I am Hollywood

[Chapter 1053: This is Good]

As Eric opened his email, he noticed a message from Chris that had just arrived at noon and clicked to open it.

The email contained the latest list of major shareholders and their respective shareholdings in America Online. Although Firefly had given up its seat on the America Online board and ceased to interfere with its management entirely, it had not completely disregarded the company. After several months of operations, Firefly Investment had successfully reduced its stake in America Online by 25%, cashing out a staggering $10 billion.

During the first phase of the 10% stock reduction, to ensure enough returns on its investment, the organizations connected to America Online also jumped into the spotlight, joining Morgan Stanley in promoting technology stock investment prospects. This led to America Online's actual stock price gradually soaring well beyond the price at which Firefly had reduced its stake.

In the subsequent sale of 15% of shares, Morgan Stanley not only invested heavily but also strategically employed a bit of hunger marketing to attract more Wall Street capital to America Online stock. Ultimately, when the official distribution date arrived, the part of the stock under Morgan Stanley's underwriting had already been fully subscribed.

According to the latest stock price information, America Online's market value had reached $53.6 billion. Calculating based on this market value meant that Firefly Investment had suffered a loss of $3.4 billion during this stock reduction. However, given Eric's more pessimistic view on America Online's future compared to most media and investment institutions, securing this $10 billion investment left Firefly in a significantly profitable position, even if the remaining 10.6% of their shares became worthless.

...

Suddenly, the sound of high heels clicked through the air, pulling Eric from his thoughts as he turned to see Anne Hathaway carefully placing a freshly brewed cup of hot coffee beside him.

"Thanks," Eric said, moving the coffee cup to his preferred spot, then turning to look at Anne Hathaway and said, "By the way, take off your high heels."

His tone was casual, and after speaking, he focused back on the computer screen, but Anne Hathaway's heart raced at his words. That was happening much too quickly.

As Eric scrolled through the email, he felt the girl next to him go quiet, and he turned to ask, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing at all," she quickly shook her head, hesitating slightly before biting her lip. She took off her high heels, rolled down her strap, and peeled off her black dress.

Sensing something different, Eric glanced back and noticed Anne Hathaway only in her undergarments, her figure noticeably attractive.

"Ha, you really know how to make a leap," Eric couldn't help but chuckle.

Though surrounded by many women, Eric had become increasingly restrained about intimate matters over the years. He could go weeks without seeing any women when busy. After taking care of two little drunks like a babysitter late into the night, he had built up some tension, and upon seeing the current situation, he didn't ask her to put her clothes back on. Instead, he switched off the monitor, leaned back in his office chair, and pushed a little away from the desk. "Come here."

...

Later that evening, Eric took Anne Hathaway back onto the yacht, but this time, they didn't head to the small restaurant. Instead, he reserved a nice table in the main dining area, which was open for business. With no one else around on a Sunday night in the small restaurant, dining together would have felt a little silly.

The yacht's restaurant had long become one of the finest in Los Angeles, where reservations filled up early on weekends. But for Eric, this posed no issue at all.

Seated by a window with a beautiful view of Santa Monica's twinkling lights, Anne Hathaway wore a soft, slightly vulnerable expression. She quietly ordered a steak from the waiter, stealing a cautious glance at the man across from her, her heart swelling with a bit of pride as she thought back to the afternoon.

When Eric had called her over and made her kneel, she had felt terribly wronged. From childhood, she had been treated like a princess at home and school. Although she had boyfriends, her high standards meant she had never even shared her first kiss. Yet, now she found herself in a position with Eric where such expectations felt almost natural.

Now, when she saw Eric, who although looking troubled appeared much kinder than before, Anne Hathaway felt confident her efforts wouldn't go unrewarded.

She just wondered if she could become his girlfriend. Or one of his girlfriends -- though that felt like an acceptable situation. After all, this was Eric Williams.

Initially thinking it was just a one-night stand, she realized that things were more complicated than anticipated. Eric was equally frustrated, feeling a mix of dissatisfaction and entanglement.

Reflecting on his caution throughout, Eric had always made sure to take precautions in matters like this.

This is good.

Since the two little ones were born, Eric had taken matters of this kind seriously. It wasn't that he feared an unexpected child could stir financial demands -- money had become a minor concern for him. He simply didn't want to bring a child into the world without being prepared; he was not an irresponsible guy, but neither did he feel fitted to be a committed father. Judging by how women reacted, he rightly sensed that he might not even be the best partner or lover.

What a failure!

Yet when he glanced at Anne Hathaway across the table; this situation didn't seem so bad.

Seeing Eric looking over, Anne Hathaway blushed and fluttered her eyelashes. "Eric, um, can I go see the Liberty City Mansion tonight?"

Before dinner, Eric had called ahead. Drew had flown to the East Coast in her brand-new Gulfstream V with the twins and was already with Joanna. She wouldn't be returning to Liberty City Mansion that night.

Looking into the hopeful eyes of the girl before him, Eric hesitated but finally nodded. "Sure, but Anne, I must clarify -- don't expect too much from our relationship."

Anne Hathaway's expression fell, but she nodded obediently. "I understand."

Eric took a sip of his juice and asked, "What about you? Do you have an agency now?"

"Yeah," Anne Hathaway confirmed, "I signed with Elite Talent Agency a few months ago."

Eric suddenly recalled something, unsure, "That's the one representing the script for Pirates of the Caribbean?"

"Yes," Anne Hathaway smiled slightly, but realizing what this man had done to acquire a film company for a script gave her pause. "Actually, I nearly signed with Matt Gilson, but he already had several artists under him, so I missed out. My current agent is Carl Franco, introduced by my dad."

Having finalized the acquisition of Sony's film business, Eric remembered the contract Sony had signed with the Pirates of the Caribbean screenwriters and hadn't followed up with Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott. After paying $7.5 million, Sony wouldn't agree to any more terms, and the screenwriters had left with a hefty sum, settling everything amicably.

Even if Eric had been in their position, he guessed he would have likely sold the script outright, and naturally, he could not hand over adaptation rights to those two now.

Hearing that Anne Hathaway was with the same agency as the screenwriters sparked no unusual thoughts from Eric; he merely made a sound of acknowledgment and moved on from the topic.

Anne Hathaway, sensing Eric's lack of interest in the conversation, worried that the subject might have upset him. The recent buzz over the Pirates of the Caribbean script had initially brought her pride, but now as her perspective shifted, she feared she had struck a nerve.

After a moment's hesitation, she thought to remedy her earlier discussion. "Well, Eric, should I consider switching agencies?"

"Are there any famous actors in the agency?" Eric raised an eyebrow, looking up.

"Andy Garcia," Anne Hathaway replied, "He was in The Godfather Part III and even got a Best Supporting Actor nomination."

Sharing the biggest name from her agency, Anne Hathaway smiled awkwardly when Eric showed confusion. "Also, I heard Michelle Pfeiffer was with us for a while before she quickly jumped to WMA after gaining fame. Besides Andy Garcia, we have a few TV stars; Morgan Fairchild, she had a cameo as Chandler's mom on your show Friends. Apparently, she's 48 now but looks like she's in her thirties! If I could maintain that look, I'd be thrilled."

As Anne Hathaway rambled on, Eric chuckled and said, "You might as well stay at this agency; who knows, in a few years, you might become the top dog! Switching to a new agency might make you feel like just another little fish."

Anne Hathaway's eyes sparkled as she nodded quickly. "Yes, Eric, I'll do whatever you say."

"Great! I like obedient girls," Eric nodded with satisfaction.

...

The next morning, in the spacious master bedroom at Liberty City Mansion, Anne Hathaway, feeling Eric's movements beside her, sleepily opened her eyes. She looked around, quickly snapping awake.

Watching Eric head for the bathroom, she got up from bed, full of energy.

However, looking around made her realize all her clothes had been taken away to be cleaned, leaving her with nothing. The bathroom had solid soundproofing, and after listening for a moment, hearing nothing, she hesitated, wrapped a bedsheet around herself, and barefoot, tiptoed to the window.

It was still before seven in the morning, and in October, the sun hadn't yet risen over Los Angeles.

Yet standing by the circular bay window with the breathtaking view where the sky met the sea, Anne Hathaway felt a rush of tranquility that was hard to shake.

If only she could live here forever.

This thought sprouted, and suddenly Anne Hathaway considered pretending to collapse back onto the bed, making a show of being overwhelmed, surely that would keep her here for a few more days.

Reluctantly circling the spacious bedroom, much like a princess surveying her castle, she took in everything around Malibu. After a while, just as she was about to commit to leaving when the bathroom door swung open.

Eric strolled out in a bathrobe, towel drying his damp hair. Spotting the girl wrapped in a sheet gazing out at the window, he laughed, "You're awake?"

"Ah, yeah, good morning, Eric," she said, feeling a bit regretful that her act had been compromised.

Eric approached the edge of the bed, dressed himself, and seeing Anne still obliviously standing there, he took a shirt from his closet. "Go wash up. I've got a new toothbrush ready for you. Wear my shirt for now; you can skip the pants. They won't fit."

Anne Hathaway nodded, smiling modestly as she walked toward the bathroom.

After washing up and slipping on Eric's oversized shirt, she couldn't help but lean in to catch a whiff of its lemony scent. Unwilling to hurry out of the spacious bedroom, she took her time before finally heading down the stairs, peeking around curiously.

It was so big!

Even more remarkably, it was incredibly clean. Walking barefoot downstairs, she didn't feel any dirt touch her feet, questioning how they managed such thorough cleaning.

Thoughts whirled in her head as she wandered around the mansion until she found the kitchen. Eric was there, rolling up his sleeves, holding a frying pan and making scrambled eggs. Though this scene felt slightly surreal, she stepped forward and asked, "Eric, is there anything I can help with?"

*****

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