America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 3.3. Let's get some gold coins, Dad!

As a Chinese person, I have mixed feelings about the national football team, but if we go back to 2002, I can only feel pride.

The Chinese national football team's first appearance in the World Cup was a sensational breakthrough. Although they lost three consecutive matches and failed to advance from the group stage, the fans were full of hope.

Unfortunately, no one expected the plot to take such a drastic turn. What seemed like the beginning turned out to be the peak, and from then on, it was a series of ups and downs.

They lost to Vietnam, and even competed with Vietnam for last place in the group, they lost all sense of shame.

Because of the Chinese national football team's involvement, Eric stayed up all night to watch the entire match, especially the upset game, which he still remembers vividly even after twenty years.

For example, the French team's defeat to Senegal was truly astonishing.

The South Koreans' shady dealings of bribing referees have left the world dumbfounded. To make matters worse, they shamelessly boast about reaching the World Cup semi-finals, showing just how thick-skinned they are.

However, when I watched it back then, I was angry. Now, Eric just hopes that history won't change and that the South Korean team will definitely get dirty, otherwise how will he win money?

The saying goes, "Bet against the favorites in football, and you'll own a villa by the sea." Betting on football is a lucrative business worldwide, especially during the World Cup, where some become overnight millionaires while others are driven to despair. (Friendly reminder: Never gamble on football!)

So Eric's idea was to make a big splash with the upcoming World Cup, make a fortune, acquire MGM, and become his own boss.

A perfect start! Isn't that wonderful?

Even if you know the outcome, betting on sports isn't a game where you can win as much as you want.

First, each casino has a betting limit. For example, Pinnacle in the United States has a maximum bet of $75 per game.

If you want to gamble 1000 million, sorry, the casino won't accept it, and they might even call the police to arrest you. After all, they are a licensed and legal establishment, and they have reason to suspect that your money is ill-gotten.

In addition, if you always win, it will attract the attention of the casino, and they will keep an eye on you.

Even if they can't find any dirt on you in the end, the casino can still blacklist you. I admit you're awesome, but I can just stop playing with you, right?

Furthermore, when the betting flow of a match is clearly unreasonable, the casino can choose to close the betting market directly.

Because 2002 is not the future, casinos are in competition with each other, and any abnormal cash flow could be the work of rivals, so we have to be careful.

Of course, after mentioning so many disadvantages, there are also advantages, namely that the competition between casinos leads to poor information flow.

This allows Eric to launch a multi-pronged attack, breaking through enemy lines and reaping the money in the shortest time, then disappearing before the enemy can react.

However, he couldn't do it alone, which is why Eric wanted to throw a party and had to invite his close friends.

A fence needs three posts, and a hero needs three helpers; without enough manpower, great things cannot be accomplished.

The few people who were invited were all close friends in my memory, people I could trust. Only with their help could we complete this high-stakes gamble that was both risky and rewarding.

That night, Charlie Cooper visited his son at the hospital, letting his wife go home to rest.

The father and son were in the same hospital room. Eric spoke first, asking, "Dad, you look very tired. Did you run into trouble at work?"

Charlotte Cooper looked at him: "Why do you say that?"

"Because you've been dressing very formally lately, but it's after get off work hours now, you must be working overtime, right?"

Charlotte Cooper glanced at his shoes and couldn't help but chuckle. "You're right. The company recently held an internal screening, but the quality of the film wasn't satisfactory."

"Is it 'Windtalkers' directed by John Woo, the Chinese director?"

Charlie Cooper was somewhat surprised: "Eric, you've started paying attention to movies now? You used to only be interested in finance, yes, Windtalkers."

Eric nodded: "Let me guess, John Woo's style isn't suited for war films, is it? I've seen his movies; he's good at gunfights and action films, but he's never proven himself in war films."

"Yes, John Woo did a fantastic job with 'Face/Off' and 'Mission: Impossible,' so the company chose him and gave him complete freedom without interference, hoping he could bring MGM a big victory, but..."

Dad paused here, and Eric handed him half a peeled pear: "Dad, have you thought about what would happen if 'Windtalkers' flopped at the box office?"

Charlie Cooper gave a wry smile: "What else can we do? The company is going to be in even worse shape. We lost all the money we made last year from 'Legally Blonde' and 'Hannibal.' It's going to be terrible."

"Dad, I'm talking about you personally. You should be in charge of this project, right?"

Harry Cooper choked for a moment: "I don't know. Maybe it's resignation. The board won't allow an incompetent person to sit in this position."

"But don't worry, even if I leave MGM, I can find another one. I've been in this industry for over 30 years, and many companies are willing to hire me, maybe just a little smaller."

Eric's expression turned serious: "But that would be a terrible outcome, wouldn't it?"

Sensing his son's unusual behavior tonight, Charlie Cooper was puzzled, knowing that his son had never cared about movies or his work before.

Even though she really wanted her son to enter the entertainment industry, and firmly believed that with Eric Cooper's excellent looks and the resources she had, she could definitely make him a star of tomorrow.

Of course, whether one can become a superstar like Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks depends on luck. As the saying goes, a small success depends on promotion, while a big success depends on fate!

But this brat was very rebellious and didn't understand his father's good intentions at all. He went and studied finance, which rendered his connections useless.

This incident once caused Charlie Cooper great distress, and even after his son graduated, he still felt uneasy about it.

"Eric, what exactly are you trying to say?" Charlie Cooper asked.

Eric Cooper stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Dad, I know you've always wanted me to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. During my coma, although I couldn't speak, my mind remained clear, and I thought about a lot of things."

"Perhaps you are right. There is nothing wrong with relying on your parents. I was too rebellious in the past, and living in the spotlight and enjoying being the center of attention seemed quite appealing."

Upon hearing this, Charlie Cooper's eyes lit up. The thing he had hoped for countless nights had finally happened: his son had seen the error of his ways and chosen the right path in life.

Although Eric Cooper has already graduated from college, being 22 years old is not a problem at all. Many big stars start their careers much later. As long as he uses the resources at his disposal, nothing is a problem.

"Hahaha. Eric, my son, this is a wise decision. Don't worry, as long as I'm here."

"No, no, no, don't rush me, Dad, I haven't finished yet."

Charlotte Cooper's eyes nearly squinted with delight: "Then continue!"

Eric took a deep breath: "Dad, although I've thought it through, I've studied finance for so long, and giving up like this just won't do. So I want to take one last gamble; I need the money!"

With time running out, Eric couldn't find a good solution right away. The only breakthrough might be to follow his father's wishes and join the film industry.

Charlie Cooper, however, didn't seem to care and simply waved his hand, asking, "How much?"

"Ten million!"

(End of this chapter)