261-265

Chapter 261: The First Contact with an Alien Creature is a Bit Nerve-Wracking

After two days of training, the match began. The fifth match was held at the Paris Zenith Arena, and his opponent was the current WBF Light Heavyweight Champion, Otis Grant.

In the 1998 WBC Championship Challenge semi-finals, he had fought Otis Grant, and the two had gone five rounds. At that time, Richard's technique was average, but his punches were heavy. In the fifth round, he knocked down Grant three times and ultimately won the match, also winning the "Silver Belt."

This time, the match lasted three rounds. In the third round, Richard knocked out his opponent with one punch and won, taking another WBF gold belt. His total number of gold belts reached 7, and his personal record became 29 wins out of 29 matches, with 24 KOs.

"Mr. Brad, congratulations on winning another match. You've now completed five matches in the tour. In the first five matches, you defeated your opponents in just three rounds. Was this your plan?" a reporter from Le Monde asked after the match.

"That was my goal. Due to the continuous matches, the schedule is very tight, and it's a great test of physical strength. I need to maintain enough stamina. Before the competition started, I set a goal to finish the match within three rounds. Once I exceed that number of rounds, my energy consumption will increase exponentially, which is not conducive to the following matches. Now that the fifth match is over, and all of them ended within the set limit, I've done quite well," Richard said with a smile, taking off his gloves.

"Mr. Brad, there are reports that you used genetic agents during the match, which is why you're so powerful. Do you have any explanation for this?" a reporter from Le Parisien asked.

Richard smiled slightly. "If there were breakthroughs in genetic agent research, they would first appear in the Olympics, not in boxing matches. Besides, before the match, we undergo strict physical examinations by the Sports Commission. They drew two tubes of blood from me during the examination, maybe they're testing for genetic components. If you're interested, you can ask the genetic testing department to see if I've been modified. If I have, please let me know."

"Mr. Brad, you've donated a total of 7.2 million in ticket revenue from five matches. What prompted you to make this donation decision?" a reporter from the Associated Press asked.

Richard thought for a moment. "I'm a New Yorker. New York is my hometown. I hope it becomes a better place, safe and prosperous. I'm willing to do something, however small, to contribute to that. I also want to thank the organizers, promoters, my opponents, my team, and the boxing fans. The competition has reached its fifth match, and it's going smoothly. The ticket donations are also increasing. All of this is thanks to everyone's support. Thank you again!"

The post-match interview lasted for half an hour. Except for a few deliberately provocative reporters, the rest were quite successful.

"Richard, try not to finish the matches in three rounds next time. Every match ending in three rounds makes it seem like you're fixing the fights," Bob Arum, his agent, said with a smile once they were in the car.

"Actually, I also want to finish them in one round, but you said this is a major event in the sports world, and many media and boxing fans around the world are paying attention to these seven matches. Finishing in one round wouldn't showcase my skills at all. I thought you were right, so I decided to go for three rounds," Richard laughed.

"You could actually do what you did before, fight for the full twelve rounds, and then knock out your opponent at the end," Andy suggested with a smile.

"You have too much confidence in me. Before, I would rest for a few months between matches, so I had plenty of energy and could control the pace of the fight. Now, I'm traveling all over the world, fighting continuously, adjusting to time differences, and training. It's quite tiring. If I fight for 12 rounds each time, I'm worried that something unexpected might happen towards the end."

"Alright, it's up to you. As long as you can win the match, you can fight however you want."

After the Paris match, in early December, Richard arrived in London to prepare for his sixth match.

The winter in London was damp and cold, and the weather was foggy. Richard didn't go out, instead focusing on training at the boxing club. One afternoon, Jude Law, wearing a bowler hat, came to visit.

"You're in London and you're just training here?" Jude Law asked with a smile.

"Of course. What else can I do besides training?"

A work assistant brought a pot of black tea, and Richard poured a cup and handed it to him.

Jude Law smiled, looking at his strong and lean muscles, his chiseled features. He shook his head and sighed, "Richard, be honest with me, are you a genetically modified human?"

"What do you think?" Richard glanced at him, displeased.

"You are, you must be. Your physique is too perfect, so perfect that it doesn't seem like something a real person could achieve through training. Your strength is also too powerful. Those professional boxers, who are supposed to be the toughest group of people in the world, seem powerless in front of you. Is it so strange for people to suspect you're a modified human or a robot?" Jude Law said with a light smile.

"Why not suspect that I'm an alien? Doesn't Superman come from Krypton? Maybe I'm Superman's fellow countryman," Richard joked.

"Haha, some media outlets already suspect that. You used to call yourself Superman during matches, and back then, everyone thought it was a joke. Now, many people think it's true, that it was your hint. Some even suspect that you've lived for two or three hundred years, and that the previous Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, and other comics were all based on you. You used to hide it well, and no one noticed. But the last hijacking incident completely exposed you. So, Richard, can we shake hands? I'm a bit nervous about my first contact with an alien creature," Jude Law extended his hand with a smile.

Richard glanced at him, "Say another word and I'll throw you out."

"Haha, okay, okay, I'm just envious of you. How do you train? You're almost superhuman." Jude Law looked at his eight-pack abs, like the hero's abs in a comic book.

"I started training when I was eight or nine years old. If you train for more than ten years, you can achieve it. If you can't, it's because you're too lazy." Richard pulled the blanket over himself.

After chatting for a while, Richard and Jude Law went out together to attend a party at his house.

At first, there were only his family and a few actor friends at the party, but in a short while, the house was full of people. Neighbors, adults, and children all came to see him in line, as if they were looking at a giant panda.

Richard was also helpless. In the future, he should be more low-key, otherwise, he would be getting closer and closer to being sliced.

On December 8th, the sixth match was held at Wembley Stadium.

As the competition reached the sixth match, after the popularity accumulated in the previous five rounds, the competition received more and more attention as it went on.

The first match received great attention in North America, but relatively little attention overseas. Starting from Tokyo, the popularity of the competition grew.

From 1.65 million overseas users paying to watch the first match to the fifth match, there were 1.8 million households in North America and more than 5 million households overseas. Coupled with online video broadcasts, it is estimated that 800 million people watched one or all of the matches.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Richard's previous match videos and live training videos sold more than 1.2 million copies, becoming the best-selling video works of the year.

By the sixth match, the attention was even higher. There were 48,000 spectators, and several members of the royal family also came. The press interview area was packed with reporters and camera lenses, and the atmosphere at the scene was even more enthusiastic.

Amidst the cheers, Richard walked to the competition venue.

His opponent was British boxer David Telesco, the WBA International Champion, who had once qualified as a 'King Challenger' and had fought Richard once. He is currently ranked 22nd in the light heavyweight division and is also a very powerful boxer.

He fought four rounds in this match. In the third round, he knocked down his opponent twice but failed to completely knock him out.

In the fourth round, his opponent David Telesco was knocked down again. He voluntarily surrendered, saying that there was no need to fight anymore.

Afterward, when interviewed by reporters, David Telesco said helplessly,

"He's improving too fast. The first time I fought him, I lost, but I still knew where the gap between us was. But this time it's different. I have no idea how to fight.

That feeling is like facing a real Superman. Swinging my fists in front of him seems ridiculous. Dariusz said he is invincible, and I completely agree."

The sixth match ended, with 1.58 million ticket revenue donated from this match. The total number of global viewers exceeded 8 million, and the number of viewers exceeded 300 million. The prize money reached 24 million US dollars.

Richard's personal record accumulated to 30 fights, 30 wins, and 25 KOs.

In the past month or so, media from all over the world have reported on this round-robin competition. More than 30 countries and regions have broadcast his matches. According to preliminary statistics, the audience is no less than 1 billion.

King Richard has become another name that has spread throughout the world after King Tyson.

Tyson's title is 'Beast', while his titles are many: 'Superman', 'Genetic Weapon', 'Alien', 'Ace Agent', etc. Few people mention titles like Tactical Master, Demon Prince, and Magician anymore.

After the match in London, Richard did not leave immediately.

In mid-December, "The Lord of the Rings 1" premiered in the UK. The original author, Tolkien, was British, so this place is also known as the hometown of "The Lord of the Rings".

The premiere was shown in 480 cinemas and earned 15.06 million pounds in three days, becoming the highest-grossing film in the UK premiere in 2001. Richard also continued to go global with his role as Aragorn.

After the film was released, he participated in two promotional activities. Richard returned to New York to prepare for the seventh match.

——

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 262: The Match Ends

Richard's return was met with great enthusiasm.

Newspaper reporters, TV hosts, boxing fans, and movie fans crowded the airport exit plaza. Major TV stations broadcasted his return live, and the on-site interview lasted for more than forty minutes before it ended.

After returning, the mayor of New York invited him to attend a government banquet, where he praised him greatly, thanked him for his donation, and together with the head of the charity foundation, presented him with an honorary certificate.

Many prominent people also sent gifts to express their respect and goodwill, including Mr. Trump, Murdoch, Gates, Lawrence Ellison, and others.

"Richard, you're amazing now, like a hero."

Paul said sourly in the boxing gym.

"I don't want to be a hero, really, I just want to be a simple and pure boxer, but the situation doesn't allow it, what can I do?"

Richard spread his hands.

"Hehe, pretentious!"

Paul rested his head on the sofa, looked at the chandelier above his head and sighed,

"You used to be a little better than me at boxing, and you weren't much better in other areas, but now your fame is getting bigger and bigger, and your achievements are getting more and more. I suddenly find that the gap between us is getting wider and wider."

"Paul, have you always regarded Richard as your goal?"

Mayweather laughed.

"Can't I?"

Paul tilted his head and looked at him, "Richard and I have been training together since we were teenagers. I used to beat him, and I'm not much worse than him.

But now he has become a super super super boxing champion, a world superstar, a living hero, an idol of countless people, a dream lover of women, a real-life Superman.

And I'm still just a famous boxer. The gap is too big, too big, it makes people despair."

"You shouldn't compare yourself to him in the first place. Comparing yourself to a non-human like Richard is just asking for trouble."

Mayweather asked.

"Don't you want to compare yourself to him?"

"No, I know I can't compare. First of all, he's very white, and I can't compare to that."

Mayweather laughed.

"Seems like it."

Paul laughed.

Richard shook his head and said, "Paul, don't forget that you used to be just an ordinary boxer, and now you're a boxing star with a net worth of tens of millions. You also have a tennis queen and Olympic champion wife, and you'll soon have a child. What else are you not satisfied with?"

Paul touched his head, "Hey, hearing you say that, I feel pretty good again. At least I'll have a child soon, and you don't have one yet."

"."

Richard glanced at him, wrapped his bandages, and continued to practice boxing.

"Haha, Richard, don't be sad. With technology so advanced now, infertility can be cured. Otherwise, you can also choose artificial insemination."

Paul laughed.

Richard punched the target a few times, "Paul, we haven't practiced for almost two months, how about a fight?"

"No, you're a robot, I definitely can't beat you."

Paul shook his head.

"I'll wear double-layer gloves and only attack with my left hand. You can wear full protective gear. How about we have a real fight?"

Richard took a step back and asked.

"You'll fight me with one hand?"

Paul asked, touching his chin.

"Yes!"

"Paul, agree to it. How could you possibly lose to him with two hands against his one hand? Paul, go for it!"

Mayweather urged.

"Em~, okay, remember, you can only use your left hand. If you use your right hand, you lose."

"OK!"

Richard laughed.

Five minutes later, the match began. Richard's right hand fought against the fully armed Paul, with Mayweather and the boxing gym apprentices watching.

As soon as the match started, Paul launched a fierce attack, his strikes were particularly ruthless, and he shouted that he wanted to retaliate. He had suffered a lot from Richard's beatings during training before, and this time was a good opportunity, definitely not to be missed.

"Kill!"

Paul rushed over and punched Richard in the face, while Richard on the opposite side seemed to be scared silly and didn't move.

Paul was secretly delighted. His fist was only a foot, half a foot away from Richard's nose, getting closer and closer.

Today, he must break his nose. Who made his nose bridge so beautiful, high, straight, and upright? It was too dazzling. He must break it.

"Hit!"

Seeing that he was about to hit, Paul shouted excitedly.

Whoosh~

But just as he was about to hit, Richard's neck suddenly tilted, slipping past his fist.

Paul was furious and swung his fist horizontally, starting the pursuit.

Richard was not in a hurry, every time he waited for his fist to come, he used an extremely clever way to avoid it, continuously avoiding more than twenty of Paul's punches.

Paul was furious and his attacks became even fiercer. But every time his fist was about to hit Richard's head, it was effortlessly dodged, missing by only a centimeter or two.

"Fuck, can you stop dodging? Is there any point in constantly dodging back and forth?"

Bang!

Before he could finish, Richard landed a punch on his nose. Even though Richard's gloves had a lot of padding, the hit on the nose was still sour and painful, and his head felt a little dizzy.

Paul rubbed his nose, tears welling up in his eyes. "Damn it, you broke my nose! I'm going to get revenge." Paul ignored his nose and lunged forward with his fists, determined to fight to the death.

"Haha, Paul's starting to play dirty." Mayweather chuckled, arms crossed.

"Paul's too slow. He can't hit Richard at all." Jim laughed.

"Yes, that guy Richard is a freak. He has the punch weight of a heavyweight, the speed of a lightweight champion, and extremely refined and experienced techniques. This combination is simply unstoppable in the ring. Now I can understand why his opponents cried and said they couldn't beat him.

With Richard's skills, he's not just dominant in the light heavyweight division, but also in the heavyweight division.

Now that he's ravaged the light heavyweight division, he's going to crush the heavyweight division next. I really feel sorry for those heavyweight boxers. Once Richard goes to the heavyweight division, those guys will probably never have good days again." Mayweather laughed.

Bang bang bang!

In the ring, Richard and Paul fought for over ten minutes. Finally, Paul fell to the canvas with a thud. He stared at the ceiling with his eyes wide open. There wasn't a single injury on his face, not even a red mark, but his head was dizzy and there were countless little stars dancing before his eyes.

"Paul, you've improved a lot recently. Keep it up!"

Richard smiled gently, stepped out of the ring, and continued his training.

Watching his figure, Mayweather shook his head, suddenly feeling very fortunate that he was a lightweight boxer. If he were a light heavyweight, he would never have a chance to shine.

After two days of training, the seventh match began.

This was the final match of Richard's "Invincible" tour, and also his third match against Anthony Tarver.

Anthony Tarver was the current WBU-NBA champion, holding two gold belts. Although the two gold belts didn't have much weight, he was still considered the strongest boxer in the light heavyweight division, besides Richard and Roy Jones Jr.

Before the match, many media outlets reported on this fight.

The focus of the reports was not on the match itself, but on using this match to look back at the September attack. If it weren't for that attack, Richard's first match would have been held in New York.

But that incident happened just a few days before the match. According to statistics, 13 boxing fans who had booked tickets for the match lost their lives in that accident.

They would never be able to watch this match.

Before the match started, everyone stood up for a minute of silence.

This ceremony also added a layer of sadness to the match.

To shake off the sad atmosphere, Richard put on his most spectacular performance in the match, fighting Anthony Tarver for seven rounds, making it a close and exciting fight.

The audience at the scene shouted and cheered along with the rhythm of his attacks, and the atmosphere reached a climax.

Finally, in the seventh round, Anthony fell to the ground three times and couldn't get up. Richard won the final match of the tour, announcing the successful conclusion of the "Invincible" tour.

Richard won two more gold belts, bringing his total to nine. He then announced that he would give up five second-tier gold belts, keeping only the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO.

With the end of the tour, Richard's personal record reached 31 wins out of 31 fights, with 26 knockouts.

The final match donated a total of $208,000 in ticket revenue. The number of pay-per-view subscribers in North America reached 2.25 million, breaking the record set by the Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield match in 1997 and creating a new record.

The number of viewers worldwide has not yet been fully counted. Even if it doesn't break the record, it will still rank among the top three in history.

The prize money for this match reached $38 million, with Richard personally earning $32 million, also creating a new personal income high.

Afterwards, statistics showed that the seven matches of the tour generated a total revenue of $1.355 billion. After deducting the shares of the经纪公司 and related teams, Richard earned about $85 million, which was considered a big profit.

--(End of Chapter)--

Chapter 263: You Should Find a Partner

After the match, Richard enjoyed a few leisurely days. Apart from two hours of boxing practice each day, he spent the rest of his time shopping with Gisele or lounging at home watching TV and reading newspapers.

"Look, you're ranked number one in People magazine's '2001 World's Sexiest Man' list." Gisele chuckled, flipping through the magazine.

The cover of this issue of People magazine featured Richard. The front photo showed him shirtless, wearing boxing gloves, revealing his strong muscles. The inside pages also had photos of him in a suit, one strong and the other handsome and elegant, looking like two different people.

"I'm already the coolest man in the world. I don't need them to tell me that." Richard put down the game console and glanced at it with a smile.

"Conceited. The magazine also says you're every woman's dream lover. Are you happy?" Gisele laughed.

Richard shook his head. "The happiest person should be you, after all, you have the man that all women can't have."

"Haha, shameless. Actually, I'm not happy. Every time I think about so many women seeing me as a rival in love, I feel super stressed."

"Are you afraid of pressure?" Richard asked, lifting her chin.

"No!"

"That's right." Richard kissed her. "Christmas is coming soon, when are we going to Brazil?"

"Are you still going?" Gisele crawled up and lay on his chest. "You have so much work, I thought you wouldn't have time to go."

"I've been busy all year, I should at least rest for a few weeks at the end of the year. Do you still have work?"

"Yes, there are two more fashion shows, which should be finished by the weekend. How about we book the tickets for two days before Christmas and spend Christmas at my house?"

"Okay, you decide." Richard picked up the game console again and started playing a single-player game. "By the way, I ordered three cars for your uncle, aunt, and Patricia last month. They should be delivered in the next few days. Call them and ask them to check."

Gisele also had a younger sister, Patricia, who was four years younger than her.

"You really bought them? Three at once?" Gisele asked in surprise.

"Yes, I told you I would buy three cars as gifts, and you said it was okay."

"I thought you were joking. We already have a car at home, where are we going to put three more?" Gisele pushed his chin angrily.

"You're right. Maybe we should buy another estate, no, two estates. One for your family and one for us. We can stay there for a while when we go back. After all, the housing prices there aren't high."

"No! My family's house is fine, we don't need to buy another one."

"But you just said there's no place to put the cars." Richard laughed.

Gisele snorted softly. "You're getting more and more extravagant, giving away cars and houses at the drop of a hat. Can't you save some of the money you earn?"

"I have too much money, what's the point of keeping it if I don't spend it? Besides, your family is my family, they're not outsiders." Richard said nonchalantly.

Gisele blinked her long eyelashes, suddenly smiled, and threw herself on him.

"Honey, you're so good!"

"Just know it, no need to kiss me, you're affecting my game." Richard pushed her face away and said.

Gisele rolled her eyes at him. "Forget about the cars, but don't buy a house, or the media will say I'm after your money again."

"No, they won't. Even a blind person can see that you're after me, after all, I'm so handsome, charming, and sexy."

"Shameless!" Gisele scolded with a smile.

--

"What have you been up to these days?" Anthony asked at the cafe.

"Resting. I'm going to Gisele's place for a while in a few days." Richard sipped his coffee and said.

"Going to Brazil?"

"Yes!"

"You sure get around. What about those scripts I brought you last time?" Anthony asked.

Richard shook his head. "They're all commercial films, similar to 'The Bourne Identity' and 'The Fast and the Furious'. The scripts are average, and I've done this kind of film before. I don't want to do it again.

Next year, I have 'XXX', and a supporting role in 'xXx: State of the Union'. David Twohy also said he wants to make 'The Chronicles of Riddick 2', and '2 Fast 2 Furious' is also in the works.

I can take on one more role at most, preferably not an agent. Too many of this type will make the audience tired, and I'm not interested in filming it either."

"Okay, do you want to make an art film?" Anthony laughed.

"No, I like interesting characters and scripts, like Aragorn in 'The Lord of the Rings' and Bourne in 'The Bourne Identity'. Bourne is probably my most satisfying role.

Other roles either don't suit me or are supporting roles. So far, I don't seem to have a relatively outstanding representative work." Richard felt a little regretful.

"Don't 'The Fast and the Furious', 'The Chronicles of Riddick', and 'The Lord of the Rings' count?"

"I'm not the lead in 'The Lord of the Rings', and although the other two did well at the box office, they can't be called representative works. Films like Stallone's 'First Blood', Schwarzenegger's 'Terminator', Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible', and Tom Hanks' 'Forrest Gump', which are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, can be called representative works." Richard laughed.

"Such films are too hard to come by, only one appears every few years. But you're famous now, and it's easier to get roles. We can take it slow." Anthony smiled and took out a document from his bag, handing it over.

"What's this?"

"The 'Lord of the Rings' payment, the first installment has arrived, $3.2 million." Anthony smiled.

He had signed a profit-sharing agreement with 'The Lord of the Rings' before, $3 million + 1% of the total box office. Currently, 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' has earned $320 million in North America, so his share is $3.2 million. The overseas box office hasn't been released yet.

The box office data in the few countries where it's currently released is good, and the box office shouldn't be worse than North America, about $10 million. If the subsequent two films do well at the box office, Richard can earn at least $30 million from this series, which is higher than the salary for starring in two films.

"Not bad!" In the past, earning one or two million would have made him feel good, but now he doesn't feel that way at all.

This year, excluding stock market income, he earned more than $30 million in salary from just three films: 'Black Hawk Down', 'The Lord of the Rings', and 'The Bourne Identity'.

Adding in the $100 million in competition prize money and over $20 million in advertising revenue, his income exceeded $160 million. Earning too much money really just turns it into numbers on a check.

He signed his name and pushed it back. "Anthony, do you have a date recently?"

"Uh, no. Why are you asking? Are you going to introduce me to someone?" Anthony laughed.

"No? You're twenty-eight this year, and you don't even have a date. When are you planning to get married? Can you stop thinking about work all the time? The company is doing very well now. You can totally leave some free time to solve your personal problems."

"Can you stop nagging me? Every time I call home, Kathy and Nick urge me to get married. I finally get to have a coffee with you, and you're nagging me too." Anthony said helplessly.

"But you're twenty-eight, and you don't even have a date." Richard suddenly paused and looked at him. "You're not engaging in any inappropriate relationships at the company, are you? Although I've withdrawn from the management department, I still have the authority to supervise you. You better not mess around at the company."

"I'm not messing around!" Anthony shook his head. "Naomi is also at the company and serves as the Artist Director. If I were messing around at the company, you would have known by now."

"Haha, although Naomi and I have a good relationship, I didn't ask her to supervise you. If you really like someone at the company, you can make the relationship public. Norman and I won't hold you accountable.

By the way, Norman also found a girlfriend, you know, a formal employee. Their relationship is very stable. And Paul is about to have a child. I heard Mike is dating too. Hearing all this, don't you feel any sense of urgency?" Richard asked earnestly.

Anthony rolled his eyes and picked up his briefcase.

"If you say anything more about this, I'm leaving!"

"Haha, okay, I won't say anymore!" Richard laughed. Seeing Anthony constantly talking about work, he simply brought up Anthony's lifelong event, which could be considered fighting fire with fire.

"Let's go, let's go to the Ferrari auto show and see if there are any new sports cars."

"Okay!"

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 264: Year-End Summary and New Investments

At noon, they walked around the exhibition. In the afternoon, Richard made an appointment with Ellie to talk about stocks and plans for the coming year.

The stock market fluctuated greatly this year. The impact of the internet bubble was still ongoing, and there was also the attack. Amazon's stock price was about the same as at the beginning of the year, just recovering to $15.

4.5% of Amazon's shares were not even worth 300 million. Fortunately, Google did not go public and was less affected. It developed smoothly, and the company's valuation was close to 1 billion.

Richard calculated and found that his net worth had quietly exceeded 400 million, quadrupling from over 100 million last year. He felt pretty good.

However, those people on Wall Street wouldn't know how much he made in the stock market this year. In the first half of the year, he accepted Ellie's suggestion and founded an investment company on a tax haven island.

Currently, Amazon stocks and most of Google's stocks were under the investment company's name. On the surface, he only held a small portion, and the value of the stocks he held didn't change much.

Arriving in Midtown Manhattan, Richard walked into the Hills Building, the new office building of Stralem Asset Management, not far from the Trade Center.

Following Ellie's assistant, Richard came to a spacious office on the second floor. Ellie's office used to be on the 77th floor of Tower Two. She was originally waiting for a promotion to get a higher position, but somehow she ended up on the second floor.

"Ellie, why did you put your office here? I remember you said you liked a higher position where you could overlook the whole city."

Ellie looked up from her computer and pushed her glasses. "The principle of office allocation in the workplace has changed now. In the past, the higher the position, the higher the floor. Now, the higher the position, the lower the floor.

The offices of our company's president and vice president are all in the basement. I'm a senior manager now, so my office is on the second floor. When I get promoted to partner, I can also occupy an office in the basement."

"Is this a joke?" Richard sat down.

"No, or I can take you to the basement to have a look. By the way, the president also wants to meet you. If it weren't for you, our company probably wouldn't exist anymore."

"No need. I didn't publicly acknowledge it, so it doesn't count as my doing." Richard laughed.

Ellie shook her head. "If you didn't want to be exposed, you should have worn a Superman suit. Spiderman, Batman, and Superman all have suits. Do you have one?"

"No, I don't do good deeds often. What do I need a suit for?"

"Don't worry, you will definitely have one in the future. You're the Ace Agent, and you did such a big thing. Those cartoonists and screenwriters must be creating works based on you. They will give you a suitable suit."

"Really? I'm looking forward to it." Richard laughed.

"Do you have time the day after New Year's?" Ellie opened a folder and asked.

"Is there something?"

"The company's annual meeting. Many, many people want to meet you, our star client."

"No time. I'm going back to Brazil with Gisele this weekend and probably won't be back until mid-January. This is a trip that was arranged a long time ago." Richard shrugged.

"Okay, we'll arrange it when you come back."

Ellie turned another page. "There's a large sum of money in your account again. How do you plan to invest it?"

"What's your suggestion?"

"With a 5% stake, you can get a seat on Amazon's board of directors, attend board meetings, and also send representatives. Are you interested?"

"What's Amazon's stock price now? How much would it cost to get another 0.5%?"

"Today's stock price is $17, it would be about 40 million."

"Okay, you handle it." Richard looked at the information and said.

"These are several high-quality projects provided by the company. You can take a look at the information."

Ellie pushed over a stack of folders.

Richard patiently flipped through them. Because he often read this kind of information and had specifically studied financial investment, he had no obstacles in understanding the materials and reports.

It was just that these projects were screened by Stralem's investment research department, and from the information, they all seemed suitable for investment.

"Any that you're optimistic about?"

"Yes, PayPal, an online payment tool that supports international trade payments."

"I've used it twice. It works in the US, but it hasn't been promoted abroad." Richard said while looking through the information.

"Yes, it was officially launched in 1999. After more than two years of development, it has expanded rapidly. They are preparing to go public on Nasdaq and start their initial public offering. The market value is estimated to be around 1.2 billion.

According to internal sources, eBay plans to acquire more than half of the shares after PayPal goes public. If you are optimistic about this project, you can acquire some shares in advance and make a profit when it goes public. Currently, Stralem's clients collectively hold 12.6% of the company's shares."

Ellie said.

Richard looked at the information about PayPal's co-founders and found that the person named Elon Musk looked familiar, like the future richest man in the world. Well, he encountered another future richest man, so he had to keep up.

"Okay, let's get involved too."

"Alright, are you interested in investing in luxury goods?" Ellie opened another folder.

"What kind of luxury goods?"

"French wineries, yachts, clubs, collections, and so on. These are the standard for the rich, and you've been a billionaire for two years, but you're still the same, living too frugally.

As your manager, I have to remind you that people who invest in luxury goods are all wealthy. Participating in these projects can expand your network and channels. You can consider it."

Ellie laughed.

"Some people have contacted me, persuading me to invest in French wineries, collect famous paintings, and join various clubs. But I'm very busy, you know, busy from the beginning of the year until now. I don't have time to learn more. I'll take a look next year when I have time."

Richard shrugged.

"Alright!"

Ellie closed the folder. "That's all for now. I'll contact you if there's anything else."

Richard nodded slightly. "By the way, I remember other managers provide door-to-door service. Why do you always make me come to you? Other managers go to their clients' homes every day, almost living there. Why is it always me running around?"

"Uh~"

Ellie adjusted her glasses, her face slightly red. "Haha, Richard, it's mainly because I'm used to it. You used to take the initiative to come and discuss work, and I didn't pay much attention to it. Or I can live at your place from now on?"

"Forget it, I'm looking for you to make money, not to find a mistress. It's still more convenient to discuss work in your office."

Richard laughed.

Ellie rolled her eyes at him. "Then what are you complaining about?"

"Just reminding you, it's almost lunchtime. Do you want to treat me to a meal?"

Richard looked at his watch and said.

"Okay, okay. You're a billionaire, and you're still coming here to freeload. You're even more frugal than the rumors say."

Ellie complained.

"Do the rumors say I'm frugal?"

Richard frowned.

"Yes, you're only twenty-three this year and worth hundreds of millions. Other billionaires have 360 parties a year, but you have very few throughout the year. Others don't even have a chance to have a drink with you, so there are rumors that you're a very frugal billionaire."

Ellie covered her mouth and laughed.

Richard shook his head. "I often have parties in Los Angeles. I don't have a big mansion here, where would I hold them?"

"Oh, right, you, a billionaire, are still squeezed into a small apartment with your girlfriend. Those in real estate also say you're very frugal."

Ellie laughed.

Richard sighed softly. "Hearing you say that, I also remembered. I should buy a big property in New York, preferably in Central Park. That was my dream before."

"You can buy it now. After the attack, housing prices in New York have dropped a lot."

Ellie said as they walked.

"Yes, I'll buy it next year."

"By the way, did you know that Marshall is getting a divorce?"

Ellie asked.

"Marshall?"

Richard suddenly thought of Anthony, that fat guy. Could this matter be related to him?

"What's the reason?"

"I thought you knew. Anthony has been sending flowers to Marshall all these years, giving gifts on every holiday, even more diligent than Marshall's husband. Last year, Marshall's husband cheated, and they had a cold war for several months. They're preparing to divorce. Anthony is about to get his way."

Ellie laughed.

"Well, it's not easy for Anthony either."

Richard smiled and walked into the elevator.

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 265: Brother-in-law

"Did you watch the rematch between Lewis and Rahman?" Andy asked, lighting a cigar in a Bronx bar.

"I did. Lewis is much stronger than Rahman. I suspect he lost the last match on purpose."

Last Saturday night, Lewis and Hasim Rahman had their second fight. They fought for four rounds, and Lewis knocked out Rahman with one punch, taking back his WBC-IBF-IBO championship belt.

Lewis won this fight easily, making people wonder if he might have done it on purpose. Losing a match on purpose could allow him to earn some easy money and also boost his record.

In boxing, winning a championship belt once is considered one win. Losing it and then winning it back is considered winning the belt twice. This was Lewis's third time winning the WBC championship belt.

His old rival, Holyfield, was even more impressive, having won the WBA heavyweight championship four times, becoming the first boxer in modern boxing history to win the world heavyweight championship four times.

Although Richard had won many championship belts, he could only win each one once and couldn't create records in that way. He could only create records in the number of times he defended the belts and the length of time he held them.

"If you were to face Lewis, do you think you could win?" Andy asked, biting his cigar.

"Probably. He's thirty-seven, and boxing favors the young. I hope to fight him before he retires."

"Okay, after your match with John Ruiz is over, we'll arrange for you to fight Lewis next."

Richard nodded. His match with John Ruiz was originally scheduled for mid-December.

Due to the impact of the attack, the tour was forced to be postponed for two months, and his challenge for the heavyweight championship was also postponed, scheduled for mid-January.

"And Tyson, he also challenged me. But he's declining a bit fast, I want to fight him sooner, otherwise it won't be interesting."

"Okay, we'll arrange it all." Andy smiled.

Richard had two light beers at the bar and chatted with his neighbors, Old Charles and Old Johnson, for a while. As it was getting dark, he drove back to his Tribeca apartment.

The next day, he and Gisele boarded a flight to Brazil. Gisele's home was in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This state was located at the southernmost tip of Brazil, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Argentina to the west, and Uruguay to the south. Its capital city was Porto Alegre.

Gisele's family used to live in the northwestern town of Horizontina but moved to Porto Alegre in the southeast last year.

Richard and Gisele first flew for more than ten hours to Rio de Janeiro, where they spent two days sightseeing. On Christmas Eve, they took a boat to Porto Alegre.

The climate here was subtropical, warm and rainy, with an average annual temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. December was currently summer, also the hottest time in Porto Alegre, with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius.

At noon, the sun was shining brightly, the sea breeze blowing the yellow-green flags on the dock, and occasionally a few seabirds flew by.

In the crowd, Richard and Gisele, pulling a small suitcase, wearing sun hats and yellow and white summer couple outfits, walked out of the ferry terminal looking refreshed.

"Gisele! Richard! Here, here!"

At the exit, a girl with flaxen hair was jumping up and down in the crowd, waving her hands non-stop. Her flushed cheeks had a few noticeable freckles, just like Gisele.

"That's Patrícia. She's a bit mischievous."

Gisele introduced.

"Very cute!"

Richard smiled.

"Patrícia!"

After exiting, Gisele waved.

"Ah, Gisele, Richard, it's really you! I thought I was mistaken."

Patrícia rushed over like a gust of wind, hugged Gisele, and then looked at Richard. She scratched her bangs, waved her hand in front of her chest,

"Hi, Richard, I'm Patrícia. We talked on the phone."

"Yes, Patrícia, I saw you as soon as I came out. You're as beautiful as your sister."

Richard shook hands with her.

"Haha, really? Brother-in-law, do you also think I'm beautiful?"

"Yes, like a Hollywood star."

"Hahaha~"

Patrícia covered her mouth and laughed.

"Stop giggling, hurry up and lead the way!"

Gisele pushed her shoulder.

"Haha, let's go, brother-in-law. Richard, can I call you brother-in-law?"

Patrícia blinked and asked.

"Of course, I like that title very much."

Richard smiled.

"Brother-in-law, let me carry it, let me carry it!"

Patria took his suitcase.

"Okay!"

Richard smiled, then pulled Gisele's small suitcase. Gisele gave her sister a disgruntled look, "Patria, we haven't seen each other for two years, don't you miss me?"

"I do, of course I do, but I'm a big fan of my brother-in-law, and the person I want to see most is my brother-in-law.

Brother-in-law, you're so amazing, a super boxing champion and still such a famous star. I've seen all your movies. Brother-in-law, I think you're the coolest man in the world. I never dreamed I'd have such a great brother-in-law."

"I'm okay, not particularly cool."

Richard laughed.

"No, you're super cool, brother-in-law. The news said that you were the one who caught six terrorists on the flight, is that true?"

"Yes!"

Richard shrugged. Too many people knew about it now, there was no need to deny it.

"Wow~, it really was you, brother-in-law. You're so cool."

Patria jumped up excitedly.

"Patria, can you be quiet? You're almost seventeen, you're a big girl now, can you act like one?"

Gisele covered her forehead and lectured.

"What's wrong with me? I'm just excited to see my brother-in-law. Brother-in-law, do you think I'm too talkative and noisy?"

Patria asked with a mournful face.

"No, you're very enthusiastic and lively, like a Brazilian girl."

Richard rubbed her hair.

"Haha, brother-in-law is so nice. Gisele, did you hear that?"

Patria asked, raising her chin.

"No, why don't you say it again!"

Gisele asked, pinching her cheek.

"呜呜~, sister, I was wrong, it hurts!"

"Humph!"

Gisele let go of her hand. "Behave yourself, don't jump around and chatter. Also, about catching terrorists on the plane, Richard hasn't publicly admitted it yet, don't go around talking about it."

"I know, I know, I'm not a child."

Patria rolled her eyes, then turned and asked softly, "Brother-in-law, you're so amazing and cool, how did you find a girlfriend like my sister who's so unfashionable, nagging, and violent?"

"Patria!!"

Gisele clenched her fist and glared at her with a menacing look.

"Ha, I'm just kidding."

Patria hid behind Richard.

"Honey, don't scare her."

Richard pulled Gisele and said as they walked, "Patria, I like your sister because she's a very cool girl, strong, brave, passionate, confident, and incredibly charming. I was deeply attracted to your sister from the first time I saw her."

"Darling, me too!"

Gisele interlaced her fingers with his and smiled.

"Are you?"

Richard looked down at her, remembering that day she had a sad face and looked very depressed.

Gisele rolled her eyes at him. "I said I am!"

"Haha, okay, you're right!"

Richard put his arm around her shoulder and strode forward.

"."

Patria accidentally ate a mouthful of dog food. She wrinkled her nose, pulled the two suitcases, and quickly followed them, "Gisele, brother-in-law, wait for me!"

——

(End of Chapter)