Chapter 268 267. Eric's Conspiracy, the Media in a Dilemma

When the paparazzi waiting outside saw the police walk into the MGM headquarters building, they were instantly excited.

Snap, snap, snap The flash was still blinding even in broad daylight, so this photo was quickly sent out along with the prepared text.

At the same time, calls spread out like a spider web, and hundreds of cars were rushing towards this side, surrounding Eric like a big net.

The security guards looked at the cameras and hundreds of paparazzi set up at the door, all of them on high alert with worry.

Seeing such a big scene, many pedestrians gradually gathered around. It is human nature to watch the fun regardless of nationality or race.

"Mr. Cooper, you can tell the truth in your office. We really didn't intend to get involved in this matter."

"But the pressure from media opinion is huge, and the state government cannot ignore public opinion. We can only do this, and we ask for your understanding."

"But I can assure you that the Los Angeles judicial system does not take any side, we will only discuss the facts and report only the facts."

"If you're innocent, then you're innocent, OK?"

Eric had anticipated the prosecutor's visit. The Big Six had hired countless internet trolls to discredit them, and with the hype from TV stations and newspapers, the government would definitely take action.

Voting politics, you must be responsible to your voters no matter what, otherwise you will step down.

"It's a job requirement. I understand your situation very well, and I also hope to use the official voice to clear my name." Eric stood up and said.

Seeing that he had no intention of resisting, the other party breathed a sigh of relief. As a major taxpayer and a powerful and influential celebrity, the police generally did not want to provoke him.

"Thank you for your cooperation. Let's go. Of course, you can bring your lawyer with you."

When they walked out the door, they were greeted by countless flashing lights.

Even though Eric was used to this feeling, it was still too much this time. He found it irritating, let alone others.

The paparazzi swarmed over and tried to surround a few people, but the security guards immediately formed a human wall to block them.

They asked questions one after another, but Eric didn't bother to pay attention. He got into his car and drove to the police station.

The best way to deal with this situation is to say nothing. Whatever you say will be misinterpreted, and the lawyer kept reminding him.

Seeing that they couldn't get the answer they wanted, the paparazzi had no choice but to get in the car and catch up.

In an instant, a luxurious car chase took place on the streets of Los Angeles.

Leading the way was a police car, followed by a Lincoln sedan, and not far behind the sedan were hundreds of vehicles of various colors.

Many paparazzi simply opened the sunroof, carried cameras and video cameras and started live broadcasting the scene in front of them.

Rumble. In the sky, several helicopters with ABC, FOX, and NBC logos were hovering, and they were full of paparazzi, shooting the panoramic view from a bird's-eye view.

In order to catch news scenes, especially hot and urgent ones, large TV stations are equipped with helicopters.

After receiving the news that the police were coming, these guys immediately smelled blood. They had to make things bigger and let the whole United States see the scene of Eric Cooper being taken into the police station.

At the same time, use the power of public opinion to continue to put pressure on the judicial authorities. Even if Eric is really innocent, your reputation will be ruined.

"Boss, after all these years, I swear I have never experienced such a big scene in my career!" Pete said in amazement as he looked at the endless long line of cars behind him.

"It's funny, isn't it?" Eric smiled.

"Boss, you're still in a mood to laugh? Aren't you worried? Look at those guys, they look like they want to eat people!"

"Cannibalism? That's the right word. Some people want to eat me alive. They want to dismember MGM and Lionheart and drive me out of Hollywood."

Peter frowned: "I don't want this to happen. Boss, if you leave, where can I find such a well-paid job?"

Hahahaha "Don't worry, I won't collapse and you won't lose your job."

"Of course, I always have absolute confidence in you!"

I looked down at my phone and saw messages coming in non-stop. Nicole, Theron, Ashley and Mary all sent me text messages.

The contents were similar, all reminding him to be careful, not to talk nonsense, to follow the lawyer's arrangements, not to trust the police easily, etc.

Although they still didn't treat Eric well, their attitude softened after the man's tireless and shameless pleas for mercy, and they agreed to come to their house for dinner tomorrow night.

"Ben, come and see, there's an interesting show on TV, and all the major TV stations are broadcasting it live."

"What?"

"There was a car chase scene with hundreds of cars chasing each other on the streets of Los Angeles and helicopters flying in the sky. What's going on?"

A middle-aged white man came out of the bathroom and looked at the TV screen in surprise: "OMG! This scene reminds me of the Simpson murder case. Do you remember that day?"

"I remember it very clearly. It was a big day. It shocked the whole world in 1994."

"That day was just as lively as today. Who are they chasing?"

"Eric Cooper, a Hollywood mogul, is said to have sexually assaulted minors and done a lot of disgusting things."

"It's this young man. I keep seeing him on the news these days. Doesn't he say he's innocent?"

"Innocent? How can they be innocent? Those who hold power always try their best to bully the weak. They are all bad guys!"

"I don't think so. Your opinion is obviously biased. You can't jump to conclusions without evidence."

"I think the evidence will be there soon. Do you think Eric Cooper can still walk out of the police station?"

"Well, I'd really like to see it. How about some soda? We can drink while we watch."

"Okay."

The number of viewers for the live broadcasts on major TV stations soared sharply. Even though it was not a holiday and even though it was still daytime, the number of viewers quickly exceeded 30 million and continued to increase rapidly.

Police station, after parking the car, Eric followed Leonard inside.

The paparazzi were not allowed in, so they surrounded the place from outside, with their cameras pointed at the front and back doors in case Eric disappeared.

At the same time, many people who were watching the excitement continued to gather, including quite a few demonstrators and protesters.

They gathered in groups of three or five, holding signs in their hands, wearing clothes with the words "severe punishment for sexual assault" printed on them, and stood outside shouting slogans.

Looking through the glass at the scene outside, Eric sneered, "If these people weren't hired by the Big Six, I'd tear their heads off!"

Gadot said with a worried look on her face: "Eric, I feel really bad. Fortunately, I found a temporary place to stay, otherwise it would be terrible."

"What? Were you attacked?"

"No, but my apartment was rocked and my landlord called me."

Eric held her in his arms. Gadot struggled a few times but her strength seemed not as strong as that day.

"I've been worried about this happening. Don't live there anymore. I bought you a house and you can move in."

With a click, the door was pushed open and Prosecutor Leonard walked in, and the two separated.

"Mr. Cooper, Ms. Gadot, are you ready?"

The two nodded, and then were questioned separately accompanied by their lawyers. They were all routine questions, mainly for record keeping.

More than an hour later, both of them took lie detector tests.

Taking a lie detector test is currently the most convenient and effective method. After all, medicine can only repair that layer of membrane and has not yet developed to the point where it can detect when that layer is broken.

Confessions may be subject to collusion, so a polygraph is the best way to distinguish truth from falsehood.

The working principle of this thing is also very simple. It records the various physiological reactions that occur when a person's emotions change, such as breathing, pulse, frequency, blood pressure and skin humidity.

Most people will experience a series of changes in nervous system functions when they lie or are influenced by emotional words, which is a kind of conditioned reflex.

Unless they have received rigorous training or are born with super strong psychological qualities, most people cannot control their stress response, so the detection success rate is as high as over 85%.

However, polygraph results are not accepted as evidence in court. After all, even a 1% error cannot be used as evidence to convict or acquit.

Eric was also eager to clarify, and he and Gadot had a clear conscience, so taking a polygraph test was a good idea.

"Mr. Cooper, Ms. Gadot, congratulations on passing the polygraph test. It looks like the dispute can be put to rest."

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Leonard was relieved after seeing the result. No one in the entire police department wanted Eric to be a real underage sexual offender, as that would lead to very troublesome consequences.

Faced with such a super-rich man, and on the premise that the woman is willing, the judicial process will be difficult to implement. At that time, the pressure from public opinion will be great, and it will be a hot potato.

Everything is peaceful and this is the best outcome.

"So is it over?" Eric asked.

"I think so. Many people would like to know the result. The LAPD is happy to help you clarify it."

Eric said with a smile: "This is an interesting experience. I never thought that I would be subject to a polygraph test one day. To be honest, it is quite interesting."

"A surprising answer, Mr. Cooper!"

"Because we have a clear conscience, and I suddenly had an idea. I want to organize a variety show with lie detection as the theme."

"ah?"

Everyone, including Gadot, was stunned and didn't react. This leap in thought was too unbelievable.

Brother, do you know that you are a suspect now? Do you know that you are being criticized by the whole society? How did you get involved in a TV variety show? How can you be in such a good mood?

"Program? What program?"

"It's interesting to use digging out people's secrets as a selling point, and to guide them to tell the truth by asking sharp questions one after another, isn't it?"

"Mr. Leonard, when you do polygraph tests, do you ever imagine using it on ordinary people to find out the deepest secrets of their hearts?"

"Well, sometimes. After all, everyone has a desire for knowledge and everyone likes to explore. What's more, my profession includes this element."

"No, this isn't about exploration, this is about uncovering other people's scars and having fun with it, and I think everyone is going to enjoy this show."

Everyone was speechless, but they all felt that this was indeed a great gimmick.

Seeing others suffer is a happy thing. Isn't that the plot of comedy movies? Only when the characters in the movie are unlucky can the audience laugh heartily.

At this time, the police station was surrounded by people and everyone was waiting for an answer.

As Eric and Gadot appeared, the noise reached a climax.

"Sexual assault! Sexual assault! Sexual assault!" someone took the lead in shouting.

"Mr. Prosecutor, has Eric Cooper pleaded guilty?"

"He is a criminal who sexually assaulted a minor, right?"

"The public hopes for social justice, and even more so, hopes that the law can better punish bad people!"

Prosecutor Leonard took the microphone and said, "Everyone, quiet! Please be quiet!"

"We have conducted polygraph tests on Eric Cooper and Gal Gadot, and I am releasing the results now. Please be quiet!"

The noise at the scene suddenly stopped, and tens of millions of viewers were watching this moment on TV at the same time.

In the camera, Eric's face is calm, giving people a feeling that everything is under control and he remains calm even when faced with a catastrophe.

"After a polygraph test, Mr. Cooper was found innocent. He and Ms. Gadot were in love. This is the result!"

"No!"

Not hearing the desired results, many people immediately started yelling again.

"Oppose the shady dealings! Oppose the privileges!"

"Oppose the shady dealings! Oppose the privileges!"

"Oppose the shady dealings! Oppose the privileges!"

At this point, the police have done what they should do. Seeing that this group of unruly people are not giving up and are suspected of causing trouble, many police officers are immediately ready to disperse them by force.

"Can I say a few words?"

At this time, Eric took the microphone and spoke suddenly.

He looked at the people below with a provocative look: "I know what you want to do, I know why you gathered here, you want to label me a criminal, even if it is false."

"But this country abides by the law. It's not whoever has the loudest voice is right. The law proves that I didn't do it, so I am innocent. No matter how many times you frame me, I am still innocent."

"But on the contrary, some people and things in this society are not clean. That is where the real sex crimes are concentrated, and even includes a large number of underage sex crimes."

“Now, I’ll reveal it to audiences all across America!”

As soon as Eric finished speaking, a large number of people carrying cameras suddenly rushed out from all directions, and in a moment they had surrounded the reporters from major TV stations and newspapers.

Under the camera, every station logo is clearly visible: The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC, CBS, FOX. At the same time, the live broadcast interface of Lionheart Network suddenly popped up and sent a notification to all users.

This feeling of putting themselves under the spotlight makes many paparazzi uncomfortable.

Normally they were the ones who stripped others, but at this moment they felt like they were about to be stripped naked.

The paparazzi with high authority wanted to shut down the live broadcast directly, while the guy with low authority hurriedly asked his superior for permission.

Seeing these guys in a panic, Eric said loudly: "All the media in the United States are here now. I don't want to name them one by one, but I have to tell you that you are all in the live broadcast of Lionheart Network."

"The media's duty is to expose darkness and uphold justice. If you shut down the live broadcast now, you will not dare to pass on what I said to the audience in front of the TV."

"Then it proves that you are guilty and have abandoned the impartial position that a media should have, or have you become a tool to attack others?"

“Now is the time to prove to the national audience whether your credibility exists!”

(End of this chapter)