Chapter 289

Chapter 289 Chain of contempt among rich families

When you reach the first floor and face the entire reception room.

Abel regained a professional smile on his face.

Her smile was called "the smile of Apollo walking the world" by Ms. Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of the American version of the world's first fashion festival "VOGUE", a famous devil in the fashion industry. gender". .

In many American fashion and entertainment magazines, photos of "VOGUE" with this type of smile are very popular with American women and even many women around the world.

To some extent, he has become the perfect man and god in the minds of many women. At that time, the owner of "Apollo's Smile Walking in the World", as Anna Wintour said, was looking for little Laura in the crowd.

Abel quickly discovered that she was a core group of ladies. At this moment, she was smiling and seemed very comfortable.

With the help and support of Joanna, a senior housekeeper, Abel remains very secure about little Laura.

Lady diplomacy and handkerchief diplomacy are also an important element of this type of reception.

As for herself, little Laura will have to adapt sooner or later. With her status, strength and reputation of her family, father and brothers, women of any status will somewhat respect her when they see her.

Combined with the identity of Abel's companion.

All of this combined was enough for little Laura to face the female guests with an equal, if not somewhat superior, attitude.

This is why many large families around the world are looking for a suitable family.

Not to mention good family background, the most important factor is the strong alliance between the two sides. Only in relatively simple social situations.

If the mistress's status is not high enough.

When hosting a reception like this tonight, something embarrassing could happen.

For example, if now, replace Little Laura with Annie and Jessica.

These Hollywood girls may not even understand the unwritten rules and etiquette of many parties, and they will definitely make jokes. Backstage is sure to attract discussions in the circle.

Although this is generally harmless, larger families are not willing to let this happen.

Not to mention Anne and the others.

At this level of opportunity, even Ikana's journey is not enough.

Don't think Ted Lerner is a billionaire. Ikana is the daughter of a billionaire.

Billionaires also have ranks and chains of contempt.

For example, Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy, is the final link in the chain of contempt among America's wealthy.

In the eyes of traditional American tycoons, Hugh Hefner is an old man selling pornographic magazines.

Ted Lerner, Ikana's father, is slightly older than Hugh Hefner, a real estate businessman and second-generation wealthy man. However, real estate developers are also relatively low on the US commercial food chain.

Furthermore, what Ted Lerner did caused him to be criticized a lot in the world.

Even his family members did not feel present in the circle.

Standing above Ted Lerner's family is a family like Hilton that has a certain legacy but lacks wealth.

The Hilton family from beginning to end is not America's first family but simply a family with a tradition in the hospitality industry. Not even the best in the hotel.

In last year's Forbes ranking, Barron Hilton ranked last on the list of the 400 richest people in America with assets of about 3 billion USD.

Barron is also slightly ahead of Ed Lerner, and Ikana's father isn't even on the 400 list.

These wealthy families above the Hilton family are truly wealthy families.

For example, the Hearst family of Amanda sisters. This family owns the majority of shares of the Hearst corporation and is one of the oldest wealthy families in New York.

His assets, according to Forbes, amount to about 16.5 billion USD.

However, the family holdings are relatively dispersed and the Hearst family has many members and does not rank high on the list of the 400 richest people in America.

Only the assets of the entire Hearst family can be counted in one place.

The families above the Hearst family, if you look across America, are estimated to be considered princes. Like the Adelson family in Nevada.

This family owns the world's largest gaming company, Las Vegas Sands Corporation.

This is a casino empire worth $14 billion with annual revenue.

Adelson owns 52.3% of the company's shares. Forbes' calculation of this family's assets is $38.9 billion. In addition, Adelson is also an oilman. He is also one of the big men in the oil and gas industry.

Above the Adelson family are only Koch and Cargill.

On Koch and Cargill are the main families of the ten largest corporations in the United States.

For example, even the names Morgan and Rockefeller will become asterisks when typed. is the head of the Federal Reserve, the real controller family in this country.

Despite this wealthy corporation.

Bill Gates and other Internet newcomers, as well as the newly super-rich like Buffett, find themselves in another strange position.

Besides this food chain there is another chain of family contempt.

They are the Shrubs, the Kennedys, the Adams and others. There is no doubt that among these despicable chains, the shrub family is at the top.

The ancient Smith family was not part of a wealthy corporation, but due to their influence and connections, they belonged to a wealthy family in a small locality.

He can be considered a member of the Zhengzhi family chain.

In this chain, seen from a national perspective, the ancient Smith family occupies a similar ecological position to the Ikana family in this contemptuous chain.

It's just that the Smith family has Abel. Abel attracts the bush family and the two factions combine wealth and power.

Suddenly, the Smith family's status rose extremely high.

It's a bit like the Buffett family, with a Warren Buffett.

Like tonight, there were even scenes of British diplomats and diplomatic envoys from various countries.

With Ikana's family's current relationship and aura, she most likely won't be able to keep him. His father came here at that time and his position was always lower.

His family's status was extremely high, so unless his father, who you know, was considered one of the richest men of his time.

Today, if a rich lady from a corporation were to come to this scene, at least Cargill and Koch could handle it easily.

The status of the shrub in the Zhengzhi clan's contempt chain is slightly higher than that of Koch and Cargill in the rich corporation's contempt chain, but it is also the existence of different chains at the same level.

Looking at little Laura doing everything comfortably, Abel couldn't help but admit it in his heart. In the European and American world, especially in the United States.

If you really want to become a rich family, you need a suitable lover, a lover of your own family.

Identity and competence are essential.

The most typical example is the shrub family.

This family became rich thanks to two successive generations of good lovers. Baby Laura's great-grandmother, Dorothy, brought the Walker family into the Bush family.

At that time, the Walker family had great influence on Wall Street and belonged to one of the financial giants.

Barbara, baby Laura's grandmother, was formerly known as Barbara Pierce.

The Pierce family was a family of New England settlers.

Barbara is related to the 14th President of the United States, Frank Kline Pierce. From the perspective of the times, the two sides have formed a solid alliance, and the bush clan has become stronger.

After the marriage of these two generations, the Shrub family completely flourished and became a wealthy family.

The Smith family relies on just one financial superpower, which at best could develop into a more powerful version of Buffett.

If all goes well, this could become a new family like the Morgans in a few generations.

If things don't go well, it will probably just be the second Vanderbilt family. Abel knew this well, as did Alexandre and Alex.

Father and son Alexandre and Alex are looking forward to the wedding between Abel and the bush.

Because in this country, wealth and power are the foundation that will last forever.

Abel also understood this point, only later could little Laura's personality be accepted by him.

He just accepted this combination. Thinking of this, Abe couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

At first it was a reincarnated ferry.

But ambitious, they want to break this order and build their own.

Unfortunately, talent is not strong, only useful in finance.

In other aspects, he sees himself as no different from ordinary people. The best thing is that they have better physical health and can live longer than others in the future.

Reality cannot be broken by relying solely on finances.

Even if the financial strength of the United States is very strong.

Because of these special interests, they can completely disobey financial rules and fight it out on the financial battlefield if necessary.

And on the battlefield, Abel knew he couldn't fight those old bastards. It's just a matter of removing the network cable, it's not like they can't do it.

Disconnect the network cable or lose capital.

Abel's talent was destroyed.

In the end, Abel, who wanted to disrupt this order and create his own, chose to integrate into this order.

He wants to climb this order and eventually become an existence at the top of the pyramid of order. If you can't take him down, join him and even become his brain.

That was Abel's choice.

After all, they are in the same boat.

Abel smiled bitterly, but looked at the scene of cooking oil and fire flowers.

Abel believes that there are also advantages of being in the same boat. For example, in this order, he is already at a pretty high level and he can do whatever he wants in many cases.

For example, now a thoughtful person came to him after he appeared at the reception.

are two attorneys at Clifford Chance LLP.

Lawyer Timmy Owen and trainee lawyer Aymo Alamuddin.

Timmy Owen has always been an extremely gentle gentleman, regardless of appearance or clothing, he explains his "gentle scum" appearance. As for Aymo Alamuddin, Abel almost thought he was wearing a hat.

Because tonight Aymo Alamuddin is too much like Abel's Annie.

Especially this kind of temperament, when Anne is not stupid, when she smiles, she is almost exactly like Aimo Alamuddin in front of her.

People who don't know the truth will think that these two people are related, sisters or even twins when they see them.

This Aimo Alamuddin, wearing a backless white evening gown by Burberry tonight. This beautiful dress helps her highlight the perfect curve of her back.

A thin gold ribbon wrapped around her neck, locking the heart-shaped clasp of the crescent necklace. Wear a Swarovski crystal bracelet on your wrist. She wore light makeup on her face, and on her neck was a unique crescent-shaped necklace hanging diagonally.

This dress was similar to Anne's. Abel couldn't help but take a few more glances. After careful consideration, Abel felt that Anne was more refined.

Aymo Alamuddin, on the other hand, has a more desert feel and is a bit slimmer.

What makes them more similar is their temperament when not talking or smiling.

"Mr. Smith, good evening." Timmy Owen saw Abel looking at the trainee lawyer.

The lawyer was very happy. He feels that the rumors are true and that beauty traps are indeed useful for this super rich man.

Young people, no matter how rich you are, you will have more power.

Facing the beauty, there was no resistance.

Timmy Owen, who also came from a young age, thought the same thing in his heart.

"Have a good night." Abel and Timmy Owen smiled and shook hands. Clifford Chance is very good in London, not inferior to Madame Caroline in New York.

Several Abel companies here have signed strategic cooperation agreements with Clifford Chance.

This law firm is very sincere, the prices and handling are very high.

Abel was very satisfied with this, so naturally he still had a certain respect for the senior management of this law firm, just like Timmy Owen before him.

Tonight it's Aymo Alamuddin, his temperament and way of dressing are too similar to Annie's. Abel couldn't help but shake her hand: "Hello, you look too much like a friend of mine."

Aymo Alamuddin smiled slightly.

Abel felt she even smiled in the same way.

When Annie isn't smiling or laughing out loud, she's smiling cautiously, which is the same in this case.

Appearance and temperament are the same, it can be said to be natural.

They all dress the same, this can also be considered a coincidence. But the smiles were the same, Abel understood clearly in his heart.

Timmy Owen probably had another purpose in presenting the highly imitative version of Anne before him.

But what if there is another goal?

Abel is no longer afraid of this kind of beautiful girl.

Too many people know about his hobby. There are too many people who want to do this to him.

He continued chatting with Timmy Owen: "Mr. Owen. Clifford Chance is, as far as I know, the best law firm in the UK and indeed in Europe specializing in MandA law and the law of obligations. Next, Mr. Owen thinks that if time allows... What is the possibility of Rolls-Royce suing BMW to court?"

When Timmy Owen heard Abel's request, the lawyer was surprised.

Aymo Alamuddin heard it from the side, even more inexplicably. Okay, how can Rolls-Royce sue BMW?

These two car companies are both luxury brands, is there a conflict between them?

Aymo Alamuddin is unclear.

But Timmy Owen deserves to be a professional lawyer, and he also deserves to become one of the leading snakes in the London legal world.

Timmy Owen responded quickly and the lawyer quietly asked:

"Mr. Smith, do you want to let Rolls-Royce continue with the acquisition two years ago?"

Abel smiled and nodded, expressing satisfaction with the business ability of Clifford Chance's senior partner. "It's not wrong." Abel quietly said to Timmy Owen, "I'm Ativen's friend. You should know Ativen, right?

Timmy Irwin nodded. Aitiwin is the current CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Tonight, Timmy Owen also met this gentleman at the recent reception.

Regarding the claim that Ngai De Van was Abel's good friend, the lawyer really didn't believe it. A rich young man, far from America, is good friends with an older salaryman in England.

The age difference between the two is so large that this is unlikely to happen.

But on the outside, Timmy Owen continued to smile and listen.

"Ai Tiwen believes that the acquisition took place two years ago. The two German auto groups used shameful tricks to deceive Rolls-Royce Motors."

"Etivon believes this is suspected of being a breach of relevant UK legislation," Abel said. But he's not a lawyer. So Mr. Owen, I just wanted to ask for your opinion.

After listening to Abel, Timmy Owen began to think carefully.

That said, Timmy Owen was able to understand what Abel was talking about quickly.

That's because BMW and Volkswagen rushed to buy Rolls-Royce more than two, even three years ago.

Clifford Chance was involved and provided a number of legal services. That's why Timmy Owen knows.

In October 1997, Vickers Group, the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, announced it would sell Rolls-Royce.

Germany's BMW and Volkswagen competed for acquisitions, but Rolls-Royce ultimately preferred BMW.

At that time, Volkswagen was still a low-cost car seller in the eyes of the public.

Rolls-Royce is despised. However, Rolls-Royce despises the public, but the public has sympathy for Rolls-Royce.

On April 20, 1998, Volkswagen, which was sympathetic to Rolls-Royce, announced that it would continue to compete with BMW for the right to buy Rolls-Royce after being rejected by Rolls-Royce.

Like a dog licking.

As a result, the decision will be taken by the general meeting of shareholders of the Vickers group at the end of April 1998.

In this regard, Volkswagen said it will offer a higher price quote as well as a revised business development plan to maintain products of the famous Rolls-Royce brand. Indeed, the two main shareholders of the Vickers group have expressed dissatisfaction with the sale of Rolls-Royce to BMW.

Therefore, the Vickers Group hoped that BMW would increase its offer but was rejected, saying that 1 billion marks was the highest offer.

On July 3 of the same year, the Vickers group decided to sell Rolls-Royce to Volkswagen for 1.44 billion marks.

On July 28, less than a month after Volkswagen spent a huge amount of money to buy a Rolls-Royce, the company announced that it would sell it to BMW.

BMW recently reversed its decision to end the supply of engines and other accessories to Rolls-Royce and agreed to let Volkswagen produce Rolls-Royces until December 31, 2002. This acquisition, Timmy Owen led from start to finish.

From the average person's perspective, this acquisition is not a big deal.

No, A and B will buy C together.

C wanted to sell to A but B paid a higher price so in the end he sold it to B.

A was upset and said he wouldn't play with C in the future. So B and A don't know how to negotiate, buy B from C, then sell C to B.

The process had its ups and downs and complications, but in the end it did not appear illegal.

This is seen from an ordinary person's perspective.

But in the eyes of Timmy Owen, an old lawyer immersed in British law for many years.

If you really want to pick a thorn, there are so many places to choose from. For example, if the resale of C between B and A is legal and meets the needs of C's internal employees.

Another example is between C and A, if there is a possibility of inciting B to buy C at a high price.

If he wanted to choose, a lawyer like Timmy Owen could choose at least a dozen locations as litigation targets.

After clarifying these points, Timmy Owen looked towards Abel: "Personally, I feel that this purchasing document is inappropriate in many aspects.

Old To Gun said: "At least now I can think of at least 11 places that do not comply like that.

Seeing Timmy Owen say this, Abel smiled.

Abel looked at Timmy Owen and said softly:

"In that case, may I introduce Clifford Chance to represent Rolls-Royce in the BMW and Volkswagen case?"

"Ah~ Although I really don't want to admit it."

Timmy Owen graciously took off his hat for Abel, looking very sweet. "But I have to admit that in this case, the law firm that can satisfy UK employers the most is Clifford Chance!"

"Mr. Smith, if you entrust this matter to us, Clifford Chance will definitely give you a positive result!"

Therefore, Abel sometimes likes to cooperate with those who play the rules the most in Europe and America.

These lawyers in Europe and the United States can often open their eyes and lie to their employers.

The law of loopholes can find a way to help you create loopholes.

They are extremely considerate, their service attitude is getting better and better.

Same as last year. Even a hardliner like Robert Morgenthau, a traditional East Coast political powerhouse, had to go soft on Abel in the face of the frenzied siege of these old pretenders.

As long as you have money, you can hire this group of people, as long as this group has enough people.

This often happens, especially when there are no personal lives or larger interests at stake.

Most interest groups are afraid of these people.

The premise is that you must be able to pay their legal fees and you must be rich. Therefore, these European and American lawyers will bring you the benefit that we call "client is king".

For the law

For these people, it is a money-making tool, simply a way for them to make a living.

Abel extended his hand to Timmy Owen, the lawyer quickly shook Abel's hand.

"Then I will wait and see," Abel said. Soon, Rolls-Royce Motor Company and Vickers Group will approach Clifford Chance to help them get justice.

"Justice!" Timmy Owen smiled sweeter than ever. "That's what we all do, lawyers! »

(end of this chapter)