Chapter 665: Largest Landowner
At the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, the Capet Universal investment meeting was taking place, with Bank of America and Morgan Stanley acting as the underwriters for Capet's IPO.
Charles Capet, along with CFO Anne Depp and others, attended the meeting.
In the hall, facing a group of Wall Street investors, Charles Capet smiled and said, "From now on, there will be only two movie companies in Hollywood; one called Capet Universal, and the other called 'Other Movie Companies.'"
During the evening banquet, Bank of America's Chairman Ken Lewis was in a particularly good mood and shared this feeling with Charles.
"Charles, do you know? The Capet Universal listing has attracted a lot of attention," Ken Lewis said, taking a sip of his drink.
"The first media stock, the largest giant in the global entertainment media industry, and the person at the helm is a young man under 30 years old?"
Soon, John Malone, Chairman of Liberty Media Group, also came over to chat with Charles.
Although Liberty Media Group had sold its Time Warner shares, it was still a major shareholder in many companies like Discovery Channel.
"Charles, Liberty Media Group is equivalent to a media investment group. You could say, I am perhaps closer to Wall Street than Hollywood," claimed John Malone, branding himself as a Wall Street investor.
Charles smiled, "Investment tycoon, father of cable TV media, both are good titles. The important thing is the return on investment!
By the way, Mr. Malone, the news says you acquired over 1 million acres (4046 square kilometers) of forest land in Maine and New Hampshire earlier this year. Now the total area of land under your name has reached 2.2 million acres, surpassing Ted Turner's 2 million acres. You are now the largest landowner in the United States!"
Charles wondered whether investing in land was really that interesting.
"Charles, it depends on your interests. Of course, the returns from land investments aren't as high as those from your other businesses. But, it's stable, and land also holds great value, doesn't it?" explained John Malone with a laugh.
Charles nodded. Maybe he should also invest in some land. These big landowners had millions of acres easily!
...
That night, after Charles returned to his Upper East Side villa, Ivanka Trump also came over.
"I'm running for New York State Assemblyman without any issues," Ivanka smiled. "When your Nets move to New York this year, I'll also leverage their influence to gain public support."
"Honey, it's New York Dreamers. That's what the fans voted. Starting next season, it will have this new name," reminded Charles with a bit of joy, his hands resting behind his head. "The Barclays Center arena is also completed and will officially open in July!"
"New York Dreamers? That sounds as bad as the New York Liberty," Ivanka joked.
"But New Yorkers still recognize the Knicks. Madison Square Garden holds many memories," Ivanka, a New York socialite, was well aware.
"Let's see the results. The Nets are currently 1-1 in the first round of the playoffs against the Magic. The third game will be back in New Jersey, home court!"
Ivanka laughed, "The NFL is already starting a strike, and it's also time for the NBA's labor negotiations this year. Hear that the NBA might also strike like the NFL!"
"Who cares? The New Jersey Nets are moving to Brooklyn as the New York Dreamers in the NBA this year. If they strike, let them strike," said Charles, having no interest in these matters. Owning clubs in three out of the four major American sports leagues was good enough for him.
Ivanka shook her head, realizing Charles no longer cared about these issues.
"Next week is the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Remember to go to Washington with me. It's a great opportunity to show off," Ivanka reminded Charles seriously.
"The White House hosts nearly 300 dinners a year, kidding me?" Charles was rather helpless.
"The Correspondents' Dinner is different," Ivanka bit Charles gently, "It's an official and grand event. With your status, it's easy to get in. Although you could get me an invitation, it'd be better if we go together!"
"Fine. In the next few days, our company's The Green Hornet is releasing, and Arsenal will be playing Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on the 28th. If I remember correctly, the White House Correspondents' Dinner is on the last day of the month. I should be back from Spain by then!"
How could Charles miss the Arsenal vs. Real Madrid Champions League match?
"Whatever, just accompany me to the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the end of the month."
*****
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