Chapter 203: Arthur Carter

New York in April was cold and rainy, but Charles, who had come from San Francisco, didn't find it unbearable.

"Charles, you should renovate this place a bit. It's big enough. If you renovate it well, it will feel much better!" Scarlett Johansson, who was brought over by Charles, complained about the decor the first time she came to his lakeside villa in downtown Manhattan.

Sitting on the couch, staring at the wooden fireplace absentmindedly, Charles was taken aback. He raised his head casually and looked around the house. "I feel it's fine. The area is big, and although it looks a bit plain, it's not bad at all!"

Scarlett Johansson walked over, sat directly on Charles' lap, and said, "I was born in Manhattan, New York. My family of six kids had to rely on government assistance to get by. My parents divorced when I was 13, and I moved to California with my mom because I got an important role at the time."

"Now? Thinking of moving back to New York?" Charles didn't discriminate against actors like Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley who came from less traditional backgrounds. Their extensive acting experience made the set their school.

"Now?" Scarlett thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Maybe in a few years, I'll buy some property in New York?"

"You can afford it now!"

"Aren't you the one who told me not to buy property these two years?"

"Oh, right, right," Charles awkwardly scratched his face.

"Charles," Scarlett stared at Charles for a moment and then kissed him directly.

...

While Charles Capet and Scarlett Johansson were getting cozy in a warm room, over at the New York Observer's headquarters on 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue, things were different.

Arthur Carter, the owner of the New York Observer, and editor-in-chief Peter Kaplan were discussing to whom they should sell the paper.

"Hollywood star Robert De Niro, New Jersey real estate mogul Charles Kushner's eldest son Jared Kushner, and now, young Hollywood tycoon Charles Capet!" Arthur Carter didn't care much about the future of the newspaper as an investor; he only cared about the money.

But editor-in-chief Peter Kaplan was different. He had to care about the future business plans.

"Capet Entertainment runs the Huffington Post, and Arianna Huffington has been in contact with me. The group won't interfere too much with the paper's editorial direction," said Peter. Though he didn't have the power to decide the newspaper's fate, a veteran Hollywood star and a rich kid still in NYU couldn't compare to the now-famous young Hollywood tycoon.

The Huffington Post focused on political news, while the New York Observer, though comprehensive, leaned towards serious topics favored by many elites, writers, and politicians.

If Capet Entertainment allowed the Huffington Post autonomy, it was likely they would do the same with the New York Observer.

However, Carter knew the Observer's losses needed reform, and he didn't care whether it was a veteran Hollywood star, a real estate heir, or a young Hollywood tycoon - they all had to manage the same financial issues.

In the evening, a business reception took place at the Times Square Hotel in Manhattan, and Charles attended with the beautiful Scarlett Johansson.

It was simply because he knew he would meet Arthur Carter, as Arianna Huffington told him.

In the grand, opulent hall, Charles held Scarlett's waist as Arianna Huffington asked him with a smile, "Why do you want to buy a weekly newspaper that only has a circulation of fifty thousand?"

"It's a prestigious newspaper. It has a good reputation, and its readers are mostly elites. I'm from the West Coast, and breaking into New York's high society is also a shortcut."

Charles was being honest, but Arianna shook her head and said, "Charles, with your status and position, you don't need to rely on this. In entertainment, fashion, and among investors, you're already a big shot. You might be lacking in politics, but with the development of the Huffington Post, that will improve too.

To be honest, your competitors need to break into New York's high society more than you do. Charles Kushner was imprisoned for tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions, and witness tampering last year. His eldest son, Jared Kushner, who's been studying at NYU after graduating from Harvard, is very eager to enter New York's upper circles to expand his social network and business opportunities, especially in real estate."

Following Arianna's gaze, Charles indeed saw a young man about his age chatting with Arthur Carter.

"That's Jared Kushner? He looks quite dashing," Charles complimented with a smile.

"Sort of, he's just a year older than you, and he comes from a good family - the Jewish real estate family. But when it comes to achievements, he's nowhere near you!" Arianna wasn't shy about praising Charles.

After all, one of them entered Harvard thanks to a $2.5 million donation from his parents and hasn't achieved much at 25. The other is a self-made young man from a single-parent family who has made it big in Hollywood.

Charles smiled, thinking that he was indeed in his prime now.

"But, Charles, though acquiring the New York Observer has its benefits, can you handle the $2 million annual loss?" Arianna asked again.

Charles laughed, "We have to be flexible. Strengthening online news is a must, and we'll have to remove some editors and reporters who can't keep up with the times. We'll also increase the celebrity effect, and entertainment content will be enhanced."

Charles hoped to turn the New York Observer into the East Coast equivalent of Vanity Fair, not just limited to Manhattan.

Arianna nodded, "Ten million dollars for the acquisition. Have you decided?"

"Yes. After the acquisition, I'll give employees time to learn online editing. If they still can't meet requirements, then..."

Charles left the rest unsaid, but Arianna understood that underperformance would lead to layoffs.

"Jared, I've decided to sell the New York Observer to Capet Entertainment. Though I also think highly of you, the senior editors aren't comfortable with a new owner who's never had media experience," Arthur Carter told Jared Kushner, who had been lobbying him.

"Capet Entertainment, Charles Capet?" Jared hadn't taken much notice of Robert De Niro as a competitor, but Charles Capet was a different story.

Looking over at Charles, embracing Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson, Jared saw someone younger and richer than himself.

*****

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