Chapter 104. Michael Jackson!

DualStar Entertainment Company

Gently stroking the small head of the Scarlet Witch, Eric spoke with a note of apology in his voice, "I'm sorry, little Elizabeth, but at the moment there are no suitable roles for you."

Seeing her slightly disappointed expression, he gently pinched her nose. "But while there's nothing for you now, next year there definitely will be. There's a movie with a lot of teenage roles, and I can save one of the main parts just for you."

"Really?" Elizabeth's eyes widened with excitement as she asked.

"Of course. I never lie to my fans."

After sending Elizabeth off, Mary Olsen spoke up, "Eric, do you really have such a role?"

"Of course I do. It's no fun tricking kids," he replied with a grin.

The movie Eric was referring to was The Hunger Games. Since it was aimed at a teenage audience, including her in the cast would be simple.

He relaxed back on the sofa. "But Elizabeth is growing fast, almost catching up to you two in height. Though she still has a baby face, her development is moving quickly, and she doesn't look like a little kid anymore."

"Are you saying we're short?" Ashley exclaimed indignantly.

Eric wagged his finger. "Of course not. I never comment on women's height, weight, or age. To me, you're all beautiful ladies."

"Flatterer," Mary stuck out her tongue.

"You're lucky you have a handsome face," Ashley huffed.

After a brief chat, the sisters began reporting the company's recent successes.

Since their last meeting, DualStar Entertainment had started employing a cross-promotion strategy. Recently, MGM produced a short film where the classic cartoon character, the Pink Panther, interacted with the Olsen sisters' characters.

The video was short, only about 6 minutes, but it received rave reviews due to its engaging storyline. Collaborative projects like this always captured the public's interest.

"Eric, even though we've only been using this method for twenty days, the impact has been tremendous. According to our data, DualStar Entertainment's turnover increased by 33% compared to last month."

"If we compare it over a full month, that figure should exceed 50%, and the collaboration with the Pink Panther is our most popular product, contributing over 25% of the total revenue."

"We expect this growth to continue into the next month. The rise should last at least three months. Merchandise for The Walking Dead is currently in production and is scheduled to hit the market this week."

Looking over the numbers in the report, Eric was pleased. It confirmed that his decisions had been correct.

"Ashley, how many production lines are running in the company right now?"

"Six lines. Initially, we had four, but we recently added two more. If sales keep growing at this rate, we might need to open additional lines in a few months, depending on the situation."

"How many new workers have you hired?"

"120 people. Each line employs 30 people. That's the optimal number based on our experience. More or fewer workers lead to decreased efficiency."

Eric nodded, looking at the two girls who hadn't even turned eighteen yet, but whom he knew could not be underestimated.

Although the Olsen sisters had made poor acting choices and were average at acting, over the years they had developed impressive business skills.

How many people can achieve what they have by the age of eighteen? Even globally, there are only a few.

According to Eric's plans, it was now necessary to gradually build MGM's own retail network through DualStar Entertainment. When the time was right, production needed to be shifted to China to take advantage of their labor resources.

At this time, the wage gap between Chinese and American workers was vast. Even twenty years later, the difference would still be significant, but right now, it was enormous.

In 2002, the average monthly wage of a worker in the U.S. was about $2,400, while in Beijing, it was about 2,000 yuan, which in comparison was about ten times less.

The cost of hiring 120 workers in the U.S. was equivalent to hiring 1,200 workers in China. Moreover, the skill level of workers in both countries was not significantly different. This is why large companies preferred to move their production to China.

The Olsen sisters saw Eric off to the elevator.

"Eric, you promised to take me to the MGM set. When will that happen?" Elizabeth asked.

Eric rubbed his hands, remembering how many things he had to do. But seeing her pleading eyes, he couldn't refuse. After all, just hours ago, he had said that he never lies to his fans.

"Elizabeth, when would you like to go? Maybe you can pick a day yourself?"

"Then today! I don't have any classes today. Is that okay?" she asked enthusiastically.

Ashley patted her on the back. "Eric's busy right now. When Mary and I start filming, we'll take you with us, and you can enjoy it all you want."

"Will he be there?" Lizzie looked at Eric.

"Of course, Eric will be the director. We can't make the movie without him," Mary replied.

"Alright, then I agree," Lizzie said.

As they passed through the first-floor lobby, Eric was about to say there was no need to see him off when suddenly a group of reporters, seemingly out of nowhere, rushed toward them.

"Damn, paparazzi from the bushes again! This brings back memories!"

The flashbacks of his previous run-ins with journalists flooded Eric's mind. He instinctively thought he had been caught with another girl and wanted to retreat back into the office.

But unexpectedly, the reporters weren't there for him; instead, they surrounded the Olsen sisters, thrusting their cameras and microphones at them.

"Ashley, what do you think about the Michael Jackson case?"

"Mary, did you watch Living with Michael Jackson on Fox yesterday? What do you think about the child molestation accusations?"

"Mary, have you ever been invited to Neverland? Were you ever harassed by Michael Jackson there?"

"Ashley, do you keep in touch with Michael Jackson? What's your opinion of him?"

The loud and probing questions made Eric realize that these tabloid journalists were trying to stir up the Michael Jackson child abuse case. The case had started in February this year, while he was busy filming Transformers after his financial maneuvers with Hasbro.

By the time he returned from the Nevada desert, it was too late, and the peak of the events had already passed.

The story began in 2000, when a boy named Gavin Arvizo was diagnosed with cancer, leading to the removal of his spleen and one of his kidneys.

The hospital warned that there wasn't much time left, and Gavin expressed his last wish: to meet Michael Jackson.

Thanks to the efforts of philanthropist Jamie Masada, the Arvizo family was able to get in touch with Michael Jackson.

It is well-known that Michael, who had a difficult childhood, always sought to protect and help children, bringing them joy.

After purchasing and setting up Neverland, he constantly invited children there, making them happy and finding joy himself in their happiness. When he learned about Gavin's condition, Michael reached out to the family and paid for his treatment, providing him with blood and the necessary medical services.

This burden lasted for three years.

With Michael's help, Gavin's condition improved, and once he could move around normally, Michael invited him to Neverland. Gavin visited Neverland eight times, two of which were with his parents, and six times when Michael wasn't present, allowing the kids to enjoy themselves freely.

If the story had ended there, it would have been a beautiful, heartwarming tale. But reality is often harsh, like the fable of the farmer and the snake.

In February of this year, British journalist Martin Bashir proposed making a documentary about Michael under the pretext of organizing a charity event to help children with HIV in Africa, in cooperation with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Michael happily agreed.

During filming, the Arvizo family was also invited to participate in the movie.

However, after the film's release, Michael realized that Bashir had distorted the facts, editing the footage to create the image of a pedophile, suggesting that he had inappropriate intentions towards Gavin Arvizo.

Something similar had happened in 1993 when Evan Chandler accused Michael of molesting his 13-year-old son, Jordan Chandler, demanding money from him.

In the end, to avoid ruining his career at the height of his fame, Michael agreed to a settlement under pressure from his company, managers, and legal team, paying $22 million.

Now, Bashir was accusing him for the same reasons, and Michael was determined to sue him. At the same time, he launched a counteroffensive.

After the events of 1993, Michael hired a personal photographer who also recorded the interview process. When these tapes were released, public opinion shifted somewhat, and the Arvizo family stated that Jackson was a good person, not a pedophile.

In this situation, if Michael and the Arvizo family had remained united, the case could have turned in his favor.

However, people are unpredictable. This family, much like the Chandler family, eventually chose money.

Their behavior became strange; they stopped supporting Michael and began contacting child protection organizations and law enforcement.

The media also noticed that Gavin's mother, Janet Arvizo, visited the same attorneys and psychologists who had helped Evan Chandler in the case against Michael. Her intentions were clear.

On the street, April 24th—just yesterday.

Fox News released a more complete version of the interview with Michael Jackson, sparking a renewed wave of public and media interest in the case.

The Olsen twins, who had also visited Neverland and were famous personalities, attracted the attention of the journalists.

Ashley and Mary understood that they were dealing with "bloodsuckers," and so they chose to remain silent, not wanting to fuel speculation. But the reporters didn't give up, continuing to ask provocative questions, most of which were clearly biased.

Scandals and gossip have always been the public's favorite dish, regardless of the time or country.

"Michael Jackson is innocent!"

Amid the noise and chaos, Eric's low but firm voice rang out, audible to everyone present.

Like sharks smelling blood, the reporters immediately shifted their focus to him.

"Eric Cooper!"

One of the paparazzi shouted his name, realizing who was standing before them.

"We've got a big fish!"

Understanding the situation, the journalists instantly turned their microphones toward Eric.

"Mr. Cooper, could you repeat what you just said?"

One of the reporters asked, his eyes gleaming with a predatory glint.

Ashley and Mary tried subtly to pull Eric away, signaling that he shouldn't comment.

But as a fan of Michael Jackson, Eric knew the truth about the case and couldn't allow the injustice to continue! Good people shouldn't be cornered, and posthumous reputation restoration doesn't make up for such wrongs.

Eric gently pushed the Olsen sisters aside and called over a cameraman from DualStar Entertainment to record his statement.

Only then did he firmly declare: "I believe Michael Jackson is innocent. He was innocent in 1993, and he is innocent now."

"Michael is too kind, and his kindness has been exploited repeatedly, just like in the fable of the farmer and the snake."

"The wicked snake didn't just enjoy the warmth the farmer gave it, but also tried to kill him and take his possessions."

"Some people are snakes, and some media outlets become their venomous fangs!"

Eric spoke with such determination that the paparazzi's mood soured, and they started to fidget nervously.

"Mr. Cooper, why are you so certain of Michael Jackson's innocence? Do you have any evidence?"

One of the journalists asked, glancing at his press badge, and Eric saw that he represented The Independent.

"I don't have evidence of his innocence, but do you have evidence of his guilt?"

The journalist smirked: "I don't have evidence either, but everyone saw the documentary and remembers the 1993 case. Besides, this is America, and there's freedom of speech. Journalists are obligated to bring the truth to the public—I'm just doing my job."

"Is disinformation part of your job? You're supposed to report facts, not mislead. Do you think you're above the law?"

The journalist softened his tone, caught under the sharpness of Eric's gaze: "No one is above the law. I'm just..."

"Exactly, no one is above the law. But in 1993, and again now, the law did not find Michael guilty."

"If you keep using those words, I'll start questioning your journalistic ethics and whether The Independent is still an honest and fair newspaper."

"Tell me, does The Independent still stand for justice?"

Under Eric's unwavering determination, the journalist faltered, unsure of how to respond. He seemed to have forgotten that he was the one holding the microphone.

Behind Eric, the Olsen twins looked at him with admiration.

"This guy, turns out he's not so bad," one of them whispered.

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