Chasing Stars in Hollywood

Hillary Clinton personally stepped in to mediate, but her efforts were in vain. The Hearst family finally gave Simon a response on May 19.

The Hearst Corporation was willing to transfer its 20% stake in ESPN to Simon for $1. In exchange, the Westeros system had to lift its boycott of the Hearst Corporation and stop its litigation assault, with the six ongoing lawsuits being settled for a total of $120 million.

The ESPN stake was at the root of the conflict.

Three years ago, when the troubled Reynolds Nabisco Company was selling off non-core assets, they included the 20% stake in ESPN held by this food and tobacco giant. At the time, the Hearst family used its influence in the media industry to half-coerce and half-threaten Simon into dropping out of the bidding. Ultimately, they acquired the 20% stake in ESPN for $180 million, a price significantly lower than the industry's estimated value of $200-300 million.

Over the past three years, ESPN's value had risen along with the development of this basic cable network. The 20% stake held by the Hearst family was now worth no less than $300 million.

The ESPN stake was actually the main reason Simon offered the symbolic $1.

At its peak, as part of Disney, ESPN, which monopolized major North American sports events, was valued at $50 billion, more valuable than ABC Television.

The initial investment of less than $200 million by the Hearst Corporation in acquiring the 20% stake in ESPN appreciated dozens of times. Moreover, as the print media industry declined, the income from just one-fifth of ESPN's stake accounted for more than half of the Hearst Corporation's revenue and profits for many years. This allowed the Hearst family to maintain its status without falling into decline like the old newspaper families such as the Graham family behind the Washington Post.

As long as Simon took the ESPN stake, the Hearst family would inevitably fall into decline.

However, the Hearst family's offer didn't fully meet Simon's expectations.

In a hillside villa in Woodside, San Francisco Bay Area, it was the afternoon of May 19.

Simon had his A girl deal with André Carney, the lawyer sent by the Hearst family from the East Coast, as he wasn't inclined to meet with him personally.

At this moment, in the villa's living room, the A girl sat on the sofa with a cold expression, speaking without much emotion. "Mr. Carney, the boss is basically satisfied with the ESPN stake. However, regarding the compensation for the six lawsuits, the boss insists on the full amount."

André Carney was initially worried that if Simon wasn't satisfied with this offer, he might face a shut door, and the Hearst family would remain deeply entrenched in the mire.

Now, just having a discussion was already a good result.

André Carney wouldn't be foolish enough to take Simon's statement about only one offer opportunity seriously.

Although he could sense that the woman in front of him wasn't in a good mood, André Carney still said, "Ms. Knowles, the compensation amount of $370 million is too high. You should know that the Hearst Corporation simply cannot come up with that amount now."

The A girl replied, "That's the Hearst Corporation's problem. You have no room for negotiation."

As one of New York's most renowned lawyers, André Carney understood that Simon's insistence on the full $370 million was to further bleed the Hearst Corporation. Currently, the only way the Hearst Corporation could quickly raise $370 million was by selling its media assets.

And it would have to be at a significantly reduced price.

No investor interested in acquiring Hearst Corporation's media assets would miss the opportunity to take advantage of this situation.

After thinking for a moment, André Carney said, "Ms. Knowles, insisting on the full amount for the six lawsuits doesn't benefit Mr. Westeros. Apart from legal fees, I don't believe Mr. Westeros would take a share of the compensation, so why not take a step back?"

The A girl simply shook her head. "This is the boss's decision, and it's final."

André Carney tried another approach. "Can I speak with Mr. Westeros personally?"

"No."

"Okay, I will relay this to Mr. Hearst," André Carney said, knowing he was just a messenger, and then asked, "Also, regarding the cessation of the boycott against the Hearst family once we settle, what does Mr. Westeros mean by that?"

A girl said, "The boss said he could lift the boycott, but the Westeros system still won't cooperate with the Hearst Corporation in any way."

André Carney couldn't help but ask, "Isn't that the same as not lifting the boycott?"

The A girl explained seriously, "By then, the Westeros system won't prevent other companies from working with the Hearst Corporation."

André Carney thought for a moment and said, "At least the Westeros company should publish a statement in the newspaper."

The A girl shook her head. "The boss won't agree to such a statement. Mr. Carney, for enemies, the boss's greatest mercy is to ignore them. Don't expect him to do more."

André Carney doubted, "Ms. Knowles, you're making decisions for your boss?"

"Yes."

"I don't think you have the authority to make such decisions. Perhaps you should discuss this with Mr. Westeros."

"I know my boss well enough to know what decision he will make."

André Carney said, "But if we've reached a settlement, we shouldn't still be considered enemies."

"Mr. Carney, the so-called 'settlement' is just wishful thinking on your part. To the boss, this is not a 'settlement,' it's a 'reprieve.' Do you understand?"

André Carney couldn't help but feel a little pity for his employer but still insisted, "If that's all, then our deal has no meaning. For Mr. Westeros to have my client agree to those terms, he must make some kind of response, even if it's just symbolic, like a simple advertising cooperation."

The A girl replied, "The transfer of ESPN's stake and the settlement of the six lawsuits are the Westeros system's responses. By then, the public should understand what happened without any additional symbolic gestures."

André Carney felt a bit bitter.

This was true, but it wasn't what the Hearst family wanted.

As the A girl had said, without a public response from the Westeros system, it wouldn't seem like a settlement, just a reprieve. This wasn't the result the Hearst family hoped for after paying such a heavy price.

After haggling with the A girl for a while and getting no further concessions, André Carney had to leave. On his way back to the hotel, he quickly reported the meeting results to the core members of the Hearst family waiting anxiously in New York.

In the villa, after sending off the Hearst family's lawyer, the A girl went to an office on the first floor. She made a call to have a set of women's suits delivered according to certain specifications and then started processing some work emails on the computer.

It wasn't until 5 PM, the end of the workday, that there was a knock on the office door. The Indian girl Aria entered and said, "A, the boss is about to go out."

Allison nodded, got up, picked up the neatly arranged documents, and left the office.

In the living room next to the hall, Zoe Parks was helping Simon tie his tie, while Isabelle Dunn stood obediently beside him, holding a coat.

Seeing the A girl come in, Simon smiled and asked, "How did the talks go?"

The A girl handed the documents to Aria and stepped forward to take over Zoe's task. While close to Simon, she said softly, "The Hearst family probably won't agree easily, but they have no choice."

Simon just hummed in response.

Allison finished tying Simon's tie and took the suit jacket from Isabelle, helping him put it on, all while keeping her head down, looking like a wronged little wife.

Simon waited for Allison to finish buttoning his jacket, then smiled and tilted her chin up. "Jealous again?"

Allison met his gaze without answering, just blinking lightly a few times.

Simon leaned down and kissed her lips, saying, "Don't be like that."

His eyes were cold, but his tone was gentle. Allison felt a knot in her heart quickly melt away, realizing her behavior was unnecessary.

Yes, she needed some punishment.

Simon seemed to read her thoughts, whispered a few words in her ear, then released her. Finally, he said, "Be good."

With that, Simon took the documents from Aria that he needed to review in the car, said goodbye to the girls, and left the villa.

He had canceled some work arrangements in the afternoon but had two engagements in the evening: a dinner with Cisco CEO John Chambers and a reception at Tim Berners-Lee's home.

After sending their boss off, the A girl quickly returned to her composed demeanor. She asked Zoe, "Did the clothes I ordered arrive?"

Zoe nodded and offered, "I'll get them."

In the master bedroom on the second floor of the villa.

Allison brought a dark blue women's suit and placed it in the outer small living room. She knocked on another door, received a response, and entered, heading straight to the adjoining bathroom. Moments later, she came out carrying a small tray and approached the bed.

On the bed, a woman lay lazily holding a pillow, her hair down and her face flushed, exuding a special charm.

It was Simon

's personal military assistant, Celia Miller.

Seeing the sour expression on Allison's face, Celia didn't mind at all. With a slight smile, she gestured toward the tray in Allison's hand. "A, what's this?"

Allison placed the tray on the bedside table, picked up a glass of water and a pill from the small dish, and handed them over, bluntly saying, "Birth control."

Celia was momentarily stunned and shook her head. "No need, I'm in my safe period today."

Allison insisted, "This is the boss's order, Ms. Miller. I must watch you take it."

Celia hesitated, then smiled again, saying, "Simon wouldn't do that, but okay, I won't make it hard for you."

She took the water and pill, swallowed it, and even opened her mouth for Allison to check. Then she lay back down, saying, "A, could you prepare a bath for me? I'm so tired."

Allison noticed Celia's unabashedly perfect figure as she sat up and recalled some things her boss occasionally mentioned. Some women only looked good in clothes, while a rare few looked good both in and out of them.

Celia Miller was the latter.

Celia, seeing Allison not moving, added, "Oh, A, Simon said you'd prepare clothes for me?"

Allison nodded. "They're outside. Ms. Miller, do you need me to prepare a car for you?"

"No, I'm staying tonight."

"The boss might bring other women back."

"No problem, I don't mind sharing."

Bitch!

Allison muttered to herself but went to fetch the clothes. She was about to refuse preparing a bath but, after some thought, grudgingly went to the bathroom, resolving that if this woman asked for dinner, she'd prepare a plate of salt.

Sure enough, after preparing the bath, Celia Miller asked for dinner and wanted Allison to arrange for a post-dinner spa treatment.

In the master bedroom's bathroom, watching the young woman leave almost exasperatedly, Celia Miller comfortably leaned back in the large tub, reflecting on recent events and feeling a bit nostalgic.

She had just returned from France today.

In just half a month, she had traveled around the globe, visiting Australia, Rwanda, Ukraine, and France. Throughout the journey, she increasingly realized that a certain young man was playing a very large game.

Australia, Africa, Europe.

Including North America.

Through the private military company and other arrangements, a vast private military network was being formed. Compared to this, the private mercenaries of the Rockefeller family at its peak were child's play.

Once fully established, the Westeros system would become a powerful economic entity with its own independent military force.

The more she understood this, the more determined Celia Miller became to firmly grasp the opportunity with the young man. She hoped to secure a significant position within this powerful economic system, one that couldn't be underestimated.

Thus, she had given her all in recent months, not only negotiating resolutely at the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of Westeros but also traveling the globe to safeguard the system's interests.

Today, she reported her accomplishments to the young man and, taking the initiative, advanced their relationship.

She knew that with so many women around the young man and their vast differences, love was unlikely. But she also understood that to gain his full trust, she had to give her all.

Men often trusted women more after they had them, and only then would they grant full trust.

Although not entirely true, Celia knew this approach worked well, so she didn't hesitate. From the first time she met the young man, she had little hesitation.

At that time, her little moves were even caught by Janet Westeros.

A bit awkward.

But, hmph.

She still succeeded.

Now, soaking in the tub, Celia Miller smiled, thinking about Sophia Fisse and the exasperated A girl.

Sophia Fisse had initially suggested she ask B girl for her "benefits." Celia knew from the start it wasn't out of goodwill. As expected, Sophia, who spent most of her time in Europe, knew she couldn't keep an eye on her and used this trick to provoke Simon's closest circle, the ABCD girls, against her.

But if she were just a vase meant purely for entertainment, Sophia's tricks might have worked.

But she wasn't.

Compared to a mere vase, the young man clearly preferred capable women. Over time, she had proven her capabilities to Simon. With his approval, the tactics of other girls meant to fend off vases were ineffective.

Now, having advanced their relationship further, her position by his side would only become more secure.

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