Chapter 574: Cause Trouble.

Harvey Weinstein could never have imagined that one day he'd face accusations of racial discrimination, especially in such an unusual manner.

In a Beverly Hills mansion, Harvey, sporting electronic ankle monitors, was left momentarily stunned as he perused the damning reports in the newspaper.

After a brief silence, he erupted, his voice filled with indignation, "Accusing me of all these charges? I am not a receptacle for garbage! Have these people lost their minds? If I never laid a finger on them, I'm still to blame?"

His lawyer rushed to offer counsel, urging, "Harvey, please choose your words carefully."

Harvey's temper flared further, "I'd rather engage in self-indulgence than touch those ni**ar!" His lawyer found himself at a loss, for Harvey's volatile temper was well-known.

Once Harvey calmed down a bit, his lawyer advised, "The initial court inquiry is approaching, and the judge has allowed public observation and media live broadcasting. You must control your temper. If the judge asks about individuals of African descent, avoid using the terms you just used. Instead, refer to them as African-Americans."

Harvey nodded, regaining composure. "Understood."

The lawyer, aware of the challenges ahead, continued strategizing, "The feigned illness tactic worked well last time; it garnered sympathy points. In the face of overwhelming public opinion, we'll need to devise a solution." He sighed, "I'll call the legal team over today, and we'll rehearse."

Harvey acknowledged the urgency, "Get them here."

Within the hour, the entire legal team assembled, gearing up for the forthcoming court proceedings.

Everyone understood that Harvey's case bore no resemblance to the Simpson trial. Pleading not guilty amid the storm of public opinion was an arduous task.

From New York to Washington, and all the way to Los Angeles, countless individuals and organizations eagerly anticipated Harvey's downfall, ready to exploit the situation.

...

Even a mere court inquiry in the Los Angeles court garnered extensive media coverage.

Thousands gathered outside the court, comprising victims, their families, Me Too organization members, representatives of women's associations, and Hollywood union delegates.

With over 120 reported victims, the Harvey Weinstein case had eclipsed the Simpson trial in notoriety.

The throng awaited Harvey Weinstein's arrival.

Suddenly, camera lenses swiveled in unison, focused not on the main figure but on a dark-skinned woman.

Meghan Markle stepped into view, clad in cultural attire, brandishing a poster with conviction.

Her T-shirt and poster bore the same resounding message: "Demand justice against racist Weinstein!"

This audacious act captured immediate media attention.

Times had evolved, and so had the tactics.

Meghan had cracked the code to internet virality.

In a nearby vehicle, Martin, Jolie, and Aniston averted their gazes, opting to abstain from the spectacle.

Two influential Me Too opinion leaders adjusted their attire.

As a victim and witness, Jolie would soon face questioning by the judge in the courtroom.

Aniston delicately retrieved a red-nailed Me Too flogo and affixed it to Jolie's chest, offering words of encouragement, "Stay strong and courageous. We're all here to support you."

Jolie playfully rolled her eyes and returned the favor, attaching another Me Too logo to Martin's lapel.

Martin had confidence in Jolie's resilience. He had ventured to the United Nations General Assembly and navigated war-torn territories. He assured them, "You two will walk together shortly."

Aniston inquired, "Aren't you accompanying us?"

Martin explained, "I want to bring Leonardo and Nicholson to show their support."

Jolie checked the time and decided, "Let's exit the car."

Aniston swung open the car door, and the two women stepped out, immediately drawing the attention of journalists and the curious public.

This time, as Harvey faced his downfall, Me Too played a pivotal role. Its influence extended far beyond North America, sparking similar movements in Europe.

Another business vehicle pulled up, and, with no onlookers in sight, Martin stepped out of his car and slipped into the one behind him.

Before he could close the car door, Leonardo tapped his phone and grinned, "I've got something interesting to show you."

Martin leaned over, watching a video of Harvey Weinstein making his way out of a building. Harvey, his hair graying and face worn, painstakingly descended the steps with the assistance of a mobility aid.

Nicholson also watched, shaking his head disapprovingly. Drawing from his decades of experience and sharp eye, he critiqued, "Average makeup, overly exaggerated facial expressions, unrealistic walking, and subpar acting. Nowhere near Leo's 'Three Strikes.'"

Leonardo retorted, "My acting skills are at an Oscar-worthy level. Can he even compare?"

Martin astutely deciphered Harvey's motives, "He's aiming to garner sympathy from both public opinion and the court."

Nicholson concurred, pointing at Harvey on the phone screen, "Notice how, even though he clings to the mobility aid, his center of gravity doesn't actually rest on it due to habitual posture. Someone could easily pull that chair from under him."

He turned to Leonardo with a mischievous glint, "Why don't you give it a try?"

Leonardo shook his head, "I prefer staying low-key and avoiding the spotlight."

Nicholson refused to let the matter rest, "That Foot Gang scoundrel is making such a fuss; we have to teach him a lesson."

Martin suddenly had an idea, saying, "I have a plan."

Leonardo quipped, "Martin's notorious for his bad ideas, anytime, anywhere."

Martin playfully gestured with a middle finger before continuing, "I can find someone willing to help..."

Nicholson peered out the window, glimpsing a person putting up a poster, and suggested, "I reckon that might work."

Leonardo hesitated, "Isn't it inappropriate for us to involve her?"

"I'm contacting someone," Martin assured, already dialing Bruce's number.

Once the call concluded, Nicholson urged, "Let's go! Time's ticking."

The trio stepped out of the car, adorned their Me Too lapel badges, and advanced toward the courthouse together.

A sizable crowd had congregated at the courthouse entrance. Meghan initially garnered attention, but as two prominent Me Too opinion leaders, Jolie and Aniston, arrived, the interest around Meghan rapidly waned, with even reporters diverting their cameras elsewhere.

Meghan couldn't help but feel disheartened. She had put in so much effort, even making a spectacle of herself, yet she couldn't compete with the two casually walking celebrities.

The cameras shifted focus, leaving Meghan feeling like a clown.

Suddenly, a man emerged from behind her, whispering, "Want to steal the spotlight?"

Megan turned around and spotted an unassuming man with a work ID tag hanging from his neck, indicating he was a TMZ reporter.

Ivan asked discreetly, "Do you want to make headlines and trend on TMZ?"

Megan had dreamt of making headlines and nodded eagerly, "Yes, I want to be in the headlines!"

"Didn't you accuse Harvey of racial discrimination? Racists aren't known for their politeness," Ivan lowered his voice and continued, "Do you have the guts for it?"

Megan remained silent but countered with a direct question, "Can you guarantee that I'll make TMZ News headlines?"

Ivan nodded and glanced at his watch, "You have one minute to decide."

"No, I'll tell you right now!" Megan didn't want to back down, "I'll do it!"

Ivan handed her a card, and Megan saw only a phone number on it.

"Use this number if you have any future news," Ivan explained.

Megan pocketed the card.

Ivan departed without further words, disappearing into the crowd of reporters.

Megan mulled it over and chose to keep the poster, her thick skin and determination propelling her through the crowd to the courthouse's main entrance steps.

After a short wait, a black car arrived in the distance, parking at the roadside.

As the car door swung open, Harvey slowly emerged, accepting the armchair handed to him by his assistant. With each laborious step, he moved closer to the courtroom entrance, his frail body bending with age.

Alone, with sunken eyes, a weathered face, and faltering steps, he resembled an elderly man in his twilight years.

Many reporters present couldn't help but lament how, in just a few months, Harvey Weinstein had transformed into an entirely different person.

The bustling entrance suddenly fell silent, as new thoughts crept into the minds of those addicted to sensationalism. Was it too much for the media and those women to relentlessly hound such an elderly man?

Cameras were trained on Harvey. However, as he reached the steps, a dark-skinned woman suddenly appeared beyond the security barrier. Before security could intervene, she kicked the armchair out from under Harvey.

With a resounding crash, the armchair toppled to the ground.

Surprisingly, when the makeshift prop was taken away, Harvey's instinctual reaction wasn't to stumble, but to straighten his posture and stand tall.

In that moment, the towering and domineering Harvey Weinstein had returned!

Decades of ingrained habits couldn't be shaken so easily.

Reporters eagerly snapped photos.

Security personnel rushed to stop Meghan, but she defiantly hurled the poster, striking Harvey, and accused, "You shameful racist!"

Harvey recognized Meghan, the accuser who branded him a racist.

In the past, he might have lunged forward and confronted her.

Yet, he restrained his temper and glared at Meghan, resolutely climbing the steps without retrieving the fallen armchair.

A chorus of boos erupted, followed by harsh insults.

"You're a hardened criminal trying to win sympathy!"

"This scoundrel will never change!"

"Liar! Murderer!"

In a building near the entrance, Martin and his companions stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, their expressions exultant as they heard the commotion.

The trio shared a triumphant fist bump. Leonardo remarked, "With this incident, even if he's genuinely ill in the future, public opinion will think it's a ruse!"

Nicholson chimed in, "Wanting to garner sympathy in front of the police? A pipe dream!"

Martin suggested, "The real show is inside; let's head to the gallery."

The three descended the stairs, joined LAPD's McClain, and made their way to the courtroom gallery.

Though it was merely an information session, every seat was occupied.

Nearby, Martin sat alongside San Francisco Mayor Gavin, a familiar face amidst the numerous celebrities present. Martin had exchanged business cards with Gavin, who was accompanying his wife.