Echoes of Hollywood

Before finding Sid Ganis, Kirk Douglas had spoken with several elderly Jewish individuals in the industry. Many indicated they would consider it, as not everyone appreciated Murphy, especially those who had struggled for years to make a name for themselves. They particularly disliked younger people who achieved fame and fortune so quickly.

This is a common phenomenon in Hollywood; otherwise, there wouldn't be the so-called 'Fresh Milk Faction.'

Kirk Douglas was confident that as long as he coordinated things, Murphy Stanton, as Robert Downey Jr.'s accomplice, wouldn't have a chance at the Best Director Oscar for the next ten to twenty years.

But what he didn't expect was that Sid Ganis seemed unimpressed by his status.

Just as Murphy couldn't gain everyone's approval, Kirk Douglas's past behavior also led to some people disliking him, even those he had once mentored.

Moreover, his bossy, top-dog attitude might intimidate others, but as the president of the Academy, Sid Ganis had enough confidence not to buy into it.

Looking back at the previous presidents of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, although most were Jewish, every single one was a top power figure in the industry.

"Sid..." Kirk Douglas resumed his old demeanor, "Do you think I'm lying?"

A former industry big shot speaking to a former junior in such a tone, without realizing the junior's current status.

"Let me put it this way, Kirk, I have my own judgment."

Sid Ganis, also accustomed to being flattered as the president of the Academy, couldn't possibly like this tone. He shook his head and said, "Do you really know Murphy Stanton and his circle?"

How could Kirk Douglas know a junior like Murphy?

"Murphy Stanton has a girlfriend named Gal Gadot. Their relationship is stable, and they should be getting married soon."

Seeing Kirk Douglas's puzzled look, Sid Ganis elaborated, "Gal Gadot is not only Jewish but also a native Israeli. She only moved to Los Angeles in recent years. Last year, Murphy Stanton spent a hundred million dollars to buy the 'Flower of Lys' in Beverly Hills and renamed the estate in Hebrew..."

Ignoring Kirk Douglas's increasingly gloomy face, Sid Ganis continued, "Several of Murphy Stanton's close friends, although not traditional Jews, have some Jewish ancestry."

He looked at Kirk Douglas, with a slight hint of disdain in his voice, and asked, "Are you saying such a person discriminates against Jews? If that's not a joke, what is?"

Hearing these rebuttals, Kirk Douglas was speechless.

When people ignored his past prestige, he had no other means to sway them.

Just then, his butler rushed into the garden, clearly having urgent news.

The butler went straight to Kirk Douglas. Sid Ganis, being considerate, stood up and walked to the side to admire some flowers in the garden.

"What is it?" Kirk Douglas asked.

"Just got the news." The butler quickly said, "Cameron has been arrested by the police."

Kirk Douglas frowned, "What happened?"

The butler detailed, "This morning, Cameron had a conflict with Miss Catherine Zeta-Jones in Malibu. Someone called the police. The police found Cameron using drugs and found cocaine in his car!"

"What?" Kirk Douglas stood up with the help of his cane and urgently asked, "How much?"

The charges for drug use and drug possession are completely different, with vastly different levels of trouble.

"No less than 200 grams!" The butler added, "Miss Catherine Zeta-Jones reportedly has given a formal statement to the police, which is very unfavorable for Cameron!"

"That bitch!" Kirk Douglas stamped his cane. "What does she want? To destroy Cameron?"

A rush of blood went to his head. Kirk Douglas quickly took a deep breath to calm himself. His age was a concern, and years ago, he was diagnosed with blood pressure and cardiovascular issues, where emotional upheaval could have severe consequences.

"Have you notified the lawyer?" The butler, who had been with him for many years, knew the urgency, "We need to get Cameron out immediately!"

"I called the lawyer as soon as I got the news." The butler, evidently having some autonomy, said, "He happened to be in Malibu dealing with some matters and is now on his way to the Malibu police station."

Kirk Douglas paced a few steps and asked, "What about Michael?"

"I also notified him. He's in Orange County and is on his way back."

"Call him again and tell him to handle that British bitch properly!"

Mentioning Catherine Zeta-Jones made Kirk Douglas seethe with anger. "If it weren't for that whore, would Cameron be like this now?"

The butler took out his phone, just about to dial Michael Douglas's number, when it suddenly rang.

"It's Attorney Phelps." He glanced at the caller ID.

Kirk Douglas nodded, and the butler answered the phone. After listening for a few moments, he exclaimed, "What did you say? Cameron's hands and legs have been broken?"

"What?" Kirk Douglas felt a buzzing in his ears. "What did they say? Tell me quickly!"

Given the issue involving his precious grandson, the butler didn't dare delay and said, "The lawyer just arrived at the Malibu police station. The police informed him that Cameron got into a serious conflict with two newly incarcerated offenders and was beaten, resulting in his right hand and right foot being broken..."

Kirk Douglas could hardly believe what he was hearing. "How is this possible?"

But the butler wouldn't lie. He instantly knew it was true, feeling a buzz in his head, and unconsciously linked it to Catherine Zeta-Jones. It was this British bitch who caused Cameron...

"Bitch!" He fiercely stamped his cane on the ground. "Bitch! I won't let you get away with this! I will..."

Blood rushed to his head, and Kirk Douglas felt something trickling from his nostrils. His vision darkened, and his body swayed. He instinctively let go of the cane's handle, unable to stay upright, and collapsed headfirst to the ground.

Fortunately, the butler was close and caught him just in time.

"Mr. Douglas!" The butler held the convulsing, unconscious Kirk Douglas and shouted, "Mr. Douglas, what's wrong!"

Hearing the commotion, Sid Ganis, who had been walking away, turned back and ran over, looking down at the unconscious Kirk Douglas and said, "Call an ambulance!"

The butler gently laid Kirk Douglas on the ground and quickly dialed the emergency number.

Although he didn't know the specifics, Sid Ganis felt no sympathy for Kirk Douglas. This old man had done all sorts of nasty things when he was powerful, and even now, nearly forgotten, he was still trying to frame a promising young director.

Is this not karma?

Sid Ganis couldn't help but shake his head. As a book he once read on Buddhism said, perhaps this was just retribution.

The scorching sun of Los Angeles burned down, making people uneasy. Michael Douglas hurriedly parked his car and almost ran into the outpatient building of the UCLA Medical School. After asking a few questions at the information desk, he didn't even wait for the elevator and ran up the stairs.

He quickly turned into the emergency floor corridor and saw his father's butler.

"Rod..." Michael Douglas asked anxiously before even reaching him, "What's going on?"

"Mr. Douglas had a sudden stroke." The butler looked at the nearby emergency room. "He's in there being resuscitated."

Before Michael Douglas could ask more, he added, "Mr. Douglas heard about Cameron's arrest..."

"What?" Michael Douglas's eyes widened, evidently not having received the related news yet.

The butler told him everything he knew and what Kirk Douglas had said before his stroke. He also had no fondness for Catherine Zeta-Jones and couldn't help but include his own bias.

Normally, this wouldn't have affected Michael Douglas, but with his father having a stroke and his eldest son Cameron being arrested and crippled, coupled with Catherine Zeta-Jones's usual attitude, Michael Douglas was instantly enraged.

"How could she do this!" The bond between father and son was deep, and Michael Douglas gritted his teeth, "How dare she do this!"

The butler reminded, "I just got a call from the lawyer. Miss Zeta-Jones is on her way here."

Michael Douglas's expression darkened. "I know!"

An inconspicuous passerby in the corridor overheard the conversation. After turning a corner, he took out his phone and began to relay the situation vividly.

These messages, after several relays, reached Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.

"Your foresight is always so meticulous, it's hard not to admire it."

In a study at Wave Manor, Robert Downey Jr. said to Murphy with admiration, "Using Cameron Douglas as a fuse to ignite the entire Douglas family..."

Murphy shook his head, "We were just lucky."

He hadn't expected things to turn out this way, as if even God was on their side today.

"Catherine Zeta-Jones is on her way there..." Robert Downey Jr. stood up and paced, "I really want to see what happens next."

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