Chapter 110

2000, September 20. This day is the day Smith Capital moved out. Smith Capital, originally located in the Woolworth Building, later moved to LIC, adjacent to the entire island of Manhattan. LIC is what New Yorkers call "Long Island City." People often confuse Long Island City with Long Island, but the difference between one letter and the other is thousands of miles apart. Long Island refers to a long and narrow island southeast of New York City. The West borders Manhattan Island, the remaining three sides border the sea, very large and famous for clear water beaches, coastal lighthouses, vineyards... Abel's only residence today, No. 1, 13 Huangdian Road, is on this island. Strictly speaking, Long Island City is a small area located on the western tip of Long Island. In 1870, this small town was born. It then took 28 years for Long Island City to be annexed into the greater New York area, following Queens. Let's abbreviate it as "LIC". Strictly speaking, it actually belongs to Queens County, an area below Queens County. In the early 20th century, the bridge and subway became the only means of reaching Long Island from Manhattan, confirming Long Island City's important position as an industrial center. During New York's early urbanization, it played a role similar to Brooklyn's Williamsburg and Dumbo communities, belonging to the city's docks and factories. It wasn't until the 1970s, when the manufacturing industry experienced a cold winter, that abandoned factory buildings were discovered and hired by artists to create. This district is gradually becoming the district with the most vibrant artistic activities in New York. Finally, it was not until the early 1990s that Manhattan reached its peak of development. More and more real estate developers are eyeing the area and a large number of high-end commercial and office buildings have been developed in the city centre. Plus, it's located right across the East River from Manhattan. This place gradually became the headquarters of a large number of companies that either did not like the crowdedness of Manhattan, or simply thought that Manhattan was too expensive. They all moved here. The most famous is Citibank, whose headquarters is located nearby. Smith Capital's new headquarters is located on the outskirts of LIC, near the East River, with a direct view of the Empire State Building across the street. It is a five-story building built in 1970. It was previously used as a museum, library and supermarket and was purchased by Abel last month. The renovation took about a month and cost $3 million to complete. Currently, this place is called the [Smith Building], used as the headquarters building of Smith Capital. Of course, changing companies doesn't require Abel to do it himself. She doesn't even need help from Wall Street elite David Mellon. The company's deputy general manager, Melio, arranged everything in an orderly manner. Abel and David stayed only in the office open to them on the fifth floor. While drinking his favorite coffee, he looked Manhattan straight in the eyes. The two discussed the company's next investment plan. "New York crude is currently at 34.96, Brent at 35.16 and Oman at 35.09. » Office, David said: "Obviously it's been the same this month. » "Wall Street analysts, as well as our analysts, believe that crude oil has a high probability of exceeding $36, or even $37. Abel shook his head. Smith Capital has invested billions of dollars in international crude oil. Then, after receiving the funds from the first private placement, an additional $1.5 billion was invested in it. Smith Capital currently invests a total of more than $2.5 billion in international crude oil. Through leverage, the company can control capital's influence on crude oil futures contracts worth tens of billions of dollars. Abel says: "What is our average cost? When he started investing, his requirement was that the purchase price not exceed 31 USD/barrel. But as new capital was subsequently invested, oil prices rose significantly. On average, it is clearly impossible to keep costs below $31. Of course, David says, "Currently, our average total cost of ownership is $32.30. After hearing this data, Abel said: "Everything is fine. Even when crude oil prices in New York were at their lowest, we still made a profit of over $2.50. "David, let the people downstairs begin preparations. During these two days, when people think the price will increase and are optimistic, start closing positions and selling. » David Mellon was stunned. Abel's comments clearly contradict the prevailing argument on Wall Street. "It looks like crude oil is about to drop?" David said softly: "No problem, I will let everyone start selling immediately." Abel nodded: "No need to rush, just throw them away in a week. I estimate that within a week, they can still reach this price." "Understand." David nodded. This way, David has relatively more time to operate. This could at least bring or save hundreds of millions of dollars in profits for Smith Capital. After talking about the company's biggest investment, David started talking about something else. "I have arranged a meeting with Isaac Perlmutter. This gentleman is pleased to meet you." "He recently became the president of an entertainment company, founded a sweater brand and is now related to the president of a comic book toy company," David said. "Honestly, Abel. Sometimes I don't even know what you're thinking. » "Thank you David, but I don't want to explain to you right now. You just need to know. In a few years you will know the reason." Abel responded with a smile. David: "You're always like that" "But who calls you boss?" He added: "Isaac Perlmutter said he was always ready. He's on a plane to New York right now." "Um, I remember the company he owned, wasn't it in New York before?" " Yes. But you know, it almost went bankrupt and was deregistered in 1996. Although the situation has recovered, the situation is still very bad. » "In 1998, to cut costs," David said. Isaac Perlmutter moved the company to Los Angeles. » "Understand." Abel nodded: "Then when Mr. Perlmutter arrives, let me know immediately." David had just made a gesture of agreement when he saw Abel stop and ask another question. "By the way, David. I heard this guy Perlmutter is a venture capitalist and he also likes to play stocks, right?" David nodded, "Yes. Let me tell you something else, before I worked for Goldman Sachs, Isaac Perlmutter was a big client of mine." "Oh~ what a coincidence, right?" Abel couldn't help but raise his eyebrows: "So you must know that Isaac Perlmutter invested?" "Most." David nodded. "Hello." Abel smiled meaningfully. He said: "So do you think we can get Mr. Isaac Perlmutter into trouble?" "Um" David Mellon looked at him, "What do you mean?" Abel whispered something to him. "Um" David Mellon hesitated after listening. "That seems a bit unprofessional." "Come on," Abel said with a smile, "It could make you a few hundred thousand dollars." "GOOD." David nodded: "My current professionalism is all for Smith! "Ha~" "RIGHT." Abel stood up, walked over to David and patted him on the shoulder: "Just go. You are much more professional than me in this aspect. David made a gesture of agreement and they both laughed, looking a little embarrassed. At that moment, there was a knock on the office door. Immediately after that, a clear voice rang out: "Mr. Smith, Mr. Mellon, this is Amanda. Can I come in? There are some documents I need to give you." After hearing this voice, David gave Abel a thumbs up. This guy also kindly said: "It's true." Please ask the eldest lady of the Hearst family to transfer our business! "Ha~" Abel laughed, "It's not my fault. I have no intention of doing so. Who told her to come here for an internship and then accidentally meet our moving company? » "And." Abel added: "It's not that I told her not to do this type of work, but she insisted on doing it herself." David shook his head and called out, "Come in, Amanda. The door opened. Amanda still has a small body, holding documents in her hands, the documents are up to her hair, making entry a bit difficult. It seemed wobbly, as if papers and files might fall to the floor at any moment. Abel looked at David and signaled him to help him. David shook his head in refusal, his eyes swept over Abel and Amanda, his eyes a little confused. Abel had no choice but to shake his head and walk towards the pile of documents and files that Amanda was staggering towards. "Be careful, Amanda. Actually, you don't have to do this difficult job, someone in the company will do it. » Abel helped her put documents and files on the table. "This cannot be happening." Amanda breathed a sigh of relief then smiled and said: "Now I'm your secretary, even though I'm just an intern. But it's also my job and of course I have to do it well!" "Okay. As long as you like it." Abel waved his hand. Amanda didn't stay long, smiled friendly at Abel, nodded politely to David, turned around and continued working. After he left, the office door closed. David Mellon suddenly said: "It seems this young lady from Hearst is very important to my boss." "Ha~" Abel smiled, "Don't say such things." She was only sixteen years old. » David rolled his eyes and wanted to say something else about it. Abel didn't give him a chance. "Okay, remember to pay attention to the crude oil issue. After shipping, notify me immediately. Don't forget Isaac." He chose to leave directly. Just before leaving the company, he explained it to David Mellon. Leaving the Smith Building, Abel's motorcade quickly left LIC and quickly headed to JFK International Airport, also in Queens. An hour later, he flew to Texas. On the plane, he used the satellite phone to call another David he had left behind in Tarrant County. "David, this is Abe Smith." "Hello, BOSS. I know you and I have your satellite phone number." "Okay. I'm on my way to Tarrant County now. I'll be there in about two hours. David, tell me what's going on there. "GOOD." A week ago, because of the surprise raid on the Manhattan district attorney's office. Abel was forced to return from Texas early. Then he saw that it was nothing serious. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office, on behalf of a handful of people, issued a small warning - no, not even a warning. This can only be taken as a compliment. The other party was probably telling Abel that she could do it if necessary. Abel was depressed and helpless before the actions of these people. However, he did not make it easier for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which was considered a gun. He then spent that money, causing a mini media storm against the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Among them, newspapers in the Los Angeles area were the most enthusiastic and rushed to the forefront. Even now he has stopped investing money. West Coast newspapers, led by the Los Angeles Times, are still struggling. In addition to this aspect, he also asked Caroline to initiate a series of lawsuits against the Manhattan district attorney's office. Compared to the previous storm of public opinion, it is clear that this testing storm is very tedious and requires a lot of effort. For the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the harm and impact are even greater. According to Caroline, Robert Morgenthau had a headache. The old man wanted to meet Abel for dinner, so he arranged to meet Abel through Caroline. Abel pushed again and again, this time he flew straight to Texas so Robert Morgenthau couldn't find anyone. In fact, Abel also knows these two revenge tricks. This doesn't really weaken the roots of the Manhattan District Attorney's office. This can only get them into trouble, especially the former, who may not even be in trouble at all. Due to the initial storm of public opinion directed at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Today it has become a low-intensity standoff between West Coast and East Coast newspapers. There are no cases with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. It's also a storm of litigation, kind of a simple method to get krypton gold. causing Robert headaches and trouble. So much so that they all wanted to invite Abel to dinner, perhaps because they wanted to reconcile. Abel also knew that reconciliation would always come. Because this time, it really doesn't matter anymore. Strictly speaking, it must even be said that the Manhattan District Attorney's Office acted very objectively. Two of Abel's employees actually committed a crime. It's just that these things weren't done by Smith Capital. This is a crime I committed at my previous company before coming to work here. Abel made plans when he returned from Texas. If Robert calms down a bit, he will calm this litigation storm. After all, the main purpose of launching this counterattack had been achieved. It also allows him to focus on Texas. On the Texas side, Abel left behind David Jones and five bodyguards. Five bodyguards, three of whom accompanied Alexander Smith. The other two worked for David Jones. What David needs to do is very simple. Here he describes Abel and talks to Devine about how to help Alexander. At the same time, the movement of the stone guardians on this side was completed. "First is Aleswas and Electric." As for David, according to the boss's concerns, let's talk about the energy company first. Although David didn't know it, Rock Security's actions were clearly more important. But it seems the boss is paying more attention to such a regional power company. "I have been in contact with a number of shareholders and the board of directors of this company through Mr. Devine." "It's clear that the other party intends to sell very quickly, the offered price is also very low, only needing 20 million USD to buy 80% of our shares." "But there's a problem: This company is nearly $50 million in debt. The debt has exceeded twice the market value and that is the biggest problem." The debt ratio is 250%. When Abel heard this data on the plane, he was a little speechless. He asked again: "What about other aspects?" "Other words." David Jones: "The company currently has about a thousand employees, three power plants, 21 gas stations, 555 miles of gas pipelines. It provides electricity to about a thousand small farms in Tarrant County and has about 100,000 to 120,000 customers. " Abel picked up the satellite phone and said: "What is the cause of this large debt? "I checked the information, that's why I owe so much." "There are three reasons. The first is that its three power plants are all old-fashioned power plants. Outdated technology, high annual maintenance costs, and efficiency are also issues of concern. "The second reason is that the Alès company recently acquired a gas company. This gas company is also on the verge of bankruptcy. Alès believes that it owns two natural gas fields." "The third reason is competition. There are 11 electric utilities in Tarrant County and competition is fierce. Ales Company did not have a cost advantage, so it lost the price war. » "Oh~" On the plane, Abel breathed a sigh of relief. "Understood," he said. "Well, wait until I get there. Let's talk about getting off the rock safely." "Relocation is not an issue." David said: "Tarrant District Council welcomes the arrival of Rock Security. It's just that Sunny Mountain Ranch is still available. If you want to wait until the project with a capacity of more than a thousand people is completed to arrange a training ground, the construction time may take more than half a year. " "Understand." Abel repeated. "Wait until I pass." Having finished speaking, he hung up the satellite phone. Then he looked up and saw four beautiful flight attendants standing in front of him. Unlike last time, he could only say that one of the four flight attendants knew him. It wasn't Maria but someone else. He pointed to the familiar flight attendant and gently said: "Where is Maria? Isn't it Maria's turn this time?" Last time I missed Maria a little. Can blow and play, brush teeth well. The flight attendant he called was stunned and immediately answered: "Oh, sir. You mean Maria? She's getting married this week and she's getting married." "Let's take time to get married." Abel felt a bit regretful. But after thinking about it, I don't want to collect it. It's a pity, next time we meet again we will be serious, just to remember. At this time, there is also the blessing of Cao Cao's attribute. Wouldn't it be more beautiful? As long as you pay attention to safety, this casual game. It's good to eat. Thinking so, he looked at the four flight attendants again. The quality of the four people this time is not as high as the previous two times. The person with the best body is the one who just spoke. Abel now has a higher need and appetite. This kind of quality does not make him think much. He even thought about getting off the plane after that. I want David to file a complaint with American Express. The quality is getting worse and worse, the reviews are not good! (end of this chapter)