The Tyrant Billionaire

They had originally acquired 61% of the health products company\'s shares, with an average price of $0.21. All the shares were now sold, with an average selling price of $1.24, yielding over $1.3 million in profit.

They had made a killing.

As for who suffered, who knows?

Andy returned to the company to report to Hardy, who opened a bottle of red wine to celebrate. The $1.3 million profit would last them a while.

"Andy, should we short the health products stock?" Hardy asked.

"I\'ve already arranged for it. Once we get the stock from the institution, I\'ll announce that, due to the high price, we\'ve decided to terminate the acquisition. GNC\'s stock will plummet, and we\'ll make tens of thousands more," Andy said.

Hardy chuckled.

"Andy, when announcing, tell the public that the HD boss still believes in the future of the health products industry and seeks to cooperate with capable and willing companies."

"I understand, boss. This will make GNC\'s stock drop even more, possibly back to its original price," Andy said.

"I don\'t care about that." Hardy laughed.

At that moment, the phone on the desk rang. Hardy answered, it was Hugh Hafner, the editor in chief of Playboy Magazine.

"Boss, I\'ve contacted Miss Hedy Lamarr, but she said she wants to meet you in person to discuss."

To discuss with him personally. What did this smart and beautiful woman want to discuss? "No problem, give me her contact number. I\'ll call her myself," Hardy said.

Andy left, he had many things to handle. Hardy picked up the phone and called Hedy Lamarr.

The call was quickly answered, and a pleasant voice came from the other end: "Hello, Mr. Hardy, I\'m Hedy Lamarr."

"Hello, I\'m Jon Hardy. I\'ve long admired you, Miss Lamarr. When chatting with Meyer, he mentioned you, saying you\'re the most beautiful and elegant woman he\'s ever met. It\'s a pity you left MGM."

Hedy Lamarr used to be a contracted actress with MGM. Last year, she left to start her studio and make movies.

"Mr. Hardy, I know you\'re the boss of HD Pictures. The recently released \'The Wild Bunch\' is fantastic. It\'s broadened the understanding of Western films, and I believe it will be remembered in film history."

"I also heard you\'re the screenwriter of this movie, and you\'ve recently collaborated with MGM on three films, all of which you wrote. I\'m very impressed with your talent. Could we meet and talk?"

Such praise from a woman, especially from a stunningly beautiful and intelligent woman.

Hardy felt very flattered.

"Of course, I\'d love to meet you, Miss Lamarr. Where shall we meet?" Hardy asked.

"How about my studio in Hollywood? We shouldn\'t be far apart," Hedy Lamarr said.

"Great, I\'ll head over now."

Hardy came to Hedy Lamarr\'s studio. The woman was dressed casually, but her beauty was still undeniable, especially with the innate grace she exuded—glamorous, elegant, serene, and a bit lazy. It was a contradictory mix, yet it blended perfectly into Hedy\'s unique charm.

The woman before him was 32 years old, but her appearance was still stunningly captivating.

The office was cluttered, which probably reflected Hedy\'s personality—she liked freedom and was often spontaneous.

After making coffee, she poured two cups, offering one to Hardy.

"I saw you looking around my studio just now. What do you think?" Hedy asked with a smile as she sat on the sofa opposite him.

"Haha, I noticed quite a bit, but what struck me most was how few people are here. It seems like the studio isn\'t doing very well," Hardy replied.

Hedy nodded slightly.

"After I left MGM, I started this studio. Last year, I invested in a film called \'The Princess and Her Servant,\' spending over $800,000."

"But the film was a failure, grossing only about $200,000. I lost all the money I had saved over the years and had to lay off everyone else in the studio because I couldn\'t afford to pay them anymore."

"So why did you ask me here, Miss Hedy?" Hardy inquired.

"The editor of Playboy magazine contacted me, wanting to use my sexy photos for their cover. I heard that the magazine is part of your business, so I reached out to you. I know you own a film company and have impressive creative skills. The films you co-produced with MGM were based on scripts you wrote. I was wondering if we might have a chance to collaborate?"

Hedy had signed with MGM previously, where she had many acquaintances, so it wasn\'t surprising she knew about Hardy\'s background.

"You want to collaborate on a film?" Hardy asked.

Hedy shrugged. "I don\'t have money for a collaboration now, I just hope to get a good role in a movie."

She took a script out of a drawer and handed it to Hardy. He glanced at it, noticing a brief story summary and some dialogue.

"This is the movie role they want me to play—a femme fatal who sleeps with almost all the men in the film, kills her father, seduces, and murders. It\'s about a beautiful but evil woman who ultimately pays for her deeds."

"I left MGM because they always cast me as a pretty face. I wanted to break free, but after leaving, I found I didn\'t have that much influence. After my movie failed, I begged other film companies for roles, but they thought I was only fit for these kinds of roles. It makes me very sad."

"What kind of movies do you like, Miss Hedy?" Hardy asked.

"Love stories. I like the feeling of romance. If there\'s a role that expresses love, that would be best."

Women in this era still generally believed in love. By the 21st century, most people were skeptical of it.

"Romantic movies? Without action?"

Several classic romantic films flashed through Hardy\'s mind before he settled on one.

"Miss Hedy, I once wrote a short story called \'Ghost.\' Are you interested in hearing it?" Hardy asked.