The Tyrant Billionaire

The thought terrified them.

"We… we will be more careful next time."

"Yes, absolutely. We won't do such things again."

They hastily expressed their stance.

As the security team leader prepared to leave, he paused at the door and added, "And one more thing—don't gossip about the boss behind his back."

The two felt as though they had fallen into an icy abyss.

Had their earlier comments about the boss's flirtatious reputation also been overheard? They knew that someone of the boss's stature would have extremely stringent security measures, but they had not expected it to be this strict.

Even the President probably wouldn't have such a standard.

Riding the motorcycle, Hardy took Hepburn along. Hepburn reverted to clutching Hardy's jacket nervously, as though the confidence she'd gained the previous evening had melted away.

"Is there anywhere in particular you'd like to visit?" Hardy asked, turning his head slightly.

Hepburn thought for a moment.

"The Colosseum. I've always wanted to see the Colosseum."

"No problem. Let's go."

Hardy knew the direction to the Colosseum and increased the throttle to head there. The streets of Rome were narrow in some areas, but the small motorcycle made navigating easy.

When they reached the Colosseum, they climbed the steps. From there, the full view of the Colosseum came into sight. Though only ruins remained, its former grandeur was still evident.

After visiting the Colosseum, they arrived at the Wishing Wall.

Nearby, merchants offered paper and pens. These savvy businessmen knew that not everyone visiting would have brought their own. Explore new worlds at My Virtual Library Empire

The two took some paper and pens. Hepburn bit the end of her pencil thoughtfully for a long time before writing down a passage:

"I wish for world peace, no wars, an end to hunger, universal joy, and for my first lead role film to be a success."

When Hepburn finished writing, she placed the paper in her palms, clasped her hands together in prayer, whispered a few words, and then used glue to stick it on the wall.

While Hepburn was writing, Hardy had been sneaking glances the entire time. He couldn't help but think how kindhearted this girl was.

It was clear: she loved the world deeply.

After Hepburn stuck her note to the wall, she smiled at Hardy. "Mr. Hardy, haven't you finished writing yet?"

Hardy had been so busy peeking that he hadn't written a thing. Thinking quickly, he wrote a line on his paper:

"Make hay while the sun shines; Though time is short, I'll work hard and leave my mark."

Hepburn watched Hardy write but found herself unable to decipher it. Her large eyes blinked curiously. "Mr. Hardy, what kind of saying is this?"

"It's an old American proverb," Hardy replied.

Hepburn was intrigued. "Is that one of those frontier proverbs I've read about? I saw something like it inThe American Spirit."

The wisdom of American pioneers and farmers had fascinated many, as their sayings captured the spirit of perseverance and pragmatism.

"That's correct—it's something farmers used to say to remind people to seize the moment," Hardy confirmed.

Hepburn glanced again at the bold, purposeful writing on Hardy's paper and marveled, "Mr. Hardy, you're truly well-read to know such inspirational sayings."

Flattered by her praise, Hardy felt delighted.

Earlier, he had been unsure how to impress her, but now he could showcase his knowledge of American wisdom to win her admiration.

They continued their tour on the motorcycle. By the time they arrived at the Pantheon, it was midday. Nearby, a coffee stall also offered lunch. The two found a spot near the street to sit.

As they waited for their lunch and coffee, a middle-aged man carrying an easel approached them. He greeted them warmly, saying in Italian, "Beautiful lady, distinguished gentleman, the two of you sitting together look like a painting. Are you a couple? Would you like me to paint you? I can finish it by the time you've had your lunch."

Hardy was puzzled again as the man spoke in Italian.

Hepburn translated for him, omitting the part about them looking like a couple. "He's asking if we'd like a painting."

"Why does it feel like he said a lot more?" Hardy asked.

"Ah, that's just Italian for you. It tends to be wordy," Hepburn fibbed with a small smile.

Hardy gave the artist an OK gesture, universally understood. The artist nodded with a smile and began observing them for the perfect angle.

Ultimately, the artist set up his easel at an angle that gave Hepburn full focus, leaving Hardy mostly in profile. Hardy didn't even need to look to know that this man was likely drawn to Hepburn's beauty.

No matter.

The dishes were served. The two ignored the painter and ate while chatting. They discussed where to visit in the afternoon, their impressions of Rome, and even Hardy's quote.

Hepburn looked at Hardy, her eyes filled with admiration.

As an artist under Hardy Group's subsidiaries, she was well aware of Mr. Hardy's achievements. Starting from an ordinary person, he had achieved so much in just a few years—such a feat was hard to find even across the entirety of the United States.

Mr. Hardy was the embodiment of the American Dream, idolized by countless Americans, especially young people, who saw him as a role model.

Meanwhile, the painter continued working diligently. He wasn't sketching but painting with watercolors, which took much longer than a simple sketch.

Hepburn and Hardy weren't in a hurry. They continued eating and chatting. With Hardy around, there was never a dull moment, as they had endless topics to discuss, including the details of the new movie.

Previously, Hardy had only shared the plot outline. This time, he elaborated on details, such as how the romantic tension between the protagonists would build and how Jon's home would play a pivotal role in the story.

"I've already found a suitable house—a typical Roman residence. Tonight, we'll stay there to experience the atmosphere of Anne and Jon's scenes," Hardy said.

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