Chapter 99: Chapter 99: kicked Out Of The Crew
Brisbane, a coastal city, boasts a luxurious seafood buffet, featuring Australian kangaroo, blue shrimps, and king crabs.
Martin tried kangaroo meat for the first time during the meal.
Elisha returned with a plate filled with vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms, taking a seat across from Martin.
As Martin enjoyed his crab leg, he remarked, "Seafood is quite delightful..."
Elisha, however, was a vegetarian, and she pointed to her plate, saying, "I don't consume meat."
Apologetically, Martin responded, "I didn't know."
Eliza smiled and replied, "No worries. Vegetarianism represents not just health but also cultural taste and modern consciousness."
Martin, with a touch of old-fashioned American charm, said, "That's your freedom."
Eliza suggested, "You could explore more vegetarian options."
Martin gladly accepted, taking a plate of mushroom dishes, saying, "I'm quite fond of mushrooms."
Bruce sat down at the table with roast beef and subtly indicated to Martin the attractive woman near Adrian's table.
Elisha interrupted, "Would you like to take another group photo later? Maybe write a new blog post? My agency opened a blog for me, but it needs some jazzing up."
Curious about blogs, Martin inquired, "Do you have a blog?"
Eliza replied, "Yes, it's not very exciting. The agency set it up, claiming it could attract fans."
Martin suggested, "How about we take a group photo, and you can write a blog post declaring my brother as the most handsome in America!"
Amused, Elisha laughed, "I wouldn't dare write something so exaggerated. How about calling you my twin brother instead?"
Martin agreed, "Okay." In a playful tone, he added, "Sister, brother needs you to check his homework."
As they chatted and ate, Martin occasionally glanced at Adrian, who was engaged in a passionate conversation with a young woman.
Tessa finished her meal early, citing a desire to maintain her figure.
Adrian proposed going for a drink, mentioning he had a rare bottle of wine from Los Angeles.
Tessa agreed, and they left the cafeteria together.
Meanwhile, at a nearby table, Kim Kardashian reminded Paris about their departure.
Paris mentioned going to Susan Levin for an explanation regarding the incident.
Paris also hinted at introducing Kim into the celebrity circle if the right opportunity arose.
Elisha didn't eat much and retired to her room early due to jet lag.
Martin returned with some crocodile meat and seafood, joining Bruce, who asked, "Do you think they took action?"
Martin, recalling the woman leaving with Adrian, speculated, "It might be related to the scandal in Los Angeles last year, involving a Lakers star..."
Bruce agreed, "It's highly likely. In cases like these, without surveillance, the evidence tends to favor women."
Martin pondered this, saying, "That makes sense."
In an ordinary room, a heated battle unfolded.
Tessa kept exclaiming, "Be rough! I like it rough, don't hold back like a prude. Show me your strength!"
Adrian, unwilling to be taunted, unleashed his aggressiveness as requested.
Tessa bore the marks of their intense encounter, including bruises on her body.
Eventually, the turmoil subsided, and the room regained its tranquility.
Tessa pushed Adrian away and hurried to the bathroom. Along the way, she collected her clothes, retrieved her phone, dialed 000, and trembled as she cried out, "Help! Help me! I've been assaulted!"
Adrian, puzzled by her extended bathroom stay, called out, "Hey, gorgeous, what are you up to in there?"
Tessa replied, "You left a mess in there; I need to clean it up."
Adrian, with a mischievous grin, suggested, "Need a hand in there?"
Tessa declined, saying, "No need. Just wait a little longer."
But instead of Tessa emerging from the bathroom, there was a knock on the door.
Adrian opened it to find two Brisbane police officers, one male and one female, standing there.
The female officer declared their identity, saying, "We received a call..." Meanwhile, Tessa's cries for help from the bathroom echoed in the background.
Adrian was taken aback but swiftly defended himself, saying, "No, she came willingly."
Tessa's agitation became evident as she protested from the bathroom, "Help! Help..."
Adrian, realizing the gravity of the situation, invoked his American identity and fame, proclaiming, "I'm an American, a celebrity. I need to call my crew, get a lawyer..."
The commotion drew the attention of the rest of the crew, including Martin and Bruce, who watched from the sidelines.
Mene, standing nearby, muttered, "It all depends on your approach. You and I agree, being too forceful is a bad idea."
In the crowd, Kim Kardashian noted, "The producers are here."
Susan Levin and her deputy made their way through the crowd, with Martin and others making way for them.
With the victim visibly injured and evidence of misconduct, the crew and the Brisbane Police Department agreed to manage the situation discreetly. However, Adrian had to be taken into custody.
Susan was furious that such an incident had occurred before filming even began, resulting in the arrest of one of the lead actors.
As the police led Adrian away, Martin suggested to Bruce and Mene, "Let's head back to get some rest."
With the excitement over, the crowd dispersed.
Susan rushed back to her room, making numerous phone calls in an attempt to get the actors released before filming started.
This incident posed a significant challenge.
A knock at the door announced the entrance of Paris Hilton.
Thinking Paris represented investors, Susan politely inquired, "Is there a problem?"
Paris, feigning maturity, asked, "If the crew is involved in such an incident, should we notify the investors?"
Susan responded, "Not at this moment."
Paris pressed further, "Where is Adrian? He's facing serious allegations, and the news will surely break. What happens next? If he faces criminal charges, how will it impact the crew?"
Susan understood the underlying message.
Paris continued, "Investors trust me to represent them in the crew's investment. Incidents like this substantially increase our risk. I'm willing to step in and replace the actor. Adrian's salary is only $15,000, and the crew can, at most, terminate his contract and pay him off. But if things go wrong for him, we'll incur even more significant losses. A single day's delay in filming will cost more than his salary."
Susan nodded, saying, "I'll consider it."
Paris had already prepared for this conversation and left, leaving Susan to ponder her words.
The next day, the Brisbane police informed the crew that, following examinations and procedures, they were arresting Adrian.
The crew could post bail.
Susan decided not to burden the crew with the expense, so she contacted Adrian's agent and initiated the termination process, effectively removing Adrian from the cast.
Since Adrian was no longer part of the crew, the scandal was no longer their concern.
Simultaneously, a local notice was issued to find a suitable replacement actor.
The crew, still adjusting to jet lag, had some time to find a new cast member.
...
At the Brisbane Police Station, Adrian met his agent John, who had rushed over with a lawyer.
"The situation is dire," John began candidly. "There's physical evidence on the woman, and your DNA is there as well. Someone provided a recording of you inviting her to your room with the wine from Los Angeles."
Adrian vehemently defended himself, exclaiming, "She set me up! I didn't do anything..."
John raised a calming hand, saying, "That won't solve the problem. I'm here to handle the fallout, and secondly, the crew has terminated your contract."
Adrian, unconcerned about the supporting role, replied, "I don't care about that."
John continued, "HBO and Warner are deeply unhappy with you. They fear your actions will impact 'Entourage,' and they're considering delaying the series. This could seriously harm your future prospects." He glanced at Adrian pointedly. "If you even have a future."
Adrian tried to compose himself and asked, "What should I do?"
"Settle with the woman, drop the charges," John advised. "You don't have much cash, so sell your car, your house, whatever you can to raise the money."
Adrian hesitated but eventually conceded, "I'll give you power of attorney. Get me back to Los Angeles as soon as possible."
"You've been set up," John acknowledged. "Though I don't know by whom, you're outmatched. I'll help you secure bail, but don't get close to the crew. The further away you are, the better."
Adrian could only nod in agreement.
John had fulfilled his agent's duty, though he had essentially given up on Adrian. There were many talented young actors available, and the resources were better spent elsewhere.
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