Chapter 1403 Humiliation

When someone called out Messier’s name, Xiao Li felt very familiar, but for a while, he couldn’t match what the other party was doing. Although his film career was not going well during this period, commercials and various fashion invitations could be picked up. , There is no shortage of big money to make, and I mostly hang out in the advertising fashion circles in New York and Paris, playing crazy, so I don't pay much attention to the news.

Judging from his style and the reaction of everyone at the dinner after his arrival, Messier should be a local big shot in France.

APLUS's cheap and disgusting smile suddenly faded away, his aura seemed to rise in an instant, his whole body became as sharp as an unsheathed blade, he stared at Messier with a smile on the corner of his mouth, he didn't take a step forward, his eyes showed deep surprise and alert.

"Slow down, Mr. Bronfman."

But when Messier turned sideways and everyone saw the old Bronfman behind him leaning on a cane, APLUS's pursed lips immediately opened slightly, as if he was quite surprised. Afterwards, he became more friendly and smiled at the old Bronfman Nodding his head, in his eyes...

Xiao Lizi keenly felt that there was something different in APLUS' eyes... sympathy and pity?

Whom does he sympathize with?

Xiao Li followed his gaze again to confirm, old Bronfman? Old Bronfman and Xiao Li naturally knew him, the father of the big boss of Universal. APLUS is also equipped?

Little Lizi is in a mess.

"Shall we find a place to talk?"

In a daze, Messier had already approached and stretched out his hand to APLUS.

"Uh..." Shaking both hands, APLUS actually hesitated at this request, "Hello, Mr. Bronfman." After dealing with Messier in a neither humble nor overbearing manner, he took the initiative to shake hands with the old Bronfman.

"Don't... it's possible they want to..."

Litman Media CEO Ms. Sloan also knew Xiao Lizi, who appeared behind APLUS at some point, and I could hear a few whispers from her at a close distance, as if she was persuading APLUS not to meet with the other party in private?

I believe Messier can hear it too, this woman is really rude.

But is it more beautiful in real life than in the news? She has a good figure and face... It's a pity that she is a little older, in her early thirties?

Xiao Lizi's attention was immediately diverted by Sloan, who came out from behind APLUS to socialize, and looked up and down secretly.

"Is Ms. Sloan from station A right?" Messier smiled and reached out to Ms. Sloan again,

Both times he took the initiative.

"Well, I'm not in charge of the specific management of the TV station." Ms. Sloan replied.

The audience was so quiet that a needle could be heard, all the distinguished guests were listening to the conversation of the four people, Xiao Li looked around, the current scene was like an old European oil painting, and the center of gravity and focus of the oil painting was undoubtedly on APLUS alone.

Didn't this bastard just lose four billion? Why are you being treated so courteously?

He doesn't understand, but the person who reprimanded himself and Paris Hilton just now was Pino from PPR Group. He has dealt with him several times, and he is a figure in the French fashion industry. At this stage, part of his income comes from PPR Group. Its fashion brand.

He looked at Little Pino, who had no intention of caring about himself and Paris Hilton. Like everyone else, he was all focused on APLUS and the other four, or in other words, they were all waiting to see how APLUS would respond.

"it does not matter."

APLUS hesitated for a while, turned his head and said to Sloan beside him, and then smiled and invited Messier and the old Bronfman: "Okay." He agreed, and naturally stretched out his hand to help the old Bronfman.

He still respects and sympathizes with this rich second-generation old man who is still traveling around to wipe Bronfman's butt at a young age. After all, he is the fierce man who once challenged DuPont! Although he didn't give any feedback to the special envoy he sent to sue, and he didn't stop the rich third-generation baby son who went crazy and caused Litman Media and the American music website to lose hundreds of millions of market value.

But the old man came to the door in person today, and in the eyes of discerning people who knew the grievances between himself and Bronfman Jr., it would definitely be understood as a soft move.

"No, thank you." But the old Bronfman rejected his kindness, completely ignoring the complicated eyes of the people around him.

"Then please follow me."

APLUS smiled apologetically to the onlookers, turned and led the way.

The backs of the four quickly disappeared into the banquet hall.

With a 'buzz' sound, everyone began to whisper to each other. Little Pino didn't care about himself and Paris anymore, and his figure quickly disappeared into the crowd.

"Shorting...bankruptcy...betting." Xiao Lizi heard these words appear frequently, and some people said things like "It seems that APLUS won...".

Bet broke?

The bet between APLUS and Universal boss Bronfman Jr. about who will go bankrupt first, of course this Hollywood gossip guy knows, could it be...

impossible? No way? He prayed it wasn't true.

"Haha! Leo..."

At this moment, another annoying voice came from a male model who had failed to compete with him for the endorsement of a famous brand. The other party deliberately approached and said loudly: "What? Did you get into trouble with Mr. APLUS? Because he recently Uphold Lee Pace?"

He frowned, not wanting to lose his identity by arguing with such a small guy in public.

He realized that his yelling at APLUS in public just now seemed a little inappropriate, so he planned to leave the place of right and wrong as soon as possible.

"Yes, Li Peisi, Mr. APLUS has opened five plays for him in one go! Dance my life 3, 4, 5, 6, plus the passion of Hawaii! Li Peisi seems to be only eighteen or nine years old!"

The male model was like a treasure, and shouted behind him: "It seems that Leo has fallen out of favor!"

Xiao Lizi, who had already run away holding Paris Hilton's little hand, couldn't take it anymore, took a deep breath and stood still, and was about to turn around and hit her hard with words.

"what are you saying!?"

Very good, someone slapped me in the face in time. Hayden, the manager of APLUS, appeared and aggressively grabbed the neckline of the long-tongued male model, "Think before you speak next time! Get lost! You are not welcome here!"

The male model was staggered by the big fat Hayden, dared not say a word, and was escorted out of the banquet hall by APLUS bodyguards in desperation.

Xiao Lizi thanked Hayden with a smile and raised his hand.

"It's okay, a little misunderstanding. APLUS and Leo have a very good relationship. They were just joking just now. They are the same age and have known each other for a long time."

Unexpectedly, Hayden came over and put his arms around his shoulders, explaining loudly in public, "Let's go, let's go."

The crowd of onlookers burst into laughter and dispersed in response.

Xiao Lizi has nothing to say, he feels extremely humiliated, and regrets coming here so much, he just wants to escape as soon as possible.

peer……

Speaking of which, APLUS is the same age as me, but now he is no longer at the same level...

Yes, I am almost twenty-six years old like APLUS, and Li Peisi is only eighteen or nineteen...

Five plays?

Thinking of these points, he felt even more in his heart, sniffing to hold back his tears, dejected like a defeated rooster.

"It's been a long time since I saw the Pinaults and Arnault on the same occasion."

On the other side, Song Ya and Sloan brought the two tycoons Messier and Old Bronfman into a quiet room. Messier did not make any clichéd greetings, and started with this sentence.

The battle for Gucci between LVMH and PPR is still going on. Both sides are trying their best but they can’t succeed. It is a matter of life and death for the company. The relationship between the two sides in the stalemate of the French Civil War is naturally extremely bad.

"Oh? I don't know."

Song Ya didn't answer other people's frivolous words like 'they're staring at my wallet', just pretending to be stupid.

"Now the Pinault and his sons are on the defensive. Arnault owns a large amount of Gucci shares, and the lawsuit is also dominant. The Pinault and his sons want to drive him out, and they will not be able to pass the test without spending a lot of money to acquire Gucci." Messier said: "It is not easy for Pinault and his son's PPR Group to come up with this cash at this stage."

This is a gesture of goodwill, "I feel the same way." Song Ya agreed with the other party's analysis.

"Sit down, Mr. Bronfman."

At the gathering of the three tycoons, Sloan turned into a maid and led the old Bronfman to his seat, "Would you like something to drink?"

"One." Old Bronfman narrowed his cloudy eyes and pointed to Martell in the wine cabinet, "Thank you."

"Mr. Messier?" Sloan asked.

"Same."

Messier continued: "So now the Pinaults want to win over you, and Arnault only needs bad things, am I right?"

"I'm just a humble spokesperson for the men's clothing line." Song Ya always had wine and champagne in his hand, and observed that Sloan had handed the glass to the old Bronfman and Messier, so he raised his glass.

"Celebrating our first meeting."

Just as he was thinking of words, Messier had finished speaking, "Edgar, how do you feel about seeing APLUS with your own eyes? He is a very good young man, right?" He raised his glass to the old Bronfman and asked at the same time road.

"very talented."

The old Bronfman didn't talk much from the beginning. Although he has shown much more fatigue than when he appeared at the beginning of the year to merge with Vivendi and signed a contract with Vivendi, he is still full of tycoon temperament. No matter how old a lion is, he is still a lion. Ya don't have any feeling of being in a difficult situation.

Song Ya and Messier chatted a few words about the French civil war between LVMH and PPR. The old Bronfman focused on tasting Martell, which Seagram wine industry has controlled for 80 years, and did not participate.

"What do you think?"

Outside, Arnault, the chairman of the LVMH Group, had already been hugged and left. The old Pinault looked viciously at the back of the opponent who wanted to be skinned and boned, and asked himself about his future successor.

"APLUS came to Paris at this time... In hindsight, it must have been planned in advance, and the clothing and wine business can't be reached in a hurry. He just wants to come in person today, the fourth trading day after Vivendi Universal's resumption of the market. On the scene, commanding operations! He definitely participated in the big short-selling of various institutions, but it was impossible to foresee that it would be so smooth when making the plan... After all, the black pharaoh is not a god."

Little Pino replied.

"Then Messier and old Bronfman came to find him in person, what do they want?" Old Pino continued to debate.

"Bow your head and admit defeat? Ask APLUS to stop? APLUS sold its clothing business for 240 million today, plus the funds that can be transferred from the rice stocks, and the ammunition is sufficient. If it continues to smash the market next week...Vivendi Universal can't stand it. "

Pino Jr. replied: "Remember his bet with Bronfman Jr.? This time he wants Bronfman to die with Vivendi Universal!"

"Or vice versa!"

The old Pino pointed out that Vivendi Universal is actually the unlucky side following Bronfman Jr., "It's unbelievable. If APLUS has been heavily shorting this week for a company with a market value of 100 billion, he should have harvested a huge amount of long orders. .”

"But I have accumulated too many empty orders. I always think that the fundamentals of Vivendi Universal are still good. The war is far from over. APLUS is as proud and majestic as a conqueror today, but it is hard to say that it will win in the end. He likely died from underestimating the enemy with a huge advantage, or from a backstab from an ally..."

Pinault Jr. said: "We are now persuading him to leave the market to provide funds for the wholly-owned acquisition of Gucci to save him. Unfortunately, he does not seem to understand how beneficial this win-win deal is to him."

"Vivendi Universal has shrunk to 48 billion euros in a week. Few people can maintain a normal mind under such a brilliant victory..."

The old Pino nodded appreciatively, "However, the fundamentals of Vivendi Universal you mentioned just now should not help solve the current crisis. Their current market value is already very dangerous."

"APLUS, it happens that Ms. Sloan is here, I don't want to talk about the issue of A station, business is business..."

Messier in the room had already cut to the chase, "Next Monday, this war will continue again. Edgar and I want you to quit. You have earned enough. Of course, you deserve it... Still the same sentence, business is business, we will not pursue anything.”

Song Ya raised her eyebrows slightly when she heard this, and took a sip of champagne with a smile.

I have already left the field, but I don't know if Vivendi Universal knows it. Today's move to sign a strong contract to sell a clothing company in France may also be understood as a signal to continue to pursue fiercely, so these two tycoons will Come hand in hand.

Then I definitely don't know, this is very useful information.

Then Messier's phrase "I won't pursue it" also successfully aroused my competitive spirit.

Still less beatings.

He replied immediately, and the scene was a little stiff for a while.

The rooms set up by the Hilton Hotel for VIP guests in the banquet hall have a European classical Baroque style, exquisite large-scale oil paintings, antique European furniture, Song Ya, who is a head taller than Messier, has a straight posture, and the corners of her mouth near the mouth of the cup emerge. No smile, confident and strong.

Messier, who once made Vivendi Universal a market value of 100 billion, is not weak at all. He raised his head slightly and looked directly at the opponent's eyes, completely unable to see that he was in a critical situation of internal and external difficulties.

The old Bronfman, like the former overlord who was out of his position, easily raised the wine glass to the level of his eyes and shook it slightly, as if he was concentrating on tasting the wine.

Sloan watched this scene quietly, and her heart was surging. Years ago, she never thought that she and APLUS could appear on the same occasion with these two tycoons, and they had a fierce game under the seemingly calm water, and they had the upper hand. .

"How do you feel about APLUS?" Messier broke the silence.

Song Ya scratched her temple with her empty hand.

This is a code to ask for help. Well, this little waste is still a little insufficient. Sloan snickered in his heart, "I'm afraid your company will have bigger troubles next week, right? Don't mention that Mifa and France are starting to investigate those fake Forget it, your market value seems to be approaching the verge of insolvency?" She said.

It is for this reason that she did not suggest that Song Ya meet Messier and Bronfman in private before, no matter how the talk is, it will cause misjudgment by institutions that will continue to short next week, especially Edison of Deutsche Bank, It has already begun to talk about the possibility of Vivendi Universal's bankruptcy. This is a topic that will be extremely beneficial to the short side next week.

Perhaps it is also because of this that Messier and Bronfman Sr. chose to come to the dinner party with so many people, and they would rather come to the outside world with the perception and ridicule that they bowed their heads to a twenty-five-year-old young man .

Negotiating peace with APLUS is already a big advantage. If APLUS refuses to meet privately in front of everyone, saying that it is okay to have witnesses, but now that it is in a secret room, no matter how you explain it when you go back, it is impossible to be completely trusted.

Even so, it is not easy for the two tycoons who have been famous for many years. Face may be worthless to a person, or it may be more important than life.

"Ms. Sloan, if you mean our market value of 48 billion, it seems a bit early?" Messier sneered slightly.

"The issue of fake accounts... who would believe that there is only so much that has been revealed?" Sloan shot back.

"There is no problem of false accounts. This is just a rumor spread by Edison and the others. The market will return from blindness to rationality." It is impossible for Messier to admit false accounts on any occasion. "Short selling reports are not court judgments."

"Would it be a long time before the court decides?"

It is also impossible for Sloan to be found out what evidence the side has and what cards it has, and the distant court judgment will not have any impact on the war next week.

"You're a very eloquent girl," said old Bronfman.

"Thank you." Sloan greeted gracefully.

But the old Bronfman didn't respond to her again, put down his glass, "APLUS, I know you have conflicts with little Edgar, he has interfered with your Internet and record business, I apologize to you on his behalf, he..."

"There's still wine." Song Ya replied.

"What?" Old Bronfman thought he was referring to the leftover wine on the table.

"And wine, he suppressed the new wines of A+ Liquor, because we previously gave the distribution rights to Seagram Liquor, and Gray Goose Vodka didn't get a good resource."

Song Ya interrupted lightly: "This also cost me a lot."

"Oh, I haven't asked about the specific business for a long time. Little Edgar did something wrong." Old Bronfman could only say, "Okay, let's not talk about these trivial matters..."

"It's no small matter."

Song Ya didn't respect the old and love the young, and continued to interrupt, "Although my business may not be a big deal to your family..."

"I understand, I..."

"I had someone send a message to you, remember?" Song Ya asked again: "The two former executives of the Seagram Wine Industry, they are outside."

"Boss, he..."

In the banquet hall at this time, the two veterans of Seagram Global, who followed the A+ liquor industry team and thought they would come to Paris to sign a contract with Tricolor Vodka, also saw the scene just now. They just woke up from the huge shock, "He Are you here to admit defeat to APLUS?" One of them was so sad that he was about to cry, "It's really humiliating, he is so old..."

"I'm already on crutches, and it looks fine at the beginning of the year..." Another person was already wiping away tears.

"The fathers of the big bosses around the world have come to admit defeat to APLUS!" A visitor's voice came from the side, "Otherwise APLUS may really bankrupt the Bronfman family! Haha, he really participated in this week's short sale!"

"The Bronfman family is miserable! Today's news spread, are they still qualified to be called rich?"

"Better than bankruptcy, right?"

"That's also...haha!"

Rumors gouged into my ears like knives, "It's all little Edgar... Hey! If the boss had taken care of his son earlier, he wouldn't have ended up like this. APLUS shouldn't be so ruthless!"

"Yes! APLUS has gone too far this time! The conflict with little Edgar should not be done like this anyway!" The other person nodded indignantly.

"Who do you call boss?"

Reese, the president of A+ Liquor Industry, appeared behind the two of them with a frown and scolded, "No way? But as far as our company's performance was messed up by Bronfman Jr., I myself have the urge to kill him. Calm down, both of you! Thought you were working at Seagram?"

"Hehe, we are no longer working in Seagram, but we will not be working under you soon. Do you think the two founders of Tricolor Vodka like you very much? Riser."

The two senior ministers retorted, "It's ridiculous, you have ended up working for APLUS and your own position."

"Cut! I am very grateful to the boss, of course I mean APLUS."

Reese sneered, he is different from Scout from A+ Apparel, he knew that his boss APLUS had been dissatisfied with Scout for a long time, and he has worked loyally from a small pedal company until now, uh... Although he was shot in a coma at APLUS During the period, I made some small mistakes in principle, but no matter what I say, I have made a lot of hard work, and I am younger than Scout. APLUS has promised in private that I will arrange a good place, "You don't have to worry about me, if this time and three If the color vodka has not been negotiated, I will fire you, and I have long since disliked you two!"

"I understand the contradiction APLUS between you and Bronfman Jr., but...Edgar has already apologized to you today, OK? We know that a simple verbal apology may not prove sincerity..."

In the room, Messier stopped Song Ya from interrupting the old man's bullying several times.

"It's okay, I'll tell myself."

The old Bronfman stopped the help, "APLUS, we may auction off the Seagram wine business in the near future, think about it, you will pick the brightest pearl in our family's ancestral heritage, Martell..."

The old man picked up the wine glass again, waved it to Song Ya reluctantly, but quickly put it back on the table decisively, "Chivas Regal, Royal Salute...you have them, after my son..." He paused and continued to breathe Said completely: "I will never be able to lift my head up in front of you in the future, will I?"

"I'm not interested in the wine business, and the business I play tickets for is about to be sold." Song Ya shook her head, it sounded like this suggestion was luring her to leave with money, er... Although she had already left, but They don't know!

"You still have some song rights in Universal Music, right? We can give you a bonus." Messier said.

Eh? Speaking of Universal Music...

"Why don't you auction Universal Records, or Universal Pictures?" The film industry is better and still making money. These are the two industries I know best. The temptation to instantly become one of the top seven in Hollywood or one of the top five in the record industry is still very strong. sufficient.

Uh, although it seems that I can't afford it, I can find someone to partner with!

"That won't work. Vivendi Universal's strategic focus is on the media industry, and the outside world won't question too much about the split and sale of the wine business." Messier shook his head, "And isn't Universal Music being investigated by the Wall Street sheriff? You should be very clear This matter will not be on the shelves in a short time."

"That has nothing to do with me." Song Ya couldn't admit it.

"If you like the media business, maybe we can put the buyback contract for the American TV network on the shelf," Messier said.

"Come on, we don't dare to buy Barry Diller's company."

After Deutsche Bank's short-selling report revealed the existence of the repurchase agreement, Sloan also inquired about the news that Barry Diller was trying his best to "expand" the American TV network. The "Hollywood killer" undoubtedly planned to use the repurchase contract signed with the rich Come and pit Vivendi Universal for a fortune.

"Then wine. The fastest way to bail us out now is to sell Seagram Wines. Its assets are good and it is still profitable. Now that the major global wine giants are not doing well, we need some fresh blood to join , otherwise the auction will not yield a satisfactory price, if you are interested, please let us know."

Messier held out his hand to say goodbye, "Before next Monday."

"APLUS, I admire you very much. I am old. Sometimes I really want to live with you in the Prohibition era. Let's compete!"

Old Bronfman got up, held Song Ya's hand and said, "Al Capone, Jim Garncana, those famous figures in the history of the Chicago Mafia, I went to their homes as guests, and they often come to Canada..."

The old man's gaze became cold and bitter, "Although the times are different and they are all finished, don't think that my family and I have completely lost the courage to die together! Young man."

This is an old lion. Song Ya felt threatened, a real threat, "Hehe, I'm looking forward to it too, so... next Monday?"

"Yes, before midnight," Messier said.

"Before the market opens." Song Ya countered.

"Can."