After leaving Citibank, Eric went to Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase.
The approach was always the same: a massive sum of $1.1 billion. He didn't believe the banks wouldn't be tempted by such bait.
Would they still be human if they weren't tempted? Would they still be capitalists if they didn't chase money?
Five days later, on a Wednesday morning, the family was having breakfast when the Nokia slider phone on the table suddenly rang.
Harry Cooper answered the call, a smile immediately appearing on his face.
"Eric, after breakfast, we're going to JPMorgan Chase."
Eric suddenly looked up: "That fast? I thought it would take at least half a month."
Harry Cooper laughed heartily: "Who doesn't like money? If they don't agree, we can simply go to other banks. Right now, we are the premium stock."
His mother, Emily, looked at the father and son in confusion: "What are you two talking about?"
"Nothing, dear, just work matters."
"Is that so? But you do look better and better. Has that movie issue been resolved?"
"No, but it's no longer important."
At JPMorgan Chase, many people were seated in the conference room; representatives from all three banks had gathered.
After all, it was a $2 billion loan. Even with Eric's $1.1 billion in assets as a base, the risk still existed. It was impossible for a single bank to take on this $2 billion alone.
However, high profits coexisted with risk, so not lending was even more impossible. Therefore, the only solution was for the three banks to unite and share this pie.
The person in charge of signing the contract was a woman, appearing to be in her 30s, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and ample curves. Aside from being a little short, she was pretty enough to be a beautiful trophy wife in Hollywood.
But seeing how deferential the three managers were in front of her, it was clear this woman was no simple character.
"It's a great pleasure to meet you, Mr. Coopers. I am Elena, from JPMorgan Chase headquarters."
Elena extended her hand proactively. His father shook her hand and sat down, but Eric felt she deliberately squeezed his hand hard and gave him a strange smile.
"What does this woman mean? Is she flirting with me?" Eric thought to himself.
Elena, however, acted as if nothing had happened, smiling as she sat opposite the two.
"Mr. Cooper, I won't waste any more words. After discussion, we have decided to lend to you: Citibank 32%, Goldman Sachs 33%, and JPMorgan Chase 35%."
"All terms are clearly written in the contract. You can review it first."
He handed the contract to his lawyer, who studied it carefully. The lawyer pointed out the key points to focus on, mainly three clauses.
The first clause stated that the loan disbursement schedule would depend on the progress of the MGM acquisition. If there was no progress within three months, the three major banks had the right to recall the loan directly. If progress was smooth, the deadline would be extended based on the situation.
The second clause stated that if the acquisition of MGM was successful, MGM would automatically convert into collateral for the loan.
The third clause stated that after the acquisition was complete, if MGM continued to be poorly managed by The Coopers, and its debt ratio exceeded 82%, The Coopers would not be allowed to incur new debts, and MGM would directly become the property of the three major banks.
It was not difficult to see from the terms that the three major banks were eyeing MGM as a lucrative target. If they could acquire it, the $2 billion would be worth it, given the fixed assets and land owned by this veteran film company.
The two parties then signed the contract, and Elena promised that the funds would be in the account within a week.
"Mr. Cooper, this is my business card. Please contact me if you need anything." Elena handed over an exquisite small card.
"I will, Madam."
After shaking hands with the charming mature woman, The Coopers left JPMorgan Chase.
Just three days later, the money Elena promised indeed arrived; a full $2 billion was deposited into the account.
On the day the money arrived, The Coopers boarded a plane to Las Vegas, the city of gambling and the headquarters of MGM Grand Hotel.
His father had already called Kirk Kerkorian, and the two had been old superiors and subordinates for over a decade, so meeting him was not difficult.
Upon landing, people from MGM Grand Hotel were already waiting. The two got into a car and headed straight for the headquarters.
On the Las Vegas Strip, a luxurious Lincoln pulled up to the hotel steps, and a doorman immediately came to open the car door.
"Eric, the land we are standing on right now is MGM Grand Plaza. This is the headquarters of my old boss."
Eric looked up and saw that it was indeed a grand and impressive building with a classical European charm.
Entering the hotel, the lobby featured a roaring lion sculpture with an open mouth, just like the MGM film opening.
Looking at the architectural layout, it was clearly a lavish entertainment complex combining dining, drinking, and amusement.
The integrated casino alone covered 170,000 square meters, as large as four football fields, and also included an amusement park, cinema, restaurants, theaters, bars, nightclubs, and a hospital, among other facilities.
Spanning dozens of acres, although named a hotel, it was far more than just a hotel; it was more accurately described as a miniature city.
However, good things naturally come with a high price. If you wanted to experience the full range of services here, don't even think about it without $100,000. Ordinary people couldn't afford it; they usually played slot machines in the lobby.
Arriving at the top floor, led by a young female secretary, Eric entered a luxuriously decorated office.
Seeing the two, an old man with white hair and a face full of wrinkles behind the desk stood up.
He was Kirk Kerkorian, a famous casino magnate in America. He was already 85 years old this year, but his spirit was remarkably good, completely unlike what one would expect from an elderly person of his age.
Because he rarely appeared in the media, some people in China and even worldwide might have heard his name, but far fewer had seen his face.
If one were to draw a comparison, it would be someone like media mogul Murdoch.
"Harry Cooper, my old friend, you look younger and younger."
His father stepped forward and hugged Kirk Kerkorian, who then looked at Eric.
"Who is this handsome young man? Introduce him to me."
Harry Cooper laughed heartily: "My son, Eric. He is an admirer of yours and insisted on coming to meet you."
Eric stepped forward: "Hello, Sir. Your hotel has truly opened my eyes; it is magnificent."
Kirk Kerkorian immediately smiled: "Is that so? Then you can have a good time. Let Lisa accompany you to exchange chips and look around."
Eric looked at his father, and Harry Cooper nodded, indicating it was fine.
Eric still had great trust in his father's abilities.
Of course, he wasn't referring to his eye for movies, but his business acumen; otherwise, he wouldn't have been a senior executive for over a decade.
He himself could earn startup capital with his foresight, but subsequent negotiations would still primarily involve his father, as he was more proficient in that area.
Since Kirk Kerkorian didn't want him to participate, there was no need to be a nuisance. Eric very decisively followed the alluring secretary downstairs.