America’s Road To Wealth

  Chapter 285 Mount Smith at any cost

   Standing in front of very short Bernie Ecclestone.

  Abel knows why the actual controller of F1 looks so confident at this time.

the reason is simple.

  Because Ecclestone took advantage of the past few years when the Kirsch Group was overwhelmed.

  This little old man has done a lot of tricks in F1.

   Such as Bernie Ecclestone, through the establishment of F1 Holdings (FOH). And subdivide it into F1 Administration Company (FOA) and F1 Management Company (FOM).

  Through various decentralization, let your own people become directors and management.

  In the case that the Kirsch Group itself is about to die.

  Bernie Ecclestone's operations have made SLEC, which was previously responsible for the promotion and operation of F1 events, exist in name only.

  Such a change of positions also made the Kirsch Group, which owns 75% of SLEC, lose its influence in F1 events.

  This allows Bernie to firmly control the fat of F1 even if he only has 25% of the shares.

   So far, Ecclestone's family business Bambino Trust Company, although only holds 25% of SELC's shares.

   But two members of the FOH board, both appointed by him two years ago.

   One was his Swiss lawyer, Luke Argonne.

  The other is Argonne's wife Emmanuel.

  Facing Abel and others who are aggressively trying to seize power, Bernie Ecclestone glared at Abel.

  As long as the directorship is not taken away, F1 will still be Bernie Ecclestone's own.

  At this moment, Bernie has to compete with Abel for his own personal interests.

   It's just that Bernie saw the latter's calm eyes, and after combining his identity, one of the founders of F1 felt a little bit embarrassed.

  Bernie turned his eyes to Allen, and shouted to the chief core of the advisory group—

"You have nothing and no power. You are just shareholders of SLEC, and SLEC has no power. I am the general manager of FOM and FOA. These two companies decide the affairs of F1. If you look at it from this perspective, F1 belongs to me .”

   All the saliva sprayed on his face, Alan Baker still remained calm, "Are you sure? Do you dare to say what you said again, sir?"

   "Why wouldn't I?!" Bernie Ecclestone huffed like a pugnacious cockerel.

   "But you want me to say it again, why? I don't!"

   "Okay." Allen nodded, he took the last step, and then said softly: "Mr. Owen, I will leave the rest to you."

   "Okay, no problem. Next will be my job." Behind Allen, a middle-aged man with glasses and a gentle appearance stood out.

   "Mr. Bernie Ecclestone, is that right?"

  A middle-aged white man with a very gentle appearance and a very good temperament, smiling at Bernie Eccles.

  The familiar "smell" of Bernie on this man made Bernie hesitate to speak.

   "Yes. Are you a lawyer? I need to call my lawyer!"

  Bernie Ecclestone is on the road.

  The gentle middle-aged white man smiled and nodded:

   "Of course. No problem. But before that, Mr. Ecclestone, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Timmy Owen and I am a senior partner at Clifford Chance."

   Hearing Owen's name, Bernie Ecclestone didn't react yet.

  Hearing the name Clifford Chance Law Firm, Bernie knew that today might be difficult.

  Clifford Chance is one of the top five law firms in London.

  It is a law firm headquartered in London, England. It was established in 1802 and has 35 offices in 25 countries around the world.

  The main business of this law firm is concentrated in the commercial and financial fields, debt and equity investment, capital market, corporate mergers and acquisitions, banking and financial projects, funds and financial instruments, etc.

   And today's question, it just happens to be very professional.

  Bernie knows that talking to these people is the easiest way to get caught.

   He emphasized: "I need to notify my personal lawyer!"

"I've said it. No problem, Mr. Ecclestone. Please inform your lawyer as soon as possible. Is it Mr. Luke Argon? It would be better if he came, and he and his wife are involved. "

   Timmy Owen smiles:

   "But I suggest you hurry up. Look at Mr. Cavendish here, Mr. Prosecutor of Paddington District, and he works for the Crown Prosecution Service in the United Kingdom."

"Hello." Prosecutor Cavendish said blankly, "Mr. Ecclestone. You are involved in a total of 38 violations of the British Commercial Act, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, and the British Companies Act. Law. In the name of the Paddington District Attorney, I issue a special notice to you."

   Bernie Ecclestone, whose company headquarters are in Paddington, how could he not know the prosecutor Cavendish.

  In normal times, the relationship between the two is even very good, and they occasionally drink coffee together.

  Now Cavendish has this expression, and Bernie is angry and scared.

  The little old man finally shifted his gaze from Allen, Timmy Owen and Cavendish to Abel.

   "Mr. Abel Smith."

  Bernie wanted to grind his teeth. But at this moment, the little old man already knew that he could not offend the young man in front of him.

  The top management of the F1 holding company is indeed controlled by Bernie Ecclestone.

  But for a long time, the shares of the F1 holding company are still in the hands of SELC.

  No matter how Bernie operates on this point, it will not change.

  When SELC was in the hands of the Kirsch Group. Because Kirsch Group's big business doesn't care about this aspect, and it's hard to protect itself.

  Basically, there are no requirements for the F1 holding company, which allows Bernie Ecclestone to obtain the greatest freedom.

  Now SELC's largest shareholder has become someone else.

  Bernie knew that no matter how much he insisted on not giving in, it would be useless in the end.

  If it is really going to court, I will ignore it anyway.

   Thinking of this, Bernie Ecclestone sighed.

"Hey"

   Bernie Ecclestone's original grief and indignation gradually subsided.

  Potatoes can never touch a kitchen knife. Every British person understands this truth.

   Bernie Ecclestone gets it too.

   "Mr. Smith, I admit that F1 is yours. But Mr. Smith, I believe you will not buy F1 just for fun, right?"

  The hard one is obviously untouchable, and Bernie Ecclestone wisely chose the soft one:

   "In addition, Mr. Smith, you are still the owner of two teams. If you directly control F1, those teams and car companies, even the FIA. They will definitely question this."

  Bernie Ecclestone said very sincerely:

   "Leave me. Mr. Smith, I created F1. I believe that no one can manage F1 better than me. I can make a lot of money for you, Mr. Smith."

  The little old man changed his fighting posture like a little rooster just now, and looked very sad.

  Bernie Ecclestone, who has softened his figure, feels that he has the style of his past.

  Back then, in order to form F1, Bernie also asked for such a team one by one, and then went to those auto giants.

   Finally, it made everything happen.

   It's just that this scene reappeared, and it appeared on himself and Abel.

  Bernie suddenly had a feeling of reincarnation.

   With Bernie's resignation and surrender.

  The eyes of everyone also fell on Abel, who had not spoken much in the middle.

   Abel seemed to have achieved his goal.

   In addition, Bernie Ecclestone, this guy, actually has a point.

  Abel has already bought two teams, and now he directly buys F1 to operate it.

   It might actually cause dissatisfaction among other team owners.

  Even if someone else is the general manager, it won't work.

  Because apart from Bernie, the creator, there are many people in F1 who can convince the crowd.

   Actually Abel never thought of kicking Bernie out.

  At least when Bernie is soft, at least when Bernie can be controlled by himself.

  Abel allowed Bernie to continue to manage F1.

   "I have a few conditions." Abel finally spoke, his voice was clear and bright as the general manager of the F1 holding company.

   "First, the salary of the general manager of the F1 holding company is too high. 80 million euros, my God, few people on Wall Street can get such a high annual salary."

  "The huge salary expenditure will put too much pressure on F1's operations."

  Abel looks at Bernie Ecclestone.

   "I think 10 million euros would be a more reasonable figure. Mr. Ecclestone, what do you think?"

  Bernie Ecclestone thinks I think? I think you are Falk's SHIT!

  But Bernie also knows that if he still wants to stay in F1, he has to agree if he doesn't want to.

   Another annual salary of 10 million euros is actually quite a lot.

  Bernie forced a smile: "I think it makes sense, sir."

   As soon as the words were spoken, Bernie felt that his heart was about to break.

  The salary of 70 million euros a year is less than half of his annual income.

   Most of this half is pure profit income

   "The second condition." Look at Bernie Ecclestone so sensible.

  Abel also cut to the chase.

   "Remove the two director positions of Luke Argon and Emmanuel, and re-elect the board of directors. Director positions are selected according to the number of shares."

   Even if he can agree to a salary reduction of 70 million yuan a year, it is even more impossible for Bernie Ecclestone to refuse this step.

   "Of course." Bernie Ecclestone said:

   "Fair and legal, isn't it, gentlemen?"

   Hear the smile on Bernie Ecclestone's face, and his face at the moment.

  Many people around were thinking in their hearts—【You were not like this just now, you were very arrogant just now, clamoring to go to court. 】

   I really had to go to court, and it turned out like this.

  Bernie Ecclestone's performance today really let everyone present see the flexible side of the little old man.

"Very good." Abel nodded in satisfaction, and was very happy with Bernie's understanding, "Then congratulations. Mr. Ecclestone, you will still be the general manager of F1 holding company. The management right of F1 is still In your hand."

  Bernie Ecclestone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

   It can be said that Bernie spent most of his life on F1.

   Most of Bernie's wealth comes from F1, and his identity and status are completely dependent on the influence of F1.

   Losing control of F1 would mean death to Bernie in London's wealthy class.

  The 70-year-old little old man, even if he earns 70 million euros less a year, is not willing to lose his title of F1 tsar.

  Bernie Ecclestone's resignation, plus Abel's step back.

   It also made the employees of the F1 holding company who were watching around feel relieved.

  Since then, Abel has secretly controlled the ownership of F1.

  In his commercial sports kingdom, the racing car is perfectly illuminated, and it is still very dazzling.

   After all, this is Formula 1 racing, the only sports event in the world that can compare with the Olympics and the Football World Cup in terms of ratings.

   is also the pride of racing fans.

   At the same time, it is also extremely profitable, and has always been the most profitable game in sports.

   Otherwise, how could those auto giants always obey the control of F1? It's just that F1 can distribute a lot of money to them every year.

  Abel was still in Paddington in the morning, taking control of F1.

  In the afternoon, he had already reached Villa No. 1 on Garden Street, Kensington Palace.

  Kensington Palace Garden Street is the famous "Billionaire's Street".

  Many times, the difficulty of buying a house on this street is not just a matter of money.

  If you don’t have access to the network here, you may not even know when the mansion here will be auctioned.

  The identities of the residents living on this street are often either rich or noble.

  In the parallel time and space, the old Wang of Huaxia also bought a villa here later, but it was a relatively remote one.

  The reason why this street is so popular is because there is the famous Kensington Palace on this street.

  It is a separate palace of the queen and the main residence of the royal family in the urban area of ​​London.

   To a certain extent, this palace is the business card of the royal family.

  It is also one of the places where the royal family receives important political figures from various countries.

   Besides that, Kensington Street is one of the safest streets in London.

  On both sides of the road here, Scotland Yard staff with live ammunition, that is, the Royal Police, stand at all times.

  It is so close to the royal family, and the surrounding environment is so good, safe and secure.

   It would be surprising if the housing prices here are not expensive.

  In the villa at No. 1 Garden Street, Kensington Palace.

   Strolling through the villa is beautiful, you can see it, and it seems that there are decorations of historical value everywhere.

  Little Laura, who has been living in for a few days, couldn't help but sigh with emotion to Abel beside her:

  “The houses in London seem to have historical value.”

  Abel was a little disapproving beside him.

   When he bought this house, investment factors accounted for more than half of it.

  He doesn’t remember other aspects, but he only remembers Lao Wang, the future richest man in China, who bought a house here.

  The area seems to be only one-tenth of this one, the kind of small and pitiful garden.

   It seemed like £80 million was spent.

   That was after 2015.

  Abel remembered this, so after knowing that the house was only worth 80 million pounds at this time.

  He bought it decisively.

  Another £80 million is just a sticker price.

  After negotiations, Abel actually only spent about 58 million pounds.

  He thought that when the time came, he would find another opportunity to sell it to the local tyrants in China.

  As the entire Kensington Palace Garden Street, it is the closest to Kensington Palace and is also one of the largest villas.

   At that time, it will sell for 400 to 500 million pounds, not expensive, right?

  Those local tyrants of the Chinese dynasty, and those Hong Kong Island consortiums who have a different feeling for London.

   Don't try to join forces and take down the most luxurious villa in the whole of England?

   It’s about you, Agua.

  Bought this house, you can be so close to the queen, and become a neighbor directly.

  Not excited?

   "I don't like these old houses." Abel said to little Laura, "I still like our flower of Laura better."

  “It can be designed from scratch, from nothing, all according to our will. I think such a house is more suitable for our living.”

   Speaking of Laura's Flower, little Laura couldn't help laughing.

  That was her dream, the love nest of two people. It is the place where she and her lover raised their offspring together.

  Thinking of Laura's Flower, little Laura couldn't help but say—

   "But why do you insist on filling in the surrounding area of ​​the hill? I saw the design plan, it's too exaggerated!"

  Little Laura is talking about the core of Laura's Flower Manor.

  That hill has been named Mount Smith by Abel.

  According to Abel's request, the future female devil in the design world provided him with the first plan.

  This plan is to prop up the surrounding of the hill to form a flat roof design.

  According to this design plan, it is expected to use 180,000 tons of steel bars, about 1 million tons of cement, and at least 750,000 cubic meters of concrete. There are also various astronomical building materials.

  The sum of these materials is more exaggerated than building several skyscrapers in New York.

  According to the designer, ten Woolworth buildings can already be built without considering the glass.

  With so many materials, the construction cost is naturally astronomical.

  Spent so much money and so many materials to fill up such a hill.

  Little Laura didn't understand.

   And Abel didn't need Xiao Lao to understand.

  Because according to Abel's vision, the core of Laura's Flower is Mount Smith.

  After it is completed in the future, it will be a super-doomsday fortress that can directly withstand Muhai attacks and biochemical attacks, and can be maintained internally for more than three years. It can produce food and fresh water internally and survive internally by itself!

   To put it simply, luxury houses will be built on Mount Smith.

  But under the mansion, 70% are man-made and 30% are in the naturally generated mountains.

  It will be excavated into an internal space, which is used to store food, fresh water, weapons, medicines, energy, personnel, and even seeds, books, materials, etc., a Noah's Ark-style monster fortress.

   It is just like the secret room inside the Smith Manor, where the ancestors of the Smith family left behind from generation to generation, storing a large amount of weapons and ammunition, food, and even gold.

  In case something unbearable happens in this world in the future.

  The Smith family can also have a shelter in crisis.

   After all, Abel felt that he was only 21 years old.

  Wait until 2022 when I travel through time, I am only 42 years old.

  According to the original world situation, it was already very tense at that time.

   Further development, the Three Wars or the Muhai War is not impossible

  Abel didn’t want to have no place to hide when something like that happened when he was in his forties or fifties and his wealth was the largest in the world.

  Since he had to prepare, of course he did it according to the best preparation.

  And here comes Flower of Laura here, the appearance of this very exaggerated faux Mount Smith.

   I don't know if it's because the Smith family has a gene of doomsday fear in their blood.

   It was still the thoughts of Abel who traveled through, and he had already planned to design and build this Mount Smith.

   Taking advantage of the fact that they want to build a big manor now, they directly started construction under the name of Flower of Laura.

  Little Laura, who didn't know Abel's thoughts, would of course not understand.

.

  (end of this chapter)