Beverly Hills, Cooper Family.
Eric finished relaying the information about the five women. His mother took notes, analyzing each of their characteristics.
After her guidance, Eric felt like he had a sudden realization.
That saying was very true: only women truly understand women, just as only men truly understand men.
Psychologists, sociologists—if you want to understand a group, you must first become one of them.
Watching his mother's serious expression, Eric's mind conjured the image of an empress dowager commanding all the concubines and managing the imperial harem.
He believed he understood the women well, but compared to his mother's analysis, he realized he had mostly approached it from the perspective of a powerful figure or a superior.
From a woman's perspective, many things were clearly not that simple; their emotions were more delicate and complex, not as straightforward as Eric had imagined.
His father, meanwhile, kept smiling at Eric with a complicated expression, one that contained too many emotions.
If Joshua knew, he would definitely ask, "How exactly did you conquer a pair of twins?"
"Eric, they haven't contacted you proactively yet because they're waiting for you to apologize first."
"I know you're definitely worried and scared, and that's because you truly have feelings for them, and they're not just disposable playthings you can cast aside at any time."
"So remember this: the reason they didn't immediately confront you is also because they're worried and scared. You're on the same playing field, understand?"
Eric nodded, "That makes sense."
"Good. So what you need to do now is appease and coax them. Call each of them. Remember, the Olsen Sisters should also be called separately. Although they are twins, they are still two individual girls."
"I think Ashley and Mary should know about my relationship with Gadot. I often take Elizabeth and Gadot out to play, and Elizabeth is their younger sister."
"Son, knowing something and actively explaining it are two different matters. This represents your attitude. Be serious, understand?"
"Okay, Mom. As long as I can handle them, I'll listen to everything you say."
"Whew... How about this: arrange a time for them to come over for dinner together. With Haley and me present, no one will dare to act out, and I'll help you sort them out then."
"Do you have confidence?" Eric looked at his mother hopefully.
"I'll do my best. The girls you've provoked are much more difficult than Joshua's. And remember this: I don't want to hear any more gossip about you in the future."
"Of course, I promise I won't!" Eric agreed without hesitation.
As for other women, if there was a first time, would he still care about a second?
Once a bottom line is broken, people will only continue to lower it.
What about his mother's harsh words?
As the most beloved youngest son, Eric was spoiled and fearless, because no matter what, she would always stand by him.
His father spoke, "Alright, that's enough about the women. Now let's analyze how MGM can break out of this situation."
"A press conference is out of the question; the mainstream media are all their people. Holding a press conference would be like asking for humiliation."
"This afternoon, I will accept an interview with YouTube and Yahoo to clarify this matter. The crew of the walking dead will also participate then."
"The crew has already gathered evidence of Bar Refaeli's absence from work, and the company has also contacted the Screen Actors Guild and Bar Refaeli's agent."
"Additionally, familiar celebrities are being contacted; they all know what to say."
"The Guild will stand with us?"
"The Guild doesn't take sides, just like the statement it issued. However, it's willing to discuss the facts as they are, and the three major talent agencies share this stance."
His father nodded, "That's good news, at least, but Bar Refaeli will definitely deny everything, so the matter will still be a Rashomon."
"As long as that woman doesn't come forward with the truth, or we can't get decisive evidence, the impact will continue."
"Exactly, that's why I have a headache. The Big Six must have hidden her in a very secret place; finding her will be very difficult."
After a moment of silence, his father sighed, "Eric, since those old geezers have abandoned their bottom line, then we can't be too principled either."
"Countering in kind? Actually, that's what I was thinking too. We can't let The Big Six stand idly by and watch; we have to drag them into the mess as well."
"It's easier to fish in troubled waters."
"Yes, it's easier to fish in troubled waters!"
"Any ideas?"
Eric's gaze turned cold, "Based on the dirt I currently have, the first is Harvey Weinstein. I'm sure you've heard about his affairs, Dad."
His father also sneered, "Harvey, that guy, is a classic example of abusing public power for private gain. Who in the industry doesn't know about his dirty deeds?"
"I'm afraid the actresses he's sexually assaulted under the pretext of auditions number at least three hundred, if not five hundred."
"What! That many!" His mother exclaimed in shock.
"I said Eric shouldn't have entered Hollywood. He should have studied finance; at least it's not as dirty and chaotic there."
"Come on, Emily, the financial world isn't much cleaner, and besides, not everyone is as scummy as Harvey Weinstein. Most people still maintain basic decorum."
"Like your son, right, dating five girlfriends at once? Exposing that would be an eye-opener for the whole world."
"Uh, Mom, at least I haven't sexually assaulted anyone. At most, it's a moral issue. Harvey Weinstein's is a legal issue. I'd be in entertainment news, he'd be in legal and social news."
"Hmph, if you don't rein it in, you'll end up like that scumbag sooner or later. I don't want to be visiting you in prison in my old age."
Eric chuckled dryly, "I've already sent people to find those victims, and I've also hired private investigators. I hope to get something interesting soon."
"Once Harvey Weinstein's story breaks, it will definitely be enough to shift public attention, and Miramax will not be spared either."
"As a subsidiary of Disney, messing up Miramax is like cutting off one of Disney's arms. Mickey Mouse will have a huge headache."
"The second bombshell I have is about MySpace. You all know Facebook and MySpace are competitors."
"As a challenger, MySpace resorted to using erotic elements to catch up with Facebook."
"This method indeed helped MySpace accumulate a lot of popularity in a short time, but the cost was also obvious."
"It's been almost a year, and this so-called social networking site has completely degenerated into a pornographic website. Regardless of gender, almost all high-traffic bloggers feature nudity or suggestive content."
"Not only is pornographic information rampant, but it has also led to a large number of sex crimes, including many against minors. It has become a breeding ground for perverts."
"Facebook has always been collecting evidence and information in this regard, precisely to deliver a fatal blow to the opponent at a critical moment."
"They slandered Gadot and me with underage sex crimes; I'd like to see how MySpace explains that."
His father looked a bit worried, "I remember your Facebook also involved suggestive content, right?"
"Yes, the message in a bottle feature, but it's just an embellishment and can be permanently stopped at any time. But can MySpace stop? Stopping means collapse."
"I cut off a finger, but I can take my opponent's life. It's worth it!"
"After MySpace collapses, there will be no other social media that can compete with Facebook in the entire market."
"And the UK market has already opened up, Canada and Mexico are almost finalized. Not just in the United States, but worldwide, Facebook will have no rivals!"
"Furthermore, taking down MySpace is equivalent to crippling one of Fox's tongues. The Big Six will lose their only online base."
"Have you thought about what to do?"
"Yes, I've got a general idea. They want to play by their own rules, so I'll do the opposite. Just wait and see!"
After Eric finished expressing his thoughts, he looked at his father, "I've roughly formulated these two strategies. What do you think, Dad?"
His father smiled with relief, "I was worried you'd be at a disadvantage, but it looks good now. When fighting these old bastards, you have to abandon your own bottom line."
"But two fronts aren't enough. To make them scramble, we need to apply more pressure."
"Coincidentally, I still have some information resources that can cause trouble for those old geezers."
"Among The Big Six, Disney is the strongest. The attack on MGM was orchestrated by Disney. Son, let me ask you, what is Disney's biggest weakness?"
"Weakness?"
"It's its revenue source. Is it movies? Is it copyrights?"
"Amusement parks!" Eric suddenly realized.
"Exactly, it's those amusement parks Disney prides itself on. Movies, to put it plainly, are for increasing influence and creating IP, but the profits generated account for less than 30% of Disney's revenue, while amusement parks account for over 40%."
"Imagine, if there's a problem with Disney's amusement parks, would Michael Eisner still be in the mood to oppose us? He'd probably be tearing his hair out in anxiety."
"Dad, where do you plan to start?" Eric asked with interest.
"Of course, safety. Amusement parks fear safety issues the most, especially since Disney always claims 100% safety."
"Haley, you can't be reckless. Safety issues are no small matter; people could die!" His mother grabbed his father's hand, her eyes full of tension.
His father kissed her, "Don't worry, my dear, I'm already retired. All the fighting and killing are behind me."
"But there are still quite a few people in government departments who are willing to do me a favor. As long as they investigate thoroughly, there's no absolutely compliant place in the world."
"No need to make it too big. Just have it shut down for rectification for three to five months. The losses will be enough to make Eisner's heart ache. Let's see how he explains it to the board then."
"Besides causing trouble for them externally, we can also attack from within. Among The Big Six, there's one company whose management is the most unique."
"Disney, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros., and Sony all have one president, but Fox operates under a 'dual president' system."
"Its board of directors is co-chaired by two co-chairmen, Thomas Rothman and Jim Gianopulos."
"Both have their own base of supporters. Currently, Thomas Rothman holds the dominant position, while Jim Gianopulos's projects are suppressed."
"The decision to participate in suppressing MGM this time was handled by Thomas Rothman, and Jim's voice was not fully considered."
"This is 2004, and both of their contracts with the company are nearing expiration. Next year will be a reshuffle."
"Now both want to gain the support of News Corporation's top management to truly obtain unique power next year, but Thomas Rothman clearly has the advantage."
"Eric, if you were Jim Gianopulos, facing the possibility of being swept out, would you be anxious?"
Eric nodded, "Definitely."
"Yes, Jim is in that mindset right now. I can secretly contact him and sound out his attitude."
"If he doesn't refuse my invitation, then there's a chance to disrupt Fox internally."
"And there's Paramount. Paramount's weakness is also very clear. Brad Grey clearly lacks the ability to manage the company well. Paramount has been getting worse and worse under his leadership. If this continues, it won't be long before he's packing his bags and leaving."
"And I heard that the reason he agreed to join the attack was because Disney promised to lend Paramount emergency funds to help Brad Grey through his difficulties."
"So Brad is actually the most indecisive among The Big Six companies. In other words, Paramount can actually be an object of our persuasion."
"Even as a last resort, as long as we are willing to offer some benefits, he is likely to choose to withdraw from the alliance."
"At that time, whether he works with MGM or stands by, it will be a huge blow to The Big Six's morale."
"It can also show those people in the market that we are not vulnerable; this fight still has a long way to go."
His mouth was a bit dry, so his father took a sip of water, "Son, the business world is like a battlefield. Harassment, alienation, division, disintegration—as long as you use them well, you can always find the enemy's weaknesses."
Indeed, an old person in the family is like a treasure. After listening to his father's analysis, Eric was deep in thought.
"Dad, how do you know all these confidential details?"
"Young man, I've told you before, work is important, but don't neglect those parties and gatherings."
"Alright, since you retired, I've indeed attended fewer. I'll pay attention to that in the future."
"Good, then let's proceed along these paths. It seems my old bones need to get moving again."
His father stretched, stood up, picked up his phone, and walked to the balcony.
Eric also returned to his room, opened his contacts, and dialed Nicole's number.
With his mother backing him up, his hand felt much steadier.
"Nicole, my darling! I'm sorry, there's something I must confess to you."
"Theron, my darling! I'm sorry, there's something I must confess to you."
"Ashley, my darling! I'm sorry, there's something I must confess to you."
"Mary, my darling! I'm sorry, there's something I must confess to you."
"Gadot, my darling! I'm sorry, there's something I must confess to you."