American Scandal King

Chapter 73 You are the destined winner

In a restaurant across from the Los Angeles Times headquarters, Ian and Scarlett sat together and invited Israel to dinner.

Ever since Ian took Scarlett to discuss cooperation with Weinstein, Scarlett has liked this atmosphere.

She liked Ian's eloquent speech, which was a leap in IQ, an improvement in cognition, and a wonderful embodiment of masculine charm.

And when this man also has extraordinary strength and courage... it's perfect!
In the brightly lit high-end restaurant, the sound of piano is melodious.

Waiters in tuxedos respectfully serve exquisite dishes... French restaurants have nothing to say about other things, but the presentation is really beautiful!

Israel, with his head full of white hair, sat in front of Ian and looked at him with complicated eyes.

Is this the guy who suddenly emerged and made the Los Angeles Times unable to cope?

He beat him so hard that even a veteran in the newspaper office had to admit defeat!

The so-called tyrant is nothing in front of Ian Karl!

He said in a low voice: "What's the matter?"

Ian chuckled: "I wanted to chat with you about something to improve our relationship, but it seems you don't like it."

Israel was blunt: "Talking to you is a dangerous thing."

Ian smiled.

He turned to look at Scarlett and said to her, "The head of a company dining with a big boss in the same industry can easily cause controversy, which could lead to unexpected consequences. If it's a listed company, it could even cause stock price fluctuations. So you should be careful in the future. The more famous you are, the more you should be careful not to eat with others casually."

Scarlett raised her eyebrows: "I understand, but I'm not a big shot yet."

"It will be!" Ian said confidently.

He turned to look at Israel and said, "Don't worry, I won't arrange for reporters to take pictures outside and fabricate our relationship."

Israel sneered: "Just tell me what happened."

Ian got straight to the point: "I want to buy the Los Angeles Times."

Israel was stunned.

He looked at Ian blankly: "Are you kidding?"

Ian Carr actually wants to buy the Los Angeles Times?

What did he think?

Gone!

Floating into outer space!
But Ian Carr's expression was serious.

He looked at the old man. "You can refuse me, but do you know what will happen next? The Times you run will continue to decline under my attack, and sales will continue to drop! Your income will shrink, and you, as the editor-in-chief, will be to blame! The end result is that you will be driven out of this position by the Acton family!"

Israel's face looked grim.

He knew Ian was right.

If he continues to lose like this, he is doomed to be kicked out.

In the candlelight at dinner, Ian's expression shone darkly like a devil.

He looked at Israel and whispered, "I'm the only one who understands you. I know you lost to me not because you're incompetent, but because you met a formidable opponent. But I still need excellent talent... I'm the boss of a company, and I have to consider strategic operations. I'm also a journalist, and I have to think about a lot of breaking news. I'm so busy that even spending time with my girlfriend has to be under these circumstances. This isn't the right time for romance, but I have to do this to save time."

Scarlett blushed happily.

He officially acknowledged that I was his girlfriend!
Ian continued, "Lloyd is old and lacks experience managing a large newspaper. The Pioneer's growth is too rapid, and we can't keep up. Internal management problems are emerging. They haven't manifested themselves yet, but there are signs. I must resolve them as soon as possible. But don't say I don't have time. Even if I did, I wouldn't be able to do it."

Israel understood: "You want to poach me?"

Ian smiled and said, "If you help me acquire the Times, I will ensure that you remain the editor-in-chief of the Times and can even get involved in the management of the Pioneer. I need talent like you!"

“No one would trust an editor-in-chief who betrayed his boss.”

Ian immediately said, "No one asked you to betray me. I don't need you to sell any inside information."

Israel looked at him in astonishment: "Then what do you want me to do?"

Ian smiled slightly. "I'm going to challenge the Acton family to a bet. In 01, I'm going to make the Los Angeles Herald's sales surpass the Los Angeles Times at least once. If I do, the Acton family must sell their shares to me at 80% of the market price. If I don't, I'll sell the Herald to the Los Angeles Times for $1.5 million. Oh, and the Los Angeles Herald's projected profit this year is $ million. Using a x PE ratio, the Los Angeles Herald should be worth $ million! The price I'm offering is already very good."

Israel looked at Ian in surprise. How could this be possible?

Although the sales of the Los Angeles Herald are now increasing rapidly, their foundation is mainly obtained through the betting-style annual magazine, and the current average daily sales are only about 250,000 copies.

The Los Angeles Times' average daily circulation is 150 million copies!

Six times the difference!

Ian actually said that the sales of the Los Angeles Herald this year could surpass the Times at least one day?
This is impossible!

Not that Israel underestimated Ian's news.

His news may be worth that much, but he can't sell that many newspapers.

For so long, most of Ian's explosive news was spread through CBS and WND, and the Los Angeles Herald did not have such a high level of promotion.

And the bet is on the sales of the Los Angeles Herald!
So these are two different things!

Even if you let 150 million people in the United States read your news, if your newspaper doesn't sell million copies, you will still lose!

The Los Angeles Times is not a listed company and is currently valued at around $70 million. The Acton family owns 80% of the shares, and the 1.2% price is equivalent to a discount of $6000 million. However, if Ian's Herald can achieve an annual profit of $1.5 million, $ million is indeed a super discount. Not to mention that the bet is naturally biased towards the Times - judging by the odds, the Acton family has taken advantage.

As for Ian Carr's bet with his clients, he promised that he would personally bear all consequences.

This bet is very favorable to the Los Angeles Times!

Israel stared at Ian Karl in a daze, and even Scarlett was confused.

Israel murmured, "Do you know what you're talking about?"

Ian chuckled softly and said, "Of course. But I know that even if I offer such generous conditions, the Acton family will not agree easily."

The Acton family is not a super family. Their largest core industry is the Times.

Selling the Times is like selling your own kidney... You can sell your kidney, but you can't sell the Times!

Unless you exchange it for an apple!

Apple!

Ian said, "So I need your help, Mr. Israel. I need you to give them the confidence to win the bet!"

Israel gasped.

Ian said, "Help me convince them to make a bet with me. If I win, you'll be my hero, and I'll still let you be the editor-in-chief. If I lose, you'll be the hero of the Los Angeles Times, and Dill Chandler will still let you be the editor-in-chief. So in this bet, I might lose, and the Acton family might lose, but you, Mr. Israel... you're the destined winner!"

Simple words, but with strong confidence!
This is much more effective than hypnosis!
Ian did not use hypnosis, what he wanted was true persuasion... This is the improvement of his own abilities!

Scarlett Johansson stared at Ian in a daze.

Is this how business can be discussed?

No matter how hard she thought about it, she couldn't find a reason for Israel to refuse.

Sure enough, Israel looked at him for a long time and then smiled bitterly: "You are the most confident person I have ever met. If you can do this, then you are also a talented businessman."

Ian smiled: "It's just a good teacher."

………………

As he walked out of the hotel, Israel thought seriously.

He was wondering how he should complete Ian Karl's instructions?
Dill Chandler is a cautious man, and it is unlikely to convince him, so this matter may have to fall on the Acton family.

Have it.

Suffice it to say that if the bet is rejected, Ian Carr will take the opportunity to tell everyone: The Los Angeles Times is afraid of the Los Angeles Herald!
This will make all the customers of the Los Angeles Times think that the Times' sales will inevitably lose to the Pioneer, which will snatch away a large number of the Times' basic users and advertisers!
This was the most appropriate excuse to force the Acton family to agree by using the possibility of a devastating blow in the future.

If you want a non-professional gambler to risk his life and fortune, you need not only the temptation of profit, but also pressure!

If the Acton family refuses the bet, the consequence will be that everyone will think that The Times has no confidence, which means they are not optimistic about their newspaper industry - it is a big problem if customers have no confidence in you!
Most importantly, although Dill Chandler was the chairman, as the son-in-law of the Acton family, he actually only owned 7% of the shares.

So as long as the Acton family agrees, Deer Chandler will have no choice.

Israel smiled at the thought.

(End of this chapter)