American Gossip King

Chapter 178 The Oscars

2002, April 3.

The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles was brightly lit.

Tonight is the Oscars ceremony, a grand event that has attracted countless wealthy families and celebrities.

A black Rolls-Royce appeared at the entrance of the theater. Ian got out of the car, followed by the beautifully dressed Shawna.

Shawna is now more famous than Jessica Alba and others. Not long ago, she starred in an anti-war and anti-terrorism movie, a movie that didn't exist in her previous life. She didn't know how well it did, so Ian didn't invest in it.

Holding Ian's arm, Shawna excitedly waved to those around her.

They made their way through the crowd and even spotted several celebrities from China who had come to join the fun.

Ian didn't care about that and simply went into the theater with Shawna.

As soon as he entered the theater lobby, he heard someone calling his name: "Ian!"

Looking back, they saw Halle Berry waving to Ian, with Helen Berry clinging to her aunt's arm beside her.

Ian walked over with a smile: "Hi, Mrs. Bennet."

Halle Berry laughed, "Just call me Halle. Ian, you're still as handsome as ever. Helen keeps mentioning your name in my ear, and honestly, I can't stand her anymore."

"Who told our Ian Carl to be such a hero? He saved over two hundred United Airlines passengers, including five poor little girls," Shauna laughed.

"We've forgotten one; there's also a little girl who was rescued from the fire."

A stylish and beautiful woman appeared not far away and said this.

Anne Hathaway!

Her Princess Diaries just premiered this year, making her a sensation and establishing her as a rising star in Hollywood, with film offers pouring in.

Even so, she still had to go to great lengths to flatter Ian Carl.

The American business world isn't much different from China's; if you're a big shot, I'll try to get close to you. If there's a difference, it's that Americans are more direct!

A group of big shots flocked to Ian, fawning over him and offering all sorts of worthless compliments.

That's why they say people get arrogant when they become big shots.

In this kind of environment, you can't hear any dissenting voices—no matter how harshly the criticisms are from the public, they won't reach your ears.

Ian smiled and said, "Miss Hathaway, it's a pleasure to meet you, it's my honor."

Anne Hathaway said, "It's my honor! Mr. Carl, you're a hero to the whole country!"

As she spoke, she shook hands with Ian, gently brushing her fingers against his palm a few times.

interesting!

As expected, people in this circle are very direct.

But Ian wasn't in a hurry.

Anne Hathaway is already famous, and dating a famous woman like that is bound to be costly.

Ian won over Ivanka through sheer luck, Jennifer Connelly by leveraging established facts, and Olivia by relying on her status. He doesn't have the same advantages over Anne Hathaway right now—he's certain that Anne Hathaway would make demands of him at this point.

He currently has too many investment targets to spare, so he doesn't have the energy or money to squander.

Of course, if she's willing to learn from Olivia's obedience and compliance, then perhaps we can give her a chance.

Ian smiled and shook his head: "Sometimes the reputation of a hero is a burden. Once you bear it, you have to keep moving forward with it."

Helen Berry looked at Ian with adoration: "You're such a good person."

Ian muttered, "In China, that's an insult."

The two Berry ladies exclaimed in unison, "That really is a barbaric and backward country!"

Ian: "..."

I feel like I've done something to betray my country?

The party hadn't started yet, and everyone was casually chatting outside.

Someone asked Ian, "Mr. Carl, who do you think will be the ultimate winner at this year's Oscars?"

Ian laughed and said, "No, no, I don't predict that. It's not appropriate for us, as the broadcasters of the Oscars, to say that."

"But I heard you've already booked at least one Best Supporting Actress?" Just then, a sharp rebuttal came from not far away.

Ian paused slightly, then turned to look.

He then saw a blond young man standing behind him, holding a wine glass and sneering disdainfully.

His female secretary, Ida, promptly reminded him: "George Bois, the son of Chairman Utrecht Bois."

Ah!

So he's the second-generation rich kid of an ABC!

Ian chuckled softly.

He could understand the other person's anger.

After all, the Oscars broadcast was originally an ABC program, but CBS snatched it away.

ABC must be furious.

But so what?

The current Ian Carl is not the same as before. He controls a media empire worth tens of billions. Don't even mention a spoiled brat like you. Even your father is an equal to me.

The business world also has levels, which are clear and complete.

Ian's status as an American hero gives him an extra halo effect.

In this situation, the only people in the media industry who could rival Ian Smith in stature would be figures like Murdoch, Redstone, and Eisner.

George Bois's attitude towards Ian can only be explained by the fearlessness of youth.

Looking at the young man, Ian walked over happily: "I don't know where you got this information, but it's pure rumor. CBS doesn't interfere with the selection process; the Oscars are fair and effective!"

George Bois chuckled: "Really? Then I hope you remember what you just said."

Ok?

Ian was taken aback.

Could things be going wrong?

Fuck!

Hard to say.

Many media outlets are eyeing Ian, and they might actually sabotage things to snatch the Best Supporting Actress award from Jennifer Connelly.

That would be embarrassing.

Ian doesn't care about a Best Supporting Actress award, but it means he's broken his promise.

Ha ha!

I said my eyes have been a bit idle lately.

The spoiled brat lacks substance and refinement in his speech; he reveals his true colors with a single sentence without even realizing it.

Ian looked at George Bois, his tone growing colder: "I want the Super Bowl broadcasting rights from ABC."

Ok?

George Yass was taken aback by Ian's sudden remark.

He glared at Ian.

Ian's tone was calm yet resolute: "What I want, I must have, and I will!"

George Yass glared angrily at Ian: "What if you can't?"

Ian grinned: "Then I'll have lots of good news!"

………………

Tonight, the place is packed with VIPs; Hollywood stars are everywhere.

A host of celebrities, including Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, and Anne Hathaway, were present. Upon seeing Ian, they all gave him friendly glances and exchanged pleasantries... quite a few of the women practically glared at Ian.

Tom Cruise's attitude towards him was lukewarm, mainly because of DreamWorks.

At that moment, Ian and James Peley sat at the front, watching the two hosts, David Michael Letterman and Bernice Kraut, tell funny dirty jokes on stage.

The latest novel is first published here!

This year's Oscars ceremony was originally supposed to be hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, a famous Black television presenter.

But she wasn't with CBS, and after Ian changed history, it was naturally impossible for them to use her anymore.

David Michael Letterman is a famous CBS talk show host, while Bernice Kraut is the beautiful host who did the Today interview for Ian.

Although Bernice didn't make any demands at the time, the Carl family always repays kindness!

After all, Ian knew that this talk show host was indeed a silver tongue.

Ian didn't care about those shows; he was just quietly thinking about the Best Supporting Actress award.

The Oscars have their own selection process. Nearly 5,000 Academy Award winners each give their own picks for the best, and the votes are tallied to select the one with the most votes. The votes are then sent to a special notary office and delivered to the Oscars ceremony for public announcement.

Ian promised Jennifer Connelly the Best Supporting Actress award four days ago. By then, the judges already had a target in mind, and continuing public relations efforts was pointless. Moreover, Ian didn't believe that Boyce, that rich kid, could come up with tens of millions of dollars to deal with him—ten thousand dollars per judge might change their minds, and a thousand dollars might maintain their sense of justice.

In short, the cost is too high and not worthwhile.

There wasn't enough time.

Therefore, Ian can basically conclude that the most suitable place to tamper with things is on the way to sending the list, that is, to directly change the final result.

If it were Utrecht Boyce, he certainly wouldn't have done that, since it's illegal, but Boyce would... that's the style of young people—reckless, impulsive, and simplistic!

Besides, even if it's exposed, isn't it just that the Oscars didn't do their job well?

That's your scandal.

As long as the mastermind behind it doesn't get to me.

As Ian said, "regardless of which direction it takes, you can attack Ian Carl."

"Best editing... Pierre Harper, Pearl Harbor!!!"

At that moment, with the shouts of the special guest, the first Oscar winner was announced.

Pierre Harper rose with a smile to accept congratulations from all directions.

Then he went to the front of the stage and began to say the same old thank you.

Ian sat in the audience, clapping mechanically with a smile on his face, as if everything was irrelevant to him.

"Best sound effects... Black Hawk Down!"

"Best costume design...Moulin Rouge!"

As the awards were announced one after another, the Dolby Theatre was immersed in a sea of ​​joy.

Singing and dancing filled the air, enacting a vibrant tapestry of youth.

Ian simply waited quietly.

Finally, it was time for the Best Supporting Actress award ceremony.

David Michael Letterman, who was in charge of presenting the awards, held up the list and announced loudly, "Best Supporting Actress..."

All the female celebrities on the shortlist watched this scene with bated breath.

Ian looked into Letterman's eyes, his left eye gleaming with a mesmerizing light.

Lightman paused slightly, then stopped reading.

Everyone stared at him in astonishment.

Fortunately, Letterman called out the next moment, "Jennifer Connelly!!!"

Everyone applauded!

James Peley laughed, "You actually solved it... Damn, you cried?"

He stared at Ian in astonishment.

Ian rubbed his eyes.

Forcibly changing Lightman's mind with illusions, without any prior preparation, made even a small matter extremely burdensome for him.

Fortunately, although his eyesight didn't upgrade during this time, his skills improved... He also did some economic news reporting.

Ian smiled slightly: "Excited."

He glanced back at Boyce and saw that Boyce's face was ashen.

Ian smiled dismissively, turned to look again, and saw that Lightman on stage wanted to take another look at the list. Ian manipulated him to put the list away and leave the stage.

Then Ian walked backstage.

Once backstage, Letterman had regained his senses.

He stared blankly at the list: "Oh my god, I misread it..."

Ian walked over and covered his mouth with his hand: "You didn't mispronounce it."

"Mr. Carl?" Lightman looked at him in surprise.

Ian took the list from Letterman and said, "You didn't misread it, don't worry. You'll forget all about it!"

As he spoke, he patted Letterman on the shoulder.

Lightman's eyes fell into a daze.

Those around them looked over, and Ian's expression darkened slightly: "Everyone, just do your own thing!"

Then he left with the list in his pocket.

(End of this chapter)