America’s Road To Wealth

  Chapter 350 Abel Mendel Smith

  San Francisco Bay Area, Central Peninsula. Hillsborough, 38 Burleigh Lemon Road.

   This is a luxury villa with 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, with an indoor living area of ​​about 7821 square feet.

  It has a total area of ​​about 32,670 square feet, with beautiful outdoor courtyard gardens, outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, and all the equipment of a luxury house.

   Not long ago, the real estate intermediary departments of major real estate companies in the United States assessed its price at US$9.85 million.

   Last night, Abel lived in this mansion.

  After parting from his father-in-law last night, he did not sleep alone.

   Cate Blanchett, one of his short-term contract employees, happened to be in San Francisco last night and had a brand event.

  As the spokesperson of the brand, she must be present in person.

  After the event, Abel made a phone call.

  Even though she didn't want to, she still came.

  Last night, it was this beautiful wife who accompanied him to sleep.

  In the morning, the powerful biological clock, as always, made Abel wake up around seven o'clock.

  Even last night, he and his wife chatted about life until after four o'clock.

   Abel woke up and looked at Cate Blanchett, who was sleeping soundly beside him and looked very tired from sleeping.

  He smiled and stretched out his hand to experience the feel.

  It's very thin, but it's still pretty good.

  Medium scale.

  After a few seconds of experience, Abel no longer lingered and got up from Simmons.

   After a simple wash, Abel left the bedroom and had some breakfast in the restaurant on the first floor of the mansion.

   Then I went to the courtyard outside and started my normal daily exercise.

  By the time all this was over, it was already half past eight in the morning.

  Abel returned to the living room on the first floor.

  The living room of this luxury home enjoys an abundance of natural light throughout the day and has great views.

  The left side of the TV in the living room is a huge floor-to-ceiling glass wall, and the courtyard garden is outside, and you can see the lawn of the beautiful courtyard at a glance.

  The design on the right is not closed and directly connected to the grass outside. You can directly see the beautiful scenery of San Francisco Bay in the distance, which makes you feel open.

  The outdoor courtyard is spacious, and the sparkling outdoor swimming pool is in front of the main entrance.

   Behind the villa, there is also a tennis court and an apron for helicopters to land and take off.

  Abel, who entered the room, checked the time.

   Then Abel walked over to the couch, picked up the remote, and tuned into AMC Bloomberg.

  On the screen of the TV station, there is a beautiful host of the TV station, who is broadcasting the latest news about American business.

  【According to the "New York Times" report, Kenneth Chenault of American Express, with a high probability, will no longer be the executive chairman of American Express, and will not be re-elected to the board of directors. 】

  【The reason is that yesterday, Soros Fund Company announced that its 6.9% stake in American Express had been sold to Pacific Bank of Commerce. This decision increased the American Pacific Commercial Bank’s stake in American Express to 39.56%]

[Sam Houghton, Director and Chief Spokesman of American Express, said: "Regardless of the future, the board will continue to uphold the principles of active corporate governance. We believe that at this important point in time, it is not in line with the company's The best interests of shareholders. This move by Mr. Soros has caused more than 50,000 shareholders of American Express to fall into a certain degree of passiveness.”]

  【It is reported that this equity change may have something to do with George Soros’ decision to invest in Smith Capital. 】

  【Next, we will hand over the time to the reporters ahead to report the latest news on the AmEx acquisition. 】

  Sitting in the living room, Abel put one hand in his pocket, with the corners of his mouth raised, he watched the news reported on time with a faint smile.

  【Mr. Chenault, what do you think of this equity change? What do you think about the possibility that both you and the current board members will be fired at the shareholder meeting in two days? 】

  【Mr. Chenault, does this indicate that American Express is considering the acquisition offer proposed by Abel Smith? "]

  【Mr. Chenault, Tims, the general manager of Soros Fund Company, said that you are a liar, what do you think? 】

  【Mr. Chenault, I heard that the funds returned from overseas by American Express were blocked by the IRS. The Federal Internal Revenue Service suspects that the overseas funds of American Express may evade and evade taxes. Deputy Director Jess Harrison even bluntly said that it will take at least one month of inspection before the overseas funds of American Express can be returned. Is this news true? 】

  【.】

  In the TV screen, Kenneth Chenault, with a gloomy face and an ugly expression, has just walked out of the building where the headquarters of the American Express Company is located.

   It was blocked by many reporters squatting, and the three floors inside and outside were surrounded by water.

   Various questions came one after another, some recording pens were almost stuffed into Kenneth's mouth, and the scene was chaotic.

   With the help of bodyguards and security guards who ran out of the building, Kenneth Chenault finally walked to the car that had opened the door.

   At this time, his complexion became more and more ugly, and his eyes exuded a cold look.

  Kenneth Chenault stopped suddenly, holding the car door with his hands, and looked back at the many reporters with flailing teeth and claws and burning eyes.

   Facing the reporters, Kenneth Chenault said coldly:

  【When the shareholders and white knights I relied on and trusted, openly joined hands with the hostile bidder I blocked and completely denied the company's culture and value, the fig leaf was completely torn off. Well, it’s going to rain, what else can I say?]

boom-

   After Kenneth Chenault finished speaking angrily and sadly, he bent over and got into the car, and slammed the door shut, and the car drove away amidst numerous flashing lights and uproar.

  【When Mr. Kenneth Chenault had just become the executive chairman and CEO of Yuntong Company last year, he was at his most powerful and strategizing. He might not have thought that there would be such a day when an acquisition made him reveal his true colors immediately. 】

  【Since the establishment of American Express, it has been more than 100 years. We believe in this great company and it will continue to be great. But from now on, its greatness has nothing to do with Kenneth Chenault. we should.】

  Abel watched the broadcast of the beautiful reporter on his own TV station, and the smile on his face became brighter and brighter.

   For Kenneth Chenault's sadness, there is no embarrassment at all, some just sneer.

  Kenneth Chenault's unwillingness to 'betray' will only make people see his incompetence.

   From the very beginning, Kenneth Chenault chose the wrongest route.

  At that time, if he hadn’t obeyed the demands of those shareholders, he would have jumped out and yelled at Abel and Buffett before Abel even expressed his intention to American Express.

  Even if he does nothing. Based on Abel's usual operations. There is a high probability that he will be retained and continue to serve as the CEO for a period of time.

  If the work is done well, or if you are more obedient, it is possible to continue to do it.

   Didn’t you see the CEO of Pacific Energy, hasn’t changed until now?

  Kenneth Chenault believed the "slander" of shareholders at the time.

  When Abel didn't even show his intentions.

   This guy jumped out and barked, directly doubling the difficulty for Abel to acquire American Express.

  When Abel directly expressed his intention to acquire this time, Kenneth Chenault even took the lead in rebelling.

  It's ridiculous that he still believes that Soros's white knights, and those profit-seeking shareholders, will really want to help them.

   Abel just thought it was funny.

  He felt that there was nothing more than this for a mantis to block a car.

  Abel turned off the TV with the remote control, and threw the remote control on the sofa.

  Looking at the time, he said to David Jones standing next to him like a ghost:

   "Let that what Andrew, oh, right. Like Andrew Upton? Let him in."

  David Jones nodded with a smile, turned and went out.

   A few minutes later, David brought in a slightly wretched, bald, typical Anza man.

   Facing this ordinary man, Abel smiled:

   "Hi, Mr. Upton. May I just call you by your first name?"

  Famous Australian playwright, only a few years ago to Hollywood development. Andrew Upton, who is currently a well-known screenwriter, is simply flattered.

  Andrew said again and again: "I am very honored. Mr. Smith, I am so happy that you call me that!"

  Andrew Upton is actually a little confused at the moment.

  Andrew didn't know why this Hollywood super giant, why the world's richest man, would suddenly call him here.

   Compared with Abel Smith, Andrew Upton is just a well-known screenwriter in Australia.

   In Australia, he still has some fame.

   But in the United States, Andrew Upton is just an ordinary screenwriter who can no longer be ordinary.

   In contrast, Andrew Upton's wife is more famous.

   Oh, his wife's name is Cate Blanchett, and the two got married three years ago.

  People who know Andrew, when introducing him, generally say that this is Cate Blanchett's husband.

   "Then I'll call you by your name directly. Andrew." Abel said with a smile:

   "I asked you to come here because someone introduced you to me. They said that you are a very good screenwriter. I trust this person more, so I called you here."

   "Andrew, I wonder if you are interested in joining Smith Media? Oh, mainly MGM Film Group. I want you to join the screenwriting company of my film company, and I want you to work for me."

  Andrew Upton was even more flattered.

  He was still guessing in his heart, guessing why the richest man in the world asked him to come.

   At the beginning, Andrew was a little scared.

  He really couldn't figure out what he had that could attract the attention of the world's richest man.

  After he came in, he found that Abel's attitude towards him was not bad, and Andrew was relieved.

  When he was outside just now, he was a little scared.

   Now hearing about Abel Smith, he actually took the initiative to invite himself to join his company.

   This is no longer flattering, Andrew now feels flattered and afraid.

  How good a screenwriter must be to be able to invite such a big shot in person!

   Even if he is as confident as Andrew Upton in terms of screenwriting, he does not believe that he can enjoy such treatment.

  But Andrew felt that it was impossible for Abel to have nothing to do to tease himself.

  Then there is a high probability that this matter is true.

   Did Abel really listen to someone's suggestion, and then invite himself to join the company?

   Who is that?

   Andrew's first thought was his wife.

   Among the people close to him, the one with the most status in Hollywood is Cate Blanchett.

   Then in Hollywood, those Australian actors who he only met a few times at certain parties, and then had contact information.

Such as Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Mel Gibson, Hugh Jackman, and Russell Crowe, the spiritual leader of the Australian gang, or Geoffrey Rush, a military adviser, etc. .

  Thinking of this, Andrew plucked up his courage and asked in a low voice:

   "Mr. Smith, I wonder who recommended me to you?"

   "Oh." Of course Abel wouldn't tell the truth, and he didn't know too many other Australians after thinking about it.

  Abel simply named the biggest Australian in Hollywood.

"It's Rupert. Rupert Murdoch. As you probably know, I have a good relationship with him. I asked him once during a casual chat. you."

  It turned out that Rupert Murdoch, the real Australian gang leader, introduced himself to Abel Smith.

  While Andrew was pleasantly surprised, he also thought that Abel hadn't lied to him.

   As the new giant of the media circle, Abel Smith has a better relationship with News Corporation Murdoch.

  Most Americans know it, and so does Hollywood.

   Didn’t you see that after Abe Smith got Marvel, he immediately snatched Spider-Man back from Sony, but didn’t **** Fox’s Fantastic Four?

  In the eyes of people in Hollywood, this is a symbol of the "friendship" between the two.

  Abel is saying this now, saying that the recommender is Murdoch.

  Andrew believed most of it at once.

   Can be valued by such a super boss, and recommended to another super boss.

  This man, who obviously has serious British ancestry and started to go bald in his thirties, was extremely happy at the moment.

  Andrew agreed to Abel's invitation and was willing to work in the screenwriting company under Smith Media.

  The conversation only lasted more than ten minutes. After it was settled, Andrew was sent out by David.

   Watching Andrew leave happily.

  Abel thought to himself—if you know, it’s not Murdoch, the truth is last night. If your wife recommended you to me on Simmons, what would you think now?

   On Li Fuzhen, Abel initially awakened the soul of Meng De.

  In Cate Blanchett, Abel experienced Mendel's joy.

  Sometimes, now he'll be Abel Mendel Smith.

  He feels very happy now because of this bad taste.

  Watching Andrew leave, Abel suddenly remembered something Liv told him not long ago.

  She said that Cate Blanchett and his wife planned to conceive and have a baby this year.

   It was this process that was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Abel.

  Cate Blanchett plans to have a baby with her husband for a few years, after her short-term employee agreement contract with Abel expires.

  Thinking of this, Abel suddenly had an idea.

  Abel raised his eyebrows, prompted by bad taste, he turned and walked towards the stairs.

  He felt that it was not good to casually interrupt the pregnancy plan of other couples.

  This kind of plan related to life planning, how can you change the time casually?

  Kate is thirty-one.

  This Andrew looks almost forty.

   At this age, it is impossible to have no children.

  Abel is going to go upstairs now. Help Kate continue this plan.

   Well, that's what he made up for Kate.

  Thinking of this, he immediately went to Cate Blanchett's side and replenished her magic.

  Replenishing magic until noon.

  Abel just came out of the room, satisfied, he had already taken a shower again.

   Coming to the living room on the first floor, Abel took the suit handed over by the maid and put it on.

  With a smile as bright as the sun on his handsome face, he strode towards the helipad next to the tennis court next to the back courtyard.

  On the tarmac, the helicopter with its propellers turned on slowly started to leave the ground after he went up.

   About half an hour later.

  Abel's helicopter slowly landed on the helipad on the top floor of the Wells Fargo Headquarters Building in San Francisco.

  The main body of Wells Fargo Bank was originally called the Northwest Bank of the United States.

  In 1998, Northwestern Bank of the United States acquired the original Wells Fargo Bank. The two banks merged and directly used the name of Wells Fargo Bank.

  The Northwest Bank of the United States has a long history and has a strong position in the history of the development of the western United States.

  This is also one of the reasons why after the merger of the two banks, the new Wells Fargo Bank will suddenly become the top ten banks in the United States.

  The original Northwestern Bank, itself a top ten player.

   In other words, the current Wells Fargo Bank can be regarded as the Northwest Bank of the United States after the name change.

   As one of the three cores of the California Consortium, it is also the oldest core and an important part of the San Francisco Group.

   Wells Fargo is also extremely important within the California consortium.

   For a long time to come, this bank will be the largest bank in the world.

  Even the Commercial and Industrial Bank of Huaxia, another cosmic bank, could not compare to it for a long time.

   Bank top apron.

  Abel waited for the helicopter to come to a steady stop, the door of the plane opened, and he looked down.

  The apron is not far away.

  Wells Fargo Chairman and CEO John Stumpf, he has brought many Wells Fargo executives, looking at him with a smile on his face from a long distance.

  Abel also showed a smile on his face, and waved to John Stumpf.

  The other side quickly responded to him.

  Wait for the bodyguard to go down first, and make sure you can get off the plane.

  Abel just got off the plane. He lowered his head and left the area affected by the plane's wings, and walked towards the senior management of Wells Fargo Bank who welcomed him.

   "Good afternoon. John, I haven't seen you for a few days. How are you doing?"

   A few days ago, Smith was at the investment reception at the end of the year.

   As a partner, Wells Fargo also received an invitation letter.

   Chairman John Stumpf went in person.

  John Stampf took the initiative to greet him, shook hands and hugged Abel with a smile:

   "Haha~ It wasn't very good at first. But after seeing you, everything is better! My dear friend, let's go down, it's a little hot from the sun!"

  Abel tugged on his suit and tie. In the afternoon, the sun was shining directly, and it was really hot up there.

   A group of people waited, and walked down from the top floor under the guidance of a smiling big beauty in a bank OL uniform.

  In the elevator, John Stampf greeted Abel enthusiastically:

   "Oh, Abel. I heard that you are coming. In the morning, I asked someone to buy two pounds of Mecha coffee at the coffee auction in Oakland, and it was delivered just now. You must taste it!"

   It is no secret that Abel likes to drink Mecha coffee in the eyes of some upper-class people who are interested in him.

  Abel smiled and said, "Then I must taste it."

after a little while.

   Wells Fargo San Francisco headquarters building, in the chairman's office.

  The beautiful bank employee who was in charge of leading the way just now, a beautiful OL with good looks and a great figure, made coffee in front of Abel and John Stumpf with a smile on her face.

   On the table, there are also light green Meixia coffee beans.

   It looks a bit like a kidney bean, but its appearance is very different from other ordinary coffee beans.

  Meisha Coffee, also called Geisha Coffee, but this Geisha is not that Geisha.

   Geisha was originally the name of a mountain located in the remote African Ethiopia. Geisha (Geisha) and the Japanese "geisha" have the same pronunciation, so "Geisha Coffee" is also called "Geisha Coffee".

   But Abel's attention at this time is no longer coffee, but the beauty who makes coffee.

   It's not that he hasn't seen beautiful women.

   Rather, he felt a little uncomfortable.

  He has already discovered that when the top executives of large groups and companies, or other rich people receive him.

  Always let some beautiful employees walk in front of me.

   For example, like this beautiful OL who makes coffee.

   Fark! Shet! This is what he thought was very lustful and anxious!

  Abel felt a little depressed because of this—could I be this kind of person? !

snort!

   When the coffee was ready, the beauty brought it to Abel.

  Abel took it with a smile, and the two people in the middle touched their hands.

   Very slippery.

   Abel thought to himself.

  John Stumpf offered himself another glass, the Wells Fargo chairman laughed:

   "Abe, try it. Miss Wilson's coffee brewing skills are very good. She also likes Mecha coffee, which is the same as your hobby."

  Abel smiled, picked it up and took a sip—a little hot, a little bitter, with a faint grassy fragrance.

  This is the characteristic of this coffee, he nodded with a smile: "Very good coffee beans."

   But he came here specifically, not to drink coffee and look at beautiful women.

  After tasting, Abel put the coffee cup gently on the table.

   Then he looked at John Stumpf.

   "John. I think you already know what I mean. I don't need to talk about the specifics. Can you help me? I will never forget your favor."

  Last night when he called John Stumpf and made an appointment with the Wells Fargo chairman.

   On the phone, Abel has explained to him that he will come to find him today and the main purpose of looking for him.

  John Stampf smiled very kindly, "Of course I understand. Please rest assured, Abel. Please allow me to introduce to you—"

   As he spoke, he opened his hand and pointed to the beautiful woman in OL uniform who hadn't left yet.

   "This is Miss Keira Wilson. She is the Deputy Secretary-General of the Wells Fargo Bank Secretariat. Her father is Mr. Slade Wilson."

   During the introduction by John Stumpf.

  The big beauty who was in charge of leading the way and making coffee just now. She has a very good appearance, smiling and nodding at Abel.

   After listening to John Stumpf's introduction, Abel raised his eyebrows.

  He didn't expect this one to be very beautiful and have a good figure.

  It means that she looks more mature, and there may be a beautiful woman in her twenties or eighteen years old.

   It turned out to be the daughter of Slade Wilson.

  Slade Wilson is not very famous in other states.

  In California, his surname is the same as that of New York's Morgenthau.

  The old rich.

   Let's put it this way. Those who are interested can look up the surnames of the 37 governors since the founding of California, and they will find that there are a total of 9 surnames Wilson.

   One of them has nothing to do with Slade Wilson.

  The remaining eight Wilsons, some are his ancestors, some are his elders.

   Look through the surnames of previous US leaders, and you will find that there is also a Wilson.

  In the fifty states of the United States, each state has three or four such families.

  Some states may have five or six, or even more. In New York State, for example, there may be dozens of them.

  Anyway, in the whole of the United States, there are more than 700 such families, large and small.

  Wilson is this kind of family in California, a relatively large and prominent one.

  Slade Wilson is one of the current leaders of this family.

   Also part of a somewhat scattered California consortium.

  Abel stood up and shook hands with Keira Wilson who had been standing.

   "Hi, Miss Wilson, I'm Abel Smith."

   "I'm Keira Wilson, hello, Mr. Smith. In addition, I have to apologize to you. My father is undergoing surgery in Houston. Otherwise, he will definitely come to meet you in person." Keira said apologetically.

   "Oh, is Mr. Wilson okay?" Abel showed a concerned expression.

   In this aspect of performance, Abel is now proficient in what he can use.

   "Thank you very much for your concern. Mr. Smith, my father is fine. He just needs to rest for a while. If you can stay in California for another half month, he can come back to see you."

   Keira Wilson said with a smile.

   "Oh, that might be next time." Abel smiled:

   "I can only stay here for ten days at most. I will go back to Texas and go to New York for a few days."

  Abel is not lying, it will be almost December in ten days.

  December of this year, he will be very busy.

  At the end of November and the beginning of December, Charlize was due to have a baby.

   Anyway, it was his first child.

  He will go to see it both emotionally and rationally.

   Then New York, this year's Christmas Eve show in Elizabeth's back garden will continue to be held.

   This big show on Christmas Eve is now almost bound to the value of Isa.

   Unless there is no money and no ability to maintain it, Isha will continue to operate.

   It can even be said that Elizabeth’s back garden has a valuation of up to three billion US dollars, at least half of which comes from this Christmas Eve show.

   In addition, at the end of December, he will return to Texas, where he will hold an engagement ceremony with little Laura of the bush family.

  Combined with the company affairs, he will be very busy next month.

  (end of this chapter)