Chapter 1204: Chapter 412: Los Angeles Times in Hand (Part 2)
“But obviously, up until now, the one who has benefited the most from this is him, and besides, before this, Block’s ‘Atlantic City Post’ has always wanted to enter the California market!
And previously, there was indeed some unpleasantness between us!”
Harry Chandler expressed his doubts.
Donnie sat on the sofa, with an aggrieved expression on his face: “Mr. Chandler, first of all, I do not deny the two matters you mentioned, but regarding the matter of ‘Atlantic City Post’ entering the California market, didn’t we already reach an agreement?
Secondly, wasn’t the unpleasantness between us already resolved? When Mr. Palmer came to Atlantic City, I had my people treat him well!”
Kyle Palmer has already been to Atlantic City, where Donnie had Zack Holloway entertain him.
Harry Chandler was somewhat silent; indeed, the issues seemed to have been resolved.
But, he just couldn’t help but suspect Donnie Block!
Donnie continued: “Now that this matter has arisen, I ask you whether the ‘Atlantic City Post’ or ABC has made any statements about it?
As the owner of the ‘Los Angeles Times’, you should understand what kind of pressure ‘Atlantic City Post’ and ABC are under in such situations, right?
Secondly, all the national child protection organizations have come, but have you seen anyone from WRPA?”
WRPA has long since grown into the largest women and children’s rights organization in the country.
“Moreover, you should know, I am now arranging for Venus Bank to enter Florida. If Mr. Richardson hadn’t personally called me, I would already be in the office of Florida’s Governor now.”
Donnie presented his reasons for being unlikely to have done this and then leaned back on the sofa.
“If, Mr. Chandler, you still suspect me after this, then I’m afraid there’s nothing more I can do. Perhaps when the Democrats continue to use this matter to attack us, and the Republicans lose California, you will finally believe me!”
Donnie’s words made Harry Chandler start to doubt his own suspicions.
William Richardson immediately laughed and said: “Block, we should understand Chandler, after all, the ‘Los Angeles Times’ has been the focus of much of his effort.”
Donnie nodded and said: “Okay, Mr. Chandler, what are your thoughts now? If you do not wish to sell the ‘Los Angeles Times’ to our ‘Atlantic City Post’, then I will leave now and maybe catch today’s train to Florida!”
Harry Chandler took a long, helpless sigh; the situation had developed beyond his control.
Next year is the gubernatorial election, and if he remains obstinate, he will become the enemy of the entire national Republican Party. They can’t let California go to the Democrats.
“Alright, I apologize for my previous thoughts!” To safeguard his other business in California, Harry Chandler had no choice but to bow to Donnie Block.
“It’s alright!” Donnie said magnanimously: “In fact, if I were in your shoes, Mr. Chandler, I would suspect me too!”
Harry Chandler said: “So, Mr. Block, how much are you willing to offer to acquire the ‘Los Angeles Times’?”
Donnie sighed and said: “Currently, all of Venus Bank’s funds are being prepared for entering Florida, and I really cannot bring out too much cash; how about I offer $5 million to acquire the ‘Los Angeles Times’!”
Harry Chandler’s just-calmed mood was ruffled again; the real value of the ‘Los Angeles Times’ is definitely above $20 million, and now Donnie actually wants to buy it for just $5 million?
“That’s impossible! You’re robbing me!”
Donnie waved his hand and said: “Mr. Chandler, I assume you’ve received quite a few calls from advertisers lately. Once we take over the ‘Los Angeles Times’, the first thing we have to do is appease these advertisers, and some that cannot be appeased may even demand compensation from us.
Besides this, we also need to manage the public relations of the ‘Los Angeles Times’, which is not an insignificant expense either.
$5 million is already the maximum we can offer; if you don’t agree, then we’ll just have to say goodbye!”
Harry Chandler was so angry he just wanted to throw things, but he didn’t have that capacity right now.
“Fine-I-agree-with-you!” Harry Chandler enunciated each word.
At this point, he really had no choice; either watch the ‘Los Angeles Times’ sink and become the enemy of the entire Republican Party, potentially even losing his other businesses in California,
or take the $5 million Donnie offered and leave the ‘Los Angeles Times’!
Seeing Harry Chandler agree to Donnie’s offer, William Richardson and the Mayor of Los Angeles both displayed happy smiles.
Calling Donnie to take over the ‘Los Angeles Times’ was the result of their discussions; they knew they could have found a wealthy Republican businessman in California to take over the ‘Los Angeles Times’ as well.
But these people would not be as experienced in running a newspaper as Donnie, who already had the ‘Atlantic City Post’.
What they needed now was for the ‘Los Angeles Times’ to turn around its reputation in the shortest time possible and again become the voice of the Republican Party, something not just anyone could accomplish.