Chapter 645: Dodgers

"Hahaha, Kevin Durant is quite an interesting person, so direct!" Scarlett Johansson told Charles this news about the bathwater after attending the Golden Globe Awards.

After seeing Kevin Durant's confession on Twitter, Charles couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Hmm," Charles pushed the sexy Scarlett Johansson onto the bed and started kissing her, and her red evening gown got ripped.

"Hey, you're still laughing," Scarlett Johansson complained while Charles kissed her chest, "I didn't even know him, and suddenly reporters started interviewing me!"

Charles rolled off the lady and touched her 32D, laughing, "Actually, you should have said that if he joins the Nets, you'd let him drink your bathwater."

Lying down, Scarlett Johansson rolled her eyes at Charles, "It's our bathwater, right?"

"Alright, alright, the man is a big NBA star, after all. It only means your charm is too irresistible," Charles said as he hugged the lady and started kissing her again.

Scarlett Johansson responded passionately. Charles laughed, "But, I'd like to do it in the bathtub..."

And so, Scarlett Johansson's bathwater became a running joke for Kevin Durant.

However, Scarlett Johansson didn't take it seriously and didn't respond to it.

...

Charles was also waiting for Frank McCourt's reply, and three days passed quickly.

Maybe due to pressure and helplessness, Frank McCourt agreed to sell the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Stadium for $1.5 billion!

"Frank, you made a very wise decision," Charles shook hands with Frank McCourt in the West Pacific Union Bank.

"Charles, you promised to have the funds ready within three months!" Frank McCourt reminded.

Charles smiled, "Don't worry, the initial $300 million is ready!"

Frank McCourt nodded and soon left the West Pacific Union Bank.

"Dona, quickly settle the minor shareholders of the Dodgers," Charles instructed.

"Understood, we're still negotiating, and they are satisfied with our offer, so it shouldn't be a big problem!"

"What about the HSBC Tower in London, any response from the National Pension Service of Korea?" Charles asked.

"They're very interested, but we still need to negotiate the price; after all, there's a PS100 million difference in valuation!"

Charles nodded, "Dodger Stadium is very outdated and needs renovation, selling the HSBC Tower isn't a bad idea. If it wasn't for the Capet Center in Midtown Manhattan being useful, I'd consider selling it too!"

Currently, the Universal Building in the Tribeca area of Lower Manhattan is under construction and will later serve as Capet Universal's headquarters in New York.

Charles Capet's CSE company spent $1.5 billion to acquire the LA Dodgers club and Dodger Stadium, breaking the record for buying a sports club again.

Previously, it was for purchasing the Miami Dolphins and Bank of America Stadium!

...

Los Angeles, Brentwood Community, Kate Beckinsale poured a glass of wine for Charles.

"Are you really selling the HSBC building in London?"

Kate Beckinsale had just returned to Los Angeles from London and found out about it.

Charles nodded. "Of course, the price is pretty good right now. But I don't think it will appreciate much in the future."

"As a stable source of income, it's also a good choice," Kate Beckinsale sat next to Charles and patted his leg.

"Darling, do you think I still need money? Selling the HSBC building in London is to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers," Charles laughed. "Besides, the HSBC building isn't that great of a deal. The Old Street redevelopment project in London is more worth investing in."

Apart from the HSBC building, Charles had previously invested PS200 million in the Old Street redevelopment project in London's West End.

"I see," Kate Beckinsale understood as Charles explained. 

"By the way, I heard that News Corporation wants to fully acquire Sky TV. Any news from London on that front?" Charles asked suddenly.

Kate Beckinsale shook her head. "I don't know the specifics, but Mr. Murdoch came to London over Christmas. Seems like he's preparing to deal with the previous phone hacking scandal of the News of the World!"

"The News Corporation phone hacking scandal, huh," Charles said with a smile. It was finally starting.

Walking to the window, he looked at the lawn and trees in the yard, seemingly in a better mood.

News Corporation would definitely face big trouble this time!

With Sam Redstone of Viacom and CBS no longer a threat, if Rupert Murdoch was taken down next, he could become the top player in Hollywood and the entire media entertainment industry!

As for Brian Roberts of Comcast or John Malone of Liberty Media Group?

They were mainly focused on cable TV platforms or investment businesses, but when it came to movie and TV business, it was all about Hollywood!

Kate Beckinsale walked over. "So, you should take a trip to London, right? The HSBC building transaction involves PS1 billion!"

"Of course, I'll go. It's also the European football winter transfer window, so I can check out any big deals in the Premier League," Charles said as he wrapped his arm around the lady's shoulder, feeling quite good.

Kate Beckinsale, wrapping her arms around Charles' neck, said, "Arsenal is currently at the top of the league table. They didn't lose any points over the Christmas fixtures; they have a high chance of winning the title this season!"

Then, Kate Beckinsale took the initiative to kiss Charles...

...

With the Golden Globes and the Oscars about a month apart, Charles had enough time to handle his business in London.

After spending two days with the pregnant Britney Spears at Evelyn's ranch in San Luis Obispo, he flew straight to London!

The biggest news in the Premier League at that time was Chelsea pursuing Liverpool forward Fernando Torres.

Though the New England Sports Ventures had bought Liverpool, the club was still facing many issues.

Chelsea, last season's Premier League champion, aimed to strengthen further by pursuing Fernando Torres!

As for Arsenal, they continued looking for young talents worldwide. They brought in David Alaba, a 1992-born left-back from Bayern Munich's second team.

They also signed Dani Carvajal, born in 1992, a right-back from Real Madrid's B-team.

Harry Kane, born in 1993, from Tottenham Hotspur's youth academy as a forward.

Thibaut Courtois, born in 1992, a goalkeeper from Belgian club Genk, joined Arsenal for a transfer fee of PS3 million but would continue playing for Genk until the season ended.

In London at the Knightsbridge villa, Charles, panting, got off Emily Blunt. "Promoting Gulliver's Travels in the UK?"

Emily Blunt nodded. "The reviews and box office in North America aren't good."

Gulliver's Travels had been released last Christmas and hadn't even reached $40 million at the North American box office.

Considering that the production cost for Gulliver's Travels was $100 million and that 20th Century Fox hadn't skimped on marketing expenses either!

"Hasn't the overseas box office crossed $100 million?" Charles smiled.

"In a few days, it's the BAFTA Awards ceremony. Are you attending?" Emily Blunt kissed Charles' chest. "Focus Features' Black Swan is nominated for Best Film, and 127 Hours is nominated for Best British Film!"

Charles caressed the lady's face. "I also know that Natalie Portman is nominated for Best Actress and you for Best Supporting Actress. But the BAFTA ceremony is mid-next month, just half a month before the Oscars. I probably won't have time!"

Well, even if Charles had time, he wouldn't bother with the BAFTA Awards. What kind of award ceremony was it anyway? He definitely wouldn't care.

He wasn't even interested in the industry's biggest event, the Oscars, let alone the "British Oscars."

"So you came specifically to handle the HSBC building transaction? There's a lot of media coverage about it; it's the biggest single property transaction at the moment," Emily Blunt said. She had to continue promoting Gulliver's Travels in other regions and would only be in London for a short time.

She would definitely be back for the BAFTA Awards!

"More or less," Charles smiled, then whispered in her ear, "I also miss you, so I came early. If I were late by a couple of days, you might not be here."

He then started kissing Emily Blunt's chest.

"Yes, I've been in quite a few movies recently," Emily Blunt said, holding Charles' head. "But whenever you look for me, I always come to you. Last time, I even accompanied you with Anne Hathaway!"

Charles propped up his head and looked at Emily Blunt, asking, "Do you want to star in a Marvel movie now? It can boost your popularity quickly!"

Emily Blunt smiled, "Do you think I'd be good as Captain Marvel? Is it in development?"

"Not yet."

"Darling, I want roles with dramatic performances now. Fantine in Les Miserables is quite good," Emily Blunt said as she kissed Charles.

"The Marvel series can wait until you arrange it later. You'll definitely set it up for me, right?"

"Of course..."

*****

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