America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 350 Abel Mendel Smith

San Francisco Bay Area, Central Peninsula.Hillsborough, 38 Burrough Lemon Road.

This is a luxury villa with 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, with an indoor living area of ​​about 7821 square feet.

It has a total area of ​​about 32670 square feet, with beautiful outdoor courtyard gardens, outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, and all the equipment of a luxury house.

Not long ago, the real estate intermediary departments of major real estate companies in the United States assessed its price at US$985 million.

Last night, Abel lived in this mansion.

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

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

As the spokesperson of the brand, she had to be present in person.

After the event, Abel made a phone call.

Even if she didn't want to, she still came.

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

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

Even last night, he and his wife chatted about life until after four o'clock.

After waking up, Abel looked at Cate Blanchett, who was sleeping soundly beside him and seemed very tired from sleeping.

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

Very thin, but still material.

Medium scale.

After experiencing it for a few seconds, 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 to the courtyard outside and started my normal daily exercise.

By the time all this was over, it was already 08:30 in the morning.

Abel returned to the living room on the first floor.

The living room of this luxury home enjoys an abundance of natural light throughout the day and has great views.

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

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

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 where helicopters can land and take off.

Abel entered the room and checked the time.

Then Abel walked over to the couch, picked up the remote, and tuned to AMC Bloomberg.

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

[According to the "New York Times" report, Kenneth Chenault of American Express, with a high probability, will no longer be the 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 its 6.9% stake in American Express has been sold to Pacific Bank of Commerce.This decision increased the American Pacific Commercial Bank’s stake in American Express to 39.56%]

[Sam Houghton, Director and Chief Spokesman of American Express, said: "Regardless of the future, the board will continue to uphold the principles of active corporate governance. We believe that at this important point in time, it is not in line with the company's The best interests of shareholders. This move by Mr. Soros has caused more than [-] shareholders of American Express to fall into a certain degree of passiveness.”]

[It is reported that this equity change may have something to do with George Soros’ determination to invest in Smith Capital. 】

[Next, we will hand over the time to the reporters ahead to report the latest news on the AmEx acquisition. 】

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

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

【Mr. Chenault, does this indicate that American Express is considering the acquisition offer proposed by Abel 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 returned by American Express from overseas were blocked by the IRS.The Federal Internal Revenue Service suspects that the overseas funds of American Express may evade and evade taxes.Deputy Director Jess Harrison even bluntly said that it will take at least one month of inspection before the overseas funds of American Express can be returned. Is this news true? 】

【.】

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

It was blocked by many reporters squatting, and surrounded by three floors inside and three floors outside.

All kinds of problems came one after another, some recording pens were almost stuffed into Kenneth's mouth, and the scene was chaotic.

With the help of bodyguards and security guards who ran out of the building, Kenneth Chenault finally made it to the car whose doors had been opened.

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

Kenneth Chenault stopped suddenly, holding the car door with his hands, and looked back at the many reporters with flailing teeth and claws and burning eyes.

Facing the reporters, Kenneth Chenault said coldly:
[When the shareholders and white knights I once relied on and trusted, openly joined forces with the hostile acquirers I blocked and completely denied the company's culture and values, the fig leaf was completely torn off.Well, it’s going to rain, what else can I say?]

boom--

After Kenneth Chenault finished speaking angrily and sadly, he bent over and got into the car, slammed the door shut, and the car drove away amidst numerous flashing lights and uproar.

[When Mr. Kenneth Chenault just became the executive chairman and CEO of American Express last year, he was at his most powerful and strategizing.He might not have thought that there would be such a day when an acquisition made him reveal his true colors immediately. 】

[Since the establishment of American Express, it has been 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 broadcast of the beautiful reporter on his own TV station, and the smile on his face became brighter and brighter.

For Kenneth Chenault's sadness, there is no embarrassment at all, only a sneer.

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

From the very beginning, Kenneth Chenault took the worst possible route.

At that time, if he had not obeyed the demands of those shareholders, before Abel even expressed his intention to American Express, he would be the first to jump out and bark at Abel and Buffett.

Even if he does nothing.Based on Abel's usual operations.There is a high probability that he will be retained and continue to serve as the CEO for a period of time.

If the work is done well, or if you are more obedient, it is possible to continue to do it.

Didn't see the CEO of Pacific Energy, hasn't changed until now?
But Kenneth Chenault believed the shareholders' "slander" at the time.

When Abel didn't even show his intentions.

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

When Abel directly expressed his acquisition intention this time, Kenneth Chenault took the lead in rebelling.

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

Abel just thought it was funny.

He felt that there was nothing better than a mantis arm blocking a car.

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

Looking at the time, he said to David Jones standing next to him like a ghost:

"Let that Andrew, oh, yes. Andrew Upton, it seems? Let him in."

David Jones nodded with a smile, turned and went out.

A few minutes later, David brought in a slightly wretched, bald, typical Anza man.

Facing this ordinary man, Abel smiled:
"Hi, Mr. Upton. May I just call you by your first name?"

A famous Australian playwright, he only went to Hollywood a few years ago to develop.Andrew Upton, who is currently a well-known screenwriter, is simply flattered.

Andrew said again and again: "I am very honored. Mr. Smith, I am so happy that you call me that!"

Andrew Upton was actually a little confused at the moment.

Andrew didn't know why this Hollywood super crocodile, why the world's richest man, would suddenly call him here.

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

In Australia, there is still some fame.

But in the United States, Andrew Upton is just an ordinary screenwriter who can no longer be ordinary.

In contrast, Andrew Upton's wife is more famous.

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

People who know Andrew, when they introduce him, generally say that this is Cate Blanchett's husband.

"Then I'll just call you by your first name. Andrew." Abel said with a smile:
"I asked you to come here because someone introduced you to me. They said that you are a very good screenwriter. I trust this person more, so I called you here."

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

Andrew Upton was even more flattered.

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

At the beginning, Andrew was a little scared.

He really couldn't figure out what he had that could attract the attention of the richest man in the world.

After coming in, he found that Abel's attitude towards him was not bad, and Andrew was relieved.

When he was outside just now, he was a little scared.

Now that I heard Abel Smith, I actually took the initiative to invite myself to join his company.

This is no longer being flattered, Andrew now feels flattered and frightened.

What kind of excellent screenwriter does it take to be able to invite such a big shot in person!

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

But Andrew felt that it was impossible for Abel to be free to tease himself.

Then there's a high probability that this is true.

Did Abel really listen to someone's suggestion, and then invite himself to join the company?
Who is that?

Andrew's first thought was his wife.

Among those close to him, the most powerful person in Hollywood is Cate Blanchett.

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

Such as Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Mel Gibson, Hugh Jackman, and Russell Crowe, the spiritual leader of the Australian gang, or Geoffrey Rush, a military adviser, etc. .

Thinking of this, Andrew plucked up his 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 didn't know too many other Australians after thinking about it.

Abel simply named the biggest Australian in Hollywood.

"It's Rupert. Rupert Murdoch. As you probably know, I have a good relationship with him. I asked him once during a casual chat. 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 thought that Abel hadn't lied to him.

As the new giant of the media circle, Abel Smith has a better relationship with News Corporation Murdoch.

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 didn't snatch Fox's Fantastic Four?
In the eyes of people in Hollywood, this is a symbol of the "friendship" between the two.

When Abel said this now, he referred to the recommender as Murdoch.

Andrew believed most of it at once.

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

This man, who obviously has serious British ancestry and started to go bald when he was only in his thirties, was extremely happy at the moment.

Andrew agreed to Abel's invitation and was willing to work in the screenwriting company under Smith Media.

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

Looking at Andrew who left happily.

Abel thought to himself—if you know, it’s not Murdoch, the truth is last night.If your wife recommended you to me on Simmons, what would you think now?

On Li Fuzhen, Abel initially awakened the soul of Mengde.

In Cate Blanchett, Abel experienced Mendel's joy.

Sometimes, now he'd be Abe Mendel Smith.

He is now in a very happy mood because of this bad taste.

Watching Andrew's leaving back, Abel suddenly remembered something Liv told him not long ago.

She said that Cate Blanchett and his wife planned to conceive 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 having a baby with her husband.

Thinking of this, Abel suddenly had an idea.

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

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

This kind of plan related to life planning, how can you change the time casually?
Kate is 31.

This Andrew looked almost forty.

At this age, it is impossible to have no children.

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

Well, that's what he made up for Kate.

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

Replenishing magic lasted until noon.

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

Coming to 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 next to the back courtyard.

On the tarmac, the helicopter with its propeller turned on slowly started to leave the ground after he got up.

After about half an hour.

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 Bank was originally called the Northwest Bank of the United States.

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

The Northwest Bank of the United States has a long history and has a strong position in the history of the development of the western United States.

This is also 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 of America, itself a top ten player.

In other words, the current Wells Fargo Bank can be regarded as the Northwest 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.

For a long time to come, this bank will be the largest bank in the world.

Even Huaxia's other Cosmos Bank, the Commercial and Industrial Bank, could not compare to it for a long time.

The apron on top of the bank.

Abel waited for the helicopter to come to a steady stop, and the plane door opened, and he looked down.

The tarmac is not far away.

John Stampf, Wells Fargo's chairman and chief executive, who has led many Wells Fargo executives to look at him with a smile from afar.

Abel also showed a smile on his face, and waved to John Stumpf.

There is also a quick response to him.

Wait for the bodyguards to go down first and make sure they can get off the plane.

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

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

A few days ago, when Smith invested in the reception at the end of the year.

As a partner, Wells Fargo also received an invitation letter.

The chairman, John Stumpf, went in person.

John Stumpf took the initiative to greet him, shook hands and hugged Abel with a smile:
"Haha~ It wasn't very good at first. But after seeing you, everything is better! My dear friend, let's go down quickly, it's a little hot from the sun!"

Abel tugged on his suit and tie. It was really hot in the afternoon, under the direct sun.

A group of people waited, and walked down from the top floor under the guidance of a smiling big beauty in a bank OL uniform.

In the elevator, John Stumpf greeted Abel enthusiastically:
"Oh, Abel. I heard that you are coming. In the morning, I asked someone to buy two pounds of Mecha coffee at the coffee auction in Oakland, and it was delivered just now. You must taste it!"

The fact that Abel likes to drink Mecha 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's San Francisco headquarters building, in the chairman's office.

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

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

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

Meixia Coffee is also called Geisha Coffee, but this Geisha is not that Geisha.

Geisha was originally the name of a mountain located in remote Africa, Ethiopia.Geisha (Geisha) and the Japanese "geisha" have the same pronunciation, so "Geisha Coffee" is also called "Geisha Coffee".

But what Abel pays attention to at this time is no longer the coffee, but the beauty who makes the coffee.

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

Rather, he felt a little uncomfortable.

He has already discovered that when the high-level executives of large groups and large companies, or other rich people receive him.

There will always be some beautiful employees or something, strolling in front of him.

For example, like this beautiful OL who makes coffee.

Falk!Shet!This is what he thought was very lustful and anxious!
Abel felt a little depressed because of this - am I this kind of person? !

snort!
When the coffee was ready, the beauty brought it to Abel.

Abel took it with a smile, and the two people in the middle touched their hands.

Very slippery.

Abel thought to himself.

John Stumpf offered to pick up another glass himself, and the Wells Fargo chairman laughed:
"Abe, try it. Miss Wilson's coffee brewing skills are very good. She also likes Mecha coffee, which is the same as your hobby."

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

This is the characteristic of this coffee, he nodded with a smile: "very good coffee beans."

But he came here specifically, not to drink coffee and see beautiful women.

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

Then he looked at John Stumpf.

"John. I think you already know what I mean. I don't need to talk about the specifics. Can you do me this favor? I will never forget your favor."

When he called John Stumpf last night to make an appointment with the Wells Fargo chairman.

On the phone, Abel had explained to him that he would come to find him today and the main purpose of looking for him.

John Stumpf smiled very kindly, "Of course I understand. Please rest assured, Abel. Allow me to introduce to you—"

As he spoke, he opened his hand and pointed to the beautiful woman in OL uniform who hadn't left yet.

"This is Miss Keira Wilson. She is the Deputy Secretary-General of the Wells Fargo Bank Secretariat. Her father is Mr. Slade Wilson."

When introduced by John Stumpf.

The big beauty who was in charge of leading the way and making coffee just now.She has a very good appearance, smiling and nodding at Abel.

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

He didn't expect this one to be very beautiful and have a good figure.

It just looks more mature, maybe there are 27 or [-]-year-old big beauties.

It turned out to be Slade Wilson's daughter.

Slade Wilson is not very famous in other states.

In California, his surname is the same as that of New York's Morgenthau.

The old rich.

Let's put it this way.Those who are interested can look up the surnames of the 37 governors since the founding of California, and they will find that there are a total of 9 surnames Wilson.

One of them had nothing to do with Slade Wilson.

The remaining eight Wilsons, some are his ancestors, some are his elders.
If you look through the surnames of the previous leaders of the United States, you will find that there is also a Wilson.

In the fifty states of the United States, each state has three or four such families.

Some states may have five or six, or even more.In New York State, for example, there may be dozens of them.

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

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

Slade Wilson is one of the current top figures in this family.

Also part of the somewhat scattered California consortium.

Abe stood up and shook hands with Keira Wilson, who had been standing.

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

"I'm Keira Wilson, hello, Mr. Smith. In addition, I have to apologize to you. My father is undergoing surgery in Houston. Otherwise, he would definitely come to meet you in person." Keira said apologetically.

"Oh, is Mr. Wilson okay?" Abel showed a concerned expression.

In this aspect of performance, Abel is now proficient in what he can use.

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

Keira Wilson laughed.

"Oh, that might be next time." Abel smiled:
"I can only stay here for ten days at most. I will go back to Texas and go to New York for a few days."

Abel wasn't lying, it was almost December in ten days.

This December, he will be very busy.

At the end of November and beginning of December, Charlize was due to have a baby.

Anyway, it was his first child.

He will go to see it for all reason.

Then New York, this year's Christmas Eve show in Elizabeth's back garden will continue to be held.

This big show on Christmas Eve is now almost bound to the value of Isa.

Unless there is no money and no ability to sustain it, Isha will continue to manage it.

It can even be said that Elizabeth's back garden has a valuation of up to 30 billion US dollars, at least half of which comes from this Christmas Eve show.

In addition, at the end of December, he will return to Texas, where he 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.

(End of this chapter)