Chapter 103: The Carr Family Will Have Their Revenge

[Chapter 103: The Carr Family Will Have Their Revenge]

That evening, Ian boarded a flight back to Los Angeles, stopping first to visit Gaskill. The old man's spirits seemed to have picked up quite a bit.

As Ian sat by the hospital bed, he conversed with Gaskill. "It's been confirmed, the insurance company was behind it."

He referred to the company known as Etna, a giant in the health insurance industry in America, could be a variant of Aetna of his previous life, which he had learned was very much the leading player in the market.

Gaskill wasn't surprised. After all, his own insurance was through Etna. He asked Ian, "Did you get the evidence?"

Ian nodded lightly. "A department head."

Gaskill said quietly, "Even if you expose them, it won't make a real difference. It could potentially even boost Etna's stock prices."

This shocked Ian. "Are you sure?"

Gaskill was confident. "They just need to say this was the work of lower-level employees and throw a scapegoat under the bus to resolve the issue. And as for the stock market... I've told you before, investors don't care about a company's morals, right? They only care about anticipated profit. A company that would let its clients suffer for profit looks very capable of making money, doesn't it?"

Ian chuckled at the perfect logic.

Of course, the stock price would go up! Insurance was a similar story. Etna could just find a few scapegoats, and investors would believe that this company could still generate huge profits, leading them to buy in!

Conscience and ethics were tools for the uninvolved; those with vested interests only cared about profit!

At that moment, Ian said, "Those guys nearly killed you. I have to deal with them. Don't worry; I have my methods."

Gaskill waved his hand. "Take it easy, take it easy, son. You have a lot of issues to face right now, and you need to tackle them one by one. Revenge shouldn't be your primary goal, and violence shouldn't be your means. You should turn that hatred into profit!"

Ian gently shook his head, holding the old man's hand. "That's not fair to you."

Gaskill laughed. "We're businesspeople. Nothing can't be bought if you have the right amount of cash. Your plan needs plenty of funds, and even I couldn't lend you that much. But this situation can help you solve a major funding issue. Ian, business is about utilizing all available resources, and I don't mind being your small pawn."

Ian understood.

He thought for a moment and nodded. "So as long as I get evidence that their higher-ups were involved, I can ask them for money? Is that right?"

Gaskill shook his head gently. "That's not easy. You know that good lawyers can fix a lot of problems. In my view, how you get that evidence is what they're truly afraid of."

Ian got it.

For a big company, scandalous information wasn't terrifying; it was having a never-ending supply of such material that was truly frightening! Just as Ian had said before, he could steal anything he wanted, including the very lives of influential figures!

...

Ian grinned in understanding. "I know what to do now. What's next?"

Gaskill said softly, "Short selling the Italian lira for funding, I'll help you with that."

The money for acquiring businesses was favorable, considering the company itself can be used as collateral. However, short selling carried higher risk and needed substantial collateral. Gaskill's assistance was essential, as he was the only one who could help Ian tweak a few rules.

Ian stated, "Now the question is how to convince James Perry. If CBS doesn't agree, Lino's financing won't matter."

Gaskill chuckled. "That's not easy. Every time a new king rises, the old one will be the most anxious; only the subjects will applaud. What do you plan to do? Pressure him like the last time?"

Ian gently shook his head, reflecting for a moment. "I feel like I'm heading down a different path... Using coercion by holding others' blackmail isn't the right way to do business either."

Gaskill laughed heartily.

The strong laugh made him hold his head; Lena quickly supported him, scolding him gently, "Don't get so excited."

Gaskill lightly patted her hand. "I am just happy to see Ian grow."

Then Gaskill looked at Ian. "But you won't abandon that method, will you?"

Ian nodded. "The art of war states, 'to combine the ordinary and the extraordinary.' Rigid adherence to the right path can be too inflexible. A purely extraordinary approach can fail to achieve real results."

Gaskill was at a loss for words. "I'm not following you."

"It's about those unconventional tactics; they can't be ignored, but they shouldn't be overused, just reserved for key moments." Ian smiled. "What if I agree to let James Perry continue as CBS chairman, with all my CBS shares held by him? Do you think he would accept?"

Gaskill was stunned. "Is it really that easy to negotiate?"

If that were the case, James Perry wouldn't have any reason to refuse, and would likely even support it.

Ian smiled. "Managing a company isn't my strength; I want CBS primarily to expand my influence. And my influence comes from my reporting... No matter what I want to do, I don't have to go through the board, just report on it."

Gaskill's eyes lit up.

He understood what Ian meant.

Ian truly didn't require much power within the boardroom. If he supported something, he'd expose the opposing side's dirt. If he opposed something, he'd expose the dirt on his own team.

As long as he could find ongoing dirt on the heavyweights, he could use his reporting to influence CBS and steer them according to his plans. Even if CBS didn't cooperate, it didn't matter, because Ian had his own media and channels to voice his opinions.

If that were the case, what did it matter to have James Perry as chairman? On the contrary, as a major shareholder, wouldn't his words hold weight?

Holding others' weaknesses, the presence or absence of overt power became inconsequential.

...

Gaskill chuckled. "Is there more to it?"

Ian replied, "Two newspaper companies aren't enough to negotiate with CBS; I still need more capital, like Hollywood! I plan to leverage my abilities to secure as much publicity work from Hollywood as possible, and that would also serve as negotiation capital."

Hollywood produced a massive number of films every year, all needing marketing and publicity; a film like Pearl Harbor was just a drop in the bucket.

Having this would be another negotiating tool when dealing with CBS.

Gaskill laughed. "That's a good idea. I suggest you start a celebrity interview show on WND, after all, WND is also your asset."

"A celebrity interview?" Ian asked in surprise.

"Yes!" Gaskill replied, "Celebrities easily attract public attention and can provide stable output. Unlike your news reports, while sensational, they can't be produced daily. The only downside is that inviting celebrities usually costs a lot. If you don't have enough industry influence, no one will pay attention... but you're different."

He smiled. "You have their secrets; they have to cooperate with you. You don't need to extort money from them; you just need their cooperation. For them, that's the lowest cost, and for you, that's an abundant return. Your celebrity interview show may not bring you to the peak, but it would increase your daily traffic and circulation."

Media isn't only about news.

Interviews, dialogues, film, variety shows, news, documentaries, etc., are all parts of the media. As the owner, being able to control and influence talent was core; having dirt on major figures meant the rest could be handled by subordinates.

That was how maximum value could be realized.

Moreover, this was also a major part of the television network's content.

To run a media business, it boiled down to two essential aspects.

First: quality content. Second: quality clients.

Ian's insider information was considered quality content, but as a businessman, building a stable, well-received program would yield benefits far beyond one or two sensational reports. Of course, it wasn't that Ian hadn't thought of this; after all, he had been in the newspaper business. Yet with a website now, he could produce entertainment content, demonstrating his business prowess.

As for quality clients, securing publicity from Hollywood was akin to having numerous advertising partners.

With daily newspapers, previews, television networks, and WND all advertising, he could add CBS too without issue, which would just increase the advertising revenue.

With Gaskill's suggestion, Ian immediately grasped the plan.

...

They continued to discuss their strategies by the hospital bed, piecing together a grand production amidst careful consideration and calculations.

This was a significant plan that touched on many aspects, including a top American health insurance company, a leading broadcast network, a country's currency, and a potentially world-shaking event on the horizon!

If Gaskill hadn't been injured, even with his faith in Ian, he wouldn't have played such a high-stakes game. But this recent brush with death had deepened their trust and friendship.

While they were deep in conversation, the phone rang again. Ian picked it up, chatted for a moment, then hung up. He turned to Gaskill. "I have some matters to handle. Wait for the good news."

Gaskill spoke gently, "Is it about the Bloods?"

Ian laughed.

He wouldn't ask how Gaskill had figured it out; the old man understood him too well.

Saluting, Ian said, "The Carr family believes in settling debts, both good and bad!"

With that, he hugged the old man, gave Lena a warm kiss, and exited the hospital.

*****

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