The American Kill Line: I Can Predict the Future

Chapter 113 Either Go to Heaven or Go to the Rooftop

Hosting an Oscars ceremony is supposed to be a milestone in an actor's career.

However, it became the catalyst for the nationwide condemnation of Anne Hathaway.

Overnight, the "American sweetheart" and "pure girl" who were once hailed as goddesses by the media became targets of public scorn.

The entire internet is condemning her for being hypocritical and pretentious, calling her "Hathahate".

Even her multiple outfit changes during the Oscars night were magnified and criticized as pretentious.

Commercial endorsements were canceled, and the movie roles she had agreed upon were also replaced at the last minute.

Even her apartment in Los Angeles was spray-painted with insulting words.

Some say this is a backlash caused by Anne's long-standing "perfect persona".

A closer look reveals that even before the awards ceremony ended, negative comments were spreading rapidly on social media at a rate of 2 per minute.

Throughout this process, Annie's agency, CAA, did not engage in any public relations efforts whatsoever.

As a dominant figure in Hollywood talent agencies, Anne is also one of the most sought-after artists under her management.

Why was there no protection when the situation escalated?

Even the top luxury brands that endorse these products have tacitly accepted the online condemnations.

In contrast, consider James Franco, who partnered with Anne at the Oscars.

He was distracted and drowsy throughout the entire ceremony, and even played on his phone during the awards ceremony.

His agency dismissed his noncommittal attitude as "cool".

This is not a simple collapse of an actor's image, but a targeted "witch hunt".

Some people labeled Anne as "anti-Semitic".

Hollywood's Jewish executives tacitly approve of this behavior and even encourage it behind the scenes.

They hope to use this "Annie incident" to let Hollywood know they exist.

This can be understood as a compliance test.

Even if it wasn't Anne, there were other people.

It just so happens that Anne was the right person, and that they happened to meet.

That's it.

However, these things were nothing in Schwarzman's eyes.

The information he received was that Anne Hathaway and Ron had met once before.

In the end, he helped her solve her problem without any cost to him.

This led Schwarzman and the others to believe that Ron must really like this woman.

So, Stephen Schwarzman found her and gave her a chance to turn her life around.

Anne Hathaway instinctively resisted upon receiving the news.

Knowing that it was the same person again, I suddenly felt a bit like laughing and crying.

After hesitating for a few days, she decided to come anyway.

There's nothing worse than this. If that gentleman could be "gentlemanly" again, she'd be incredibly lucky.

If you don't agree, then consider it as me freeloading a meal.

Anyway, she doesn't lack money for the time being, and she can last for a few more years.

Ron saw through the woman's plan at a glance.

LOL, trying to get something for free again.

Last time, it was because of Megan, that beauty, that I thought there was no need for it.

They're trying to use the same old trick again, do they really think he's a philanthropist?

Stephen Schwarzman probably also sensed Anne Hathaway's reluctance.

During the meal, he also praised Ron for his acquisition of CAA and IMG.

"I used to know Anthony Forsterman quite well. He's a very impressive investor, but unfortunately, he had some bad luck. I heard that Anthony's initial offer was a valuation of $15 billion, and you added another $300 million."

Stephen Schwarzman raised his glass in a toast, saying, "Ron, whatever your motives, I believe this is a normal business acquisition, and one of the reasons why I'm willing to share a Hilton Hotel board seat with you."

"Thank you!" Ron raised his glass, not taking the words seriously.

Anne Hathaway was happily eating a high-end steak that money couldn't buy.

Anyway, she was pretty much done with herself, so she ate and left.

At worst, I can take a break from acting for a few years.

Upon hearing Schwarzman's words, the hand holding the knife and fork paused, and the knife and fork made a jarring creaking sound on the plate.

It immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.

First was Schwarzman's daughter, whose eyes revealed disdain.

Schwarzman's second wife smiled slightly and asked, "Would you like to change the plate?"

"No! Thank you!"

Anne Hathaway hurriedly said no.

Ron couldn't help but glance at her with a smile.

Anne Hathaway forced a smile at him.

My mind screamed: Oh no, this guy is actually my boss!!!

It seems I'm really going to retire now.

"You think I'm flattering you?" Schwarzman saw through Ron's thoughts.

Then he started talking about his plans for the Hilton Hotel.

In his words, the Hilton family is a bloodsucker clinging to the Hilton Hotel.

In recent years, instead of managing the hotels properly, the Hilton family members have been thinking about ways to make money.

They created their own various daily-use brands and then sold them to Hilton hotels at high prices, making huge profits from it.

Perhaps in Barron Hilton's eyes, this was compensation for his children.

According to the trust fund established by the first generation of Hilton, the Hilton family will most likely lose control of the hotels after Barron.

Barron may be a good patriarch, but in the eyes of a businessman like Schwarzman, he is utterly selfish.

Rather than Hilton Hotels eventually being dismantled by capital and becoming history.

Why not take it and manage it properly?

At least in Schwarzman's view, Hilton Hotels has far more potential than it does now.

At least for the past two years, Hilton Hotels, under the management of Blackstone Group, has been profitable.

After Ron converted his large amount of subordinated debt into preferred stock, Hilton Hotels' relisting was a foregone conclusion.

Stephen Schwarzman's intention was simple: he hoped Ron could help him complete his IPO.

Blackstone Group is, after all, a private equity firm, and its primary goal is to achieve greater returns.

This is similar to how he spent $1 billion to acquire the Channel 10 shopping mall in Shanghai, and then sold it for $14 billion last year.

Blackstone Group will not keep Hilton Hotels forever.

Otherwise, this investment will never yield a return.

He also accurately judged from Ron's investment in Texas Energy and the acquisition of CAA and IMG that Ron wanted to turn cash into assets.

In closing, Schwarzman raised his glass again and said earnestly, "Ron, Blackstone will not be your enemy; it may very well be your best partner in the future."

He was right. Blackstone Group's investments, whether in real estate or industry, will eventually be liquidated.

Ron, on the other hand, has no shortage of cash, which would be a perfect complement to Ron's.

Ron thought about it for a moment and realized that what he said made sense.

Then, with a bright smile, he raised his glass and said, "Stephen, you're right. We are very likely to become partners in the future."

However, before that, it would be better to reach a preliminary agreement, such as regarding Blackstone's investment in oil fields in Texas.

That makes sense, but why should Blackstone take over at a high price?

Stephen Schwarzman was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Ron, I think I understand why George was so reluctant to mention you. Okay, no problem. Anyway, the rights to that oil field aren't that much. If you like it, I'll sell it to you. Consider it a token of our sincerity for future cooperation."

Blackstone had no intention of developing oil fields, much like Ron's early days, opting instead to buy equity in an energy company.

Although it's said to be not much, it's actually nearly 5 acres.

"Thank you very much, Stephen."

Ron thanked him happily, without the slightest bit of embarrassment.

What a pleasant surprise! We got another 5 acres just from having a meal.

In this way, his total oilfield area in Eagle Beach, Texas, reached 18 acres.

After dinner, Ron sat for a while longer before going home contentedly.

Anne Hathaway hesitated for a moment before getting into the car.

"Boss, would you mind hitching a ride?"

"You're already up here, and you're still asking me if I mind?" Ron glanced at me sideways and asked, "Where to? I mean, your address."

"Boss, now that I've given you my address, are you going to abandon me?"

Annie's eyes welled up with tears, trying to fool everyone with this.

Ron, with a heart of stone: "I need to remind you that CAA is just one of the industries I invest in. I will not interfere with CAA's operations, so I am not your boss."

"But if you just say the word, CAA will definitely step in to protect me, right?"

Annie checked the current situation of CAA while she was in the restroom.

"You're right about that," Ron said without denying it.

"Then you—"

"But why should I help you? You should at least give me a reason."

"Can't you do it for your good friend? You said yourself, he entrusted me to you."

"Hahaha----"

Ron couldn't help but laugh when he thought of Robert's entrustment.

He laughed as he took his phone out of his pocket and dialed his best friend's number.

It took quite a while before the call was answered.

"Get to the point if you have something to say, otherwise don't bother me while I'm trying to have some fun."

Robert is busy hunting for women at the bar.

Ron listened to the music on the other end of the line and chuckled, "Looks like you're doing pretty well in Upton."

"That's it? I fucking thought you'd had a change of heart and were planning to—"

"Annie!" Ron interrupted.

"What?"

"I mean, I ran into your goddess Annie again, and she's in my car right now."

Ron deliberately turned the speakers on, and Annie next to him rolled her eyes.

Robert was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone.

Then, a roar rang out: "Fuck you!!! I'll fucking suffer here for you, you son of a bitch who tried to seduce my goddess, you just wait, this time I'll definitely fuck you, I swear—"

As soon as he started cursing, Ron handed the phone to Annie.

Annie reluctantly took the phone.

After Robert had finished his tirade, Anne coughed lightly and said, "Hi! I'm Anne, what's your name?"

The cursing stopped abruptly, followed by the sound of a cup being overturned.

Immediately following, Robert's incoherent voice rang out: "Anne, Anne? You really are Anne? Oh my god, you really are Anne? No, you are Anne, my name is Robert, Robert Hunter."

"Good evening, Robert."

"I'm fine, yes, you're fine too. Oh my god, what am I saying?"

"waste!"

Ron took the phone and said bluntly, "My brother, do you remember what you said? That Annie was in trouble and asked me for help. Now, I'm telling you, she really is in trouble."

"I know a bunch of bastards are jealous of Annie, but it's nothing, things will be alright, I believe in Annie."

How could someone who constantly follows the goddess's love life not know about this kind of news?

They might have even argued with someone online.

Anne was very touched: "Thank you, Robert."

"You're welcome, Annie. You must hang in there. Trust me, it will be alright."

Robert first offered a word of comfort, then changed his tone: "Ron."

"explain."

"Is it convenient? I mean, will it put you in a difficult position?"

"It's just a matter of a word."

"Fuck!!"

Robert fell silent again.

"Please love her well for me; she's a girl worth cherishing."

The call ended with a beep.

Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.

Ron shrugged.

Anne was a little confused, but then she understood what it meant.

"Why!" She spread her hands, her eyes wide with disbelief. "These are the fans you're talking about? Oh my god!" She wanted to curse.

If all her fans are like this, then she truly deserves to be criticized.

Ron fiddled with his phone, looking at her with a smile: "So, Annie, do you still need to entrust this to someone?"

'

"Can I not choose?" Annie smiled bitterly.

"That's your right."

Ron immediately lost interest. He lit a cigarette, opened the car window, and gazed at the night outside.

He doesn't have that much time to coax an unwilling woman.

A slender, pale finger reached out and took the cigarette from Ron's mouth.

Anne took a drag, and thick smoke slowly drifted from her fiery red lips.

"My ex-boyfriend works in finance, and to be honest, I don't feel very secure in your profession."

Perhaps she wasn't used to this kind of cigarette, because she put the cigarette back in Ron's mouth.

Ron took a puff and tasted a slightly sweet flavor.

He held a cigarette between his fingers, smiled, and nodded in agreement: "Your intuition is very accurate. In our line of work, there's a saying: 'You either go to heaven or you go to the rooftop.' Almost every financial building's rooftop has been visited, so it's never locked."

"That joke isn't funny." A lame joke, Annie asked again, "And what about me? I mean, what am I to you big shots? A toy?"

Seeing her stubborn expression, as if she was about to explode at any moment, Ron gently raised his hand and brushed the wind-blown hair from her face: "If you feel offended, we can try to talk. Believe it or not, I am still unmarried."

Anne rolled her eyes at him: "Should I feel honored?"

"At least I'm not a liar." Ron rubbed his thumb against the delicate face.

"Shit!" Annie was speechless.

This was the shame of her life.

She leaned on Ron's arm, then suddenly thought of something and chuckled, "Hopefully, you'd better not get arrested by the FBI so soon, at least until I start to make some progress."

"Are you planning to bail me out then?"

"NO!" Anne looked up, her face beaming, and said, "Gentleman, I can tell you with absolute certainty that I will hold a press conference, condemn your crimes to the whole world, and portray myself as an innocent and pitiful victim. That's how they describe me—affected, pretentious—"

Before she could finish her self-deprecating remark, Ron slowly lowered his head: "Believe me, these voices will all disappear tomorrow."

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