The two small groups were not far apart. Although Irene Lauder stood among a group of female companions and didn't seem very eye-catching, with Donald Trump's loud voice and flamboyant style, it was hard not to draw attention.
Glancing over in that direction, Irene Lauder couldn't help but frown slightly. Why were these people gathered together?
Those standing in the same circle as Donald Trump didn't belong to New York's high society, but Irene Lauder recognized them at a glance Michael Eisner, Michael Ovitz, and David Ellison.
From what she knew, these people shouldn't have had much connection with Donald Trump.
However, after hearing what Donald Trump said next, she understood why they were walking together.
It wasn't that Irene Lauder intentionally eavesdropped, but Donald Trump's arrogant voice was so loud, it was impossible to ignore.
This real estate tycoon from New York wore many hats, one of which was being a TV host. He had just signed with Michael Ovitz's agency and was co-producing a new show with David Ellison's production company, which would air on ABC, a network under Walt Disney.
"My TV show is guaranteed to have ratings."
As always, Donald Trump was full of confidence. "So you don't have to worry at all."
"Of course Disney has confidence in you," Michael Eisner automatically ignored Donald Trump's annoying side. "Otherwise, Disney wouldn't be working with you."
"This will be a successful project." Michael Ovitz was the first to raise his glass. "I propose a toast to our cooperation."
The few of them clinked glasses lightly and drank their champagne. David Ellison suddenly said, "Donald, I heard that the Trump family's funds haven't yet entered Instant Share?"
Donald Trump's expression darkened slightly. "If it weren't for that damn guy blocking the way…"
He looked quite furious, as if Instant Share had always been something in his pocket.
David Ellison glanced at him and added, "I recently received some news Duke Rosenberg has been in talks with Google executives. He wants to sell his shares to Google. If Larry Page and Sergey Brin get involved in Instant Share, it might severely weaken Miss Ivanka Trump's control over the company."
At this point, he suggested, "You and Ivanka could consider capital from Oracle."
"I'll consider it."
That sentence sounded more like a polite refusal. Donald Trump wasn't stupid. Duke Rosenberg bringing in Google's capital was very disadvantageous for the Trump family, but letting Oracle get involved wasn't much different from inviting a wolf into the house.
Besides, if Duke Rosenberg didn't agree, these so-called plans were nothing more than plans.
However, since both sides were currently collaborating, some things were better left unsaid. Donald Trump calmly steered the conversation elsewhere. "Right now, Duke Rosenberg probably doesn't have the energy to meet with Google. Recent events must be giving him a big headache."
David Ellison laughed. "That's the kind of situation we're happy to see, isn't it?"
Though they didn't know exactly who was behind it, just seeing Duke Rosenberg in trouble made him quite pleased.
Michael Eisner and Michael Ovitz were more cautious. Even though they hadn't seen the presale data, judging from the current situation, these two experienced men had still inferred a few things.
But Donald Trump was different. He was always extremely arrogant when he was smug, and said in his usual tone, "This will definitely be a fatal blow."
"'Iron Man' might just flop," David Ellison very much wanted to see that happen.
"This is only the beginning." The flesh on Donald Trump's face twitched a few times. "I want to see Duke Rosenberg's film crash and burn, watch his career go downhill. I want to take Instant Share from his hands…"
A sinister smile appeared on his lips. "It'll all begin with the failure of 'Iron Man'!"
"'Iron Man' will fail?"
A crisp female voice suddenly rang out nearby, carrying a hint of mockery. "Duke's new movie will fail?"
Everyone, including David Ellison and Donald Trump, turned their heads. It was a tall, stylish woman, about thirty years old, with brown hair neatly tied up in a bun. Dressed in a deep blue evening gown, she looked elegant and very beautiful.
Although she hadn't deliberately listened in, Donald Trump's voice was so loud and his tone so arrogant that everything had practically fallen into her ears. Irene Lauder had originally intended to ignore this kind of person, but his words had gone too far, practically mocking her friend in the end.
Since she had spoken up, she had no more hesitation. She stepped out from her small circle and walked straight up to Donald Trump, her pale blue eyes sweeping over each of the men, with so much mockery that even a fool could see it.
Facing Donald Trump, Irene's expression turned cold in an instant. "You think Duke's new movie will fail?"
"Isn't that right?" Donald Trump gave a soft snort. "'Iron Man' ran into what it did, and you know it…"
"Oh…" Irene deliberately stretched the syllable. Though her sister Jane Lauder was best friends with Ivanka Trump, strictly speaking, not many people in New York high society liked someone like Donald Trump. She suddenly laughed, "How ridiculous, that someone would think a movie that sold 35 million dollars in presale tickets over the weekend is going to fail."
"What?" Donald Trump froze, as if he really hadn't heard clearly. "What did you say?"
Irene Lauder ignored him and turned instead to the two from Walt Disney and Artist Management, "Mr. Eisner, Mr. Ovitz, I believe you both understand what a $35 million three-day presale box office means, right? Perhaps you can explain it to Mr. Trump."
Although their facial expressions remained calm it wasn't suitable for men of their status to argue with a woman Michael Eisner and Michael Ovitz suddenly felt like they'd been thrown into the eternal glaciers of Antarctica, their hearts chilled to the core.
Iron Man's three-day presale box office had reached as high as $35 million, breaking a Hollywood record. If a film like this still flopped, then just how terrible would the word-of-mouth after release have to be?
Could this film's audience reception possibly be that bad? Its director was Duke Rosenberg, after all!
Even though he was their rival, they couldn't deny that the films Duke Rosenberg made were practically synonymous with quality.
Michael Ovitz was slightly better he had seen Duke Rosenberg succeed time and again, and eventually just got used to it.
But Michael Eisner's brow still furrowed slightly in the end. Though he wasn't certain about the specifics, he knew that this leak incident was likely tied to Walt Disney.
His subordinates had already crossed competitive boundaries and caused such a mess, yet they still couldn't stop Duke Rosenberg how was one supposed to accept that?
Compared to Michael Eisner and Michael Ovitz, Donald Trump's face had completely darkened. He had clearly heard Irene Lauder's second sentence and the figure of $35 million.
Strictly speaking, he could also be considered part of the entertainment circle and had some understanding of Hollywood. He could more or less grasp what $35 million in presales meant. Plus, there were still several days left in the week for more presales. Although the numbers wouldn't be as astonishing as the initial burst, surpassing $40 million or even approaching $50 million was absolutely within reach.
If a film with such presale numbers still failed, it would surely set a string of terrible records in Hollywood history.
Even though he hated Duke Rosenberg because of Instant Share, Donald Trump knew very well that with Duke Rosenberg's ability, such a failure was simply impossible.
On the other side, David Ellison no longer had a smile on his face. But he still lifted his chin in pride and tried to maintain his composure. So what if Iron Man succeeded? Once his new film was completed, he would definitely compete with Duke Rosenberg again and leave a lasting impression.
Standing elegantly across from the four men, Irene Lauder maintained a faint smile the entire time. She looked delicate, yet her aura never once faltered.
Some things didn't need to be said too much. She once again spoke in a calm tone, "Pardon me, gentlemen, I must excuse myself. When Duke called me this afternoon to tell me the presale figures, I forgot to congratulate him. I need to go do that now."
With that, Irene Lauder turned and walked away in her high heels without looking back, leaving the four men with nothing but her tall and proud silhouette.
This scene was witnessed by many people in the banquet hall. Even with the thick skin of Donald Trump and Michael Ovitz, thick as a city wall, they no longer felt like staying. After a few casual goodbyes, they each left the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Back at her home, Irene Lauder automatically pushed those men out of her mind. She temporarily wrapped up her work and prepared to fly to Los Angeles to attend her friend's new film premiere.
As Warner Bros. officially released the presale data, Iron Man's buzz continued to rise. Many in the industry even speculated that this incident might have been a marketing strategy jointly orchestrated by Warner Bros. and Duke.
However, Duke knew very well that there was definitely a big hand behind the scenes. He couldn't see it, but he could guess.
He had no evidence, but just like the arson case on set back in the day, whether there was evidence didn't matter—whether the other party did it or not didn't even matter. What mattered was that they stood on the opposite side of him.
Iron Man's presale numbers were indeed impressive. By Thursday, May 4th, the North American box office presales had firmly surpassed $45 million, reaching approximately $47.8 million.
This excellent presale performance was also a strong shot in the arm for Iron Man's premiere.