America 1919

"Yes!"

"Dear, what are you talking about?"

At this time, the door connecting Nucky's study to his bedroom opened, and Lucy, wearing her pajamas, stood lazily at the door.

Nucky squeezed out a smile and said, "It's nothing, you go ahead and rest; I'll come find you once I'm done!"

"Mm!"

Lucy smiled and said, "But you have to take care of your health!"

.

After leaving Nucky's study, Donnie didn't return to his own office but instead, went to Pickford's room.

Pickford was obviously not in her best state today, just wearing a loose dress, her hair a bit messy, holding a wine glass in her hand, leaned against the doorframe looking at Donnie, and said, "I thought you would stay in New York a bit longer!"

Donnie stood at the door and smiled, "Aren't you going to invite me in to sit?"

Pickford stepped aside to let Donnie in, then closed the door behind them.

"The business in New York is done, so naturally, I would come back home; after all, Atlantic City is my home!"

Donnie sat down on the sofa, saw the mess on the table, and said, "Didn't I prepare a room for you in Atlantic City? Why stay at Surf Hotel?"

"Isn't it that I haven't completed the deal with you yet? That seaside villa isn't mine yet!"

Pickford sat opposite Donnie with a somewhat sad expression and continued, "Atlantic City is your home, but where is my home then?"

I get it, she's caught the artistic sentimental bug!

Seeing Pickford's state, Donnie knew what was going on: "If someone who didn't know any better saw you like this, they might think Douglas proposed a divorce!"

Pickford said, "Who proposed to whom is no longer important. Now that you're back, can we discuss the matter of you acquiring shares in United Artists?"

Donnie stood up, walked over to Pickford, and said, "The United Artists share acquisition isn't urgent; let me treat your illness first!"

It turned out that the artistic sentimental bug was indeed an illness, a few more shots and they'd be back to normal.

After a stormy affair, Donnie sat there, unconcerned about the wine stains on the wool blanket, leaned back on the sofa, and said, "You should know that Hollywood changes in the blink of an eye, and with a constant stream of Miss Americas entering Hollywood every year, if you retire now, you will quickly be forgotten by your fans, they are the least patient group out there!"

Actually, whether in the past or present, Donnie could never understand why some stars in the entertainment industry insist on retiring to study or do charity work to enrich themselves.

Whether it's the entertainment circle of the future or Hollywood now, to put it bluntly, a star is just a product, and not an irreplaceable one at that. Disappearing from the public eye for a year or two is enough time for countless similar stars to come and snatch away their market share. Do they really think they're irreplaceable?

At this moment, Pickford no longer showed sadness, lazily lying on the sofa, and said, "Of course I understand what you mean, and you might not believe it, but I truly am tired of my former life. If I really can't get back to the top in the future, then I might as well retire completely. After all, the money I've earned is already enough.

Right now, I just want to rest and not care about anything for a while!"

Alright, Donnie understood, people just don't have any ambition anymore; they just want to take it easy!
Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire

However, unlike "lying flat" in later generations, Pickford had the capital to do just that!

"Alright, since that's the case, I won't say any more. Tomorrow I'll have someone clean up the place where you live, and you can move in. Additionally, regarding your shares in United Artists, I will purchase them according to the current market valuation of United Artists,"

Since the other party had already made up their mind, Donnie felt there was no need to persuade them further.

Pickford smiled, shifted on the couch, and moved closer to Donnie, resting her head upside down to his and drawing near until they were about a fist's distance apart. She asked with a smile,

"I thought you would negotiate the price with me. After all, everyone knows you're the 'Magician of Wall Street.' Shouldn't you be more focused on capital?"

"Be careful of congestion!" Donnie said after planting a kiss on Pickford's lips. "Although United Artists is losing you, more Miss Americas are joining the company. I know Jessica Dole is doing really well, and she should fill the void left by you soon. Moreover, the future development of United Artists is sure to be healthy, and I believe that in a few years, this investment will bring back profits several times over."

Even though Donnie was now set to become the largest shareholder of United Artists after acquiring Pickford's shares, he didn't want to devote more energy to Hollywood at this time.

After all, for United Artists, people like Charlie Chaplin are the core assets. If his sudden entry causes them to leave, it would be a loss rather than a gain.

It's better to wait. When the development of sound films becomes more mature and Hoover begins investigating Charlie Chaplin, that's when Donnie can put some effort into United Artists!

Pickford shifted her body again and sat shoulder to shoulder with Donnie on the couch, seemingly unconcerned about the fact that they were both practically undressed...

"If Douglas found out I sold my shares to you, he would definitely be unhappy!"

Donnie chuckled and said, "Don't worry, United Artists is doing so well now, there have been blockbuster movies these past two years, and the company's market value is steadily increasing. During such good times, unless Douglas's head is wrapped, he won't give up on United Artists. At most, he will create some problems for me within the company!"

Pickford gave Donnie's shoulder a playful nudge, "Who are you saying has a wrapped head?"

Then Donnie realized that his snark about Douglas had accidentally hit Pickford as well!

"Everyone has their own pursuits, and yours is different from theirs!"

Only then did Pickford nod in satisfaction, and then with some hesitation, she asked, "Can you stay tonight?"

Donnie smiled; after all, Pickford was still someone from the entertainment industry, incredibly emotional, and prone to change quickly, which is why Donnie had bought the United Artists shares from her.

Who knew if she might suddenly take a liking to someone else in the future? By then, getting the shares of United Artists at the current price would be impossible!

"Of course!"

.

The next day, after Donnie got up and glanced at Pickford sprawled on the bed, he put on a robe and walked into his office.

Steve Cotting came in, and Donnie told him, "Call Café Jackson over!"

Now that he had finalized all the conditions with Pickford, there was no reason to delay. Particularly since he had sold some ABC stock to those people earlier, he had some cash on hand, making this the right moment to buy Pickford's share in United Artists!