America's Road to Wealth

American Express is, at its core, a financial services company. The company is best known for its credit cards, charge cards, and travelers' checks.

It is one of the thirty stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

It is still the only company in the service industry among these 30 stocks.

It can be said to be an outlier, but it can also be reflected from the side that its business is too successful.

American Express has never ranked lower than 100 among the world's top 500 companies selected by Forbes magazine.

In Business Weekly, it was listed as the 15th most valuable brand in the world, with an estimated brand value of approximately US$7.87 billion.

Its original CEO was Kenneth Chenault.

Kenneth Chenault actually just took office in early 2001, and his term was less than one year.

Maybe it's because he doesn't want to give up the power he just gained.

Kenneth Chenault has always been very resistant when facing Abel's acquisition.

So much so that he was willing to be used as a gun and rushed to the front, and finally got the end of being dismissed.

He also became the fastest CEO to step down on Wall Street last year.

On the morning of January 2nd.

Wall Street.

For nearly 80 years, this street in New York, which is only more than 500 meters long and 11 meters wide, has been a global financial center.

Until then, it was London that held that status.

But London's status in the financial world, with the abdication of the Great Yin Empire, had to give up its position as the financial boss to New York.

Just like the Great Yin Empire gave up its position as the world's boss to the American emperor.

However, the world's most famous financial street is now in a state of depression.

The British Guardian published a report one month after the September 11th incident, describing the situation on Wall Street:

[Signs with the word for rent can be seen everywhere on the street; even during the holidays, few people visit the store; rental activity has dropped by nearly 55% compared with a year ago, and by 90% compared with August. 】

In fact, before September 11, there was a wave of evacuation on Wall Street, which probably occurred from 1995 to 2000.

In the past few years, Morgan Stanley and Morgan Chase, one of the four largest banks in the United States, have successively withdrawn their headquarters from Wall Street, but they have not left New York.

The second real wave of evacuation was after the September 11th incident last year.

A large number of financial companies and banks have withdrawn. The horrific disaster caused financial companies that had gathered near Wall Street to disperse, and some even withdrew from New York directly.

After all, there is already very practical Internet technology, and communication technology is sufficient to support the gradually improving capabilities of fully electronic transactions.

After September 11, what happened to those unfortunate companies in the Twin Towers also gave most financial capital companies a need for distributed offices to prevent risks.

Advances in technology, combined with the current crisis, have made Wall Street less attractive to financial companies.

This situation puts New York, the financial capital, in an embarrassing situation of losing tax revenue and insecure status.

The situation is so serious that the New York City government has begun planning to encourage financial companies to return to Lower Manhattan through tax breaks.

Taking the lead in bucking the trend, when everyone was afraid and fleeing Lower Manhattan and Wall Street, they instead moved their headquarters to a series of Smith companies in Lower Manhattan.

They are all on the list of those eligible for tax exemption and tax reduction.

Who calls the building where these companies are located, that is, the Smith Tower, although it is not in the 500-meter-long Wall Street.

But it happens to be in Lower Manhattan, in the core of Lower Manhattan.

It just falls within the scope of tax cuts and subsidies.

Such role models, even without Bloomberg, would have been pushed out.

What's more, Bloomberg has the final say in New York now.

Naturally, this kind of welfare policy belongs to the Smith family.

Even if these benefits are given to the Smith family, others can't say anything.

If I dare say it, let them move back to lower Manhattan too.

On this day, the 52nd floor of the Smith Tower.

In Abel's office.

Abel was sitting on the soft boss chair with a faint smile on his face, looking at Otto Walburg, President of North America, UBS Group, who was sitting opposite him and was here for a special visit today.

Among the major shareholders of American Express, the overseas institution with the largest shareholding is UBS Group.

Switzerland's largest joint banking group owns almost 3.96% of American Express.

It is the institution that holds the largest share of American Express besides State Street Bank and other five major institutions in the United States.

Previously, the shareholders of Express Company resisted Abel's arrival.

UBS Group was one of the first to fully support Kenneth Chenault.

It's a pity that there is no unity within their union at all.

In the end, Abel teamed up with Soros and disintegrated directly from the inside.

It was a matter of course for Abel to officially join the board of directors of Express Company.

In a sense, it can be understood that UBS was one of the groups that originally planned to trick him.

It's just a pity that they didn't succeed.

Not only was it unsuccessful, it could be considered as falling into the hands of Abel Smith.

Facing such a guy, Abel had already raised the knife in his hand high and pointed it at the opponent's pulse.

It is better to resolve enemies than to make them knot, and not to add insult to injury and so on.

It's all bullshit here in Abel.

Since you have chosen to be an enemy, you must be responsible for your own choices.

Abel will never be merciful.

Although this enemy with ill intentions cannot be killed, a lesson is inevitable.

...Okay, Mr. Smith, you win, for $35, the 3.96% of American Express shares held by UBS Group is yours.

Otto Warburg felt bitter and unwilling in his heart, but the situation was stronger than others, and even if he didn't intend to bow his head, it would be impossible.

Because American Express already has more than 50% of the shares, all owned by Abel Smith.

As the largest shareholder that has reached the safe holding line.

If Abel messes up, the only way for the remaining shareholders of American Express to restrain him is to sue the law.

The problem is that even if all the remaining shareholders work together to sue Abel, they may not be able to win.

Who doesn’t know that Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau is as close as he gets to having “Knives of Smith” written on his face.

Anyone can sue Abe Smith in Manhattan.

But if you want to win...where do you think this is?

This is New York!

What's more, working together is impossible for these institutional shareholders.

If they could work together, Abel wouldn't have been able to get so many American Express shares before.

As the most targeted meat on the chopping block, UBS Group was very well-informed and quickly sensed the crisis.

I know that Abel is serious this time, and even if other shareholders of Express Company unite, they will most likely be unable to resist.

Even if he didn't want to see Abel Smith anymore and was worried about being humiliated, Otto Warburg had to come to the door in person.

Because you want to avoid losses, or not to be targeted. UBS's only option was to find Abel Smith.

The price is $35, which is lower than Soros’ price.

Even if UBS Group sells it at this price, there will be losses (UBS Group entered the market early, and American Express was valuable at that time).

However, in the process of privatizing American Express, Abel targeted UBS Group and ended up beating the odds.

The headquarters of UBS Group is already very dissatisfied with Otto Warburg.

If we can't get back as much capital as possible as soon as possible, make the books look better, and let UBS's stock price rise, what awaits Otto Warburg will be the same fate as Kenneth Chenault.

That means being kicked out.

Sorry, Mr. Warburg. As far as I know, the stock price of American Express is only $32 on the stock market.

Abel smiled in response.

During his acquisition battle to acquire American Express, American Express's stock price once exceeded $45 per share.

But after his tender offer ended.

The market saw that he already had great power over American Express and knew that no one could compete with Abel for control of American Express.

After that, American Express's stock price began to fall.

After falling for so long, there is only $32 left.

Even a few days ago, Abel announced that it was about to launch a comprehensive tender offer, but there was no way for its stock price to rise.

Because investors with normal brains all know that Abel holds more than 50% of the shares.

American Express's stock price will definitely remain the same as last time, and will only remain at Abel's purchase price.

That's $30 per share.

I have been tricked once before, but not many leeks will be fooled this time.

What's more, most of the remaining shares of American Express are in the hands of institutions.

When institutions speculate in stocks, they want to trick leeks and exploit them.

But in the leek field, there are not many leeks left.

The little bit left is still the leek that has become fine.

And these guys who specialize in cutting leeks.

Then they can no longer cut leeks.

Naturally, the shares of Express Company cannot be circulated.

Some small institutions and retail investors who could not withstand the pressure or were very pessimistic about the future of American Express quietly sold and left the market, causing American Express's stock to continue to fall.

American Express's stock has lost value in the eyes of investors.

...Looking at the stock price of American Express, there is a high probability that it will fall to my comprehensive tender offer price of US$30.

Obviously, the US$35 requested by UBS Group is very uneconomical for me. Mr. Warburg, you need to give me a reason before I can agree to such a condition.

Abel smiled brightly and his eyes were sharp and bright.

Hearing what Abel said, Otto Warburg's expression changed slightly.

He could finally see that if UBS Group wanted to leave safely, it would be impossible without some efforts.

Otto Warburg gritted his teeth and said softly:

Mr. Smith, if you are willing to acquire all the shares of American Express held by UBS Group at a price of $35.

Then I will help you to convince all European shareholders of American Express. Let them sell all their shares to you at around US$32, which is the current stock price in the stock market.

The total of all our shares is almost more than 9%. With these shares from us, you will be able to dominate American Express Company immediately. Mr. Smith, what do you think of my reason?

Abel's bright smile spread.

That was why he was willing to meet with Otto Warburg today.

Almost 17% of American Express's shares were acquired by foreign shareholders.

Among them, Europe accounts for the majority, and the rest is held by Neon and Singapore institutions in Asia.

As the North American president of UBS, Otto Warburg has great influence among the North American branches of European financial institutions.

If UBS can be asked to help, the process of Abel's acquisition of American Express can be greatly shortened.

Seeing how successful Otto Warburg was, Abel was very satisfied.

This reason is very convincing. The stock transfer agreement can be signed first. Abel said with a smile:

But the condition for the contract to be valid is that you actually do what you said, Mr. Warburg.

call--

Otto Warburg took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

I know. Mr. Smith.

He agreed.

It doesn't matter if I don't agree, UBS Group headquarters is too eager to press.

After cooking Otto Warburg.

Abel did not stay in New York much longer.

There is no need to rush the matter with American Express.

As long as Otto Warburg and Buffett can handle it all.

Within a month at the earliest, more than 80% of the shares of Express Company will fall into Abel's hands.

At that time, you can directly declare the success of the privatization of American Express and start the delisting process.

In at most one month, American Express, a well-known large enterprise with a century-old history and the only service component of Dow Jones, will become part of Pacific Bank of Commerce.

At that time, Abel's more important plan can be launched.

That is - Pacific Commercial Bank will be listed on the stock market of American Express Company!

Seriously, this will be the first listed company under Abel!

January 3, 2002, which is the second day.

Abel's Boeing 747 takes off at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

More than 8 hours later, we landed at Los Angeles International Airport.

The motorcade that greeted Abel passed through downtown Los Angeles and headed towards Beverly Hills.

In downtown Los Angeles.

Abel looked out the car window at the tents and homeless people basking in the sun on the roadside, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Those people outside made him suddenly realize that his mentality seemed to have changed.

He remembered the first time he came to Los Angeles. When he saw these people, he asked David Jones why the city center of Los Angeles looked like this.

At that time, he felt a little pity for these homeless people.

If David hadn't stopped him, he would have even wanted to rescue these people.

But now, Abel found that when he looked at these people, he no longer felt any pity or sympathy.

He found that he looked at these people a bit like humans looking at dry batteries that had been almost drained, leaving only the last bit of residual power.

There was no pity at all, and there was not a trace of uneasiness in my heart.

Abel took a deep breath and knew that he had really changed.

But...this is life!

He looked away, closed his eyes and fell asleep.

When he opened his eyes, 10410 Bellagio Road in Beverly Hills was already there.

At the main entrance of the villa, some bodyguards and all the maids, led by a housekeeper whose photos Abel had seen, lined up to welcome the return of Abel, the master.

The housekeeper has just arrived from England.

She received Joanna's systematic housekeeping training, specially designed and adjusted for Abel.

They are the first batch of personnel trained by Abel's own private butler school.

There are only 6 in total for batch 1.

One is housed here at 10410 Bellagio Road.

The reason is because there is a woman who already has the blood of Abel living in this house.

Another 5 female housekeepers who are apprentices.

One was sent to little Laura, and the other was to Charlize and little Aaliyah mother and daughter.

One went to Ikana, and the other went to Hanguo.

Of the remaining two, one will stay with Abel at all times.

The last one is here.

Sir, welcome. Mrs. Nicole and Mrs. Kate are waiting for you inside.

The housekeeper was one position behind Abel, following step by step, reporting to Abel.

Walking into the main door, Abel nodded, took off his suit and handed it to the housekeeper.

He had already seen the two Australian national treasure-level beauties standing up after seeing him in the living room.

Nicole Kidman, and Cate Blanchett.

Oh, dear. You're here! The Australian white sheep walked towards Abel with a smile on his face, like a spring breeze.

Kate looked a little excited when she saw Abel. As soon as she took a step forward, she saw that Nicole was almost walking to Abel's side.

She secretly retracted her steps again.

By this time, the Australian white sheep had already been chewed.

While tutting her tongue, Kate looked at the two people kissing passionately, and thought to herself: A couple!

But a few minutes later, Kate also made ooh and tsk sounds.

Because after the Australian Aries, she was also caught by Abel with a smile and kissed passionately.

After a few more minutes, the two Australian goddesses were hugged by Abel.

The three of them sat on the sofa in the living room together.

After sitting down, the Australian Aries snuggled up to Abel. Just when he was about to speak, he saw Abel turn to the side and say to Kate with a smile: A month? Really or not...

As he spoke, his hand gently touched Kate's flat belly.

Kate's thoughts were very complicated and she didn't know how to reply.

The food next to me is so delicious that I can’t wait to get it in my own stomach.

Nicole, who was also successfully planted by Abel, said first:

It's true. Our Miss Blanchett already has a baby that's almost four weeks old in her belly. I don't know if poor Mr. Upton doesn't know this.

Abel responded with a smile: Is the child Mr. Upton's?

Nicole smiled and was about to answer when Kate, who was rubbing her belly and showing a little shyness, immediately said:

It's not Andrew's. The child in my belly is not Andrew's! It absolutely can't be!

oh?

Abel raised his eyebrows deliberately, then looked at Nicole Kidman and gave her a look.

The Australian Aries was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted.

In this regard, this woman is very scheming and can be said to be very powerful.

Ha~

Nicole smiled and deliberately asked Kate: So Mrs. Upton. As Mr. Upton's wife, the child in your belly is not your husband's, so whose child will it be?

Who else could it be? Kate stared at Abel a little angrily.

During the ten days at the end of October and the beginning of November last year.

Kate was always with Abel and was not allowed to go anywhere.

As long as I have free time, I have been...

In those dangerous days.

Even more crazy homework.

Before that, she had been separated from her husband Andrew Upton for more than two months and had been busy with work.

Who else could the child in this belly belong to except Abel at that time?

After Kate finished speaking a little angrily, she saw Abel and Nicole laughing a little narrowly at the same time.

Hahaha~

Only then did she realize that she had been tricked and that it was this guy Abel's evil intentions.

snort……

Kai was very open-minded and didn't want to look at Mr. and Mrs. J.

Then she heard Mr. and Mrs. J chatting.

Australian Aries: Honey, I envy Kate so much.

Why do you envy her?

I envy her that she will soon be the mother of your child. I am older than her, and I also want a child, but I have never had one...

This is simple. Come on, I'll give you one.

Huh? Wuwu...um...

...

There was a tut-tsk sound.

Kate didn't need to look back to know that the J couple behind her must be nibbling again.

J couple Y couple!

The actor who plays Galadriel almost broke a silver tooth.