Chapter 436: Such Opportunities Are Rare

After the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival, Arthur headed directly to Paris to expedite the acquisition negotiations with Pathé Films regarding the MGM cinema chain.

To Arthur's surprise, the group acquiring Pathé Films was led by Jerome Seydoux's investment firm, which was affiliated with the credit bank Lyonnais!

In the suite at the Sofitel Paris Faubourg Hotel in Concorde Plaza, Arthur sat in a chair by the window chatting with Cristiana Reali.

"So, let me get this straight, the current chairman of Pathé Films, Jerome Seydoux, and the chairman of Gaumont, Nicolas Seydoux, are brothers? Those two Seydoux brothers now control two major film groups in France?"

Arthur actually knew Nicolas Seydoux of Gaumont relatively well, as they had collaborated well in the past, and now his brother had taken the helm at Pathé Films!

However, Arthur was probably more familiar with Jerome Seydoux's granddaughter, Lea Seydoux, who at that time was just a 10-year-old girl.

"Yeah, both Gaumont and Pathé Films are now managed by the Seydoux family," Cristiana took a sip of her coffee.

"Pathé Films' market in cinemas is larger than that of Gaumont. Domestically there might not be a big difference, but internationally, there are more Pathé Films theaters in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Italy!"

"Galaxy Cinemas wants to acquire 20% of the EMI chain, but they're unwilling," Arthur stood up to gaze at the view outside. "They are only willing to sell part of the shares in the EMI chain in Belgium and the Netherlands; they can transfer five cinemas to us in France."

Cristiana walked over, "Is Galaxy Studios willing to take over?"

Arthur nodded, "Of course, and those cinemas in France will be renovated and rebuilt according to the multiplex model. There are half the people in Belgium who speak Dutch and the other half speak French; EMI is also helping us tap into the Dutch-speaking market!"

Well, after all, Galaxy previously focused on Spanish, French, German, and Italian markets, and didn't consider the other places much. Now, they could partner with EMI to form a film distribution company in the Netherlands and Belgium.

"By the way, where are you heading later?" Arthur hugged Cristiana around the waist, "Sophie is resting in the room!"

Cristiana Reali smiled, kissed Arthur on the neck, "Sophie just arrived in Paris last night, and after being dragged around by you, she definitely needs more rest."

"Come on, the two of us hung out with you last night, wasn't that enough to keep you entertained?" Cristiana teased, blowing softly in Arthur's ear.

"The promotional tour for GoldenEye in Europe is coming up, and France is a crucial stop; we've been busy with that lately. And Toy Story is coming out next month, which also needs our promotion!"

Arthur leaned in to kiss the soft lips of the woman.

After the long kiss, Cristiana reminded Arthur, "You're planning to go to your villa by the Seine in Neuilly, right? I'll try to come over early tonight!"

Arthur nodded and whispered in Cristiana's ear, "You don't have to do everything yourself; you could come over to the U.S. a bit more often when you have time."

"Okay, I got it. I'll come find you guys later tonight!" Cristiana straightened her clothes and headed back to the office.

After Cristiana left, Arthur walked into the room, sat on the edge of the bed, and gently patted Sophie Marceau, who was lying down. "Want something to eat? It's almost noon, Sophie?"

"Hmm," Sophie Marceau opened her eyes and sat up, displaying her curvy figure, "Is it already that late?"

"Yes," Arthur nodded.

Sophie smiled, leaning back against the headboard and pulling Arthur into her embrace. "I just got back from the premiere of Braveheart in the U.S. the other day."

"I really don't know what role I played in that movie," she added.

It was clear that Sophie was genuinely not too fond of Braveheart, as she felt like just a trophy character.

Arthur kissed her softly on the chest, "Just think of it as a commercial film; your salary for future projects will go up!"

"Galaxy's film, While You Were Sleeping, has already grossed $60 million," Sophie smiled at Arthur. "It's a good romance film with great reviews."

Arthur helped Sophie lie down, running his hands softly over her. "Once Braveheart is a hit, your international fame is bound to increase. I'll prepare a romantic comedy for you next year. By then, you'll go even further!"

"Sure, just make the arrangements. I plan to take a break over here in France; my previous schedule was too packed, and I'm a bit out of sync with the leisurely pace of the French."

"No problem; later this afternoon, come with me to meet the shareholders of Gucci," Arthur reminded her.

"Gucci? Wasn't the third-generation heir of the Gucci family assassinated recently?" Sophie closed her eyes, caressing Arthur's body.

Maurizio Gucci, the third heir of the Gucci family, was shot in late March near Gucci's office in Milan.

However, after years of power struggles, the last leader of the Gucci family, Maurizio Gucci, sold his last shares of Gucci two years prior.

"Gucci and the Gucci family have little connection now; it's fully owned by Investcorp S.A., a sovereign wealth fund from Bahrain!" Arthur explained.

"So, are you interested in Gucci?"

"Yeah, Gucci had years of losses, but after they changed management last year, sales performance improved, and the parent company Investcorp S.A. is preparing to take Gucci public," Arthur, having just sold his shares in the Ritz-Carlton Group for $300 million, was definitely looking to invest.

After arriving in France, he had coincidentally read in the newspaper about Maurizio Gucci's assassination, with police investigating the case at full force.

Unfortunately, it was all a mystery; he only knew the assassin was from Sicily, but Arthur was aware that the mastermind behind Maurizio Gucci's assassination was his ex-wife!

Gucci wanted to go public, and Investcorp S.A. had been investing in Gucci for several years, wanting to cash in quickly;

In previous years, Gucci was still on the verge of bankruptcy, and such opportunities were rare -- Arthur surely would not let it slip away!

"Luxury goods -- America is the largest consumer market right now, which fits well with Hollywood," Sophie, who had done some luxury goods advertising herself, understood this.

"Where'd Cristiana go?"

"She went back to the office first; she'll come find us tonight!"

Sophie stretched out her hand, sensing the changes in Arthur, "Hmm, carry me to take a shower..."

*****

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