hollywood billionaire

Chapter 515 Artwork Rewards (Part 1)
"Yes, Antoine, I saw it."

"The $1.5 million has been fully paid to OW Management LLC in West Hollywood, and Christie's has also confirmed receiving $262.5 million in transaction commissions..."

“The Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer No. 2 is ours.”

Han Yi read the transaction confirmation email from Antoine Gashe on his tablet, carefully examining the important information listed therein. His tone was calm, without a trace of emotion.

Because, before receiving this email, Han Yi already knew that the final transaction for this Klimt masterpiece had been completed.

How did you find out?
Of course, it was a new reward that popped up in the memo app.

“That’s right, Mr. Han, congratulations again.” Antoine’s energetic voice came from the other end of the phone. “From today onwards, you possess one of the most magnificent treasures in human history. And now, you are also a part of history.”

"People will always remember you as the guardian of our civilization."

“I feel that every time you go back to Europe, your choice of words and sentence structure becomes… much more poetic.”

Han Yi chuckled. He naturally wouldn't be emotionally affected by Antoine's casual compliment. Having worked together for so long, he knew his asset manager's character very well.

"It is indeed a rare treasure in human history, you are right about that first half, but Antoine, you are way off about the second half... No guardian of a civilization would pay a 1.75% commission for the civilization they protect."

"Well, Mr. Han, what can I say?"

Even without actually seeing Antoine, Han Yi could imagine the former's helpless smile with his hands outstretched.

“You should have already seen how greedy the two largest auction houses on this planet are over the past few months—for publicly auctioned artworks that sell for over four million dollars, the buyer’s commission is 12.5%. For privately consigned artworks that sell for over one million dollars, the commission is also 5%.”

"Our buyer's commission of 1.75% in this transaction was the limit we had gradually pushed down. Christie's needed a high-profile transaction like this to close out the second half of the year, and our total transaction price was high enough to allow us to reduce the commission rate to this level."

“I know you have done your best, Antoine, I don’t mean to blame you.”

Han Yi smiled. He didn't really care about the commission rate. After all, $262.2 million was just pocket change to him right now, nothing to worry about.

“I was just amazed by their profit margins. They showed me some artwork in the vault, and then…voila! A check for over $250 million was in my pocket.”

“That’s art.” Antoine chuckled twice. “Anyway, you are now the sole owner of this painting and will never have to deal with them again… Oh, speaking of dealing with them, just a friendly reminder that your dinner with Thomas Patrick Campbell is scheduled for 7:30 pm the day after tomorrow.”

“Thomas…”

"The CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art."

“That’s right, I remember now.” Han Yi wrote the abbreviation TPC in the notebook in front of him and circled the three letters.

“MoMA’s CEO Glenn D. Lori has called me several times recently. He also wants to invite you to dinner, or at least lunch... to try again to keep the paintings on display with them.”

“Then he’ll be disappointed… My mind is made up.” Han Yi tapped the pen on the paper a few times, then finally let out a long sigh. “However, let’s still arrange a dinner with him. Since he has shown goodwill, we should reciprocate. Although the chances are slim this time, there might be many opportunities for cooperation between us and MoMA in the future.”

“Okay, I’ll speak with Mr. Lori… When would be a convenient time for you next?”

"The schedule is quite full after the New Year and before Christmas."

"receive."

"Alright, we've talked enough about work today." Han Yi turned off the tablet screen, stretched, and his tone became more relaxed. "Where have you been today, Antoine?"

"I just arrived in Courchevel last night."

Antoine's tone was quite relaxed when the topic came up. After handling the fund allocation for the Klimt transaction in Europe, completing the final two procedures for Han Yi's Italian golden visa, and then being ordered to make a trip to Passaraqua, Antoine, with Han Yi's consent, immediately began his vacation, driving north to France with his wife. Don't be surprised that Antoine took a vacation in early December—in Europe, someone like him, who has remained at his post until now and even on vacation doesn't forget to report to his boss, is extremely rare.

"Where are we staying this time? The same old place?"

"No."

Antoine knew where Han Yi was referring to as the "old place"—the Four Seasons Hotel Mergevo, owned by the Edmund Rothschild Heritage Group.

Antoine told Han Yi that when he was CEO of the group, he would spend at least a week at the Four Seasons Hotel every winter to show the support from the owners.

“They won’t let me in again… I was blacklisted the day I left Rothschild.”

"What did you do to deserve this treatment?"

"They drank all their champagne reserves, which they were supposed to use until the end of March, in January... Just kidding. After visiting the French Alps so many times, it's time to try a different hotel. This time we stayed at Les Airelles in Courchevel 1850."

"Wow, I heard that it's a palace-level hotel."

“A true palace-level experience, Mr. Han. Would you like to see it? I can open the video.”

"No need, I'm on a plane, the internet speed isn't that fast. WhatsApp voice calls are fine, but FaceTime video calls will lag." Han Yi quickly declined; he wasn't used to video chatting with men remotely.

After all, he now has four girls who FaceTime with him almost every day.

"Okay, I'll send you two videos later... If you like them, please let me know, and I can arrange a trip to the Courchevel Mountains for you anytime, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

"Really? I..."

Han Yi was somewhat tempted, but after considering his own plans and... yes, Barbara's plans, he realized it would be difficult to squeeze such an activity into their short trip during their European meeting.

"Let's talk about it when we have the chance. But, Antoine, there's something I might need your help with."

"At your service anytime, Mr. Han."

Do you know any high-end car rental companies in Europe?

"Of course, I have a few friends who do this. You just tell me in advance when you need the car, and I can arrange any car model you want."

"Really? The car I want to rent this time might be a bit special."

"How special?"

"I'll send you the requirements directly in text, probably in the next day or two. Now, enjoy your Courchevel, Antoine, and have a wonderful winter holiday."

"You too, Mr. Han. Have a good time in New York!"

"I will."

After hanging up the WhatsApp voice call, Han Yi squinted and quietly admired the clear blue sky above the clouds for a moment.

Then, he picked up his phone again, cleared his throat, composed himself, and solemnly opened the memo app, which he had already reviewed countless times that day.

(End of this chapter)