Sure enough, Ferran's security was quickly strengthened, but even so, he still relocated—moving from his previous hotel and renting a high-end apartment above the Black Swan Fund building.
This way, he wouldn't have to commute back and forth, simply going upstairs to rest under the protection of his bodyguards.
Even so, he still spent most of his time in the Black Swan Fund offices, only going upstairs under strict protection for bedtime. He had figured it out: it would only last a year or so, and for the dividends that would allow him to leapfrog his class, and for his future prospects, he could endure this near-imprisonment for a year or more.
It wasn't surprising. After all, Ferran O'Neal had previously been a mere financial professional. How could he have experienced something like being kidnapped, something only seen in movies and TV series?
Just like before, he'd just gone to a club after work to find a romantic encounter and relax, only to be violently abducted... This was New York City. Were there any laws?
He was also somewhat thankful that, despite his fear, he still had his sanity. He suspected it might be the work of Wall Street investors who had profited from the Black Swan Fund, but when the other party inquired about the identity of the person behind the operation, he gritted his teeth and refused to reveal His Royal Highness's name. That burly man with a face full of flesh was truly terrifying.
Fortunately, he was quickly released. While the psychological shock was immense, at least Ferran O'Neill hadn't suffered any physical pain.
The reason behind this was obvious; it must have been the intervention of His Royal Highness, the great Duke, who had protected him...
He was truly thankful that he hadn't revealed anything. Otherwise, if His Royal Highness had known, he would have no regard for his safety, and he would have been of no use to his captors... The consequences were unimaginable.
"
Keep an eye on Mr. O'Neal, Mikhail..."
Barron said into the phone.
"Although this is just a 'drill,' I don't want it to actually happen. Don't assume those Wall Street guys are all good and docile. If pushed to the limit, they'd even take down their own leader."
"Don't worry, Your Highness, I'll be watching him."
Yes, this "kidnapping" of Ferran O'Neal was orchestrated by Mikhail. His purpose wasn't just to test his censorship, but also to warn Ferran—after all, his "nightlife" had been a bit too extravagant lately.
Ferran O'Neal was crucial to Barron's strategy for dealing with the subprime mortgage crisis, and he had to ensure he was a qualified "white glove."
As for whether Ferran himself would suspect his side of the operation...
he was a smart man, and even if that thought crossed his mind, he'd discard it.
Wang Wanting acted swiftly. Two days later, Barron met Zhang Junning at her Melbourne villa.
"Ms. Zhang, first of all, I want to know. You've already appeared in a number of films and TV series, some of which were directed by well-known directors. Why are you willing to give up the opportunity to be a star and apply for the position of my personal assistant?"
After Barron asked this question, Zhang Junning didn't seem surprised. She said calmly: "Indeed, if I had continued acting, I would have had good opportunities. My parents talked to me about this many times, and they told me they wanted me to make my own choice: whether to continue on as an actress or to temporarily focus on my studies..."
Many celebrities' paths to the entertainment industry are somewhat unexpected. For example, Chinese goddess Brigitte Lin was discovered by a scout on the street. Janine Chang's story is similar, though more circuitous.
During her sophomore year, Janine Chang was shopping in Ximending when she kindly accepted a part-time student's offer to help her fill out a questionnaire.
After filling out the information, Janine Chang requested only that the student not contact her afterward, as she had no interest in buying it.
Unexpectedly, the student became an assistant at an artist management company a few months later. The company, needing to recruit new talent, remembered Janine Chang, dug up the questionnaire, approached her, and invited her to join the company. Thus began Janine Chang's acting career.
Initially, she only appeared in commercials, music videos, and guest appearances in TV dramas. In 2005, she landed the lead role in the TV series "White Tower," which catapulted her to fame after its 2006 premiere.
As Zhang Junning explains, after appearing in a few more films, she ultimately decided, with her parents' encouragement and careful consideration, to resume her studies and step back from the entertainment industry. She landed a part-time position at Honor Electronics, a company acquired by Caesars Capital and renamed, liaising with Barron's family office. That's when she came into Wang Wanting's sight.
"After returning to my studies for a while, I found something I really enjoyed doing. Honestly, I had some serious second thoughts about the opportunity. Accepting it would have meant dedicating almost my entire attention to it for a while, and adjusting to a new role. But I saw it as a rare opportunity and a significant challenge, and I wanted to give it a try."
Zhang Junning's tone was gentle, yet her words betrayed a woman of strong will and determination.
Barron actually admired her. This was largely due to the fact that in his previous life, Zhang Junning's performance on Bear Grylls' survival show in China had outperformed even many male celebrities. Of
course, taking on the role of Barron's personal assistant would require signing a series of confidentiality agreements and carrying a significant workload, something Zhang Junning had undoubtedly carefully considered.
So, after this conversation, Barron confirmed that Zhang Junning would immediately begin her duties as Barron's personal assistant.
For the first month or so, Zhang Junning would be mentored by Wang Wanting to help her familiarize herself with the job.
Afterward, she would fully assume responsibility and report solely to Barron.
At that time, Wang Wanting would also step down as personal assistant and move to London to give birth.
During this time, she would continue to assist Barron in managing the family office in London.