Chapter 71: I Want CBS

[Chapter 71: I Want CBS]

At dusk, Gaskill returned home and quietly sat on the living room couch, listening intently to the events that had unfolded. His face carried a somber expression, and he didn't seem particularly happy.

After a while, he finally said, "No one could achieve a counterattack in that situation, not even Rambo."

Taking out two petty thugs was straightforward, but taking down a gang single-handedly sounded absurd.

Ian chuckled, "I have a secret. I'm sorry I can't share it with you, but this secret allows me to accomplish many things."

Gaskill looked at Ian and inquired, "Including getting those secrets from the paint company and the hospital? And Lili Marlene and others?"

"Yes," Ian nodded. "While I can't tell you what the secret is, I can tell you what I can do. You and Lena are the only two I trust, and I need your wisdom."

"Well then, spill it," Gaskill said.

Ian replied, "I excel at sneaking around and persuading others! You could say I'm a smooth-talking thief... and don't worry about Crips turning me in. I've got enough tricks to keep him silent."

Gaskill smiled, "No wonder you're so confident about heading to the casino."

He patted Ian on the shoulder and added, "This is your ace in the hole. You never have to tell me what it is, but you can provide me with the information you have. I can help you analyze which can be leveraged, which should be exposed, and which needs to be saved for later. I'll help you pinpoint more targets and make new allies, then use Leyso -- oh, Butterfly -- to take the heat."

Ian grinned. The old man's support and wealth of experience felt like another leg up in his life!

Gaskill continued, "Even with your confidence, I still oppose keeping Crips around. As a businessman, I have no desire to control a gang. But I understand; you're young, ambitious, and confident. But with Crips, you can't treat him like a politician or a businessman. Those types are just not trustworthy. Appeasement won't get you far... you can't be friends and can't be in regular contact. The only way to control him is through intimidation! They're like a pack of vicious dogs who only respect those who are tougher than they are."

Ian smiled, "I am indeed tougher than they are, both in heart and method. And I've certainly promised some big leaks; Hollywood's scandal news isn't explosive enough, so I'll be maneuvering between the dark and the pink. Crips will continually feel my terror until he finally gives up!"

Gaskill was silent.

Lena said softly, "Ian, I prefer the gentle side of you."

Ian replied earnestly, "I'm always gentle in front of you!"

This was the truth. Despite having stunning beauties like Kate Beckinsale and Scarlett Johansson in his life, Lena was the one who mattered most to him.

She was the only one into whom he had poured his feelings.

Gaskill sighed, "In that case, our next plan should leverage the power of the media and expand our investments on multiple fronts."

"No!" Ian quickly shook his head. "This year isn't the right time. I need to gain more media channels before the fourth quarter of 2001. This year, all our focal points will be centered on the media itself."

Gaskill looked surprised. "You already have WND; there's no need to expand further right now."

Ian, who had proposed using the media's influence for peripheral expansion, seemed to be changing his mind.

He slowly shook his head. "No! Not enough. Gaskill, I need you to help me figure out how to take down CBS."

What? He wanted to take CBS?

Gaskill was taken aback.

Being an experienced old hand, he instantly realized what this meant. "What's coming next will be major news? What do you know, Ian?"

Gaskill was seasoned enough to understand that a desire to control a television news network valued in tens of billions wasn't the norm; it could only mean one thing: there was some incredibly significant scoop!

This was all he could think of; it was the only reason Ian would abandon the year's "media-centric, multi-pronged investment strategy."

Only such a reason would compel Ian to focus all his efforts on developing the media itself to avoid wasting the value of big exclusives.

He didn't even plan to sell the news, which indicated how sensational it must be!

It had to be world-class, historical!

Facing Gaskill's inquiry, Ian remained silent, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the scenery beyond. He was lost in thought.

Gaskill and Lena observed him intently.

After some time, Ian finally said, "Indeed, there's some insider information, but it's still uncertain. I'm searching for more clues. Before that, Lino Bank should clear all its stocks. I'll notify you of the specific timing."

Hearing this, Gaskill was stunned. "All stocks?"

This implied a major black swan event was about to occur, leading to a massive stock market crash.

Lena leaned in. "Short selling?"

"No!" Ian shook his head. "I can't short sell, but you can."

You know the market will drop, yet you won't short sell?

Gaskill, sharp as a tack, quickly realized this was likely not the typical Black Friday or economic bubble scenario. After all, short selling was perfectly legal in those situations -- predicting such a fall was part of the game!

Then, considering Ian's talent for gathering information and the lack of correlation between economic bubbles and insider info, it suggested...

Gaskill's eyes lit up. "A terrorist incident?"

If a terrorist event occurred, Ian wouldn't be suited for short selling; since you'd need to prepare to cover the exclusive story, law enforcement might think you were complicit. Maybe even the mastermind behind it!

But Gaskill could short sell without any connection since he was just an observer.

Ian looked at him, smiling but silent.

Gaskill understood; it was exactly that!

He said, "I'll share half with you."

Ian's smile widened.

Lena understood too, asking, "If you confirm it, will you stop it?"

Ian and Gaskill both laughed.

Gaskill gently wrapped his arm around his wife. "Don't say silly things, honey. We're not the police; we're under no obligation to do anything like that. Keeping ourselves safe is the priority."

Ian replied, "I'll do my best."

Ian was lying; there was no way he could stop it.

Not only because he needed to profit, but also because he knew that even if the attack was stopped, those behind it could have another plan waiting, one he knew nothing about. The people orchestrating events from the shadows, those who stood to profit from the chaos, from war contracts to political power, they wouldn't let one failed attempt change their course.

[T/N: Actual reason was because 9/11 paved the way for China. When America focused on counter-terrorism, the pressure of China was significantly reduced.]

It was best to say he would do his best would suffice.

Gaskill, though a veteran, still couldn't match Ian in some respects; these two cunning foxes complemented each other perfectly.

What was rare was how foxes usually found it tough to sincerely cooperate and trust each other, but Ian and Gaskill were a rare exception.

So, Gaskill asked, "So you're certain you want to take down CBS?"

"Yes!" Ian nodded with determination.

Gaskill smiled, "Then I'll plan things out for you... um, you'd better prove your business acumen first. No one likes a lackey climbing above them. No matter how talented a reporter, they're still just an employee!"

"What do you think I should do?" Ian asked.

Gaskill smiled, "How about taking down the Los Angeles Times? They always seem to be against you anyway."

*****

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