Chapter 266: Investment Company

[Chapter 266: Investment Company]

"Chris, do you know Cisco?" Eric asked with some excitement. He remembered that Cisco might not have gone public yet, and with his current wealth, he believed he could acquire a significant stake. Eric didn't even expect too much; even just a 10% share could potentially make him taste the life of being the richest person in the world ten years down the line.

Chris thought for a moment and asked, "Are you talking about that router company that Sequoia Capital invested in and incubated?"

"Yeah, you know about Cisco?" Eric asked nervously. Chris knowing about the company didn't sound like good news -- could it be...?

Chris didn't notice the concern in Eric's expression; instead, he smiled oddly and said, "Of course I know. It's actually our company that's handling Cisco's IPO. We're in the same department, although not in the same team. The guy's name is George Kelly. He spent months persuading some of Cisco's major shareholders to agree to the IPO plan. Now he's out there trying to convince investment firms to take on Cisco's stock when it goes public in February next year."

So, it still hadn't gone public.

Eric let out a sigh of relief. When he heard Chris was familiar with Cisco, he had thought that it had already been listed or that major investment banks like Morgan Stanley were eyeing it, and snatching a piece would not be easy.

"Chris, can you do me a favor?" Eric contemplated for a bit before looking Chris in the eye and said, "Help me acquire shares in Cisco. As many as possible."

Chris appeared bewildered. "Eric, some investment firms are avoiding George Kelly like the plague; a lot of them aren't optimistic about that company."

Jeffrey, who had been quietly listening, piped up, "Eric, if you want to invest, you should let Chris help you find more valuable companies. As for this... whatever it is, Cisco, I think you should just forget about it."

Eric shook his head firmly and kept his gaze on Chris. "Chris, can you help me with this?"

Chris felt a strange pull from Eric's earnestness and instinctively nodded, then added, "Eric, if you're interested in that company, I can ask George Kelly for more detailed information. It'd be best for you to review that before making a decision."

"No need. I've already decided."

Chris and Jeffrey exchanged looks. Jeffrey quietly said, "Eric, didn't you... maybe have a bit too much to drink earlier?"

"Listen, Jeffrey, and Chris, I'm perfectly sober right now, my head isn't foggy, and I'm not drunk. Well, actually, I've come across some materials on Cisco before, and I believe this company could become a giant in the industry like Microsoft, Oracle, or Apple. So, Chris, can you give me some good advice?"

Chris glanced at his father. He knew Jeffrey understood Eric the best. After contemplating Eric's usual nature, it seemed he had never successfully persuaded him against a decision he was adamant about. So, Jeffrey nodded at his son.

With his father's confirmation, Chris said, "Alright then, Eric. If you're determined, it'd be best to start an investment company or find one to act on your behalf. Morgan Stanley actually has a dedicated private wealth management department. With your current means, you'd definitely get top-notch service; of course, commissions won't be small. So, I recommend the former.

After that, it's straightforward: use that investment company to acquire Cisco stocks, then find a professional manager to join Cisco's board to help you manage the acquisition afterward. Though, you could do it yourself, I doubt you have the time, nor do I recommend you take on such specialized tasks personally."

Eric pondered for a moment, sizing up Chris across the table, then suddenly said, "Chris, how about you help me manage this investment company?"

"Me?" Chris pointed at himself.

Eric nodded. "Yeah, don't worry, this company won't be small-time. I assure you it'll have at least a hundred million dollars in funding."

Chris knew Eric wouldn't joke about something like that and fell into a struggle.

He was already a senior executive at Morgan Stanley. Most people took seven or eight years to reach that level in investment banking; he had only taken four years, and if he stayed on for another year, he could likely get promoted again.

Suddenly, an opportunity presented itself. If someone other than Eric had said this to him, he might have agreed immediately. But Eric was too young, which made him hesitate, fearing that Eric might just be caught up in a passing whim.

"I know what you're worried about, Chris, but believe me, this isn't a whim. I promise you. If you're doubtful," Eric glanced at Jeffrey and said, "Jeffrey can vouch for me."

Jeffrey scratched his nose, chuckling awkwardly, "What am I supposed to guarantee?"

"Guarantee I'm not acting on impulse; you should know my character by now."

"But I remember you making a lot of decisions on impulse," Jeffrey said, but then added with a laugh, "Though they've all turned out to be correct. Chris, I think you should give it a shot."

Chris contemplated for a moment and said, "Eric, I need to think about this. I'll give you an answer as soon as I can."

"No problem," Eric nodded, not rushing him.

...

It wasn't until ten o'clock that night that Eric finally took the two girls and left Jeffrey's house.

The chaotic Thanksgiving soon passed. After some arguing, none of them had eaten turkey. The two girls mischievously pardoned the two turkeys they brought back, surpassing the President of the United States.

After the holiday, Aniston returned to work, leaving the villa. Eric also breathed a sigh of relief. While keeping an eye on the box office for the three movies related to Firefly, he also started the casting work for The X-Files, as the writing team had basically completed the script for the first season after two months of busying.

...

At Disney headquarters, an assistant knocked on the door before entering to report to a busy Michael Eisner, "Mr. Eisner, Mr. Rubin is here."

"Let him in," Michael Eisner said as he put down his pen.

Bruce Joel Rubin soon walked into the office. Life had been grand recently; news had spread in Hollywood that Eric had shown interest in the script for Ghost. He had met with senior executives from all the major studios, and the number of independent filmmakers wanting to collaborate with him was countless. The prices for those wanting to purchase the script kept rising; however, it hadn't yet reached his expectations.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Rubin," Michael Eisner said, walking around his desk. He smiled as he shook Bruce Joel Rubin's hand.

Bruce no longer felt the awe he had with the major studio executives not long ago; he shook hands with Michael Eisner confidently, and they took a seat on the couch.

Michael Eisner made no comment on the Ghost script, saying, "Mr. Rubin, I have read the script. I invited you here today to ask you something."

"Mr. Eisner, please feel free to ask," Bruce said, taking a sip of the coffee the assistant had brought over.

Michael Eisner patiently observed Bruce's pretentious act. When Bruce finally set down his coffee cup, he asked, "I just want to know one thing: what exactly did you and Eric Williams discuss when you met? If your answer satisfies me, I will offer you a very reasonable price."

Bruce furrowed his brow. Michael Eisner's commanding tone made him uncomfortable. "Mr. Eisner, Mr. Williams said he was very optimistic about the script and wanted to buy it to direct himself."

Michael Eisner shook his head. "No, I know that kid too well; he would never say such a thing. What I need is for you to recount the details of your meeting with him. If you continue to lie or hesitate to tell the truth, you are free to leave now. If you recount that meeting in full and the result pleases me, I will offer you a very generous writing contract. I know that Paramount is currently making the best offer at $600,000 and 2% profit participation. Trust me, my offer will definitely be higher; it all depends on whether your response can satisfy me."

Bruce felt a surge of dissatisfaction and almost wanted to storm out. However, he also didn't want to miss out on the money. After thinking it over, he decided to endure and narrated the general situation of his meeting with Eric.

Michael Eisner listened patiently. He knew Bruce wouldn't provide an honest account word-for-word; embellishment was inevitable. Thus, he was also assessing the credibility of what Bruce had said.

When Bruce finished, Michael Eisner leaned back on the couch and thought for a full ten minutes.

The situation stemmed from the celebration party for the blockbuster release of The Others. Disney hosted that party, and most of the attendees were Disney personnel. Therefore, Michael Eisner had already gathered details from many people regarding the complete event.

Currently, he could determine that Eric hadn't actively approached that group at the party; rather, he had happened to walk by and got cornered by guests, at which point he accidentally overheard the discussion about the script. He had only chatted briefly with them, and among the crowd was a general manager from Disney's distribution department. According to him, Eric hadn't shown any unusual behavior at the time. Thus, it could be ruled out that Eric had initially expressed a strong interest in the script when he first heard the discussion.

*****

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