Angela slammed the phone down on the receiver, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her face flushed with anger. She glared at the newspapers scattered across her desk, and then she abruptly swung her arm knocking them to the floor.
"Bunch of bastards!" She muttered in Chinese, her tone filled with frustration.
While she had expected the media to run such articles eventually, their sudden onslaught took her by surprise. It was almost as if they had conspired in advance. Numerous tabloids had appeared out of nowhere today. With a sigh, she began to peruse their contents.
"...Obviously a lot can be deduced from Angela's family background. A father plagued by probable mental problems, contrasted with a mother seen as frail and ineffectual - verifiable through《Hide and Seek》..."
"...Whether《Hide and Seek》or《Leon: The Professional》Angela's recurring paternal motive is unmistakable. Playing with her paternal persona in《Hide and Seek》and idealizing the mature assassin in《Leon: The Professional》both expose it..."
"...Reports circulating suggest that the alleged 'genius girl' may be merely a front for a syndicate of writers and that her work is not truly her own. This is a matter that the Hollywood Screenwriters Association should undoubtedly investigate..."
Granted, these are just local rags, their impact is negligible. However, it's disheartening to see the《Los Angeles Evening News,》a publication with considerable influence, pushing such baseless, distorted narratives. It's disturbing to think that their reporters find such sensational and distorted stories entertaining. Do they not realize the damage these misrepresentations are doing to these two young people they are talking about?
Taking a deep breath, Angela picked up the phone again and dialed a number. "Hello, Uncle Sparrow, it's Angela. Yes, thank you for alerting me. I've read the articles. They twisted my words, and I'm willing to bet they did the same with Mr. Besson's quotes. Is legal action possible?"
"If you think it's warranted, you certainly can. Personally, though, I'd classify it as an exaggeration of certain details. Send a cease and desist letter and demand a public apology. That should suffice." Her agent's voice remained calm, a steady guide for Angela through this storm.
"No, I won't back down! This has gone too far!" Angela declared with determination in her voice.
"Very well, Angela, but before you proceed, I suggest you discuss this with your father. It's a prudent move," Sparrow advised, his tone measured.
"My father?" Angela rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Fine, I'll consider it."
She exhaled with a sigh and ended the call. How would her father perceive this? Would he find it as unreasonably dramatic as she did? As she thought about it, she realized that her previous words might have sounded rather defiant. After all, she had promised Natalie that she would ensure accountability.
If only she had her own personal lawyer. Angela's thoughts took on a somber tone. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be able to have one until she reached the legal age to manage her finances independently.
She endured an anxious day, eagerly awaiting her parent's return. Fortunately, there were no invitations to charity events or other commitments today. But her father seemed to have been informed of the situation by Sparrow. So when she asked for a father-daughter talk, he readily agreed.
"Dear Christine, what would you like to talk about?" Her father sat down behind the study desk and gave his daughter an affectionate smile.
"Dad, did you have to put it like that? You know exactly what I want to talk about!" Angela sank into a chair opposite him, resting her chin on her hand, her gaze a mixture of annoyance and determination.
"All right, are you going to file a lawsuit against the《Los Angeles Evening News》?" Her father leaned back in his chair, looking at Angela with a calm demeanor.
"Absolutely!"
"On what grounds?"
"'Defamation,' of course! You're peddling fake news, completely at odds with the truth. Any Journalism 101 textbook teaches that fabricating facts has consequences!" Angela retorted, waving her fist emphatically as if she had thoroughly researched her position.
"All right, let's say we sue them. They'll respond, triggering an investigation and evidence-gathering process that will take considerable time and cause considerable upheaval. In the end, they will probably be found guilty. What do you think is an appropriate punishment?"
"A public apology...plus damages, of course!" Angela thought for a moment before answering.
"Isn't that similar to sending them a cease and desist letter demanding a public apology?" Her father's question was calm and even.
"Yes, but even though we don't particularly care about damages, I..."
Interrupting her, Jared raised his hand and locked eyes with Angela. "Chris, do you think that escalating this situation will help your friend, Miss Natalie?"
Angela opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"Do not be hasty in your actions, my dear. Before you make a decision, consider the possible consequences. We make decisions to find solutions, not to worsen existing predicaments." Her father's words had a reassuring tone.
The girl nibbled at her lip and finally sighed. She felt somewhat deflated. Despite her 42 years of existence, she was still susceptible to impulsive tendencies?!
"I understand, Father. My emotions got the best of me. I'm just really angry. These people can say whatever they want about me. They can claim that I'm a strange girl lost in her own fantasies, they can claim that I have an unorthodox attachment to my father, or they can even claim that I'm an alien for all I care. I'm impervious to them. But I won't allow them to slander my family, my parents, my friends! If these were just trivial publications, I might be inclined to overlook them, to pretend I didn't notice. But when a newspaper as influential as the《Los Angeles Evening News》spreads such baseless information, it can do serious damage to those around me. If we don't issue a warning, who's to say they won't repeat their transgressions in the future?"
Angela's words flowed like a torrent, charged with intensity. But she quickly forced her emotions into submission, taking measured breaths to regain her composure. She stood up, composed herself, and said, "Okay, Dad, please send them the cease and desist letter. I... I'm going to retire to my room now."
Without further words, Jared walked her to the door, leaned in to plant a tender kiss on her forehead, and patted her back reassuringly. When Angela left, he returned to his seat, his head in his hand, lost in thought. Even when Elena entered, eager to strike up a conversation, he raised his hand and motioned for her to pause.
Several minutes passed in this contemplative silence before Jared picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, Ruth, it's me."
"Jared, is there anything urgent that requires your evening call?" His sister's voice sounded from the other end.
"Did you happen to see tonight's《Los Angeles Evening News》?"
"You mean that news, right?"
"Yes, exactly. They've clearly crossed a line. Even though they're technically second-rated on the West Coast, they shouldn't make mistakes like that. Unfortunately, that's the reality." Jared could almost imagine Ruth's raised eyebrows when he said that last part.
"What's your plan, Jeddy? Are you going to give them a warning?"
"Absolutely. I've already told them that they can report freely, even dramatize if they wish, but they must refrain from spreading rumors and prying into Angela's family situation. Obviously, they've disregarded these instructions."
"You see, Jared, this is what worries Dad. Even if you keep the newspapers from digging into family matters to protect Chris from undue pressure, you can't keep protecting her like this. If she wants a career in Hollywood, she's going to have to face these situations sooner or later." Ruth's tone was a mixture of sympathy and exasperation.
"Yes, I'm aware of that. But I won't let go until she's ready to face it. She's still pretty young right now, isn't she?" Jared remained firm.
"All right, I understand. So you want me to discuss this with Dad, is that the idea?" Ruth's voice conveyed both resignation and understanding.
"Yes. I can handle things on the West Coast, but things on the East Coast..." He left his sentence unfinished, relying on their mutual understanding. Still, he felt a little uncomfortable.
"Aren't you going to talk to Dad directly?" Ruth knew her brother's temperament well enough to know that even when he wanted something from their father, he could still be stubborn.
"Yes, that's the plan!"
"Understood, then. Well, good luck. Give my regards to Mary and Christine."
"All right, goodbye."
As the call ended, Jared exhaled with relief and looked at his wife. Elena approached and reached out to gently knead his shoulders. She remarked, "You should have confided in Angela. She seemed rather unhappy just now."
"No, my love. Sharing this with her would only create more pressure, dependence, or perhaps overconfidence. You know, she's always been a little oblivious when it comes to this. I remember one Christmas when she was seven. At the Duke's estate ball, the Earl Blake asked if she understood the historical significance of the Duke's lineage. She just stared, completely clueless." Jared chuckled and shook his head, then gently took his wife's hand. "She needs to figure these things out for herself and figure out how to handle the pressure."
"All right, then, do you need to make those calls now?" Elena's hands continued to work their magic on his shoulders.
"Don't worry, I'll have to wait for Dad's response. Coordinating everything at the same time will be more effective. After all, Christine is my daughter and I won't allow her to be treated unfairly." Jared's fingers tapped lightly on the arm of his chair.
"All right, I'll go back to our room." Elena leaned forward, planted a kiss on her husband's head, and began to back away.
"Wait a minute, my dear." Jared's voice stopped her movement, accompanied by a playful grin that seemed strangely youthful for his age. He stretched out his arms, seeming to embrace his wife. "May I not have the pleasure of listening, my dear?"
"Don't even think about it!" Elena laughed lightly, slapping his hand away and playfully guarding her stomach.
[TL Note:
Reminder, Angela's middle name is Christine that's why you often times see the abbreviation Chris]
Angela slammed the phone down on the receiver, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her face flushed with anger. She glared at the newspapers scattered across her desk, and then she abruptly swung her arm knocking them to the floor.
"Bunch of bastards!" She muttered in Chinese, her tone filled with frustration.
While she had expected the media to run such articles eventually, their sudden onslaught took her by surprise. It was almost as if they had conspired in advance. Numerous tabloids had appeared out of nowhere today. With a sigh, she began to peruse their contents.
"...Obviously a lot can be deduced from Angela's family background. A father plagued by probable mental problems, contrasted with a mother seen as frail and ineffectual - verifiable through《Hide and Seek》..."
"...Whether《Hide and Seek》or《Leon: The Professional》Angela's recurring paternal motive is unmistakable. Playing with her paternal persona in《Hide and Seek》and idealizing the mature assassin in《Leon: The Professional》both expose it..."
"...Reports circulating suggest that the alleged 'genius girl' may be merely a front for a syndicate of writers and that her work is not truly her own. This is a matter that the Hollywood Screenwriters Association should undoubtedly investigate..."
Granted, these are just local rags, their impact is negligible. However, it's disheartening to see the《Los Angeles Evening News,》a publication with considerable influence, pushing such baseless, distorted narratives. It's disturbing to think that their reporters find such sensational and distorted stories entertaining. Do they not realize the damage these misrepresentations are doing to these two young people they are talking about?
Taking a deep breath, Angela picked up the phone again and dialed a number. "Hello, Uncle Sparrow, it's Angela. Yes, thank you for alerting me. I've read the articles. They twisted my words, and I'm willing to bet they did the same with Mr. Besson's quotes. Is legal action possible?"
"If you think it's warranted, you certainly can. Personally, though, I'd classify it as an exaggeration of certain details. Send a cease and desist letter and demand a public apology. That should suffice." Her agent's voice remained calm, a steady guide for Angela through this storm.
"No, I won't back down! This has gone too far!" Angela declared with determination in her voice.
"Very well, Angela, but before you proceed, I suggest you discuss this with your father. It's a prudent move," Sparrow advised, his tone measured.
"My father?" Angela rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Fine, I'll consider it."
She exhaled with a sigh and ended the call. How would her father perceive this? Would he find it as unreasonably dramatic as she did? As she thought about it, she realized that her previous words might have sounded rather defiant. After all, she had promised Natalie that she would ensure accountability.
If only she had her own personal lawyer. Angela's thoughts took on a somber tone. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be able to have one until she reached the legal age to manage her finances independently.
She endured an anxious day, eagerly awaiting her parent's return. Fortunately, there were no invitations to charity events or other commitments today. But her father seemed to have been informed of the situation by Sparrow. So when she asked for a father-daughter talk, he readily agreed.
"Dear Christine, what would you like to talk about?" Her father sat down behind the study desk and gave his daughter an affectionate smile.
"Dad, did you have to put it like that? You know exactly what I want to talk about!" Angela sank into a chair opposite him, resting her chin on her hand, her gaze a mixture of annoyance and determination.
"All right, are you going to file a lawsuit against the《Los Angeles Evening News》?" Her father leaned back in his chair, looking at Angela with a calm demeanor.
"Absolutely!"
"On what grounds?"
"'Defamation,' of course! You're peddling fake news, completely at odds with the truth. Any Journalism 101 textbook teaches that fabricating facts has consequences!" Angela retorted, waving her fist emphatically as if she had thoroughly researched her position.
"All right, let's say we sue them. They'll respond, triggering an investigation and evidence-gathering process that will take considerable time and cause considerable upheaval. In the end, they will probably be found guilty. What do you think is an appropriate punishment?"
"A public apology...plus damages, of course!" Angela thought for a moment before answering.
"Isn't that similar to sending them a cease and desist letter demanding a public apology?" Her father's question was calm and even.
"Yes, but even though we don't particularly care about damages, I..."
Interrupting her, Jared raised his hand and locked eyes with Angela. "Chris, do you think that escalating this situation will help your friend, Miss Natalie?"
Angela opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"Do not be hasty in your actions, my dear. Before you make a decision, consider the possible consequences. We make decisions to find solutions, not to worsen existing predicaments." Her father's words had a reassuring tone.
The girl nibbled at her lip and finally sighed. She felt somewhat deflated. Despite her 42 years of existence, she was still susceptible to impulsive tendencies?!
"I understand, Father. My emotions got the best of me. I'm just really angry. These people can say whatever they want about me. They can claim that I'm a strange girl lost in her own fantasies, they can claim that I have an unorthodox attachment to my father, or they can even claim that I'm an alien for all I care. I'm impervious to them. But I won't allow them to slander my family, my parents, my friends! If these were just trivial publications, I might be inclined to overlook them, to pretend I didn't notice. But when a newspaper as influential as the《Los Angeles Evening News》spreads such baseless information, it can do serious damage to those around me. If we don't issue a warning, who's to say they won't repeat their transgressions in the future?"
Angela's words flowed like a torrent, charged with intensity. But she quickly forced her emotions into submission, taking measured breaths to regain her composure. She stood up, composed herself, and said, "Okay, Dad, please send them the cease and desist letter. I... I'm going to retire to my room now."
Without further words, Jared walked her to the door, leaned in to plant a tender kiss on her forehead, and patted her back reassuringly. When Angela left, he returned to his seat, his head in his hand, lost in thought. Even when Elena entered, eager to strike up a conversation, he raised his hand and motioned for her to pause.
Several minutes passed in this contemplative silence before Jared picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, Ruth, it's me."
"Jared, is there anything urgent that requires your evening call?" His sister's voice sounded from the other end.
"Did you happen to see tonight's《Los Angeles Evening News》?"
"You mean that news, right?"
"Yes, exactly. They've clearly crossed a line. Even though they're technically second-rated on the West Coast, they shouldn't make mistakes like that. Unfortunately, that's the reality." Jared could almost imagine Ruth's raised eyebrows when he said that last part.
"What's your plan, Jeddy? Are you going to give them a warning?"
"Absolutely. I've already told them that they can report freely, even dramatize if they wish, but they must refrain from spreading rumors and prying into Angela's family situation. Obviously, they've disregarded these instructions."
"You see, Jared, this is what worries Dad. Even if you keep the newspapers from digging into family matters to protect Chris from undue pressure, you can't keep protecting her like this. If she wants a career in Hollywood, she's going to have to face these situations sooner or later." Ruth's tone was a mixture of sympathy and exasperation.
"Yes, I'm aware of that. But I won't let go until she's ready to face it. She's still pretty young right now, isn't she?" Jared remained firm.
"All right, I understand. So you want me to discuss this with Dad, is that the idea?" Ruth's voice conveyed both resignation and understanding.
"Yes. I can handle things on the West Coast, but things on the East Coast..." He left his sentence unfinished, relying on their mutual understanding. Still, he felt a little uncomfortable.
"Aren't you going to talk to Dad directly?" Ruth knew her brother's temperament well enough to know that even when he wanted something from their father, he could still be stubborn.
"Yes, that's the plan!"
"Understood, then. Well, good luck. Give my regards to Mary and Christine."
"All right, goodbye."
As the call ended, Jared exhaled with relief and looked at his wife. Elena approached and reached out to gently knead his shoulders. She remarked, "You should have confided in Angela. She seemed rather unhappy just now."
"No, my love. Sharing this with her would only create more pressure, dependence, or perhaps overconfidence. You know, she's always been a little oblivious when it comes to this. I remember one Christmas when she was seven. At the Duke's estate ball, the Earl Blake asked if she understood the historical significance of the Duke's lineage. She just stared, completely clueless." Jared chuckled and shook his head, then gently took his wife's hand. "She needs to figure these things out for herself and figure out how to handle the pressure."
"All right, then, do you need to make those calls now?" Elena's hands continued to work their magic on his shoulders.
"Don't worry, I'll have to wait for Dad's response. Coordinating everything at the same time will be more effective. After all, Christine is my daughter and I won't allow her to be treated unfairly." Jared's fingers tapped lightly on the arm of his chair.
"All right, I'll go back to our room." Elena leaned forward, planted a kiss on her husband's head, and began to back away.
"Wait a minute, my dear." Jared's voice stopped her movement, accompanied by a playful grin that seemed strangely youthful for his age. He stretched out his arms, seeming to embrace his wife. "May I not have the pleasure of listening, my dear?"
"Don't even think about it!" Elena laughed lightly, slapping his hand away and playfully guarding her stomach.
[TL Note:
Reminder, Angela's middle name is Christine that's why you often times see the abbreviation Chris]
