American Gossip King

Chapter 194 Tracking and Counter-tracking

Downstairs in the music bar, Ian and Britney sat together, casually drinking.

Britney is 21 years old this year, a time when she is in her prime and very beautiful.

She's good-looking and has a beautiful singing voice.

It is said that women's throats are naturally deeper than men's?

Regardless of how you look at it, she is a figure who has captivated countless young men.

However, in front of Ian, she clearly didn't act like a big star, but she wasn't humble either; she just spoke naturally, like a girl next door, chattering away:

"Actually, I didn't intend to come see you. My agent asked me to. She can't accept my current situation and hopes to give me all my opportunities..."

She kept rambling on and on, and Ian just listened quietly.

In 2002, Britney Spears was going through a low point in her life.

The transformation of the new generation of music market impacted Britney's career; her attempt to transition to film resulted in the flop of her new movie "Road Trip" a few months ago; and then her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake deliberately defamed and maliciously hyped her, giving Britney a triple blow.

Following the normal historical trajectory, a period of decline followed, until it became active again in 03.

In other words, the second half of 02 was the time when she felt most confused and helpless.

No wonder she came to watch the World Cup; her agent is now asking her to see him again.

Ian glanced at Britney not far away, where her manager, a middle-aged woman, was sitting in another seat, giving him a fawning smile.

Then he asked Britney, "I remember your management contract is with RCA?"

RCA stands for Radio Records.

It belongs to BMG, which is Bertusman Records, one of the world's top five record companies.

Britney nodded repeatedly: "Yeah. What? You want to poach me from UTA? I won't agree, they're not good at music."

"But at least they're good at film and television."

Britney sighed, "My movie was a failure."

"That's because BMG isn't good at film and television; they don't know how to choose good scripts at all," Ian smiled.

Britney looked at Ian in surprise: "You're not really trying to poach me, are you?"

Ian shrugged: "You came to me, not the other way around."

Britney was speechless for a moment.

Seeing her adorable expression, Ian smiled too: "But I really didn't intend to poach you."

This made Britney somewhat unhappy.

Ian said, "I plan to buy RCA."

Britney looked at Ian in astonishment: "Are you sure?"

Ian replied nonchalantly, "The media's greatest strength is hype. Buy a company, make it seem valuable, and then sell it—that's the best way to make money."

RCA wasn't a big company; its market value once dropped to 50 million, but now it's worth about 300 million.

Britney was speechless: "I thought you were planning to get into music."

Ian shook his head slightly: "The world is vast, and we are all just passing through. This applies to individuals, and it applies to companies as well."

He looked at Britney with a smile and said, "So for me, your current slump is a good thing. It means the price of buying the record label will be lower, after all, you're their mainstay. Once I buy it, and you release a new hit, I can sell the company for a good price."

Britney looked at Ian in shock.

I've never seen a man like this before!

I am Britney Spears, and every man who meets me pursues me in various ways.

But what you're thinking is using me as a bargaining chip to sell back and forth?

She stared at Ian with wide eyes: "Ian Carl, so this is the kind of person you are?"

Ian said earnestly, "I've spent two years getting to where I am today. What makes me so special? It's because in my eyes, everything can be a business opportunity! Ms. Spears, thank you so much for inviting me, but I regret to inform you that I can't help you with your current situation. I believe you will overcome this difficult time and have a bright future... if you can stay away from your father."

Britney's face darkened: "You're not allowed to speak ill of my father!"

Britney was really let down by her father.

The problem is, she won't realize this until she's truly in trouble.

Ian had no interest in arguing with her to change her mind.

He smiled slightly: "Honest advice is always hard to hear, and good medicine is always bitter."

As he spoke, he got up and walked out.

Britney's manager rushed over and grabbed Ian's arm, saying, "Justin Timberlake has been slandering Britney! Mr. Carl, you can help her."

Ian looked at Britney; the girl was pouting, looking quite adorable, though she was clearly still a little angry.

He laughed and said, "No, at least not right now."

With that, he pushed the other person's arm away and walked away.

………………

As dusk fell, Ian walked out onto the street.

The latest novel is first published here!

I got into Brideson's car, and the car drove on, followed by Vincent's editorial vehicle.

Halfway there, Brideson said, "Someone is following us."

Ian gave a soft "Mmm": "It's Britney Spears."

Brideson wasn't surprised that Ian knew; the boss was incredibly resourceful, and he was just doing his job out of habit.

He then asked, "Do you need me to get rid of her?"

Ian laughed. "No need. She's holding a camera... Isn't that funny? Bledson, a big star stalking a reporter."

Bledson chuckled. "You're a celebrity too. Maybe she finds it funny; she's young, still a child."

"Children who achieve fame at a young age are bound to be willful," Ian muttered softly.

The vehicle stopped near a hotel.

This is the accommodation arranged by the World Cup organizing committee for all referees. There are security personnel outside, and outsiders are not allowed to enter easily.

But for Ian, that meant nothing.

After getting out of the car, Ian first walked to a place where strange noises were heard, then covered himself with a white cloth and walked into the hotel invisibly.

The building was quite tall, and to avoid the story of the ghost elevator, Ian had to climb the stairs himself, groping his way to place the cameras one by one.

Since we're already here, there's no need to focus solely on Moreno. After all, the match between South Korea and Spain was also marred by biased refereeing, just not as blatantly biased as the one in Italy.

After hiding all the cameras inside, Ian left the hotel.

Such a long period of hiding put a heavy burden on his right eye. The key point is that Ian didn't do much political news during this time, so he was already in tears when he came out.

He put on his sunglasses, hurriedly got into the car, and said, "Let's go to Chung Mong-joon's place. Vincent can handle things here."

Bridexson drove away, heading towards Chung Mong-joon.

Following the same method, Ian installed cameras and listening devices at Chung Mong-joon's residence and the hotel where the South Korean team was staying before leaving.

Next is waiting.

With four days to go before the match between South Korea and Italy, it's impossible for them not to discuss this kind of thing for four days.

Rushing back, Brideson said, "Britney's car is gone."

Ian laughed and said, "She didn't disappear; she went to the bar next door."

As he spoke, he said to Brideson, "Stop at the intersection ahead and follow me."

(End of this chapter)