Chapter 946 - The Aggressive Acquisition

After learning that the entire mercenary group possessed similar strength levels, Leonardo wasted no time. He immediately called his lawyer to draft a contract. He offered $1 million per month to hire the entire mercenary group to serve his side and ensure the safety of everyone in the film crew.

Although the price sounded steep, Leonardo felt more at ease when he considered how much more he would have to pay if he didn't hire them. Moreover, he was curious to observe real mercenaries up close and understand their living environment, thinking it might come in handy if he ever played a mercenary role in the future.

Once the deal with the mercenary group was settled, Laila had her plans.

While hiring mercenaries was one thing, she also needed to secure official cooperation with the authorities. Having government protection would add an extra layer of deterrence, making local leaders think twice before causing trouble.

Even if it only had a minimal effect, combining the mercenaries with her team of bodyguards should make the trip go more smoothly.

When it came to contacting the South African government, Laila thought it would be better for her grandfather to take the lead. Given her age, many people still saw her as a young, inexperienced girl. Her grandfather's connections and influence far surpassed hers, and she figured this was the perfect time to leverage them.

In truth, Laila underestimated her influence. Even if she had reached out to South Africa herself, she would have been warmly welcomed. Despite being a director, any profession, when mastered to the highest level, carries influence that transcends the job itself—whether it's a singer, actor, writer, pilot, driver, or police officer. As long as you're at the top of your field, you'll be respected worldwide.

A Hollywood director of her caliber, in the eyes of many, was no less influential than a media mogul like Oswald. Laila rarely socialized and had little experience in such matters, so it was no surprise that she was unaware of her clout.

Her grandfather had been in high spirits lately. His granddaughter had made a splash at the Oscars, appearing live in front of a global audience and achieving something he could brag about in his social circle for a year. For an elderly man like him, nothing brought more pride than seeing his descendants succeed.

So, when Laila asked him for help in dealing with Murdoch, he took charge of handling the situation with the *New York Post* without hesitation. Now that she was turning to him again, it showed that she trusted him, which made him even happier.

Compared to his granddaughter, who worked tirelessly but rarely relied on the family's influence, the old man wished she would lean on him more often.

Thus, upon receiving her request, he immediately made a call to the White House.

Yes, that White House! The old man was far more adept at leveraging power than Laila. He had donated substantial sums to support the Republican Party, so why wouldn't they step in when it came to matters of national interest?

It was an election year, and media conglomerates like Moran were highly valued. Even if he hadn't called, the White House might have taken the initiative to handle the situation themselves.

The old man knew that many countries viewed the United States as a bully, sending aircraft carriers to intimidate those who didn't comply. Therefore, having the U.S. government intervene was the best course of action. A demand backed by power was far more effective than a humble request.

The U.S. government was more than willing to help. Not only would it earn them the friendship of a media tycoon, but it would also showcase the nation's authority and score points with voters. Given that Laila's fame had skyrocketed after the Oscars, assisting her would undoubtedly reflect well on the government.

When Laila received word from the White House, she was stunned to learn what her grandfather had done. It was a move she found almost unbelievable. But then again, that's capitalism for you—money talks!

If an ordinary person had called the White House, they'd likely have been dismissed as a prankster or invited for a chat with security. But with the government stepping in to communicate directly with South Africa, Laila felt half of her worries ease. The other half would only dissipate once they arrived in South Africa and confirmed everything was in order.

With safety concerns addressed, the casting for supporting roles was finalized by Louise. Since the filming would take place abroad, they had to confirm the actors' willingness to travel. Of course, hardly anyone would turn down such an opportunity.

South Africa wasn't considered a particularly dangerous place, especially compared to its neighboring African countries. Plus, with the media flooded with reports of the government assisting Laila in securing safety for the crew, the actors had little to worry about. Even if there were risks, no one would want to miss this chance.

This was a film collaboration with Laila, whose Oscar success was still fresh in everyone's minds. Working with such a director was an opportunity no one would willingly pass up.

Just as preparations were nearing completion, a breaking news story caused a media uproar—something involving Laila. It was revealed that the 'New York Post' had been acquired, and the buyer was none other than her grandfather's rival, Moran Media!

At first, many found the news hard to believe.

"You've got to be kidding! These two have always been competitors. How could such a major acquisition happen overnight? Murdoch doesn't seem like he's short on cash, and even if the Morans had the money, why would they buy their rival's expensive newspaper?"

The whistleblower offered a vague explanation, pointing to the New York Post's criticism of Laila after the Oscars. The implication was that Old Moran, furious at the paper's attack on his granddaughter, decided to buy it outright.

When Laila saw the news, she couldn't help but laugh. The idea that her grandfather had acquired the 'New York Post' simply because they had criticized her seemed absurd.

"That's the 'New York Post'! They've never been on my side. The only time they praised me was to stir up controversy and undermine my chances of winning."

If her grandfather had wanted to buy the paper because of their attacks, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until now?

She found the news amusing and even called her grandfather to share a laugh about it.

But his response left her speechless.

"Yes, it's true. I did acquire it."