Chasing Stars in Hollywood

With the mystery revealed, the mafia representatives were filled with a mix of anger, fear, resentment, and awe, yet none dared to confront or threaten Ken Dixon directly. Many actually felt relieved. Understanding the events' cause and effect, they no longer needed to be constantly on edge.

However, even though Simon Westeros had wiped out the entire Stefano family due to a misunderstanding and four bullets using methods crueler than the mafia itself, none of the mafia representatives, including those from the Tagano family with ties to the Stefano family, thought of seeking revenge.

Submission to the strong is human nature.

Previously, Simon Westeros was just seen as incredibly wealthy, with some even contemplating exploiting him for profit. Now, they realized that the world's only super-billionaire, with his terrifying power, was beyond their ability to provoke or resist.

The meeting lasted just over ten minutes. Representing Simon, Ken Dixon issued a blunt warning to the entire Italian mafia. After treating the mafia representatives to a shot of strong Ukrainian vodka, they were sent off the tanker.

Simon emerged from the cabin to the deck, watching the departing Mi-26 helicopter fleet while Ken Dixon recounted the meeting with the mafia representatives.

Special attention was given to communication with the representatives of the Glorious Society. Since the whole incident started because of Versace, it needed to end accordingly. Melisandre Company would officially initiate the acquisition of Versace. The Glorious Society could then reclaim the debts secretly owed by Versace, finalizing the transaction and clearing all accounts. Any further issues would be seen as provocations against the Westeros system.

As for the Stefano family, the Westeros system would consider the matter closed. However, if the Glorious Society chose not to let it go, future consequences would be their own responsibility.

Following Simon's instructions, Ken Dixon maintained a strong stance throughout the conversation, leaving the mafia representatives no room for negotiation.

This was purely an act of intimidation.

Moreover, the matter wouldn't truly end there. The intelligence team of the Westeros family, previously withdrawn from Reggio, would reinfiltrate Calabria, extending to Sicily and Campania to monitor mafia activities. Should anyone seek revenge, Simon would ensure they were preemptively dealt with.

This surveillance would be indefinite.

Whether for five, ten years, or longer, Simon could sustain it. The European division of the Westeros family's intelligence team would now have a legitimate long-term project alongside protecting certain girls.

Additionally, Melisandre Company's headquarters would move from Florence, Italy, to Geneva, Switzerland, primarily for Sophia's safety. This had been discussed for some time. Initially based in Florence for proximity to Gucci's headquarters, the expansion of Melisandre required a corresponding adjustment.

Originally planned to move to Milan, the fashion hub of Italy, the recent events led Simon to decide on Geneva. Melisandre's initial registration was in Switzerland. Geneva is conveniently close to Milan (200 km) and Florence (less than 500 km), accessible by private jet in one trip.

Being in a different country, Geneva would be out of the mafia's easy reach. Even if they caused trouble domestically, crossing the border would force the Italian government to act.

Furthermore, certain individuals selected from Ukraine would soon enter Italy. Despite the thriving local mafia, there was room for foreign gangs in major cities like Rome, Milan, and Naples, and even in Calabria. Reggio, although remote, had a mixed population allowing for foreign elements to establish themselves, albeit with high risk and limited growth opportunities. But that wasn't Simon's concern. Those who chose this path knew they were gambling with their lives.

The Mediterranean remained perpetually sunny. After discussing matters with Ken Dixon, Simon had a single sofa brought from the cabin to the spacious deck, where he sat alone enjoying the sea and sky view.

Unfortunately, there was a lack of beauty to accompany him.

Over the years, many had suggested Simon purchase a private yacht, but he had always declined. It wasn't that Simon wasn't interested in yachts, but the available sizes were too small. For Simon, only a 100,000-ton tanker met his standards.

Although it was possible to get such a behemoth, it would be too conspicuous.

So, he opted to do without, borrowing or renting when necessary. This tanker was borrowed.

After the morning's events, the tanker would sail to Syria to load crude oil, then through the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean and on to Asia.

The six Mi-26 helicopters were also temporarily borrowed. This time for business, Westeros' arms trade company, registered in Australia, would transport these surplus heavy helicopters to Angola. Being too large for air transport, flying them across Africa to Angola was a viable alternative. Designed as heavy transport helicopters, they could easily cover over 6,000 kilometers with enough fuel in just two days.

Unfortunately, this idea wasn't practical. Countries along the route would require complex approvals and levies, taking months. Sea transport was simpler. From Odessa, Ukraine, through the Black Sea and Mediterranean, to the Atlantic and along the African coast to Angola, the 13,000-kilometer journey would take about 20 days.

During the Cold War, Africa was a key battleground between the US and the Soviet Union, with Angola fighting a decades-long civil war supported by both sides. The Soviet Union's dissolution was partly due to its massive military aid to Africa. Now, the Soviet-backed faction ruled Angola, and with diminished US-Soviet influence, the US-supported opposition waned. Earlier this year, dissatisfied with the first election results, the opposition reignited the civil war.

Following success in Rwanda, the Westeros system quickly expanded in Africa. Stable East African countries like Kenya and Tanzania were traditionally under British and American influence, with some remaining Commonwealth members, leaving little room for maneuver.

North Africa was dominated by the French.

Thus, Simon focused on several war-torn countries in southwestern Africa. Angola, with its rich natural resources, was a top priority.

The once mighty Soviet Union had fallen, and Angola's government knew maintaining power required good relations with the West. The Westeros system offered to facilitate this, including promoting a visit to the USA by Angola's President Dos Santos, leading to a strong partnership.

This wasn't their first deal.

The Angolan government sought to bolster its forces for guerrilla warfare, with helicopter transport being ideal. Western helicopters were unaffordable, as were Soviet ones. Decades of war had left Angola impoverished, with funds prioritized for more critical light arms.

The Westeros system's arms trade company offered another option: trade.

New Mi-26 helicopters from the 1980s cost $10 million each, now priced at $12 million. This batch, decommissioned by the Ukrainian army after just five years, was valued at $5 million each by Ukrainian authorities.

The $5 million per helicopter was the sale price to the Westeros system's arms trade company.

Sold to Angola at $7 million each, a 40% markup.

The total $30 million for six helicopters was paid in cash to Ukraine through offshore banks. Simon didn't care how much reached the Ukrainian treasury. If questions arose, the Westeros system was just an intermediary, without taking a cut.

Though the 40% markup seemed steep, it was just a contract price. Angola didn't pay cash but offered a 30-year mining lease for a diamond mine.

Johnston Holding Group's mining experts had assessed the diamond mine, confirming its rich reserves. Even if mining didn't last 30 years, it would yield at least $100 million in rough diamonds over the next decade.

If they found some exceptional stones or discovered hidden veins, the deal would be even more lucrative.

A $30 million cost for a potential $100 million return over ten years, yielding only 7% annually, seemed low for the Westeros system. But the real value was in the 30-year lease, allowing legitimate operations around the mine in Angola.

The UFMS mercenary team accompanying the Mi-26s would be permanently stationed in Angola to protect the mine and train Angolan army pilots.

Beyond Rwanda, Angola was Simon's next strategic base in Africa.

The equipment captured from Rwanda was sold cheaply to Angola, rekindling civil war. Initially wary of the Westeros system, the Dos Santos family in Angola had built trust through several recent collaborations.

The six Mi-26 helicopters returned the mafia representatives to Reggio and then flew back. Five went to a nearby cargo ship, while Simon took the sixth to Tunisia, near Libya, before flying to Helsinki, Finland, by private jet.

The day after the tanker meeting, a flurry of rumors spread rapidly on Italian internet platforms.

Half a month ago, Calabria's Stefano family had provoked a super-rich tycoon and was wiped out.

One rumor claimed the Stefano family tried to force the tycoon's company to launder money for them, even sending a bomb to the tycoon's home, enraging him and resulting in their annihilation.

This was just one version.

In one day, countless forum posts and social media discussions about the Stefano family's demise emerged, each with different details but the same core: the Stefano family threatened a super-rich tycoon and were wiped out in retaliation.

There are no secrets that time does not reveal.

To avoid negative public opinion, Simon proactively leaked the "truth" through online channels, crafting multiple versions to divert attention.

In the following days, the gossip spread from the internet to mainstream media, from Italy to overseas.

After countless iterations, the real truth became obscured.

The Agnelli family behind Fiat, current Prime Minister Berlusconi, the Ferrero family, and others were publicly questioned about their involvement, all denying any connection.

With the story spreading, wealthy individuals across Europe and North America were also questioned.

As the world's only genuine super-billionaire, Simon was naturally a prime suspect.

When a reporter asked Westeros family media spokesperson Pat Kingsley in Los Angeles about the Stefano family

, she gave a standard denial.

Regarding the truth.

The Italian mafia's power lay in its position at a crossroads connecting North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe, interacting with gangs worldwide.

Thus, the truth quickly spread globally.

This was the result Simon wanted.

Publicly manipulating the narrative to avoid the Westeros system becoming a target, while privately ensuring the message reached global underground networks for the desired deterrent effect.

Having settled the Glorious Society issue, Simon stayed in Finland for three days for Nokia matters, then quietly toured St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev, and Lviv.

Returning to Venice, Italy, on September 19, just in time for the 51st Venice Film Festival's closing ceremony.

Arriving in Italy, some aftershocks of the incident continued but no longer required Simon's intervention.

This year's Venice Film Festival was significant for Simon.

Daniels Entertainment had two films in the main competition: Peter Jackson's "Heavenly Creatures" and Alexandre Rockwell's "In the Soup."

Both films received positive reviews.

For Peter Jackson, Simon had avoided rushing his growth, allowing him to follow his career path. Jackson had also participated in the production of DC Universe blockbusters in Australia to familiarize himself with special effects.

"Heavenly Creatures" was a rare serious work from Jackson, known for his dark humor, based on a true matricide case.

To preserve the film's authenticity, Simon intervened minimally, retaining the original cast: Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey.

Winslet needs no introduction, and Lynskey played the popular character Rose in "Two and a Half Men."

Warner Bros. also entered Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers," which premiered in North America in late August, into the main competition.

Additionally, two renowned films, "In the Heat of the Sun" and "Ashes of Time," were also in this year's lineup.

Memorably, "Before the Rain" and "Vive L'Amour," both excellent films, won the Golden Lion this year.

Led by David Lynch, the jury included Nicole Kidman as the festival's perennial glamorous figure.

With "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises" still in global theaters and "Suicide Squad" set for a year-end release, Kidman's popularity eclipsed the entire jury. Many European fans flocked to Venice just to see Mia from "Pulp Fiction" and Poison Ivy from "The Dark Knight Rises," leading to stalking incidents and prompting the organizers to enhance her security.

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