Chapter 703: The Big Boss

[Chapter 703: The Big Boss]

When Michael Eisner and his companions approached, the guests around Diane Kruger quickly took the hint and left. Her agent leaned in to whisper a few words, and the young woman nodded slightly, graciously shaking hands with Michael Eisner and Edgar Bronfman.

"Mr. Eisner, Mr. Bronfman, thank you for Universal's invitation to this party," Diane greeted them, her agent skipping the introduction of Allen Hasenfeld, allowing Diane to address Michael Eisner and Edgar Bronfman first.

"Miss Kruger, it's truly an honor to have your presence at this party," Michael Eisner complimented, gesturing towards Allen Hasenfeld and introducing him, "This is Mr. Allen Hasenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Hasbro."

Diane Kruger, dressed in a wine-red gown that accentuated her figure, resembled a delicately blooming rose, her youthful face carrying an air of innocence and charm. This contrast stirred intrigue among many mature, composed attendees. Allen Hasenfeld grasped Diane's petite hand, his eagerness apparent in his gaze. "Miss Kruger, you look absolutely stunning tonight. I saw your performance at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show; it was truly mesmerizing. I will definitely make it to the show by the end of the year. Will you be participating again?"

Diane felt his grip linger a bit longer than expected, surprised; it was the first time she had received such blatant attention. Maintaining a polite smile, she subtly withdrew her hand with a gentle tug, responding, "Yes, Mr. Hasenfeld. I signed a five-year contract with Victoria's Secret."

"Oh, that's wonderful," Allen Hasenfeld replied smoothly, undeterred by her withdrawal.

Michael Eisner had exchanged a few more pleasantries before excusing himself, stating that another guest had arrived, and discreetly led Edgar Bronfman away.

Once in a quieter corner, Edgar Bronfman quickly inquired, "Michael, are you sure you know what you're doing? That's Eric Williams' girl!"

At gatherings like this, not bringing a date typically signified that one was looking to play around. In the midst of securing the Transformers rights, if Allen Hasenfeld were to express interest in any of the women present, as long as they weren't at the very top of the A-list, Universal could easily arrange some collaboration to ensure his satisfaction.

Hollywood was notoriously chaotic; that was common knowledge among those in the industry. However, there were certain women that everyone knew should not be trifled with. Diane Kruger, at just eighteen, had ascended from relative obscurity to one of the most recognized supermodels in the world in less than six months. It was hard to believe she wasn't linked to the powerful Eric Williams, who had been promoting her behind the scenes.

Thus, those who were in the know associated Diane Kruger with Williams, and though many might have been tempted, none dared to make any moves. Thanks to Eric's formidable influence, her modeling agency, Elite, and her talent agency, ICM, treated her like royalty. It was commonly understood that securing endorsement deals and commercial engagements for Diane was often more difficult than for the other four Victoria's Secret angels.

Michael Eisner was certainly aware of these dynamics. Upon hearing Edgar Bronfman's question, he glanced around the crowd, leaned in closer, and whispered, "Of course I know that's Eric Williams' girl. Just imagine if Allen Hasenfeld hits a wall in front of her, or worse, if he has any friction with Eric Williams. How could any of the studios in the Firefly network get the Transformers rights?"

Born into immense wealth, Edgar Bronfman knew from a young age that business competition was ruthless. If one tried to win a business war with kindness, the result would end in ruin. After weighing Michael's perspective, he nodded in agreement but couldn't shake a hint of concern as he surveyed Allen Hasenfeld, still lingering by Diane. "Just don't let things get out of hand."

"Don't worry," Michael Eisner smiled and shook his head. "This is a public event. Everyone here is a respectable person; nothing major will happen."

...

On the other side, Allen Hasenfeld had indeed found himself captivated by Diane Kruger's beauty. After making some moves to woo her, he began to notice unusual behavior. Over recent times, with various major studios vying for the Transformers rights, he had been invited to numerous Hollywood parties.

Naturally, he had received some warm welcomes. During these gatherings, he realized that some of the stunning faces he had previously only seen on screen were actually quite approachable. Some even came forward upon learning his identity. But Diane's attitude set her apart; he could distinctly sense her formal demeanor, lacking the usual warmth. While other starlets' agents would discreetly withdraw after making introductions, Diane's agent maintained a watchful eye, brimming with caution.

Gradually shaking off his initial infatuation, Allen began to detect that something was off, especially with the several prying gazes onlookers cast in his direction. It made him realize that something unusual was at play. Although he appreciated beauty, Allen Hasenfeld had no desire to invite unnecessary trouble. He had also noticed how Michael Eisner confirmed him before Diane -- perhaps the intent wasn't as innocent as it appeared.

Just as he was about to excuse himself to grasp the situation more thoroughly, he found himself reluctant to leave, drawn by that captivating youthful face. He hesitantly asked, "Diane, may I ask, do you have a boyfriend?"

Diane Kruger's mouth fell open in surprise, momentarily at a loss for words.

In the past few days, she had felt the unique treatment afforded to her. Yet she understood the root cause of this attention -- they all saw her as Eric Williams' girl. Ever since last year, she had sensed his pervasive influence within Hollywood. This immense power meant she enjoyed the perks of careful treatment from those around her, simply because of their perceived connection.

Lost in this princess-like treatment, she had unconsciously accepted this identity; she was, in essence, someone who belonged to him. Moreover, being his girl had its advantages.

However, Allen Hasenfeld's sudden question felt like a silver needle piercing through her self-imposed fantasies, popping the bubble of her dream-like state. A flicker of panic rose within her--what if everyone around her, who had treated her so kindly, discovered that she had no actual relationship with him? What would happen then?

Suddenly, the sensation of free-fall enveloped her, plunging, plummeting...

It felt reminiscent of awakening from a dream.

Heaven, Earth, Hell.

Unlike Diane's momentary daze, her ICM agent, Susie Dean, stood by her side, realizing Allen Hasenfeld seemed completely unaware of the situation. No wonder he persisted in his pursuit.

Susie Dean knew all about the ongoing battle over the Transformers rights, and she wasn't keen on stirring any trouble with Allen. Thanks to past connections with UTA and their strong collaboration with ICM, Susie understood the importance of handling the situation carefully. After all, many agents at ICM would proudly refer to Eric Williams as "The Big Boss," a testament to his influence over the agency.

If this situation impacted the rights to Transformers, Diane Kruger was unlikely to suffer consequences, nor would Allen Hasenfeld, but her poor handling of the matter could lead to repercussions for her as an agent.

As she noticed Allen Hasenfeld's fixation on Diane's beauty, Susie expected this sharp-witted girl would subtly hint at her relationship with Eric -- only to see Diane lost in thought instead. Frustrated, Susie was about to speak when the party hall suddenly shifted, resembling an invisible hourglass being unexpectedly flipped; guests took on the gravitational pull toward the entrance.

"It's Eric Williams! I can't believe he's here."

"Let's hurry over; maybe we can say hello!"

"Katie, can you check my makeup? Is it okay... hey, don't walk away!"

Buzzing chatter filled the room as everyone quickly grasped the situation. Even those who usually held themselves with a sense of superiority couldn't help but move toward where all eyes were turning, wanting to be noticed when Eric arrived.

Hearing Eric's name snapped Diane out of her stupor. She had been entangled by Allen Hasenfeld since her arrival and hadn't moved too far from the entrance. Turning her head slightly, obstructed by the crowd, she caught a glimpse of the figure that held her heart.

Seeing that Allen's attention had been diverted by the unexpected commotion, Susie seized the moment to gently pat Diane's shoulder. "Diane, Mr. Williams has arrived. Let's go over."

"Ah, alright," Diane instinctively responded but then felt a fresh wave of anxiety. It had been months since they last met; what if he turned cold towards her? With so many people around, if that happened, it would be impossible to keep things hidden.

Gazing at the throngs around Eric, she hesitated like a prisoner facing execution, wishing for just a bit more time to linger.

"Susie, it's too crowded. Let's wait a bit before going over," she hesitated finally suggesting.

Susie Dean, not privy to Diane's thoughts, noted the group of men encircling Eric and nodded, "Alright, we'll wait a moment."

...

In the center of the crowd, Michael Eisner and Edgar Bronfman stepped forward to greet Eric. Although they wore welcoming smiles, inside, they felt displaced. After days of being the center of attention, Eric's arrival overshadowed them effortlessly.

Inside the hall, Hollywood stars, renowned directors, and top producers were eager to engage Eric in conversation. Since the beginning of the year, with Firefly launching an array of production plans, Eric held a string of the most coveted films in Hollywood. Firefly had already brought many directors, actors, and producers to prominence. No personality within Hollywood could afford to overlook the vast opportunities tied to these projects.

Previously, affluent attendees at Hollywood parties often enjoyed a sense of superiority due to their wealth before these "locals." Though these industry figures often appeared glamorous, they were usually pawns in a larger game of capital maneuvering. Edgar Bronfman, fresh from his successful acquisition of Universal, had maintained a sense of pride associated with wealth. Yet Eric's entrance obliterated any illusion of superiority.

After acquiring MCA, Edgar had essentially gambled 70% of Seagram's assets on this deal. However, evaluating the recent trading conditions with Panasonic, the entire MCA group, including Universal, was valued at merely $7.5 billion. Meanwhile, the latest issue of BusinessWeek valued Firefly at an astonishing $45 billion -- greater than the combined market caps of Time Warner and Viacom -- six times that of MCA. This meant that Eric's personal fortune soared to $33 billion, while his assets beyond Hollywood surpassed $10 billion, landing him firmly in the first place on Forbes' list of North America's richest, far ahead of 2nd place Bill Gates.

In the presence of such a young man, it seemed almost impossible for anyone in the world to claim any sense of superiority.

*****

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