Hollywood Zenith

" Me too."

They began explaining why they were so hostile. Samuel's visit coincided with their board meeting and came in disguise, which signified that it was an official business on behave of the Rothschild family.

What they were most wary about were Samuel's recent movements. They thought he was here to buy their most treasured company. His behaviour until now was also aggressive.

" Such a long shot! Am I that feared here?" Samuel asked Darren, who was ignorant about such things.

" Are you really not trying to buy our company? Maybe you are planning a hostile takeover?" Newhouse was still on guard.

" Look here, old man; I know I set the appointment, but it was only a courtesy call. I thought I could wrap up quickly because I was here in person. But is it normal for you to jump to such conclusions? Hell, if you forgot, I am also an employee of this studio."

" We have to be vigilant. You have been buying any and every company affected by the recent crisis. With several small banks, entertainment studios, and modelling agencies, we thought it was time you started looking for some big fish in the pond." Lori gave some explanation.

While she was partially right, his only order was to expand into the financial sector. Before his meeting, it was a pre-emptive move to buy a big financial bank. Abigail was working on it as they spoke, but keeping it a secret from them was better.

" Well, you are right about it, but don't you think I would discuss WB assets if I were visiting the WB headquarters? You already assumed that I know about the inner shareholder standing of this company, but you are wrong." Samuel pointed out the obvious.

" Ah."

" But you are not telling the whole truth, right?" Benjamin's radar was tingling. As an attorney, he could guess when someone was withholding some information.

" Wait! before that, how do you find out about me?" For the Old man, it was the most important thing. If there was a leak, he had to know about it first.

Samuel smiled. He didn't want to tell them about the 'Homeless Hacker'* or his intelligence network, but a hint would be fine.

" Astor family's bloodline is a famous myth; some people also believe it is one of thirteen families controlling the world. Who would not be fascinated by it?"

" That is obviously false. We are strong but not to the point of controlling the world. We only have a few oil, technology, textile....." Lori started stating their family businesses, but Benjamin covered her mouth.

" What the hell are you doing giving out our secrets?" First, the designer watches now this? Seriously, sometime his wife could be such a dunce!

" Carry on; it was just getting good." Samuel was scribbling in his little diary. When did he take it out? It was their time to be surprised by his antics. Darren chuckled, looking at their dumbfounded expressions.

" What? You all had fun making me look stupid. I am only trying to maintain the suspense." Samuel replied nonchalantly.

" Please, Our family's future depends on it." The old man urged.

" Fine, update your company website; your face is plastered over it. Also, Mrs Locke's information is all over social media. You have to remember who owns it, right?" They needed to know that Samuel was doing the same thing that he was doing in the financial and entertainment sectors.

" Also, you must remember who benefited the most after the AXA guild* disappeared. They have expanded beyond Europe after all these years." Samuel wouldn't want to disclose anymore, but others got the message.

" I understand. Can you promise to keep it a secret from your end? I am willing to pay!" The old man knew the empty words were meaningless when making any deal. It was important to exchange some value to give it some meaning.

" You do have something that I desire. As the largest shareholder of the WB Group, I want your assureity that you would support me in an upcoming deal." Samuel said with a playful smile.

" You have to specify your request. If it is harmful to me, I will not help you." Old man Astor became cautious after seeing Samuel's sudden mood change.

" Don't worry. Give me your contact information. I will send you the details. Do we have a deal?"

" I could just reject his request if I find anything wrong with it." The old man thought and made a quick decision.

" Deal. I look forward to working with you."

" Good choice."

....

....

....

" That was quite a show back there. I really applaud your acting!" Darren said with a laugh. They were done with their business. It only took them a couple of hours to do the photoshoot. The movie was released in a few months, and they had ample time to make any changes later.

" I don't know what you are talking about. I have always been a good actor." Samuel said mysteriously.

" I am talking about your crazy outburst earlier; no matter the circumstance, I have never seen you get angry over such a stupid reason."

" It worked like a charm, though. They would feel indebted to me, making the deal that much easier, right?" Samuel was in a good mood. He didn't know it would be this easy to acquire that 'company'. It was a very productive day for him.

" But Astors? I never thought they were still alive. It seems like you are causing quite a commotion, and old dragons are waking up one by one." Darren had to at least inform his father about it. Though Wintringham was unmatched here, they had to be cautious if they wanted to maintain their standing.

" My father had warned me about it. After the Medici incident, I pulled quite a resource searching for hidden powers globally. If you keep following me, we can meet a few others."

" Bastard! I am not your follower! You always forget that I am the senior here."

" Is that so? But they always assume you as my guard or something. It's instinctual; it is not my fault that I am more handsome than you. If being handsome was a sin, I would be the world's greatest sinner!" Samuel egged him some more.

" Fuck you!"

" Sorry, I don't swing that way!"

" Arghhh"

" Hey, calm down! fuck, let go of the steering wheel, you madman!"