When Simon entered the Christie's auction hall, there was an obvious commotion around him.
Simon, Sofia and the Agnelli couple sat down in a seat at the back of the hall. Gianni Agnelli felt some kind of restlessness around him, and there was a rare envy that had not appeared in many years in his heart. In other words, jealousy.
The Agnelli family is known as the 'royal family' of Italy. Although its wealth currently lags behind Berlusconi's and ranks second in Italy, the Agnelli family's influence in Italy is based on the legacy of the family for nearly a century. Far more than Silvio Berlusconi, a young man with new money who is just a civilian. On most occasions in the past, the attention around him should naturally be focused on him. This time, he became a foil, and the kind of foil that was almost ignored.
Even though he felt this very clearly, Gianni Agnelli found that he had no possibility of turning around.
Compared with his personal net worth of US$2.7 billion last year, the wealth of the young people around him is simply disappointing.
Moreover, think about the recent series of big moves made by the other side, including public visits to China, which have aroused strong attention from global capital to China, and also caused a strong Westeros effect in other Asian countries, hitting them as hard as a financial disaster. The stock markets of Japan, South Korea and other countries.
Then there’s the trip to Europe this past week.
Although there are no public media reports from the UK, Finland, Italy, Russia, Ukraine and Italy, in fact, from the authorities in various European countries to local forces like them who can get the news, they are paying close attention to this young man's every move.
And today, an article in the New York Times left the French government frustrated and exhausted.
All these achievements were far inferior to that of the Agnelli family, which was limited to three-thirds of an acre of Italy. Just like at this moment, the other party easily became the focus of everyone, but he could only look forward and sigh.
Fortunately, the auction will start soon.
Holding a beautifully bound auction booklet in his hand, Gianni Agnelli briefly had the idea of competing with the young man next to him, but then gave up.
Melisandre Company directly and indirectly controls up to 62% of the voting rights of Christie's auction house. Although Melisandre Company specifically brought in a group of Italian capital for the original acquisition, and the Agnelli family also participated, it was only The two parties made a symbolic investment for good relations, holding 7.5% of the shares, which is not as high as Berlusconi's 10%. In short, this auction house is almost owned by the young people around me.
Looking at today's auction, the brochure focuses on a collection of Chateau Latour.
Chateau Latour is one of the top five famous wineries in France. Melisandre's brand is still popular among young people around her.
So, if you buy red wine from a winery under someone's name at someone's auction house and compete with someone, well, isn't this asking for trouble
How could there be such a guy in this world that everyone can only look up to!
After all, he had been in a high position for many years. After a brief imbalance, Gianni Agnelli quickly calmed down and asked the young man next to him: "Simon, I haven't read the manual yet. Is there anything worth recommending tonight?"
Simon was whispering to Sophia. When he heard this, he turned to Agnelli and said with a smile: "The best one is of course the 1982 wine launched by Chateau Latour. Now many wineries have begun to promote the 1982 wine in the Bordeaux region. vintage, but in fact, only the Pauillac region of Bordeaux, where the three major wineries of Latour, Lafite and Mouton are located, has reached the top score of 98 points. Other production areas, such as Margaux and Graves, have even scored 98 points. The score is less than 90 points, which is actually very average relatively speaking. Moreover, this is the first public auction of Latour's 1982 cellar, because it is about to reach the end of 15 years of cellaring, which is suitable for both collection and drinking. And then, there are There is the 1978 Dry Red from Château Paschio in the Rhône Valley, which is also a rare top vintage with 98 points, and the quality is excellent enough. In Italy, a batch from Chateau Marquis of Piedmont happens to be the 1978 vintage, with a score of 97 points, but this is a collection type. Because of the quality, it needs to be stored for about five years before it matures.”
Gianni Agnelli felt slightly astringent again as he listened to the talk of the young people beside him.
All right.
Just now, I still had some school-test mentality in my heart, but probably Berlusconi, a guy who is quite vulgar in the eyes of many people, would definitely not be able to say these words.
Of course, Simon couldn't be so casual and talk about everything. The main reason was that Sofia had already chatted with him when she came, and now he was just using the woman's words.
Because of the experience of her first marriage, Sofia has always been very enthusiastic about the wine business. In addition to Latour, which serves as a signature, Melisandre has also purchased or opened new wineries in France, Italy, Spain and Australia in recent years. More than 500,000 cases of various types of wine are produced every year.
On the stage, the auction officially began.
Of course, the Christie's platform will not only auction Melisandre's products. To be precise, Melisandre-related themed auctions only account for a small part. Just like this time, except for the finale of Latour's 1982 cellar, most of the others They are all from other red wine brands.
Probably because of Simon's presence, the auction seemed very lively from the beginning. Guests frequently raised signs, obviously with the intention of attracting someone's attention, and the price was inevitably high.
Gianni Agnelli completely lost his temper, became calmer and calmer, and began to discuss some recent current affairs topics with Simon again.
After all, there are not many opportunities to communicate with this young man, and it would be a waste to miss it.
After more than ten minutes of this, Simon, who was chatting with Agnelli about some details of the US election, felt a slight chill on the back of his neck. It seemed that something had fallen into his collar. He subconsciously reached behind him and pressed it accurately. When he pulled it out, it was a Pearl ear-rings.
A lady behind him had already come closer and whispered: "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Mr. Westeros, I accidentally dropped my earring."
Gianni Agnelli turned his head and glanced.
This is a black-haired girl with a pair of beautiful crescent moon eyes. The special eyes match a perfect face, and she is born with a charming aura.
He just smiled and didn't bother to sigh.
How could Gianni Agnelli, a former playboy, not understand what this was like.
Moreover, it seems that I have seen this face somewhere.
Should be a star.
It's just that tonight this beauty is unlikely to notice him anyway.
Simon hadn't paid much attention before, but when he returned the pearl earring to the woman behind him, he took a few more glances and recognized it.
Alessandra Martinis.
She was the heroine of an imported film "Golden Rose Cave" that left a deep impression on her in her previous life.
Princess of Golden Rose Cave.
Now was obviously not the time to talk. He just smiled at the woman behind him. Simon regained his attention. Sofia beside him also noticed these details. She also glanced behind her and then rolled her eyes at Simon.
The auction lasts approximately one hour.
Simon did not hold up a sign, after all, Sofia would definitely provide the best ones for her own use first, but Gianni Agnelli took a photo of all ten boxes of Latour 1982 treasures for sale at one time.
Sofia finally told Simon in a rather excited whisper that because of his appearance, the average price of a series of red wines in this auction was at least 30% higher than expected.
Simon also joked that he could attend more in the future.
But you have to give a rebate.
The auction ended, followed by a reception.
After waiting for an hour, seeing that Simon Westeros did not leave immediately, a group of guests came forward to chat with him.
Alessandra Martinis, whose earring fell into Simon's collar during the auction, quickly came over and apologized to Simon sincerely again: "I'm sorry, Mr. Westeros, I accidentally dropped the earring into your clothes." It’s so embarrassing in the collar.”
"It's okay," Simon held a glass of red wine in his hand and stretched out his free hand towards the other party: "But, madam, don't you want to introduce yourself?"
"Oh, I almost forgot," the woman quickly held Simon's hand, looked over with a pair of charming eyes, and said, "My name is Alessandra Martinis."
Seeing this situation, Sofia didn't want to be a light bulb. She ignored and couldn't control a man's romantic affairs, so she excused herself to say hello to other guests and walked away.
Feeling his palms being gently touched a few times by the other party during the handshake, Simon's smile remained unchanged, he let go of the other party's hand and said, "Let me guess, Yali, um, can I call you that?"
"Of course, Simon."
Simon continued: "Ali, you are a ballet dancer, right?"
The woman blinked, shook her head and said, "You're half right, Simon. I dance classical dance, and I'm an actor now."
"It's such a shame that I haven't seen you on the big screen."
When Alessandra Martinis heard Simon ask this question, she suddenly showed a stunned expression, shook her head and said: "In front of you, the things I photographed really can't even be called works."
"Don't be so unsure. You are so beautiful and have such a good temperament. If it were me, I would definitely put you in my favorite movie."
As Simon said this, he remembered something.
The "Golden Rose Cave" in my memory was probably a work in the 1990s. Since it could be imported into the country at that time, the response should be good. If the woman in front of me participates in the film, it can be regarded as a masterpiece that can be spoken.
Now.
Probably because of Simon's big butterfly, some things have changed.
Compared to the European actresses in his memory, Alessandra Martinis was indeed not famous. Simon still remembered that she married a French director who could be her father, but the result was still lukewarm. This time, under the influence of Simon's big butterfly, this woman's career may be even more depressed.
After all, there is no shortage of beautiful women in this world.
This is especially true in the film and television industry.
Although the woman in front of me is very beautiful, in the European circle where the film and television industry has begun to decline, there are actually very few opportunities to get ahead.
This time I probably didn’t even get an old director.
Of course, these are just assumptions.
Simon is also not interested in certain things behind the scenes.
However, after hearing Simon's obviously polite words, Alessandra Martinis' crescent-shaped eyes widened into a pair of almond-shaped eyes, becoming more charming, with obvious expectations and teasing in her expression: " Simon, are you serious?"
Simon curled his lips: "Okay, I'm just kidding."
The woman's aura suddenly weakened a lot, but she also felt the ridicule in the eyes of the man in front of her, and said angrily: "I didn't expect you to be so hateful."
Simon changed the subject slightly: "Ali, do you live in Milan?"
After hearing what Simon said, Alessandra Martinis regarded the man's words as some kind of prying, and shook her head in cooperation: "I have been in Rome for a few years, and now I mainly develop in France. This time I came here to participate. A brand campaign.”
Milan is the European fashion capital after Paris.
Even if there are not two major fashion weeks in spring and autumn, there are various conferences almost every month.
Simon nodded. Since the other party didn't point it out, it was obviously not a brand event under Melisandre. This was probably because of her celebrity status. At this stage, Melisandre's brand events would definitely not invite these women who can only be regarded as third-tier. Actors, of course, unless others find a way to get the invitation and come forward.
After all, the word 'rub' is very popular around the world.
Seeing that Simon did not continue to ask, Alexandra found a topic at the right time: "Simon, speaking of which, I watched "Mission: Impossible 2" produced by Daenerys Entertainment over the weekend. This movie is really great."
With the Westeros system operating in Italy, "Mission: Impossible 2" was released simultaneously in Italy and North America. In comparison, France, Germany and other countries are still sticking to their doorsteps.
Simon smiled and corrected: "To be precise, Paramount is mainly responsible for this project."
"But you're the one in charge, aren't you?"
"yes."
"Haha," the woman chuckled softly and said, "From now on, the global box office of "Mission: Impossible 2" should reach 500 million US dollars, right?"
Today is Monday. Due to the time difference and other reasons, Simon has not yet looked at the box office report of the past weekend. He can only shake his head: "I don't know much about this. It depends on the global box office situation in the first week."
Although I don’t know the weekend box office data, Simon still knows the test screening feedback and the first day’s box office last Friday.
With $500 million globally, it shouldn’t be a big problem.
Because of the success of this project, Baige Wu, who has already collaborated with Daenerys Entertainment on three projects, has begun preparing for his next film, which was also the pinnacle of Baige Wu's career in Hollywood in history, "Face."
Unfortunately, since Nicolas Cage has become the leading actor in the "Mission: Impossible" series, the two have similar themes, and "Mission: Impossible 2" has just been released, so he is not suitable to participate in "Face/Off"
The two former male protagonists, Nicolas Cage and John Travolta, were similar in all aspects, so they were able to combine together. Together with Bai Ge Wu, they created this Hollywood classic, and even later the salvation of Hong Kong films. The creation of "Infernal Affairs" was actually inspired by "Face Changing".
This time, Cage can no longer participate. Accordingly, if we can't find another leading actor with a suitable body and temperament, John Travolta may also have to be replaced.
Simon just hopes that this classic will not change as a result.
Alessandra in front of her didn't know what Simon was thinking, but she nodded her head very firmly: "It will definitely reach 500 million US dollars. By the way, Simon, it seems that you haven't released a new film for a long time. One is "This Man Came From Earth", which is also a masterpiece. I'm looking forward to your next work?"