256-257

Chapter 256: Men Prefer Bigger Ones

November in New York resembled a painting, growing more vibrant with each passing day.

Especially in the heart of the city—Central Park. Amid the chilly winds, the lake’s surface rippled delicately, occasionally disrupted by a few waterfowl skimming across, adding life to the serene scene.

Between towering skyscrapers, the early winter sun struggled to pierce through the clouds, casting a warm, gentle glow over this bustling metropolis.

Times Square remained as lively as ever, with people rushing about, each carrying their dreams and hopes, weaving together the unique November tale of New York.

"Yawn—"

Milo opened his sleepy eyes, letting out a yawn as the sun began to set.

He glanced out through the sheer curtains covering the floor-to-ceiling windows. All of Manhattan was bathed in golden hues, with the Empire State Building in the distance adorned in the vibrant colors of the twilight.

Gently stroking the back of Ivana, who clung to him like an octopus, he carefully disentangled himself. Watching the serene, rosy-cheeked smile on her face as she slept, he couldn’t help but grin with satisfaction.

Milo leaned down to plant a light kiss on her forehead. After pulling the blanket back over her, he got out of bed and covered her properly before heading downstairs.

This trip to Boston had been immensely rewarding.

Not only had he acquired a substantial share in the Boston Federal Reserve Bank, but he had also effectively become the nominal leader of the new generation of the Boston Consortium.

Oh, and there was one small bonus—the young woman now sound asleep on the enormous king-sized Simmons bed behind him.

She could be considered his trophy.

Although to others, such trophies were something he could now acquire in abundance.

Not just among the Boston Consortium or New York’s 400 elite families, but across the entirety of America. There was no shortage of affluent and beautiful women eager to share his bed.

Many of them were even willing to accept that there would be no meaningful outcome, not even the role of a mistress.

However, Milo knew that Ivana was his trophy in every sense of the word.

To others, including Ivana herself and her father, it seemed as though Milo was the prize they were fortunate enough to win. But for Milo, Ivana represented the fulfillment of a sentimental longing from his past life.

That was the essence of emotional value.

In the bathroom, Milo quickly washed away the remnants of the previous night.

Perhaps due to his youth or his unique constitution, he felt refreshed after the shower. Changing into clean clothes, he quietly left the bedroom, carefully closing the door behind him.

As he descended the stairs, he pulled out his phone and dialed Wendy, who was about to be confirmed as the Deputy Governor of the Boston Federal Reserve Bank.

“...You don’t need to do anything for now. At least not for the next six months,” Milo instructed. “Your role is to help me and the Blackburn family keep others in line. But be prepared. If all goes well, by the end of next year, I want you to join the Federal Open Market Committee as one of its members.”

Walking out of the main house, Milo nodded at Kenny, who held the car door open for him. Still on the phone, he slid into the vehicle.

After a brief conversation about recent developments, Milo ended the call.

As the convoy moved along the streets of Manhattan, Milo gazed out of the window. He noticed stores beginning to put up Thanksgiving signs, decorations, and banners.

“Ah, time flies. It’s Thanksgiving again,” Milo remarked wistfully.

Kenny, sitting in the passenger seat, chuckled, “Two weeks away, but it does feel quick.”

Milo shrugged, saying nothing more.

Once upon a time, he had interacted with his bodyguards like they were close friends. Back then, he was just starting to establish himself in America’s political and business circles.

But as his power grew, along with his influence over the upper echelons of society, the people around him began treating him with increasing caution and respect.

This wasn’t due to any change in his appearance or demeanor but rather a natural consequence of his rising status.

It was similar to when Zhu Yuanzhang, as a marshal in the rebel army, could be treated as a brother by his peers. But once he became emperor, even his closest comrades had to approach him with the reverence due a ruler.

This phenomenon transcends cultures and nations.

Speaking of which, Milo thought the American tradition of Thanksgiving was rather audacious.

Thanksgiving, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year, is a holiday shared by the U.S. and Canada, with little observance in Europe.

The historical origins of the holiday are steeped in the West’s self-serving interpretation of history.

From the time the Mayflower landed, Native Americans saved a group of opportunists.

They treated their illnesses, provided food, and ensured their survival.

But after these opportunists thrived, they picked up weapons and launched a massive slaughter against the Native Americans.

Scalping Native Americans became a means of collecting bounties in exchange for money.

When the Native population was nearly exterminated, the people who had taken over this land hypocritically began expressing gratitude for the Native Americans' initial lifesaving generosity.

This day, ironically, is also celebrated as Thanksgiving in America—a day commemorating victory in the mass slaughter of Native Americans.

Well, Milo, after all, is now an American himself.

To complicate matters further, one of his direct ancestors was a religious leader who led the charge against the Native Americans. This is a difficult history to grapple with.

On Thanksgiving Day, Americans flood supermarkets and malls for shopping sprees. Even the White House participates in the ritual by ceremonially killing a turkey.

To be honest, Milo finds turkey quite unappetizing.

Aside from the wings, which are somewhat edible, the rest of the meat tastes no better than the driest chicken breast.

In fact, many Americans don’t particularly enjoy turkey either.

Most Thanksgiving turkeys are cooked for appearances, emphasizing tradition rather than taste.

A significant portion of turkey meat ends up in garbage cans across American households the very next day.

By late afternoon, the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, New York, was ready to host its first-ever Victoria's Secret year-end fashion extravaganza.

Over the past year, since being acquired by Paladin Media,

Victoria's Secret had taken the modeling and lingerie world by storm.

In a short time, they managed to sign numerous top supermodels.

Victoria's Secret's emphasis on a healthy, sexy aesthetic—distinct from the traditional preference for extreme thinness—won over many customers, including men.

After all, very few can achieve the skeletal look of so-called supermodels.

Moreover, a normal sense of aesthetics rarely favors the ultra-skinny look.

Victoria's Secret's embrace of a curvier, balanced body type resonated with everyone.

Although this approach drew scorn from traditional fashion and modeling circles,

with many dismissing Victoria’s Secret as “non-mainstream,”

everything changed last month when Paladin Media announced its successful acquisition of LVMH, the world’s third-largest luxury goods conglomerate.

Because, let’s face it, the so-called supermodel and high-fashion industries

are ultimately marketing tools for luxury giants like LVMH to influence and attract customers.

Just as the endgame of the universe is e-commerce,

the ultimate goal of the modeling and fashion industry is to endorse products from top luxury brands like LVMH.

Now, Victoria's Secret was firmly ahead of its competitors.

The brand’s models quickly became ambassadors for LVMH's various fashion lines.

Out of respect for LVMH’s industry clout,

many prominent designers who previously criticized Victoria's Secret’s aesthetic suddenly went silent.

This marked the true beginning of Victoria’s Secret's rise.

Riding this wave, Paladin Media decided to make the Victoria's Secret year-end fashion show an annual tradition,

highlighting the brand’s market positioning and influence.

This year’s event was the first under Paladin Media's ownership.

Fashion shows typically center around a theme, such as environmentalism, vintage, or gothic styles.

This year, Milo personally chose the theme: *"Glamour."*

The venue was the newly renovated Palm Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria,

a spacious indoor banquet hall capable of hosting nearly 3,000 guests.

Tonight, the venue sparkled with dazzling decorations.

The Waldorf Astoria enhanced the atmosphere by incorporating Victoria’s Secret symbols throughout the space.

Outside the hotel:

“Ah—”

“Whoosh—”

A commotion erupted as reporters, who had been crowding around various celebrities, suddenly abandoned their interview subjects.

They rushed toward the entrance of the red carpet, leaving some celebrities awkwardly frozen in place.

Madonna, who had been in the middle of a lively interview, was visibly annoyed. She turned to Michael Jackson nearby.

“MJ, who just arrived? Could it be Clinton? Why did everyone leave?”

Thankfully, Jackson’s reporters had also dashed off.

Madonna felt instantly better.

Jackson smiled, shrugged, and said, “Who knows?”

Soon, someone solved the mystery for the two pop icons.

“Mr. Blackburn, over here…”

“Milo, look this way…”

“Rumor has it you’re close with many Victoria’s Secret supermodels. Is that true?”

It turned out the commotion was caused by the arrival of Victoria’s Secret’s ultimate boss and the world’s richest man, Milo Blackburn.

Looking at the chaotic and overcrowded red carpet scene, with people pushing and shoving everywhere, Milo couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Soon enough, his bodyguards stepped in, separating the reporters pressing in from both sides.

Milo, with a calm expression, stepped onto the red carpet, completely ignoring the shouts around him.

At the end of the red carpet—

“Oh, Milo, I didn’t expect to see you here!”

Amanda Hearst, dressed in a stunning silver tasseled evening gown, smiled warmly and confidently as she approached, blocking Milo’s path.

Milo smiled back and gave Amanda a polite hug and cheek kiss. “Good evening, Amanda. It’s nice to see you again.”

“The feeling is mutual,” Amanda Hearst replied sweetly. Though she was not even fourteen, her looks and family background made her a magnet for the photographers, who eagerly clicked away.

Especially now, with her standing next to Milo and acting so familiar with him.

The sound of the cameras clicking was like waves crashing in a storm.

But what people didn’t know was that this seemingly elegant and sweet Miss Hearst was about to drop a bombshell:

“I heard you slept with Ivana. Is that true?”

Milo: Σ(°△°)

It’s already spread across New York?

Also… Milo couldn’t help glancing at the young Miss Hearst.

If he remembered correctly, Amanda was even younger than Ivana.

Ah, only in America, and only in high society, could kids be this precocious.

“Maybe you should ask Ivana. I think you two are friends,” Milo replied, dodging the question and stepping forward to end the conversation.

Sure, this kind of thing was common in these circles.

Especially given his social status.

But just like how lawsuits about harassment ran rampant in America, no matter how high your rank, some things were better left unsaid.

Seeing Milo about to leave, Amanda wasn’t about to give up. She chased after him, saying, “Seriously, we’re all finding it hard to believe. The rumor started because Ivana’s unreliable father accidentally let it slip.”

“Everyone in New York knows what a big mouth he is.”

“But…”

Amanda’s voice faltered as they entered the hotel lobby.

Milo’s long strides made it look like he was just walking, but Amanda, still a bit young, struggled to keep up.

To match his pace, she had to jog a little, and she was starting to run out of breath. “But at a party, Ellie from the Mellon family said it might actually be true. She claimed Ivana only got your attention because she earned the approval of the Rockefeller family’s heiress!”

“Oh my God, Milo. Is that true?”

“You…” At the elevator, Amanda couldn’t help but ask, “Why would you even like her? She’s average-looking, her family’s nouveau riche, and there’s no depth to her background at all…”

“She’s got big boobs. Very big boobs. Happy now? That’s why I like her.” Milo, now clearly annoyed, replied before stepping into the elevator.

“Men like big ones. It’s as simple as that.”

“Alright, I’m kidding. I’m heading in now; it’s too noisy here.” Milo, seeing Amanda’s stunned expression, chuckled, said goodbye again, and entered the elevator.

Before she could join him, he pressed the close button.

Amanda Hearst stared at the closed elevator doors, lifting her chin slightly as she gave a sneering, disdainful smile. “Scumbag!”

But she was furious—furious that the nouveau riche girl actually managed to snag him.

What now? Everyone in their circle wanted to cozy up to Ivana.

She was deeply frustrated by the thought of her former best friend enjoying the attention and power that came with Milo’s favor.

The worst part? She had none of it herself.

It was that awful feeling—afraid your friend isn’t miserable, terrified she’s happy, and absolutely dreading that she might be riding Milo in a Range Rover.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 257: The Annual Victoria’s Secret Show

Milo Blackburn's arrival instantly thrilled both the Victoria’s Secret and hotel staff on-site.

A quick notification was sent through earpieces to the Victoria’s Secret CEO, while the hotel manager hurriedly appeared before Milo, respectfully guiding him to the most central seat in the front row.

Victoria’s Secret CEO Helena Tenney soon arrived with her team, wearing a bright and radiant smile, almost rushing to greet him.

Among everyone, Helena Tenney was undoubtedly the happiest about the arrival of the big boss.

It wasn’t just because Milo was the owner—though that alone was significant—but even if he had no direct connection to Victoria’s Secret, his influence and reputation in the U.S. made his appearance at the show a major boost to the brand's prestige and promotional reach.

And as the actual owner of the brand, Victoria’s Secret owed its current scale and potential to his leadership.

Helena’s excitement was entirely understandable.

“Good evening, Mr. Chairman. It’s such a pleasure to have you here. On behalf of all the staff at Victoria’s Secret, thank you for attending,” Helena greeted Milo with a bright smile and a humble demeanor, shaking his hand.

“Ha, I promised them I’d come, so here I am,” Milo replied with a light smile.

After a few polite exchanges, Helena suddenly asked, “By the way, Mr. Chairman, would you be interested in a backstage tour? They’re currently filming some behind-the-scenes footage…”

“No need. After all, it’s a space where the Angels are changing. It could get a bit awkward. Thank you, though,” Milo replied with a touch of warmth in his smile.

He appreciated Helena’s thoughtfulness, and it made him view her in a better light.

That said, Milo had already experienced a backstage tour in Miami on a similar occasion. Truthfully, the experience wasn’t as thrilling as it sounded—it was simply a high-end indulgence of a particular kind.

There were thirty or so top models present, but only so much one could engage with at a time.

“Ha ha, you’re quite the gentleman. After the show, we’ll be hosting a pool party, and we’d sincerely love for you to join us. The Angels will be thrilled by your presence,” Helena continued enthusiastically.

“Thank you,” Milo replied with a smile. He had, in fact, planned to attend the post-show party.

This year was Gisele Bündchen’s big moment—a prime opportunity to elevate her status.

The era of the original five international supermodels was gradually coming to an end.

It was time for Victoria’s Secret to present its own iconic supermodel with unique cultural significance.

After a few more pleasantries, Helena excused herself.

Seated in the audience, Milo observed the glittering, horizontal runway.

No matter how you looked at it, the Victoria’s Secret brand had mastered the art of luxury and sensual appeal to perfection, captivating men year after year with its parade of long legs and beauty.

---

Meanwhile, backstage, Gisele Bündchen took deep breaths, trying to calm her excitement. She ignored the makeup artist dusting her face with a brush and listened to the music starting up front.

She knew how important this show was for her career.

According to the company’s plans, this performance was a crucial step in solidifying her position as Victoria’s Secret’s leading star.

The original supermodels like Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista had undoubtedly left an incredible legacy.

They had shown the world that top models could rival Hollywood stars in earnings and influence.

They created a benchmark and a dream for aspiring models.

However, their time was fading.

For one, they were aging—at least by modeling standards. In this industry, hitting 30 often meant reaching the tail end of your career.

Secondly, their prime was in the mid-1980s, over a decade ago. They were beginning to feel out of touch.

Now, as Gisele stepped into the spotlight, she was ready to inherit the crown of the modeling world.

This was exhilarating for her.

“All right, everyone. Enjoy the show,” the voice of the show’s director echoed through the backstage speakers.

“Take your places!”

The Angels performing in the opening act quickly lined up in their assigned order.

Gisele Bündchen, dressed in light purple lingerie with a flowing chiffon cape, was the first to take the stage.

As this year’s star, she was one of the earliest models to sign with Victoria’s Secret and was being groomed as the company’s cornerstone for the future.

“Line up as per the list… Ready! GO, GO!”

With her slender legs and commanding presence, Gisele Bündchen stepped onto the runway.

Michael Jackson’s voice filled the venue as Gisele appeared. With her hands on her hips, she soaked in the applause and cheers as MJ smiled and high-fived her mid-performance.

After the high-five, Gisele began strutting confidently down the runway, blowing kisses to the audience. Her graceful hand pointed directly toward Milo Blackburn, seated in the front row and rising to applaud her entrance.

Seeing Milo stand and clap with a smile, the crowd erupted into deafening cheers and applause.

Some gasped in disbelief, covering their mouths, astonished by Milo’s clear favoritism toward the Victoria’s Secret supermodel.

Among the media present, many instantly recognized the significance of the moment.

The biggest news of the night and the following day would undoubtedly be the world’s richest man, Milo Blackburn, making an appearance at the Victoria’s Secret show and interacting with the Angels on stage.

Thus, while some photographers captured the models and celebrities, the majority turned their attention toward Milo.

Such was the magnetic pull of America’s ultimate A-lister on the media.

On the runway, Gisele Bündchen beamed brightly, continuing to point at Milo while blowing him air kisses.

The crowd erupted once more.

Milo chuckled and stood to clap again, while Gisele refocused and continued her walk.

Though thrilled by Milo’s support, she understood the stakes.

There were plenty of rivals waiting in the wings, eager to take her spot.

She had only been lucky to seize the opportunity first.

If she lacked the skill to back it up, Milo wouldn’t hesitate to elevate someone else.

Because they were all the same, all too willing to open their legs for him...

Listening to the cheers and applause, Gisele Bündchen’s stride became even more confident.

Cindy Crawford, adorned with golden angel wings, followed closely behind.

She was once the world's top supermodel, though her glory had somewhat faded.

Even so, her fame still outshone Gisele Bündchen's at the moment.

Having Cindy appear after Gisele was undoubtedly an effort to promote Gisele.

In the past—or in other shows—Cindy Crawford would never have tolerated such an insult from the organizers.

But tonight was different. Victoria's Secret was different!

Since joining Victoria's Secret, Cindy had landed over five supporting roles in films.

Next year, she was even slated to play the lead in a Paramount film.

Compared to that, playing second fiddle to the woman the big boss favored didn’t seem like much of a sacrifice.

With this in mind, Cindy Crawford stepped forward, sending air kisses and waves toward Milo just as enthusiastically as Gisele.

Milo responded with a polite smile and applause, causing another round of laughter and cheers from the audience.

"Ah, yes, of course. This is completely normal. After all, this is Milo Blackburn—super genius, young and handsome, the world’s richest man. Any woman would love him; it’s only natural!"

The TBS Entertainment Channel host, broadcasting live, chuckled while smoothing over the scene.

After Cindy Crawford came Claudia Schiffer, another member of the original "Big Five" supermodels.

Claudia wore light green lingerie, her neck adorned with a dense golden floral necklace. Her smile radiated sweetness, and her slightly angular features softened into a gentle allure.

Her eyes sparkled as she reached Milo’s section. Pausing, she bent over and blew a dramatic air kiss, drawing gasps, cheers, and applause from the audience.

Milo knew this was enough and noticed the cameras lingering on him.

In a move almost designed for the spotlight, he turned to the audience, shrugged playfully, and spread his hands with a helpless smile as if to say, What can I do? I’m just this popular.  

This gesture sparked another wave of laughter, easing the awkwardness of nearly every supermodel flirting with him.

Though, admittedly, it was true.

After his playful antics, Milo sat down, noting the cameras still fixated on him. Shaking his head with a chuckle, he waved them off, gave a thumbs-up, and then turned his attention back to the runway.

Onstage, Michael Jackson shrugged in mild exasperation, feeling slightly awkward.

Come on—he was MJ, the King of Pop! When had he ever been on a stage where most of the attention wasn’t on him?

Maybe never before.

But now, with Milo Blackburn present, even Michael Jackson seemed to lose some of his magnetism.

Thankfully, MJ knew his boss’s charm and had no intention of competing for the spotlight.

He accepted it quickly.

What followed was a parade of Victoria's Secret Angels, each gesturing toward Milo and sending him air kisses.

By the end of the first act, Gisele Bündchen returned to the stage to bask in the audience’s applause.

This time, Gisele interacted with MJ, and as they left the stage together, she made sure to throw Milo a playful, seductive wink.

Gisele Bündchen’s commanding presence, Claudia Schiffer’s iconic beauty, Linda Evangelista’s professionalism, Naomi Campbell’s enviable legs, and Helena Christensen’s captivating charm...

Amidst the dreamy "angelic" theme, cascading petals, and perfectly timed background music, the atmosphere was romantic and irresistibly sexy.

Of course, the highlight of this year’s show was the much-anticipated white angel fantasy lingerie.

Gisele Bündchen strutted onto the stage with ethereal, phantom-like angel wings, her perfect figure on full display.

The white diamond-encrusted lingerie she wore exuded elegance, capturing everyone’s attention with its stunning and delicate design.

Especially before the show, when everyone learned its price—18 million dollars!

It was said that just the cost of the diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones on it amounted to nearly 4 million dollars.

Other materials included arctic feathers shed naturally by juvenile skuas and pearls from polar seashells that take over a century to grow.

Every component was among the rarest in the world.

As one newspaper put it: "The pure gold threads with 99.99% purity on this lingerie are actually the least valuable material!"

This 18-million-dollar masterpiece became the pinnacle of extravagance and spectacle.

As the show neared its end, 33 supermodels emerged from both sides of the stage in unison with the music.

The 1,500-plus attendees rose to their feet, clapping and cheering.

Behind the runway, massive floor-to-ceiling windows framed fireworks bursting into the night sky.

The scene of long legs crossing in front of Milo was breathtakingly mesmerizing.

Amid the electrifying atmosphere, the models danced and sent air kisses as they returned backstage.

The first true Victoria’s Secret show—the 1997 Victoria’s Secret fashion extravaganza—came to an end.

Backstage, Gisele Bündchen raised her arms in excitement, unable to contain herself.

Even as cameras attempted to capture her, she briskly walked to the dressing room.

After changing out of the 18-million-dollar lingerie and into a pink Victoria's Secret robe, she grabbed her assistant's offered bag and hurried back to her hotel room.

Her makeup team awaited her there to prepare her for the after-party.

At the Waldorf Hotel's indoor poolside, dazzling, colorful lights illuminated the scene.

A gentle breeze from the ventilation system rippled the pool’s surface, creating layers of shimmering reflections.

Flashes from cameras lit up the after-party’s red carpet and Victoria’s Secret backdrop.

Invited celebrities and socialites posed with hands on hips, striking various poses for the photographers.

Milo walked the red carpet with a calm expression. After pausing briefly, he ignored the reporters’ shouts and slowly made his way to the party area.

The party was packed with people, but nearly everyone's gaze, to some extent, drifted toward Milo.

Milo, however, was already accustomed to this.

Ever since he ascended to a prominent position as a media mogul in the United States, wielding unparalleled influence over Hollywood, this level of attention at celebrity parties had become routine for him.

By now, it wasn’t just celebrity parties where this occurred.

At almost any gathering he attended, he became the most prominent guest in the room—or at least one of them.

Reaching out, he took a glass of whiskey handed to him by one of his female bodyguards, who was temporarily acting as a server.

For safety reasons, at most of the parties, banquets, and social events he attended nowadays, he only consumed food and drinks prepared by servers arranged by his security team.

Taking a sip, he found it quite good. It seemed to be a special whiskey developed specifically for him by the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group.

Starting next year, this whiskey, named "Helena," would officially hit the market for promotion.

With an 800-year-old winery, the aristocratic elegance of France, a history as a favorite of the Sun King, admiration from the world’s wealthiest individuals, and endorsement by American high society—it had all the makings of a hit.

With these selling points, the whiskey was likely to be well-received among America’s elite and business circles.

In regions influenced by America, it could very well become a best-seller.

Soon, a few Hollywood celebrities, champagne glasses in hand, approached him to greet him and ingratiate themselves.

Among them was Madonna, her golden hair styled in a breezy bob cut. Dressed in a strapless white cocktail dress, she looked exceptionally glamorous and undeniably sexy.

(End of chapter)