Chapter 553: Chapter 554: Voluntary Withdrawal


    ?


    [Chapter 554: Voluntary Withdrawal]


    After hesitating for a moment, Eric looked at Katzenberg and said, "I''ll personally handle the preliminary preparations for acquiring ABC for now, and we can make adjustments once the formal negotiations begin."


    Katzenberg shrugged slightly to indicate his understanding, though his expression showed a hint of disappointment.


    After the meeting, Eric noticed that Jeffrey had just given him a signal, so he pretended to organize some paperwork to be thest one to leave. Once everyone had cleared out of the conference room, Eric said to Jeffrey, "Am I being too indecisive?"


    Jeffrey came over to Eric''s side, leaning against therge mahogany desk, his gaze warm as he looked at the weary young man slouched in the leather chair. "I remember reading somewhere that great wealth often makes people indifferent. So, Eric, I hope you can show a little more humanity. If you had just unhesitatingly dismissed Michael and handed the acquisition over to Jeffrey, I think most people in the conference room would have felt uneasy. Michael''s achievements since bing CEO of Firefly are there for everyone to see." Compared to the turmoil that Peter Guber caused at Columbia Pictures, Michael Lynn had been conservatively but efficiently managing the affairs of Firefly over the past two years. And facing Jeffrey Katzenberg, who was poised to take his position at Disney, Michael didn''t choose to engage in infighting like the management at Time Warner. These were the qualities that Eric genuinely appreciated and valued.


    If possible, Eric would like to keep Michael Lynn at Firefly.


    The reality, however, was that apany could have two co-presidents, much like Warner during Steve Ross''s time, but only one individual could serve as the CEO. Moreover, Eric hadn''t heard of any major corporation where a CEO swapped positions with a subordinate. Once someone else took that position, the predecessor either moved up to a ''virtual title,'' like chairman, which maintained influence without much decision-making power, or left outright.


    Since Firefly had most of its shares concentrated in Eric''s hands, it hadn''t formed a board of directors. Even if one were established in the future, the chairman''s title would not fall to anyone but Eric. Therefore, if Michael Lynn left, he would have no choice but to exit Firefly entirely.


    "Isn''t Michael only fifty this year?"


    For most fifty was still considered a prime age.


    "Fifty-two," Jeffrey replied, cing a hand on Eric''s shoulder. "Eric, I used to think that many of your decisions were quite risky, but now I realize you must have been very confident then. In that sense, considering Jeffrey''s sharpness, you seem somewhat conservative. Having Jeffrey step into Michael''s position wouldplement you perfectly. So, Eric, have a good conversation with Michael. Changes in Hollywood''s executive management are quitemon, and Michael is just over fifty, which gives him plenty of time to pursue other opportunities."


    You had to face what needed to be faced. Eric took a deep breath and stood up, saying, "There''s still some time before quitting time. I''m heading over now."


    ...


    Michael Lynn''s secretary was on the phone when she spotted Eric approaching, and quickly covered the mouthpiece with a questioning look.


    "Please help me bring two cups of coffee for Michael," Eric instructed the secretary, then knocked on the door of Michael''s office and stepped in.


    Michael Lynn looked surprised to see Eric but quickly appeared relieved. He got to his feet and invited Eric to sit on the couch in the waiting area, smiling. "Eric, were you put in a tough position just now?"


    Eric showed an awkward expression, knowing that most of the executives at Firefly were aware of his intention to elevate Katzenberg. Of course, Michael understood this too.


    Michael''s secretary came in carrying two cups of coffee, then quickly exited.


    As Eric gathered his thoughts, Michael spoke first. "Eric, Firefly is gettingrger, and I''ve found that many things are beyond my control. I''ve actually been thinking that once my contract expires next year, I''ll voluntarily resign and leave thepany to pursue other interests."


    Now it was Eric who looked surprised.


    Seeing Eric''s astonishment, Michael smiled gently, continuing, "My contract is up next April, so I''ll start handing over my responsibilities at Firefly beginning early next year. Honestly, I think Jeffrey is better suited for this position than I am."


    Eric had thought this discussion would turn into an argument, but the direction it took waspletely unexpected.


    "Michael, if you''re leaving Firefly, what are you nning to do?"


    "Maybe I''ll take some time off to be with my family, and I enjoy red wine. I''m nning to tour Europe and find a nice vineyard. Once I''m rested, I''ll definitely return to Hollywood. You know I''ve been in this industry since 1967 for over twenty years, and I can''t just walk away. I n to start my own productionpany."


    Eric gradually regained hisposure and said to Michael, "If you need any help then, feel free to call me."


    "Of course! And if possible, I''d love for you to help me pick out scripts when the timees." Eric let out a sigh of relief and cheerfully replied, "That''s certainly no problem. Speaking of which, aside frompany gatherings, we haven''t had a chance to chat privately. Let''s grab dinner tonight?"


    "There''s a nice Michelin restaurant on Amanda Street that I frequent. Let''s give it a try tonight?"


    "Sure, I''ll treat," Eric initially thought to invite Michael to the estate but didn''t object since Michael suggested it himself.


    "Of course, it''s your treat!" Michael Lynn chuckled heartily. "I''ll have my secretary call and make a reservation. See you tonight."


    "See you tonight."


    ...


    After bidding Eric goodbye, Michael Lynn settled back into hisfortable office chair, letting out a soft sigh.


    He recalled the early days, more than two years ago, when Eric approached him cautiously -- he certainly wasn''t as agreeable back then. Michael Lynn knew that it wasn''t that Eric had changed drastically over the two years; it was more about shifts in their positions. At that time, he was part of Robert Shea''s camp, and now Eric considered him an ally. That recognition of their roles was a reward for the diligence he had exhibited while managing


    Firefly.


    Michael Lynn certainly wasn''t unwilling to cling to the position of CEO at Firefly, but he understood when to step back better than Robert Shea. Realizing that Eric might elevate Jeffrey Katzenberg after his contract ended, Michael had struggled with that for a while. However, he quickly cleared his mind about it. In a straightforwardly structured filmpany like Firefly, engaging in infighting to preserve his position would only lead to being swept out


    the door.


    Although outsiders spected, Michael Lynn knew well that the disastrous summer blockbuster of 1991, Cutthroat Ind, which cost Disney and Robert Shea over a hundred million dors, was a trap set by Eric.


    Robert Shea had shed severely with Eric while at Firefly, and after leaving, he attempted to regroup. However, his productionpany had failed to show any signs of improvement, with several big-budget films fizzling out without a trace. Many had even forgotten who


    Robert Shea was.


    Of course, Firefly had yed a part in that setback. Including the recently established DreamWorks, Firefly could directly influence other major studios like Sony-Columbia, 20th Century Fox, and MGM. With Firefly itself, these four studios held a significant share of Hollywood''s market power.


    Under such formidable influence, Eric wouldn''t need to issue any orders; other studios coborating with Firefly would steer clear of Shea''s productionpany. Even the other three major studios wouldn''t dare contact Robert Shea if they sought a good rtionship with


    Firefly.


    Understanding these dynamics, Michael Lynn definitely wanted to avoid the same fate as Robert Shea.


    So he wisely made the recent decision.


    By actively stepping back, he could retain his stake in Firefly, receive a substantial annual


    dividend, and also keep the connections he had built during his time there. It was valuable to have Eric Williams, or even his sessor Jeffrey Katzenberg, remember the good he had done, which would greatly aid his future endeavors in Hollywood.


    ...


    Initially puzzled, Eric soon realized the intentions behind Michael Lynn''s decision after


    thinking it through.


    However, it was good that Michael could see rity; Eric would certainly not treat him poorly


    in the future.


    With time still left before the end of the workday, Eric returned to his office. After reading


    over a few documents, the phone on his desk rang.


    When he picked up the receiver, the outside secretary said a few words, prompting Eric to nod,


    "Let her in."


    Momentster, a Spanish woman peered into the office, locking eyes with Eric''s smiling face.


    "Hi, little wildcat," Eric called out.


    Hearing the nickname, Penelope Cruz rxed and stepped inside, wearing a ck spaghetti- strap dress and carefully closing the office door behind her. She approached Eric''s desk, slightly pouting as sheined, "Eric, I thought you had forgotten about me." "How could I? I just got back from Tokyo yesterday and hadn''t gotten a chance to call you yet," Eric replied, motioning her closer, "Come over here for a kiss."


    Eric''s desk was expansive, with hisputer monitor,ndline, and a stack of files taking up a


    small portion of the space. Penelope shed Eric a wild smile, cing her hands on the desk


    for bnce before jumping up, nudging a stack of papers aside, and crawling across the


    surface to Eric.


    Eric chuckled in surprise but didn''t mind as he leaned in to gently kiss the lips that came closer to him. "So, what have you been up totely?"


    Not letting go after the kiss, Penelope kicked off her heels andnguidly dangled her legs over


    Eric''s desk. She looked at him with sparkling eyes as he read through the papers, "After our


    training, Michelle said the ns for Charlie''s Angels had changed, so she enrolled us in a short acting workshop."


    "Yeah, it''s always good to learn more now. Once you all be famous, there won''t be time for this," Eric acknowledged.


    "Eric, when is production really starting?"


    Putting down the documents, Eric thought for a moment before answering. "Do you know


    about the DreamWorks Company that was set up in coboration between Firefly and MGM?"


    "I heard about it just today."


    "The project has moved to DreamWorks. The specific coboration n should be finalized


    this week. Once the Paris team delivers the confirmed n, the Charlie''s Angels project will move into the substantive production stage, with filming set to start by the end of September. This project is a greenlight from both Firefly and MGM, and we have ample funds avable, so


    there won''t be any obstacles."


    With the information she had been eager to know, Penelope grinned, "I''ll tell the other two right away; they were worried the film wouldn''t happen."


    Eric squeezed Penelope''s sharp chin and teased, "Aren''t you worried?"


    "Of course not; it''s your movie," Penelope swayed her head and shook off Eric''s hand. Then,


    grabbing his hand as it rested on the desk, she traced a finger in his palm while saying, "Eric, my sister hase to Los Angeles. My mom was concerned I couldn''t take care of Monica, but... I gave her $200,000, and she stopped worrying. Also, I bought a house in Santa Monica for $950,000 and a Toyota sedan for $50,000. I sorted a private Spanishnguage school for my sister..."


    Penelope casually spoke about these things, all while carefully gauging Eric''s reaction. Although Eric had given her a credit card with a sizeable limit, the clever Spanish girl knew this wasn''t an invitation for careless spending. Especially when it came to buying that house, she felt exceptionally nervous. At $950,000, before turning eighteen, she never imagined she could spend so much money all at once, let alonepare it to 60 million pesetas in present-


    day Spain.


    After listening for a while, Eric cut off Penelope''s tallying of expenses. He was already well


    aware of these things and had been quite pleased with her recent behavior. "Let''s not talkN?v(el)B\\jnn


    about boring stuff. I don''t want to hear it."


    The Spanish woman immediately switched topics. "Eric, why don''t youe over to my ce tonight and see how I decorated my new home?"


    "I have ns for dinner with someone; I can''t go back with you," Eric observed Penelope''s


    face light up, and then added, "This time wouldn''t be suitable to bring you along. We''ll talk about it another time."


    Penelope didn''t show disappointment and asked, "Could youe after dinner then?"


    "It might be quitete, and it could affect your rest."


    Penelope shook her head, "That''s fine."


    "Alright, just give me the address, and I wille by tonight."


    Penelope took the pencil and notepad from Eric, leaning over the desk to write down her


    address. Then she pulled out a key from her purse and handed it to Eric. Eric received and tucked it away, remembering the other two girls he had been meaning to ask, "Are Kate and Charlize living with you?"


    "No, they''re still at their original apartment. Eric, should I invite them to move in with me?" "No need for that; even if you asked, they probably wouldn''t want to move in." Penelope stuck out her tongue. She knew exactly why Eric said that, but she didn''t take offense. After spending quite a while in Eric''s office, she bid farewell and left.


    ...


    After work, Eric and Michael drove to a Michelin three-star restaurant on Amanda Street near


    the Firefly headquarters. During dinner, they didn''t discuss any business, instead engaging in light-hearted chit-chat. Though there was a significant age difference, Eric had the wisdom of two lifetimes and had the experience to match Michael Lynn''s. They ended up finding


    plenty ofmon topics to connect over during dinner, with their discussions not ending even after dinner.


    Michael, who lived in Burbank for work convenience and knew the area well, took Eric to a nice bar, and they didn''t part ways until it was close to eleven at night.


    ...


    Dazed but happy, Eric climbed into the car, recalling the afternoon''s events. He pulled a note with the address out from his pocket and handed it to the driver. "Take me to this ce."


    He wasn''t sure how much time passed before he heard someone calling his name. He opened


    his eyes to see the driver pointing outside. "Mr. Williams, we''re here."


    Turning his head, Eric saw a small vi lit up along the road. "You can head back;e pick


    me up tomorrow morning."


    After exiting the car, Eric shook off the dizziness and saw in the streetlight that it was a two-


    story white vi with a pleasant environment, surrounded by trees and shadows. The Spanish girl certainly knew how to pick a good ce.


    Standing in front of the door, Eric was about to ring the bell when he remembered the key Penelope had left him. He rummaged through his pockets, found the key, and opened the


    door to step inside.


    *****


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