286-288

*Chapter 286: The Jewish Gala*

Time flies, and before anyone realizes, December 31, 1997, has arrived.

When the clock strikes midnight tonight, it will be a new year.

Tomorrow, Yahoo Inc., hailed globally as the first true internet stock and considered the undisputed internet leader even before going public, will officially announce its IPO.

However, before this groundbreaking moment, New York's elite continue with their routine—dancing at grand balls and hosting extravagant parties.

It’s said that every night in Manhattan, New York, there are over a thousand parties attended by at least twenty millionaires each.

These numbers even surpass Los Angeles—Beverly Hills can’t hold a candle to Manhattan.

As night falls and the city lights up, Manhattan awakens like a colossal beast rising from slumber.

In Times Square, giant billboards flicker with vibrant neon lights, casting their indulgent glow on the bustling crowds below.

On Wall Street, towering office buildings remain brightly lit, standing like beacons of perpetual financial activity.

On the streets, the hum of luxury car engines mingles with the click of high heels on pavement, as elegantly dressed men and women flit between upscale restaurants and exclusive clubs.

From afar, the city's lights shimmer like a cascade of stars fallen to earth, outlining the decadence and allure of a metropolis where every inch of air seems to hum with materialistic desire. This is New York City at night—a portrait of opulence, indulgence, and excess.

---

*Midtown, Hilton Hotel's Golden Ballroom*

A New Year’s Eve gala hosted by the Hilton family is in full swing.

“Contrast! That’s the appeal of the entire reality show. People envy you but can never be you, so they love watching you stumble.”

Milo, attending a Hilton-hosted party for the first time, smiled as he addressed the Hilton sisters.

Facing the two young women, who bore some resemblance but had distinct differences, Milo continued in a relaxed tone, “How you charm them, make them laugh, and turn their jealousy into admiration—that’s up to you.”

In front of him stood two very young women, close in age and somewhat similar in appearance.

The one on the left looked younger, with straight black hair that seemed dyed.

The one on the right appeared older, also with straight hair, but hers was platinum blonde—a stark contrast. Perhaps this was to avoid being called her sister's carbon copy?

A few days ago, at the Kemp family’s engagement party, she had sported blonde hair just as dazzling as Paris’.

Yes, the two young women Milo had his arms around were none other than the Hilton sisters.

In a secluded corner of the ballroom, both girls looked at him with faint smiles, their expressions teasing yet resigned.

His hands were resting on their shapely hips, occasionally giving a daring squeeze.

This corner perfectly concealed their interaction.

From the outside, it simply appeared as though the sisters were huddled close, sharing an intimate conversation with him.

“Let me get this straight—you want Nicky and me to work on a farm, getting all dirty, just to make people laugh?” Paris squinted skeptically.

“Don’t worry; it’s all for show. Your delicate skin won’t suffer at all. The network will edit everything to show what the audience wants,” Milo replied with a smile.

“But why does Nicky have to team up with me? Can’t I work with someone else? I have plenty of girlfriends,” Paris retorted.

“Because Nicky is your sister. With her help, everything you do will have twice the impact. Plus, this is a great opportunity for her to gain experience. She’s bound to take a different career path from you. And besides…”

Milo’s grin turned mischievous, and his grip tightened slightly. “What’s more sensational than two sisters taking center stage together?”

His double entendre earned him an eye-roll from Paris. “Damn it! I should’ve stayed home that day. You’re such a jerk!”

Paris was clearly recalling an incident from a few days ago—specifically, the day after Christmas.

A snowstorm had swept through New York, casting a gloomy sky.

Nicky wasn’t home and hadn’t been answering her phone.

Worried, Paris was on the verge of informing their parents or calling the police when Nicky finally called back, saying she was stuck near Rockefeller Center due to the weather and needed a ride home.

Concerned for her sister, Paris asked the family driver to take her there.

And that was how she essentially delivered herself right into his hands.

In their social circle, as long as there were no children involved, certain indiscretions were overlooked.

Furthermore, Milo’s background was extraordinarily privileged. With his ongoing achievements, he was practically the heir to a modern empire.

The Hilton family, though wealthy and prestigious, was still far from the level of true aristocracy.

To draw a comparison to medieval Europe, if Milo wasn’t a crown prince, he was at least a duke or the heir to a duchy.

The Hiltons, on the other hand, were merely prominent merchant families within the kingdom.

And just as merchant daughters once idolized noblemen, the Hilton sisters viewed Milo in the same light.

With Nicky’s help, Paris inevitably succumbed.

Thus began Milo’s penchant for certain indulgences, furthering his “collection” of conquests.

“I actually think it’s a good idea,” Nicky suddenly chimed in, biting her lip as though seriously considering the reality show concept. “Like Milo said, it’s a chance to gain some... experience.”

“Nicky!” Paris called out in exasperation.

Nicky blinked, realized what she had said, and rolled her eyes. With a subtle wiggle of her hips, she tried to shake off Milo’s hands.

“Isn’t that right?” Milo teased with a wicked grin.

Paris huffed, suddenly linking arms with her sister. “Fine, let’s do it. I’m looking forward to seeing this reality show air.”

With that, she led Nicky away. Milo shrugged, making no effort to follow.

They wouldn’t escape his grasp so easily.

Between the two sisters, Paris was undoubtedly the more strategic thinker.

Her various escapades in her past life, though chaotic, had managed to carve out a certain level of fame.

With Ivanka, her close friend and shining example, Paris knew exactly how to proceed.

She even confided in Milo about her plans to build her own brand, using fame to lay the foundation for a future fashion empire.

Milo, in turn, readily offered to produce a reality show for them, suggesting it be aired on TBC or Universal’s network.

This was beneficial for Paladin Media, as the Hilton name is a prestigious brand.

For the Hilton sisters, this move also catered to the public’s curiosity about their private lives.

The ratings might not be groundbreaking, but they would certainly be decent.

From Paris's perspective, it seemed like a good idea.

As women, it was unlikely they would inherit much of the family business.

Staying within the family would ultimately mean being used as pawns in arranged marriages.

So, it was better to seize the moment while they were still young.

They could secure benefits for themselves, such as creating their own fashion brand or even expanding it into a global empire.

For them, this was a path that seemed achievable.

Connecting with Milo, without a doubt, would make this journey significantly easier.

Once Milo understood their ambitions, he agreed immediately.

He decided to produce a reality show for the two sisters.

“Wait, my dad is coming over,” Paris whispered as Milo’s hands started wandering further.

It turned out that one of tonight’s hosts, Richard William Hilton—Baron Hilton’s sixth son—was walking over with a smile.

Milo had no choice but to pull his hands back. After all, it wouldn’t be appropriate to continue fooling around in front of their father.

He wasn’t that shameless.

“Mr. Blackburn, although I’ve said this many times before, I still want to say it again—thank you so much for attending tonight’s event. The Hiltons truly appreciate it.”

Richard greeted him warmly.

All of New York’s high society knew this:

When Blackburn first arrived in New York, he was quite willing to attend various parties and galas.

But as his status rose and his wealth soared to unimaginable heights, his appearances became increasingly rare.

With examples like the Kemp and Dolan families ahead of him, it was no secret that many families and elites in New York were eager to befriend him.

However, only about 20 or 30 events a year were fortunate enough to have him in attendance, out of the tens of thousands of high-end gatherings New York hosts annually.

For the Hilton family, which organized hundreds of events annually, this was the only time Milo attended one of theirs.

Of course, with Richard’s intelligence, it wasn’t hard to deduce the reason.

Given his daughters' recent activities and their noticeable "changes," it wasn’t difficult to connect the dots.

Yet, Richard didn’t see anything wrong with it.

In fact, he was proud.

He even wanted to tell his daughters, “Well done!”

After all, Baron Hilton had more than one son, and Richard wasn’t particularly outstanding among them.

If it weren’t for his two beautiful daughters who were favored by their grandfather, Richard’s status in the family would be even lower.

Now that his daughters had caught the attention of someone who was arguably the next generation’s leader in America, Richard was naturally thrilled.

It also meant his own position within the family could improve.

For instance, tonight’s prestigious New Year’s gala was personally assigned to him by his father, Baron Hilton, to oversee.

That had never happened before because, even among his more ordinary siblings, Richard was considered somewhat average.

So, Milo’s presence at the event was a great delight for Richard.

As for what it cost his daughters… come on, it wasn’t like they’d lose anything significant.

At most, a little bit of "membranous tissue," and who knows, they might even gain a pound or two of flesh as a result.

What a great deal, wasn’t it?

After all, you couldn’t judge the values of Anglo-Saxon families through a Confucian lens.

“It was Nikki and Paris who invited me,” Milo smiled. “I’m honored to be here, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton.”

He was straightforward, making it clear that he came because of their daughters.

In this, Milo felt very much like a typical Anglo-Saxon person.

Oh? He actually was Anglo-Saxon, with the most authentic lineage?

Well then, never mind.

“Haha…”

Before Milo could finish, Baron Hilton himself arrived. The old man looked spirited tonight.

As the son of Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton Hotels Corporation, Baron had played a pivotal role in ensuring the family’s legacy.

To be honest, if not for his determination, the Hilton family might have gone the way of the Astor family.

Back in 1979, when Conrad Hilton passed away, he left no will or testament.

Baron inherited only a few hundred thousand dollars in cash and a small portion of shares.

The majority of the family’s assets were inexplicably donated to the Roman Catholic Church and a newly established charitable foundation.

Displeased with this arrangement, Baron, who believed he had contributed greatly to the family’s wealth, took the matter to court.

After a nine-year legal battle, he finally won in 1988, gaining voting rights over the shares held by the charitable foundation. This made him the de facto Hilton patriarch, with control over 25% of the family’s voting stock and the ability to receive 60% of the stock’s dividends over the next 20 years.

It’s safe to say the Hilton family narrowly avoided the fate of the Astor family.

Thanks to Baron’s efforts, Hilton Hotels grew from a domestic hotel chain to a globally recognized brand.

Milo understood that by simply showing up tonight, Baron would ensure the moment was fully capitalized.

So, seeing notable figures like George Soros, Sheldon Adelson, Carl Icahn, and representatives from the Goldman and Weinberg families gathered around Baron was no surprise.

As Milo had predicted, once he openly accepted the Hilton sisters, these influential figures swarmed like cats drawn to fish.

This is beneficial for Paladin Media since Hilton’s name is a prestigious brand.

Meanwhile, the lives of the Hilton sisters satisfy many people’s curiosity about the private lives of the wealthy.

The ratings won’t be groundbreaking, but they’ll definitely be decent.

From Paris’s perspective, this seems like a good idea.

As women, they probably wouldn’t inherit a significant portion of the family business.

If they stayed within the family, they’d likely end up as tools for strategic marriages.

So, it’s better to make the most of their youth now.

For example, they could establish their own fashion brand and even expand it to become a major label.

For them, this seems like a relatively achievable path.

Getting close to Milo would undoubtedly make this path much easier for them.

After learning about her thoughts, Milo immediately agreed to create a reality show for the sisters.

"Wait, my dad’s coming over."

Just as Milo’s hands started wandering, Paris suddenly whispered.

It turned out that one of the hosts of tonight’s gala, Richard William Hilton, the sixth son of Barron Hilton, was approaching with a smile.

Milo reluctantly withdrew his hands. He couldn’t exactly continue with their father and mother nearby, could he?

He wasn’t that outrageous.

"Mr. Blackburn, although I’ve already said this many times, I’d like to say it again: We are truly grateful that you could attend tonight’s gala."

As soon as Richard arrived, he began with pleasantries.

Everyone in New York’s high society knew that when Milo Blackburn first came to New York, he was happy to attend various parties and galas.

However, as his status rose and his wealth climbed to extraordinary heights—especially with the examples of the Kemp and Dolan families—New York’s elite vied to befriend him.

Yet, Milo started appearing at fewer and fewer events.

New York hosts an estimated 10,000–20,000 high-end galas annually, but Milo only attends 20 or 30 of them.

For example, the Hilton family hosts at least a hundred parties of various sizes annually, and this is the only one Milo has attended.

With Richard’s intelligence, it wasn’t hard to figure out why.

The recent movements of his daughters and their obvious physical changes made it easy to guess.

But Richard didn’t see anything wrong with it.

He even wanted to tell his daughters, “Well done!”

After all, Barron Hilton had more than one son, and Richard was far from outstanding among them.

If it weren’t for his two beautiful daughters, who were adored by their grandfather, Richard’s position in the family would likely be even lower.

Now, his daughters had caught the attention of someone who was practically one of America’s future leaders.

Richard was naturally pleased.

This meant his status within the family could also rise.

For example, tonight’s important New Year’s gala was personally entrusted to Richard by his father, Barron Hilton.

This hadn’t happened before, as Richard was considered mediocre even among his ordinary siblings.

So, Richard was delighted that Milo had come to the gala.

As for his daughters’ involvement… come on, they weren’t losing anything significant.

At most, a little tissue, and they might even gain something in return.

A net gain, wouldn’t you agree?

After all, you can’t judge the values of Anglo-Saxon families with a Confucian worldview.

"It was Nicky and Paris who invited me," Milo said with a smile. "I’m honored, dear Mr. and Mrs. Hilton."

He didn’t hold back, directly stating that his presence was thanks to their daughters.

In this sense, Milo felt quite like an Anglo-Saxon himself.

Wait, wasn’t he one of the most authentic Anglo-Saxons by blood? Never mind, then.

"Haha…"

Just as Milo finished speaking, Barron Hilton himself approached. The old man looked particularly spirited tonight.

Barron Hilton was the son of Conrad Hilton, the founder of Hilton Hotels.

To be honest, if it weren’t for his efforts, the Hilton family might not have its current prominence.

In the late 1970s, when Barron’s father, Conrad Hilton, passed away, he left no will or testament.

It was 1979.

Barron only inherited a few hundred thousand dollars in cash and a small portion of stock.

The majority of the family assets were inexplicably donated to the Roman Catholic Church and a newly established charitable foundation.

Barron was dissatisfied with this distribution, believing he had contributed significantly to the family’s wealth and deserved to inherit the family business. He took the matter to court.

After nine years of legal battles, in 1988, Barron won and gained voting rights over the charitable foundation’s stock. This allowed him to control 25% of the voting rights in Hilton Hotels and receive 60% of the trust fund’s dividends over the next 20 years.

It’s fair to say the Hilton family narrowly avoided the fate of the Astor family.

Barron’s leadership and determination prevented the Hilton family from facing the same downfall.

Under his leadership, Hilton transformed from a local American hotel group into a globally recognized brand.

So, Milo knew that his presence at the gala would be fully leveraged by Barron Hilton.

Thus, it was no surprise to see prominent figures like George Soros, Sheldon Adelson, Carl Icahn, and members of the Goldman and Weinberg families surrounding Barron Hilton.

Indeed, as Milo had predicted, once he semi-publicly accepted the Hilton sisters, the elite families swarmed like cats smelling fish.

Without the slightest hint of subtlety or hesitation, he appeared right in front of him.

It occurred to him that if he hadn’t been here, at least three-quarters of the people present wouldn’t have attended Hilton’s banquet.

"Mr. Blackburn, good evening. I hope tonight won’t bore you," Barron was the first to come over and shake his hand.

Milo smiled and said, "No, how could I be bored? With Nicky and Paris around, it’s never dull anywhere."

Since they were being so straightforward, Milo didn’t mind putting on a little performance to act like a shameless flirt.

Though, to be fair, there was no need to act—he was one by nature.

“Haha…” Barron Hilton laughed heartily again, seeming completely unbothered by Milo’s playful remarks about his two granddaughters. "They’re quite fond of you as well, dear Mr. Blackburn. Please allow me to introduce you to…"

"This is…"

(End of chapter)

Chapter 287: 1998

Yahoo’s IPO was a spectacular event, following in the footsteps of the already legendary Paladin Media’s public offering.

Milo was intimately familiar with the intricacies of taking a company public, thanks to his prior experience.

There’s no need for elaborate descriptions—the process followed the usual fanfare: a massive crowd gathered at the New York Stock Exchange, celebrating wildly.

Finally, the day arrived. As the bell rang, Yahoo, founded in 1994 and now approaching its fourth year, officially went public on January 1, 1998.

Unsurprisingly, its opening price surged over 56% above the initial offering, with subscriptions exceeding 330%.

By the market close, Yahoo’s stock had skyrocketed a staggering 235%, and its market capitalization surpassed $200 billion the moment trading began.

This achievement ignited the entire NASDAQ sector, lifting it to unprecedented heights.

Internet stocks across the board saw increases of over 5%, with Netscape—the pioneering internet stock—leading the charge.

Netscape had been in decline ever since competition from Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and other browsers began eroding its market share. Its stock price had been consistently falling.

But Yahoo’s IPO reinvigorated Netscape, especially as publicity reminded investors that Milo had once been a shareholder.

With retail investors unable to buy Yahoo shares and institutions eager to capitalize, Netscape's stock rebounded, soaring from $20 per share to over $40.

Ironically, its percentage increase outpaced even Yahoo’s.

Within a week of Yahoo’s IPO, the NASDAQ index surged from 1,650 on December 31, 1997, to 1,980 by January 7, 1998—an increase of over 300 points in just seven days.

While the NASDAQ typically fluctuates more than the Dow Jones, such dramatic growth in such a short time was unmistakably influenced by Yahoo’s IPO.

Even the Dow Jones rode this wave, and the entire U.S. stock market, buoyed by internet stocks, bristled with vitality.

Almost every media outlet proclaimed: *“The bull market has arrived!”*

By mid-January, Yahoo’s market value exceeded $300 billion.

It was clear that Yahoo wasn’t just another company; it was a catalyst, a spark for something far bigger.

Having feasted on the collapse of the Soviet Union and subsequent economic crises in South America and Asia, American investors now turned their sights on global capital and foreign institutions.

Yahoo’s IPO was their bait, a way to lure everyone into North America for a massive, market-wide gamble.

Before Yahoo’s IPO, internet company listings faced numerous restrictions and rigorous scrutiny. Afterward, however, U.S. regulations on internet IPOs eased significantly, effectively giving these companies the green light.

What followed was a frenzy.

Startups with barely functioning products—or no products at all—operating out of garages, basements, or cheap motels were suddenly valued at tens of millions or even billions of dollars.

Investors eagerly traded cash for shares in so-called internet companies, many of which had yet to prove they could deliver anything.

Thus began a new chapter of irrational exuberance:

- January 16, 1998: Yahoo’s market value surpassed $300 billion.

- January 25, 1998: Yahoo’s market value climbed to $350 billion.

- February 6, 1998: Yahoo officially crossed the $400 billion mark.

- May 1, 1998: Yahoo’s market value breached $500 billion.

By that time, Yahoo had become the world’s most valuable publicly traded company, and its meteoric rise finally began to slow.

---

### May 3, 1998

#### Malibu, California

The May landscape of Malibu Beach was like a dream.

Soft sand stretched endlessly underfoot, each grain glittering like gold—a plush carpet meticulously crafted by nature.

The sky was a pristine sapphire blue, blending seamlessly with the vast ocean at the horizon. The breathtaking unity of sea and sky left one utterly mesmerized.

Gentle sea breezes carried the salty tang of the ocean and the warmth of sunlight, creating a perfect, soothing atmosphere.

Waves rhythmically lapped the shore, leaving frothy trails in their wake. The sand, the waves, and the sky combined to form a scene so beautiful it was almost otherworldly.

Amidst this idyllic setting, Sophie Marceau watched the commotion on the beach with a conflicted expression.

She was reclining under a sunshade, her gaze fixed on a group of toddlers wobbling unsteadily but enthusiastically as they played in the sand.

Among them were her two twin daughters, Lily and Rose.

The girls, now over two years old, were being bossed around by a younger boy as they built sandcastles together.

Though little Paladin wasn’t bullying them, Sophie couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation watching her daughters obediently follow the commands of a child barely older than one.

With the help of their nannies, the children managed to build an impressive series of sandcastles, though the process was chaotic.

Paladin marked out the area while Lily and Rose happily shoveled sand. Little Andy fetched buckets of sand, diligently providing "materials" for his two hardworking sisters.

The result: over a dozen overturned sandcastles lined the beach, forming an impressive little kingdom.

“They seem to be having fun,” said a gentle voice, snapping Sophie out of her reverie.

She turned to see Milo, shirtless, with a half-year-old baby crawling on his chest.

On his other side, Italian actress Monica Bellucci, glowing and curvaceous post-pregnancy, lounged under the shade wearing sunglasses, much like Sophie.

It was a small family vacation—though an unconventional one.

The only oddity was that the children had different mothers.

Still, from Milo’s perspective, as long as the kids played together peacefully, that was a success.

---

Five months had passed since Yahoo’s IPO.

Milo’s position as a short-term "internet overlord" was now even more secure.

As internet stock prices soared, the ultimate peak seemed only six months away.

In fact, Milo was already planning to start gradually selling his Yahoo shares next month.

Over the course of a year, he aimed to cash out most of his holdings, targeting mid-to-late 1999 as his exit point.

*An Internet Crisis Two Years Early in a Parallel Universe*

Under their reckless exploitation, the crisis is very likely to emerge sooner than expected.

Over the past five months, apart from dabbling in the internet, Milo hasn't been idle with other matters either.

For example, during the chaos in Canada, he seized an opportune moment to get involved, making his move.

He successfully coerced the fiercely competing Morgans, Rockefellers, and Rothschilds into conceding many benefits to him.

Today, Milo could confidently claim his place as one of the big players in America’s backyard.

In other areas, things have been relatively steady. Paladin Media continues to solidify its position as a global media giant.

Phillips Energy is undergoing restructuring, which, when complete, will officially make it a member of the Boston Consortium.

Blackburn Bank capitalized on the chaos in Canada to significantly expand its presence there.

Beyond these developments, Milo's ventures haven't seen major changes. After all, it’s only been five months.

Milo stood up, kissed Sophie and Monica, who were both wearing sunglasses, then casually set down his glass of lemonade. Barefoot, he walked over to take a look at the kids’ “big project.”

“Not bad, not bad, kids. How about building castles like this on Mars someday?”

“Dad, what’s Mars?”

The younger siblings, still learning to talk, spoke with slightly unclear diction. The oldest twin sisters, however, had already learned quite a few words.

Lily looked up at her tall, bear-like dad. “Dad, where is Mars?”

Milo laughed heartily and pointed to the azure sky above. “Up there, in the heavens above!”

“Okay, let’s do what Dad says and build castles in the sky someday,” Rose replied with firm determination.

“Hahaha!” Milo’s laughter grew even louder.

Not far away, little Paladin called out to Andy. The two brothers, carrying sand buckets, walked over to Lily and Rose with great effort.

Paladin placed his bucket down first, then waited for Andy to do the same. Still catching his breath, he patted his older brother’s shoulder. “Awesome job~~”

The mixed-race boy beamed at the praise from his younger brother, clearly delighted.

Milo chuckled as he watched his children play for a while, then stepped away. Soon, Kenny approached. “The Koreans have arrived.”

Milo nodded and pointed to an empty stretch of beach to the left, where a few umbrellas and lounge chairs were set up.

“Have them wait there. I’ll head over shortly.”

Kenny nodded in acknowledgment.

A short while later, several Korean chaebol heads, accustomed to being treated like royalty in their homeland, were waiting there for him.

Milo, taking his time, eventually strolled over.

---

*On the Other Side of the Beach*

Among the crowd accompanying the Korean chaebol leaders:

“Are all of those really his children?”

In a light purple, five-sleeve chiffon dress that shimmered under the sunlight, Lin Shiling looked at Milo, surrounded by her father and others. She then turned to her future sister-in-law, Princess Lee Fu-jung of the Stars Group.

Dressed in a white, long shirt and chiffon trousers, Lee Fu-jung narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly and shook her head with an indifferent expression. In a soft voice, she replied in English, “There are many rumors about him. It’s said that he has a particular enthusiasm for having children with his mistresses. I’d say it’s just as you suspect—those are all his kids.”

The Korean chaebols hadn’t come here secretly.

They, along with South Korea’s newly appointed leader, had formed an economic delegation to visit the United States.

The group was large, comprising several hundred people.

Both Lee Fu-jung and Lin Shiling had come as representatives of the Stars Group.

Some might question Lin Shiling’s connection to the Stars Group, given her last name.

The reason? At the end of last year, Lin Shiling got engaged to Lee Jae-yong, the Stars Group's crown prince.

Now the future princess of the Stars Group, she was naturally considered part of the Lee family.

Even if she hadn’t yet married into the family, her background as a member of the Lin family, the founders of the Elephant Group, made her more than qualified to join this economic delegation.

Because of this connection, Lin Shiling had a reasonably good relationship with her future sister-in-law, Lee Fu-jung.

Lin Shiling asked hesitantly, “Do we really have to cooperate with him? Won’t… won’t we just get swallowed up?”

Lee Fu-jung chuckled softly. “Cooperate? Calling it cooperation is putting it nicely. We’re well aware of our position in this ecosystem.”

Lin Shiling fell silent.

Indeed, it was just as Lee Fu-jung said.

South Korea, in polite terms, was an important ally of the United States in East Asia.

In less flattering terms, everyone knew the reality.

There had been some economic autonomy in the past.

But after the crises of the past two years, even the last vestiges of economic freedom were gone.

With stationed troops, the prosecutor system, and economic controls in place, the country was tightly gripped from top to bottom.

Smart people like Lin Shiling and Lee Fu-jung understood the situation all too well.

But what could they do about it?

If even the men couldn’t break free, what chance did women like them have?

Now, with Lee Jae-yong’s wedding approaching, any hopes Lee Fu-jung had of being involved in the Stars Group’s affairs had vanished.

Her father had mercilessly sidelined her, leaving her only a family hotel to manage and nothing more.

Her future held no options beyond an arranged marriage.

Just like Lin Shiling, who was forced to marry her brother. After the wedding, Lin Shiling would have to give up her university education and move to the United States to care for her husband during his Ph.D. studies at Harvard.

This was their fate as daughters of a small chaebol aristocracy.

Compared to the many spoiled and willful heiresses of American and European elite families, the heiresses of smaller chaebols in Korea and Japan had much more miserable lives, to be honest.

“There’s a mixed-race child,” Lin Shiling whispered to Lee Fujing. “It’s said that a woman from Japan had a child with him…”

“That’s no secret.”

Lee Fujing shook her head. “A few months ago, I even met her in Tokyo. Sumitomo Junko. Honestly, I admire her.”

Though she had to submit to the Americans and even bear children for them, Sumitomo Junko’s Sumitomo United Group had now become one of the rising giants in Japan.

With the power of the man backing her, Sumitomo Junko had become a very unique figure in both Japan and Korea.

On one hand, nearly everyone was trying to distance themselves from her; on the other, no one dared to offend her.

Whenever Sumitomo Junko wanted, she could attend events at the Imperial Palace without issue, and if she didn’t want to, no one dared disturb her.

This kind of status and privilege—truthfully—left Lee Fujing and Lin Shiling, once similar heiresses in the Japan-Korea region, filled with both disdain outwardly and deep envy inwardly.

“Sigh…” Lin Shiling let out a sigh and lifted her head to look again at her sister-in-law and former best friend. “Fujing, are you really going to be with your driver? Father will be furious—heartbroken, even.”

“We’re in love,” Lee Fujing bit her lip and said through gritted teeth.

“In love. Ha.”

Lin Shiling sneered inwardly.

It was nothing more than an act of love to avoid leaving the Lee family. She’d rather marry beneath her station than be used as a pawn for a political alliance marriage.

She was simply afraid of ending up like Lin Shiling herself—married off as a tool for family connections, with no way to maintain her standing or pursue her own interests in the Lee family.

Lin Shiling had long understood Lee Fujing’s thoughts.

Back then, when they were still close friends, Lin Shiling had supported her.

But now, Lin Shiling was about to marry into the Lee family herself.

The benefits Lee Fujing had been working toward would now, in part, become Lin Shiling’s as well.

This made Lin Shiling much less fond of Lee Fujing’s actions.

With that thought, Lin Shiling fell silent and stopped engaging with Lee Fujing.

After all, in the future, they were highly likely to become rivals over family wealth.

Isn’t that the reality?

In theory, becoming both best friends and family members should have brought them closer together.

But this was reality—the cold, harsh reality of internal struggles within a chaebol family.

Ultimately, it all boiled down to self-interest.

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 288: Semiconductors and the Maiden

In May, Malibu Beach in Los Angeles basked in golden sunlight. The sky was clear like a sapphire, with a few wispy clouds drifting like delicate gauze.

Under the radiant sun, the golden sands stretched endlessly, the fine grains shimmering softly.

Gentle waves caressed the shore, rolling up layers of white foam, blending seamlessly with the azure sky—a perfect natural masterpiece.

A mild sea breeze carried the salty, unique aroma of the ocean, mixed with a faint scent of seaweed.

However, at this moment, Joo Bon-mu, Lee Keon-hee, Jung Mong-koo, and other corporate magnates from the small peninsula nation had no time to admire the picturesque scenery, foreign to their homeland.

Standing before them was a man as imposing as a bear.

Though his face bore a smile, complemented by his handsome features, giving him an approachable demeanor, everyone present knew this was but a façade.

Behind this façade lay a stark reality—a man whose decisions could collapse a nation’s economy or determine the life and death of conglomerates.

He was one of the most powerful figures behind the world's most powerful nation.

Without hesitation, Jung Mong-koo was the first to speak. "Mr. Blackburn, good afternoon."

Ever since pressing the button that sent his brother plummeting from over 30 stories high, Jung Mong-koo had firmly established himself as the leading representative of Blackburn’s interests in the peninsula.

Whether it was his attitude toward American elites or his cooperation with American investments in his homeland, Jung Mong-koo was always the most compliant and cooperative.

Now, with a group of over a dozen corporate leaders visiting the United States, Jung Mong-koo believed himself to be the most important among them, taking the initiative to greet first.

"Good afternoon," Milo Blackburn responded with a polite smile, looking at the distinguished group from the peninsula.

"The sun's a bit strong. Let’s move under the umbrellas to talk."

Naturally, Jung Mong-koo and the others dared not refuse.

The group gathered under a few beach umbrellas, though the number was insufficient. Only Milo and a few key figures, including Jung Mong-koo, could enjoy the shade.

The remaining business tycoons had no choice but to stand on the sunny periphery, listening intently to the conversation between the core representatives and their American counterpart.

"I understand the purpose of your visit."

After taking a seat, Milo began with ease. "You’ve come at the right time. The Japanese are being uncooperative—their semiconductor development is advancing too quickly. That’s something we cannot allow."

Japan's semiconductor industry had once reached the pinnacle of the world, despite its modest beginnings.

In 1953, Sony had discovered transistor technology during a visit to the United States. Attempting to replicate the technology back in Japan proved challenging; even when successful, the performance of their transistors couldn’t match that of American products.

The consensus in Japan’s industry at the time was that even copying semiconductor technology was an extraordinary achievement.

Recognizing the importance of semiconductors, the Japanese government mobilized nearly all major industrial enterprises to enter the field.

An American observer described the situation: "From 1981 to 1985, as Japan began its rise, American semiconductor companies melted away like ice cream in summer."

During this period, AMD’s net profits fell by two-thirds, Texas Instruments posted its first loss in history, and Intel, America’s emerging powerhouse, was forced to close seven chip factories in 1985.

Japan's rise in semiconductors deeply shook the United States, compelling it to take decisive action.

By 1985, Japan had become the global leader in semiconductors, prompting the U.S. to launch the first "U.S.-Japan Semiconductor War" the following year.

This conflict culminated in Japan signing the U.S.-Japan Semiconductor Agreement.

The agreement’s core stipulation required the Japanese government to enforce minimum pricing on exported chips, effectively cutting off Japan’s lucrative chip exports to the U.S. and Europe.

The repercussions of Japan’s success prompted a chain reaction in the U.S.

From then on, whenever another country seemed poised to challenge its dominance in a particular field, the U.S. would respond with vigorous opposition—foreshadowing the later campaign against Chinese semiconductor advancements.

Despite these suppressive measures, Japan’s semiconductor industry demonstrated remarkable resilience. Between 1985 and 1991, six of the world’s top ten chip companies were Japanese.

This persistence alarmed the Americans, prompting them to intensify their efforts.

This time, however, the U.S. adopted a subtler approach. Instead of outright dismantling Japan’s semiconductor industry, they pressured Japan to transfer its technology and industrial assets, weakening Japan’s capabilities indirectly.

The chosen recipient of this transfer? South Korea.

The decision was straightforward:

1. The U.S. didn’t need so many semiconductor companies domestically.

2. Europe’s growing unity ruled it out as a beneficiary.

3. Israel, though advanced, was too small and geopolitically unstable.

4. China and Russia were non-starters due to ideological opposition.

5. Southeast Asia, while viable, had too many ethnic Chinese influences, raising security concerns.

In the end, South Korea, America’s loyal ally, was the natural choice.

Under U.S. support, Japan’s semiconductor assets were transferred to South Korea, fueling its rise in the industry. Without this assistance, South Korea’s small market size and limited resources made independent success unlikely.

By 1998, this pivotal period in South Korea’s semiconductor ascent, the nation’s new leadership sought to expedite the transfer of Japan’s assets under U.S. pressure.

The Japanese, of course, would never willingly agree.

The situation resembled a strong owner raising two dogs—one robust, one weaker.

Now the owner demanded the stronger dog share its food with the weaker one.

The weaker dog was delighted, but the stronger dog had no choice but to submit, eyeing the owner’s stick.

However, the weaker dog didn’t dare snatch the food directly, knowing it would be beaten savagely.

Thus, the weaker dog and its family appealed to the owner to redistribute the food more quickly.

And the owner? Naturally, no master does anything for free. If the weaker dog gained from the stronger one, it would have to repay its master—whether by guarding the house or earning money.

This was precisely why Jung Mong-koo and the others had come to visit.

Additionally, Milo still had plans to visit other hosts, as the number of stakeholders in the United States was indeed considerable.

At this moment, looking at the bowing and nodding executives from South Korea's conglomerates, Milo decided to cut to the chase.

“You’re heading to Washington next, right? Go ahead. Trust me, Washington will give you an answer that will satisfy you this time,” Milo said.

In fact, Milo had already received word from Congress.

The division of benefits had been finalized, and it pleased everyone to see the Japanese interests take a hit, allowing South Korea to gain more benefits this time around.

When the South Korean representatives headed to Washington, it was merely a formality.

No matter how unwilling the Japanese might be, it didn’t matter.

After all, their role in the grand scheme of things was as America’s watchdog in the Western Pacific, keeping an eye on the two strong powers in the region.

And like any dog, what it could or could not eat was ultimately determined by its master.

Thus, Jung Mong-koo and his team received confirmation from Milo that reassured them.

They left with their heads bowed, brimming with confidence about their upcoming trip to Washington.

Not long after, the group departed with polite nods and bows.

Milo didn’t linger long in Malibu either.

After spending a couple of pleasant days with his family, he returned to work.

This time, however, he didn’t go back to New York but stayed in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles was the de facto entertainment headquarters of Paladin Media, unlike its administrative headquarters in New York.

After all, Paladin Media balanced entertainment and media operations.

If New York was the media hub, then Los Angeles was the heart of entertainment.

Currently, Milo had largely delegated the production and development of films under Paladin Media’s Universal and Paladin Films divisions to professionals.

He had handed over most of the scripts he had stored in his mind and left subsequent production and planning to the experts.

When it came to films, Milo now only paid attention to developing high-value intellectual properties (IPs) for the future.

For example, the Harry Potter series, based on his own novels, was in the works for a live-action film adaptation.

Similarly, after acquiring Marvel, the company was actively developing a cinematic universe for superheroes.

Paladin Media was even eyeing the acquisition of Hasbro, primarily for its potential IP, Transformers.

Whether for movies or global toy sales, Transformers was a true cash cow.

Of course, beyond the work geared toward making money, Milo hadn’t forgotten his original reason for diving into Hollywood when he first arrived in Los Angeles.

What had driven him to Hollywood in the first place, even at the cost of being mocked by insiders?

Wasn’t it for the Hollywood starlets he could only admire from afar in his past life—those untouchable screen goddesses?

For instance, Jessica Alba, who had just caught his eye.

Jessica Alba, a child star, made her debut in the 1994 film Camp Nowhere.

However, due to the influence of Paladin Films and Paladin Media, her career trajectory had diverged slightly from its original path.

After appearing in the 1995 TV series Flipper, she gained some fame and was scouted by talent agents from Lola Agency, leaving her previous management.

Over the next two years, she acted in numerous films produced by Universal and Paladin Films, though most of her roles were minor.

This was why Milo hadn’t noticed her until now.

This time, she had been cast as the female lead in the upcoming Marvel superhero film, Spider-Man, which finally brought her to Milo’s attention.

Speaking of Spider-Man, it was another instance of Milo successfully wresting control from Japanese interests.

In the early 1990s, Marvel was struggling financially and had to sell off its superhero IPs to stay afloat.

The X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man were among those sold.

While the first two ended up with Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, Spider-Man was acquired by Columbia Pictures, a Sony subsidiary.

Murdoch was hard to deal with due to his significant backing.

But Sony? Even its semiconductor division had been pressured into compliance.

Naturally, returning Spider-Man to Marvel’s superhero family wasn’t a request Sony could refuse.

Thus, Spider-Man smoothly made his way back.

As Marvel’s most popular superhero, capable of rivaling DC’s Superman and Batman, Spider-Man was chosen as the first Marvel film to be produced under Paladin Media.

When the movie was set for production, Milo only then became aware of it.

Upon learning that Tobey Maguire had been cast as Spider-Man without his involvement, Milo was satisfied with the choice.

As for the female lead, he found out she was a young, relatively unknown actress with a modest background and a low fee.

That actress turned out to be Jessica Alba.

At 17, she piqued Milo’s curiosity.

Without him even asking, his subtle interest in Jessica was quickly noticed by the film’s executives, who sent her to Milo’s Beverly Hills mansion.

The young actress left a lasting impression on him.

Their meeting began casually, with light conversation about her past projects and her work with the company.

After a few minutes of idle chatter, an awkward silence fell.

Then, unexpectedly, the previously nervous and uneasy girl stood up.

She began removing her clothes, one piece at a time, until she was completely bare.

Milo didn’t say a word, merely watching quietly as she revealed her petite and youthful form.

It was fully and completely revealed before him.

Facing this, it was a perfect interpretation of the allure of a flower bud on the verge of blooming.

Even someone as worldly and experienced as Milo couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

Jessica didn’t speak; she simply bit her lip and looked at him.

Although she tried her best to maintain the calmness she had displayed during her audition in the studio,

her heaving chest had already betrayed her inner emotions.

Even so, she managed to pull it off.

And with such decisiveness.

It made Milo think—no wonder in her past life, she could succeed even without him.

With this level of decisiveness and sharp perception.

Honestly, for a normal girl her age,

most wouldn’t be able to do it.

That’s probably why she was able to succeed.

(End of chapter)