Chapter 400: Agency Merger

Hong Kong, Deep Water Bay, Gao Yuanyuan came directly to Charles's place after returning from Italy.

Sitting on the sofa, Gao Yuanyuan looked shocked and said, "You can't possibly have some thoughts about Liu Yifei, can you? She's the beloved 'immortal sister' for all the teenagers! If she dates a foreigner, you might get bashed by internet users to tears!"

Charles just mentioned to Gao Yuanyuan that Red Fruit Entertainment had some roles that could consider her.

"Really? Is it that serious?" Charles seemed a bit believing.

"Didn't you see how they cut the kissing scene with that foreign kid in The Forbidden Kingdom? Many fans just couldn't accept that kiss," Gao Yuanyuan reminded him. 

Gao Yuanyuan moved closer to Charles, "If her acting improves, she can make it in Hollywood?"

"Of course. She speaks English and is very popular right now. She's already been in The Forbidden Kingdom, a Hollywood movie. She definitely has an edge over others," Charles replied truthfully.

"I have to go back to the US tonight. I'll bring you all to my ranch for Christmas," Charles received some work emails last night and had to return.

Especially the report from Dona Williams about the General Electric Capital blow-up. They were seeking to handle bad assets and asking for government aid.

A good industrial group was turning into a commercial finance group. The gap between Jack Welch's chosen successor Jeff Immelt and Welch himself was huge.

"Alright, I'll call if I encounter any unsolvable problems at the company," Gao Yuanyuan said and proactively kissed Charles.

...

With the worsening subprime mortgage crisis in the US, more financial companies on Wall Street were going bankrupt. Since JPMorgan Chase acquired Bear Stearns in May, the remaining Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs were also having a hard time.

Compared to leaders like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, third-ranking Merrill Lynch and fourth-ranking Lehman Brothers were closer to the brink of bankruptcy.

Government-guaranteed loans couldn't solve the fundamental problems. Securing buyers was what Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch were both striving for.

When Charles returned to the US, it was already September 10. He didn't go straight to Los Angeles but flew into San Francisco instead.

He went to his holiday villa at Lake Tahoe because his mom, Evelyn, was there discussing the merger of ETA and the family agency with investors.

"It's just two agencies, but you guys seem to have been talking for a long time," Charles poured his mom a glass of wine.

"With the market down, if you put in some effort, you can pull over many big names."

"The assets they have are substantial, but ETA is too young. We need to fight for control," Evelyn took a sip of wine and frowned.

"And now, with the economic downturn, investors need to think carefully about the talent management sector. It's not their own money; they need to consider others' opinions on how to spend it."

Evelyn shook her head and looked pointedly at her son, "Unlike you, look at our Hollywood prince, Charles Capet, throwing around billions in cash for acquisitions. Who can compete with you?"

"Capet Center in Manhattan, the NFL's Miami Dolphins, and the Premier League club Arsenal in London!"

Charles smirked, "I'm just trying to save time. For me, time is more valuable than money."

...

As a summer resort destination, Charles originally planned to return to Los Angeles after meeting with his mother.

However, during negotiations with David Bonderman, the head of TPG (Texas Pacific Group) Capital, Evelyn included Charles in the discussions.

At the Tahoe Lake Golf Club, Charles sat with his mother and David Bonderman in a cafe, taking a break.

"David, I remember TPG was one of the participants in the acquisition of MGM. You guys were the second-largest shareholder, right, just behind Providence Equity Partners with 29%?" Charles asked David, taking a sip of juice and smiling.

David Bonderman nodded, "That's right, we own 21% of MGM shares. Sony and Doncaster both have 20%, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners 7%, and the Quadrangle Group 3%."

"Now, under Sony's management, MGM's debt is increasing. Even though none of you made much money, Sony's Blu-ray high-definition DVD format emerged as the winner." Charles said deliberately, taking a deep breath. Everyone was aware of MGM's declining situation, and the high debts allowed creditors to take over directly, bypassing the shareholders.

"Charles, we're discussing the merger with ETA now," David Bonderman switched the topic.

Charles shook his head, saying casually, "If it weren't for the fact that my mother is the major shareholder of ETA and that a movie company can't run a talent agency, you wouldn't have had the chance to invest."

David Bonderman twitched slightly, while Evelyn laughed out loud, "Alright, Charles is just kidding!"

"It's rotten to the bone, just like MGM. Rigidity in the system and backward management. Take advantage of this year's situation for a merger and restructure the management team," Charles continued.

"First, stabilize the Hollywood market, then aggressively expand international business. There are big markets in film, sports, music, and technology waiting to be tapped!"

...

In the afternoon, David Bonderman needed to discuss with the company's senior management, and Evelyn had to strategize with other ETA partners.

As for Charles, he picked up Alexandra Daddario and headed to his lakeside vacation villa in South Tahoe for some relaxation.

In the beautiful Tahoe Lake, Charles, wearing just a pair of swim trunks, rowed a small boat leisurely with the sexy Alexandra Daddario.

"By the way, haven't the preparations for Piranha 3D been completed?" Charles asked Alexandra, who was nestled in his arms, while opening a can of beer and taking a sip.

"Oh, it starts shooting next month in a lakeside area in Arizona. The crew will set up a simple water park there, which will be the main setting of the movie," Alexandra Daddario said, quite excited about her first leading role.

"I've been working out a lot lately, so I'll be in my best shape for the shoot," Alexandra Daddario said, puffing up her impressive chest.

Charles looked down and touched the abundant fullness he couldn't quite grasp, then he laughed, "You'll have to compete with Kelly Brook!"

Kelly Brook, the British model known as the "Sun Page 3 Girl."

Alexandra Daddario confidently unfastened her top, exposing herself to the sun, "I'm just as good as her!"

Charles looked around, saw no one nearby, and casually caressed her E cup, "Better put it back on. We wouldn't want someone else appreciating your chest. It'd be a real loss for me!"

Alexandra Daddario enjoyed a brief sunbath for her chest before re-dressing.

"How long are you planning to stay here at Tahoe Lake? I'll need to leave early to prep for the movie," Alexandra Daddario asked, even though she wanted to stay with Charles but knew she had to focus on her career.

Charles took another sip of beer, "Not too long, just two or three days. My mom wanted me to keep her company here, and her business should be wrapping up soon."

If ETA and TPG merged, CAA would face tremendous pressure, as Hollywood's top talent agency would have a new leader.

Fortunately, the merger hadn't yet crossed antitrust boundaries, making external pressure relatively lighter.

Hearing about Evelyn Capet, Alexandra Daddario's eyes darted, and she had an idea.

"Mrs. Capet rarely gets involved in the details of talent management, right?" Alexandra Daddario asked.

"Haha, she oversees many matters, only focusing on what she considers important. Most of her work involves business deals and negotiations," Charles said, understanding Alexandra's thoughts immediately.

However, it was futile; his mother had no time to personally manage the multitude of signed artists anymore.

"Oh, really? Then I suppose I'll follow your advice, appearing more in films and TV shows to improve my acting skills," Alexandra Daddario replied, trusting Charles's opinion.

"Don't worry, you're still young. You have plenty of opportunities ahead," Charles said, finishing his beer in one gulp,

"Let's go back and ride the jet skis!"

With Alexandra Daddario's company at Tahoe Lake, Charles no longer felt the rush to return to Los Angeles, waiting patiently to leave with his mother, Evelyn.

At night, in the bedroom, Charles held Alexandra Daddario in his arms when he received a call from his mother, Evelyn.

"Leaving tomorrow? That soon?" Charles responded, patting the girl in his arms, who gave him a playful look and began kissing him.

"Why? Are you reluctant to leave?" Evelyn laughed over the phone.

"No, no, I just feel like I haven't spent enough quality time with you," Charles said, gasping at Alexandra's actions.

"Alright, quality time, huh? If you can avoid making headlines, your mother would be very happy. Come back by tomorrow afternoon," Evelyn said.

"Okay," Charles replied, hanging up the phone and flipping the covers. Alexandra looked up with an innocent face.

"Make the most of tonight!" Charles said, diving onto her.

*****

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