Chapter 463: Another Busy Year

Charles Capet left the SLS Hotel with the stunning starlet Scarlett Johansson, who had come for the party.

They drove from Beverly Hills to Scarlett Johansson's villa in Westlake Village, passing by the Beverly Center along the way.

"Charles, look, isn't that Michael Jackson?" Scarlett Johansson pointed out a tightly wrapped person surrounded by fans at the entrance of a medical building outside the window.

Charles turned to look. Michael Jackson had most of his face covered with a mask, scarf, and glasses, wearing a black hat and clothes, maintaining an air of mystery.

Due to the many fans present, Michael Jackson had to sign a few autographs before he could rush into his car and leave.

Scarlett Johansson saw Michael Jackson exit the medical building and leave within just three minutes.

"Seems like Michael Jackson's health might be in trouble," Charles started the car as he responded to her. "I'll look for him and talk about it after a while."

Charles was genuinely worried that Michael Jackson might collapse under stress.

Scarlett Johansson quickly changed the topic, "Charles, I saw you in Las Vegas a few days ago for New Year's Eve. Why are you back in Los Angeles so soon?"

Charles chuckled and placed his hand gently on her thigh, explaining, "Oh, do you also want to go to Las Vegas?"

Once their car got on Highway 405, they headed onto Highway 101 straight to the villa area of Westlake Village near Thousand Oaks.

Scarlett Johansson guided Charles's right hand to the inner side of her thigh and said, "Something happened in New York recently, related to gambling!"

"What's that about New York?" Charles casually asked.

"The Poker Princess, Molly Bloom, who ran underground poker games in Manhattan, was taken by the FBI. Many of her clients were Hollywood stars and wealthy businessmen!"

"Molly Bloom, I think I heard my mother talk about it before. A few popular actors were her customers," Charles recalled some news about the Poker Princess.

"I heard Evelyn was quite upset. Even Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were among the clients," Scarlett Johansson added.

"Don't worry. It's just a small issue!"

When their car pulled into Scarlett Johansson's garage at Westlake Village, Charles immediately turned off the engine, leaned back in his seat, and quietly enjoyed Scarlett Johansson's attention.

"I almost couldn't drive back," Charles murmured, thinking about how irresistible Scarlett Johansson's lips were.

Because of her sudden reminder, Charles had time to reflect on Molly Bloom's case.

During the investigation, Molly Bloom did not reveal any client names. With the help of her lawyer, she avoided jail time, though she lost all the earnings from the past years!

This person had principles and could keep secrets, even at the risk of going to jail, never revealing the names or identities of her clients.

Charles didn't care whether it was due to fear of retaliation or some other reason. He saw her as someone useful, capable of handling some covert matters for him.

Charles and Scarlett Johansson finally went into the house after some fooling around in the garage.

In the bathroom's bathtub, Charles, holding the bombshell Scarlett Johansson, thought about Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"In Vicky Cristina Barcelona, the lead actors Javier Bardem and Rebecca Hall received award nominations. Even Penelope Cruz got a performance nomination. I was the only main contributor in that movie who didn't get any nomination!" Scarlett Johansson lamented while lying in Charles's arms.

Charles couldn't do much. Vicky Cristina Barcelona had multiple Golden Globe nominations. Comforting her, he said, "It's because you're too beautiful and sexy. Your beauty overshadows your acting, your figure eclipses your depth!"

"By the way, do you like basketball?" Charles changed the topic after comforting her.

Scarlett Johansson shook her head, "I don't pay much attention to it. Courtside at the Staples Center doesn't interest me much!"

It's a pity that Madison Square Garden and the Staples Center are not just basketball arenas; they are star-studded showgrounds.

"Oh, are you planning to buy an NBA team now?" Scarlett asked, guessing that he was up to something.

After all, he already owned an NFL team, the Miami Dolphins.

"Oh, of course, I'm interested. I've always been watching for any club that's up for sale," Charles said, though in his mind, he was contemplating taking Scarlett Johansson to an Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers game at the Staples Center to let Kevin Durant see her beauty firsthand.

Scarlett Johansson had yet to gain the massive influence boost from The Avengers, so her fame wasn't quite there yet.

"This year's Super Bowl is happening in Tampa, Florida. Are you interested?" Scarlett Johansson asked, showing her interest in football.

"I'll call Eva Green too," Scarlett added fuel to the fire.

"Absolutely have to see. You know, my team, the Miami Dolphins, are also in Florida," Charles agreed readily.

On February 1, 2009, the Super Bowl took place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, with the Pittsburgh Steelers representing the AFC and the Arizona Cardinals from the NFC.

Raymond James Stadium is the home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose owner is also quite familiar with Charles.

Similar to Manchester United in the English Premier League, both are owned by the Glazer family's First Allied Corporation.

"Once the Golden Globe Awards are over, I need to go to the UK. When I get back, we'll head to Florida for the Super Bowl," Charles said, keeping Arsenal Football Club's winter transfer window in mind.

At the same time, with the rising value of the dollar, it was time for Charles to handle those US Treasury bonds, addressing the PS1 billion debt.

Additionally, Charles aimed to expand his investments in Europe, increasing shares in the LVMH group, seeing great potential in the luxury market.

This year was shaping up to be another busy year!

*****

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