Phew.
Eric unconsciously tapped his leg, his mind racing to figure out how to deal with this disaster.
Given his actions of digging up their ancestral graves and uprooting their foundations, The Big Six and various TV stations would not rest until he was dead.
The public opinion had just started, but he could imagine that within three days, he would be pushed into a maelstrom of public opinion, dragging MGM and Lionheart Network down with him.
"Damn it, you guys are ruthless! You don't make a move until it's a killing blow!"
Pete glanced at the rearview mirror: "Boss, is it really that serious?"
Seeing Eric remain silent, he added: "Boss, let's think about it differently. Since they are framing us, we don't need to play by the rules either."
"Hmm, what do you mean?"
Pete raised his right hand, making a gun gesture and pointing it at his temple: "Just a little deterrence, and many problems will be solved."
"No!" Eric rejected it without even thinking.
What a joke. Against ordinary people, or even elite white-collar workers with some abilities, a single shot would be a permanent solution.
But when the opponent is on the same level as you, playing the game of physical elimination is purely suicidal.
You can kill one, kill two, but you can't kill everyone at once.
Conversely, they can also kill you and your family and friends. This dangerous game has no winners.
During the Cold War, the US and Russia deployed nuclear missiles to threaten each other, but in the end, Nixon and Khrushchev both dismantled them and withdrew their troops. No one dared to use such a mutually assured destruction tactic.
At best, even if MGM and Lionheart Network collapse, he still has YouTube and Facebook.
Once they develop in a few years, he can still make a comeback.
But if he gets shot in the back one day while walking on the street, wouldn't that be unfair?
Ring!
His private phone suddenly rang. Eric looked down and saw that it was Judy calling.
"OMG! Eric, I just fell asleep for half an hour and woke up from a nightmare."
"Did you see the news?"
"I did. The situation is very bad. It's all that bitch's fault. I really regret bringing her to Hollywood. I'm sorry!"
"What's the use of saying that now? The urgent task is to find Bar Refaeli immediately. Don't worry about the company's affairs for now; focus all your efforts on finding her."
"I know what to do. I'm calling to reassure you."
"Huh?"
Eric paused, not understanding what Judy was saying.
"Eric, I must ask for a few days off. Give me a week, and I will definitely give you a satisfactory explanation."
"What? Wait, what are you talking about?"
"I know the company is going through difficulties right now, but I hope you can hold on, at least for a week. Wait until I come back. I will solve the problems I caused myself."
"Judy, what are you going to do? Speak clearly."
"I can't explain it clearly for now. In short, wait for my good news."
"Judy, Judy, Judy Newhouse!"
Eric yelled, but the other side had already hung up.
He slapped his head, annoyed. What the hell! At a time like this, she's adding to the trouble. Doesn't she think he's bothered enough?
The incident caused by Bar Refaeli was indeed related to Judy, but even without her, The Big Six would have found someone else; it was unavoidable.
After his anger, Eric couldn't help but worry about what this girl intended to do.
Among the five of them, Judy was the most capable fighter, but she was also the most headstrong.
Eric glanced at Pete, truly worried that this girl would do something impulsive.
She might not be able to find Bar Refaeli, but she knew where the headquarters of The Big Six companies and various TV stations were, and she also knew what the heads of each company looked like.
If she were to go in with a submachine gun and shoot them, it would not only fail to solve the problem but would also add fuel to the fire, causing irreversible harm.
Eric quickly sent her a message, advising her not to be impulsive.
Judy replied, saying she wouldn't be impulsive and to rest assured.
But Eric really couldn't rest assured, so he asked Billy to keep an eye on her at her home to prevent any trouble.
Beverly Hills, Cooper Family.
Seeing the car approach, reporters who had been waiting around rushed out, hoping to corner Eric.
But the Lincoln sedan drove directly into the yard, leaving them with no options. They couldn't trespass on private property, so they had to continue waiting.
In the living room, the young nanny, Lisa, brought coffee and then left. Eric sat across from his mom and dad.
"Young man, you've gotten into big trouble this time!" his dad said, looking worried.
Eric shrugged helplessly: "I'm not afraid of normal business competition; I just didn't expect them to use such underhanded tactics."
"Underhanded but effective enough. You seem to be in a mess because they control the mainstream media's discourse, just like when you dealt with Sony back then."
Eric rolled his eyes: "Dad, now is not the time to make fun of me. I came back to discuss with you what good solutions there are to get through this difficulty."
"The best way is to admit defeat. If you can't bring yourself to do it, I can go to those old guys on your behalf and plead for mercy. Giving up some interests can buy peace."
"Let me admit defeat? Are you kidding me? Impossible, absolutely impossible!" Eric stated his position bluntly.
"You're prepared to fight them to the end? Until death?"
"Yes, those guys can stop if they want, but unless I'm dead, I will never compromise!"
"Not only do I want to reclaim MGM's former glory, but I also want to take back all the lost copyrights, and you've seen the company's development."
"Dad, we have a great situation. The market recognizes this new model. Lionheart Network represents the future direction of the film and television industry."
"Now we hold the remote control to the future in our hands. Are you willing to throw it away?"
"Son, you look like that Iron Man Musk from Silicon Valley right now. He's like a madman trying to build rockets and launch satellites, which has drawn countless ridicule."
Eric chuckled: "Yes, but do you know why Musk drew ridicule, and I drew attacks?"
"Because his plan might not be realized, while my plan is already on the path to realization. Those guys are scared."
"Because they're scared, they're anxious. Because they're anxious, they're framing me."
His dad suddenly laughed too: "You're absolutely right. I can always see a passionate reflection in you, and that feeling is truly good. So, let us two old folks help you."
"Ah? Mom can help me too?" Eric frowned.
"Eric, don't look down on anyone. You don't understand your mom, at least not when she was young. Let's do a debriefing first."
"Debriefing what?"
"Let's see what difficulties you're facing now and how many cards you have to play."
Eric nodded: "The difficulties are just the current public opinion pressure and not being able to find Bar Refaeli. This matter is very difficult to clarify."
"Only that?"
"What?"
"What about your five girlfriends?"
"Them? I haven't thought about it yet. I need to get through this company hurdle first."
His dad looked at his mom: "Young people still need to learn more. You need to consult your mom on this."
"Ah?" Eric became even more confused.
His mom glared at Eric: "The older brother is a scoundrel, and the younger brother is also a scoundrel. I knew both of you were troublemakers."
"Some time ago, we went to visit Joshua, and then we found out he was dating three girls at the same time. Your mom was very angry and scolded him fiercely," his dad explained.
"There's such a thing? Why didn't you tell me so I could be happy too?"
Eric laughed heartily, like a struggling student who found out someone else also scored zero.
"What's there to be happy about? The three girls also found out about each other's existence, and then they started fighting."
"They beat Joshua up?"
"Something like that. First, the three of them beat Joshua until he was black and blue, and his leg was broken."
Eric gasped: "No way, that's too cruel. Won't Joshua only be able to adopt children in the future?"
His dad was speechless: "What time is it, and you're still telling such bad jokes? It was his right leg that was broken."
"Oh, oh, that's good, that's good."
"Then the three girls started feeling sorry for Joshua again, each wanting to be with him. The three of them started fighting each other, and in the end, all four of them ended up in the hospital."
"Joshua is that amazing! Is he a succubus?"
"He was almost driven crazy by the three girls, but that scoundrel brother of yours didn't want to give up on anyone and was still dreaming of a harmonious life with four people."
"Then he was beaten up again. This time, his left leg was broken, and he was completely unable to move."
"Emily was heartbroken. Although Joshua is a scoundrel, he is still a mother's scoundrel, and she couldn't bear to see your brother suffer like that."
"There was no choice. Your dear mom could only personally step in and help Joshua deal with those three girls."
"Did she persuade them to leave?"
His dad was silent for a moment: "No, she brought the four of them together. Now, the three of them take care of Joshua every day, and he can already get out of bed and walk."
"What?"
Eric's voice instantly rose eight octaves, then he looked at his mom with an incredulous expression.
His mom sighed: "If I hadn't been worried about Joshua being beaten to death, I wouldn't have helped him. Lord, I am a sinner!"
Eric had a look of utter confusion. What was going on today? It seemed like everything was overturning his worldview and understanding.
His dad patted his shoulder: "Son, I know you're confused. Just like I said, you don't know your mom's past."
"When we were young, do you know what period that was?"
"Uh, hippies?" Eric thought for a moment and tried to answer.
"Exactly, it was the era when hippies were popular. Young people were crazy, everyone was pursuing individuality and liberation movements."
"Drugs, raving, heavy metal, rock and roll, tattoos, studs…"
"Young people infected each other, spreading these cultures like a virus. No one was spared, including us two."
"Back then, Emily was a famous heartbreaker. She sang, danced, did graffiti, frequented bars and nightclubs every day, and hung out with a bunch of guys on the streets."
"My dear, how many young men were you dating simultaneously back then?"
His mom sighed somewhat awkwardly: "There's no need to tell Eric the details. I was indeed very rebellious back then and did many things that went against societal norms."
"But fortunately, I later woke up. When I almost died on the street due to drugs, a passing pastor took me to the hospital."
"I was lucky to get my life back. Death always makes people see things more clearly. From then on, I became a believer."
"Later, I married your dad, and then we had you two little rascals."
Eric listened dumbfounded as the two recounted stories from the past. He never expected that his seemingly devout mom was actually a wild child.
Not only a wild child, but also a sea queen.
Judging by her embarrassed look, the number of boyfriends she had must have been considerable.
Joshua only had three; he only mentioned five. Perhaps he hadn't even caught up to a fraction of his mom's glorious record.
"Hahahaha, it seems we have a family trait," Eric laughed.
"I think you're asking for a beating, young man!" his mom snapped.
Eric quickly leaned in and hugged her, rubbing against her like a kitten, coaxing: "Mom, my dearest good mom, how can you bear to see your favorite little son suffer? Now he really needs your help."
His mom pushed Eric away in disgust: "This is a critical moment. I'm helping you so that they don't affect your career and to avoid new scandals."
"Some women, out of love and hatred, will do anything. One Bar Refaeli has already made you frantic; if another one appears, let's see if you can handle it!"
"Alright, who are these five women? What are their personalities like? Do they know each other? How are their relationships? Are there any conflicts? Also, their family backgrounds, their level of dependence on you, your intimacy level…"
His mom asked a barrage of questions, and Eric, far from finding it tedious, felt a sense of reassurance.
Ah! This is professionalism!
"Mom, I know you might be surprised when you hear the names, but please don't be surprised. We're here to solve problems."
"You already know Gal Gadot, and then there's Charlize Theron, the one who just won Best Actress at the Oscar this year. Do you remember her?"
His mom nodded; she had also watched the awards ceremony. His dad covertly gave a thumbs-up, as if to say, "Son, you have good taste."
"The third is Nicole Kidman."
"Who?" His mom's eyes widened instantly.
"Nicole Kidman, you know her. Doesn't she often send us things? She even said the ostrich meat was delicious."
"OMG! So she suddenly approached me for this. We even often go to church together for worship. No wonder she always mentioned you intentionally or unintentionally. Now I finally understand."
"My relationship with Nicole is very good. She was always worried that you would object because of the age difference, so she could only secretly approach you, hoping to gain your favor. She really tried hard."
His mom rolled her eyes and said testily: "Continue, but you'd better not find me another divorced older woman."
"Of course, of course. The other two are both very young and successful in their careers. They just won Best Actress at the Golden Globe Awards. You watched the awards ceremony, right? Hehe…"
Eric chuckled a few times, too embarrassed to directly say Ashley and Mary's names.
But his dad and mom had already opened their mouths wide and shouted in unison: "You're with the Olsen Sisters!"