221-222

Chapter 221: The Invitation

"[...] China has reached agreements with Slovakia, Indonesia, and other countries. They have shown great sincerity, actively reducing tariffs in an effort to join the global economic stage and become part of the global village."

"[...] We cannot, nor should we, exclude a population of nearly one billion from our grand global village plan. Whether as a labor powerhouse or a massive potential market, ignoring this would be a colossal waste and an inadvisable move."

"[...] Given China's vast population, robust economic market potential, and its growing international influence, it should be granted an international trade status commensurate with its strength. This would also significantly benefit U.S. economic production."

On the morning of August 20, Milo boarded the "Sky Palace" jet for a direct flight to Manhattan, New York, holding a copy of American Weekly. The front-page headline read: *"America Should Allow China to Join the WTO."*

The article's tone was somewhat flattering, but that was expected of Paladin Media, which always prided itself on a neutral political stance.

At present, the neutral faction in the U.S. largely supported China's entry into the WTO.

In fact, Washington's administration was also inclined to support China's accession.

When Clinton took office, it was during the peak of the U.S.-USSR rivalry.

In 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States became the world’s dominant power.

At that time, China had just begun its reform and opening-up policies. Although its national strength was modest and posed no real threat to the U.S., Clinton remained cautious toward China during his first term.

Out of caution, his administration often adopted a tough stance, focusing on human rights issues and creating tensions.

However, American capitalists soon realized the immense profit potential in China's large consumer market and affordable labor force. These capitalist forces began pressuring Washington to ease relations with China and pave the way for entry into the world's largest population market.

To satisfy the demands of capital, Clinton actively lobbied Congress, promising to support China's WTO membership and grant "most-favored-nation" (MFN) status, claiming it would bring significant benefits to the U.S.

In 1994, through Clinton’s efforts, the U.S. granted China MFN trade status.

Under these social dynamics, the vast majority of America’s elite were willing to welcome China onto the global stage via the WTO.

Fundamentally, this was because American capitalists, no longer needing to appease U.S. factory workers post-USSR, were unwilling to share too much of the profits.

Domestic workers were seen as too expensive, and capitalists sought cheaper alternatives.

At a time when China posed no direct threat to the U.S., its large, educated workforce made it the prime target.

Yet, without loosening WTO restrictions on China, American capital would struggle to penetrate that market.

Thus, American Weekly’s advocacy for China's WTO membership was not simply due to Milo’s partial Chinese heritage but because it aligned with the interests of most American elites.

At most, a minority faction sought to extract concessions from China during the process, even if only symbolic ones.

Closing the magazine, Milo glanced at an elegantly packaged, festive red paper bag beside him.

The bag was already opened, revealing an invitation.

Milo had just read its contents.

It was an invitation from the other side of the Pacific, personally delivered to the Blackburn residence in Washington by China’s ambassador to the U.S.

The letter invited Milo Blackburn or his grandfather, John II Blackburn, to attend China’s National Day celebrations this year.

While it was customary in diplomatic traditions to invite international friends to such events—typically including foreign leaders, diplomats, business elites, and others—this year’s invitation carried an unmistakable sincerity.

The full ambassador had delivered the invitation in person, a privilege not extended to many in the U.S.

Should he go?

Milo was torn.

On one hand, his current status was sensitive; any move would draw significant attention.

After all, he was the son of the U.S. Secretary of Defense, the grandson of the Republican Party Whip, a media mogul, the world’s richest man, the grandson of a former U.S. President, the nephew of a state governor, and the son-in-law of a Rockefeller.

Any one of these identities would warrant high-level reception in China. Together, they painted a vivid picture of the spectacles that might follow.

On the other hand, given his ties to China, he genuinely wanted to see what the country looked like in this era.

Ultimately, he decided to call his grandfather later to discuss it.

After all, the invitation wasn’t just for him—it was also for John Blackburn Sr.

Joseph, however, was not invited, which made sense.

As the current U.S. Secretary of Defense, his father’s position was even more sensitive. Not inviting him was expected.

The Boeing 747-B landed smoothly on the private tarmac at JFK International Airport.

Milo stepped off the plane wearing black aviator sunglasses, a white T-shirt, ocean-blue shorts, and white sneakers.

Milo, dressed in casual attire, descended the gangway. Flanked by bodyguards maintaining vigilance, he got into a black Cadillac Escalade SUV.

Settling into a comfortable position in the reclining airline seat, Milo leaned back, pulled out his phone, and started making a call.

"You're going? Why?"

"Alright, I understand. I'll think about it. Maybe I'll go with you then."

"Okay, have a smooth and successful day."

"..."

Milo hung up the call with his grandfather, Old Blackburn.

He had just mentioned the invitation from China.

Old Blackburn expressed that he would accept the invitation from the Celestial Empire this time.

The reasoning lay in two aspects.

Firstly, the Blackburn family had traditionally been part of the Kennedy faction's conciliatory group.

When conflicts arose between the U.S. and other countries under Kennedy’s leadership, this group would step in to mediate and ease tensions.

Secondly, the Blackburns were in-laws to the Bush family.

The Bushes had long been the political family in America with the closest ties to China.

Given this, Blackburn couldn’t let the relationship become too strained.

This trip was an opportunity to say some pleasant things, which wasn’t a difficult task.

As for whether Milo should go, Old Blackburn was indifferent.

His presence wouldn’t make much difference unless he made reckless promises.

However, since Milo wasn’t a politician, even if he misspoke, the impact would be minimal.

---

John F. Kennedy International Airport, located in Idlewild, Queens, is about 20 kilometers from Manhattan.

By the time Milo arrived, it was already the afternoon of the 20th.

He didn’t return to Manhattan but instead instructed the driver to head to the Long Island villa.

“Beep-beep—”

The convoy honked the horn before coming to a stop upon entering the Long Island estate.

When Milo stepped out of the car, he saw Sophie Marceau standing in front of the beautiful estate gate, pushing a double baby stroller.

Sophie was dressed in a teal cardigan dress today.

The color was perfect for summer—fresh and elegant, exuding a graceful feminine charm.

The high waistline accentuated her figure, making her legs look longer.

Her slender waist, paired with her enviable curves, and the delicate lantern sleeves added a touch of cuteness.

The two little girls in the stroller, dressed in white doll-like outfits, widened their bright sapphire eyes as they curiously took in the surroundings.

With a gentle smile, Milo quickly stepped forward, wrapped an arm around Sophie’s slim waist, and gave her a passionate kiss.

One of the twins, whether it was Lily or Rose, first widened her eyes, shook her head, and then burst into tears.

Her sister, or possibly her twin, followed suit, wailing loudly.

Interrupting their kiss, Sophie chuckled sweetly and said, “You scared them! They haven’t seen you for months and don’t recognize you anymore!”

Infants’ memory at this age works that way.

Sometimes just a few days of absence can make them forget who someone is. Generally, only the nanny and mother, who see them daily, leave a lasting impression.

“My fault, my fault,” Milo said with a laugh, shaking his head as he stepped forward to push the stroller into the estate.

“It is your fault. As a father, you’ve barely fulfilled your responsibilities!” Sophie, now a mother, had grown much sharper than when she first got together with Milo.

She was no longer the woman who indulged his every whim.

With the parents and their daughters surrounded by bodyguards and nannies, the family of four joyfully strolled into the estate.

This property was also in Long Island but not in the Great Neck area where Milo’s other villa was located.

Instead, this was in Southampton, another affluent area of Long Island.

Like Great Neck, Southampton is a gathering place for New York’s elite.

During the Gilded Age, Southampton was considered even more “old money” than today’s Upper East or Upper West Side.

Back then, Manhattan was primarily an industrial district.

It was home to the working class and small merchants, while the truly wealthy resided in Long Island.

The setting of The Great Gatsby is based in Long Island.

The grand mansion of the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, was located here.

The novel’s two key locations correspond to West Hampton and East Hampton on Long Island.

Southampton is not far from either.

Sophie and the girls had arrived last week. Their residence in San Francisco had been discovered by paparazzi due to Sophie’s frequent outings.

For the past two months, many reporters had been lurking around the neighborhood.

From a security standpoint, the San Francisco home was no longer safe.

In fact, the entire city posed a risk.

So Milo had Sophie relocate to New York, farther away.

The Victorian-style estate in Southampton, covering 134 acres and valued at nearly $80 million, was the home Milo arranged for Sophie and their daughters.

By the way, Sophie’s mother had returned to France two months ago.

Mrs. Marceau’s son was getting married soon.

Although Sophie wasn’t close to her brother, their mother naturally cared for her son.

Despite the son being raised by Sophie’s father, he was still Mrs. Marceau’s child.

Moreover, Sophie and her daughters were well cared for, rendering Mrs. Marceau’s presence unnecessary.

More than ten nannies attended to the children daily, so whether Mrs. Marceau was around made little difference.

After all, the value of familial companionship far exceeds material gifts.

So, as Milo kept mumbling incomprehensible Martian language to his two daughters,

through hugs, kisses, and physical affection,

he quickly dispelled the unfamiliarity that had built up during this time.

The girls stuck out their tongues and laughed happily.

Of course, this only happened when Sophie wasn’t around.

Otherwise, the moment they caught their mother’s familiar scent,

their big, shining eyes would shift toward her,

and their joyful smiles would be reserved only for her.

But that was enough for Milo.

He was destined not to give all his love solely to just a few children.

After all, he already had four kids, with another one on the way,

and there would only be more in the future.

Lily and Rose, being the eldest daughters, naturally received more of his patience for now.

However, as his children increased in number,

even that little patience would eventually be worn out.

---

*The Next Day: Rockefeller Center, International Tower.*

“Boss, here’s the release and filming schedule for the second half of the year...”

In his office, Milo took the documents handed over by Ted Turner, smiled, and nodded slightly, saying, “Have a seat.”

Following Milo’s sweeping reforms of the content within Paladin Media after its restructuring and relaunch,

coupled with his forward-thinking vision,

the company’s various divisions were now thriving with vitality.

This success was reflected in the stock price, as the media company’s market value continued to hit new highs.

*Television Network Achievements:*

The exceptional dramas and variety shows brought to TBS transformed the network.

Once viewed as doomed to be merged or forgotten,

TBS now enjoyed the glory of dominating the ratings at number one for the first time ever.

Moreover, Paladin Media’s television channels flourished across the board.

While TBS basked in the success of free-to-air broadcasting,

Universal MCA’s cable television made an aggressive breakthrough in the U.S. cable industry.

Subscriber numbers skyrocketed from a modest initial base of just tens of thousands,

to an astonishing 2 million within months.

This achievement placed it among the top 10 cable subscription services in the U.S.

As for news broadcasting, this remained Turner Broadcasting’s longstanding forte.

With CNN, Paladin Media held an authoritative position in news coverage.

*Film Industry Success:*

In the other cornerstone of the media landscape, Paladin Media’s film division emerged as the biggest winner of this year’s Hollywood summer box office race.

The industry was thriving, buoyed by the Federal Reserve’s continuous monetary easing and a tidal wave of U.S. dollars flowing back into the country.

America’s economy had never been more prosperous.

Across all sectors, this economic boom was evident,

as this year’s North American summer box office set a new record.

According to data from industry reports,

the summer box office in North America reached $3.57 billion.

Among the hits, Hitch grossed nearly $400 million, ranking fourth.

The film became Jennifer Connelly’s highest-grossing project to date,

shaking off her reputation as a “box office poison” for commercial films and marking a triumphant comeback.

With an opening weekend gross of approximately $72.5 million in North America,

the film broke multiple records, including monthly debut and romantic-themed opening weekend sales.

It ranked in the top ten with a total North American box office of $260 million.

While much of the credit for the film’s success was attributed to Will Smith,

there was no denying Jennifer’s contribution as the lead actress.

Another surprise hit this summer was Mr. & Mrs. Smith,

which grossed nearly $300 million, outshining many action films.

This year’s summer season firmly established Paladin Media’s film division as the biggest winner.

The company’s dominance overshadowed Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Disney, and Paramount,

making Paladin Media the definitive champion of the summer.

Despite this success, it was clear that without Milo’s scripts and the resources of Universal Pictures,

the studio’s summer box office performance would have been a disaster.

This underscored Milo Blackburn’s consistent brilliance in filmmaking.

With each new box office data release, Milo’s reputation in the film industry only grew more untouchable.

---

*Future Strategy:*

“The next phase should focus beyond television, movies, and newspapers,”

Milo said, stroking his chin as he addressed Ted Turner.

In these three domains, Paladin Media had already maximized its existing resources.

The remaining steps were routine expansions, acquisitions, and mergers to strengthen its position.

However, to sustain its sky-high stock price—and potentially do even better—

the company needed to explore new media-related sectors and revenue streams.

For instance, Milo had already prepared to collaborate with Hearst and Newhouse in the luxury fashion industry.

This market had immense potential.

Even if Paladin Media didn’t dominate the industry,

securing a piece of the pie could bring in billions in annual profits.

These figures, reflected in the company’s financial reports,

could drive a 10-15% increase in the stock price of a company valued at over $100 billion.

Watching the company’s stock price rise steadily day by day,

Milo finally understood the mindset of executives at public companies.

Even if he were merely a senior employee rather than the owner,

seeing the stock price climb daily would be enough to keep his mood consistently upbeat.

“Understood!”

As one of Milo’s earliest supporters since the inception of his media empire,

Ted Turner was well-versed in his young boss’s vision and strategies.

Moreover, Ted himself believed that branching into luxury goods and fashion was a smart move for a media company.

Back during his time at Turner Broadcasting,

he had experimented with such ventures by broadcasting beauty pageants and fashion shows on TBS.

Unfortunately, TBS’s positioning at the time was too high-end, catering mainly to societal elites.

And societal elites, who always pride themselves on being restrained, typically don’t like this kind of thing.

But things are different now.

Now, Paladin Media has vast resources and fields to support its development, allowing it to expand into various sectors.

Of course, it can’t be done recklessly.

A media company can’t just jump into making cars or running industrial operations, after all.

At the very least, it needs to maintain some connection to the media industry.

“Commercial sports could be a good growth area. I’ve noticed that since David Stern took over, the NBA has been growing steadily for more than a decade. However, aside from Charles Dolan’s ownership of a basketball team, our investments in basketball are relatively minimal.”

Although Milo had some involvement in commercial sports, he hadn’t paid much attention to the field because Charles Dolan was in charge of it.

Now that he’d reviewed the comprehensive company business report Ted Turner brought in, Milo realized that Paladin Media was extremely conservative in the commercial sports sector.

Ted Turner hesitated and said, “But Michael Jordan is about to retire. A lot of surveys suggest that once Jordan retires, the NBA’s influence and various metrics will take a significant hit.”

Milo nodded. “That’s likely true. Jordan is a basketball star created by David Stern. His presence has indeed been a great help to the NBA.”

“However, I trust David Stern. If he could create one Jordan, he can create a few more. Even if their influence doesn’t match Jordan’s, they can compensate with numbers. The key is that his model has already proven to be highly effective. So, the NBA won’t decline. Let Charles focus more on basketball.”

Ted Turner nodded in agreement.

The old man trusted the young boss’s vision because, ever since Milo had taken over, in every field, his judgment had been flawless.

As the saying goes, the boss gives the orders, and the subordinates make it happen.

Since Milo had made a decision, the entire group would naturally follow his lead.

Although Paladin Media inherited some of the shortcomings of the two older media companies it absorbed, under Milo’s bold reforms and merciless streamlining, along with the stock incentives introduced during the restructuring and relaunch, the entire company now exuded a momentum that made other media giants wary.

Basically, as soon as Milo issued a command, the entire group would mobilize and work toward a common goal.

At least for the next few years, this unity would hold.

For the time being, Milo stayed in New York, fulfilling his responsibilities and exercising his authority as the head of a media empire.

He planned to remain in New York until around October.

By then, temperatures in the northern part of the East Coast would start dropping.

Following his usual routine, he would head to the warmer West Coast to escape New York’s harsh winter.

However, this October, he planned to make a trip to Europe.

If nothing else, Paladin Media’s interest in entering the luxury goods sector made it essential for him to visit the birthplace of the modern luxury industry.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 222: The People of New York City*

In a luxury apartment in Manhattan's Upper East Side, Frank Cali sat with a serious expression, watching over the studies of his three children.

The children, aged between thirteen and seven, consisted of two boys and one girl.

Although he couldn't fully understand their assignments, Frank observed with genuine focus.

Frank hadn't always gone by this name. He was once known as John Gotti II.

His father had been the infamous yet tabloid-favorite John Gotti, the fourth-generation godfather of the Gambino family, a figure whose legacy remains a subject of fascination to this day.

Seven years ago, Frank's father was betrayed by an informant and sent to prison.

Later, he was diagnosed with throat cancer while incarcerated and passed away last year.

In the original timeline, someone like Frank Cali, given his background, would have faced two possible fates:

One, he'd be killed within a couple of years, a casualty of internal Sicilian power struggles.

Or two, he'd emerge victorious in those struggles, inherit his father's power, and lead the Italian mafia for a few years or a decade before meeting his end either at the hands of a rival gang or within the walls of a prison.

Such was the destiny of nearly every Sicilian godfather—death by betrayal or imprisonment.

But two years ago, everything changed.

An influential figure in need of someone to handle shady business in New York City turned to Frank Cali.

Frank, adaptable and persuasive, found his fate dramatically altered.

He changed his name and shifted his allegiance.

Unlike others who might have let newfound power go to their heads, Frank Cali remained determined.

Once things stabilized, his top priority became social mobility.

Frank knew he himself was beyond saving.

But he hoped his children wouldn’t have to endure the life he was leading.

He pushed them to excel academically and spared no effort in paving a better path for them.

“Mr. Smith, I’m entrusting Andy and the others to you,” Frank said after glancing at the assignments he couldn’t quite grasp.

Turning with a warm smile, he looked nothing like a fearsome Sicilian godfather. Instead, he resembled a wealthy father eager to get his children into the best schools.

Frank addressed Carl Smith, an Ivy League graduate with a respected reputation in New York's education circles.

Carl was an influential figure at a prominent church-affiliated school that catered to students from elementary to high school.

The school boasted a 95% success rate of its graduates seamlessly entering Ivy League universities.

Of course, the tuition reflected that prestige.

Carl Smith smiled and said, “Andy and the others show exceptional promise. I’m confident they’ll have a bright future. The Cali children are welcome at our school. In ten days, when the new term begins, they can all enroll.”

Although it would cost Frank nearly a million dollars a year, he was more than willing.

For someone of his background, ensuring his children could rise through such channels and shed their stigmas was worth every penny.

Besides, many of his peers in the same line of work, even if they had the money, lacked the connections for such opportunities.

Now a wealthy man by most standards, Frank had no trouble affording it.

While he wouldn’t make the Forbes list, his net worth was easily in the billions.

By sheer wealth, he belonged to America’s upper class.

Yet, in America—a country of immigrants with no deep-rooted aristocracy—wealth alone wasn’t enough to secure a place in high society.

Wealth merely provided the ticket to entry.

True acceptance into high society required more: lineage, reputation, and “old money.”

Old money, accumulated and preserved over generations, was the hallmark of high society.

New money—fortunes amassed suddenly through personal effort—rarely earned the same respect.

Even those with immense wealth were often confined to the "upper class" rather than being embraced by the upper echelons.

New York’s high society, centered around families like the Astors, formed an exclusive “Four Hundred” club.

This elite circle was notorious for its rejection of newcomers.

Even the most powerful figures in the country weren't exempt from such disdain.

A famous Boston aristocrat once expressed open contempt for the Kennedy family, deriding them as “lowly Irish drifters” despite John F. Kennedy’s presidency.

Modern America, of course, still largely measures social standing by economic power.

For most, ZIP code 10021 is just another postal code.

For demographers, however, it represents the wealthiest community in the United States.

This area, stretching from Fifth Avenue to the East River and between East 61st and East 80th Streets, is home to a “kingdom of social elites.”

Within this “nobility district” are powerful institutions, exclusive private clubs, and the finest private schools.

Some prominent families living near Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue still uphold traditional winter and summer social gatherings.

New money families, even those living in the same neighborhoods, rarely receive invitations to these events.

This exclusivity was why Kemp, before meeting Milo, had desperately marketed his family name.

Of course, Kemp’s behavior didn’t help his reputation either. His antics made it hard for anyone to take him seriously.

At the banquet, Old Black went out of his way to mock and ridicule him publicly, which ultimately provoked Kim Pu to decide to run for office out of spite.

Basically, once he became the leader, everything else would fall into place.

The family's foundation would be solidified, and he could stand at the forefront as a target, while choosing one of his children to stand by his side and groom them.

They would learn how to be a leader and establish an extensive network of connections.

If he could cultivate a second leader, like the Bush family did, the family would instantly rise to the pinnacle of American society.

Now, these kinds of social gatherings have shifted from being “social ladders” to more of a way for families to maintain public relations.

Additionally, private, exclusive clubs are still popular among high society as gathering places.

Unfortunately, none of this has anything to do with Frank Cali at the moment.

Though he is wealthy—very wealthy—as a construction tycoon and leader of a labor union near New York, overseeing several lucrative gray-area businesses, he still lacks status.

If it weren’t for someone backing him, his current wealth would have immediately attracted a group of people eager to destroy him and seize his assets under various pretexts.

So while working hard to climb higher, Frank Cali knows exactly who he owes his current success to.

That’s why he’s always tactful.

Even though the agreed-upon time is still two or three hours away, Frank Cali arrives early at the Kim Pu National Golf Club in New Jersey.

There, Frank Cali meets the owner of the golf course—the former billionaire from New York who is now one of the city’s high society figures.

“Mr. Kim Pu, good afternoon,” Frank Cali greets with a wide smile, far from the image of a Sicilian godfather.

Instead, he resembles an Italian sandwich shop owner from Queens, friendly and approachable.

“Good afternoon, Frank,” Kim Pu responds reservedly.

By his side is his daughter Ivana, who is about to head off to school.

In the past, Kim Pu might have happily entertained someone like Frank Cali, a godfather from New York’s underworld.

Back then, Kim Pu wasn’t much of a figure himself and sometimes even had to yield to such people.

But now...

Kim Pu glanced at Frank Cali and decided to show this Italian man a bit of respect, as he was now an ally—someone within the same camp, just in a different role.

“So why are you here so early? Milo said he’d come after three.”

“Well, I had nothing else planned for the afternoon, so I thought I’d come early and see if there’s anything you need help with, Mr. Kim Pu.”

“Ha! There’s nothing here that needs help. But since you’re here early, how about a drink?”

“It would be my honor,” Frank Cali replied in a very New York manner, clearly working on improving his English accent.

When speaking with non-Italian Americans, he tried his best to sound like a Manhattanite rather than a Sicilian living in New York.

Over food and drinks, while Ivana went to the kitchen to order, Kim Pu leaned in and whispered curiously to Frank Cali:

“I heard about Miami. No casualties this time?”

“There were still a few,” Frank replied cautiously.

“Wow, so Miami lost a lot of people?”

“All the right people died. And the ones our boss wanted gone are gone as well,” Frank answered carefully, even though he knew Kim Pu wouldn’t snitch.

“Alright, I won’t ask further,” Kim Pu said, pulling back as he spotted his daughter returning from the other end of the dining room.

Switching to a more commanding tone, he told Frank Cali, “Just do your job well. Mr. Blackburn is a very considerate and noble man. If you work hard for him, he’ll prove to be generous, kind, and fair. Let’s see how we all perform. Frank, I think you understand this very well!”

Frank Cali nodded in agreement.

To be honest, he thought so too.

Although Old Gotti was gone, Frank still had an uncle who was alive—an uncle who had been active since the first generation of godfathers.

His uncle had seen too many people and too many things, and he constantly reminded Frank that the man he now served was unique—far better than any boss the godfathers of the past had ever worked for.

Frank wholeheartedly agreed.

Just as Ivana approached with a smile, Don’s personal secretary, Rick, a middle-aged white man in his forties, walked over.

“Boss, I just got a call from City Hall. Our mayor is on his way here now.”

"Wow!" Jim looked surprised. "He came early too? Wasn't it supposed to be three—oh, no, two hours now? Weren't we supposed to meet two hours later?"

Rick shrugged and glanced at Frank beside him. Frank responded with a friendly smile.

Rick smiled back, then continued speaking to Jim:

"Maybe our dear mayor wants to be like our friend Frank here, arriving early to wait for Mr. Blackburn."

"That's possible. Rick, we all know our Italian mayor's campaign isn't looking great this year!"

Jim's mind raced as he seemed to seize on something important.

"Four years ago, his election was already full of unexpected factors. If he wants to run for re-election this year, he’ll have no choice but to compromise with Milo."

"Actually, since last year, he’s been trying to compromise with Milo but hasn’t found the right opportunity. After all, our Mr. Blackburn doesn’t seem to like this Italian much!"

"You’re right, boss. That’s likely the case."

Frank Cali listened to their conversation quietly. As an Italian-American, he didn’t feel offended at all.

After all, he despised the Italian mayor, Giuliani, who was also coming to the meeting.

Two years ago, if it hadn’t been for Mr. Blackburn’s intervention, Frank knew he would have either fled New York or ended up in prison like his father.

His family and associates would have had to either submit to Giuliani or join him in jail.

Though both shared Italian heritage, how could Frank feel any kinship with someone who had once persecuted his family?

This was a life-and-death enemy!

Thanks to aligning with the right benefactor, Frank no longer had to worry about Giuliani’s oppression.

Now, the tables had turned; it was Giuliani who feared losing power.

So, at 2:00 PM, Frank Cali followed Jim’s entourage to meet the current mayor of New York, Giuliani, who had arrived more than an hour early.

To be honest, Giuliani’s first two years as mayor were actually commendable.

Under this former prosecutor’s leadership, New York’s crime and gang problems saw some improvement.

But over the next two years, as Giuliani gradually lost influence in the city council, many of his proposals and orders were blocked. Without the necessary budget, much of his authority was rendered ineffective.

Even if he wanted to make New York better, he found himself powerless.

Besides, in America, whether it’s mayors, governors, or presidents, few truly aim to better their cities, states, or country.

Most are simply strengthening their own positions while doing just enough to advance their political careers.

Giuliani was a quintessential American politician.

Thus, his final two years as mayor could be described as unproductive.

Two years flew by, and now it was election season in New York again.

Giuliani was feeling the pressure.

Given the current state of the race, his chances of re-election weren’t looking good.

"Hey, Don, good afternoon!"

"And Frank, long time no see!"

Giuliani greeted Jim warmly and hugged him.

When it was Frank’s turn, the hug was even more enthusiastic, a stark contrast to two years ago when he was determined to put Frank behind bars.

"I didn’t expect you to come so early, Rudy. Milo isn’t here yet; you might have to wait a bit longer!"

Jim chuckled, welcoming the mayor.

"Oh, that’s fine. We can play some golf to warm up!"

Giuliani added, "That way, we’ll perform even better in front of Mr. Blackburn later!"

***

Meanwhile, on the streets of Brooklyn, a convoy of Cadillacs was cruising through the city.

In the rear compartment of a Cadillac SUV, a dreamy-eyed Britney was gazing at the scenery flashing past the privacy-tinted windows.

Milo, who was nestled in her lap, was busily teasing her, completely absorbed in his mischief.

Britney merely held his head tightly with her arms, savoring the inexplicable sensations coursing through her.

"Master..." Britney’s clear, soft voice whispered as the car crossed the Brooklyn Bridge.

Milo grinned mischievously as Britney, flustered, gently pushed him away.

Blushing, she looked at him with a mix of shyness and pity, adjusted her silk V-neck camisole, and pulled her oversized blazer closed. "You bit me too hard," she said softly.

Milo smacked his lips, his grin unapologetic. "I was improving your blood circulation, helping them grow better. I’m doing you a favor!"

His self-assured tone, as if he were genuinely doing it for her benefit, made Britney chuckle in exasperation.

This wasn’t a genius or a legendary mogul—it was a scoundrel!

Her eyes sparkled as she said playfully, "Then... maybe you should help me again?"

She knew her master had a preference for bigger things, especially when comparing her to Christina.

He played with Christina more often because, when it came to body figure, he really couldn’t compare to Christina.

But fortunately, he was more obedient, and overall, the master still preferred him a bit more.

"Alright, alright. Aren’t you about to start a small-scale tour? It’ll be a long time before we meet again. Honestly, won’t it be exhausting?"

Milo raised his arm to wrap around Britney’s body, pulling her into his embrace and whispering in her ear.

Britney was about to release her second album.

Before the album hit the market, she planned to tour several major cities across the U.S. to build anticipation. During the concerts, she would also perform a few songs from the new album.

This strategy was expected to boost the album’s sales.

Although Britney’s cheeks were already rosy, making it hard to see any noticeable changes, a layer of mist rose in her enchanting eyes.

She wasn’t a clueless, naive girl.

Her master sometimes did treat her like a plaything, and when he played, he could get carried away.

But at other times, this master truly cared for her deeply.

He sheltered her in many ways and cherished her in many aspects.

To be honest, Britney felt that the love and care she received from her master far exceeded what she ever got from her parents.

Her parents only cared about how much money she made that month and how much she brought home.

They never cared if she was tired, if her body was feeling unwell, or if she was under mental stress.

So, in many cases, Britney wasn’t really naive. She just felt that, in the face of such a master, even if she played the role of a simple little pet, what was so bad about that?

After all, many people dream of being such a pet but can’t achieve it! Especially with a master like him—it’s not something you can find just anywhere!

“I’m not tired,” she said softly. “I love the stage. I feel like when I’m up there, I’m complete! Master, no matter how exhausted I am, as long as I’m on that stage, I feel like I have endless energy.”

Hearing her response, Milo shrugged and let her be.

Some people were born for the stage—they were entirely different onstage and offstage.

Britney, in her previous life, had been exploited to such an extent that she only broke down mentally after enduring for so long. That could only be attributed to her extraordinary talent.

This "stage creature" quality was likely the reason she could hold on for so long.

Since she didn’t mind, Milo felt there was no need to force her to rest constantly.

As the convoy passed through Queens, Britney carefully got out of the car and switched to another vehicle.

She was heading to John F. Kennedy International Airport to catch a flight to Los Angeles for the second round of her small-scale tour.

Milo’s convoy continued onward, passing through Queens and taking the outer New York highway.

Around 3 PM, they arrived at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

The sunlight bathed the lush green golf course, gently brushing over every blade of grass like silk.

The entire lawn looked like a beautifully crafted painting. The cleverly designed holes were interspersed with sand traps and lakes, adding a touch of liveliness and charm.

In the distance, rolling hills blended harmoniously with the blue skies and white clouds, creating a picturesque natural landscape.

In such a place, swinging a golf club offered a dual reward of exercise and scenic enjoyment. Every strike felt like an intimate conversation with nature.

No wonder golf was the favorite sport of the wealthy.

This is why the world’s more affluent cities often had numerous golf courses in their surrounding areas.

When they reached the parking lot of the golf course, Milo hadn’t even stepped out of the car, and the convoy hadn’t completely stopped yet.

Milo noticed that the people from the club had already gathered around to welcome him.

He didn’t rush to get out. Instead, he waited for the bodyguards to step out first and check the surroundings for safety.

Only then did Milo leisurely step out, smiling and waving to greet them.

(End of Chapter)