America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 352 Abel Mond Smith

San Francisco Bay Area, Mid-Peninsula. 38 Lemon Road, Hillsborough.

This is a luxury villa with 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, with an indoor living area of ​​approximately 7,821 square feet.

It covers a total area of ​​approximately 32,670 square feet and has beautiful outdoor courtyard gardens, outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts and all the facilities of a luxury home.

Not long ago, the real estate agency departments of major real estate companies in the United States evaluated its price at US$9.85 million.

Last night, Abel stayed in this mansion.

After separating from his father-in-law last night, he did not sleep alone.

Cate Blanchett, one of his short-term employees, happened to be in San Francisco last night for a brand event.

As the spokesperson of the brand, she must attend in person.

After the event, Abel called.

Even though she was reluctant, she still came.

Last night, it was this beautiful wife who accompanied him to sleep.

In the morning, the powerful biological clock made Abel wake up around seven o'clock as always.

Even if he and his wife talked about life until past four o'clock last night.

Abel woke up and looked at Cate Blanchett, who was sleeping soundly next to him and looked very tired even while sleeping.

He smiled and stretched out his hand to feel the feel.

Very thin, but still handsome.

It's medium size.

After a few seconds of experiencing it, Abel no longer lingered and got up from Simmons.

After a simple wash, Abel left the bedroom and had some breakfast in the restaurant on the first floor of the mansion.

Then I went outside to the courtyard and started my normal daily exercises.

By the time it was all over, it was already half past eight in the morning.

Abel returned to the living room on the first floor.

The living room of this mansion enjoys abundant natural light throughout the day and a wide view.

To the left of the TV in the living room is a huge floor-to-ceiling glass wall. Outside is the courtyard garden. You can see the beautiful courtyard lawn at a glance.

The right side is not closed and is directly connected to the grass outside. You can directly see the beautiful scenery of San Francisco Bay in the distance, which makes people feel relaxed.

The outdoor courtyard is spacious and the sparkling outdoor swimming pool is in front of the main entrance.

Behind the villa, there is also a tennis court and a helipad for helicopters to land and take off.

Abel entered the room and looked at the time.

Then Abel walked to the sofa, picked up the remote control, and tuned to AMC Bloomberg TV.

On the screen of the TV station, there is a beautiful hostess of the TV station, who is broadcasting the latest news about American business.

[According to the New York Times, American Express’s Kenneth Chenault will most likely no longer serve as executive chairman of American Express and will not be re-elected to the board of directors. 】

[The reason is that yesterday, Soros Fund Company announced that 6.9% of its shares in American Express had been sold to Pacific Bank of Commerce. This decision increased American Pacific Commercial Bank’s stake in American Express to 39.56%]

[American Express director and chief spokesman Sam Horton said: "No matter what the future holds, the board will continue to uphold the principles of active corporate governance. We believe that at this important time, it would be inconsistent with the company to dismiss any director. The best interests of shareholders. Mr. Soros’s move has made more than 50,000 American Express shareholders fall into a certain degree of passivity.”]

[It is reported that this equity change may be related to George Soros’s decision to invest in Smith Capital. 】

[Next, we will leave our time to the reporters at the front to report the latest news on the American Express acquisition case. 】

Sitting in the living room, Abel put one hand in his pocket and raised the corners of his mouth. He looked at the news that was reported on time with a faint smile.

[Mr. Chenault, what do you think of this equity change? What do you think about the possibility that both you and the current board members will be fired at the shareholders' meeting in two days' time? 】

[Mr. Chenault, does this mean that American Express is considering a takeover offer from Abe Smith? ”]

[Mr. Chenault, Tims, the general manager of Soros Fund Company, said that you are a liar. What do you think? 】

[Mr. Chenault, I heard that the funds repatriated overseas by Express Company were intercepted by the IRS. The Federal Internal Revenue Service suspects that American Express’s overseas funds may evade taxes. Deputy Director Jess Harrison even bluntly stated that it would take at least a month of inspection before American Express' overseas funds can be returned. Are these news true? 】

【.】

On the TV screen, Kenneth Chenault, with a gloomy face and an ugly expression, had just walked out of the building where American Express Company headquarters is located.

He was blocked by many reporters squatting on the ground, and the people on the three floors inside and outside were surrounded by water.

Various questions arose one after another, some recorders were almost shoved into Kenneth's mouth, and the scene was extremely chaotic.

With the help of bodyguards and security guards who ran out of the building, Kenneth Chenault finally walked to the car with the door opened.

At this time, his face became more and more ugly, and his eyes exuded a cold look.

Kenneth Chenault suddenly stopped, holding the car door with his hand, and looked back at the many reporters with their teeth and claws showing and their eyes glaring.

Facing the reporters, Kenneth Chenault said coldly:

[When the shareholders and white knights I once relied on and trusted publicly joined forces with the hostile acquirer I blocked and completely denied the company's culture and value, the fig leaf was completely torn away. Well, it’s going to rain, what else can I say?】

boom--

After Kenneth Chenault finished speaking angrily and sadly, he bent down and sat in the car, closed the door tightly, and the car drove away amidst numerous flashing lights and uproar.

[Last year, when Mr. Kenneth Chenault had just become the executive chairman and CEO of American Express, he was at his most powerful and strategizing. He might not have thought that one day, an acquisition would reveal his true colors right away. 】

【Since American Express was founded, it has gone through more than 100 years. We believe in this great company and it will continue to be great. But from now on, its greatness has nothing to do with Kenneth Chenault. we should.】

Abel watched the report of the beautiful reporter from his own TV station, and the smile on his face became brighter and brighter.

There was no intolerance at all for Kenneth Chenault's sadness, just a sneer.

Kenneth Chenault's unwillingness to be 'betrayed' will only make people see his incompetence.

From the beginning, Kenneth Chenault took the wrong path.

At that time, if he had not obeyed the demands of those shareholders, he would have taken the lead in barking at Abel and Buffett before Abel even revealed his intentions towards American Express.

Even if he does nothing. According to Abel's usual operation. There is a high probability that he will be retained as CEO for a period of time.

If you do your job well or are obedient, it is possible to continue doing it.

Didn’t you see that the CEO of Pacific Energy Company has not been changed until now?

But Kenneth Chenault believed the "slander" of the shareholders at the time.

When Abel's intentions were not revealed.

This guy jumped out and barked, more than doubling the difficulty for Abel to acquire American Express.

When Abel directly revealed his intention to acquire this time, Kenneth Chenault took the lead in resisting.

What's ridiculous is that he still believes that Soros's white knights and those profit-seeking shareholders will really want to help them.

Abel only thought it was funny.

He felt that this was nothing more than a mantis trying to block a car.

Abel turned off the TV with the remote control and threw the remote control on the sofa.

After looking at the time, he said to David Jones, who was standing next to him like a ghost:

"Let that Andrew, oh, by the way. I think it's Andrew Upton? Let him in."

David Jones smiled and nodded, turned around and went out.

A few minutes later, David brought in a slightly vulgar-looking, bald, typical Ansa man.

Facing this ordinary man, Abel smiled:

"Hello, Mr. Upton. Can I call you by your first name?"

A famous Australian playwright who only came to Hollywood a few years ago. Andrew Upton, who is now a well-known screenwriter, was simply flattered.

Andrew said repeatedly: "I'm honored. Mr. Smith, you call me that, it makes me so happy!"

Andrew Upton was actually a little confused at the moment.

Andrew didn't know why this Hollywood super tycoon, the world's richest man, suddenly called him.

Compared with Abel Smith, Andrew Upton is just a well-known Australian screenwriter.

Over there in Australia, it still has some reputation.

But here in the United States, Andrew Upton is just an ordinary screenwriter who cannot be more ordinary.

In comparison, Andrew Upton’s wife is even more famous.

Oh, his wife's name is Cate Blanchett, and they got married three years ago.

People who know Andrew, when introducing him, usually say that he is Cate Blanchett's husband.

"Then I will call you by your name directly. Andrew." Abel said with a smile:

"I asked you to come here because someone introduced you to me. He said you were a very good screenwriter. I believe in trusting this person, so I called you here."

"Andrew, are you interested in joining Smith Media? Oh, mainly MGM Film Group. I would like to ask you to join the screenwriting company of my film company, and I would like you to work for me."

Andrew Upton was even more flattered.

He was still guessing in his mind as to why the world's richest man asked him to come.

At first, Andrew was a little scared.

He really couldn't figure out what there was about him that could attract the attention of the world's richest man.

After coming in, he found that Abel's attitude towards him was pretty good, and Andrew was relieved.

He was a little scared when he was outside just now.

Now I heard that Abel Smith actually invited me to join his company.

This is no longer flattering, Andrew now feels flattered.

How good a screenwriter must be to be able to invite such a big shot in person!

Even if he is as confident as Andrew Upton in terms of screenwriting, he does not believe that he can enjoy such treatment.

But Andrew felt that it was impossible for Abel to have nothing to do to amuse him.

Then this thing is most likely true.

Did Abel really listen to someone’s suggestion and then come forward to invite him to join the company?

Who is that?

Andrew's first thought was his wife.

Among the people close to him, the one with the most status in Hollywood is Cate Blanchett.

Then there were those Australian actors in Hollywood who he had only met a few times at certain parties and had contact information.

For example, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Mel Gibson, Hugh Jackman, as well as Russell Crowe, the spiritual leader of the Australian gang, or strategist Geoffrey Rush, etc. .

Thinking of this, Andrew plucked up the courage and asked in a low voice:

"Mr. Smith, I wonder who recommended me to you?"

"Oh." Of course Abel wouldn't tell the truth. He thought about it and didn't know many other Australians.

Abel simply named the biggest Australian in Hollywood.

"It's Rupert. Rupert Murdoch. As you may know, I have a good relationship with him. Once when we were chatting, I asked him who were the outstanding people in Australia. When he mentioned screenwriters, he mentioned you."

I heard that it was Rupert Murdoch, the real Australian gang leader, who introduced himself to Abel Smith.

While Andrew was pleasantly surprised, he also believed that Abel had not lied to him.

As a new giant in the media circle, Abe Smith has a relatively good relationship with Murdoch of News Corporation.

Most Americans know it, and so does Hollywood.

Didn’t you see that after Abe Smith got Marvel, he immediately snatched Spider-Man back from Sony, but he didn’t snatch Fox’s Fantastic Four?

In the eyes of people in Hollywood, this is a symbol of the "friendship" between the two.

Abel said this now, referring to this recommender as Murdoch.

Andrew believed most of it at once.

Can be valued by such a super boss and recommend it to another super boss.

This man who obviously has very serious British ancestry and is already bald in his thirties is extremely happy at the moment.

Andrew agreed to Abel's invitation and was willing to work in a screenwriting company owned by Smith Media.

The conversation lasted only ten minutes. After it was settled, Andrew was sent out by David.

Watching Andrew leave happily.

Abel thought to himself - if you knew, it wasn't actually Murdoch, the truth was last night. If your wife recommended you to me on Simmons, I wonder what your thoughts will be now?

In Li Fuzhen, Abel initially awakened the soul of Meng De.

In Cate Blanchett, Abel experienced Meng De's joy.

Sometimes, now he would be Abel Mond Smith.

He felt very happy now because of this bad taste.

Looking at Andrew's leaving figure, Abel suddenly remembered something that Liv had said to him not long ago.

She said that Cate Blanchett and his wife were planning to get pregnant and have a baby this year.

It was this process that was suddenly interrupted by Abel's appearance.

Cate Blanchett plans to wait a few years until her short-term employee agreement with Abel expires before she and her husband have children.

Thinking of this, Abel suddenly had an idea.

Abel raised his eyebrows, and prompted by a bad taste, he turned and walked towards the stairs.

He felt that it was not good to casually interrupt the pregnancy plans of other couples.

How can a plan like this, which is related to life planning, be changed at will?

Kate is thirty-one.

This Andrew looks almost forty.

At this age, it is impossible not to have children.

Abel now plans to go upstairs. Help Kate keep this plan going.

Well, this is his compensation for Kate.

Thinking of this, he immediately went to Cate Blanchett's side and healed her.

The magic repair lasted until noon.

Abel just came out of the room. He was satisfied and had already taken a shower again.

Arriving at the living room on the first floor, Abel took the suit handed over by the maid and put it on.

With a smile as bright as the sun on his handsome face, he strode towards the helipad next to the tennis court in the courtyard behind.

On the tarmac, the helicopter that had started its propeller slowly started to lift off the ground after he got on.

About half an hour later.

Abel's helicopter slowly landed on the helipad on the top floor of the Wells Fargo headquarters building in San Francisco.

The main body of Wells Fargo was actually called Northwest Bank.

In 1998, Northwest Bank acquired the original Wells Fargo Bank, and the two banks merged and directly used the name Wells Fargo Bank.

The Northwest Bank of the United States has a long history and plays an important role in the history of the development of the western United States.

This is one of the reasons why after the merger of the two banks, the new Wells Fargo Bank will suddenly become the top ten banks in the United States.

The original Northwestern Bank, itself a top ten bank.

In other words, the current Wells Fargo can be regarded as the Northwestern Bank after the name change.

As one of the three cores of the California Consortium and the oldest core, it is an important part of the San Francisco Group.

Wells Fargo is also extremely important within the California consortium.

This bank will be the largest bank in the world for a long time to come.

Even the Commercial and Industrial Bank of China, another cosmic bank, could not compare with it for a long time.

Bank top apron.

Abel waited until the helicopter stopped, the door opened, and he looked down.

The tarmac is not far away.

Wells Fargo Chairman and CEO John Stumpf, who had brought many Wells Fargo executives with him, looked at him with a smile from afar.

Abel also had a smile on his face and waved towards John Stumpf.

The other side responded quickly to him.

Wait for the bodyguard to go down first and make sure you can get off the plane.

Abel just got off the plane. With his head lowered, he left the area affected by the wings of the plane and walked towards the Wells Fargo executives who welcomed him.

"Good afternoon. John, I haven't seen you for a few days. How are you doing?"

A few days ago, Smith was having an investment reception at the end of the year.

As a partner, Wells Fargo also received an invitation.

Chairman John Stumpf went there in person.

John Stumpf took the initiative to greet him, shook hands with Abel with a smile, and hugged:

"Haha~ It wasn't very good at first. But after seeing you, everything got better! My dear friend, let's go down quickly, it's a little hot from the sun up here!"

Abel pulled on his suit and tie. It was afternoon, the sun was shining directly, and it was really hot up there.

The group of people waited, and then walked down from the top floor under the guidance of a beautiful girl with a smile on her face and wearing a bank OL uniform.

In the elevator, John Stumpf greeted Abel warmly:

"Oh, Abel. I heard you were coming, so I had someone buy two pounds of rosewood coffee at the coffee auction in Auckland this morning. I just delivered it to you. You must try it!"

The fact that Abel likes drinking rose coffee is no longer a secret in the eyes of some upper-class people who are interested in him.

Abel smiled and said, "Then I must taste it."

after a little while.

Wells Fargo Bank's San Francisco headquarters building, in the chairman's office.

The beautiful bank employee who was leading the way just now, a beautiful OL with good looks and a great figure, was making coffee in front of Abel and John Stumpf with a smile on her face.

On the table, there are also light green rose coffee beans.

It looks a bit like a kidney bean, but just in appearance, it is very different from other ordinary coffee beans.

Meisha coffee is also called Geisha coffee, but this Geisha is not that Geisha.

Gesha is originally the name of a mountain located in remote Ethiopia, Africa. Geisha has the same pronunciation as "Geisha" in Japanese, so "Geisha coffee" is also called "Geisha coffee".

But what Abel was paying attention to at this time was no longer the coffee, but the beauty making the coffee.

It's not that he hasn't seen beautiful women before.

But he felt a little uncomfortable.

He has discovered that when the senior executives of large groups, large enterprises, or other wealthy people receive him.

He always lets some beautiful employees and the like wander in front of him.

For example, like this beautiful OL who makes coffee.

Farke! Shet! This makes him very lustful and anxious!

Abel felt a little depressed because of this - am I this kind of person? !

snort!

After the coffee was brewed, the beautiful woman brought it to Abel.

Abel smiled and took it, and the two of them touched their hands.

Very slippery.

Abel thought to himself.

John Stumpf took it upon himself to grab another glass. The Wells Fargo chairman smiled and said:

"Abel, give it a try. Miss Wilson's coffee brewing skills are very good. She also likes Rosa coffee, which is the same as your hobby."

Abel smiled, picked it up and took a sip - it was a little hot, a little bitter, with a faint grassy aroma.

This is the characteristic of this kind of coffee. He smiled and nodded: "Very good coffee beans."

But he came here specifically not to drink coffee and look at beautiful women.

After tasting it, Abel placed the coffee cup gently on the table.

Then he looked at John Stumpf.

"John. I think you already know what I mean. I don't need to go into details. Can you do me this favor? I will never forget this favor from you."

Last night he called John Stampf to ask for an appointment with the Wells Fargo chairman.

On the phone, Abel had already explained to him that he would come to find him today and his main purpose.

John Stampf smiled very kindly, "Of course I understand. Please don't worry, Abel. Please allow me to introduce to you——"

As he said that, he spread his hand and pointed at the beautiful lady in the OL uniform who hadn't left yet.

"This is Miss Kayla Wilson. She is the deputy secretary-general of our Wells Fargo Bank Secretariat. And her father is Mr. Slade Wilson."

When introduced by John Stumpf.

The beautiful woman who was leading the way and making coffee just now. She was very pretty, and she smiled and nodded at Abel.

After listening to John Stampf's introduction, Abel raised his eyebrows.

He didn't expect that this person was very beautiful and had a good figure.

She just looks more mature, maybe a beautiful woman in her twenties or seventies.

She is actually Slade Wilson's daughter.

Slade Wilson is not very well-known in other states.

In California, his last name is the same as Morgenthau in New York.

An old wealthy family.

Put it this way. If you are interested, you can look up the surnames of the 37 governors since the founding of California, and you will find that there are a total of 9 surnames named Wilson.

One of them has nothing to do with Slade Wilson.

Some of the remaining eight Wilsons are his ancestors and some are his elders.

If you look up the surnames of past American commanders, you will find that there is also a Wilson in them.

There are three or four such families in each of the fifty states in the United States.

Some states may have five or six, or even more. New York State, for example, may have dozens.

Anyway, in the entire United States, there are more than 700 such families, large and small.

The Wilson family is this kind of family in California, a relatively large and prominent one.

Slade Wilson is one of the current leaders of this family.

Also part of a somewhat fragmented California consortium.

Abel stood up and shook hands with Kayla Wilson, who had been standing.

"Hello, Miss Wilson, I'm Abe Smith."

"I am Kayla Wilson, hello, Mr. Smith. In addition, I have to apologize to you. My father is undergoing surgery in Houston. Otherwise, he will definitely come over and meet you in person." Kayla said apologetically.

"Oh, are you okay, Mr. Wilson?" Abel looked concerned.

In this area of ​​performance, Abel is now very good at it.

"Thank you very much for your concern. Mr. Smith, my father is fine. He just needs some time to recuperate. If you can stay in California for another half month, he can come back to see you."

Kayla Wilson said with a smile.

"Oh, that may happen next time." Abel smiled:

"I can only stay here for ten days at most. I have to go back to Texas and go to New York for a few days."

Abel wasn’t lying. It will be almost December in ten days.

He will be very busy this December.

In late November or early December, Charlize was due to give birth.

After all, it was his first child.

He will look at it regardless of emotion or reason.

Then there’s New York, where this year’s Elizabethan Back Garden Christmas Eve show will still be held.

This Christmas Eve show is now almost tied to the value of Isa Company.

Unless there is really no money and no ability to maintain it, Isa Company will continue to operate it.

It can even be said that at least half of Elizabeth's back garden's estimated value of three billion US dollars comes from this Christmas Eve show.

In addition, at the end of December, he will return to Texas and will hold an engagement ceremony with little Laura of the Bush family.

Coupled with the company's affairs, he will be very busy next month.