The Hollywood Tycoon

Several days later.

Today, Bear Grylls, the renowned adventurer of the future, officially signed a contract for "Solo Atlantic Crossing" with Golden Dawn Entertainment Group and Causality ITV Broadcasting Company.

At the signing ceremony, dozens of media reporters present were also quite shocked.

Solo Atlantic crossing?

"Is that true or false?"

"Oh my God, that can’t be possible!"

"It’s hard to say. Solo, in a kayak, carrying only a small amount of food and water, yet having to sail across the Atlantic for over 10,000 miles. The storms and other harsh weather conditions along the way are enough to break any warrior."

"The most crucial thing is that this guy named Bear will be at sea for over 3 months!"

"My heavens, this is practically challenging the limits of humanity!"

"Not only that!"

"Although Bear Grylls was once an excellent special forces soldier and doesn’t lack courage, crossing the Atlantic absolutely requires a massive reserve of knowledge in climatology, oceanography, physiology, and medicine, otherwise, he’s just looking for death!"

The dozens of media reporters on site could not hide their shock.

A solo Atlantic crossing is an extremely difficult, even impossible, challenge!

"Huh?"

"Quiet down! Look who’s here?"

Just then, someone in the crowd of reporters suddenly shouted.

"It’s Kyle, it’s Mr. Kyle Page!"

That’s right, Kyle personally attended the signing ceremony.

Not only that, but two other influential figures from the UK accompanied Kyle.

Greg Clarke!

He is the President of the FA’s Administration Department, and he has great renown in the local football circles in the UK, as well as in European football. In 2016, he would be promoted to the head of the FA;

"You ask me why I came?"

Greg Clarke smiled and said, "As everyone knows, football is a team sport, based on collective victory, but on the football field, there is never a shortage of heroes who go it alone, charge into the fray, and turn the tide."

"Mr. Bear Grylls will cross the Atlantic solo, challenging a project that is almost impossible to complete. This has deeply moved us."

"Therefore, I am here on behalf of the FA, and on behalf of the 217 professional football teams in the UK, to tell Bear one thing—God be with you!"

As his voice fell, warm applause immediately erupted.

Many people couldn’t help but nod repeatedly.

However... in reality, it was all nonsense!

If Kyle wasn’t the owner of Manchester City Football Club, and if Manchester City Football Club hadn’t successfully returned to the Premier League as the champions of the First Division in the recently concluded 99-00 season, Greg Clarke would never have come to stand on stage and endorse it.

(Note: The Championship League was only established in 2004; the First Division was still the second-tier league in 2000.)

Speaking of this investment in Manchester City Football Club, Kyle undoubtedly profited again.

In 1998, Kyle successfully took over Manchester City Football Club, which was then in the Second Division, for 52 million pounds;

In the 1998-1999 season, with Kyle’s full support and under the coaching of the future "famous coach" Mourinho, Manchester City Football Club was successfully brought back to the First Division;

In the recently concluded 1999-2000 season, Manchester City Football Club was promoted again, returning to the Premier League.

Market value soared!

In just over two years, Manchester City Football Club, which Kyle acquired for 52 million pounds, is now worth over 80 million pounds.

And there’s more good news.

Sky Sports is currently negotiating with the Premier League clubs’ alliance, and it is highly likely that broadcast and streaming fees will be significantly increased soon. If the negotiations go smoothly, Manchester City Football Club’s market value will definitely climb again after the new season begins!

Of course, even if Manchester City Football Club’s market value were to multiply several times, it would still be an insignificant presence among Kyle’s various industries.

However, one point is undeniable.

Kyle acquired Manchester City Football Club not for its monetary value, but for the fame it could bring him, and for its ability to enhance the brand recognition and influence of his other ventures. This was the primary objective.

The other person also took the stage!

—Michael Platt!

He is the Chairman of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (a charitable organization) and also the Chairman of Lansdowne Partners, one of the UK’s well-known hedge funds.

Lansdowne Partners is a renowned local hedge fund in the UK, and the third largest hedge fund in Europe.

Many major banks, such as Hang Seng Bank, Citibank, and JPMorgan Bank, all hope to cooperate with it. Under Platt’s leadership, Lansdowne Partners has achieved remarkable results, with annual trading commissions and other service fees paid to banks alone amounting to tens of millions of dollars.

"My purpose for coming is very simple. Mr. Kyle Page and I are old friends despite our age difference; we share common interests in financial investment."

"Mr. Bear Grylls, a solo Atlantic crossing is definitely a challenging endeavor full of risks!"

"And what about venture capital?"

"It is equally full of unpredictable twists and turns, perfectly aligning with Bear’s adventurous spirit, so I came, and I came with pleasure!"

Michael Platt shouted loudly into the camera.

In the time that followed, the media reporters present once again focused their attention on Kyle.

After all, Kyle is not only a globally renowned super-rich individual and film company owner, but also one of the initiators of this "Solo Atlantic Crossing" project, naturally making him a focal point.

Kyle stood on the podium, facing the assembled media reporters, and began to speak.

"Adventure?"

"No, I prefer to call it exploration! An exploration that challenges the limits of human beings!"

"The land, we humans have conquered!"

"The sky, we humans have conquered!"

"The ocean, we have conquered it too!"

"However, in the process of conquering, we relied on wisdom, technology, and courage, with technological factors occupying the most important position!"

"So, the question is, can we humans conquer the ocean relying solely on wisdom and courage?"

"And thus, this challenge of a solo Atlantic crossing was born!"

"One person, one kayak, carrying only a small amount of food and drinking water, I believe this challenge can still be completed. Bear is the most suitable and courageous challenger!"

... The press conference ended.

However, the challenge of a solo Atlantic crossing was not immediately undertaken.

Bear needed to prepare!

Bear had dabbled in knowledge of oceanography, climatology, biology, and other fields, but he still needed to refine his understanding, as the difficulty of this challenge was simply too immense.

To embark on the journey rashly would only lead to failure.

In the original timeline, Bear spent a full three years preparing before officially embarking on the solo Atlantic crossing challenge. Although the main reason for this was Bear’s financial situation, it also served as a period for him to acquire knowledge and make preparations.

"Seven months!"

Bear said, "I need at least 7 months of preparation time. Also, it’s August now, and by October or November, the Atlantic will become very cold due to ocean currents and seasons, increasing the difficulty significantly. Therefore, to complete this challenge, we can only wait until next spring."

Upon hearing this, Kyle agreed.

The joint film crew formed by Golden Dawn and ITV also approved the decision.

"This is my new plan after launching the overseas film strategy—to launch an overseas TV strategy!" Kyle clenched his fists.