Chapter 202: Disaster Day
[Chapter 202: Disaster Day]
June 18 was Italy's disaster day.
June 22 was Spain's disaster day.
June 25 was South Korea's disaster day.
On these days, they suffered unprecedented pain and torment that even their own citizens began to lash out in anger. They could not accept such a bloody lesson.
Soon after, FIFA announced it would not go easy on Chung Mong-joon and demanded accountability from the Korean Football Association... This guy was destined to end his career, and could even be looking at jail time!
But none of this mattered to Ian Carr.
He had passed on a major expose, and in return, he secured a collaboration agreement with News Corporation.
...
Not long after, News Corporation and Carr Media Group announced their agreement.
Carr Media Group invested $13 billion to acquire 40% of Fox Entertainment Group's shares, also signing related tiered clauses -- Murdoch had no intention of leasing out his child for ten years; his requirement was five years.
At the same time, News Corporation stipulated a series of non-sellable assets, forbidding Ian Carr from selling assets to achieve so-called high profits.
This was the old man's cunning; from the beginning, he had blocked various exits.
However, that left the other side in a tricky situation.
A large company's key assets were numerous; even Murdoch could not include too many terms in the contract, nor could he predict the future.
For instance, he could trust the future of Fox News, but he wouldn't know how quickly it would grow; and he didn't consider the enormous value of 20th Century Fox, which wasn't even Ian's main target...
For example, he might recognize the value of the Star Wars copyright, but he wouldn't realize the future belonged to the age of superheroes, not understanding the value of the X-Men, Blue Sky Studios, or Avatar, nor the impact of a host named Tucker Carlson leaving, which could decrease Fox News' valuation by 5%...
He didn't know a lot!
Thus, Ian had ample room to maneuver. By controlling Fox Entertainment Group, he would take away any currently hidden valuable assets! Even if the value was clear, as long as the money was right, it could be taken away!
Moreover, Ian had given Murdoch so many benefits that Murdoch couldn't push too far; he opened the green light for some assets.
Under these circumstances, the future growth of Fox was bound to belong to LANN!
The key aspects would look splendid -- to curb buyback losses, Ian would still actively help Fox, striving for higher revenues and market capitalization.
Just like when he sold the Signet Daily... that piece of junk was profitable when I sold it!
Fox would be the same; only after leaving Ian would it plummet in value!
...
In the end, Ian signed an exclusive cooperation agreement with News Corporation under the name Butterfly.
Ian provided news to CBS, while Butterfly provided news to News Corporation.
It was a little tricky for CBS, but a capitalist who doesn't play hardball isn't a good capitalist!
Of course, Ian would still provide CBS with exclusive news, ensuring CBS wouldn't suffer too many losses as a result. If they were dissatisfied and angered Ian, that would be a real trouble.
This collaboration was supposed to be a major event, but got buried in the fallout of the World Cup scandal; only a few smart folks could catch on, but unfortunately, these companies were not publicly traded, leaving their opportunities limited.
This World Cup scandal, driven by Ian, was even more intense, crazier, and noisier than before.
It was destined to become the biggest news topic of 2002.
James Perry lamented this.
While others weren't clear, James Perry was well-aware.
This bastard Ian Carr, was definitely responsible for the news yet gave credit to Murdoch. How else would Murdoch hand over such a juicy piece of Fox Entertainment Group to him?
---
On June 30.
This day marked the final match as scheduled.
However, the Korean fans were nowhere to be seen in the stands.
The 2002 World Cup refereeing scandal had emerged at the forefront due to the deaths of two corrupt referees; after South Korea lost to Germany 0-12, they also ended up losing 0-5 to Turkey.
In the historical turn, there was no longer any sense of honor for South Korea, who finished fourth in the World Cup.
Everyone called them "despicable thieves" and "shameless robbers," disgracing their hosts' status.
The reputation of South Koreans fell to an all-time low, with their fourth-place glory turning into an indelible disgrace -- from that day onward, whenever anyone saw a South Korean, they would mockingly shout "Fourth place! Fourth place!"
Thus, for a time, fourth place became the greatest shame in this timeline; some even preferred to fall outside the top four than to receive fourth place.
South Koreans had turned "fourth place" into an insulting ranking.
Perhaps benefiting from their great victory over the South Koreans, this final match's outcome also shifted.
The Brazilians didn't win over Germany with a 2-0 score; instead, they narrowly won 2-1; at least the overall outcome remained the same.
This was actually related to Ian.
He provided a little help to the Brazilians; otherwise, the Germans could have turned the tides of history.
Ian didn't want that. Without any interest entanglement, he still preferred history to follow its original course; otherwise, the next World Cup might see changes... He would never confess that his betting on Brazil was part of the reason.
With the World Cup concluded, fans all over returned home.
Ian also completed his earnings from gambling on the tournament.
Not much, 1.2 billion.
At least in his eyes, it was not much.
---
On the hotel king size bed, a wave of passion just ended.
Britney pressed her beautiful, youthful body against Ian, rubbing against him and sparkling her lovely big eyes as she asked, "Aren't you going back?"
Ian breathed in a rose's fragrance, smiling, "I still have some things to finish up; I'm staying behind to talk to Samsung."
"How long will you stay?" Britney asked.
"I'm not quite sure; it depends on how the negotiations go," Ian softly kissed Britney's supple lips.
"I know you have a lot to arrange once you return, don't worry, baby, it's only a few days apart, I'll come see you when I get back."
Even at her lowest point, Britney had her arrangements, so reluctantly, she gazed at Ian, wrapping her arms around his neck, saying, "I know how those Koreans are. Their reputation is tarnished, and they'll need your help to redeem their dignity. To get your assistance, they'll offer everything, especially those South Korean ladies; they are gifts with no stature. You want me to leave because you think I'll be a nuisance, right?"
Damn it!
Why do you have to be so savvy about this?
Ian hurriedly reassured Britney, "That's not it, baby."
Britney softly remarked, "I won't get jealous; your promise to me wasn't about this from the start."
As a seasoned seducer, Ian knew how to respond carefully to such comments, never showing too much excitement. He smiled while gently caressing Britney, "You will always be the most important to me..."
Fortunately, Lena wasn't around.
Britney finally pleased: "Alright, then promise me one thing. You must see me when you get back!"
"Of course!" Ian nodded earnestly, "How could I pass up the chance to see you?"
After a passionate encounter, Ian personally saw Britney off at the airport.
Waving goodbye as he watched her board the plane and soar into the sky, Ian lightly waved his hand.
Then his expression turned serious.
Secretary Ida approached and respectfully stood behind him, "Samsung Group called; Lee Kun-hee will be waiting for you at the Grand Hilton. You have an hour!"
Ian softly acknowledged, "No rush, I have the right to be late, right?"
Ida smiled, "Of course, Boss."
*****
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