America's Road to Wealth

2000,

September 20th.

This day is the day Smith Capital moves.

Smith Capital, which was originally located in the Woolworth Building, moved its entirety to LIC next door to Manhattan Island.

LIC is the name New Yorkers call "Long Island City".

People often confuse Long Island City and Long Island. The difference between one word and one word is a thousand miles apart.

Long Island refers to a long and narrow island southeast of New York City.

It is close to Manhattan Island on the west and the sea on the other three sides. It is very large and famous for its clear water beaches, coastal lighthouses, wineries, etc.

Abel's only manor villa at present, No. 1, Huangdian Road 13, is on this island.

In a narrow sense, Long Island City is a small area in the westernmost part of Long Island.

In 1870, this small city was born. Then it took 28 years for Long Island City to be annexed to the greater New York area, following the borough of Queens. Everyone affectionately abbreviated it as "LIC".

Strictly speaking, it actually belongs to Queens, an area below Queens.

In the 20th century, a bridge and a subway became the only way to enter Long Island from Manhattan, establishing Long Island City's important position as an industrial hub.

In the early urbanization process of New York, it played the same role as Williamsburg and Dumbo neighborhoods in Brooklyn, serving as the city's docks and factories.

Until the 1970s, when the manufacturing industry ushered in a cold winter, the abandoned factories were spotted by artists, who rented them for creation. This area gradually became the area with the most intensive art activities in New York.

Finally, after entering the 1990s, as the land in Manhattan was developed to the extreme.

More and more real estate developers are eyeing this area, and a large number of commercial buildings and high-end CBD office buildings have been developed.

In addition, it is only separated from Manhattan by the East River.

There are also many companies here that don't like the crowds in Manhattan, or simply think that Manhattan is too expensive.

They all moved here.

The most famous is Citibank, which has its headquarters nearby.

Smith Capital's new headquarters building is located on the edge of LIC on the East River, with a direct view of the Empire State Building opposite.

It is a five-story building built in 1970.

It was once used as a museum, library, and supermarket, and was purchased by Abel last month.

It took about a month and a cost of $3 million to renovate.

This place is now named [Smith Building] and is used as the headquarters building of Smith Capital.

Naturally, Abel does not need to do things like company moving.

Even without the help of David Mellon, a Wall Street elite, the company's deputy general manager Melio had already arranged everything in order.

Abel and David only needed to stay in the fifth-floor office opened for them.

While drinking my favorite coffee, I looked at Manhattan across the way.

The two discussed the company's next investment plan.

"The current price of New York crude oil is 34.96, Brent is 35.16, and Oman is 35.09."

office, David said: "It's been evident over the course of the month that it's gone up again."

"Wall Street analysts, as well as our own analysts, all believe that crude oil has a high probability of exceeding $36 or even $37."

Abel shook his head.

Smith Capital has previously invested US$1 billion in international crude oil.

Subsequently, after receiving the funds from the first private placement, another US$1.5 billion was invested in it.

Smith Capital currently has a total investment of more than US$2.5 billion in international crude oil.

Adding leverage, the company can control more than 10 billion U.S. dollars in crude oil futures.

Abel asked: "What is our average cost?"

When he first started investing, his requirement was that the purchase cost should not be higher than US$31 per barrel.

But when new funds were subsequently invested, oil prices had risen a lot.

On average, the cost obviously can no longer stay below $31.

Sure enough, David said: "Our current average holding cost is a total of 32.3 US dollars."

After hearing this data, Abel said: "That's enough. Even with the lowest New York crude oil, we still have a profit of more than 2.5 US dollars."

"David, let the people below start preparing. In these two days, while everyone thinks it will continue to rise and are optimistic about it, start closing positions and selling."

David Mellon was stunned.

Abel's judgment obviously refutes the current mainstream argument on Wall Street.

“Does it look like crude oil is going to fall?”

David said softly: "No problem, I will let everyone start selling goods right away."

Abel nodded, "Don't be too hasty. Just throw them out in a week. I predict that within a week, they can still stay at this price."

"Understood." David nodded.

In this way, the time allowed for David to operate is relatively generous.

This can at least make or save hundreds of millions of dollars more for Smith Capital, or even more profits.

After talking about the company's largest investment so far, David started talking about another thing.

"I made an appointment for you with Isaac Perlmutter. The gentleman would be happy to meet with you."

David said: "You have just become the chairman of an entertainment agency, established a sweatshirt brand, and now you are in contact with the chairman of a toy and comic company."

"Honestly, Abel. Sometimes I don't know what you're thinking."

"Thank you, David. But I don't want to explain it to you now. You just need to know that you will know the reason in a few years." Abel replied with a smile.

David: "You're always like this"

"But who calls you the boss?" He added: "Isaac Perlmutter said he is available at any time. He is now on the plane to New York."

"Well, I remember that company he owned was not in New York before?"

"Yes. But you know, it almost went bankrupt and delisted in 1996. Although it recovered later, it has always been very difficult."

David said: "In 1998, in order to reduce expenses, Isaac Perlmutter moved the company to Los Angeles."

"Understood." Abel nodded, "Then notify me immediately when Mr. Perlmutter arrives."

As soon as David made an OK gesture, he saw Abel pause and ask another question.

"By the way, David. I heard that Perlmutter is a venture capitalist and likes to play stocks?"

David nodded: "Yes. And let me tell you, before I was still working for Goldman Sachs, Isaac Perlmutter was one of my big clients."

"Oh~ Is it such a coincidence?" Abel couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, "Then you should be familiar with Isaac Perlmutter's investment?"

"Absolutely." David nodded.

"Hehe." Abel had a meaningful smile on his face.

He said, "So do you think we could create some trouble for Mr. Isaac Perlmutter?"

"Um" David Mellon looked at him, "What do you mean?"

Abel whispered something to him.

"Uh" David Mellon hesitated for a moment after hearing this.

"It seems a little contrary to my professional ethics."

"Come on," Abel said with a smile. "This could probably make you hundreds of thousands of dollars more."

"Okay." David nodded, "My current professionalism is dedicated to Smith!"

"Ha~"

"That's right." Abel stood up, walked to David, and patted him on the shoulder: "Go ahead. You are much more professional than me in this regard."

David made an OK gesture, and the two of them laughed at the same time, looking a little embarrassed.

At this time, there was a knock on the office door.

Then a charming voice sounded:

"Mr. Smith, Mr. Mellon, this is Amanda. Can I come in? There are some documents that need to be left with you."

After hearing the voice, David gave Abel a thumbs up.

This guy also said softly: "You really belong to me. Let the eldest lady of the Hearst family come over and help our company move!"

"Ha~" Abel laughed, "You can't blame me. I didn't mean it. Who asked her to come over for internship just when our company was relocating?"

"Moreover." Abel added: "It's not like I didn't tell her not to do this kind of work, she had to do it herself."

David shook his head and shouted, "Come in, Amanda."

The door was pushed open.

Amanda was still somewhat petite and walked in with some difficulty, holding documents and files as high as her hair.

She looked shaky, as if the files and files were about to fall to the ground at any moment.

Abel looked at David and motioned for him to help.

David shook his head and refused, his eyes flickering around Abel and Amanda, his eyes a little ambiguous.

Abel could only shake his head and walked over to catch the large number of documents and files that Amanda staggered over.

"Be careful, Amanda. In fact, you don't need to do these menial tasks. Someone in the company will do it." Abel helped her put the documents and files on the table.

"That's not possible." Amanda breathed a sigh of relief, then laughed, "I am your secretary now, although I am only an intern. But it is also my duty, and of course I must complete it well!"

"Okay. As long as you like it." Abel waved his hand.

Amanda didn't stay long, she smiled sweetly at Abel, nodded politely to David, turned around and went out to do her work again.

After she left, the office door was closed.

David Mellon suddenly said:

"It seems that the eldest lady of the Hearst family has some kind of interest in my boss."

"Ha~" Abel smiled, "Don't say such things. She is only sixteen years old."

David rolled his eyes and wanted to say something else about it.

Abel didn't give him a chance.

"Okay. Remember to keep an eye on the crude oil. After the shipment is completed, notify me immediately. Also, don't forget about Isaac."

He chose to leave directly.

But before leaving the company, he told David Mellon this way.

After leaving the Smith Building, Abel's motorcade quickly left LIC and quickly headed for JFK International Airport in Queens.

An hour later, they were on a plane bound for Texas.

On the plane, he used a satellite phone to call the other David he left behind in Tarrant County.

"David, I'm Abe Smith."

"Good afternoon, BOSS. I know it's you. I have your satellite phone number."

"OK. So, I'm on my way to Tarrant County now. I'll arrive in about two hours. David, tell me what's going on there."

"OK."

A week ago, due to a surprise attack by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Abel was forced to return early from Texas.

Afterwards, he discovered that it was nothing serious at all.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office, just on behalf of some people, a small warning - no, it can't be said to be a warning.

It can only be said as a compliment.

The other party was probably telling Abel that they could do this if necessary.

Abel felt depressed and helpless about these people's actions.

However, he did not make it easy for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which was used as a gun.

Afterwards, he spent some money to trigger a small public opinion storm in the media against the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Among them, newspapers in the Los Angeles area were the most enthusiastic and rushed to the front.

Even now he has stopped investing money.

West Coast newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, are still causing trouble.

In addition to this, he also asked Caroline to launch a legal storm against the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Compared with the previous public opinion storm, this kind of litigation storm is obviously time-consuming and laborious.

For the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the damage and impact is even greater.

According to Caroline, Robert Morgenthau had a headache.

The old guy wanted to have dinner with Abel, so he made an appointment with Abel through Caroline.

Abel pushed again and again, and this time he simply flew directly to Texas so that Robert Morgenthau could not find anyone.

In fact, Abel also knew these two methods of revenge.

It doesn’t really hurt the roots of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

It can only cause them some trouble, especially the former, which is probably not even trouble.

Because of the storm of public opinion originally directed at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

It has now become something of a low-intensity rivalry between West Coast and East Coast newspapers.

There is no business at all about the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

That is, the litigation storm, this straightforward means of earning money.

Causing Robert a headache and trouble.

So much so that they even wanted to ask Abel out for dinner, probably to reconcile.

Abel also knew that reconciliation would always come.

Because this time is really not a big deal.

Strictly speaking, it should even be said that the Manhattan District Attorney's Office acted impartially.

Those two employees of Abel were really guilty.

But these things are not done by Smith Capital.

It was a crime he committed at his previous company before he came to work here.

Abel has already made plans to wait until he comes back from Texas.

As long as Robert is a little softer, he will cancel this lawsuit storm.

After all, the main purpose of launching this counterattack has been completed.

It also freed him up to focus back on Texas.

On the Texas side, Abel originally left David Jones and five bodyguards behind.

Five bodyguards, three of whom followed Alexander Smith.

The other two were on errands for David Jones.

What David has to do is very simple. He represents Abel here and discusses with Dwayne how to help Alexander.

At the same time, the relocation of the rock security here has been completed.

"First up is Alesvas and the Electric Company."

On David's side, according to the boss's level of concern, the first thing to talk about is the energy company's affairs.

Although David didn't know it, the relocation of Rock Security was obviously more important.

But the boss seems to be more concerned about such a regional electrical company.

"I have been in contact with several shareholders and the board of directors of this company through Mr. DeWine."

"Obviously the other party is very eager to take action. The offer is very low. It only costs 20 million US dollars to acquire 80% of its shares."

"But there is a problem. This company has liabilities of close to 50 million US dollars. The liabilities have exceeded twice its market value. This is the biggest problem."

The debt ratio was 250%. Abel on the plane was a little speechless when he heard this data.

He asked again: "What about other aspects?"

"In other words." David Jones:

“The company currently has about a thousand employees.

Three power plants, 21 gas stations, and 555 miles of natural gas pipelines.

It provides power to a thousand small farms in Tarrant County and has approximately 100,000 to 120,000 customers at a time. "

Abel took the satellite phone and spoke again: "What is the reason for such serious debt?"

"I checked the information and found out why I have so much debt."

"There are three reasons. One is that its three power plants are all old power plants. The technology is backward, they require a lot of maintenance fees every year, and their efficiency is also worrying."

"The second reason is that Alais recently acquired a gas company. This gas company is also on the verge of bankruptcy, and Alais is interested in its two natural gas fields."

"The third reason is competition. There are a total of 11 electric power companies in Tarrant County, and the competition is very fierce. Alais Company, which has no cost advantage, lost in the price war."

"Huh~"

On the plane, Abel exhaled softly.

"Understood." He said: "Then, let's talk about it when I arrive. Let's talk about the rock security migration."

"Relocation is not an issue." David said: "Tarrant County Council welcomes the arrival of Rock Security.

It’s just that Sunnis Mountain Farm is currently blank.

If you want to wait until the construction is completed to accommodate more than a thousand people to settle in the training ground, it may take more than half a year of construction time. "

"Got it," Abel said again.

"Wait until I get there."

After saying that, he hung up the satellite phone.

Then he looked up and looked at the four beautiful stewardesses standing in front of him.

Unlike last time, he could only tell that one of the four stewardesses was familiar to him.

Not Maria, but another one.

He pointed at the familiar flight attendant and spoke softly:

"Where's Maria? Isn't it Maria's turn this time?"

He missed the Maria a little bit from last time.

I can blow and play, and I can brush my teeth well.

The stewardess who was named by him was stunned for a moment, and then immediately answered:

"Oh, sir. Are you talking about Maria? She is getting married this week and is taking leave to get married."

"I took a leave of absence to get married." Abel felt a little regretful.

But then I thought about it, and I didn’t want to collect it.

What's such a pity? At worst, we can meet again next time and experience it again.

Wouldn't it be even more beautiful when Cao Cao's attribute blessings are available at that time?

Just pay attention to safety and enjoy this once-in-a-while game.

It’s okay to eat.

With this thought in mind, he looked at the four stewardesses again.

The quality of the four people this time was not as high as the last two times.

The most beautiful one with the best figure is the one who just spoke.

Now Abel's demands and appetite have become higher.

This kind of quality has left him without much thought.

He even thought about getting off the plane later.

I want David to file a complaint against American Express.

The quality is getting worse and worse, bad reviews!