Chapter 413 Hatred Higher than the Sky
Chapter 413 Hatred Higher than the Sky
Breitling, known for its over one hundred years of history as a Swiss watch manufacturer, has attracted significant attention in North America in recent years. Their global image spokesperson, Brad Pitt, hasn't stopped churning out entertainment news that's circulated worldwide.
Whether it was Brad Pitt's divorce from Jennifer Aniston or his pursuit of Angelina Jolie, Breitling was pleased with the developments, as the wildly spreading news also brought considerable exposure to the brand.
But last year, when the "nannygate" scandal broke out, Breitling was taken aback and swiftly terminated their contract with Pitt to distance the brand from him.
"Due to delayed action, not managing crisis PR as swiftly as Cadillac, and not signing a high-profile spokesperson like Martin Davis immediately to compensate, the brand image has suffered severe global damage!"
Inside Breitling's North American headquarters in Los Angeles, the division president Fox, who had taken office at the end of last year, stood solemnly at the head of the conference table and said, "This quarter, the company's main task in North America is to restore the brand image, regain our previous market share, and further penetrate the high-end market in North America."
A dozen subordinates sat on both sides of the long conference table, and his deputy at the head of the left side spoke up at this moment, "Sign a new image spokesperson?"
The person across said, "I think Tom Cruise is good."
Another shook their head, "No good, Tom Cruise has had too many scandals lately, and his ties to the Church of Scientology are too complex. Who knows, he might tank any day now; the risk is too high."
Sitting in the middle, Paul spoke, "I have an immature idea." Discover more stories at empire
Fox glanced at him, "Speak."
"I have received certain news that Cadillac has restarted the breach of contract suit, seeking damages for the brand damage caused by former global brand image spokesperson Brad Pitt," Paul's thought stemmed partly from conversations he heard whispering in his ear and partly from his own work considerations.
His job was, after all, the marketing and promotion for Breitling: "I think we can join in and even hold a press conference, launching a lawsuit against Pitt for breach of contract with the greatest publicity."
The deputy grasped his meaning, "Attract public attention?"
Paul said, "Launching a massive breach of contract suit, not only could we draw the media and public attention to Breitling, but also demonstrate to them that Breitling is a responsible company and brand."
Yet another had doubts, "It's been a year since Pitt's nannygate."
"It's not too late. The timing is just right." Paul dared to speak up at this meeting having considered it thoroughly, "Breitling spent a year collecting solid evidence and assessing Pitt's personal conduct. Currently, one third of the victims have not yet settled with Pitt, indicating he has shown no remorse, Breitling gave Pitt a chance but he..."
The rest didn't need to be said.
Fox understood completely and directly said, "Paul, come up with a detailed plan as soon as possible. The marketing, legal, and PR departments will all cooperate fully."
At that moment, Paul spoke again, "Boss, nannygate damaged Breitling's global brand image, we must demand a substantial breach of contract compensation."
The deputy couldn't help but laugh, "You're right. The bigger the compensation within a reasonable range, the more eyeballs it draws."
By the afternoon of the meeting's conclusion, Paul had come up with a specific plan, and the lawyers from both the legal department and the appointed law firm were eager for the fight, especially the latter who couldn't wait to take a bite out of Brad Pitt's entire fortune.
The more Pitt had to pay, the higher their attorney fees would be.
Subsequently, Breitling released news that they were preparing to hold a press conference to pursue Brad Pitt's breach of contract obligations as the global image spokesperson.
Almost simultaneously, Cadillac also officially announced the initiation of necessary legal proceedings to hold former spokesperson Pitt accountable for the brand image damage caused by his breach of contract.
The public was uproarious; the attention garnered by the two brands could almost rival next month's Oscars.
Cadillac also took the opportunity to launch its new car for the year.
Breach of contract suits were not the end goal; they were merely the means for these corporations.
...
At the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, a decidedly average Ford sedan drove into the underground parking lot.
Aniston, who was driving, hadn't even gotten out of the car when her phone started buzzing in her bag. She fished it out and hit the answer button, her tone less than pleasant, "Madonna, aren't you supposed to be saving war refugees in distress instead of running back here for what?"
Jolie's voice came through the receiver, "You're at the hotel, right? We agreed to go up together. Neither of us can sneak a taste alone, wait for me, and don't run off on your own, I'll be right there."
Aniston gritted her teeth in irritation, "I must have been out of my mind to agree to you."
"You weren't out of your mind that time; you wanted revenge on me," Jolie exposed her thoughts, "Pushing Martin to the edge, wasn't it just to make my life miserable? Today, I'm going to take back what you owe me."
For some reason, Aniston's tone softened, "I'm waiting for you."
She had carefully observed before that Jolie seemed to really enjoy herself in front of Martin.
Aniston wanted to try it too.
Ten minutes later, a somewhat old Chevrolet drove into the underground parking lot.
Jolie waved to Aniston, and the two met at the elevator's entrance, their eyes locking in a moment where it seemed like electricity collided, crackling with energy.
"Truly coy."
"False saint."
They confirmed the password with each other and took the private elevator upstairs, where they knocked on the door of a business suite.
The door opened, and Martin spread his arms to greet them: "Darlings, you finally arrived, I've missed you so much."
In their thirties, Aniston and Jolie didn't bother with these pleasantries, unlike the young women like Eliza, as they were more practical and aggressive.
Each woman grabbed Martin tightly, turning the suite into a battlefield resembling Iraq.
The M1 tank charged valiantly into Ans Valley, with Jolie's armored car persistently ramming into the back of the tank, boosting the already powerful engine to greater speeds and more ferocious momentum.
The target of their attack quickly crumbled, and the M1 tank turned to collide with the armored vehicle...
As the war came to an end, two miserable prisoners of war were left to clean up the battlefield.
Jolie collapsed onto the sofa and asked, "When are you going to bring over your latest little lover for us to see?"
Aniston exposed her true colors: "What, you want to bring her into this?" Unlike Jolie's unbridled approach, she plainly said, "Three's already a crowd, I don't like adding another."
"Hold on!" Martin said, dissatisfied, "Whether we add another person or not is another matter, but don't you two want to ask for my opinion?"
Aniston did not want to continue this topic, and pointing at Jolie, she said, "Next time, you're still at the back."
Jolie was unhappy: "Just because you enjoyed the perks, you want to monopolize the space?"
"This has always been my territory," Aniston claimed, no longer the woman who used to back down when things didn't go her way. As one of Hollywood's female opinion leaders and a leader of the METOO movement, she stood firm.
Facing a tough Jolie, Aniston was equally strong: "Fake saint, don't think you're the only one who knows how to fight for it."
Jolie snorted coldly: "Martin, I told you long ago, Jen is nothing but a silent pretender."
Martin had called them here not to listen to their quarrels but to discuss serious matters: "Let's talk about serious stuff."
Jolie responded: "Looking at human history, has there ever been anything more serious?"
"Exactly," Aniston, flipping sides like a fence-sitter, now stood with Jolie: "We're talking about serious matters."
Martin was furious, the tank ignited, and war broke out once more.
As the barrage rained down, he took complete control of the situation.
"Recently, those victims who didn't receive fair compensation have teamed up again and launched an offensive against Pitt," Martin could now speak of serious business: "Additionally, brands like Breitling and Cadillac have also initiated breach of contract lawsuits against Pitt."
Aniston nodded: "I've noticed that."
Jolie, being more sensitive in these matters, asked: "Did Pitt piss you off again?"
Martin waved his hand: "It doesn't really involve me; it was mostly Cadillac asking for my opinion, and I can't stand to see those victims living in misery."
Jolie was actually indifferent towards Pitt.
But Aniston was a different case; not only was she abandoned, but she was also tarnished by Pitt.
Her desire for revenge had never subsided: "Martin, what do you want to do?"
Martin said, "As a METOO initiator and a leading voice for Hollywood's women, why don't you guide the public opinion? Have your sizable organization continue to focus on Pitt's nanny scandal. After all, the nanny scandal is where METOO originated, keeping consistent in your endeavors garners more praise."
Jolie, pointing at Martin, laughed heartily: "You truly are my mentor."
Aniston nodded solemnly: "It's the duty and mission of the women's rights organization, we certainly can't shirk it."
Jolie joined in: "Count me in."
"Public opinion can influence the judiciary," Martin knew this well: "Don't you think we could have more fun if Pitt is completely unable to recover and even has to leave Los Angeles?"
The words Pitt said in the supermarket made him believe that he should never give Pitt any chance to turn things around.
Jolie said, "I'm indifferent, but if you guys feel happy, I'll join you for the ride."
Aniston, however, was deep in thought and after a while said: "The nanny scandal can ruin Pitt's reputation and future, but he still has substantial assets."
Although their finances were separate, being his ex-wife, she still had some insight: "What you are doing is far from enough to drain Pitt's resources and energy."
Martin didn't know Pitt as well as Aniston did: "What do you suggest?"
"Simple, help bring out a few of Pitt's illegitimate children and demand exorbitant compensation. Drag out the lawsuits; legal fees can be horrendous." In the world, perhaps no one hated Pitt more than Aniston, especially after Martin fanned the flames.
The ex-wife, filled with a towering hatred, said coldly: "I can imply, in a roundabout way, that Pitt indeed has several illegitimate children."
Hearing these words, Jolie suddenly thought that she should avoid provoking Aniston too much in the future.