Chapter 626

The day after returning from San Diego to Los Angeles, Ivanka went to Las Vegas to prepare for her birthday party.

In Los Angeles, Charles discussed the construction plans for the Universal Studios theme parks with the new Chairman of Universal Parks & Resorts and Consumer Products Group, Steve Blount.

"If there are no surprises, the Shanghai Universal Studios movie theme park should open in the second half of 2014. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan will also open in the summer of 2012..."

...

In the evening, Charles met Pete Rouse, the new White House Chief of Staff, at the Universal City Hilton (formerly the Hilton Universal).

"Sweetheart, you go to the room and wait for me," Charles kissed Anne Hathaway, who was in his arms.

Anne Hathaway nodded, "Just make sure you come back early."

Soon, Charles met Pete Rouse at the hotel bar.

"Good evening, Charles!"

"Good evening, Pete," Charles said, ordering some drinks from the waiter.

"Jerry Brown's election as California governor is practically decided. His main rival, Republican Meg Whitman, will most likely have to concede," Charles assumed Pete Rouse might be interested in this matter.

Pete Rouse smiled, "For the California governor election, as long as it's a public vote, it's in line with the U.S. Constitution. The Washington D.C. government and the White House will have no objections!"

...

"Back so soon?" Anne Hathaway's eyes sparkled as Charles returned to their suite at the Universal City Hilton.

"There wasn't much to talk about," Charles said, taking off his coat and sitting on the sofa.

"You came here for a reason, didn't you?" Charles kissed Anne on the neck and laid his hand on her thigh.

Wearing a sexy slip dress, Anne Hathaway smiled seductively, "I've moved from CAA to EDR, and I've met Evelyn Capet. Is Universal preparing a film version of Les Miserables? Do you think I'd be good as Fantine?"

Charles chuckled, "Aren't you filming Silver Linings Playbook at the end of the year? And you've also taken on the role of Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. Are you sure you'll have the time to shoot Les Miserables next year? Plus, Fantine's part isn't that big."

Anne Hathaway paused, "Looks like I don't have time after all."

"Don't worry, I know what you're thinking," Charles said, caressing her shoulder. "Les Miserables' original novel is very famous. An adaptation could easily attract Oscar attention, right?"

Anne Hathaway nodded, "Musicals have always been award favorites!"

Charles shook his head, "Focus on Silver Linings Playbook. This movie is the one I've prepared for you. Don't you remember?"

"Of course I remember. I've got the script down pat. I won't disappoint you," Anne Hathaway wouldn't neglect the award-seeking film Charles had prepped for her.

If Nicole Kidman could win her second Best Actress Oscar for The Blind Side, Anne Hathaway was confident in Charles.

"Exactly. Silver Linings Playbook will be out at the end of next year, plus you have The Dark Knight Rises. You'll have both an art film and a commercial movie," Charles said, smiling again. "When I get you that Best Actress Oscar, we can focus on starting a family."

Anne Hathaway smiled, "Alright, we'll do it your way!"

She leaned in and kissed Charles passionately.

Before long, they headed to the bathroom together.

While Charles was behind her, he said, "Honey, Emily seems to be abroad promoting Black Swan. When she gets back, let's go horseback riding at the San Diego ranch."

"Sure...," Anne smiled seductively, kissing Charles again.

Half an hour later, Anne Hathaway was brushing her teeth at the sink, while Charles relaxed in the bathtub.

"Charles, are you hungry?" Anne asked, sitting by the bathtub after washing her face and touching Charles's chest.

"I'm a bit hungry," Charles had used a lot of brainpower discussing Universal projects with Steve Blount and had just exerted himself with Anne.

"I'll call for room service," Anne wrapped herself in a towel.

"Sure, ask them to send up more wine. I'd like to have a few more drinks tonight," Charles smiled.

...

As Halloween approached, the annual Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios began.

Paranormal Activity 2 was scheduled to be released during this Halloween season, continuing the success of last year's Paranormal Activity, which had followed Matrix Pictures' Saw 3D.

Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle, who previously made Slumdog Millionaire, returned with his new biographical film, 127 Hours.

127 Hours, distributed by Focus Features, was released right after Black Swan to contend for awards.

In the morning, Charles Capet took a deep breath while leaning against the headboard in a bedroom at the Hollywood Universal Studios Resort Hotel.

Shortly after, Anne Hathaway emerged from the covers, gasping for breath and leaning on Charles's chest.

"Darling, Capet Pictures doesn't seem as dominant as last year, huh?" Anne Hathaway laughed while gently caressing his abdomen.

Charles ruffled her hair nonchalantly, "Avatar, Toy Story 3, Inception, and Alice in Wonderland had everyone fooled; this year's performance is still strong. It's just that Universal's big films like Robin Hood and The Wolfman didn't do so well!"

Next month, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse was set to premiere, going head-to-head with Warner Brothers' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.

And come Christmas, Marvel's blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger would debut.

"Oh, right," Anne Hathaway giggled and nibbled on Charles's abdomen, "Capet Pictures laid off a lot of people this year. Isn't that affecting you?"

Charles shook his head, "Unemployment is already high. Capet Pictures is just optimizing resources legally. It won't affect me."

...

By noon, Charles went straight to the office at Universal Studios.

"Molly Bloom first went to New York and then to Boston. I think she'll have Frank McCourt's weak spot soon," Phyllis Jones said as she handed Charles a cup of coffee.

"Is Molly Bloom trying to get Dona Williams to go after Frank McCourt's assets?" Charles asked.

Phyllis Jones nodded and smiled, "Probably. First, acquire his company's debts, then force him to split and sell his assets. The usual routine!"

Charles sipped his coffee, knowing that these kinds of business maneuvers were routine. Capet Capital had grown so large it could easily manipulate other companies.

"By the way, where's my mom? I haven't seen her lately," Charles asked about Evelyn.

"Madam seems to have gone on vacation to Hawaii," Phyllis Jones said, glancing at Charles, "or maybe she's now in the Mediterranean."

Charles rubbed his chin, "Is that so? She didn't even tell me. Whatever, it's not a big deal."

After Phyllis Jones left, Charles spun the globe on his desk, stopping it on the Middle East and North Africa.

The financial crisis of the past two years hadn't been kind to the Arab world. Corrupt governments, economic decline, high unemployment, and widespread poverty were the norm.

The United States sought complete control, keeping a close eye on this resource-rich region of the Middle East and North Africa.

"Looks like I'm an accomplice too. With Hollywood's cultural invasion leading the charge and countless spies causing internal disruption..." Charles mused, knowing the region would be in turmoil by the end of the year.

The Jewish community's actions were ruthless, aiming to completely destabilize the Arab world.

Thinking of Gavin Newsom and Barbara Boxer's calm expressions when discussing such matters, Charles felt he had much to learn. The chaos would allow the U.S. to sell more weapons and acquire resources.

Who cared about the ensuing war? It didn't matter.

The scale involved multiple countries and billions of people.

But Charles didn't dwell on it. Leaning back, he lit a cigarette and took a puff. The rising smoke calmed his mind. The higher his status, the greater his power.

*****

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