Chapter 297: I'll Give You a Point

Simon's wealth was growing rapidly, but he was never one to chase short-term gains. Naturally, he wouldn't object to Sophia's management strategy.

After a brief discussion, Simon added, "Also, Sophia, you might have guessed that I've made a substantial profit in the Japanese market over the past six months. So, now the Merisandro Company can start looking for other luxury brands worth investing in."

Sophia nodded, "I've been keeping an eye on industry dynamics and have identified some potential targets, but the timing isn't right yet. Moreover, Gucci still has significant growth potential. I don't think there's a rush. Investing in similar enterprises could easily lead to internal competition. Merisandro's next expansion should focus on jewelry, watches, wine, or high-end cosmetics."

Simon, lounging casually on the sofa and flipping through the documents Sophia had just handed him, remarked, "As long as you have a plan, I aim to return to my role as a hands-off investor, providing funding and waiting for results."

Sophia smiled, knowing Simon wasn't interested in discussing further, and stood up, "Then I'll go prepare dinner for you."

"Go ahead, and remember your role as a housekeeper. I'll give you a point for that."

Sophia gave Simon a playful glance, "I remember all my promises."

Without waiting for Simon's response, she walked away, heels clicking. Simon watched her graceful departure toward the kitchen, thinking to himself, "Wait and see, siren!"

Simon brought eight bodyguards, divided into two teams for 24-hour security.

With so many people in tow, Sophia had selected a few chefs and maids to take care of everyone's daily needs. Simon, finding such arrangements inevitable, no longer fretted about it. He only requested that these individuals be female, not too old or unattractive, and stay out of his sight unless necessary.

These temporary positions, as joked by Sophia, had surprisingly high standards, yet the selected chefs and maids, all white women around 30 years old, exceeded Simon's expectations in both appearance and figure.

Upon arrival in Milan, Sophia had cheekily informed Simon that all these women were single, hinting at potential entanglements.

Given Simon's wealth and status, such demands were trivial. For Simon, issues that money could solve were no longer concerns. He had no particular interest in these "decorative" staff. Tabloids had noticed Simon's preference for hiring attractive female college students for housekeeping, but it caused no stir since he never met with them.

Simon was cautious with women, avoiding those he didn't know well, lacked intelligence, or could bring trouble. He could handle complications but preferred not to get entangled in bothersome matters.

After dinner, the group gathered in the living room for TV and chat until late into the night, with Sophia naturally staying over. With both Jennies present, nothing happened.

After spending two more days in Florence, Simon and his group flew back to New York on October 1, anticipating the junk bond market crisis in North America to erupt in the first two weeks of October, especially as United Airlines faced a $1.5 billion junk bond due mid-October.

United Airlines had issued over $6 billion in high-risk junk bonds in recent years to acquire other airlines. With the U.S. economy still recovering from the '87 crash and regulatory scrutiny on junk bond financing, United's enormous debt and reliance on high-risk bonds left it struggling to secure other funding, leading Cersei Capital to predict an inevitable default.

The default would trigger a domino effect in the North American junk bond market.

Simon remembered the crisis vividly, expecting the "mini-crash" on October 13, with United's bonds due on October 16. Without the funds, the airline would have to announce its inability to pay before the due date.

Friday, October 13, would allow the market a two-day buffer, potentially giving United a slim chance of federal intervention to prevent a financial collapse, though Simon doubted the federal government could bail out the $200 billion junk bond market.

Since withdrawing from the Japanese market in early July, Cersei Capital's sub-funds had been quietly positioning against the North American bond market, using approximately $32 billion of the $50 billion allocated without drawing market attention.

Among the financial derivatives, Simon was familiar with the over 32,000 S&P 500 futures short contracts, considering them the safest bet for the anticipated October market crash.

Other complex short contracts targeting individual companies like Columbia Savings and Credit, United Airlines, and American Newspaper Group were beyond Simon's expertise.

Janet showed surprising talent in managing these leveraged contracts worth over $30 billion in total value.

As with the Japanese market, Simon didn't expect Cersei Capital's moves to remain secret.

However, the active short selling against junk bonds had caught financial media's attention, yet Cersei Capital's involvement remained under the radar, suggesting savvy investors were quietly capitalizing on the situation.

Upon arriving in New York, Janet, using a financial audit of Westeros Company as a pretext, took direct control of Cersei Capital's sub-fund team hidden within the Westeros Company headquarters. Simon focused on the ongoing productions of "Ghost" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," both expected to wrap up by November.

In SoHo, "Ghost" was filming daily scenes between the lead actors.

After reviewing the films' rough cuts and discussing edits over three days, Simon spent a day on set, confident in the film's quality with the original team.

As the day neared its end,

Demi Moore finished her last shot for the day and joined Simon, suggesting the song "Unchained Melody" for the pottery scene would make the soundtrack as successful as "The Bodyguard."

Simon joked about her lack of confidence in the movie itself, but Demi invited him to dinner, only to be declined due to Simon's prior engagement.

Persistently, Demi offered her Manhattan address and contact, leaving the invitation open.

That evening, Simon attended a Rebould family banquet to meet Joseph Schlap from Schlap Consulting, with Westeros Company confirmed as the political consultancy's major donor, having already transferred the first $3 million.

Schlap Consulting began assisting David Dinkins' mayoral campaign, navigating through the strict federal campaign finance laws with political action committees and charitable funds, a common practice for American elites to influence politics without directly contravening the law.

The banquet with the Rebould family not only served to introduce Simon to Joseph Schlap but also to solidify the partnership that would support David Dinkins in the New York City mayoral race. The use of a political consultancy firm like Schlap Consulting was a strategic move to navigate the complexities of campaign finance law while still exerting influence and support.

Despite the strict regulations of the Federal Election Campaign Act, which placed severe restrictions on corporate and individual contributions to political campaigns, the political and corporate elites found ways to influence elections indirectly. This method of influence, through political action committees and nonprofit advocacy groups, allowed for significant financial contributions without direct donations to candidates, exploiting loopholes in the campaign finance laws.

The involvement of Westeros Company and Simon, through Schlap Consulting, in the political landscape highlighted a savvy understanding of the political process and an ability to leverage financial resources for political influence. By supporting David Dinkins' campaign through strategic consultancy and financial backing, they were engaging in the nuanced ballet of power and influence that defined American politics, especially in a pivotal city like New York.

The political landscape was just another arena for Simon's strategic maneuvers, complementing his financial and entertainment ventures. His engagement in politics, while cautious and strategic, was an extension of his broader vision to influence and shape not just markets but societal trends and governance. This approach, balancing the worlds of finance, entertainment, and politics, underscored Simon's multifaceted strategy to leverage his wealth and influence across different spheres.

In the grander scheme, Simon's involvement in the political process, especially in supporting a mayoral candidate like David Dinkins, was a testament to his broader ambitions. It was not merely about the immediate financial or political return but about positioning himself as a pivotal player in the shaping of the future, not just in business but in the societal and cultural fabric of the city and beyond.

As Simon navigated these complex terrains, his actions reflected a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of business, politics, and culture. His ability to play at the intersections of these worlds demonstrated not just his ambition but his acumen in understanding the levers of power and influence in modern America. Through strategic investments, partnerships, and political engagements, Simon was crafting a legacy that extended far beyond the realms of business, into the very heart of American society and governance.

___________________

(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)

If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters

Read Ahead

Patreon.com/INNIT