The Hearst family mansion is not far from Simon Westeros's estate, just a five-minute drive. Simon and his wife, Janet, soon arrived at their destination.
Arriving at another sizable estate, their sedan stopped in front of an ancient-looking villa, where a servant quickly came forward to open the car door.
As Simon and Janet stepped out of the car, they could already see people milling about in the villa's grand hall.
However, aside from the servant, the hosts did not come out to greet them. The couple exchanged a look, and Janet leaned in with a smile, whispering, "Maybe it's intentional."
Seeing a guest's car being directed to a parking spot by the servant and more guests arriving, Simon shrugged slightly and proceeded with Janet directly into the villa.
They entered the villa and surveyed the surroundings.
About twenty guests were grouped together in the hall, chatting among themselves. Among them was a face Simon recognized instantly – the mayor of New York City, David Dinkins.
Given that the Hearst family is a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party, it was not surprising to see David Dinkins here.
Simon did not see the hosts and, noticing David Dinkins and the people he was chatting with approaching, smiled and greeted them.
David Dinkins was also accompanied by his wife. After exchanging greetings, he introduced a couple beside him, "Simon, this is John Gutefreund, the chairman of Salomon Brothers, and his wife, Lisa."
Salomon Brothers was a renowned Wall Street investment bank at this time, even more potent than Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.
Of course, that was only the case for now.
Simon shook hands with John Gutefreund, saying, "Pleased to meet you, John."
"Hello, Simon, I've been looking forward to meeting you," John Gutefreund responded warmly, releasing Simon's hand to shake Janet's, saying, "Hello, Mrs. Westeros."
Janet shook hands with Gutefreund, smiling, "Just call me Janet."
After the introductions and small talk, David Dinkins glanced around and mentioned, "I remember seeing William just here a moment ago."
It seemed John Gutefreund also noticed something was off and looked around before saying, "It seems Tom Murphy has arrived, they went next door."
Tom Murphy was the chairman of the Metropolitan/ABC Group.
Simon could guess what Hearst and Murphy were likely discussing and said indifferently, "I'll be fine shortly. John, David, what were you talking about?"
David Dinkins did not continue the previous topic. The Hearst family might afford to neglect this young billionaire, but he certainly couldn't, saying, "Oh, about the 'New World Order' initiative the president has been pushing lately, Simon, what are your thoughts?"
In late July, before Iraq invaded Kuwait, the U.S. Ambassador to Baghdad had assured Saddam Hussein that America would not interfere with the dispute between Iraq and Kuwait.
However, once Iraq occupied Kuwait, the Bush administration quickly forgot its promise. Within a week of the outbreak of the Kuwait War, it initiated 'Operation Desert Shield' to confront the Iraqi military. Subsequently, Bush began lobbying at the United Nations for his 'New World Order' plan, urging America and European countries to send troops to the Middle East to drive the Iraqi forces out of Saudi Arabia and further dismantle Saddam's regime.
As other guests noticed Simon and began approaching, the conversation about the Middle East momentarily halted, and they listened intently to what this young man would say.
In the last six months, Lannister Capital had earned unusually high profits from the crude oil futures market, and the guests were aware of it, some even being investors. If Westeros could reveal some 'valuable' information, their evening would be well spent.
Simon glanced around with a mild expression and said, "I think this war is probably unavoidable."
Another guest couldn't help asking, "So, Simon, do you think oil prices will continue to rise?"
Lately, the international crude oil price had nearly reached $40 a barrel, roughly the highest point Simon remembered.
"They might rise a bit more, but I've heard that the White House is planning to release federal oil reserves to stabilize prices, which could be decided soon."
Simon's words were entirely in line with recent news articles, leading someone to retort, "I heard it's only 20 million barrels. With the federal government consuming millions of barrels a day, that wouldn't last a week."
"The key is still stabilizing the situation," Simon shrugged, adding, "Besides, I haven't been paying much attention to this lately."
After a few more probing questions, the guests, unable to get any substantial information from Simon, were somewhat disappointed.
Simon lacked the vain impulse to show off when surrounded by people, and although he only spoke a few words, he had revealed some useful information. Those with keen intuition could detect two things: first
, the war was unavoidable, and second, Simon was no longer focusing on the crude oil futures market. Anyone with intentions could plan accordingly based on the first point. As for the second, if Simon had lost interest, the prospects of speculating in the oil market were likely not substantial.
In recent months, numerous crude oil futures brokerages, energy company securities departments, and hedge funds that had bet wrongly before the war had shut down due to massive losses. The futures trading market had hit a low, making significant hedging or arbitrage unlikely in the short term.
However, even if someone did notice these points, they would likely weigh Simon's words for their reliability before incorporating their own intentions.
Like previous operations in the Japanese financial market and the oil futures market, although many could learn of Lannister Capital's strategies, none had achieved profits quite like Lannister Capital. The main reason was that many trusted their own judgment more than following others, even if the other had produced a series of miracles.
Some might think that perhaps this time, this person might make a big mistake.
Initially, Lannister Capital could establish a position worth billions of dollars in bullish oil futures while prices were still falling. Other hedge funds, considering the risks, even if they followed, would often reduce their holdings and lower their leverage to minimize risk. The outcome was predictable.
Simon continued chatting with David Dinkins and others for a few more minutes until a somewhat overweight, balding middle-aged man appeared – William Hearst III, the third-generation leader of the Hearst family.
Approaching Simon, William Hearst III scrutinized the young man in front of him while smiling apologetically, "I'm sorry, Simon, I was just discussing some matters with Tom."
Given his slightly corpulent figure and a face that easily disarmed people, William Hearst III hardly seemed like a scion of a century-old media dynasty.
Simon responded with an equally genuine smile and shook his hand, "No worries, Mr. Hearst."
After greeting Janet, William Hearst III introduced the sharply dressed older man beside him in his sixties, "Simon, and Janet, this is Tom Murphy."
Simon and Janet greeted the chairman of the Metropolitan/ABC Group.
After some pleasantries, William Hearst III laughed and asked the group, "What were you all discussing?"
As the conversation resumed briefly, a waiter approached William Hearst III and whispered something in his ear. The middle-aged man then excused himself to the group, "Sorry, I need to step away for a moment, please continue without me."
The waiter had not lowered his voice much, and everyone heard that Mr. Buffett had arrived.
Seeing William Hearst III and Tom Murphy go out to greet him, many eyes involuntarily turned to Simon.
If William Hearst III's delayed arrival could still be somewhat excusable, now this blatant differential treatment, barely describable as merely impolite, meant that Simon could justifiably leave immediately without any fuss.
Perhaps it was due to his twice-lived experience, Simon had long realized he was somewhat emotionally detached, displaying an extreme indifference to many things. Furthermore, this indifference seemed to intensify as his wealth and status grew.
Although he knew he should be upset, William Hearst III's earlier neglect hadn't truly sparked any negative emotions in Simon; he was merely curious. Since the Hearst family had invited him tonight, presumably with intentions of goodwill, such rudeness seemed out of place.
Or perhaps, William Hearst III didn't see it as rudeness at all.
For a supermedia dynasty that even the President of the United States wouldn't easily provoke, the Hearst family indeed had the arrogance to match.
In just a moment, William Hearst III and Tom Murphy returned, accompanied by a disheveled, medium-built older man – Warren Buffett, head of Berkshire Hathaway.
As they approached laughing, Simon also stepped forward.
Before Simon could speak, Janet was the first to greet, "Hi, Warren, do you remember me?"
Janet's interjection surprised Simon, Hearst III, and Murphy, with the usually jovial Hearst III subtly frowning.
Simon, puzzled for a moment, quickly recalled some past tales Catherine had occasionally mentioned about Janet. The woman had been quite influential during her time at Columbia University.
Warren Buffett examined Janet carefully before smiling, "I remember now, you were that girl from Columbia University."
Janet leaned her head against Simon's shoulder and said, "I'm Mrs. Westeros now. Look at my man, Warren. Do you still think your investment theories aren't just like Grandet hoarding coins?"
"Hello, Simon," Buffett stepped forward to shake hands with Simon, continuing to Janet, "I never thought you'd marry into the Westeros family. But, from what I've observed over the past few years, Simon's rise can only be described as miraculous. I don't think I can create miracles, so I'll just keep hoarding coins."
William Hearst III then
interjected, "Warren, you know each other?"
Buffett nodded, still humorous, "Yes, this lady... Mrs. Westeros gave me a tough time during a lecture at Columbia University."
"Oh, what a coincidence."
After a few laughs, Buffett and Murphy seemed to have matters to discuss and moved away.
Once free, William Hearst III finally remembered to say to Simon, "By the way, Simon, let me introduce you to some guests."
Simon naturally agreed.
The Hearst family, with a century of heritage, showcased its prowess at this modest party. Everyone present in the villa tonight was a prominent figure in American politics and business. During the networking, more guests continued to arrive.
After chatting with a congressman who was rumored to be planning restrictions on foreign investors acquiring American companies, Simon and Hearst III moved aside, with Janet having already tactfully excused herself.
"Melrose will probably join a few other members next month to submit their bill. We really can't let the Japanese keep buying up our national assets. Conveniently, this should help your attempt to acquire MCA. Panasonic, wary of the acquisition possibly being vetoed by the Justice Department, definitely can't compete with you."
"Let's hope so."
Hearst III had assumed Simon's interest in acquiring MCA, which he hadn't denied. However, Simon wasn't particularly enthusiastic about the congressman's proposal.
The U.S. had been echoing sentiments against Japanese companies buying American businesses in recent years, but given the openness of the American capital market, Simon doubted such legislation would pass. He also recalled no such laws, and as Hollywood was part of the entertainment industry, the Justice Department wouldn't likely use 'national security' as a pretext to veto.
Seeing Simon's lack of enthusiasm, Hearst III changed the subject, "About that 20% stake in ESPN, Simon, Metropolitan/ABC and the Hearst Group have been very close partners. We hold stakes in each other and can complement each other well. Plus, you should know, Metropolitan/ABC has veto power over the buyer of this stake, and even if you buy it, you won't have any say. So, I hope you can back out... Perhaps we could find other opportunities to collaborate in the future."
Although he had already planned to give up the 20% ESPN stake, hearing Hearst III offer nothing but an empty promise in exchange for his withdrawal, Simon was less diplomatic, "Actually, William, there's a good opportunity for collaboration right now."
Hearst III paused, then showed interest, "Let's hear it."
"I've started an internet information service company in Silicon Valley, you might have heard of it, called Egret. 'The San Francisco Chronicle' is also in San Francisco, and I hope Egret can get some news content from it."
Hearst III's expression clearly hesitated.
'The San Francisco Chronicle' was an important newspaper under the Hearst Group, second only to 'The Los Angeles Times' on the West Coast, bringing in tens of millions in profits annually. Moreover, the competition among American print media largely revolved around exclusive news. Sharing 'The San Francisco Chronicle's' news with Egret would have been instantly dismissed by Hearst III at any other time.
However, Hearst III now understood that this was probably the bargaining chip Westeros offered for withdrawing from the ESPN stake race.
Recalling the discussion he had at the start of the party with Tom Murphy and now Simon's request, Hearst III couldn't help feeling a bit more displeased with the young man before him.
In fact, the Hearst Group had known about Reynolds Nabisco's upcoming sale of the ESPN stake even before Westeros Corp started negotiating with Metropolitan/ABC and Reynolds Nabisco about this stake.
The Hearst executives originally thought they could push the price down to within $170 million in the absence of other competitors, as few investors were interested in a 20% stake with no voting rights.
However, due to Westeros Corp's unexpected involvement, any offer below $200 million was now flatly refused by Reynolds Nabisco.
The Hearst Group wanted the ESPN stake mainly for a tax relief agreement obtained from selling some of their cable assets earlier in the year. The agreement stipulated that if the Hearst Group purchased another similar type of cable asset within a year, they could avoid paying income tax on the previous sale.
The price of the 20% ESPN stake rising from an estimated $170 million to $200 million had already completely offset the tax relief from the agreement, which was less than $20 million. This was why Hearst III had snubbed Simon upon his arrival.
Now, this young man was proposing another deal as a bargaining chip for him to back out.
After a moment's consideration, Hearst III didn't outright refuse. If Westeros couldn't withdraw quickly from this transaction and the squabble continued, news of the inflated price for the 20% stake would only drive it higher, "Simon, I need to think this
over."
Simon raised his wine glass to Hearst III, "Of course, no problem, William. I'll be in New York for a few days, looking forward to hearing good news from you."
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