American Gossip King

Chapter 71 I Want CBS

dusk.

When Gasker returned, he sat on the sofa in the living room and listened quietly to what had happened.

His old face remained silent; he didn't seem very happy.

After a long pause, he finally said, "No one can pull off a comeback in that situation, not even Rambo."

Dealing with two petty thugs is relatively easy, but taking down a whole gang single-handedly is just ridiculously outrageous.

Ian laughed and said, "I have a secret, and I'm sorry I can't tell you, but this secret allows me to do many things."

Gaskell then looked at Ian: "Including those secrets obtained from the paint company and the hospital? And Lily Marta, and so on?"

"Yes," Ian nodded. "While I can't tell you what the secret is, I can tell you what I can do. You and Lena are the only people I trust, and I need your wisdom."

"Then tell me," Gaskell said.

Ian replied, "I'm very good at petty theft and persuasion! You can think of me as a thief with excellent oratory skills... Don't worry about Kreps betraying me, I have plenty of ways to keep him quiet."

Gaskell smiled: "No wonder you're so confident about going to the casino."

He patted Ian on the shoulder: "This is your biggest trump card. You never need to tell me what it is, but you can give me the information you have. I'll help you analyze which ones you can use, which ones you can expose, and which ones you can save for later. I'll help you pinpoint more targets, help you make more friends, and then use Leso... oh, I mean, the butterfly, to bear everything for you."

Ian smiled.

The old man's kindness and support, along with his rich experience, were another great asset to his life!

Gaskell continued, "Even if you're confident, I still oppose keeping Kreps around. As a businessman, I have no intention of controlling the mob. But I can understand, after all, you're young, energetic, and confident. But you can't treat Kreps like you would politicians or businessmen; you can't trust those kinds of people. Appeasement won't make much sense... You can't befriend him, and you can't have frequent contact with him, so the only way to control him is through intimidation! Those kinds of people are like a pack of vicious dogs; they only obey those who are tougher than them."

Ian smiled. "I am indeed more ruthless than them, both in heart and in methods. And I promised a big scoop. Hollywood's sex scandals aren't explosive enough, so I will continue to move between the dark and the pink. Kreps will continue to feel my terror until he completely gives up!"

Gaskell: "..."

Lena said softly, "Ian, I prefer the gentle you."

Ian replied seriously, "I will always be gentle with you!"

This is the truth.

Although Ian now has beauties like Kate Beckinsale and Scarlett Janssen, in Ian's heart, Lena is the most important!

This was the only girl he had ever truly loved.

Gaskell sighed, "In that case, our next plan is to leverage the influence of the media to make investments in various areas."

"No!" Ian shook his head quickly: "Not this year. I need to control more media channels before the fourth quarter of 01. All our efforts this year will be focused on the media itself."

Gaskell was taken aback: "You already have WND, there's no need for further expansion at the moment."

Ian himself proposed the plan to use the media's influence to expand into surrounding areas. Why did he change his mind?

Ian slowly shook his head: "No! Not enough. Gaskell, I need you to help me think of a way to take over CBS."

What?

You want to take over CBS?

Gaskell was horrified.

The old man, experienced as he was, instantly realized something: "Something big is about to happen? What do you know, Ian!"

Gaskell is a seasoned veteran. Given that Ian already owns WND and the Los Angeles Herald, there can only be one explanation for his eagerness to take control of a television news network worth over ten billion dollars.

There's some incredibly big news!

This is the only reason he can think of for Ian to abandon his "media-centric, diversified investment strategy" this year.

Only in this way will Ian prioritize the development of the media itself to avoid wasting the value of big news.

He doesn't even intend to sell the news, which shows how sensational it will be!

That would be world-class, historic!

Ian did not answer Gaskell's question.

He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a wine glass, gazing at the distant scenery.

He was thinking quietly.

Gaskell and Lena were also watching him intently.

After a long pause, Ian said, "There is indeed some inside information, but it cannot be confirmed at the moment. I am still looking for clues. Until then, it would be best for Linuo Bank to liquidate all its shares. I will let you know the specific time."

Upon hearing this, Gaskell was horrified: "All the stocks?"

This means that some kind of super black swan event will occur, causing a widespread stock market crash.

Lena leaned closer and asked, "Short selling?"

"No!" Ian shook his head: "I can't short sell, but you can."

You know the stock market will fall, but you don't short it?

Gaskell was incredibly astute; he immediately realized that this was probably not the Black Friday of the past, or an economic bubble, since short selling was perfectly legal under those circumstances—it's my skill that I predicted it!

Considering Ian's talent for obtaining information, and the fact that economic bubbles and insider information are not closely related, in other words...

The latest novel is first published here!

Gaskell's eyes lit up: "A terrorist attack?"

If a terrorist attack occurs, Ian is not suitable for short selling, because if you want to create an exclusive story, you need to be prepared in advance. Then the police may think that you are related to the terrorist attack, and maybe you are the mastermind behind it!

But shorting Gaskell is permissible because it has no apparent connection to him.

Ian looked at him and smiled without saying a word.

Gaskell understood, that's it!

He said, "I'll give you half."

Ian's smile grew even brighter.

Lena understood, and she asked, "If it's confirmed, will you stop it?"

Ian and Gaskell both laughed.

Gaskell gently hugged his wife: "Don't talk nonsense, baby. We're not police officers, we have no obligation to do these things. Protecting ourselves is the most important thing."

Ian replied, "I tried my best."

Ian lied; there was no way he could have stopped it.

This is not only because he needs to make a profit, but also because he still has a yellow heart—the impact of 9/11 on the world was profound, and at the same time it gave the ancient Eastern country an opportunity to develop in all its might.

When the Americans focused their efforts on counterterrorism, the pressure to contain the East decreased significantly.

However, it's best not to say such things outright; just say that you've done your best.

Although Gaskell is a seasoned veteran, he is not as good as Ian in some aspects. The two foxes, one old and one young, complement each other perfectly.

What's most remarkable is that foxes rarely cooperate sincerely and trust each other; Ian and Gaskell are rare exceptions.

Gaskell then asked, "So you're sure you want to take over CBS?"

"Yes!" Ian nodded solemnly.

Gaskell smiled. "Then I'll make some plans for you... well, you'd better prove your talent as a businessman first. Nobody likes an employee climbing on their head. Even the best journalist is still just an employee!"

"What do you think I should do?" Ian asked.

Gaskell smiled: "How about taking down the Los Angeles Times? They're always going against you anyway."

(End of this chapter)