Jonathan Friedland and others were still waiting for him at WMA headquarters. In the afternoon, they were going to discuss the lead actress for 'Basic Instinct'. Simon had recently found a potential candidate for the role.
After a brief chat with Amy, Simon left the company office building, and Jennifer followed him to the car, carrying a stack of documents.
As the SUV weaved through the streets of Los Angeles, Jennifer handed Simon a meeting memo and said, "Dad had a conference call with Sun Microsystems executives this morning and confirmed joining the company's board of directors. So far, we've secured board seats in 16 companies. Dad said several companies, like Apple, also look very promising. Are you really not planning to join?"
Simon flipped through the memo in his hand.
Sun, full name Sun Microsystems, Inc., is a new technology company primarily producing servers and workstations. The powerful Java language was developed by this company.
In Simon's memory, Sun's market value once exceeded $200 billion at the peak of the dot-com bubble.
However, after the bubble burst, the company rapidly declined for various reasons and was eventually acquired by Oracle.
During last year's stock market crash, Westeros Company began buying Sun stock when its market value was around $850 million.
Including recent small-scale increases, Simon only spent less than $45 million for a 5% stake in Sun.
If history doesn't change, this stock will be worth $10 billion at Sun's highest market value in the future.
However, Sun's potential return on investment is clearly incomparable to Microsoft's.
Simon only spent $56 million to buy a 4.9% stake in Microsoft last year. In the recent increase, he unknowingly increased his holdings to 3 million shares, which is exactly 6% of Microsoft's total outstanding shares of 50 million.
Calculated at Microsoft's peak market value of $600 billion in 2000, just this 6% of Microsoft stock would increase Simon's personal wealth by $36 billion.
Therefore, both Sun and Microsoft will be Simon's key targets for increased holdings in the next few years. Simon plans to increase his stake in these companies to at least over 10%.
In comparison, Simon is not as interested in the current Apple Inc.
Last year, Simon invested approximately $150 million for a 4.9% stake in Apple when its market value was at its lowest point, around $3 billion, which was more than Microsoft and Sun combined, and second only to Motorola's $250 million and Intel's $170 million.
However, according to information from his memory, Apple's market value would peak after breaking $7 billion in the next few years before beginning to decline, so Simon naturally had no intention of holding it long-term.
Carefully reading the meeting memo in his hand, Simon heard Jennifer's question and said, "I promised last time not to reduce my holdings for three years after joining the board. Westeros Company's current funds definitely cannot sustain three years. Therefore, we must actively give up some board seats now".
Jennifer nodded and brought up another matter, saying, "Also, before closing today, we have already purchased 1.23 million shares of New World Entertainment stock at an average price of around $7.5, with a total expenditure of approximately $9 million. New World Entertainment's total share capital is 25 million shares, and we are right around the 4.9% mark that requires reporting.
After submitting the report to the SEC next Monday, and as the news becomes public, the stock price will definitely surge. Dad plans to continue accumulating shares below $10, and then issue a takeover offer to New World Entertainment".
Due to cash flow problems, New World Entertainment's current stock price is far below its actual value. In the acquisition plan previously discussed by Simon and James, a 50% premium cap was set for the final transaction price.
Simon said, "Just let your dad proceed with this matter according to the plan. There's no need to tell me every detail".
Jennifer acknowledged him and handed over another thick folder, saying, "Also, these are some airplane materials you asked me to collect a few days ago. The prices listed in the document are only the airlines' public quotes; in actual transactions, buyers usually get a certain discount".
For the business travel needs of himself, Amy, James, and others, Simon had decided to purchase a business jet a few days ago and casually asked Jennifer to collect some information.
Glancing out the car window, still some distance from WMA headquarters, Simon opened the folder and asked Jennifer, "Do you have a preferred type? Once the plane is bought, everyone can use it".
Although the man beside her wasn't looking at her, Jennifer's gaze still subtly shifted away. She said, "That, of course, is for you to decide".
Simon smiled, looking at the information for the latest Gulfstream IV business jet in front of him, and said, "Speaking of which, I haven't properly thanked you for that videotape. If you have a type you like, we'll buy it according to your preference this time".
Listening to Simon's relaxed tone, Jennifer felt a little displeased and couldn't help but say, "Even if you buy it, it's still yours. That's not sincere at all".
Simon glanced at Jennifer, noticing that she had tied her hair up again today, revealing her fair neck: "If I put the ownership of this plane in your name, would your dad think there's something between us and then beat me up?"
Jennifer felt Simon's gaze, shrunk her neck, and shook her head, saying, "My dad wouldn't, but Ms. Johnston would. Maybe I'd get beaten up too".
Simon pretended to hesitate for a moment, then also shook his head: "Then forget it. Getting beaten up for nothing, that's not worth it".
Jennifer's face instantly flushed, and that particular scene resurfaced in her mind.
Noticing Simon's gaze turning to the documents in front of him, she raised her hand and carefully reached behind her head to secretly pull off the ribbon tying her hair.
Feeling her hair fall loose, she finally relaxed a little.
She thought he hadn't noticed and was about to quietly put the ribbon into her satchel when a voice came to her ear: "It doesn't look good like that".
Oh my god.
Suppressing the urge to jump out of the car and run, Jennifer clutched her satchel tightly, gathered her courage, and glared at Simon: "I won't let you see it".
Feeling the slight tremor in the girl's voice, Simon, though still a little confused, stopped teasing her and focused his attention on the airplane documents in front of him.
Due to a relaxed aviation regulatory system, the private jet industry in the West is very developed, and prices are not considered high.
According to the information in Simon's hand, the latest Gulfstream IV luxury business jet, with a total passenger capacity of about 20 people and a cruising range of nearly 8,000 kilometres, currently has an official listed price of only $16 million.
According to Jennifer's recent statement, this price can also be discounted.
Of course, cheap is definitely only relative.
According to the latest media statistics, Simon's current net worth of around $1.6 billion is already enough to place him within the top 50 of this year's Forbes Global Billionaires list.
Moreover, most of Simon's assets are stock assets that can be quickly converted into cash, which further enhances the value of his personal wealth.
In comparison, many billionaires with a net worth comparable to Simon's may not be able to easily come up with $16 million in cash to buy a private jet.
Flipping past some smaller business jet brands, Simon quickly saw some models he was more interested in.
Boeing 747-300, priced at $120 million.
This was Simon's ultimate goal.
Currently, the Boeing 747-400 was still in the development stage, and the Boeing 747-300 was the latest model in the Boeing large aircraft series.
As for data like passenger capacity and cruising range, if it were converted into a private jet, there would obviously be no need to pay attention to them.
Such a model, fully fuelled, would be enough to connect any two points on Earth. Its six-story-high fuselage and seventy-meter length also provided ample interior space, enough to even build a swimming pool.
However , Simon could only look at it for now. The $120 million price tag, although almost half the price of similar large passenger aircraft more than a decade later, and he could afford it, he couldn't purchase it at the moment.
It would be too ostentatious.
If Simon bought it now, he would definitely be drowned in the spit of the entire North American media.
Even if Simon didn't care about that, buying such a behemoth would definitely give him a headache with parking and maintenance issues.
Ultimately, it was a matter of foundation. If the Rockefeller family bought such a plane, even if it still drew criticism, more people would consider it natural.
As for Simon Westeros...
Well.
Nouveau riche.
The car stopped outside WMA headquarters on Camino Street, and Simon had already made a very wise decision: to first purchase a Gulfstream IV.
Compared to a large Boeing, the delivery period for such a small aircraft is also very short; it can be delivered three months after placing an order.
Entering WMA headquarters with Jennifer, Jonathan Friedland, Brian De Palma, and others were already waiting for Simon.
In the past year or so, Simon had changed dramatically, but the turmoil within WMA had never ceased.
At the beginning of the new year, Ed Limato, one of WMA's vice presidents, left with a large number of stars under his name, including Mel Gibson, Steve Martin, Denzel Washington, and Michelle Pfeiffer, to ICM.
This move once again severely weakened WMA.
In Simon's view, this was almost inevitable.
WMA's control was still firmly held by Norman Brokaw and a few other old men. Ed Limato had no chance of further advancement in the short term, but when this star agent moved to ICM, he immediately gained the titles of ICM partner and co-president.
After Ed Limato's departure, due to representing a group of top filmmakers such as Brian De Palma, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock, and Simon, coupled with the support of WMA chairman Lou Weiss, Jonathan, who was originally not too conspicuous among a group of vice presidents, had unknowingly become a hot candidate for WMA's next president.
Simon was actually very interested in the talent agency industry.
However, due to restrictions from California's Talent Agencies Act, agents cannot be involved in film production, and similarly, film companies cannot interfere with the talent agency industry.
Simon can currently only slightly influence the changing landscape of the talent agency industry based on his limited influence, but he cannot affect the overall situation.
In a large conference room at WMA headquarters.
Simon greeted everyone one by one and soon came before a tall, dark-haired actress. This actress was Linda Fiorentino, the lead actress Simon had chosen for 'Basic Instinct'.
In the original timeline, Linda Fiorentino was best known for her role as the female forensic pathologist in "Men in Black."
However, Simon chose her because of another film she starred in, 'The Last Seduction'. This film, from the original timeline in 1995, was a clear follow-up to 'Basic Instinct', a thriller and erotic type.
Linda Fiorentino's portrayal of the femme fatale in the film skilfully manipulated the men around her.
After 'The Last Seduction' was released, Linda Fiorentino's performance earned almost unanimous praise from critics.
It was only because that film was first broadcast on HBO television and did not meet the Oscar selection criteria that the actress regrettably failed to receive an Oscar nomination that year.
Simon and Linda Fiorentino shook hands, and everyone gathered around the conference table and sat down.
A few days ago, after Simon selected Linda Fiorentino from a group of actress profiles, he arranged an audition for her and Michael Douglas.
The results were very satisfying.
Michael Douglas didn't come today. After playing the audition tape, Brian De Palma also expressed his approval.
Everyone then discussed the film's details and contract matters with Linda Fiorentino's agent, George Lipton.
As a few grown men were enthusiastically discussing, a somewhat hoarse female voice, with clear dissatisfaction, said, "Doesn't anyone want to ask for my opinion?"
Simon and the others all looked over. Linda Fiorentino's agent, George Lipton, quickly said, "Linda, how about this, you can go back first, and I'll call you after work".
Linda Fiorentino shot her agent a sidelong glance, said nothing, and reached into her jeans pocket for a moment, pulling out a pack of cigarettes.
Completely ignoring George Lipton's almost pleading expression, she continued to pull out a lighter, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, exhaled a puff of smoke, and then looked directly at Simon, saying, "Mr. Westeros, George submitted my resume for me. I never said I wanted to play this role".
Simon observed the woman's demeanour with interest, suddenly recalling some rumours from his memory about this actress being very difficult to work with, but he only smiled and said, "Then why didn't you refuse and even cooperate with the audition?"
Linda Fiorentino said, "I just wanted to try out what it felt like to act opposite a big star like Douglas".
Simon, in a very good-natured tone, said, "And now?"
Linda Fiorentino skilfully flicked the ash from her cigarette and said, "Your script is very good, but there are too many nude scenes. If some of those scenes can be removed, I can agree to star".
Simon directly made a gesture for her to leave, saying, "Ms. Fiorentino, if those are your demands, you can leave now".
Linda Fiorentino, however, did not move, nor did she show any sign of feeling guilty. She slowly took another drag from her cigarette and said, "Mr. Westeros, as far as I know, 'Basic Instinct' is scheduled to start filming next month. The schedule is very tight. You won't find a second actress more suitable than me in a short amount of time".
Simon shook his head and said, "Actually, before you, I already had a very suitable candidate in mind, but I disliked her quite a bit, so I wasn't going to use her. Now, do you want to make yourself even more disliked than her?"