Buffett's proposal, which aimed to maximize his own benefits, was decisively rejected by Simon, leaving the investment tycoon visibly conflicted.
Buffett, of course, understood the trends in the public television industry. Coupled with the current peak in the North American stock market, both factors were pushing him to cash out of Metropolis ABC Group as soon as possible. Having watched the eerie capital behemoth that was the Westeros system grow over the years, Buffett also wanted to catch a ride on its momentum.
A $20 billion deal couldn't be settled in one casual conversation.
In fact, their talk didn't even touch on specific figures.
After about ten minutes, Buffett excused himself, saying he needed time to think. Simon, in no rush, personally escorted him out of the bar before returning to the lively party atmosphere.
It was a sleepless night, and the party was in full swing.
Turning back, Simon saw Eva Herzigova and Daniela Pestova pretending to pass by casually and greet him. Simon wrapped an arm around the waists of the two Czech models and said, "Join me for a dance."
The two women obediently agreed, taking Simon's arm on either side.
As two of the top models who had risen rapidly under Grace's management last year, they knew very well who was behind their meteoric rise. Watching Christy Turlington dominate both the fashion and Hollywood scenes, they naturally wanted to secure more resources from Simon.
The trio headed to the dance floor, and Simon briefly instructed Eva, who then went to the band to relay his message. Soon, the bar was filled with upbeat music. Many men and women, who had been discreetly keeping an eye on Simon, began gathering around the dance floor as the music played.
The men, knowing Simon's preferences, stayed away, but the women had no such reservations. They flocked to Simon, competing for his attention. Eva and Daniela were quickly pushed aside, and by the end of the song, Simon's face and neck were covered in lipstick marks, and his pockets were stuffed with business cards.
The women attending this Melisandre party were far from nobodies, but in front of Simon, they had no room for restraint or pretense.
After dancing, Simon returned to a sofa booth in a corner of the bar, where the woman by his side had changed to Mia Kirshner. This year, Mia had received both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Best Actress for Little Women.
Mia Kirshner had just turned twenty this year. Simon had initially cast her to replace Winona Ryder in Little Women, intending only to secure her a Golden Globe nomination. However, Mia's performance exceeded expectations, and with Danelys Entertainment's strong PR connections, an Oscar nomination followed.
From their first meeting at last year's Sundance Film Festival until now, Simon had kept his relationship with Mia purely professional, though he admired her acting. In Simon's mind, Mia was even more talented than Winona Ryder, whose lukewarm career was simply due to a lack of opportunities.
Now that Simon had given her the chance, Mia had quickly begun to shine.
Because of Simon's favor, Hollywood naturally assumed she was another one of his lovers, and it seemed Mia herself believed this as well.
After leaving the dance floor and settling into the sofa booth, Mia stayed close to Simon. She took a stack of wet wipes from the ever-present A-girl and began wiping the lipstick marks off Simon's face. Gwyneth Paltrow, lucky enough to have taken the seat on Simon's other side, reached for a wipe to help, but Mia ignored her completely.
Across the room, sitting on barstools near the bar, Grace Sproult and Bryce Levison watched the scene unfold with a hint of envy. Neither had the status nor the youth to compete with the bevy of women vying for Simon's attention. Glancing at the direction of the sofa booth, Bryce turned to Grace and said, "It looks like you're out of luck tonight."
Grace took a sip of her champagne, glanced toward Simon again, and smiled contentedly. "I don't mind."
Bryce, frustrated by Grace's response, teased, "Your daughter's already dating my son, could you stop acting like a lovesick schoolgirl? It's making me sick."
Grace, not one to be easily outdone, shot Bryce a glare. "Yes, I am lovesick. Go ahead and throw up."
Despite her upbringing in the sheltered world of a tulip in a greenhouse, Bryce couldn't match the fierce spirit of a wild rose weathered by life's storms. Feeling a sudden twinge of insecurity, Bryce pouted like a child and said, "I'm not letting you stay at my place tonight."
They had come to Los Angeles together, and Bryce had invited Grace to stay at her vacation home in Palisades.
Grace ignored her and kept her eyes on Simon.
At that moment, Eva Herzigova and Daniela Pestova came over from Simon's side, presumably to get drinks. They greeted Grace, who nodded back, but Bryce couldn't resist a jab at them. "So easily pushed aside? No wonder Simon doesn't like you as much as Christy."
The two Czech models, knowing that Bryce was a close friend of Grace, didn't dare to argue. They had, after all, been crowded out by the other women around Simon. Within the hierarchy of the entertainment world, models—no matter how successful—were often seen as lower in status compared to actresses and singers. Lacking confidence, they silently took their drinks and returned to Simon's side.
Bryce, seemingly realizing something, asked Grace, "Where's Christy? Why didn't she come tonight?"
Grace replied, "She's been exhausted from fashion week. I arranged for her to rest in New York. No running around."
Bryce blinked a few times, then smirked knowingly. "You're jealous. You don't want her showing up in front of Simon too often."
She expected Grace to deny it, preparing for a playful argument. To her surprise, Grace simply nodded. "Yes."
Bryce was left speechless, her playful teasing falling flat. She then threatened, "I'll tell Simon later."
Grace shot her a cold look, sizing her up from head to toe. "If you dare speak ill of me in front of Simon, I'll strangle you."
A chill ran down Bryce's spine as she sensed that Grace might actually be serious. Pretending not to care, she tilted her chin defiantly. "Go ahead, strangle me."
Grace, however, withdrew her gaze, raised her glass, and took a sip of champagne. "You have a beautiful neck. Very slender, white, and long. Exactly the type Simon likes." Bryce was about to smile smugly at the compliment when Grace added, "But it would be very easy to snap."
Bryce, trying to mask her discomfort, muttered, "If you keep talking like that, I'll tell my son to bully your daughter."
Grace fell silent.
Bryce, feeling a small sense of victory, realized that Grace wasn't afraid of her son but simply didn't care enough to argue.
Grace wasn't indifferent, but she wasn't worried.
As someone skilled at reading people due to her profession, Grace knew that Bryce's son, though seemingly strong and accomplished as the captain of his school's football team, was actually quite weak-willed. Having been dominated by his mother for so long, he lacked the strength of character to match his physical appearance. Much like Bryce herself, he was more of a delicate flower, grown in a sheltered greenhouse.
Grace's daughter, on the other hand, was much more like her.
It was well known that children often inherit the traits of their parents. After spending years observing her daughter, Grace was confident that in any interaction with Bryce's son, her daughter would hold her own.
As the two women continued their playful banter, occasionally fending off overly bold men attempting to strike up a conversation, they noticed something unexpected. Simon, whom they thought would leave with one or two women, seemed to be preparing to leave alone about half an hour later. Bryce quickly nudged Grace, and the two quietly followed him.
They caught up with him by the elevator.
Simon was accompanied by an A-girl and two bodyguards.
Seeing the two women, Simon smiled and asked, "Heading out?"
Bryce rolled her eyes at him but still went through the motions. "Simon, can you give us a ride home?"
Simon nodded and asked, "Where are you staying?"
Bryce moved closer to Simon, boldly pushing aside the A-girl without hesitation. Instead of immediately clinging to his arm, she said, "I have a villa in Palisades." She then gestured toward Grace. "Grace is staying with me. It's much nicer than a hotel."
Simon smiled. "Convenient, then."
As the elevator doors opened, they all entered together. The two bodyguards stood near the doors, pretending to be invisible, leaving the rest of the space for Simon and the two women.
As the elevator descended, Bryce glanced mischievously at Simon. "Just convenient?"
Simon nodded. "Yes, I'm heading home tonight."
Before leaving, Janet had told Simon that he didn't need to come back tonight, as she and the other women at home were planning a girl's night. But, as with all things, Simon knew better than to take her words at face value. With three women at home, all mothers of his children, he felt obligated to return, even if it meant facing some cold stares.
In the underground parking lot, two identical black Bentleys awaited them. Simon now traveled with at least four bodyguards, so one car wouldn't be enough.
The A-girl silently went to the second car, while Grace and
Bryce squeezed into the back seat of the first Bentley with Simon. Once they pulled onto Sunset Boulevard, Bryce, unable to sit still, began making her move, and Simon didn't resist.
Even though Bryce explained that her villa in Palisades was her private property, left to her by her parents and not part of the Levison family estate, hoping Simon would stay the night, he only stopped by briefly.
After watching the two women enter the villa, Simon continued his journey back to Dume Point Manor.
By the time he arrived home, it was 11:30 p.m.
He quietly took a shower, changing out of his clothes that smelled of other women's perfume, and asked the night attendant about the three women. They had all gone to bed and were not, in fact, having the girl talk they had mentioned. Each was resting in her own room.
Simon first went to Sophia's room.
Despite the time difference from her recent trip back from Europe, Sophia had already fallen asleep. The TV was on, suggesting that she had tried to stay awake for Simon but couldn't resist her pregnancy-induced sleepiness.
Quietly kneeling by the bedside, Simon kissed her cheek. Sophia, like a sleeping beauty, opened her eyes, smiled at him, and pulled his hand to her swollen belly. "Green and Sienna were just fighting."
Simon felt the warmth under his palm and smiled. "Who won?"
Sophia replied, "Of course, Green. Our son will definitely be as strong as you."
Simon chuckled. "I've heard daughters resemble their fathers more."
"Not this time. I want Sienna to be like Cyrille. After all, with her father and brothers protecting her, it's better for her to be smart. Cyrille is unbelievably intelligent—she might become the next Simon Westeros."
Simon teased, "You're making me feel threatened."
Sophia laughed softly. "Don't worry. You're an elitist at heart. You don't like mediocrity. I'm sure you want your children to be as outstanding as possible. And if one of them surpasses you, you'd be even happier."
"So, that's what I'm like?"
Sophia nodded. "Yes, it's quite obvious."
Simon smiled.
He hadn't really thought about it before, but now that she mentioned it, it seemed true.
They chatted for a while before Sophia, knowing he shouldn't stay with her that night, gently pushed him away.
After saying goodnight and watching her drift back to sleep, Simon turned off the TV and left her room, heading to the assistant's quarters.
Jennifer was still awake.
As he entered, there was the soft sound of reading. Looking at the bed, Simon saw little Seattle lying quietly beside her mother, wide-eyed and listening as Jennifer read from A Brief History of Time—a book far from suitable for children, let alone infants.
Seeing Simon enter, Jennifer didn't stop reading. She patiently finished the passage before setting the book aside and softly telling her daughter, "That's enough for tonight."
Seattle nodded obediently and, in her tender voice, wished Simon goodnight. "Goodnight, Daddy."
"Goodnight, sweetheart," Simon replied, kissing her soft cheek. He then pointed at the book Jennifer had been reading and asked with a smile, "Do you understand it?"
Jennifer shook her head. "Not really. It was picked by Cyrille."
Their daughter clearly wasn't ready to sleep just yet.
Amused, Simon looked at the small child, who was still less than a year and a half old. "Sweetie, what's this book about?"
Seattle blinked and answered, "The universe."
"Oh," Simon nodded, and asked, "How does it feel?"
Seattle thought for a moment, then said, "Beautiful."
Simon exchanged a glance with Jennifer.
Alright.
If someone could describe a dense science book as "beautiful," they were definitely not an ordinary child.
Jennifer simply smiled and gave Simon a gentle push. "Cyrille and I are going to sleep now. You should go to Janet's side."
Simon nodded, said goodnight to mother and daughter, and left the room. He didn't forget to check in on his two sons, who were both sound asleep. He briefly considered waking them up to read a section of A Brief History of Time and ask for their thoughts, but ultimately decided against it. Instead, he headed to the circular master bedroom of the Shell Villa.
Janet was already fast asleep.
Sensing Simon getting into bed, she instinctively curled up like a kitten, nestling against him. Simon kissed her cheek, whispered goodnight, and smiled when Janet, half-asleep, bit his shoulder before settling back into slumber.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]