284-285

Chapter 284: This Time the Goal is to Elect a Senator

Fraternities and sororities are social organizations commonly found on American college campuses.

Due to the secrecy surrounding their initiation rituals and processes, fraternities are often seen as more mysterious compared to other campus organizations.

This is especially true in private elite schools, where wealthy students tend to cluster, and fraternities are widespread.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the purpose of fraternities is to enjoy life together during college and help each other succeed after graduation.

They are often regarded as “the coolest” group of people in the mainstream North American campus culture.

Despite the steady stream of negative news and even criminal cases involving fraternities, many students—Harvard and Yale freshmen included—are still eager to join and undergo the “initiation process.”

Why? Many believe joining a fraternity offers access to an elite social circle and various advantages in social life.

Even if they face short-term humiliation or hazing during initiation, many feel it’s a worthwhile trade.

“Endure temporary hardship for future success,” as the saying goes.

Moreover, once they are members, they can subject new recruits to the same hazing, deriving a twisted sense of satisfaction.

Having suffered themselves, they are often unwilling to let others escape the same fate.

Naturally, Harvard also has its fraternities and sororities.

As one of Harvard's top students, members of the Blackburn family typically face no barriers to joining and even become key figures in their fraternities.

They don’t have to worry about hazing or bullying targeting them.

Much like the privileged children of aristocrats, they are untouchable.

Even the noble Paladin Joseph Blackburn IV, during his fraternity days, reportedly indulged in some questionable activities.

As for Milo, it's probably fortunate he didn’t spend too much time studying at Harvard.

Otherwise, during his fraternity days, Milo’s original self likely would have made life unbearable for many new members.

However, the current Milo has no interest in these indulgences of wealthy kids.

He spent his afternoon enjoying time at the library with his sister-in-law.

By early evening, the two returned to Blackburn Manor in Plymouth.

In the crisp, cold air, the Blackburn Castle was bathed in the soft hues of twilight, its stone walls glowing warmly in the sunset’s golden light.

The castle grounds, blanketed in snow, sparkled with twinkling fairy lights and glistening snowflakes.

In the distance, wisps of smoke curled from chimneys, mingling with the mist to add a touch of warmth to the serene evening.

Inside, the castle was ablaze with light and, like much of America at this time, filled with the festive cheer of Christmas.

But unlike previous years, the Blackburn Manor's main living room was particularly lively this Christmas.

The reason? Haley Harrison Blackburn and Paladin Joseph Blackburn IV’s “posthumous child” — Paladin Milo V Blackburn.

The little one was affectionately called "Little Paladin."

Sometimes referred to as Milo V, he was named after our Milo, who is the fourth in the family line.

When Milo and Haley walked in, they immediately spotted Little Paladin, who was now walking and running but not yet jumping.

The toddler was chasing after his grandmother, trying to grab her clothing.

Old Blackburn and Joseph sat on antique sofas dating back to the Civil War, smiling warmly as they watched the playful scene.

“Come on, catch me, dear Little Paladin!”

“If you catch me, Grandma will give you this lucky rabbit’s foot.”

“Almost! Oh, look, your mommy and uncle are back!”

“….”

Seeing Milo and Haley return from Harvard, Laura knelt down with a laugh and hugged her grandson.

“Ah, you caught me! Here you go, dear, but no licking it, and definitely no eating—oh no, I just said that!”

Laura quickly snatched the lucky rabbit’s foot from her grandson’s mouth, afraid the teething toddler might actually bite into it.

Little Paladin, upset at losing his toy, let out a dissatisfied cry.

But his face lit up as he spotted his mom and "uncle."

The toddler stretched his arms toward them and called out in a sweet voice, “Mom, Dad… Hug.”

The word “Dad” brought mixed expressions to the faces of the Blackburn family members.

Fortunately, there were no servants present during this intimate family moment.

“It’s ‘uncle,’ not ‘dad,’” Laura corrected her grandson as she set him down.

As soon as Little Paladin was free from his grandmother’s arms, he rushed toward his mom—only to be intercepted midway by his "uncle," who picked him up with a laugh.

“I’m his uncle and his godfather,” Milo said confidently. “If my dear Little Paladin wants to call me Dad, I see no problem with that, right?”

After planting a kiss on the toddler’s cheek, Milo glanced around at the family.

Laura pressed a hand to her forehead in exasperation.

Old Blackburn maintained his usual kind smile, while Joseph let out a cold snort.

Haley, meanwhile, feigned indifference.

As for Little Paladin, he struggled in vain to escape Milo’s arms and reach his mom, eventually giving up with a pout and tearfully repeating, “Dad.”

It was as if he hoped Milo would let him go so he could return to his mom.

“Come over here,” Old Blackburn said, gesturing to Milo.

He pointed to an empty American-style armchair beside him, indicating he wanted to have a chat.

Realizing that her father-in-law and husband were about to have a private conversation with Milo, Laura took the opportunity to gesture to Haley.

“We’ll go prepare Christmas dinner,” she said, taking her grandson and daughter-in-law out of the manor's most important living room.

Milo confidently sat down directly between his grandfather and father.

At this point, he had developed a thick enough skin to completely ignore his father’s disapproving glare.

After all, everything the family needed to know, they already knew.

As for the things they weren’t supposed to know—well, even if there were suspicions, so what?

Paladin Milo V Blackburn, the newest member of the Blackburn family.

He was, without a doubt, the son of Paladin and Haley!

As for how Haley managed to give birth to her late husband’s son more than a year after his death...

Hadn’t they heard of Harvard Medical School's cutting-edge cryopreservation technology?

With this technology, a man’s sperm could be preserved for up to 50 years.

Later, it could be thawed and used with in-vitro fertilization techniques to help a woman conceive!

Paladin, after being diagnosed with an illness, had undergone the procedure to freeze his sperm before starting chemotherapy.

Ultimately, this technology was used to help Haley conceive, resulting in little Paladin's birth.

If Haley wanted, she could even have one child per year using this method—right up until she turned fifty!

And every single one of them would be her and Paladin’s biological children.

Yes, this was the official story the Blackburn family was presenting to the world.

What? Some people say Harvard’s technology didn’t become mature until 1996?

But Paladin passed away in early 1995?

Believe it or don’t—it makes no difference!

The family had crafted the perfect explanation for themselves, and that was enough.

Because of this well-rehearsed narrative, the relationship between Milo and Haley had become semi-public within the family.

Milo no longer worried about how the elders might react to it.

At this moment, Old Blackburn smiled kindly.

The elderly man looked at his rebellious but extraordinarily talented and fiercely loyal grandson.

Once Milo sat down, the old man began, “I was just discussing with your father whether or not I should run for a Senate seat next year.”

Hearing his grandfather's opening line, Milo raised an eyebrow.

Nearly twenty years ago, Old Blackburn had been forced out of American politics.

It could be said that after Kennedy’s death, Boston’s influence and control over Washington had steadily waned.

Old Blackburn, a former GOP whip with close ties to Kennedy, had spent the past two decades in semi-retirement.

But just as he had resigned himself to fading into obscurity and meeting his maker—and perhaps Kennedy too—things took a surprising turn.

After losing his exceptionally talented son Paladin, Blackburn had gained someone even more remarkable: Milo Blackburn.

In just a few short years, the GOP had actively invited Old Blackburn to return to the fray.

Without doing much of anything, the elder statesman found himself back in Congress as the current GOP whip.

Meanwhile, Old Blackburn’s son, Joseph, had transitioned from being a relatively unremarkable Massachusetts congressman to becoming a member of the administration’s cabinet.

Now, Joseph served as the Secretary of Defense—the highest-ranking civilian with influence over the military in the United States.

It was clear to both Old Blackburn and Joseph that all of this was thanks to Milo.

So, when Milo acted out in other areas, the two men simply turned a blind eye.

They even stepped in to help him cover up his antics.

At this moment, after consulting with his advisors and confidants, Old Blackburn was contemplating running for one of Massachusetts’ two Senate seats next year.

“Of course,” Milo responded without hesitation. “Of the three branches, at least one must belong to the Blackburns. Without that, Massachusetts has no Blackburn.”

Senator, Governor, Attorney General—these were the three top powers within any U.S. state.

A senator wielded legislative authority, the governor held executive power, and the attorney general oversaw the judicial branch.

Hearing Milo’s declaration, both Old Blackburn and Joseph smiled simultaneously.

Although they had expected this response and knew Milo would likely have suggested it himself even if they hadn’t brought it up, having his explicit endorsement still gave them a sense of relief.

Because they understood.

Their power no longer comes from the original strength of the Blackburn family.

Instead, it comes from Milo, who left the Blackburn family’s base and achieved immense success elsewhere—in California, New York, and other places outside their traditional strongholds.

"Who will be our opponent next year? I recall the senator from Massachusetts; is it one donkey and one elephant? Who’s up for re-election next year?" Milo asked.

In the United States, each of the fifty states has only two senators.

The term is five years, with elections held every five years.

The two senators from each state have staggered election cycles.

"It’s Gwen Gilbert from the Donkey Party," Joseph replied. "Even for us, there’s no way the Donkey Party would voluntarily give up next year. They’ll absolutely go all out to compete with us."

Senate seats are extremely limited—just two per state.

Currently, Massachusetts has one senator from each party.

The Donkey Party would never stand by and watch as their Senate seat is taken by the Elephant Party.

Even if Gwen Gilbert wanted to withdraw, those backing him in the Donkey Party would never allow it.

Since the days of Kennedy, Massachusetts has been a solidly blue state—

Some might ask: Kennedy was a Donkey, but old Blackburn was an Elephant.

How did they end up working together back then?

The reason is simple. For a long time,

Elephants and Donkeys in America were not as polarized as they are today.

Someone could be an Elephant today and easily switch to being a Donkey tomorrow if it suited them.

In fact, just a few decades ago, there was even a significant role reversal between the two parties.

If he had wanted to, young Blackburn could have easily switched to the Donkey Party.

But he didn’t.

Because his close friend Kennedy asked him to stay in the Elephant Party.

Kennedy wanted Blackburn to act as his inside ally and assistant.

This was also why, after Kennedy’s downfall,

Blackburn faced such severe retribution.

So now, in Massachusetts—a deeply blue state—

For old Blackburn, a former “traitor” to the Elephant Party,

To step forward and compete against the Donkey Party for a Senate seat?

Honestly, under normal circumstances, it would be nearly impossible to succeed.

But Milo didn’t care. He waved his hand and said, "Is ten billion dollars enough?"

Joseph: "Huh?"

Old Blackburn: "…"

"I’m saying, if I put up ten billion dollars to help Grandfather run for office, would that be enough?"

Joseph: "…"

Old Blackburn chuckled, shaking his head. "No, that’s not necessary."

Last year, the campaign funds for the national presidential election

Were only about $1.16 billion.

A single Senate seat in Massachusetts

Doesn’t require the absurdity of spending ten billion dollars from a grandson.

Still, despite the high difficulty,

Old Blackburn and Joseph were willing to give it a try.

Because in the American political arena, money is truly a decisive force.

Here’s a simple example:

American politicians rely heavily on television ads for their campaigns.

Often, TV campaign ads have exclusivity clauses.

If old Blackburn buys up all the ad slots on a particular network,

Other candidates, like Gwen Gilbert, won’t be able to advertise there.

With enough money, old Blackburn could potentially buy all the major TV ad slots in Massachusetts.

As a result, voters in Massachusetts would only see old Blackburn’s campaign ads on TV.

Even if they initially disliked him, relentless exposure and propaganda would gradually tip their opinions in his favor.

And television ads aren’t the only tactic.

As long as there’s enough money and sufficient campaign funds, the possibilities are vast.

Of course, having money isn’t everything.

At the very least, a candidate must have solid credentials,

Align with local societal values, and possess some degree of influence and a positive public image.

For example, in Texas,

It’s extremely difficult to elect a Black senator or governor.

If it’s hard for Black candidates,

It’s even harder for Asian candidates.

In Massachusetts, a territory often considered the stronghold of so-called moderate progressive Republicans and open-minded, inclusive Democrats,

Candidates are not necessarily required to be old white men.

However, it is absolutely impossible for an Asian candidate to be elected to an important position.

Therefore, identity politics and social influence do play a certain role.

Coupled with sufficient campaign funds,

That would be a game-changer.

Coincidentally, Old Blackburn has all of these,

And far surpasses Gwen Gilbert and the other competitors.

There’s nothing more to say.

We’ll just have to wait for the election season next year.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 285: Having More for Better Odds*

The family gathering was warm and comforting, though with a touch of awkwardness.

The awkwardness mainly stemmed from little Paladin.

Perhaps it was because Haley had intentionally taught him something, or perhaps it was simply because the toddler was just starting to learn how to talk and could only say simple words. Little Paladin couldn’t yet say “uncle.”

The little one had been calling Milo “daddy” the entire time.

Aside from this minor awkwardness, everything else went well, and the Blackburns were more than capable of brushing it off.

December 26

Milo left Boston and headed to New York.

The Blackburn family seemed to be entering a new phase of growth.

Whether it was Old Blackburn, Joseph, Haley, or Milo, everyone—except for Laura—was making significant progress in their respective fields.

So, as soon as Christmas was over, they all dove back into work.

### December 27, 1997

New York City.

Most cities around the world can be summed up with a single adjective.

China’s imperial capital is majestic, Paris in France is romantic, London in England is classical, and Tokyo in Japan is vibrant...

But when it comes to New York, it’s hard to pinpoint one word to describe it.

This city is full of contradictions. No other city has been destroyed and saved countless times in movies or praised and cursed repeatedly in songs.

Even though a thousand people might have a thousand different impressions of New York, it’s undeniable that this city has become a dream destination—a place that feels familiar even to those who’ve never set foot there.

Late December, the Northern Hemisphere is in the midst of winter, and New York is no exception.

Under the gloomy sky, heavy snow fell steadily, accompanied by strong winds that scattered the snow into blizzards and snow drifts.

The skyscrapers looked particularly cold amidst the snowy haze.

The streets were packed with vehicles, dominated by the iconic yellow taxis.

Many buildings were adorned with American flags, giving off an impression of particularly strong patriotism.

To be fair, much of the patriotism among Americans doesn’t come from government or media propaganda but from a sense of pride and identity with their nation.

It’s a natural sentiment, akin to the self-assurance of Han people during the Han and Tang dynasties.

Although America’s imperial mindset has only developed over a few decades, it’s undeniable that the United States is the most powerful empire in the history of this planet.

This admiration isn’t limited to Americans; there are enthusiasts worldwide who admire and even idolize America more fervently than the average American does.

To them, America is the city upon a hill, the beacon of the world.

Some of these foreign admirers are more passionate about America than the average American citizen.

Even in a snowstorm, Milo didn’t have the luxury to lounge around engaging in intimate activities with a New York socialite heiress or hosting private Victoria’s Secret Angel shows with minimal clothing—or sometimes just shoes and jewelry.

Neither could he invite those dazzling movie stars, whose charms incite global male adoration, to partake in “child-making” activities.

Instead, he had pressing matters to attend to.

Firstly, the chaos brewing in the northern neighbor was about to erupt.

This was critical for Milo’s plans to formally penetrate this American backyard.

Secondly, Yahoo’s IPO was imminent, set to launch on New Year’s Day.

Both events were tasks Milo couldn’t delegate.

Thus, flanked by a team of bodyguards, Milo departed from the coastal estate on Long Island via a small yacht heading to Manhattan, ready to fulfill his duties as the lion surveying his territory.

In the Rockefeller Center’s International Building, inside the Paladin Investments headquarters conference room, all eyes were on the television at the end of the table.

The news broadcast displayed the latest headlines:

*“Breaking News from CNN: Canadian Prime Minister Pierre unexpectedly announced this morning, during a snowy stroll on the south bank of the Ottawa River, that he plans to resign as Prime Minister and step down as the leader of the Liberal Party.”*

*“Until now, Pierre had given no prior indication of this decision.”*

*“His sudden announcement caught his subordinates completely off guard…”*

Before the broadcast could finish, Milo turned to Neilson and the elite team from Paladin Investments’ headquarters.

“The situation is clear. This Pierre is likely connected to the Rothschild family,” Milo stated.

“By resigning now—even quitting the Liberal Party altogether—it works in favor of the Rothschilds and certain Commonwealth financial groups during the impending financial battle in Canada.”

“The Rothschilds must have offered the Prime Minister an incredible deal,” Neilson interjected. “To the point where he’d willingly give up his position as head of government and even step down as party leader. It’s practically political suicide.”

“Not necessarily an incentive,” Milo replied, shaking his head. “It could be a threat.”

“Pierre might have something held against him by others. His choice was either to step down and provide the Rothschilds with the necessary conditions for their plans, or face worse consequences if he refused.”

“In a country controlled by financial conglomerates, government heads are mere figureheads. The real power lies in the hands of those behind the scenes.”

“Even the United States operates in the same way.”

News of Pierre’s resignation spread like wildfire within the Canadian Liberal Party.

Every politically ambitious member was now scrambling to act.

*Because for them, this is a tremendous opportunity!*

This event only occurred this morning, and it’s not even noon yet.

But it has already spread from Canadian politics to the United States, and from there to the entire international capital market.

The Rockefellers and Morgans are likely to be caught off guard.

However, this doesn’t affect their plans for Canadian capital and the Rothschild family.

Funds are flowing in steadily. The investment division of the Continental Illinois Bank has been lit up every night since a few days ago.

The news was also promptly picked up by Milo.

However, he wasn’t surprised at all—he had anticipated this would happen.

Milo had already instructed his subordinates to take action. Funds were quietly infiltrating Canada.

At this moment, Milo’s team, including Nelson and others, had just seen this piece of news.

After reading it, they all looked at Milo with astonished and admiring eyes.

The funds secretly funneled into Canada by Paladin Investments were strategically positioned.

The pre-emptive investments perfectly aligned with the financial and capital market shifts caused by Pierre’s resignation.

In other words, they hadn’t even done much—just followed the boss’s orders.

Initially, they didn’t fully understand the strategy.

But now, the funds that had been invested were already starting to yield profits.

Their boss’s foresight and vision in the capital markets left everyone in awe.

Under the worshipful gaze of his team, Milo felt nothing unusual.

After being looked at like this so many times, he had become immune to it.

“It’s just the beginning. The real chaos in Canada is only starting.”

Once Nelson and the others finished processing the shocking Canadian news, Milo began issuing orders.

“Continue to follow my earlier instructions and remain in a covert position. However, the tasks in London and Paris take priority. Our primary focus here is on Yahoo’s IPO. That will determine our work for the next year.”

Nelson and the others naturally nodded in agreement.

Most of Paladin Investments’ top talent had already been sent to London and Paris.

Those who remained, apart from Nelson as the lead, were mainly experts in handling IPOs.

Milo needed them to collaborate with the thirteen securities underwriters to ensure everything went smoothly, safeguarding Yahoo’s post-IPO interests.

While the Canadian opportunities were indeed enticing, Yahoo’s IPO was imminent.

Prioritizing Yahoo was clearly more critical. As for Canada, entering the market later wouldn’t be too late.

Of course, given Milo’s personality, he wouldn’t focus solely on work.

In truth, his role in New York was more about overseeing operations.

The specific tasks and responsibilities were delegated to professional managers and elite employees.

After all, why else would Milo provide them with so much equity and high salaries?

Was it because he was generous?

Those who take Milo’s dollars must work for them.

A true capitalist doesn’t keep idle people around.

Only by keeping his team busy could Milo afford to relax whenever he wanted.

*Midday.*

Outside, heavy snow was falling.

Milo didn’t feel like going out.

Instead, he decided to rest in his private lounge in the Rockefeller Center International Tower.

Naturally, he wasn’t resting alone.

Dressed in a loose white shirt, with a slightly lazy demeanor, a youthful face, and slightly curly blonde hair cascading down to fair, flawless skin, she exuded charm.

Although still a bit too young, her already well-developed figure was striking.

The combination was irresistible to any man.

This was the scene in Milo’s private bedroom adjacent to his chairman’s office.

Apart from Milo, Nicky Hilton had snuck in an hour ago.

Milo leaned against the headboard, watching as Nicky walked back with two cups of coffee. Her delicate, doll-like face and golden curly hair gave her a Barbie-like allure.

He complimented her with a smile, “Darling, it’s only been a few days, but you’ve become even more enchanting.”

It must be admitted—on a woman, a white shirt is the most alluring. A woman wearing a man’s white shirt doesn’t need to pose seductively to exude endless charm.

Especially when covered by a boyfriend-style white shirt, everything is subtly hidden, creating an ethereal allure.

Nicky’s recently moisturized, radiant face revealed a hint of seductive charm.

After handing Milo a cup of coffee, she tucked her legs under herself, sitting beside him. Taking a small sip of her coffee, she gazed at him with dreamy eyes and said worriedly,

“Paris has been keeping a close eye on me lately. She doesn’t want me to see you. I snuck out today, but I can’t stay long.”

“But it’s snowing heavily outside. I’m worried it’s not safe for you to leave,” Milo said, reluctant to part with the young beauty he had just won over.

With the weather being so harsh outside, and his schedule relatively free, Milo wasn’t ready to let her go just yet.

Nicky hesitated, blushing slightly, before shaking her head. “No, I really should go. Paris will be very upset.”

“Are you that afraid of Paris?”

“She’s my sister.”

“Paris is only a little older than you.”

“But she threatened me. She said if I kept seeing you, she’d tell my parents and grandfather…”

As Nicky spoke, she looked at Milo with hopeful eyes.

Milo, of course, understood what she meant.

At this moment, if he reassured her by saying there was no need to worry about Paris telling her parents and family about them, his relationship with Nicky Hilton would transform.

It would no longer be a simple fling but evolve into something more—a long-term improper relationship, much like his situation with Ivana.

So, Milo fell silent, pondering whether he should take her under his wing as well.

His hesitation, however, led Nicky Hilton to misjudge his intentions.

She assumed he only wanted a casual relationship, nothing more.

The young and still somewhat naive Nicky showed disappointment on her face. Her eyes even began to redden.

"How about this, Nicky?"

Just as she was on the verge of tears but hadn't yet cried, Milo spoke. "Why don't you bring Paris into this as well? Get her involved, and that way, you won't have to worry about her spilling secrets to your family. What do you think?"

Nicky: "..."

Although she had considered the idea before, it wasn’t because Nicky Hilton wanted a united front with her sister.

It was because she knew that men in this area were like greedy wolves, and Milo, in particular, was a devil when it came to such things.

There were even rumors in their social circles—

It was said that Milo's "niece" wasn’t really his brother's child, but rather... Well, those who know, know.

And then there was Ivana, who was already pregnant because of him.

Given that he didn’t spare her, it was highly likely he wouldn’t spare her sister either.

Still, Nicky Hilton didn’t expect Milo to make such a proposal when she was on the verge of tears.

"At worst, after she’s involved too, you can tell Barron and Rick that I’m interested in investing in the Hilton Hotels Group."

When Nicky Hilton heard him say this, a flicker of excitement appeared on her small face.

Milo shrugged.

"As long as you’re both willing and your father and grandfather don’t object, I don’t care. I like kids. Ivana can give me children, and so can you two."

This statement was essentially a roundabout way of agreeing to maintain a long-term improper relationship with Nicky Hilton—provided she brought her sister into it too.

Milo was primarily considering the fact that, while the sisters had yet to fully "blossom," they still held some collectible value.

More importantly, they were oil magnates’ daughters, a rarity in his ever-growing circle of women. None of them were from such backgrounds.

For Americans, it might appear that he, as an elite Anglo-Saxon, had a bias against them.

So why not use the Hilton family as a bridge to mix things up with the oil barons as well?

After all, the more diverse the gene pool, the greater the chances of producing a few prodigies among his offspring.

This definitely wasn’t about his interest in playing "Sister Flower." Definitely not.

"Then... how should I convince Paris to come over?"

After hesitating for about ten seconds, Nicky Hilton cautiously but happily asked.

Milo looked up at the heavy snowstorm raging outside.

"How about... you call her right now and say the blizzard is too intense? Tell her you’re scared and don’t dare to go back alone. Ask her to come pick you up."

Milo had sent people to bring Nicky over from their family’s penthouse in the Upper West Side.

Now, this could be the perfect excuse to trick her sister into coming over.

As for whether Paris would resist once she arrived...

Well, that could be dealt with later.

"Alright!" Nicky Hilton, being a decisive person, even felt a little excited at the thought of setting her sister up.

"I’ll call Paris right now!"

(End of Chapter)