America's No. 1 financial conglomerate

Chapter 623 Reversal

(I posted the wrong chapter yesterday. If you've already read the first version of chapter 621, please don't subscribe to this chapter.)

In a New York residence, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan sat at the dining table and picked up a copy of the New York Amsterdam News from among the newspapers laid out in front of him.

Founded in 1909, this newspaper is a highly influential media benchmark in New York and the entire East Coast African American community.

The section primarily focuses on the rights and demands, cultural heritage, and social contributions of the African American community, offering a sharp analysis of the deep-seated contradictions in New York City regarding racial equality, public services, and community development.

However, he wasn't reading the newspaper because he was concerned about African American issues. As the head of the Federal Reserve, his job focused on monetary policy, financial stability, and economic regulation; he had absolutely no interest in racial issues.

The real reason he was flipping through the newspaper was that six months ago, MGM Group completed its full acquisition of the New York Amsterdam News, making it an indispensable distribution channel in the East Coast market within MGM's print media matrix.

A quick glance at the front page reveals headlines that starkly point to the systemic injustices faced by African Americans in the United States, with content that is nothing more than the same old social ills.

For example, the unemployment rate among African Americans has consistently been 3.3 percentage points higher than that of white people; infrastructure in predominantly African American communities such as Harlem is aging and security is worrying; educational resources in public schools are unevenly distributed, with high-quality teachers and teaching equipment skewed towards white communities.

The young tycoon who controlled MGM and its vast capital empire did indeed suspend the spread of related public opinion as agreed, thus putting down the Damocles' sword hanging over the American financial market—Long-Term Capital Management.

He neatly stacked the newspaper on the corner of the table, picked up his silver knife and fork, and began to enjoy his breakfast.

I forked a small piece of fried egg and put it in my mouth. Just as I picked up the milk next to me, the phone rang.

After taking the call, I glanced at the caller ID and found it was my secretary calling.

Greenspan frowned, wondering what major event had occurred this time.

"Sir, watch Fox News." Schneider's hurried and anxious voice came from the other end of the phone, with the clatter of rapid keyboard typing in the background.

Greenspan's gaze fell on the television in the living room not far away, which was broadcasting CNBS News, owned by MGM, with the host reporting the latest Treasury yield data.

He turned to his wife Mitchell, who was sitting opposite him, and she immediately got up, went to the television, pressed the remote control, and switched to Fox News.

"What happened?"

"Wall Street is focusing its coverage on Ernst's private life scandal." Schneider spoke so fast he barely paused. "Mainstream media outlets like Fox, NBC, and CNBC are all following up simultaneously, and online media are in an uproar."

Before Greenspan could ask for details, the reporter's voice on the television screen clearly reached his ears, his tone carrying a deliberately exaggerated sense of shock and condemnation.

"Based on information obtained by this station and the age of Nicole Kidman's daughter, her pregnancy occurred precisely during her marriage to Tom Cruise."

Does this mean Ernst played a dishonorable role as a third party in the marriage, cheating on Tom Cruise?

"Even more shockingly, there are other reports confirming that Jennifer Connelly is also pregnant with Ernst's child."

The reporter's voice suddenly rose, becoming inflammatory: "More than two years ago, Ernst was taken away by the Los Angeles Police Department for investigation on charges involving underage girls, and the person who filed the complaint was none other than Jessica Alba, the rising star who is now frequently seen visiting Ernst's residence."

"Regardless of whether Ernst used his power and position to coerce the parties involved, from an age perspective alone, Jessica Alba was indeed under the legal age of majority at the time."

"Looking at other women who have had dealings with Ernst, Italian national treasure Monica Bellucci, who attended a charity gala with him the day before yesterday, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen, who has expressed her affection for Ernst on multiple occasions in public, and several Hollywood actresses have all been rumored to have had affairs with him."

"Does Ernst see women merely as tools for venting his frustrations and procreation? Does his behavior constitute a serious violation of women's rights?"

"Fxxk!" Greenspan cursed abruptly, slamming the phone receiver to his ear. "Was it Wall Street? Goldman Sachs?"

The only company he could think of was Goldman Sachs, because Henry Paulson had taken a very tough stance the previous night, indicating that he would absolutely not compromise with them.

He had just called the Communications Commission last night, and today this huge bombshell broke. He couldn't think of anyone else but Goldman Sachs.

"It's not just Goldman Sachs; other Wall Street forces seem to be involved as well. I did a quick investigation, and Bear Stearns and Citigroup are among them."

Greenspan was so angry that his chest heaved. He felt that these Wall Street institutions were rebelling.

By so openly uniting and expressing their dissatisfaction through public opinion attacks, they are silently protesting their actions last night.

"The most urgent task now is to stabilize Ernst immediately."

Clearly, the situation is serious.

If it were just a playboy image, no one would think there was a problem.

So what if someone is born out of wedlock? In American society, it's no different from urinating or defecating in public; at most, it might spark a brief period of discussion.

Throughout American history, numerous business tycoons and politicians have been exposed for having illegitimate children, and the entertainment and sports industries are even more rife with such cases, to the point that the public has become accustomed to it.

But now Wall Street has clearly elevated the seriousness of this issue to the level of women's rights, which is a completely different matter.

He could imagine that some female celebrities would expose in the media that Ernst used his status and position to force them into relationships, even if the story was fabricated.

Whether it's true or not is irrelevant; what matters is provoking the anger of feminists.

If public opinion really escalates, this leader of America's younger generation could face boycotts from some people, or even imprisonment.

Ernst will certainly not surrender easily; Long-Term Capital is a bargaining chip for a counterattack.

Wall Street is trying to use public opinion to attract people's attention and divert the focus from the financial markets.

Ernst would then use the collapse of Long-Term Capital Management to cover up his own scandals.

This matter was only going to escalate, so Greenspan felt he had to appease Ernst first.

After hanging up with his secretary, he hurriedly dialed Ernst's number, but the line was busy, which made his heart sink.

Meanwhile, Ernst stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, his face ashen as he listened to Jennifer Connelly's tearful voice through the receiver, filled with anxiety and helplessness.

"What should I do?" Connery's voice trembled. "Someone just contacted my agent and said they'd pay three million dollars if I publicly acknowledge that the child in my belly is yours, and they've also promised to provide me with leading roles in two Hollywood A-list blockbusters."

"But if I refuse..." Her voice trailed off, but the threat in it was unmistakable.

Ernst understood that it was nothing more than a boycott by some production companies.

But none of that matters; with MGM by her side, she has no shortage of invitations.

Moreover, she is currently transitioning to behind-the-scenes work and may not appear in films anymore.

"Do nothing." Ernst's voice was unusually calm. "Stay home. If you feel uneasy, go on vacation to Australia or Japan for a while. Find a quiet place to stay, and this storm will pass quickly."

After hanging up the phone with Jennifer Connelly, her assistant Daphne Barnes immediately handed her another phone, this time to Nicole Kidman.

"Ernst! You liar!" Nicole Kidman's angry roar immediately came from the other end of the phone after she pressed the answer button.

"You didn't protect Cassius as you promised. She's my daughter, not a prop to cover up your capitalist games!"

"She is my daughter too," Ernst said coldly. "No one can hurt her, and those who try to use her to attack me will pay the price."

After saying that, he hung up the phone.