Chapter 147: Future Media Mogul

"Boss, 3.9 billion. It can't go any lower."

"Okay, let's sign the letter of intent. We'll accept this price."

"Alright, boss, I'll get on it now."

Unexpectedly, the big boss getting hit ended up indirectly helping this guy.

"Man, the money I owe seems to be piling up. When's this gonna stop?"

He had the ability to repay, but shouldn't mess around. He had six months to gather the funds and hoped those old guys wouldn't cause more trouble.

The old guys knew it too. Asking him to issue convertible bonds would be like bleeding him dry, and they weren't interested in company bonds either.

...

"1.5 billion? You sure? How much has he invested in Japan?"

"Boss, I believe that's everything he owns in Japan. The Japanese financial consortiums are assessing the risk."

"How much has he invested in the US?"

"Around 800 million dollars, all in securities."

"Wow, this guy's something. So he needs less than 2 billion."

"Definitely doesn't need 2 billion. He hasn't even used the money raised from three companies, and his film company probably has surplus funds."

"Yeah, 1.5 billion isn't that hard. I bet many banks would be interested."

"This is probably the limit. His leverage is already outrageous. If those stocks and real estate devalue, the Japanese definitely won't be polite."

...

The Oscars were delayed by a day, and the media in Los Angeles was busy. The stars, with nothing better to do, were creating some tabloid news, which seemed quite normal.

While everyone was wondering which gossip was real, an explosive news suddenly hit: William White successfully acquired Disney and NBC. 

Journalists went wild, and whether the big boss lived or died suddenly became irrelevant -- it would just be another old guy in charge.

Don't be surprised; except for the serious media, people focused on different things. There wasn't much new to report about a shooting; it was just the same few shots.

William White was a unique character who dazzled not only in films but also conquered the IT industry.

This guy was already remarkable. If he acquired Disney and NBC, who knows what would happen?

And the big boss? Isn't it said he's out of the woods?

And the shooter? Claimed to be a lunatic, meaning there's no conspiracy -- just go on with life, wondering when the damn economy would recover.

The Oscars were rather dazed too. Changing dates was already so dramatic, and now the media shifted their focus entirely.

Not that nobody cared about the Oscars -- the biggest chatter was not about Best Picture. Instead, reporters cared if William White would attend and if he'd leave empty-handed.

The organizers were clearly frustrated. No one wins an award on their first nomination. 

...

Having completed the biggest acquisition, William White was really happy. He knew even though it could be cheaper next year, time wasn't on his side. The old guys weren't powerful yet, but he needed to establish a leading edge. As the saying goes, "Lead with one step, lead step by step."

"William, congrats on becoming the future media mogul."

"Haha, don't get all sour, George. If you're running for office, I'll write your campaign articles for free."

"You sure?"

"Pfft, what's the big deal? You doubt me?"

"Haha, alright, it's a deal."

"Sure thing, sure thing."

Bush Sr. couldn't help but feel, his son's luck seemed a lot better than his own. Media mogul support was not lost on him.

That said, his appeal among young people was terrifying, aside from being a little morally indiscreet with women, he was remarkably perfect.

As for someone's personal issues, it didn't really matter unless they aimed to mix into politics, then it really wasn't important.

William White was certainly thrilled. Sharon Stone and the assistant could feel it. Meiko was more understanding of why he was happy.

"Filson, is the meeting with Barry Diller settled?"

"Yes, boss. I've confirmed the two people you wanted."

"Great, very good. Let's find a chance to meet up."

"Sure, boss. I'll arrange it."

Who knows if the boss of Paramount was beside himself crying. Losing two big figures in one go is definitely not good news.

...

No wonder she is a beauty queen; today Sharon Stone was truly stunning.

Well, even though she's still little known, don't forget her backer is William White. If you don't know who this girl is, you're definitely not an entertainment reporter.

The red carpet in this era was still very simple, and William White was, as always, calm. Faced with this demeanor of his, the reporters were just scratching their heads.

"Mr. White, do you think you'll win?"

"Haha, that joke isn't funny at all. Winning an award on your first participation is something only beauties like Audrey Hepburn can pull off. I don't have that kind of skill."

"Mr. White, are you dating Miss Sharon Stone?"

"Haha, she's a very good friend of mine and the lead in a summer movie. You'll get a chance to know her. Everyone, everyone, let's not ask Oscar-unrelated questions. You're putting me in a tight spot. If some of the old folks hold a grudge, I'll never get that statuette."

A group of reporters surrounded William White, making his bodyguards very nervous. To avoid unnecessary trouble, William White did not linger for long.

...

"Who is that man?"

"Miss Kinski, that's the owner of White Films, the richest man in America."

"Oh, it's him."

Nastassja Kinski was quite unique. If you talk about acting skills, she doesn't lack them. But if you talk about excellence, well, have you ever seen an excellent pretty girl?

She was watching William White, and William White happened to glance over.

"It's her."

"Who is it, darling?"

"Haha, an interesting woman. Hmm, could that old guy be here too? Isn't he a wanted man?"

"A woman? Then I'm not watching anymore."

"This girl is no simpleton. She's been with that old guy since her teens and now she's finally getting somewhere."

"Was she nominated?"

"Haha, probably not. The movie's good but unfortunately the director is a fugitive, and the charges are despicable."

"What did he do?"

"Ugh, something with a twelve or thirteen-year-old kid, they say drugs were involved, and not just once."

"Disgusting!"

"Haha, he's talented, but his character is questionable."

What William White said was actually problematic. After the old guy fled from the U.S., he was never caught. Later, who knows what price was paid but there were no further consequences. Since he wasn't convicted, you can't accuse him.

When the old man skipped bail, Nastassja Kinski was left in an awkward position. She was very young when she got involved with the old guy. The media couldn't find the hiding fugitive, so she naturally became the target of reporter harassment.

...

"William, how does it feel to be here for the first time?"

"Ha, Lucas, nothing much, just that there are quite a few pretty ladies," William White nodded in the direction of Nastassja Kinski.

"Ha, good taste. The old man might really have been traumatized, he seemed like a different person after that incident."

"Wait, you mean when his wife got killed, right?"

"Yeah! Absolutely atrocious, like something out of hell."

"Too bad, she was a beauty too."

Roman Polanski was considered a great director, with no bad movies in his career. As for his inclinations, when people discuss movies, they deliberately avoid mentioning his name.

Even after he made works like The Pianist, people couldn't change their perception of him. Engaging in immoral acts with minors is a grievous sin, and skipping bail is simply too scary.

A judge trusted him enough to let him go home, yet he just fled. This put the judge who approved the bail in an awkward position.

Speaking of his wife, her fate was truly tragic; their child was eight months along too. 

"Lucas, you're not worried anyway. You'll probably get a consolation prize. I'm in a rough spot with nothing to show, and I can't not come. Those old geezers are quite the trouble."

"Haha, not necessarily. An original screenplay isn't a big award. It's possible."

"Sheesh, if I brought Forrest Gump, they'd have to give me something or I'd be at them non-stop."

"William, let me film Forrest Gump. Let's team up."

"You wouldn't be able to. Spielberg might, but your style suits sci-fi. I can't do Forrest Gump either, let's wait. Anyway, the box office won't be that great, you wouldn't be that interested."

When Spielberg saw the two bickering, he just smiled silently. He didn't expect William White to have such a clear understanding of himself.

Lucas was just shooting the breeze; he just wanted to test the waters. It seemed William White wasn't against collaboration. If there was a suitable script, they could talk about it.

...

Nastassja Kinski knew very well that after this movie, she and that old guy were done. She wouldn't waste her years with him in Europe.

As for whom to seek refuge with, this guy in front of her wasn't bad. As for the small fry beside him, hmph, there's no way she's a match for her.

*****

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