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Chapter 73 Playboy Estate

"Are we being a little too fake?"

Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching Harrison's convoy leave below, the two men who had been at loggerheads just moments before were now leisurely leaning against the window, coffee cups in hand. The harmonious scene was a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere just moments before.

Ernst gently swirled the dark brown coffee in his cup, his gaze falling on the delicate foam, before picking up the cup and taking a sip of the high-end coffee that Robert Iger had brought.

The rich flavor spreads across the tongue, with a subtle fruity aroma. It is said that a pound of coffee beans costs more than three thousand US dollars.

"It's precisely because it's fake that the other party is more willing to believe it. No matter what the internal disputes are, no one will expose their discord to outsiders."

There are no secrets in Hollywood. Harrison may not say it, but other people at Fox will spread the news throughout Hollywood in an instant, which will then generate multiple versions and reach Fox's ears.

That's exactly the result Ernst wanted—a mix of truth and falsehood, leaving Fox completely confused.

It has been discovered that Harrison is in favor of selling the Titanic project. Unless the other party can find a single reason to completely convince them to abandon the sale, the outcome of this deal is already predetermined.

Fingers tapped lightly on the French windows, making a rhythmic sound, as if counting down to the impending victory.

"The problem now is the price. Whether $1.1 million meets Fox's psychological price point is a question."

"However, we are not without leverage. Cameron's pressure forces Fox to make a decision as soon as possible."

The only option is to sell the Titanic project outright, regardless of whether the price meets expectations.

Fox had no choice but to either come up with at least $60 million in post-production and advertising costs.

Delaying is the most unwise thing to do.

Regardless of the final outcome, Cameron, a director who has proven himself and brought profits to Fox, will inevitably develop a rift with the other party and become the one who loses out.

"I've stuck to the price of $1.1 million, and I won't get involved in anything else."

"In such a hurry to go to your land of women?" Robert Iger joked, clearly aware of Ernst's upcoming itinerary.

"Do you think I wanted this? Isn't it all for MGM?" Ernst said helplessly as he got up to leave, turning back to add a sentence as he reached the door.

"Who told me I was born to worry?"

He was greeted with a disdainful middle finger from behind, but unfortunately Ernst didn't see it.

Located in the western suburbs of Los Angeles is one of the world's most iconic estates, Playboy Estate.

"So, what kind of woman do you like? I used to think you were into girls, but lately you've been into Connery and Famke, so I thought you'd become into breasts. Now you've become into legs."

"Although it's said that riding a fat horse is like feeding a thin coin, these models, apart from having longer legs, really don't have much of a feel to them."

At the manor gate, Craig couldn't help but express his doubts, bewildered by Ernst's recent changeable tastes. What kind of woman should he look for to please his master in the future?

Ernst's forehead was covered in black lines as he gritted his teeth and said, "I've already said, this is for work purposes, not for me to choose a concubine."

"Oh," Craig nodded, seemingly understanding, then leaned closer, persistently asking, "So, what kind of woman do you like?"

If Ernst hadn't seen the manor gates open and Hugh Hefner personally come out to greet him, his fist, the size of a sandbag, would probably have already been thrown at him.

"I'm just a lecherous bastard, are you satisfied now?" Ernst said, got out of the car, and walked up to Hugh Hefner, giving him a warm hug.

"Welcome, welcome to my best friend's kingdom."

For this estate, which every man in America longs to visit, those who are invited are known as Hugh Hefner's best friends—very few, but all are extremely famous.

"I haven't even thanked you yet, but you actually offered this manor for the filming of the show. I'm bound to be bothering you for a while now."

Hugh Hefner feigned anger, clearly displeased with Ernst's politeness. "Hey, I'm a man, and besides, your idea is absolutely ingenious. I'm really looking forward to it, both in its creativity and its revolutionary nature; I can even picture it in my mind."

The show, that's why Ernst came to Playboy Estate.

Victoria's Secret is now quite well-established, and the world-famous Victoria's Secret Fashion Show from last year has already been created.

Even dream lingerie has appeared; all it lacks is angel wings.

Ernst is not going to let Victoria's Secret rise to prominence. Rather than fighting back later, it's better to crush it completely before it gets too big.

Once the acquisition of Playboy was decided, Ernst couldn't wait to begin planning Playboy's fantastical shows.

When Hugh Hefner learned of Ernst's idea, how could this real-life symbol of the playboy not be interested?

Knowing that Ernst was looking for an angelic estate, he offered up the famous Playboy Estate.

"Come on, I'll show you around my pride."

Hugh Hefner glanced at Craig, who had followed behind, and gave him a manly smile.

"Please take good care of this child."

As soon as he finished speaking, two sexy bunny girls came to Craig's side, one on each side, each taking one of his arms.

Greg's lecherous face made Ernst wonder if bringing this guy along was a mistake; it was just too damn embarrassing. What was the difference between him and those prisoners in the men's prison who hadn't seen a woman in decades and suddenly saw a live sow?

At Hugh Hefner's invitation, Ernst got into his golf cart, intending to avoid seeing him and getting annoyed.

It can only be said that the old man really knows how to enjoy life; even on such a short journey through the manor, he doesn't forget to be served by women.

The modified golf cart features two leather sofas in the front and back, a mini bar, and even a refrigerator and a small TV.

Sipping red wine and enjoying massages from the ladies, we toured the five-acre mansion, which boasted a full range of amenities.

Basketball courts, tennis courts and other sports facilities are standard. Ernst really liked the outdoor swimming pool with its artificial hills and flowing water. It was not just a simple pool, but also connected to a secret grotto, just like the karst caves in southwestern China.

In addition, the estate also has a private zoo, which houses animals such as peacocks, flamingos, and parrots, and even has a monkey mountain.

"How is it? This is the part I'm most satisfied with."

Hugh Hefner's smugness was undisguised, like a boy showing off to his friends.

"Not bad," Ernst praised first, then changed the subject, "but I think it's missing something."

"What's missing?"

"A king of beasts".

In the United States, privately breeding lions and tigers is incredibly easy.

Texas, in particular, is home to half of the world's domesticated tigers.

There are only about 4000 wild tigers in the world, while there are more than 5000 domestic tigers in the United States, and nearly 3000 in Texas.

These tigers have part of their toe bones removed when they are very young to ensure that they will never grow sharp claws again, thus reducing the chance of accidental injury and making them no different from pets.

Especially since the Big Cat Public Safety Act has not yet been enacted, the procedures for adopting a tiger are simpler than those for adopting a stray dog.

Hugh Hefner paused for a moment when he heard Ernst's suggestion, then burst into laughter. "If I were twenty years younger, I might do that. I'm too old to play with these big guys anymore."

It took a full half hour to go around in circles.

When the car stopped in front of the mansion, Ernst knew that Hugh Hefner had something to say to him, otherwise he wouldn't have sent Craig away.