Chapter 606

Britney Spears went to New York to record a single, and the 2010 VMAs (Video Music Awards) were just around the corner too. As a performer, Britney needed to rehearse for the event.

Charles, on the other hand, was focused on the NBC Television Network business. As one of the four major broadcast networks in the United States, NBC had owned stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, and Miami, with 208 affiliated stations nationwide.

The NBC Television Group, which included USA, SyFy, and Bravo, was an important part of Capet Universal Media.

"Chris Albrecht has joined Starz as the CEO," Charles said while stroking his chin in the NBC office. Chris Albrecht had been the CEO of HBO before. Why the change?

As the king of pay cable TV, HBO's performance was undeniable. NBC Group's Bravo was also a pay cable channel and had been packed with Capet Universal's film and television content.

NBC's overall ratings had shown a significant increase. The British series Sherlock, which was set to air in September, was a collaboration between Capet Television and the BBC.

Last month, the first season of Sherlock caused a ratings frenzy in the UK.

Last year's family sitcom Modern Family also achieved good ratings on NBC. For the TV station, ratings meant revenue.

"Boss, the Venice International Film Festival in Italy has opened. Do you want to take a look?" Phyllis Jones reminded him.

Charles shook his head. "It doesn't seem like there are any notable movies. Only Sofia Coppola's Somewhere and our Focus Features' Black Swan are of interest."

"Everything else can be ignored, right?"

After all, Sofia Coppola had pretty much helped Charles rise, and she had been friends with his mother for years.

However, her movie Lost in Translation had been both her starting and finishing point, elevating her to a level beyond her abilities.

"Just focus on promoting Black Swan well!"

Phyllis Jones nodded. "The Game of Thrones Season 1 crew has started filming in New Zealand.

The script for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 has been adapted and completed.

The Avengers has finished shooting..."

After hearing Phyllis' report, Charles didn't think there was anything major, as he didn't bother paying attention to minor details.

"By the way, has The Expendables' North American box office hit a hundred million yet?" Charles stood up and smiled.

"Not yet, it's at $95 million. It should eventually surpass a hundred million. The overseas market has already exceeded a hundred million dollars," Phyllis Jones quickly responded.

"Who knew these old guys could still drive box office numbers," Charles stretched and continued.

"Schedule it. We're heading straight to Sacramento!"

The California election was just around the corner. He needed to meet gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown, and Arianna Huffington was also in the capital, Sacramento.

...

Quickly, Charles flew from New York to Sacramento, stayed a day, and then returned to Los Angeles.

However, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was embroiled in a scandal. He was having an affair with a beauty anchor from the Spanish-language TV channel Telemundo.

Antonio Villaraigosa came from a Mexican immigrant family, was elected as Los Angeles mayor in 2005, and was re-elected.

Charles was one of his main backers.

"Damn it, how did this even get out?" Charles was genuinely angry. Villaraigosa was his man.

And Telemundo was under Capet Universal NBC too!

At a villa near Ventura, Simi Valley, and Bard Lake, Charles was on the phone with Phyllis Jones discussing Villaraigosa's issue.

"Telemundo has released a statement. Salinas has been suspended for two months for violating conflict-of-interest guidelines."

"Alright, make Villaraigosa resolve this mess quickly," Charles wasn't too burdened about sacrificing Villaraigosa's secret lover since Villaraigosa was his political investment.

As for the lover, it truly wasn't a big deal, consensual after all. But Villaraigosa was cheating while married, which was a political stain.

They'd have to start looking for the next candidate for Los Angeles mayor soon.

Soon, Kristen Stewart emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. "This place really is a dating paradise!"

Simi Valley, located west of San Fernando Valley, was a relatively large city in Ventura County. It had good security and a quiet location.

Charles pulled Kristen Stewart into his lap, stroking her thigh, and smiled, "Your popularity is sky-high now. You can easily get recognized!"

No doubt about the heat brought by the Twilight series, especially the leads, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

"Yeah," Kristen eagerly kissed Charles, soon finding herself pressed onto the sofa by him as her bathrobe slipped to the floor.

"A few days ago, Blake Lively asked me about my experience playing in Twilight. I heard it was your suggestion?" Kristen asked Charles, who was on top of her.

"That's right. Capet Universal is developing The Hunger Games novel. Blake Lively is our choice for the female lead," Charles didn't hide it.

Kristen Stewart grinned and leaned into Charles' ear. "I recently made plans with her!"

"Didn't you say that the Spanish actress Maria Valverde from Cracks suited you?" Charles asked in confusion.

"We went on a date, by the way, she's off filming Game of Thrones now," Kristen's wolfish talk seemed quite normal.

"Oh, you player," Charles said and kissed her again.

"Yeah," after the kiss, Kristen climbed on top of Charles. "Who's more of a player than you, Charles Capet?"

"But your body is fantastic!" Charles chuckled, his hand groping her chest. "How about we invite Blake Lively over right now?"

Kristen, now excited, didn't care about anything else. "Invite her over..."

*****

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