245-246

Chapter 245: France’s First Daughter

In the brightly lit embassy, lively dance music flowed freely, and the noise ebbed and surged.

Men and women, full of enthusiasm, crowded the main hall, forming groups of twos and threes. They held glasses or bottles of alcohol, drinking, chatting, playing games, dancing, laughing, and more.

If it weren’t October, the outdoor pool would likely be filled with bikini-clad women playfully splashing in the water.

Even though the weather was chilly, the outdoor area was adorned with decorative lights, and plenty of guests strolled and mingled outside.

Loud, boisterous, and lively—this was an American party.

“This is what an American party looks like. I hope you’re not feeling too out of place, Claude,” Milo said to Claude Chirac, raising his voice to be heard over the crowd.

“No, not at all,” Claude quickly replied, though after Milo’s scrutinizing gaze lingered for a moment, she offered a wry smile and raised her hands in surrender. “Alright, it is a bit loud.”

“If it gets to be too much, you can always…” Milo gestured vaguely without finishing his sentence.

“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind,” Claude said with a nod.

Although the evening’s gathering was nominally a celebration hosted by the U.S. Embassy to commemorate the 219th anniversary of diplomatic relations between America and France, the underlying sentiment was well understood.

Both Americans and the French, even if they wouldn’t openly admit it, knew that the true founder of the United States wasn’t George Washington.

It was, in fact, King Louis XVI, who had drained his treasury to support the Thirteen Colonies in their fight against British rule—an act that ultimately cost him his throne and his life.

Without the financial and military aid provided by Louis XVI and other European powers eager to undermine the British Empire, the colonies would have been hard-pressed to stand against the might of 18th-century Britain.

Initially, Claude Chirac had wanted to decline the invitation, but Milo had persistently persuaded her.

“Come on, Claude. Surely you’ve been to an American party before? Besides, everyone will be there—it would be awkward if you’re the only one missing,” he argued.

Thus, Claude eventually agreed.

She had attended American parties before. While she wouldn’t call herself a fan, she didn’t dislike them either. Tonight, however, felt unusually chaotic.

Milo, clearly sensing her discomfort, made a point to check in on her and offer a few comforting words.

Of course, Claude Chirac wasn’t the only notable attendee at the party. Her older sister, her brother-in-law, and their family were also present.

Other prominent guests included Nicolas Sarkozy, the current Minister of Budget; Robert Man, the Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry; and the head of the Élysée Palace’s Foreign Affairs Committee, along with their partners and friends.

As for Claude Chirac, she officially held no title or position in the Élysée Palace or any other branch of the French government.

Yet she was often referred to by French media as the “First Consultant of France.”

This reputation stemmed from her pivotal role in advising her father during his bid for France’s highest office two years prior.

Claude’s impeccable image had helped attract middle-ground and female voters, making her an invaluable asset.

Compared to her older sister, Laurence, Claude Chirac was undeniably more accomplished and held a unique position within the Élysée Palace.

Though her official title was merely “Media Liaison Advisor,” it was widely known that this slender, attractive woman wielded considerable influence over her father.

This influence was the reason for her attendance tonight.

After all, for any country, maintaining diplomatic ties with the United States was a top priority.

While the Élysée Palace’s host couldn’t attend personally due to the event’s level, sending his beloved second daughter—and even the elder daughter’s entire family—was a clear sign of respect.

At 32 years old, Claude Chirac had a public reputation that preceded her.

Perhaps due to her fame or other factors, U.S. Ambassador Leonard Woodcock had paired her with Milo for the evening.

By the end of the party, the two seemed to get along quite well.

Given that the event was hosted by Americans, it bore the hallmark of their notoriously uninhibited party style.

Even in this diplomatic setting, the atmosphere was far livelier than what one might find at similar gatherings in other countries.

Attendees had been informed in advance that, while this was technically a diplomatic function, it was a casual social gathering—a unique opportunity for the U.S. Embassy and influential figures in France to mingle in a relaxed setting.

The message was clear: have fun.

Of course, Milo didn’t spend all his time with the charming “First Consultant of France.”

“Hey, Nicolas! How’s it going?” Milo greeted Nicolas Sarkozy, the Minister of Budget, warmly.

Sarkozy, who had been in conversation with Ambassador Woodcock, enthusiastically shook Milo’s hand.

“Hey, Milo! What did I tell you? Not so easy to win her over, is it?” Sarkozy said, giving Milo’s arm a friendly pat and sneaking a glance toward Claude, his meaning obvious.

“She told me she has a boyfriend,” Milo said with a casual shrug. “But no big deal—at least she said I was ‘pretty good,’ just a bit too young.”

Sarkozy chuckled. “I know Claude’s boyfriend—a social commentator. I’ve always despised those types. They act like the Élysée Palace should be run by them. But if they’re so capable, why don’t they get involved for real?”

“They love to sit on the sidelines, criticizing, as if managing a country is as easy as writing a column or going on TV,” he continued with a touch of bitterness.

It was evident that Sarkozy harbored little affection for the journalists and commentators who criticized his performance.

“Alright, enough talk about those frustrating people,” Sarkozy said, brushing the topic aside.

Milo turned to Ambassador Woodcock, who gave him a knowing wink.

Catching the hint, Milo raised his glass with a smile. “Let’s get back to tonight’s celebration. I propose a toast—to the 219th anniversary of U.S.–France relations!”

“Hear, hear!” Sarkozy enthusiastically clinked glasses with Milo. His bold demeanor contrasted starkly with his modest stature of under 5'7".

After chatting for a while, Sacco left to find someone else to drink with.

It was clear that Milo wanted to speak with Leonard Woodcock about something.

Once the man, who was currently unremarkable and ranked no higher than the top fifty in French politics, but would become the master of the Élysée Palace in a decade, had left, the American envoy quietly said:

"I hinted at it, but he didn’t show any reaction. It’s quite obvious that none of them, including Robert Mann, will make any direct statements. Perhaps, among those present, the only one who might be willing to have a dialogue with you is the daughter of the future Élysée Palace master."

As Leonard Woodcock explained, Milo nodded lightly.

The matter was straightforward. Milo was now in France—a country that, while relatively independent and autonomous compared to others, was not entirely free from American influence.

Milo had ambitions to accomplish something significant here, such as acquiring a few companies.

To do that, he had to ingratiate himself with some of the local bigwigs.

Although American influence in France was limited, it was by no means nonexistent. On the contrary, maintaining good relations with Americans was a necessity for many within the Élysée Palace.

Thus, at this private diplomatic banquet intended for networking, Milo asked Leonard Woodcock for a favor: he hoped the Élysée Palace would adopt a neutral stance—or better yet, lend its support—regarding his upcoming ventures, such as his effort to acquire LVMH.

However, as expected, few were willing to give direct assurances.

That was normal.

Leonard Woodcock assessed that no one present had as much influence over the Élysée Palace's master as Claude Chirac.

This was precisely why, before the banquet started, Leonard had arranged for Milo to sit at the same table as Claude.

“Alright, I understand,” Milo said, nodding as he looked at Leonard. “Thank you, Leonard. I just expressed my desire to the chief advisor of the Élysée Palace for a private meeting with her father, but she politely declined. Although she said she personally hoped her father could meet with me, she also said it was unlikely he’d agree. I hate French subtlety. They think they’re being tactful, but I see it as nothing more than bureaucracy and pointless formalities.”

Leonard Woodcock shrugged. The full envoy from Washington replied:

“But there’s no helping it—that’s just the French. They call it ‘romance.’”

The two Americans chuckled at the comment.

After Leonard left to attend to other matters, Milo stood alone for a while. Then, he called over Kenny, who was disguised as a waiter, carrying wine and food.

He whispered something to Kenny. To an outsider, it looked like he was simply instructing the waiter to do something.

In reality...

About half an hour later...

The party was in full swing. The banquet hall and courtyard were packed with people. With such a lively crowd, minor accidents were inevitable.

“Watch out!”

Near the staircase, Milo, who was talking with someone, leaped forward to catch a young woman who had twisted her ankle while avoiding a waitress and was about to fall.

Though Milo managed to grab her, he couldn’t maintain his balance and stumbled several steps backward before his back hit the wall with a soft thud.

“It’s alright, everything’s fine here,” he reassured the concerned onlookers with a smile, despite the ache in his back.

“Oh no, Claude! Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Lawrence hurried down the stairs, reaching out to take her sister from Milo’s arms.

“Wait, Lawrence,” Milo stopped her. “Claude doesn’t seem well.”

Claude Chirac, pale-faced, leaned weakly against Milo as though she couldn’t stand.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” Lawrence asked, flustered at her sister’s condition.

“Don’t worry, it seems Claude twisted her ankle,” Milo explained, lifting Claude in his arms and heading upstairs. “I’ll take her to a room. Lawrence, please find Leonard and ask him to send someone with a first-aid kit to Room 16 upstairs.”

He climbed the stairs swiftly, his steps confident.

Lawrence reached out as if to stop him, wanting to point out that a sprained ankle didn’t warrant such drastic measures.

After all, this was the American Embassy, which undoubtedly had professional medical personnel available.

Claude could have simply waited where she was for a nurse or doctor to attend to her.

But Milo moved too quickly and decisively.

Lawrence, less sharp and bold than her sister, hesitated briefly, unsure of what to do.

By the time she made up her mind, Milo had already carried Claude upstairs.

Meanwhile, Milo, now at Room 16, opened the door and entered. As he prepared to set Claude down,

he realized that she had wrapped her arms around his neck. Her intelligent, piercing eyes were fixed on him.

“Claude?” Milo called softly, testing her reaction.

Claude flinched slightly, then, as if regaining her senses, began to struggle to get down. “Oh... I’m sorry. Thank you. Did it hurt when you hit the wall earlier?”

“It’s fine,” Milo replied gently, placing her carefully on a chair. “Now, sit still and let me take a look at your ankle.”

Without waiting for her response, Milo knelt down, lifted her injured leg onto his lap, and removed her shoe and sock.

“Milo... I...” Claude began hesitantly.

“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine,” Milo reassured her, focused on examining her ankle.

After a few minutes, he looked up with a reassuring smile. “It’s just a bit red. You’re lucky—nothing serious. With a little rest, you’ll be back on your feet in no time.”

“Ah... thank you,” Claude murmured, lowering her head awkwardly. It seemed she wanted to say more but didn’t know how to begin.

“What is it?” Milo asked, noticing her unease.

He suspected that this sharp and perceptive woman might have figured something out.

Though his plan had been executed flawlessly, people who excel in political games—women included—often had minds like steel traps.

Even if she had seen through him, it didn’t matter.

The important thing was that they were now alone, and everyone at the party had witnessed the earlier incident.

For Milo, that was more than enough.

---

(End of chapter)  

Chapter 246: Bernard Arnault’s Attempt to Struggle

The sun set in the west, and the silver moon rose in the east, marking the swift passage of yet another day.

Before the doors of the Paris Stock Exchange had even opened, Paladin Investments France submitted its updated equity documentation and relevant contracts, along with applications for stock information disclosure and a trading suspension, to the appropriate regulatory authorities.

The Blackburn Foundation’s meticulous planning ensured that these contracts were impeccable in their timing and structure.

When initially acquiring shares in Banque de Paris, André and David Baptiste had privately reached an understanding, deliberately leaving the transaction dates on the contracts blank to manipulate the timeline cleverly.

Although this strategy might appear to be bending the rules, the paperwork seemed entirely legal and compliant on the surface.

Unless David Baptiste was willing to risk imprisonment and hefty fines to reveal the truth, this secret would remain buried.

The stock exchange staff were stunned by the extent of Paladin Investments’ shareholding, as no prior hints or rumors had surfaced.

After conducting an initial review of the transaction process and confirming its legitimacy, they acknowledged that Paladin Investments had become the largest shareholder in LVMH Group and approved its request for a trading suspension.

Thus, before the opening of the Paris stock market, a bombshell announcement shook the exchange: LVMH Group had suspended trading.

Paladin Investments France had become the majority shareholder, holding a 48.5% stake in LVMH Group. The news left everyone in shock.

Authoritative sources quickly estimated the deal’s value at over $5 billion—around 300 billion French francs.

This revelation was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples far and wide. Not only were shareholders startled, but companies in the same industry also felt the tremors.

However, few had heard of Paladin Investments. Fortunately, the ever-curious media quickly filled in the blanks, revealing that it was an American company owned by the globally renowned billionaire, Milo Blackburn.

Milo Blackburn, the world’s richest man and owner of the largest internet company, was a financial titan who had previously operated almost exclusively in the U.S.

Recently, rumors had suggested the company had acquired several media outlets in London. This marked its first appearance in France, and it was already making waves in the luxury market.

If Paladin Investments leveraged its financial and operational advantages, how much disruption could it bring to its competitors in the industry?

---

A Tense Confrontation at LVMH

Amid the financial market uproar, André personally led his team to LVMH Group’s headquarters.

Though Paladin Investments had no representation on LVMH’s board of directors despite being the largest shareholder, holding nearly half of the company’s shares granted it the absolute right to demand a board reshuffle.

Faced with Paladin Investments' overwhelming 48.5% stake, a shake-up of the board and the integration of Paladin seemed inevitable. Few dared to challenge this publicly.

However, the silence of the employees and executives did not mean Bernard Arnault’s ambitions for LVMH had waned.

In LVMH’s conference room, Bernard Arnault, after being notified by André, attended the meeting. Upon hearing the proposals, Arnault—a man poised to one day become the world’s wealthiest person thanks to the explosive growth of the luxury market—adopted a somber expression. His fiery gaze betrayed his emotions as he firmly stated, *“I am strongly opposed!”*

“Since the directors have resigned, their positions are naturally vacant. If you wish to join the board, you must be elected through a shareholder meeting. You cannot simply take their places!” he declared.

Despite the urgency of the situation, Bernard Arnault maintained a degree of composure. He understood that he needed to buy time to explore alternative solutions.

As chairman, Arnault’s opposition could introduce procedural flaws, even though Paladin Investments had become the largest shareholder with significant influence.

André and his team had anticipated this possibility before the meeting.

When faced with Arnault’s objections, André merely sighed, but he remained calm as he replied:

“We own 48.5% of the shares, while you hold 34.5%. The remaining shares are dispersed among minor shareholders. Together, we hold enough to convene a shareholders' meeting.”

“I propose a special shareholders' meeting this afternoon.”

The moment André finished speaking, one of his subordinates swiftly placed a notification on the table before Bernard Arnault. However, Arnault didn’t even glance at it. With an impassive expression, he retorted:

“You are free to convene a shareholders' meeting, but everything must be done in strict accordance with the company’s charter.”

The atmosphere in the conference room was tense, with an air of confrontation.

André gazed steadily at Arnault, his voice calm yet firm:

“Mr. Arnault, please understand that the shares and voting rights we hold far exceed those of you and the Vuitton family combined. Even accounting for voting rights, the balance is still in our favor. Your shares and votes pose no threat to us. We need not escalate matters further.”

His words carried an unmistakable air of confidence, warning Arnault that resistance was futile.

“Oh, and we’re fully capable of buying your shares as well,” André added, his tone resolute. “Name your price.”

At this juncture, Alain Chevalier, a special advisor to the acquisition team and a figure meant to reassure LVMH’s executives, interjected with a gentler tone:

“Mr. Arnault, Paladin Investments is approaching this with utmost sincerity. I personally suggest you consider selling your shares to Mr. Blackburn. This would provide you with ample capital to establish a new company entirely under your control, allowing you to pursue your vision without constraints.”

Arnault, however, remained unmoved. His steely gaze ignored Chevalier’s suggestion as he turned back to André, resolutely stating, *“I will never sell my shares.”*

He then voiced his skepticism, his tone laden with distrust:

“Mr. André, LVMH is a publicly traded company. According to financial market regulations, any change involving over 5% of shares must be disclosed. I fail to see how you managed to acquire over 48% in such a short time.”

His voice carried serious doubts about the transaction’s legality:

“Even if you currently hold 48.5%, whether you can maintain it still depends on approval from the legal and financial oversight bodies.”

With that, Bernard Arnault let out a cold snort and left the room without another word.

André’s subordinates bristled with anger, eager to retaliate, but they restrained themselves at André’s stoic signal.

As Arnault’s footsteps faded, Alain Chevalier couldn’t hide his concern. Turning to André, he said uneasily:

“Mr. André, it seems Bernard Arnault intends to challenge the legality of the transaction with the securities commission.”

He added, “If the regulators intervene, halting LVMH’s shareholding changes, we won’t be able to convene the shareholders’ meeting or restructure the board on time.”

André remained unfazed, sneering dismissively as he replied:

“Mr. Chevalier, relax. Our strategy has accounted for this possibility. If Arnault wants to report us, let him. He underestimates Paladin Investments’ influence.”

Then, issuing a direct order, André said:

“Ensure, as Paladin’s representative, that the shareholders’ meeting and board election are scheduled as soon as possible according to LVMH’s charter. If Arnault insists on being uncooperative, we’ll execute our contingency plan.”

Chevalier’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Understood. I’ll handle it,” he assured André.

Chevalier hadn’t forgotten how Arnault had once ousted him from LVMH. This was his chance for retribution.

While it wouldn’t be easy to remove Arnault, given his more than one-third stake, Chevalier relished the opportunity to try.

But Bernard Arnault wasn’t giving up without a fight.

*Alain Chevalier had a good understanding of the situation.*

Because, in this scenario, if he were in Bernard Arnault's position, Alain Chevalier knew he would also never give up so easily.

So, the fight had to continue. Alain Chevalier was powerless to change that.

He could only use his reputation within the company group to the best of his ability to reassure the executives, urging them not to act recklessly before the internal power struggle reached a resolution.

It was obvious that Milo wanted a complete and promising Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) group, not a torn, chaotic, and poorly managed luxury conglomerate.

Later, André left with his entourage, while Alain Chevalier went around calming the employees and following André's instructions.

After Bernard Arnault departed, he immediately filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a major shareholder of the LVMH group.

He questioned the legality of Paladin Investment's acquisition process and called for a comprehensive review to protect the rights of the company's shareholders.

Since Bernard Arnault brought reporters with him when filing the complaint, the SEC quickly accepted the case.

They also requested the Paris Stock Exchange to suspend all processes involving the LVMH group.

In the financial world, even the slightest disturbance is quickly captured by sharp observers—let alone Bernard Arnault, who acted so high-profile.

Once the news broke, investors and institutions who had initially believed everything was settled and that Paladin Investment would issue a full acquisition offer found their emotions reignited.

Would Paladin Investment's plans face a major setback? Could this $5 billion deal, the largest business acquisition in France this year, be successfully completed in the end?

---

*“Boss, I must apologize. Things haven’t gone as smoothly as expected. In the LVMH meeting room, Bernard Arnault was unusually firm and even issued threats. It’s highly likely that he’ll report us to the SEC.”*

As soon as André returned to the company, he immediately reported the entire incident to Milo, detailing everything that had transpired.

Since Bernard Arnault had just left, André returned to the company before the report was completed.

However, based on Bernard Arnault’s behavior in the meeting, André was deeply convinced that he would take such action.

Thus, André reported in advance to Milo to prepare preventive measures.

Milo listened to the report, a faint, inscrutable smile appearing on his lips. In a slightly mocking tone, he muttered to himself, *“Threats? Reporting?”*

Then, he chuckled disdainfully.

If Bernard Arnault were in control of a company crucial to France’s economy or public welfare, with the current Élysée Palace administration and the French national character, there would likely be trouble.

But this acquisition had nothing to do with France’s international reputation; it was a luxury goods company.

For most ordinary people, including the vast majority of the French population, the LVMH group was far removed from their lives.

Furthermore, France wasn’t limited to just the LVMH group in the luxury sector.

Even domestically, LVMH could only rank among the top three at best.

Thus, the Élysée Palace’s stance wouldn’t be overly resolute.

They needed to consider the attitude of the Americans and whether it was worth offending them to defend a luxury group.

At that moment, André remained silent, waiting for Milo's instructions.

After laughing, Milo turned to André and said:

*“Since Bernard Arnault has chosen resistance, there’s no need for further acquisition negotiations with him.”*

He paused, then continued:

*“Choosing to fight means bearing the corresponding consequences.”*

*“If the SEC accepts the complaint, can you handle it quickly?”* Milo asked.

André thought for a moment, nodded firmly, and replied, *“Yes, I can handle it.”*

The acquisition plan had only one legal flaw, which had been mentioned earlier—BNP Paribas had admitted wrongdoing in its self-report.

But doing so would result in issues like hefty fines for the bank and jail time for people like Davi, the responsible party.

Moreover, the goodwill loss for BNP Paribas would be unacceptable to its shareholders.

So, even this sole flaw wasn’t really a flaw under such circumstances.

Naturally, André was confident. Even if Milo didn’t intervene personally, their arrangements ensured Bernard Arnault’s resistance would ultimately prove futile.

*“Good. I’ll leave it to you. If you encounter any problems, inform me immediately,”* Milo added, his tone carrying an unmistakable authority.

*“Understood, Boss,”* André replied concisely.

---

Not long after André left, a new chapter began.

The incident of Bernard Arnault’s complaint finally broke out, and the news spread like wildfire.

Upon learning of this, André promptly reported the situation to Milo.

Milo showed little reaction, calmly instructing André to deal with the matter quickly before dismissing him.

The audit investigation by the French Securities Commission into the LVMH group would be crucial for the upcoming shareholders' meeting and subsequent board meeting.

To expedite the process, Milo leveraged his network to push for a swift conclusion, ensuring André displayed the utmost cooperation with the investigation team.

As a close associate of “France’s top advisor,” and with countless parties and social events since his arrival, Milo had established extensive connections with the Élysée Palace's high-ranking officials in a remarkably short time.

Meanwhile, in the capital markets, while Bernard Arnault wielded some influence, it was still insufficient compared to Paladin Investment’s professional standing.

In the media, Bernard Arnault attempted to stir public attention to gain sympathy and pressure the authorities.

But he underestimated Milo’s influence in the media realm.

Even though Paladin Media’s stronghold was in the U.S., Milo hadn’t been idle during his time in Europe.

By evening, as major newspapers hit the stands, the narrative didn’t favor Bernard Arnault. Instead, doubts arose:

*“Would a professional, large-scale financial institution like Paladin Investment make such an amateur mistake?”*

By the following morning, the situation became even clearer—the tide of public opinion hadn’t turned in Bernard Arnault’s favor.

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