Eric looked down at the information, and Alan on the other side also introduced the matter to Jeffrey in a low voice.
"Eric, this is a good thing. Although I think the figure of 9.5 billion US dollars is a bit underestimated, you can communicate with Steve Forbes in person. They will definitely be willing to cooperate and give a more accurate figure. "Jeffrey said with a smile after listening to Allen's talk. Most Westerners are more inclined to show off their wealth. Although there are many who are as low-key as Easterners, Jeffrey is obviously not like this. people.
Eric is not too reluctant to be on the top of the "Forbes" list of the richest people in the United States. After all, in the United States, a society where capital is king, huge wealth means huge power. The huge sum of money is somewhat suspected of speculation, but there is nothing illegal about it. Eric's current wealth can withstand anyone's doubts.
But in the future, with the experience of his previous life, Eric thinks that he can seize most of the opportunities that can create huge wealth in the next few years, and can easily avoid possible crises, such as the Internet wave, such as the Asian financial turmoil, or Longer-term subprime mortgage crisis.
After repeated accumulation in this way, Eric even felt that his own wealth might accumulate to a level that was truly incomparable to the enemy, so that ±∮ would be really shocking to ordinary people.
Thinking of this in his heart, Eric not only felt agitated, but even had an inexplicable out-of-control fear.
"Eric, what's wrong with you?" Jeffrey noticed Eric's expression and asked suspiciously.
Eric came back to his senses and said, "It's okay. I suddenly thought of some messy things."
We have known each other for several years. Jeffrey still has a good understanding of Eric's character. After a little thought, I understood, and pointed to the invitation letter in front of Eric: "You don't want that position?"
"Yeah," Eric nodded, and said again: "I suddenly remembered a report I saw before, saying that in 1985, "Forbes" magazine suddenly named Sam Walton as the richest man in the United States, and the result was later In the past few months, this old man who used to live a very peaceful life was harassed by countless reporters for several months. It’s just that it’s nothing, he and his family members met more than ten people in half a year. An attempted kidnapping."
Jeffrey said with a chuckle: "Haven't you always done a good job in personal security? I don't think there is any need to worry about this. As for the attention of the media, we are in the entertainment industry. Of course, the more attention the better." .”
Eric smiled bitterly: "Jeffrey, this kind of attention doesn't help me as a director."
"It seems that you really don't want this position anymore, so you can handle it yourself. I'll prepare for tomorrow's financial meeting first." Jeffrey shrugged, packed up the annual financial report materials he just brought over, and left Eric's office.
Eric twirled a pencil in his hand and thought for a moment. Then he said to Allen: "Help me make an appointment with the editor-in-chief of "Forbes" magazine, Steve Forbes, if he can spare the time. I will treat him to dinner at Pointe Manor."
Alan nodded in agreement, and left Eric's office, but Eric didn't have the leisurely mood when he just read Chris's contract. He frowned and lowered his head while thinking, while writing and drawing on the draft paper casually. Draw meaningless words.
More than ten minutes later, Allen knocked on the door again and came in: "Eric, Mr. Steve Forbes said he can come this Saturday."
…
After the middle-aged man in his forties and wearing glasses got out of the car, he looked up at the silver shell-shaped building in front of him like many people. He saw a young man walking towards him not far away, and quickly calmed down. He greeted him with a smile.
"Hello, Mr. Forbes," Eric stretched out his hand enthusiastically.
Steve Forbes held the hand extended by the other party with a smile on his face: "Mr. Williams, nice to meet you."
After Firefly acquired Disney last year, "Forbes" magazine began to notice Eric and spent a lot of resources collecting information related to Eric.
After Steve Forbes saw the materials collected by his men for the first time, he even had a sense of unreality. A young man who was only 22 years old had created from nothing in just over four years. With a wealth of nearly tens of billions of dollars, coupled with the death of Sam Walton last year, the candidate for the next richest man in the United States immediately became the target of many people's attention. Steve Forbes keenly felt that the matter about Eric was very likely It became another blockbuster news announced by "Forbes" magazine, so I personally sent an interview invitation and related materials to Eric, but I didn't expect that the young billionaire would send a message to invite himself soon.
The two chatted briefly, and Eric made a gesture of invitation and said, "Please come with me, Mr. Forbes."
In the restaurant, the servants served sumptuous lunch one after another, and then quietly retreated out.
After chatting for a while, Steve Forbes' tone became familiar: "Eric, I heard that you designed this place yourself?"
Eric was not in a hurry to chat with the other party, he shook his head and smiled, "It's a bit exaggerated to say that, I just drew a sketch, the main design work is still in charge of Mr. Frank Gehry himself, he is a very Talented architect."
"That's true. I've also seen some of Frank Gehry's works, which are very imaginative," Steve Forbes echoed, but he had other thoughts in his heart. Although the contact between the two was only a few minutes, Steve Forbes Steve Forbes felt that the company's original evaluation of Eric's personality was a little different. The company originally thought that Eric would be a very public and pushy person like Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, but after a short contact, Steve Forbes felt that Eric was much more stable and restrained than he imagined. At the same time, he also became a little clear about Eric's purpose for inviting him this time.
The two chatted about various topics casually. It was not until the end of the lunch that Eric said: "Steve. Actually, I saw the information in "Forbes" magazine. I was very surprised. I I remember that a few months ago, some media also explored my current net worth, and the figure they gave at that time was about five billion."
Steve Forbes also knew that the topic was coming, and said confidently: "How can the information channels and analysis capabilities of those magazines be compared with "Forbes"? I am confident that even if the data we give is not accurate, the difference is not too big. big."
"Yeah, that's why I said that I was very surprised at the time. After all, Firefly is not a listed company, and there were not many people who noticed about Firefly's investment before. I didn't expect "Forbes" magazine to be able to do such a job. Details. However, Steve, I invite you this time, but I have a presumptuous request."
Although Steve Forbes had guessed the result, he quietly motioned Eric to continue.
"I hope that this year, and in the future, my wealth will appear on the "Forbes" list of the richest people in the United States. It is still the vague figures given by ordinary media, such as this time. Five billion US dollars is a very good figure. I don't want My position on the list is too conspicuous."
Steve Forbes didn't show any surprise, apparently it wasn't the first time he heard a similar request: "Eric, maybe there is one thing you don't know very well, apart from the CEO of Forbes Group, I He is also a member of the council of the National Taxpayers Union, which, in addition to supervising and restricting tax policies of institutions to fight for the interests of taxpayers, actually has the obligation to provide some necessary data to departments such as IRS.”
There are two things in American life that cannot be avoided, death and paying taxes. People who have made similar requests to Steve Forbes in the past are often because of the need for tax avoidance. Steve Forbes obviously also put Eric As such a person.
When Eric heard what Steve Forbes said, he immediately understood that this was the difference between Eastern and Western people. If the person sitting opposite was an Easterner, his first reaction would definitely not be to think about tax avoidance: "Shi Tiff, even without this incident in front of me, Firefly must be the key monitoring target of IRS, everyone knows these things well, and I have never thought about tax avoidance in an illegal way."
"Eric, if that's the case, then I don't understand why you did this. I don't think it's a bad thing for you to be at the top of the rich list?"
Eric smiled and said, "Steve, if you really need a reason, just pretend that I want to keep a low profile."
Steve Forbes couldn't help staring at Eric for a few moments. As a media person, human experience is always the most basic figure. Steve Forbes keenly felt that the reason Eric said was true , but instinctively, he is reluctant to believe. "Forbes" magazine has been controversial since it launched the Forbes Rich List in 1982. Although it has received many requests for hidden wealth like Eric, more rich people have criticized him publicly or privately. Forbes magazine underestimated their wealth.
Although "Forbes" magazine has always advertised its professionalism and uncompromising spirit, it is actually impossible to really insist on these things. After all, as a financial magazine, "Forbes" focuses on billionaires. If they want to survive well, and perhaps get enough information from these people, they must establish a good relationship with them, and the relationship network of the rich circle Intricate, maybe offending one of them, unknowingly offending a large number of people like pushing dominoes, if these people really care about it, it is not too difficult to deal with Forbes Group.
After thinking about it for a while, Steve Forbes finally made up his mind and said: "Eric, the figure of five billion dollars is too low. "Forbes" is a very professional magazine, and it is impossible for those entertainment-oriented magazines to The media also gives data based on conjecture, and if it is actually published, the doubts caused will definitely affect the credibility of "Forbes", so, at most, I can promise you and not put you in the first place."
Eric thought about it and agreed. For things like the rich list, the focus of public attention is often on the top name, just like Eric remembers the global rich list in the next few years, the world will talk about the richest man Bill Gates, but Few would have noticed a certain Mexican telecommunications tycoon who regularly came in second.
Steve Forbes promised his own affairs, and of course Eric would not reciprocate: "Thank you for your understanding, Steve, in return, Firefly Pictures can sign a long-term advertising cooperation agreement with Forbes Group, I will have the publicity department contact your company on this matter as soon as possible."
The two parties did not have any friendship before, and it would be too insincere to just make a promise like 'I owe you a favor'. Moreover, as a film company, Firefly spends hundreds of millions of dollars in film advertising every year. In addition to the headline "Forbes" magazine, the Forbes Group also has other newspapers and magazines. These are the main channels for movie promotion. Therefore, signing a long-term advertising agreement with the other party is also a win-win thing.
A knowing expression flashed across Steve Forbes's face, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, he reached out to hold up the goblet on the table: "Then, Eric, wish us a happy cooperation."
Eric was stunned for a moment, and soon understood, and raised his glass with a smile: "Have a nice cooperation."
…
Three days after Steve Forbes left, "Forbes" magazine sent Eric a 'revised' data. The original figure of 9.5 billion US dollars was reduced to 7 billion. Eric's exclusive interview was also withdrawn. Although the fifth position is still a bit conspicuous, there will definitely not be the new richest man after Sam Walton who is more eye-catching.
After solving the problem in front of him, Eric began to plan for other things. In the next period of time, apart from being busy with the post-production of "Jurassic Park" and the daily affairs of Firefly, Eric spent a lot of time with Eric In terms of communication with Chris, Chris also took the time to fly to Los Angeles to interview Eric several times.
Soon, Firefly Investment Company began to transfer its shares in Cisco. As a high-tech company that has been closely watched by Wall Street investors, Cisco has developed very strong momentum in the past two years. Investors started reaching out to Chris, but when they found out something, they quickly died down in disappointment. (To be continued..)