America's Road to Wealth

Standing in front of a very short Bernie Ecclestone.

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

the reason is simple.

Because Ecclestone took advantage of the past few years when the Kirsch Group had too much time to take care of itself.

This little old man has done many tricks in F1.

For example, Bernie Ecclestone established F1 Holdings (FOH). And it is subdivided into F1 Administration Company (FOA) and F1 Management Company (FOM).

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

When the Kirsch Group itself was almost dead.

These operations of Bernie Ecclestone have caused the SLEC company, which was previously responsible for the promotion and operation of F1 events, to exist in name only.

This kind of subversion has also caused Kirsch Group, which owns 75% of SLEC's shares, to lose its influence in the F1 event.

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

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

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

One is his Swiss lawyer Luc Argon.

The other was Emmanuel, Argan’s wife.

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

As long as the director position is not taken away, F1 will still belong to Bernie Ecclestone.

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

But when Bernie saw the latter's calm eyes, combined with his identity, one of the founders of F1 felt a little scared.

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

"You have nothing, 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 F1 affairs. If you look at it from this perspective, F1 belongs to me. .”

Even with saliva spraying 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 dare?!" Bernie Ecclestone fumed like an aggressive little rooster.

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

"Okay." Allen nodded, took the last step, and then said softly: "Mr. Owen, the rest is up to you."

"Okay, no problem. My work will be next." Behind Allen, a middle-aged man who looked polite and wore glasses stood up.

"Mr. Bernie Ecclestone, right?"

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

The "smell" that Bernie was familiar with on this man made Bernie hesitate to speak.

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

Bernie Ecclestone said immediately.

The elegant 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."

Bernie Ecclestone had little reaction to hearing Owen's name.

When Bernie heard the name Clifford Chance, he knew that today would be a difficult day.

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, including debt and equity investment, capital markets, corporate mergers and acquisitions, banking and financial projects, funds and financial instruments, etc.

It happens to be very professional and relevant to today's question.

Bernie knows that talking to this group of people is the easiest way to get caught.

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

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

Timmy Owen smiles:

"But I advise you to be quick. Look here, Mr. Cavendish, the District Attorney for Paddington. He works for the Crown Prosecution Service of the United Kingdom."

"Hello." Prosecutor Cavendish said expressionlessly, "Mr. Ecclestone. You have violated a total of 38 articles including the British Commercial Code, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, and the British Companies Act. The law. In the name of the Paddington District Attorney, I am issuing a special notice to you."

How could Bernie Ecclestone, whose company is headquartered in Paddington, not know Cavendish as a prosecutor?

Normally, the two of them even have a good relationship and occasionally drink coffee together.

Now Cavendish looked like this, and Bernie was angry and scared.

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

"Mr. Abel Smith."

Bernie wanted to bite the bullet. But at this moment, the little old man already knew that he couldn't afford to offend the young man in front of him.

It is true that the top management of F1 Holdings is controlled by Bernie Ecclestone.

But all along, the shares of F1 Holdings are still in the hands of SELC.

No matter what Bernie does, nothing can change this.

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

There are basically no requirements for F1 Holdings, which gives Bernie Ecclestone the greatest freedom.

Now SELC's largest shareholder has become someone else.

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

If he really goes to court, he will ignore it no matter what.

Thinking of this, Bernie Ecclestone sighed.

"Why"

Bernie Ecclestone's original sadness and anger gradually subsided.

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

Bernie Ecclestone gets it too.

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

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

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

Bernie Ecclestone said very sincerely:

"Leave me here. 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 and looked very miserable.

With his relaxed figure, Bernie Ecclestone feels that he has the same style as he did back then.

In order to form F1, Bernie went to one team after another, and then went to find those automobile giants.

In the end, everything happened.

But now this scene appeared again, between himself and Abel.

Bernie actually felt like reincarnation for a moment.

As Bernie surrendered.

Everyone's eyes also fell on Abel, who had been silent in the middle.

Abel saw that he had achieved his goal.

In addition, what Bernie Ecclestone said actually makes sense.

Abel has already bought two teams, and now he directly buys F1 to run them.

It may really cause dissatisfaction among other team owners.

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

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

In fact, Abel never thought about kicking Bernie out.

At least when Bernie relents, at least when Bernie can be under his control.

Abel allowed Bernie to continue to manage and run F1.

"I have several conditions." Abel finally spoke, his voice was clear and bright as the general manager of F1 Holdings.

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

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

Abel looked at Bernie Ecclestone.

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

Bernie Ecclestone thought to myself I think? I think this is Fake’s SHIT!

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

In addition, the annual salary of 10 million euros is actually quite a lot.

Bernie smiled reluctantly: "I think that makes sense, sir."

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Bernie felt like his heart was about to break.

The salary loss of 70 million euros a year accounts for half of his annual income.

Most of this half is pure profit income

"Second condition." See how sensible Bernie Ecclestone is.

Abel also got straight to the point.

"Remove the positions of two directors, Luke Argan and Emmanuel, and re-elect the board of directors. Director positions are selected based on the number of shares."

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

"Of course," said Bernie Ecclestone:

"Sound and legal, isn't it? Gentlemen?"

Hear the smile on Bernie Ecclestone's face and the look on his face right now.

Many people around were thinking - [You were not like this just now. You were very arrogant just now, clamoring to go to court. 】

If we really have to go to court, the result will be like this.

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

"Very good." Abel nodded with satisfaction, very happy with Bernie's understanding, "Congratulations to you. Mr. Ecclestone, you will still be the general manager of F1 Holdings. The operating rights of F1 will still be In your hand."

Bernie Ecclestone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

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

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

If he loses control of F1, it will almost be like dying among London's wealthy class.

The 70-year-old man doesn't want to lose his reputation as F1 czar even if he makes 70 million euros less a year.

Bernie Ecclestone's resignation coupled with Abel's step back.

It also made the F1 Holding Company employees who were watching all around feel relieved.

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

In the territory of his commercial sports kingdom, a piece of racing lights up perfectly, and it is still very dazzling.

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

It is also something that racing fans are proud of.

At the same time, it is also extremely profitable and has always been one of the most profitable sports events.

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

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

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

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

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

If there is no network of contacts here, it may not even be possible to know when the mansion here will be auctioned.

The status of the residents living on this street is often either rich or noble.

In parallel time and space, Lao Wang from China later bought a villa here, but it was in a relatively remote location.

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

It is a villa of the Queen and the main residence of the royal family in 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.

In addition to this, Kensington Street is one of the safest streets in London.

On both sides of the road here, there are always Scotland Yard staff armed with live ammunition, that is, the Royal Police.

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

It would be strange if the house prices here were not expensive.

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

Strolling through the beautiful villa, you can see that there are decorations with historical value everywhere.

Little Laura, who had been living in the house for a few days, couldn't help but sigh to Abel beside her:

"The houses in London all look very historic."

Abel was a little disapproving.

When he bought this house, investment factors accounted for most of it.

He didn't remember other aspects, but he remembered that Lao Wang, the future richest man in China, bought a house here.

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

It seemed to cost £80 million at the time.

That was after 2015.

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

He decisively bought this place.

The other £80m price tag is just the price tag.

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

He thought that when the time comes, he would find an opportunity to sell it to the rich people in China.

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

It will be sold for 400 to 500 million pounds by then. Isn’t it expensive?

Those wealthy Chinese people, and those Hong Kong conglomerates who have a different feeling for London.

Why don't you try to join forces and take down this most luxurious villa in the UK?

I'm talking about you, Agua.

After buying this house, you can be so close to the Queen and directly become her neighbor.

Not excited?

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

"It can be designed from scratch, from scratch, all according to our will. I think this kind of house is more suitable for our living."

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

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

Thinking of Laura's Flower, little Laura couldn't help but said -

"But why do you have to fill in the area around that hill? I saw the design plan and it's too exaggerated!"

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

That hillock had been named Smith's Hill by Abel.

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

This plan is to prop up the surrounding area of ​​the hill to form a flat-top design.

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

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

According to the designer, ten Woolworth Buildings could have been built without considering glass.

With so many materials, the construction costs are naturally astronomical.

It took so much money and so much material to fill up such a small mountain.

Little Laura didn't understand.

And Abel didn’t need Xiao Lao to understand.

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

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 also maintain it internally for more than three years. It can produce food and fresh water internally, and can survive internal circulation!

To put it simply, luxury homes will be built on Smith Mountain.

But under the mansion, 70% is man-made and 30% is naturally formed in the mountain.

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

It's just like the secret room inside Smith Manor where the ancestors of the Smith family have left behind generations of people and stored a large amount of weapons, ammunition, food, and even gold.

What if something unspeakable really happens in this world in the future?

The Smith family can also have a place to stay in crisis.

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

By the time he travels back in time to 2022, he will be only 42 years old.

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

If things continue to develop, it is not impossible for the Third War or the Muhai War to happen.

Abel didn't want to have nowhere to hide when something like that happened to him when he was in his forties or fifties and had the wealth of the world.

Since he had to prepare, of course he made the best preparations.

So here comes Flower of Laura, this very exaggerated man-made Smith Mountain.

I don’t know if it’s because the Smith family has the gene of fear of doomsday.

It was still the thoughts of Abel Traveler. He had already planned to design and build this Smith Mountain.

Taking advantage of the fact that we were going to build a large manor now, we started construction directly in the name of Laura's Flower.

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

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