Darkstone Code-Chapter 709 - 0707 New Trend
When familiar people haven’t seen each other for a while, there will be a lot to say.
As for how much they have to say, it depends on how much energy they have.
In the evening, Lynch and Jenia arrived at a vacant hall, which had been temporarily handed over to the Gafura delegation. Whether used as a conference venue or for a cocktail party, the hotel wouldn’t interfere.
There were already quite a few people here. Cultural visits are different from business visits; to put it simply, cultural visits are closer to the grassroots population.
Compared to substantial wealth or the power to command, culture, which has no barriers, integrates more easily into the grassroots society.
The delegation invited some local cultural celebrities from Bupen to this cocktail party to enhance mutual understanding and seek some potential cooperative exchanges.
The reason it’s a cocktail party instead of a buffet is that Gafura provided the main alcohol for this event. These drinks were supplied by Gafura’s brewers, who covered part of the delegation’s expenses for their visit to the Federation.
As a return, the delegation mainly uses the various alcoholic beverages they provided at the cocktail parties held in the Federation.
Although the capitalists of Gafura might be restrained by power, they are not complete fools.
The arrival of Lynch and Jenia caused a small climax at the cocktail party, with reporters frantically taking photos, the flashes lighting up the entrance almost like daylight.
"How will they portray us tomorrow?", Jenia naturally hooked Lynch’s arm and posed in front of the reporters, asking in a low voice.
Previously, when Lynch appeared with Jenia in public in Gafura and was spotted, the Gafuras collectively got excited, using the most exaggerated ways to describe everything—"A rare prodigy in a hundred years bows under the Princess’s charm."
They spared no effort in praising Lynch in that article, describing him as a rare genius merchant who, at just over twenty, has hundreds of millions worth of wealth.
They not only praised his wealth but also his appearance, manners, and upbringing, considering him a born noble, a paragon of elegance, and a dream lover for women.
Yet such a perfect young man bowed at Jenia’s feet, giving the Gafuras an inexplicable sense of pride.
Now, it’s the Federation’s turn.
For the so-called national dignity and the self-esteem of the public, they will certainly try their best to make this visible fact more in line with what people want.
Facing the reporters and flashes, Lynch’s lips moved slightly, "Empress Princess falls for Lynch, travels miles to pursue love in the Federation..."
Jenia nearly couldn’t hold back her laughter; she pinched the skin on the back of Lynch’s hand, "Is this the press release?"
"I’m guessing!"
The flashes continued to flicker, and after about a dozen seconds, staff members came over to lead the two further inside the hall.
What seemed like cumbersome photography is actually the real core of this cocktail party.
Whether it’s the Federation or Gafura, they need these guests who attended the cocktail party to appear in the newspapers. The more prominent the figures, the more they can convey the importance and significance of Gafura’s visit to the public and indicate that the relations between the two countries are not as tense as some international news suggests, having a calming effect on the social undercurrents.
Inside the hall, someone was already waiting. Although Jenia is not the leader of this delegation, not even a main member, her royal status is evident, as the Empress Princess’s sister, which represents a lot by itself.
"Mr. Lynch...", the vice-captain of the delegation, an elderly man in his sixties with graying hair and clean, neat facial hair, had a scholarly demeanor.
He looked at Lynch, then at Jenia, and with a simple expression, Lynch instantly understood his intention, "Of course..."
He let go of his hand, and Jenia withdrew hers as well, and after the vice-captain thanked him, he followed with an apology, before walking to the side with Jenia.
He had some matters to discuss with Jenia.
Lynch took a glass of wine from the tray in the server’s hand and had only taken a few steps when he saw Sean coming towards him.
He seemed a bit more mature than before. Previously, though Sean was in his thirties, he appeared somewhat immature and lacking in stability.
Now he had developed that aura, becoming more like a true "adult."
This change can be attributed to the imprisonment of old Fox and the board members’ challenges against him. Smooth sailing only makes one content with enjoyment, while adversity helps one grow.
"Lynch...", he pursed his lips and raised his glass, and the two clinked glasses and took a sip each.
"Not bad!", Lynch glanced at the wine glass in his hand. The lower part of the glass had a ring of wine label, seemingly prepared specifically for the party.
Fox nodded absentmindedly, then quickly followed with a "Thank you."
Lynch looked at him; he sighed lightly, "I know you must have intervened in the board matter, otherwise they wouldn’t have let me off so easily. Anyway, I have to thank you for your help. Without you, I wouldn’t know what to do!"
Capital is never kind, friendly, merciful, or considerate.
The essence of capitalism is plunder. It may adorn itself in various glamorous and colorful cloaks, even use charity to disguise itself, but its essence is plunder.
When old Fox was arrested, the normally silent directors on the board of Fox Film Corporation suddenly banded together, demanding that Fox resign due to the scandal caused by old Fox potentially impacting the company’s image and even implicating the company. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
If Fox Film Corporation were placed on the dangerous list by the Federal Tax Bureau, the company’s future development would suffer greatly. The only solution is to downplay the actual status and influence of the Fox family within the company, starting by forcing Fox to resign as president.
The board members’ idea is simple: first force Fox to resign as president, then pressure him to relinquish part of his shares as compensation to other directors.
Because the issues stem from their father and son, they must compensate other shareholders.
When Fox’s shares are insufficient to resist the pressure from the board members, they will initiate a shareholder meeting to oust Fox from the board.
And after that?
They have ways to plunder the shares in Fox’s hands. If he cooperates, he’ll get a bit of money; if not, an asset stripping restructuring would ruin him thoroughly.
Fortunately, Lynch spoke up. Without doing much, he simply mentioned his relationship with the Fox family, causing the board members who were ready to treat Fox Film Corporation as a "family business" devoid of "Fox" to cease their actions.
Lynch held thirty percent of the shares. If he sided with Fox, the other board members united would stand no chance, and they’d risk offending Lynch. What’s the point?
Thus, Fox stabilized his position, not only retaining his role as president but also gaining a voice within the board.
Fox rightly thanked Lynch, while also realizing the brutal and cold nature of capitalism.
People who played golf, ate, drank, and had fun with him just days ago were now trying to crush him, emotionally impacting him deeply and accelerating his growth.
Lynch extended his hand, patting Fox’s arm, "Don’t overthink it. Does the company have any new shooting plans recently?"
"Yes!", Fox nodded, saying this while glancing elsewhere, then waved.
Then, a slightly unkempt middle-aged man appeared before him, surprisingly accompanied by a girl in her twenties holding his arm tightly, looking rather pretty.
From their subtle facial expressions, Lynch could tell both were quite nervous, but the smile on his face became more pronounced.
It’s an instinct; smiles can resolve many issues, from anxiety and tension to even providing a sense of security, solved or obtained through others’ smiles.
"This is the new screenwriter in our writers’ room, Sean, and this is his..."
Before Fox could finish, Sean proactively said, "Wife."
The young girl seemed even more nervous, smiling uneasily as if trying to conceal something.
Lynch had no intention of exploring others’ privacy. He introduced himself, then shook hands with Sean.
Encouraged by Fox, Sean discussed the company’s new plan, "I wrote a screenplay earlier titled ’Sunshine Future,’ where the protagonist is a Middle Class individual on the verge of bankruptcy, abandoned by his wife and children while facing numerous debts."
"To make ends meet, he must try his hand at entrepreneurship. After a series of artistic failures, he finally seizes an opportunity, succeeds, and gains a new love and family!"
Sean said this while squeezing the hand of the girl claiming to be his wife, looking twenty years his junior.
Their relationship seemed good, not like that of a writer and actress.
An actress is a magical role; they can quickly partner with anyone—investors, producers, supervisors, directors, writers, camera operators... even lighting technicians!
What’s more fascinating is their ability to seize opportunities. From time to time, they can get opportunities from their "partners," be it the lead role or just a minor character.
These two seemed different, Lynch thought, his intuition proving remarkably accurate.
