Chapter 101: Long-Term Holding

Carpe Films had a lot going on, and the project The Departed seemed to be a bit of a compromise with Universal, so Charles didn't pay much attention.

If Martin Scorsese could really gather so many big names, Charles would be happy to act as a producer, collect his fees, and help make the film better.

Charles himself also went to New York. Brokeback Mountain was distributed by Focus Features and was set to participate in the Venice Film Festival at the end of the month.

Additionally, Google was going public. Charles wanted to buy some Google stock, so he made a point of meeting with the brokerage team from Dawn Investment Company.

On First Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the eighth floor of a ten-story building was the headquarters of Carpe Capital.

The Charles Carpe Charitable Foundation, Dawn Investment Company, and Carpe Investment Company, which belonged to Carpe Films, all had offices there.

"Google's IPO is using a method called a Dutch auction, starting high and then going low. It's not very friendly to Wall Street investment banks, so many of them are hoping it will fail. They're all betting against it?" Charles listened to Dona's explanation while learning about the process.

"But Google's really hot. It's super popular with investors. It definitely won't fail."

Dona laughed, "Exactly, that's why Google dares to be so bold. Otherwise, they initially priced it between $106 and $126, which is already high enough to make the investment banks uncomfortable.

Investment banks prefer companies to IPO at a low price and then soar, so they can sell the free shares they receive from the company at a higher market price to investors. Plus, investment banks prefer big clients over small ones, which is really unfair to smaller investors.

Google's approach maximizes the capital they can get from the market, avoids the huge spreads taken by the investment banks, and gives more opportunities to small and individual investors. Moreover, the commission rate for investment banks isn't very high.

This way, Google's definitely going to offend the investment banks. Under pressure, they lowered the price to $85 per share!"

Charles leaned back in his chair, contemplating how many chips he had in hand.

Dawn Investment already had $67 million in cash, and the personal charitable foundation had over $100 million in cash.

"On the day Google goes public, buy as many shares as possible, spend all the money, and borrow another $100 million from the charitable foundation to Dawn Investment Company. The interest earned would nearly cover the annual donation quota," Charles muttered. After all, he didn't want to use the charitable foundation for investments yet. Such actions could tarnish his saintly image.

Using the charitable foundation for tax evasion during a windfall was a serious business proposition. Learning from other billionaires, it's best not to appear too special.

When older, combining family trusts with charitable foundations would be much better.

"Buy Google shares? Google's issuing over 19.6 million shares this time, and $167 million can buy almost 2 million shares." Dona Williams reminded. "Many investment institutions have warned their clients not to buy Google shares, you know?"

Charles shook his head and laughed, "Don't worry, just do as I say. Buy as many as you can!"

Holding onto them was fine; after all, they could be used as collateral for loans later.

As for Carpe Films' funds, he had significantly more important uses for them. Yet, if Google's IPO was leveraged, he would still need to support it.

"I'll be in New York these few days. Let me know immediately if there's anything," Charles said as he visited Dawn Investment Company to check on things.

They were all professionals, and Charles wasn't a professional. He just needed to tell them his ideas.

In the evening, Charles went to Britney Spears' four-story duplex mansion near the Silk Building in the Soho district of Downtown Manhattan.

"Honey, you're here!" As soon as Charles entered the door, Britney Spears hugged and kissed him.

"Mm, that's enough!" Charles sat on the couch in the hall, holding Britney, who was wearing a loose T-shirt and shorts.

"A four-story duplex, interesting!" Charles had checked it out from outside. It looked quite low-key.

"I merged two units together. It's about 3,800 square feet," Britney leaned on Charles. "I'm back in New York for my new album recording."

"Oh, what about your concert tour?" Charles quickly asked.

"It isn't over yet. But it's mainly focused on cities in the US and Canada now: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, San Francisco, and Vancouver, among others," Britney had indeed traveled a lot this year for her concert tour.

Charles nodded. Britney Spears was indeed living up to her title of America's sweetheart. Beautiful and with a sweet voice.

After returning from France, Charles hadn't been with any women for over two months. Dona Williams had stayed in Los Angeles for a while before coming to New York.

Megan Fox was out of town filming The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Scarlett Johansson went to the crew of The Island after finishing Wedding Crashers.

Kate Beckinsale accompanied him a few times but then began working on Underworld: Evolution. Naomi Watts, who might have a new boyfriend, was in New Zealand shooting the Universal's monster hit King Kong.

Britney Spears had also been abroad for her concert tour.

No wonder Hollywood stars changed partners as quickly as having meals; they were all impatient creatures.

"Come on, show me around your house!" Charles suggested, standing up and taking Britney's hand.

Britney enthusiastically gave Charles a tour, explaining how each of the four rooms were used: bedroom, music practice, viewing, etc., along with two large living rooms, a kitchen, and five bathrooms.

"This is the terrace. Look around; it's quiet and comfortable." Finally, Britney brought Charles to the fourth floor.

The terrace, three to four hundred square feet in size, was filled with flowers and plants. Next to it was a viewing room with a bed, surrounded by 270-degree glass walls offering spectacular views.

"It seems like it's not far from my house by the Hudson River!" Charles noticed he could see the Hudson River in the distance from there.

Britney nodded, "Not too far. It doesn't take long to drive. In the future, we can stay at your place or mine whenever we're in New York."

"However, your place has a better location!" Britney's place cost $3 million, including renovations, while Charles hadn't even started decorating his place, which had cost four to five million dollars.

Charles shook his head, "This area is popular with artistic people."

Britney pulled Charles, and both sat on the couch. Charles pressed against her and began kissing.

"Carry me to the bedroom, there's a big bathroom next to it!" Britney, feeling passionate, wrapped her arms around Charles' neck.

"With pleasure!"

*****

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