frida's interest. "Every child can receive assistance?"

Betty was using just this tactic to pique Frida's curiosity. "Exactly, the foundation needs to verify it, but if the circumstances are real, the assistance can be expedited."

Frida asked, "I... I have a nephew; can he qualify?"

Betty countered, "Is he living with you? Where does he go to school?"

"My sister and brother-in-law passed away." Frida detailed, "I've been raising him on my own, but as you can see, I have a lot on my plate. I sent him to the Catholic welfare school, but I still see him every week... rather, I always bring him back home on weekends."

Betty wrote on the form. "If what you told me is true, this situation would qualify, but I need to see him in person."

Frida contemplated, "It's not the weekend, so I can't bring him home."

For a family like hers, an extra financial aid would be an enormous temptation, impossible to resist. "Yes, we could visit him. If you have time, we can drop by St. Beatrice Welfare School to see Marcelo."

Juan chimed in, "This lady's situation fits the bill for the kind of help we need."

Frida nodded vigorously.

Betty asked, "When can we go?"

Frida checked the time. "School will be letting out soon. Once I get the kids settled, I'll take you straight over."

Betty affirmed, "You're in luck; we have time to wait."

...

Half an hour later, Frida returned with the kids, asking a neighbor to watch over them before leading Betty and Juan directly to St. Beatrice Catholic Welfare School.

Frida was no stranger to this place and walked in confidently. With assistance from a familiar teacher, she saw her nephew Marcelo.

She slipped the teacher some cash and used the excuse of taking Marcelo out for dinner to leave the school with him, where Betty and Juan waited outside.

Betty treated them to a meal at a nearby restaurant to build initial trust.

...

They took their time, carefully gaining more of Marcelo and Frida's trust over the following days.

Eventually, Frida passed the foundation's review and obtained a sum of assistance.

During the weekend, Betty accompanied Frida back to the welfare school.

Marcelo's situation, regarding his relationship with Frida, was recorded at the school; he could return for a day on weekends.

Utilizing that day, Betty intentionally probed Marcelo for more details.

"Those without relatives have to help out at the church on weekends," Marcelo shared about school life. "They're usually unhappy whenever they return."

Betty pointed below. "Here?"

Marcelo nodded, "Yes, right here. I once saw a priest feed him painkillers."

Betty asked, "Does Sergio have no relatives?"

"That's right, he's an orphan with no one visiting him," Marcelo replied. "He can't leave school without the priest's approval."

Betty gently tapped his forehead. "You have to learn to protect yourself."

Marcelo, still innocent, said, "They know I have an aunt who visits me weekly, so they never let me go to that church..."

"Is there anyone else?" Betty probed further.

Marcelo thought for a moment and answered, "Lars mentioned it once, but he's not favored by the priest. I remember he said he saw a movie star, and that star... made him pee and made him drink..."

Betty's heart skipped -- there were really too many disturbing figures in Hollywood.

She asked, "Oh, who was it?"

Marcelo shook his head. "Lars didn't say; I didn't dare to ask."

Frida emerged from the kitchen, seeing Betty and Marcelo deep in conversation, laughing. "Please help take care of him."

Betty smiled, "Of course, I love kids."

While Frida was busy, Betty continued to ask questions. Yet it turned out Marcelo wasn't a direct victim. He mainly shared what he'd seen or heard, knowing little of the situation.

But, it still opened up a significant breakthrough.

In the afternoon, the recording of Betty asking Marcelo was sent to Hawke by Campos.

*****

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