Hollywood Immortal

[Chapter 362: The Eavesdropping Storm]

Reporters who had caught wind of the situation immediately handed their microphones to the FBI team leader, eager to get the scoop firsthand.

"Officer, did the New York Times reporters break the law?" one reporter asked.

Unexpectedly, the FBI leader didn't dodge or evade. Instead, he provided a rare on-site answer.

"Yes, we previously received a report from rapper Puff Daddy, who discovered a wiretap on the communication line at his mansion. After investigating and collecting evidence on site, we confirmed the culprits were New York Times reporters Tajik and Jim."

What? The New York Times using illegal tactics to wiretap entertainment stars for news was a bombshell. Instantly, the assembled journalists and paparazzi went wild, their excitement palpable as they pressed their microphones forward.

"Sir, can you tell us more about the case details?"

"Sir, besides Puff Daddy, are there other victims?"

"Sir, are there other suspects from the New York Times involved aside from Tajik and Jim?"

...

At this moment, the FBI leader kept his lips sealed. "The case is still under investigation. If there are any developments, we will hold a press briefing immediately, and everyone is welcome to attend."

---

The news about the New York Times illegally spying on entertainment stars spread like wildfire across the country.

By 3 p.m., outside Puff Daddy's mansion in Harlem, dozens of journalists and paparazzi had gathered.

Puff Daddy held a press conference, positioning himself as a victim to denounce the illegal wiretapping by the New York Times reporters.

"I never imagined that in this land of freedom and democracy, someone would stoop so low as to illegally tap my phone. When my bodyguard discovered those bugs on the communication lines at my estate, I was terrified. The first thing I did was to call the FBI.

What's even more unbelievable is that after the FBI's investigation and evidence collection, it turned out the wiretappers were none other than reporters from the illustrious New York Times. I want to ask the New York Times -- what are you trying to do? What gave you the audacity to act so brazenly?"

"Puff Daddy, a while back you hosted a party at your mansion with some very scandalous news about a threesome -- was that what they wiretapped and uncovered?"

"Puff Daddy, did they catch any secrets on you?"

"Puff Daddy, how did you find out you were being wiretapped?"

"Puff Daddy, can you take us to see the bugging scene?"

...

Reporters eagerly shoved open their microphones toward him, but Puff Daddy ignored the barrage of questions and continued passionately.

"The Constitution of the United States guarantees the sacred freedom and rights of its citizens. The New York Times is committing a crime here, and I strongly demand that the justice system punish this illegal activity severely. Also, I want to remind all of my peers in the industry to conduct a thorough check of their security measures -- don't let these criminals pry into your lives."

---

Following the FBI's on-site arrest of New York Times reporters and Puff Daddy's conference, the New York Times quickly became caught in a fierce public uproar.

Since Delmont Douglas's tragic death in the helicopter crash, the New York Times had been mired in an internal power struggle, with both chairman and CEO positions remaining vacant.

Faced with this unprecedented media storm, the boardroom descended into chaos with finger-pointing, offering no practical solutions. Eventually, the editorial department issued a statement:

"The New York Times is a responsible and reputable news organization that absolutely does not condone using illegal means to collect news. The wiretapping on Puff Daddy's phone was the personal action of Tajik and Jim and is unrelated to the newspaper.

As a leader in the news industry, the New York Times' core mission is to verify facts, expose the truth, and provide the public with accurate and objective information to uphold the right to know..."

---

But this bland, insincere official statement had no effect. Both the public and industry insiders outright rejected it.

The stock market responded with the most clarity. That day alone, the New York Times' share price dropped 6%, falling from $8.8 to $8.27 per share.

---

Worse yet, the very next day, the FBI received reports from more celebrities and social elites -- complaints about wiretapping on their home communication lines.

Among them were entertainment stars like diva Mariah Carey, sports stars, government officials, business moguls, even state legislators...

On the third day, after further on-site investigations, the FBI cracked another wiretapping case, again involving two reporters from the New York Times. The FBI arrested them in broad daylight inside the newspaper's office building.

Day after day, reporters from the New York Times were hauled away by the FBI.

As more evidence and information surfaced, the number of victims filing reports with the FBI soared, nearing twenty.

And these twenty weren't ordinary people -- the lowest profile victims were well-known football coaches and referees.

Numerous NBA stars, including Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks, were also caught in the scandal. Countless fans launched protests, and both the teams and the NBA League demanded thorough government and FBI investigations.

Of course, these victims were mainly centered in New York, but with the New York Times' extensive news-gathering reach, and reporters spread across the U.S. and worldwide, if they went so wild in New York, who could expect them to follow the rules elsewhere?

Suddenly, wealthy elites and celebrities nationwide felt vulnerable and scrambled to tighten their security.

Almost everyone called on the U.S. government and the FBI to expedite their investigation.

---

With full official support, the investigation went smoothly and swiftly. The FBI released the latest findings, and the scope was shocking.

From sports to entertainment, business to politics, the New York Times was implicated nearly everywhere. Over ten reporters were involved.

The media, public, and opinion leaders were stunned. The entire nation was shaken. The New York Times' brazenness and recklessness were beyond words.

Despite desperate attempts by the New York Times to defend itself by blaming it on a few rogue employees, no one believed them amid the overwhelming public outrage.

At this point, everyone knew the New York Times was in deep trouble. Its stock price plummeted like a rock -- dropping 25% in less than a week, falling below $6 per share.

The company's management was in disarray, with executives shifting blame and distancing themselves from the illegal reporters.

Even worse, because of the paper's irresponsible statements and blame-shifting, reporters detained by the FBI felt utterly abandoned. Some were already considering plea deals and cooperating with the FBI as whistleblowers to expose their handlers behind the scenes.

*****

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