Bab 481: Chapter 481
In Hong Kong, Dawn Fund acquired Yahoo's shares in Alibaba Group for $6.5 billion in cash.
"This way, although SoftBank remains the biggest single shareholder, the Alibaba management team still has more equity than SoftBank," Charles explained contentedly from the high-level office of the International Finance Center in Central, Hong Kong.
"Heading back to the States?" Lily Ying asked.
Charles nodded, looking out over Victoria Harbour. "Yes, time to leave. I primarily came over for these two internet companies. Now that it's been dealt with, I should head back! I have important things to do in Hollywood."
However, before heading back, Charles needed to make a trip to Europe to attend the shareholder meetings of Bulgari, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton.
Arsenal had also advanced to the Champions League semi-finals, with the first leg against Manchester United happening at the end of the month.
Charles left Asia on April 20, spending three days in Paris, France, before heading to Milan, Italy.
The economic downturn caused by the financial crisis was particularly evident in industrialized countries like Italy. However, this wasn't Charles' concern. After meeting with the shareholders of the Bulgari Group, he planned to return to the UK to watch the Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and Manchester United.
Milan wasn't new to Charles. The vacation spot by Lake Como at the foot of the Alps in Milan province was quite appealing to him.
Milan wasn't only the provincial capital but also the capital of the Lombardy region. Charles found the administrative planning of regions, provinces, and municipalities in Italy, France, and Spain somewhat disorienting.
But it was okay since the main crew of Universal Pictures' Fast & Furious 4 was in Italy for promotion.
That morning, in a suite at the Bulgari Hotel in Milan's city center, Charles was lying in bed, holding Gal Gadot who had come over from Rome.
After Gal Gadot woke up, she got out of bed and opened the curtains to enjoy the Brera Botanical Garden's beautiful spring scenery.
"Fast & Furious 4 was released in North America at the beginning of the month. Why are they only promoting it in Italy towards the end of the month?" Charles asked as they washed up and enjoyed coffee on the balcony overlooking the garden.
The Bulgari Hotel Group, a joint venture between Bulgari and Marriott, only had two hotels but their luxury and service were top-notch!
"Oh, there was an earthquake in central Italy about half a month ago. We've been participating in some charity events these past few days while promoting the movie," Gal Gadot explained casually.
"I see," Charles nodded.
"This Bulgari hotel is nice. I heard it was an ancient house converted. Its great location in Milan's Quadrilatero d'Oro," Gal said with satisfaction.
Charles laughed, "Milan, the world's fashion capital, another cradle of fashion and art following the Renaissance birthplace of Florence. Famous buildings and paintings galore, and it's the birthplace of nearly half the world's luxury goods!"
At their feet, the Quadrilatero d'Oro, a symbol of Milan's fashion capital and a paradise for high-end fashion shopping.
The Quadrilatero d'Oro includes Via Montenapoleone, Corso Venezia, Via della Spiga, and Via Manzoni. Here, one could find the world's most important and famous fashion brands.
It was on par with New York's Fifth Avenue, London's Bond Street, and Paris' Champs-Elysees.
"Charles, how long are you staying in Milan?" Gal Gadot asked.
"Just two or three days," Charles replied. He planned to go to the UK on the 28th to watch the Champions League semi-final between Manchester United and Arsenal.
"Alright, the promotion for Fast & Furious 4 is almost over. I need to prepare for the filming of Captain America," Gal Gadot said, glancing at Charles. "I've been practicing all this time. I'm in great shape now!"
Charles smiled slightly and reached out to caress the thigh of the lady beside him, "I felt it last night!"
Gal Gadot's long legs indeed had some power.
Nonetheless, Universal Pictures' rebooted Fast & Furious did well. It earned over $150 million in North America and over $160 million overseas, with a production cost of only $85 million.
"You were the sexiest and most beautiful woman in Fast & Furious 4," Charles said, pulling the lady into his arms and kissing her.
Gal Gadot responded passionately. After their lips parted, she said, "But I am just a supporting character!"
Indeed, no matter how you looked at it, Gal Gadot was just a supporting character in Fast & Furious 4. Most viewers' attention was focused on Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.
"Even if it's a supporting role, at least some people will remember you. This is your first movie in Hollywood," Charles sighed internally. If she weren't Jewish, Spielberg wouldn't have helped her get resources from Universal.
Despite that, Gal Gadot became quite popular in Israel, thanks to her title as Israel's beauty queen and her promotional work for the Israeli Army.
"However, because of you, I am already the leading lady in a Hollywood blockbuster," said Gal Gadot, who had indeed become the lead actress in Captain America.
Charles nodded, "Do well, and you'll become Israel's pride!"
Gal Gadot and Natalie Portman, both Jewish actresses, were cast by Charles. One starred in a high-investment superhero movie, and the other in an Oscar-worthy drama.
Hopefully, this would silence any complaints about the absence of Jewish actors in Capet projects. Moreover, Gal Gadot was genuinely Israeli and Jewish!
*****
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