Chapter 233

"Bang..." In Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, James Caan slammed his empty glass down on the table. "Too domineering, Arthur Smith is simply too arrogant!"

Warren Beatty frowned, "He could squash you like a bug if he wanted to blacklist you. Just now at David Geffen's mansion, he casually donated 2 million dollars. He's not someone we can mess with now. Hugh Hefner is also a billionaire, but Arthur didn't even bother to glance at him, and the disdain in his eyes was unmistakable."

Warren Beatty, a big star from the 1970s, had lost his clout, and with box office flops, he had to step back. After Bugsy, good scripts stopped coming his way.

James Caan was still fuming, "How many people has he offended in Hollywood in just a few years?"

"Really?" Warren Beatty shook his head and chuckled, "Are you talking about Mel Gibson or Michael Ovitz?

Think carefully, who offended whom? Galaxy's current assets are beyond your imagination, with a sky-high valuation.

It's Mel Gibson and Michael Ovitz who should be worried. With Arthur Smith's current momentum, who in Hollywood can stop him?"

Warren Beatty saw things clearly. He was once a Hollywood big shot, but to a small fry like James Caan, it was hard to explain.

"Better get some rest," Warren Beatty didn't want to associate with someone who couldn't see the situation clearly.

Leaving the Playboy Mansion, a frustrated James Caan called his friend Joseph Russo to vent about it.

Joseph Russo, an Italian-American, was a member of the Colombo crime family, one of New York's Five Families, and a small-time screenwriter in Hollywood. However, the so-called Five Families were long past their prime.

"My friend, are you out of your mind? Do you think this is the '30s or '40s?" Joseph Russo looked at James Caan like he was crazy.

"You want revenge? He's a top-tier billionaire with high social status. What can a broke drunk like you do? In today's society, who would dare mess with capital?"

James Caan knew it was a pipe dream. "Can't we just rob his house or something?"

Joseph Russo rolled his eyes, "Do you think his bodyguards are just for show? Plus, I don't want any trouble. The FBI is still watching us. Let's avoid any ties with these celebrities. They attract too much attention. If you want to end up in jail, don't involve me!"

Joseph Russo patted Caan's shoulder, "We're not young anymore. We both have kids. You don't want them ending up in foster care, do you?"

Arthur had no idea that a small fry he unintentionally scorned was plotting revenge. But even if he knew, he wouldn't care. Arthur had plenty of money and wasn't worried about threats.

After returning to the Beverly Hills mansion with Nicole Kidman, Arthur researched Snapple Beverages. Thomas H. Lee's idea had piqued his interest.

"Arthur, aren't you going to bed?" Nicole Kidman, fresh out of the shower, walked into the study.

"Not yet," Arthur replied, pulling Nicole into his lap as he leaned back in his chair.

"Why did you get so angry at Warner Manor tonight?" Nicole asked, wrapping her arms around Arthur's neck.

Arthur laughed and slipped his hand inside Nicole's nightgown, whispering in her ear, "A few nobodies dared to talk to me like that. How could I not be angry?"

Even the chairmen of the six major film studios treated him well. These washed-up Hollywood old-timers had no clue. Look at Michael Ovitz; once so arrogant, now he didn't dare talk back. Mel Gibson was also behaving like a mouse.

Nicole Kidman moaned softly, "Is Hugh Hefner also a nobody?"

"Why not? What is Playboy's status now? Can it compare to me? The guy spends his days popping Viagra and sleeping with Playboy Bunnies. He reeks of something disgusting," Arthur said, then suddenly remembered something.

"Nicole, does your family own any land in Australia with mineral resources?"

Nicole Kidman laughed, "Kidman Holdings mainly operates ranches. There are many mining companies in Australia, and while many mines haven't started operations, they own the mining rights."

Australia is rich in mining assets, especially iron ore. Nearly a fifth of the world's supply is in Australia.

"Alright," Arthur said, then kissed Nicole on the lips.

Nicole responded to the kiss, "It's September now. The Venice Film Festival has started. Aren't you going?"

"I'm not interested. Let's go to bed," Arthur said, pulling Nicole into the bedroom.

"Mmm..." Nicole Kidman lay on the bed, running her hands over Arthur's back, responding to his kisses.

Suddenly, Arthur stopped. Nicole, panting, asked, "What's wrong?"

Lying on top of Nicole, Arthur remembered something. "Nicole, do you have any British pounds? If you do, exchange them for dollars quickly. I predict the pound will depreciate."

"Pounds? No, I don't have any. I only have Australian dollars," Nicole said, then wrapped her legs around Arthur's waist. "The pound will depreciate? The current exchange rate is over 2, right?"

Arthur shook his head. "You don't understand Britain's situation. Their economy can't support the pound's exchange rate. Since you don't have any pounds, forget it. Look for a villa in a Los Angeles neighborhood you like when you are free. I'll buy it for you."

"Long Beach is fine, but it's a bit far from Hollywood."

Nicole Kidman smiled, "Looks like you're about to make more money. How about in the Hollywood Hills? It's close to Galaxy's office."

"Then I can visit you at the office anytime."

Nicole flipped over, straddling Arthur, "Let me take charge tonight."

"Alright, as you wish..."

*****

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