Chapter 318: The Prince of Monaco

This year's big news in France inevitably involved Bernard Tapie, president of Marseille Football Club. Last season, Marseille made history by winning their first Champions League and Ligue 1 double.

However, L'Equipe quickly exposed a scandal where Bernard Tapie had bribed Valenciennes to fix matches.

After an investigation, Marseille was stripped of their 92-93 Ligue 1 title and relegated to Division 2. They were also disqualified from the 1993-94 Champions League.

Not only that, Bernard Tapie, due to his political ambitions and debt crisis, sold Adidas to Credit Lyonnais-led investment companies for 2.1 billion francs.

But a few months later, those investment companies resold Adidas stock for 3.5 billion francs to another company, pocketing more than 1 billion francs in profit.

Bernard Tapie, who was already under investigation by the French Football Federation, flew into a rage when he learned that Credit Lyonnais might have profited behind his back.

Tapie, declared bankrupt due to scandals and debts, filed a lawsuit asking Credit Lyonnais for compensation, beginning a long legal battle.

"Marseille's Champions League title from last season didn't get stripped?" Arthur was chatting with Cristiana Reali about this surprising turn of events.

"They were supposed to have five consecutive Ligue 1 titles, but now it's four, and they got relegated. Many key players left the club," Cristiana laughed.

"That's rough!" she added.

"It's not too bad. At least France got a Champions League winner out of it," Arthur, leaning against the bar in the cabin, took a sip of his drink, not entirely sympathizing.

Marseille made history, which was quite impressive already.

"True, let's enjoy our Christmas break. We still have to go to Sardinia and the Balearic Islands," said Cristiana as she approached Arthur.

"This Christmas vacation won't be boring!"

Sardinia in Italy is very close to Corsica. The Balearic Islands to the west belong to Spain and are a tourist hotspot.

"You just handle it," Arthur said as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. Cristiana, with a figure and beauty comparable to Sophie Marceau, was, of course, extremely attractive to men.

Cristiana passionately returned Arthur's kiss for a moment. "Arthur, let me go prepare dinner!" she said.

Arthur, excited, held Cristiana close, reluctant to let go. "Isn't it a bit early?"

"It's not early, Arthur," she laughed, playfully touching him. "Sophie is inside. Remember to wake her up for some food. We'll have plenty of time tonight!"

Arthur nodded, "Alright."

Soon, Cristiana went to prepare dinner for the three of them, while Arthur went to wake up Sophie Marceau.

"Dear Sophie!" Arthur kissed Sophie Marceau, feeling her softness.

"Hm," she murmured, opening her eyes to see Arthur. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "How long did I sleep?"

"More than three hours. Didn't you come here the day before yesterday? Why are you so tired?" Arthur was puzzled.

"I went to an event in Monaco yesterday. Haven't had much rest since coming back from America," Sophie Marceau, sensing Arthur's eagerness, smiled slightly.

"What's up? Wasn't this afternoon enough with Christiana?"

"No, this afternoon we talked about some of the big events in France this past half year," Arthur said while removing both of their swimwear. "We can relax this Christmas!"

"Mm," Sophie Marceau hugged him tightly. "Will you still have energy tonight?"

"Of course," Arthur claimed as he pressed his lips against hers, and soon the room was filled with soft murmurs.

When Cristiana finished preparing dinner, she called Sophie Marceau and Arthur out of the room.

"Sophie, are you okay?" Cristiana supported the slightly exhausted Sophie Marceau. "I left you for one hour and you became like this?"

Sophie Marceau glared at Arthur, who was eating heartily. "I don't know how this guy has such good stamina!"

Cristiana smiled. "Just eat something and relax. You don't have to go back to Paris in a few days. You can really unwind."

Now, Cristiana not only had work in France but also helped manage Sophie Marceau's European business!

"By the way, Arthur, I received an invitation to an event. It's a business party hosted by Albert II, the Crown Prince of Monaco. Shall we attend?" Cristiana asked.

Arthur looked up, "The son of the Prince of Monaco, Albert II? Grace Kelly's son?"

Cristiana was momentarily stunned, then nodded with a smile. "Yes, he is the eldest son of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and the late Hollywood star Grace Kelly. He's quite the famous playboy in Europe, probably someone you'd get along with."

"Cough, cough," Arthur coughed. "How would I get along with Albert II? He's chubby, balding, and greasy. How could we get along? Their family's genes are strong. Even the Hollywood beauty Grace Kelly's genes couldn't overpower their looks!"

None of Rainier III's children inherited Grace Kelly's beauty.

The ruler of Monaco is Prince Rainier III, and his eldest son, Albert II, is the heir apparent at the age of 35.

Well, Albert II's lovers can be compared with King Juan Carlos I of Spain, one of Europe's biggest playboys. Juan Carlos I is on the level of Hugh Hefner, infamous across Spain, where people even joke about chemically neutering him. Albert II hasn't reached that level.

"Yesterday I went to an event in Monaco, and I saw Albert II there. He was with supermodels Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer!" Sophie Marceau, while eating, mentioned.

"Alright, let's go. Monaco is not far. We can check it out," Arthur seemed like he hadn't been to Monaco before.

Sophie Marceau shook her head. "You two go. I don't want to deal with the reporters!"

Since the release of Fanfan this year, Sophie Marceau's fame in Europe skyrocketed, and she's hounded by reporters whenever she steps out.

"Alright," Arthur had no objections. Sophie Marceau had been mostly in the U.S. in the latter half of the year, so she probably wanted a few more days to rest.

*****

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