American Gossip King

Chapter 328 Investing in Victoria's Secret

As Ian moved through the banquet hall, he met guests from all sides and chatted with Les Wexner and Epstein.

It must be said that both of these seasoned pimps were shrewd and eloquent.

But the more crucial factor is the change in status.

After merging with JPMorgan Chase, Ian became a dual super-tycoon in both media and finance. Although Les Wexner was also a well-known billionaire in the United States, he was still far behind Ian.

The difference in their social status led to a difference in their mindset, which meant they didn't put on airs with Ian and were able to use their social skills to make each other get along well.

For this reason, Les Wexner even took Ian to the practice range behind the hotel.

That's where models practice daily; even though it's just walking a few steps on the runway, the requirements are never low.

When Ian arrived, countless beautiful women flashed by before his eyes.

Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, O, Carmen Kass, Fernanda Fogel, Ana Beatriz Barnes, Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen, Karolina Kurkova (KK), Angela Lindwo...

The world's top models are almost all gathered here.

Upon seeing Ian's arrival, their eyes lit up.

Someone even blew a kiss to Ian.

Her posture was fiery, and her movements were daring.

Especially their exceptionally perfect figures, displayed in a dazzling array of gorgeous gowns, create a breathtaking and stunning spectacle.

Even without X-ray vision, you have to look up!

Leswicksne laughed and said, "They are all good girls, and more importantly, they all admire you."

Ian understood what he meant: these top girls weren't prostitutes, and he couldn't arrange things for them, but they all liked Ian, and he could help put in a good word for them.

Of course, if Ian wanted something of a slightly lower quality, Rice could arrange it immediately.

Ian chuckled and nodded: "They are indeed all good girls. I believe Victoria's Secret will take off because of them."

Les Wexner's eyes lit up: "You're very optimistic about Victoria's Secret? Are you interested in investing?"

Ok?

Ian paused slightly. Was this an invitation for me to invest?

But that's not surprising.

While Victoria's Secret is doing well now, it hasn't reached its peak yet, and the management needs investors.

Especially a high-quality investor like Ian.

First: He doesn't interfere with business operations. Second: He can provide you with endless promotional resources.

He could even follow the example of the past and help any girl here achieve an even greater story or even a legend!

So this time, it was Les Wexner who took the initiative to seek his investment.

Ian laughed: "No problem, Rice, I'm really interested."

Les Wexner was overjoyed: "We can go over there and talk."

So they went to a small meeting room and chatted casually about their investment plans.

In 03, Victoria's Secret was doing quite well, with thousands of stores worldwide and annual sales of $28 billion. Neither Victoria's Secret nor its parent company, L Brands, were publicly listed.

Les Wexner wanted Ian to invest in L Brands, but Ian only intended to invest in Victoria's Secret itself.

Therefore, the two sides also had a heated discussion about the value of Victoria's Secret.

Just then, a tall and slender beauty walked over.

Gisele Bündchen.

Although Ian did not ask for special treatment, the girls were clearly interested in him, and Jesel Bündchen was the first to come over.

This Brazilian beauty has been famous for many years and has always aspired to develop her career in the film and television industry, so she is determined to have Ian Carl.

Her eyes were full of anticipation as she looked at Ian, making no attempt to hide her intense interest in him.

Wearing a floor-length red dress that accentuated her noble and elegant demeanor, she naturally sat down to the side.

Having seen many important people, she was completely at ease, even treating her boss, Rice, as an equal.

She said playfully, "Let me guess what you two are talking about? Is Mr. Carl planning to invest in L Brands?"

Ian laughed and said, "Not L Brands, it's Victoria's Secret itself. Ms. Bündchen."

Jesel Bündchen gracefully raised her glass: "You're certainly direct."

Uh...you misunderstood.

Well, it wasn't entirely a misunderstanding.

Les Wexner laughed and said, "Mr. Karl valued Victoria's Secret at 20 billion, which is frankly a bit low."

Ian replied casually, "The business owners who accept my investment are usually not interested in my money, but rather in the intangible resources I can provide them. Furthermore, I can promise that I won't hold Victoria's Secret for long; Mr. Rice, you can buy it back in five years."

Jessel Bündchen asked in surprise, "You don't have a positive outlook on Victoria's Secret's long-term prospects?"

I'm not optimistic about your future. After all, you'll only have a few years of glory, and after ten years you'll basically start to decline. But Ian doesn't plan to wait that long.

The latest novel is first published here!

Victoria's Secret has limited growth potential; there's no need to wait until its peak.

Ian shook his head: "Of course not. It's just that a qualified investor usually doesn't hold shares in a company for the long term. They help a company grow rapidly and then exit when they've succeeded."

Jesel Bündchen was increasingly surprised: "I thought you were a media person."

Ian smiled: "Successful businessmen always wear many hats."

Jesel Bündchen then raised an eyebrow: "Youth will always fade, five years is enough."

Ah, why do you all see my investments as a way to hunt for women?

But I like this misunderstanding.

Ian nodded slightly: "Carl Media will do its best to promote the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Within five years, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will become the best lingerie brand in the world. I will help you gain more than 30% of the lingerie market share in the United States, and then you can redeem it, Rice. This is good for everyone."

Leswicksne thought about it seriously for a while, then said, "And there's Carl International!"

Ian was amused.

Carl International is Ian's global media arm, currently in its initial investment phase. However, for Victoria's Secret to become a truly top-tier global lingerie brand, it will actually need Carl International even more.

This is also a good thing for Carl International, since even if it's a sister company, you can't just not give them a penny of GG fees.

He nodded: "That's no problem."

As he spoke, he raised his glass.

The equity investment agreement was reached quite quickly; it was finalized in a simple meeting within an hour.

Ian Carl invested 500 million, holding a 20% stake.

Of course, he didn't have priority investment rights this time, and he didn't intend to hold it for the long term; there was no need for that.

After the dinner, Epstein gave him an address, telling him it was an island he had privately bought, and invited him to visit sometime.

Ian smiled and declined, only accepting his invitation to meet Mitch McConnell.

However, he did give Epstein a benefit: he would give Epstein's technology company some business.

Pimping was Epstein's way of doing business, but he also had his own businesses in finance, real estate, asset management, and technology.

Ian doesn't need Epstein's little girls, but he does need the vast network Epstein built through those poor little girls... those are all big shots with deadly secrets!

So it's not a problem for Epstein to make some money.

That night, Ian returned to his hotel, and Jesel Bündchen went with him.

Everything happened so naturally, like water flowing into a channel.

(End of this chapter)