American Life

Chapter 182 New Year’s Eve with a kiss, Queensland

Victoria valued herself so much, so naturally she should reciprocate the favor. As for the illusory and beautiful words such as family prosperity, of course there is no need to be stingy. If you can help, you can help. If you can't help, you can only "do nothing."

Everyone present who was not a smart person immediately smiled, which also made the family gathering seem harmonious and the atmosphere was particularly harmonious.
Halfway through the party, Marcello and Gino also came forward to clink glasses with Charlie.

"If you hadn't helped me this time, the consequences would have been disastrous." Marcello drank the wine in one gulp.

Even at this point in time, he was still a little scared.

If it weren't for Charlie, he wouldn't be able to clear himself of suspicion by jumping into Lake Michigan.

Charlie was finally brought back from his own hell.

"Family harmony is my goal." Charlie said modestly.

"That's right, Cousin Charlie, if there is any use for me in the future, all I need is a phone call from you, apart from the shares in AMC Cinemas." Gino, who was following Marcello, also said very solemnly.

The mention of AMC is also because Charlie mentioned it before.

"Paramount Act, right?"

"Yes."

"What if I ask someone else to hold it?"

"You mean the company? I'm afraid this cannot get around the Federal Trade Commission." Gino shook his head.

"No, no, no, I want someone to take charge of it. On the surface, it has nothing to do with me." Charlie turned his head at this time and looked at Faith, who was talking to Victoria.

"There may be no precedent for this. In theory, of course you can choose this way, but I still need to remind you that the final judicial interpretation is not in your hands." Gino responded cautiously.

"Of course I know this, and I also know that pure monopoly does not violate the regulations. Using a monopoly position to make profits in violation of regulations is considered a monopoly in judicial determination." Charlie explained.

The reason for the Paramount Act that year was that Paramount required theaters to purchase their own large-scale Category A productions and bundle them with three Category B low-cost movies, and postpone the release of movies from other studios. That's when it was split.

He is just holding shares now. Marvel will become more and more powerful in the future, so why shoot himself in the foot.

Charlie said so, and Gino no longer insisted: "I can introduce the middle management of the company, and then you can discuss with them in person."

"Thank you. Also, Cousin Marcello, I am planning to open a new derivatives factory around Salt Lake City. Do you have any places that you would recommend?"

"Of course. My father's company owns a piece of industrial land in the northern suburbs of Salt Lake City and can give it to you for free. In addition, we maintain good relationships with multiple municipal departments and can help you quickly complete the complete set of procedures."

I didn't expect Marcello to be so generous, and he saved himself a lot of money.

"Then I'm welcome." Charlie nodded.

In the second half of the party, the wealthy Charlie became the target of these relatives' efforts to win over him.

Aunt Anna's husband owns five private hospitals in Utah, and currently wants to open a new private medical institution in St. George, the largest local private medical institution. He hopes to attract Charlie to join the hospital and provide some financial support, and Charlie readily agrees.

Nicholas Rossi, Victoria's father, pointed out a more promising "investment" to Charlie.

"McCain participated in the Vietnam War and was once a domestic hero. After returning to China in 73, he served in Congress for a long time and has always been a backbone of moderates. I think you should have heard of this name?"

"Senator from Arizona?"

"Yes, he has a good personal relationship with me. He has decided to participate in next year's general election and has been nominated as a primary candidate. You can try to provide some donations. If not, it will be about expanding your network. If you do, you will make money. Big.”

Although he already knew the final result, Charlie still readily agreed.

As Nicholas said, power should be about network expansion.

"If possible, it would be better for him to change his campaign slogan."

"Do you have any new ideas?" Nicholas didn't expect Charlie to talk about this. No one would care about such a small thing.

"How about 'Make America Great Again'?" Charlie said casually.

Nicholas was taken aback, and couldn't help touching his hair: "Who said this sentence? It's quite interesting."

"Reagan."

This sentence actually appeared in the last century, and it has not been registered as a trademark by anyone in the United States.

"I would like to trademark this phrase and make it available to McCain for free."

"It's up to you." Nicholas shrugged.

On the eve of the New Year's bell, Taylor's figure appeared on the huge projection screen, and she sang a warm and cheerful "Forever & Always"

The youthful lyrics make the atmosphere of this New Year really sweet and warm.

"It's not describing what happened between Charlie and me." Taylor explained with a blush in the face of everyone's jokes.

Then Faith pushed her from behind, and she fell into Charlie's arms.

“10、9、8……2、1！”

When the New Year arrived, Charlie and Taylor embraced each other and celebrated the New Year with a kiss.

Everyone present applauded and cheered, followed by Charlie and Taylor, many newlyweds, and old couples also followed suit.

"This is the sour smell of love." Victoria hurriedly opened the delicate cigarette case and took out a lady's cigarette.

"Niece, would you like me to introduce you to a man? It will save you from being embarrassed on such an occasion." Anna, who was the oldest besides the old grandmother, saw Victoria's embarrassment, so she asked enthusiastically.

"It's not only her who's embarrassed, but also me." Victoria's father Nicholas also said shortly after.

The daughter had never married, but she brought home a little boy nearly ten years ago, and no one knew who the father was.Nicholas blames himself very much for this. He believes that his early divorce caused his daughter to lack maternal care, which allowed her to develop this somewhat rebellious character.

"I'm not interested. I will be 50 years old in a few years." Victoria shook her head and rejected the proposal of her aunt and father.

"No one says that older women shouldn't get married. You should enjoy your life." Anna advised.

"Your current status is extraordinary. You are the patriarch of the Rossi family. On the outside, you are the symbol of the Rossi family. A normal family can bring you a good image, and it is more about the face of the family." Nicholas said from another Said from an angle.

These words are not a joke at all. As a senator from Utah, he knows this sentence very well.

All regular guests need to have a good and happy family, otherwise many people will subconsciously lose trust in you.

"Okay, in that case, how about letting me marry Charlie?" Victoria shook her eyebrows.

"Stop joking, daughter." Nicholas exclaimed.

Everyone laughed when they heard the words.

Faith also added flatteringly: "It would be Charlie's honor."

"Then I have to do a paternity test quickly, lest I find out that I am Mark's illegitimate son." Charlie also joked.

This stems from previous rumors in the family. Some people believed that Charlie was the illegitimate son of Mark and someone on the street. In order for him to get the family name, they lied about being adopted from an orphanage.

But Charlie was able to confirm that he was not even remotely related to Mark and Danielle. When they came to the orphanage, he already had memories.The reason for the adoption was also simple, Danielle was infertile but wanted to raise a child.

"Then you really need to make an appraisal." Victoria nodded, seeming to take it seriously.

At the end of the party, Victoria called Charlie to the office alone.

"I'll leave the PFD to you. I hope you won't cause any trouble."

"Of course." Charlie nodded.

Victoria has so much trust in herself, so of course she must continue to fish from the bottom of the lake.

"If a family is willing to contract some related business, I will give the highest priority to family members."

"I still have a lawyer's license and privately provide legal consulting services to many local construction companies in Utah." Victoria continued.

"clear."

The two of them spoke to the point, and they understood each other tacitly.

"When is your company going to start work?" Victoria opened the drawer, and this time she took out a top-quality Davidoff cigar, with the image of Winston Churchill printed on the white wrapper.

"I changed the taste." She cut one herself and lit one for Charlie.

"A week later." Charlie changed his posture slightly and shook the cigar in his hand.

There will be a lot of things to be busy with in the foreseeable next year. The end of January will be Apple’s annual shareholder meeting, and the acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank will be completed by then.

Preparations for several new Marvel movies are also about to begin.

Negotiations with NBC will also end early next year, and by then I will gain control of Miss Universe.

As for other projects, including spin-offs, social networks, and new movies outside of the Marvel series, there are dedicated people keeping an eye on them, so they don’t need to take up too much of their energy.

"Then why not take advantage of the last few days to go around with your little girls. The children will stay here and have someone to take care of them."

"That's a good idea. What place do you recommend?"

Victoria thought for a while and said: "It is better to go to several surrounding national parks. There are many red rock landscapes here."

"It's January now, and we are enduring the cold and dryness to look at the bare red rocks? This is not a wise choice." Charlie refused without thinking.

"How about going skiing in Switzerland? Or Queensland, Australia, or going to Kenya to watch animals? These three places are all the best places to go in January." Victoria then suggested.

·
In the evening, the New Year's War was no surprise, and many people fell into a tipsy state. It was really a great time.

Not to mention other girls, even Taylor, who just recorded a song yesterday, has become a little slack. This is not temporary, but a long-term accumulation process.

Around Charlie, there are all kinds of delicacies from the mountains and seas, wine and meat every day, and the gentle countryside always makes people lazy.

Taylor started drinking, and Linney started sleeping in. In addition to her habit of collecting luxury goods, Gisele also kept gaining weight because of her pregnancy.

Charlie was not surprised by this, and had no intention of stopping or correcting it. This is life, and mental slackness just proves that everyone is in a state of carefree enjoyment, and there is nothing wrong with it.

"How about we go to Queensland? Victoria still has a friend there, and she also wants to go with us." At the end, Charlie told everyone his proposal.

Victoria also expressed her desire to go together at the end. She also wanted to leave her child at home temporarily and go out to relax for a few days.

"Okay, you can go diving on the bottom of the sea and see the corals up close." Taylor was immediately delighted. She loves traveling the most.

Others also agreed, but Faith shook her head.

"I won't follow you. I still have to breastfeed my daughter."

"There's enough left in the refrigerator for several days. I just wanted to let you relax before getting ready to go out. You are the protagonist."

Charlie knew very well that if other people's children didn't have enough to drink, his own daughter wouldn't be able to finish it.

"But I want to give the baby something fresh to drink," Faith explained.

Everyone, including Giselle, tried to persuade her for a long time, but Faith still insisted on her idea.

Charlie has no choice but to let Faith and Danielle stay in the manor.

·
The balance of the holiday was already insufficient, so everyone took the time to prepare to pack their luggage. They arrived at the airport at noon the next day, and Victoria was already waiting for them at the airport.

Different from the mighty team on Charlie's side, Victoria was the only one on her side, looking a bit lonely. She wore a down jacket that reached her ankles, wrapping her whole body tightly.

"I need to remind you, it's summer over here in Queensland."

"Of course I know that. It's summer wear under the coat." Victoria said.

When the plane landed at Brisbane International Airport, Victoria put on a summer outfit. The upper body was a white Burberry T-shirt, the lower body was a tropical-style skirt, and on the feet was a pair of slightly high herringbones. With sandals and glossy nail polish on the toes, he doesn't look like he's middle-aged at all.

"Look at what she's wearing, who is this for?" Taylor in the crowd couldn't help but mutter.

It's very clear here, Charlie is walking in the front, and Victoria is like a tropical butterfly, always hovering around Charlie.

"I know why Faith chose not to come." Artis suddenly realized.

She leaned into Taylor's ear and whispered: "This woman picked the place, and she also knows the people here. Isn't it a bit of a coincidence?"

Women are always more sensitive, maybe it is because she has friends here that she would suggest this, but at this moment, the two of them felt that she had an agenda.

Taylor immediately exchanged glances with Giselle next to him and told Artis what he thought.

"This is not new at all, it's an old trick." Gisele has been in the modeling industry and feels that this kind of trick is commonplace.

"Faith obviously worked so hard." Taylor really felt it was unfair for Faith. Among these people, she had the best relationship with Faith. She no longer hesitated and walked quickly to Charlie.

She hugged Charlie's arm and said coquettishly: "At this time, you should call Faith. She is still thinking about us."

Seeing this, Victoria on the side also smiled and said: "I think so too."

"You're right." Charlie took out his phone, but Taylor snatched it away.

"Forget it, let me fight." Taylor slowed down and pulled behind.

At this time, Giselle caught up from the other side.

"Victoria, being a mother is hard, right? I'll have to discuss it with you more when I have time. By the way, why have you never heard of your child's father?" Giselle asked pretending to be casual.

Victoria shook her head: "You have to ask God about this. In fact, I adopted this child. He was abandoned because of a congenital ear disease."

Giselle's face darkened and she fell behind again.

"Boss, Thor said that the legal department needs to expand its manpower..." Artis caught up again at this time.

"Do you need a lawyer? I also know many outstanding domestic colleagues. In addition, my friend has opened a high-level headhunting company. You can tell me any talents you need in the future." Victoria followed.

Seeing Charlie and Victoria walking in front talking more and more, the women following behind felt helpless for a moment.

"You can only suppress her with your beauty. When you get to the hotel later, remember to put on nice clothes." Giselle gave the order.

Victoria turned back inadvertently at this time and nodded to a few people. The black rose and the oversized black diamond hanging on her chest were shining...

(End of this chapter)