Chapter 232: Chapter 230: Identifying Spies

On the twelfth floor of the hotel, Martin and Bruce exited the elevator, where FBI Supervisor Nevies came over to shake hands with him.

"Someone placed certain key items in your room," he said to Martin. "We need to enter your room."

Martin was prepared for this and said, "Okay, but my manager and I need to accompany you throughout."

Bruce, in perfect sync with Martin, interjected, "Because of the Russians, to ensure Martin's safety, I've set up some simple security measures in the room. It's possible they were captured on camera."

Nevies glanced at Bruce and said, "This way, please."

Martin took a few steps closer and asked, "What exactly happened? Are the Russians really going to attack me?"

Nevies was momentarily at a loss for words.

His men stormed in, a stun grenade took down three suspects, and the situation was violently controlled, resulting in the discovery of three World News Report press cards.

Through FBI channels, they immediately confirmed that these three individuals were indeed part of a foreign news team from the World News Report.

The rest of the case was still under review.

"If it doesn't involve state secrets, could you divulge something I can talk about?" Martin tapped his chest, where the Presidential Medal of Freedom still hung, "I'm the person in question and my life is at stake, you've got to give me some information so I can be prepared."

Nevies quickly regained his composure and said, "Don't worry, it's not the Russians, it's three journalists from the World News Report. They bribed two hotel employees to try to install eavesdropping and secret filming devices in your room."

Martin's face showed shock: "Jesus Christ! They are too crazy!" He reacted as one would expect, "Old Cloth, call my lawyer and agent. I'm going to sue that newspaper until it shuts down!"

After speaking, he felt a bit relieved, "Thank God it's not the Russians."

Nevies smiled, "We are very lucky." He then reassured Martin, "Don't rush things. We'll deal with everything afterwards."

When they arrived at the door to the room, Martin had just taken out his key card when Bruce took it from him and swiped it to open the door. Your journey starts at m_v le mpyr

Martin invited, "Please come in."

Nevies led several FBI agents into the suite.

Bruce found the notebook and camera he'd placed and brought them over to the coffee table, pressing the play button.

Nevies looked at Martin, "You're very careful."

Martin laughed helplessly, "I used to be quite bold, but after that incident at Burbank Middle School, life and death hung by a thread, and now I still get scared thinking about it, my courage has been waning."

"The same," Nevies agreed, "the more you experience, the smaller your courage becomes."

Bruce played the footage on fast forward, and soon they saw two servers entering the room.

Nevies gestured to his men to get to work and then asked Martin, "Can I copy a portion of the video?"

Martin responded, "Of course."

Bruce took the storage device passed to him and copied the video.

The FBI agents found three sets of covert filming and eavesdropping equipment from the living room, the master bedroom, and the bathroom.

Martin's face was quite unsightly, and his mind was constantly recalling and pondering.

Nevies took a phone call on the side and came back to say, "Mr. Davis, please don't let the news out for now. Keep it within a certain range. That's also what the White House wants."

The Chief of Staff had specially called him about this matter.

Recalling the previous wiretapping scandal, Martin had his suspicions and said, "I can cooperate with you, but I need an explanation—the hotel, the newspaper, and so on."

He tapped the Presidential Medal of Freedom again, which, although somewhat trivial, still held some sway, "On the very day of my award ceremony, someone wanted to eavesdrop and secretly film me. Their target is very clear, they want to defame me. I received the honor from the White House, from the President himself!"

Nevies said, "Someone will give you an explanation within the day."

Martin sat on the sofa, "I'll be waiting."

He didn't idle away, calling WMA and Coca-Cola, and though he didn't specify the details, both sides would send representatives over.

Especially the Coca-Cola Group, which had prepared an event in Washington, D.C., had their plans disrupted by this incident, and the person in charge was also actively contacting.

......

In New York, a business plane took off urgently, flying directly to Washington, D.C.

Mokrich, the chief editor for North America at the World News Report, along with the hurriedly summoned lawyer Tom, were the only two passengers besides the crew members.

"The latest news I've got..." Mokrich explained in detail about the incident, speaking as swiftly as possible.

After giving it some thought, Tom suggested, "Three options, either deny they are employees of the news report or claim it was the personal action of a temporary worker." Sёarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"That's an option," Mokrich considered more comprehensively, "If it were just Martin Davis alone, it wouldn't matter how we handle it, but this involves the White House. Bu just awarded him... We can say he's as dumb as a pig in the papers, but we can't do that in real negotiations, even pigs want face."

Tom then said, "Let's go through legal procedures with him, with the news syndicate behind us; we could drag him out until he's done." He added, "And then force him to reach an agreement with us."

Mokrich still shook his head, he knew much more than what this lawyer Tom understood.

In London, they were investigating the World News Report over the incident of William's knee injury leak.

As for eavesdropping and secret filming, it had always been implicitly sanctioned methods of news acquisition for the newspaper and the group.

Tom didn't mention the third option, which was evident.

Mokrich made a decision, "Two points: those three are just peripheral informants for the World News Report; reach a settlement with Martin Davis as soon as possible."

With the employer's decision made, Tom, the lawyer, naturally didn't oppose.

Mokrich took out his phone and made a call to Washington.

At the White House, Bu, after receiving feedback on the case, left this minor issue to his subordinates to handle.

The Chief of Staff found the aide responsible for monitoring progress and simply stated, "The President needs media support."

Coen responded, "I understand."

The Chief of Staff added, "The President is also very annoyed."

Coen said, "I will facilitate a resolution as quickly as possible."

The Chief of Staff continued, "People from the World News Report are on their way; head over to the Hilton Hotel." He reminded, "The folks from Coca-Cola have arrived at the Hilton Hotel, and they have also been in touch with me."

Coen knew that he couldn't underestimate Martin Davis because there was also a powerful force standing behind him.

If Martin were to be scandalized by the World News Report, Coca-Cola would definitely drop him.

But the current situation was that Martin's momentum was on the rise.

......

At the Hilton Hotel, the manager, an Asian named Brown, entered Martin's suite.

Martin glanced at him.

After introducing himself, Brown said, "Mr. Davis, on behalf of the Hilton Hotel, I am deeply sorry for the disturbance you have experienced and I would like to offer you our sincere apologies."

He bowed deeply at a standard ninety degrees.

Martin immediately understood, this person was either a Korean or a Japanese.

When Brown straightened up, he bowed again: "Please forgive us, Mr. Davis."

Martin remained silent.

Brown stayed bent over, giving the impression that he wouldn't rise until Martin forgave him.

Martin thought to himself that in the future, big companies should hire either a Korean or a Japanese specifically to apologize to people.

They had this talent fully maxed out.

Martin gestured with his hand: "That's unnecessary."

Brown quickly straightened up as if his spine was creaking, and said hastily, "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Davis."

Martin was speechless, thinking that this spirit of bowing was nothing but rascality.

All talk of apologies, but no substantial action mentioned.

Martin silently cursed and went straight to the point, "This matter has been handed over to my lawyer. As for the specifics, my lawyer will discuss them with you. If we cannot come to an agreement, we'll proceed with legal action."

Massaging his back, Brown considered whether he should bow a third time, but hearing Martin's words, decided it was unnecessary: "Mr. Davis, the hotel is also a victim."

Martin laughed and mentioned two names: "Wolf and Berelin."

"During the Independence Day holiday, the hotel employed a number of temporary workers, and they were among them," Brown said, taking out a card and placing it on the coffee table. "This is a Hilton VIP membership card, which entitles you to a 20% discount on bookings at all Hilton hotels."

Martin just looked at him, saying nothing.

Bruce interjected, "When Martin signed with Coca-Cola, they provided him with a Hyatt Hotel VIP card that gave him a 40% discount at all their locations."

This wasn't just about the discount rate.

Martin stood up to head to the bedroom: "I'm tired and need to rest. Old Cloth, you can talk with Mr. Brown for a while. The lawyer arranged by Coca-Cola will be here soon."

Before World News Report or News Corporation representatives arrived, Martin wouldn't reach any agreement with the Hilton Hotel.

Bruce's task was to simply drag out the negotiations for the time being.

More than an hour later, Martin received a call from White House aide Coen, who wanted to talk to him downstairs.

Using his shock as a pretext, Martin asked them to come up if they had something to discuss.

From the moment he received the concrete news about the eavesdropping and voyeurism, Martin had been considering this matter: The Sun and World News Report were not key, but the News Corporation behind them demanded consideration.

If mishandled, this could become extremely troublesome.

As for seeking justice and fairness under American law, he wasn't that naive.

Martin had been trying to recall the past phone-hacking scandal; it seemed he read about a journalist who exposed the affair and had committed suicide.

Suicide, huh...

The Presidential Medal of Freedom he had just received that day could be both useful and useless.

Moreover, he was just a spokesperson for Coca-Cola, not a favored son like Knight was to Nike.

Even if he did want to take action, now wasn't the time.

Martin knew his place and soon determined how to respond.

There was a knock at the door, and Nevies arrived along with three people.

Upon entering, he made introductions for both sides.

Coen from the White House.

Mokrich, the North American editor-in-chief for the World News Report, and his accompanying lawyer, Tom.

On Martin's side, there was just him and Bruce.

The door of the suite closed, and the various parties began their negotiations, quickly reaching a consensus that the group of three journalists led by Alec, all bearing Slavic ancestry, were spies from Russia.