America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 266, Section 265: Harassment, Divide and Conquer, Multi-pronged Approach

Beverly Hills, the Cooper family home.

After Eric finished telling his mother about the five women, she took notes and analyzed their characteristics one by one.

After her explanation, Eric suddenly understood.

That statement makes a lot of sense: only women truly understand women, just as only men truly understand men.

Psychologists and sociologists, if you want to understand a group, you first have to become the group itself.

Looking at his mother's serious expression, Eric imagined the Empress Dowager intimidating all the concubines and managing the harem.

He thought he knew the women quite well, but compared with his mother's analysis, he realized that he was thinking more from the perspective of the powerful and superior.

From a woman's perspective, things are obviously not that simple. Their emotions are more delicate and complex, not as simple as Eric thinks.

The father smiled at Eric with a complex expression, his smile containing a multitude of emotions.

If Joshua knew, he would definitely ask, "How did you manage to win over a pair of twins?"

"Eric, they haven't contacted you yet because they're waiting for you to apologize."

"I know you're bound to be worried and scared, but that's because you genuinely care about them, not just as disposable playthings."

"So remember this: the reason they didn't immediately confront you is because they were worried and afraid. You're all on the same level, understand?"

Eric nodded. "That makes sense."

"Okay, so now all you have to do is comfort and coax them. Call each of them, and remember to call the Olsen sisters separately. Although they are twins, they are also two girls."

"I think Ashley and Mary probably know about my relationship with Gadot. I often take Elizabeth and Gadot out with me. Elizabeth is their little sister."

"Son, knowing something on your own and proactively explaining it are two different things. This represents your attitude, so take it seriously, understand?"

"Okay, Mom, I'll do whatever you say as long as you can handle them."

"Okay, let's arrange a time for them to come over for dinner. With Xia Li and me there, no one will dare to cause trouble. I'll help you deal with them."

"Are you sure?" Eric asked his mother hopefully.

"Do your best. The girls you've messed with are much more difficult to deal with than Joshua. And remember this: I don't want to hear any more gossip about you."

"Of course, I promise I won't!" Eric agreed without hesitation.

As for other women, once they've had their first time, why would they care about a second?

Once a bottom line is crossed, people will only keep lowering their standards.

So what if Mom says something harsh?

As the most beloved youngest son, Eric was spoiled and fearless because no matter what, she would always stand by his side.

Dad spoke up, "Alright, let's leave the women's business here. Now let's analyze how MGM can break this deadlock."

"Forget about press conferences; the mainstream media are all their people. Holding a press conference would be tantamount to humiliating ourselves."

"I will be doing interviews with YouTube and Yahoo this afternoon to clarify this matter. People from The Walking Dead will also be there."

"The production team has already collected evidence of Barrefaeli's absence from work, and the company has also contacted the Screen Actors Guild and Barrefaeli's agent."

"Other familiar celebrities are greeting us; they all know what to say."

"Will the union side with us?"

"The union does not take sides, just like the statement it issued, but it is willing to speak the truth and address the facts. The three major brokerage firms also share this attitude."

Dad nodded: "That's good news, but Barrefali will definitely deny it, so things will still be a Rashomon-like situation."

"The impact will continue as long as that woman doesn't come forward to tell the truth or obtain decisive evidence."

"That's right, that's why I'm having a headache. The Six Greats must have hidden her in a very secret place, and it will probably be very difficult to find her."

After a moment of silence, Dad sighed: "Eric, since those old guys have abandoned all principles, we can't be too principled either."

"A reciprocal countermeasure? Actually, that's what I'm thinking too. We can't let the six major powers stand on the sidelines and watch; we have to drag them into the water as well."

"It's easier to fish in troubled waters."

"Yes, it's easier to fish in troubled waters!"

"What are your thoughts?"

Eric's gaze turned cold: "Based on the dirt I have on you so far, the first one is Harvey Weinstein. You must have heard about him, Dad."

Dad sneered, "Harvey is a typical example of abusing public power for private gain. Everyone in the circle knows about his dirty deeds."

"I'm afraid there are at least 300 to 500 actresses who have been sexually assaulted by him under the pretext of auditions."

"What! So many!" Mom exclaimed in surprise.

"I told you we shouldn't have let Eric go to Hollywood. He should have studied finance; at least it's not as dirty and chaotic there."

"Come on, Emily, the financial world isn't exactly clean either, and not everyone is as scum as Harvey Weinstein. Most people still maintain basic manners."

"Just like your son, right? Dating five girlfriends at the same time, exposing it to the world is an eye-opener."

"Uh, Mom, at least I haven't sexually assaulted anyone. It's a moral issue at most. Harvey Weinstein, on the other hand, is a legal issue. I'm on the entertainment news, and he's on the legal and social news."

"Hmph, if you don't learn your lesson, you'll end up like this scumbag sooner or later. I don't want to have to visit you in prison when I'm old."

Eric chuckled dryly. "I've already sent people to find the victims, and I've also hired a private investigator. Hopefully, I can get something interesting as soon as possible."

"Once the Harvey Weinstein affair is exposed, it will be enough to divert public attention, and Miramax will not be spared either."

"As a subsidiary of Disney, messing up Miramax is like cutting off one of Disney's arms. Mickey Mouse will also have a headache."

"The second bombshell I have is about MySpace. As you all know, Facebook and MySpace are competitors."

"As a follower, MySpace resorted to using pornographic elements in order to catch up with Facebook."

"This method did allow MySpace to accumulate a large number of users in a short period of time, but the cost was also obvious."

"It's been almost a year, and this so-called social networking site has completely degenerated into a pornographic site. Regardless of gender, almost all bloggers with high traffic are involved in nudity or borderline pornography."

"Not only is pornography rampant, but it has also caused a large number of sex crimes, including many targeting minors. It has become a breeding ground for perversions."

"Facebook has been collecting evidence and information in this regard, in order to deliver a fatal blow to the other side at a crucial moment."

"They've accused Gadot and me of committing sex crimes while we were minors. I'd like to see how MySpace explains that."

My dad was a little worried: "I remember your Facebook page, which also contains some suggestive content, right?"

"Yes, it's a message in a bottle feature, but it's just a decoration and can be permanently stopped at any time. But can MySpace be stopped? Stopping it would mean the platform's collapse."

"I'd cut off a finger to save my opponent's life—it's totally worth it!"

"After MySpace collapsed, there has never been a social media platform that could compete with Facebook."

"Moreover, the UK market is already open, and negotiations with Canada and Mexico are almost complete. Not only in the US, but worldwide, Facebook has no rivals!"

"And taking down MySpace is like crippling Fox's tongue; the six major powers have lost their only online base."

"Have you decided what to do?"

"Hmm, I have a general idea. They want to use their own methods against them, so I'll do the opposite. Just wait and see!"

After explaining his ideas, Eric looked at his father and said, "I've roughly come up with these two strategies. What do you think, Dad?"

My dad smiled with relief: "I was worried you'd be at a disadvantage, but it looks good now. Fighting these old bastards means abandoning your principles."

"But attacking from two sides isn't enough. To throw them into disarray, we need to put in even more effort."

"I happen to have some information resources on hand, which can help me cause trouble for those old geezers."

"Of the Big Six, Disney is the strongest. The attack on MGM was spearheaded by Disney. Son, let me ask you, what is Disney's biggest weakness?"

"A weakness?"

"Is its revenue stream from movies? Is it from copyrights?"

"Amusement park!" Eric exclaimed in realization.

"That's right, those are Disney's proud theme parks. Movies, to put it bluntly, increase influence and create intellectual property, but the profits they generate only account for less than 30% of Disney's revenue, while theme parks can account for more than 40%."

"Imagine if something happens to Disneyland, would Michael Ianas still be in the mood to go against us? He'd probably be frantic with worry."

"Dad, where do you plan to start?" Eric asked with interest.

"Of course it's safety. The biggest fear for amusement parks is safety, especially since Disney always claims to be 100% safe."

"Xia Li, you can't do anything reckless! Safety is no small matter; it could kill someone!" Mom said anxiously, grabbing Dad's hand.

Her father kissed her and said, "Don't worry, darling, I'm retired now. All that fighting and killing is a thing of the past."

"But there are still quite a few people in government departments who are willing to give me face. As long as you investigate seriously, there is no absolutely compliant place in the world."

"We don't need to make a big fuss about it. Just shut it down for three to five months to reorganize, and the losses will be enough to make Ainas feel the pinch. Let's see how he explains it to the board of directors then."

"Besides causing them trouble from the outside, we can also attack them from within. Among the Big Six, the management of one company is the most unique."

"Disney, Paramount, Universal, Warner, and Sony all have one president, while Fox operates under a 'dual president' system."

"Its board of directors is co-chaired by two chairmen, Thomas Rothman and Jim Giannopoulos."

"The two have their own support bases, with Thomas Rodman currently in a dominant position, while Jim Giannopoulos's filming is being suppressed."

"Thomas Rodman was in charge of the decision to participate in the crackdown on MGM, and Jim's voice was not fully considered."

"This year is 2004, and their contracts with the company are about to expire. Next year will be the time for a reshuffle."

"Both men are now trying to gain the support of News Corp. executives in order to truly gain unparalleled power next year, but Thomas Rodman clearly has the advantage."

"Eric, if you were Jim Giannopoulos, facing the possibility of being kicked out, would you be anxious?"

Eric nodded: "Of course I'll be worried."

"Yes, that's Jim's mindset right now. I can contact him secretly and test his attitude."

"If he doesn't refuse my invitation, he'll have a chance to stir up trouble within Fox."

"And then there's Paramount. Paramount's weaknesses are also very clear. Brad Gray is clearly incapable of managing the company well. Paramount is getting worse and worse under his leadership. If this continues, it won't be long before he packs his bags and leaves."

"And I learned that the reason he agreed to join the sniper was because Disney promised to lend Paramount some emergency funds to help Brad Grey get through the crisis."

"So Brad is actually the most indecisive of the six major companies. In other words, Paramount could actually be a target for courtship."

"Even in the worst-case scenario, if we're willing to offer some benefits, he'll likely choose to leave the league."

"Whether they follow MGM or remain on the sidelines, it will be a huge blow to the morale of the six major powers."

"It can also show those people in the market that we are not easily defeated, and that this battle is far from over."

His mouth was a little dry, so Dad took a sip of water: "Son, the business world is like a battlefield. Harassment, sowing discord, dividing and weakening—if you use these tactics well, you can always find the enemy's weaknesses."

Indeed, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. After listening to his father's analysis, Eric seemed to be deep in thought.

"Dad, how did you get this classified information?"

"Young man, I've told you before, work is important, but don't neglect those parties and parties."

"Okay, I have indeed participated less since you retired, I will be more careful in the future."

"Well, let's follow these routes then. Looks like my old bones need some exercise."

Dad stretched, stood up, picked up his phone, and went to the balcony.

Eric returned to his room, opened his contacts, and dialed Nico's number.

With my mom backing me up, I feel much more secure.

"Nico, my darling! I'm sorry, there's something I have to tell you."

"Theron, my darling! I'm sorry, there's something I have to tell you."

"Ashley, my darling! I'm sorry, there's something I have to tell you."

"Mary, my darling! I'm sorry, there's something I have to confess to you."