Chapter 705

Ted Turner, being the biggest private shareholder in Time Warner, held a position similar to Steve Jobs in Disney.

However, Steve Jobs had just passed away at the beginning of this month!

Seeing Ted Turner leave the club, Charles felt somewhat relieved. With the support of the American Investment Group, it shouldn't be too difficult for him to take back control of CNN, which he founded.

Walking out of the club, Charles thought, "Next up is Viacom and Disney!"

Arriving at the bar, Charles ordered a whiskey at the counter.

"Hey, Charles, you here?" Emma Roberts suddenly appeared beside Charles.

"Yeah, Emma," Charles said, giving her a hug, "Is the filming of The Hunger Games finished?"

"My part is done. Tonight, I came with my aunt to attend the Mirror Mirror promotional event," Emma Roberts said with a shrug.

"Is that Relativity Media's movie? When is it coming out?" Charles asked, keeping in mind that Universal was also making Snow White and the Huntsman.

Relativity Media's Mirror Mirror starred Julia Roberts and Lily Collins.

Meanwhile, Universal's Snow White and the Huntsman featured Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, and Amanda Seyfried!

Chris Hemsworth, of course, was Marvel's Thor, and Amanda Seyfried was labeled the sexiest and most stunning Red Riding Hood in this year's Red Riding Hood.

There were plans to have Kristen Stewart play Snow White, but back-to-back filming of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Parts 1 and 2 left her with no available dates!

"Releasing in March next year, definitely before Universal's similar film," Emma Roberts leaned into Charles's ear, "Wanna go to a private room for a drink?"

Once in the private room, Emma Roberts embraced Charles and kissed him, "No wonder so many women like you!"

"Hmm," Charles leaned back on the sofa, smiling and holding Emma Roberts, "Why do you say that?"

"Well, when Capet went public, I bought 220,000 shares for $4.4 million, and now they're worth more than $22 million!"

Emma Roberts touched Charles's chest, "Making money is so easy. I finally understand why those people protest wealth distribution inequality in Hancock Park."

"Hmm..." Charles kissed Emma Roberts on the lips and slipped his hand into the neckline of her dress, feeling the softness.

"Hah, they should really go after those Wall Street folks," Charles thought, the more chaotic, the better!

"Yeah," Emma Roberts snuggled into Charles, whispering in his ear, "Do you have plans tonight? I want to have you."

Charles lightly ran his fingers over her lips, "No rush, I'm in LA for a while. We have plenty of time!"

Emma Roberts nodded, "Alright, don't make me wait too long..."

...

After leaving the bar, Charles picked up Anne Hathaway and returned to her beachfront villa in Long Beach together.

On the couch, Charles held Anne Hathaway as they reviewed this year's movie releases, "Capet Universal has been incredibly strong this year, it'll likely leave second place far behind!"

"Hmm, Cowboys & Aliens, this isn't Universal's, right?" Anne Hathaway asked.

Charles chuckled, "It's a sci-fi Western co-produced by DreamWorks and Paramount, a major film I previously halted. Look at it, North American box office just hit $100 million, and overseas barely over $70 million, a production cost exceeding $160 million netted only $170 million globally!"

"Directed by Jon Favreau, starring Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, and Harrison Ford, with Steven Spielberg as the producer," Anne Hathaway shook her head, "This is a disaster, even with such a strong cast!"

Jon Favreau was the director discovered by Marvel Studios for Iron Man, but for Iron Man 2, he wanted to insert his own ideas.

He was unceremoniously replaced by Charles; Marvel's film series required innovation within its established framework, not the director's own random self-awareness!

"Darling, you're really impressive. Universal's big shakeup then had a lot of people watching you, and now it's proven you were right," Anne Hathaway admired, embracing Charles's shoulder.

Anne Hathaway was confident that Silver Linings Playbook, currently in theaters, would gross over $100 million in North America. Cowboys & Aliens' performance was utterly indefensible.

Paramount's dismal state was why Charles didn't care much; only Mission: Impossible, led by Tom Cruise, held any significance!

"Darling, keep it low-key, this is no big deal," Charles smiled. Spielberg was extremely famous in Hollywood, but to Charles, he was completely irrelevant.

Previously, Universal wouldn't refuse collaboration with Spielberg, but now Universal wouldn't bother with Spielberg's heritage. If it didn't bring profit, even Jesus would have to step aside!

"Got it," Anne Hathaway smiled and kissed Charles on the chest.

Before long, breathing heavily, Charles, who had been browsing the news, set a hand on Anne Hathaway's hair.

Though he hadn't enjoyed Emma Roberts's company tonight, Anne Hathaway more than made up for it!

Soon, Charles gently pushed Anne Hathaway downward, pressing her against the back, "You really do make me happy, darling."

"Hmm," Anne Hathaway licked her lips and turned to Charles, "Baby..."

Charles nodded, "Rest assured," he had already promised Anne Hathaway, so having one or two kids didn't matter!

...

With News Corporation announcing its split in The Wall Street Journal, its stock jumped by 11%.

This directly pushed News Corporation's market value to over $46 billion. Although far from its peak of $58 billion, this was an excellent trend!

Meanwhile, with Ted Turner, vice chairman of Time Warner, calling for a board meeting, an internal battle over CNN began at Time Warner.

The fire lit by Charles had him shifting focus to land investment, formally contacting the Wagner family, owners of the largest contiguous farm, Wagner Farm!

*****

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