Chapter 151 Eliminating Harm for the People
Skyview chuckled wryly, thinking that if the money he'd recharged wasn't fake, Lily and Oliver wouldn't be far off the mark.
Dropping two hundred million on a streamer? For common sense, that was a fool's errand.
"Why not donate it to the Red Cross? Help some people in need. Giving it to a streamer… what a waste!"
"Oliver, ever consider that this 'Boring' might be a fake?" Skyview countered, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"Fake?" Oliver, sharp as ever, caught on instantly. He shot Skyview a curious look.
"Think about it. As far as we know, this 'Boring' doesn't even exist. Did you catch the name? 'Boring'! It's almost comical."
"Don't tell me…" Oliver's eyes widened. "Don't tell me this whole 'Boring' thing was your doing all along? That's… that's brilliant! Build someone up, make them arrogant, make them lose their mind in their own hype, then watch them crash and burn."
"I wouldn't say that," Skyview replied, though his tone suggested otherwise. "But I can say with certainty that this 'Boring' character is nothing but a phantom tycoon."
"Right, right, of course," Oliver chuckled, catching Skyview's drift. "If that's the case, things just got a whole lot more interesting. Once Hilda realizes 'Boring' is a fake, after bidding so high with Penguin Company… I can only imagine her face!"
"Exactly," Skyview said, his voice laced with satisfaction. "She thinks she's got this big-shot tycoon backing her platform, so she throws out an astronomical figure to Penguin Company. When they find out 'Boring' is a ghost, investor confidence in her platform will plummet!"
"Penguin Company isn't some small fry. They'll feel like Hilda played them, and they won't let it slide."
"True," Oliver conceded, "but Penguin Company is a business, first and foremost. They might be annoyed, but they'll likely use it to negotiate a lower price. From a purely business perspective, acquiring Shark Live is a smart move for them. They'll prioritize profit in the end."
"Oh, they'll prioritize profit, no doubt about that," Skyview said confidently. "But relying on this alone might make Hilda stumble, not fall. That's why I have another card to play."
"And what card is that?" Oliver asked, intrigued.
"We're just businessmen, Oliver. Unless we resort to… less than legal tactics, it's difficult to strike a direct and fatal blow to Hilda. But there are others, powers above us, who can bring the whole Shark platform crashing down."
Oliver pondered for a moment before asking, "You're talking about the authorities? It's true, Hilda's platform is a chaotic mess. It wouldn't hurt for them to step in and lay down the law."
"Exactly," Skyview said with a knowing smile. "And I'm sure the Cascade Group has… connections in the right places."
"We do," Oliver admitted, "but they won't just do our bidding."
"That's where my other card comes in," Skyview said, his smile widening. "Let's just say some of these live streaming platforms… they're not exactly bastions of morality. Pornography, vulgarity, pushing the boundaries of decency… and the thing that really gets under the authorities' skin? Underage girls, barely teenagers, flaunting pregnancies online. It's a blight on society, and they're cracking down hard. Ask around, you'll see I'm right. We can use that to our advantage."
Skyview, a top graduate from Maplebrook Institute of Technology, possessed a keen political sense. It was a valuable trait, not just for politicians but for businessmen as well. After all, the economy and politics were inextricably intertwined.
He could read the signs, and sense the direction the political winds were blowing. Before any major policy shift, there were always whispers, and hints in the media, especially the state-controlled outlets.
The live streaming industry, a recent phenomenon, had flown under the radar for the past couple of years. But now, with its explosive growth, it had attracted the attention of the powers that be.
Skyview knew that a self-regulating industry, one that promoted positive values, would be nurtured, not stifled. But most industries, in their infancy, were like untamed beasts, prone to excesses. And excesses, left unchecked, inevitably led to problems.
The live streaming industry was already showing cracks, and it didn't sit well with Skyview. He sensed the government's growing disapproval, and he knew it was only a matter of time before they took action.
Oliver looked at Skyview, a mix of uncertainty and intrigue in his eyes.
"Hold on," he said, pulling out his phone. "Let me make a call."
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