217-218

Chapter 217: The Grand Event Begins

*August 15th arrived quickly.*

On this day, the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, was set to host a grand gala.

Of course, in Miami—a paradise for vacations—events such as celebratory parties, networking cocktails, and promotional gatherings for countless brands and companies were in abundance.

After all, the climate, scenery, location, and even the laws here were perfectly suited for hosting all kinds of parties and galas.

In the entire United States, the only place that could possibly outshine Miami in this regard was Los Angeles, with its Hollywood allure.

Even New York couldn’t compete.

However, *today was different.*

Event service providers and organizers near Beverly Hills and Hollywood found themselves facing a peculiar situation.

On August 15th, the number of upscale galas in Beverly Hills and Hollywood had dropped by more than 85%.

Usually, hundreds of parties—big and small—were held daily in this area.

Today, there were fewer than a hundred.

Tourists visiting Hollywood and Beverly Hills that day were also left disappointed.

On any regular day, a stroll along Sunset Boulevard or other popular spots might yield a chance encounter with a major A-list celebrity.

Even on an unlucky day, spotting a few lesser-known stars was almost guaranteed.

But today, there wasn’t a single sighting.

This was unusual.

Yet, it also made sense.

Anyone paying attention to entertainment news recently would know that celebrities and socialites from Hollywood had all flocked to Miami.

Even those without invitations were heading there, hoping to gain entry somehow.

Even the lesser-known stars with no chance of getting in had left Los Angeles for Miami.

After all, Miami—particularly Palm Beach—was the center of global entertainment media attention that day.

The exposure was off the charts.

Even showing up and getting featured in the news would be better than staying idle in Los Angeles.

Plane tickets within the U.S. weren’t that expensive, after all!

---

By 9 a.m., the Mar-a-Lago estate was a hive of activity.

Milo Blackburn’s grand entertainment gala wasn’t just attended by executives from his companies but also drew a massive crowd of celebrities and elites. Those who weren’t invited were doing everything in their power to join.

Since acquiring MCA Universal and integrating it into his empire, Milo Blackburn’s influence in the American entertainment industry had grown significantly.

With media hype and Hollywood’s unique culture of status competition, this party had become more than just an important networking event—it was now a prestigious opportunity for celebrities to showcase their standing in the industry.

Female stars who received invitations were determined to outshine one another at the gala.

---

Milo stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his study on the second floor.

From there, he could see the bustling scene on the sprawling lawn in the front courtyard. Hundreds of workers were busy setting up decorations for the party.

Nearby, Gisele Bündchen was hard at work, catching her breath, while the housekeeper, accustomed to the eccentricities of the master of the house, calmly delivered her report.

“...3,000 Alaskan prawns, 1,500 crab legs, 1,500 oysters, 1,200 stone crab claws, 600 Maine lobsters, 250 pounds of Atlantic bigeye snapper, 50 yellowtail snappers, 17 wild American herrings, 10 pounds of Burgundy black truffles, 5 kilograms of caviar, 3,000 bottles of Armand de Brignac champagne, 2,400 bottles of Sterling wine, and so on.

“We’ll need 6,000 glasses and 6,000 small plates. A total of 120 culinary staff and 400 servers will cater to 1,000 guests.

“Unused ingredients will be donated to charity after the party to help those in need. All tableware is recyclable to avoid environmental pollution.”

Milo nodded. “Got it. You can go. Bring Kenny to me in ten minutes.”

“Yes, sir.” The housekeeper closed her folder, glanced discreetly at Gisele Bündchen, and then bowed slightly before leaving.

---

Several minutes later...

Cough, cough...  

Milo exhaled contentedly, watching Gisele zip his pants and make final adjustments before standing up.

“Good girl.” He patted her flushed cheek gently.

“For next year’s Super Bowl fashion show, you’ll be the centerpiece.”

Gisele’s beautiful eyes lit up instantly, feeling that all her hard work had been worth it.

She leaned toward Milo, eager to be closer, ready to embrace him and let him enjoy himself further.

“I’m going to freshen up!” she said.

“No need. Go take care of your other tasks. I have more work to do.”

“Okay.” Gisele obediently left to clean herself up.

---

A few minutes later, Kenny knocked and entered the study.

“Boss.”

“Tonight’s security must be flawless,” Milo said. “The red carpet area for the reporters is a top priority—make sure there are no issues with those people.”

Milo knew his party would capture the attention of most A-list and B-list Hollywood celebrities.

In terms of scale, it far surpassed the Oscars. After all, most major figures from the Emmys and Grammys typically don't attend the Oscars, nor are they invited.

Tonight, however, could be described as an entertainment gala combining all three major awards.

Even executives from numerous media conglomerates were personally in attendance.

It could easily be considered a grand entertainment event, not just at a national level but globally as well.

Achieving this level of influence would have been utterly impossible relying solely on Paladin Media's current power.

Ignoring market capitalization for a moment and looking strictly at market share, companies like Disney, Viacom, and News Corp still have a slight edge over Paladin Media at this point.

Paladin Media is referred to as the world’s top media group, but that’s only because it was the first media company to surpass a market valuation of $100 billion.

In terms of actual influence and industrial scale, Paladin Media currently ranks third or fourth at best in the United States.

So if even companies like Disney don’t have the pull to gather so many big names for a single event, Paladin Media on its own certainly wouldn’t either.

The real reason lies in Milo Blackburn's personal influence, reputation, and charisma, which account for more than 70% of this feat.

At 25 years old, he's the world’s youngest billionaire, the son of the U.S. Secretary of Defense, the grandson of the GOP’s reemerging whip, the grandson of a former U.S. president, the nephew of the governor of Texas, the future son-in-law of the Rockefeller family, chairman of the world’s largest internet company, and the most influential person in the global tech industry.

His list of titles and identities is longer than something like "Breaker of Chains" could ever hope to be.

If you wanted to be precise, he also holds over 50 board chair positions across successful Silicon Valley startups.

On top of that, he’s an independent director for companies like Apple, Cisco, Oracle, and Microsoft.

He’s even the chairman of an energy giant.

Among all these titles, being a bestselling author, renowned screenwriter, or genius hardly even matters.

What truly stands out is his youth—achieving so much success at just 25 years old.

It's an entirely different story when someone accomplishes this at 50.

While the latter is legendary, America is full of such legends.

The former, however, with youth as a factor, elevates the story to an extraordinary level, spreading its legend far and wide and leaving everyone in awe.

As future internet generations might put it, Milo is the embodiment of the true American Dream.

And let’s not forget—he's a WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) through and through.

His lineage is as pure as it gets, even more so than families like the Morgans or Rockefellers.

In 1620, on November 11, 41 adult men aboard the Mayflower signed the Mayflower Compact. Six months later, 15 of them had died.

Of the 102 passengers on board, only half survived.

Over the next 400 years, nearly 25% of modern Americans can trace their ancestry back to the 55 English Puritan refugees who survived.

While most of these bloodlines have diluted over time, some have remained strong.

For example, the military leader Winslow and the religious leader Blackburn aboard the Mayflower have direct descendants.

Both Winslow and Blackburn families still reside in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where they once owned or still own significant portions of land.

While the Winslow descendants have largely lost influence, only maintaining relevance near Plymouth, the Blackburn lineage has endured.

In Chinese terms, this kind of lineage would be equivalent to being a direct descendant of the Zhou dynasty's royal family.

While China underwent transformative changes under revolutionaries like Mr. Sun, America, with 80% of its cultural inheritance from Britain and only 5% of its self-developed cultural DNA, lacks such upheaval.

Here, the president's son becomes president, the senator’s son becomes a senator, the general’s son becomes a general, and the lawyer’s son becomes a lawyer.

This is the preserved legacy—the unspoken rule of the nation, culture, and society.

In this cultural context, someone like Milo, with his lineage and background, enjoys unparalleled recognition from America’s true elite.

Even other American Dream success stories, like those of Elon Musk in a parallel timeline, can’t compare.

Take Musk as an example.

He had NASA and parts of the U.S. military as his backers, acting as a white-gloved figure for them.

Yet even he had to tread carefully in America, always mindful of potential missteps.

Musk, who often played the internet's grand troll to maintain his presence, openly declared he had no mental illness and wouldn’t commit suicide.

Barring accidents, Musk’s ceiling in America was a smaller-scale Bill Gates.

Though the ceiling was high, it was still there.

This was largely because Musk, with his Anglo-Dutch Boer heritage, still had decent "white" credentials.

If Musk had a different skin tone—yellow or black, for instance—the outcomes would’ve been vastly different.

For someone like Huang Peiyi, who capitalized on the AI wave, the peak net worth reached $60 billion.

As for African Americans, the richest individual is a hip-hop artist like Kanye West, whose wealth peaked at $6.6 billion.

Now compare that to white-skinned Musk, whose publicly disclosed net worth was $250 billion.

*Don’t even think about the secretive elites like the Rockefellers.*

You could call this the ultimate ceiling—a barrier that looms over every ethnicity in America except WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants).

Even the "squid people" face the same limitations.

At least in the United States, they can’t touch the military, energy, or food industries.

Milo’s background, however, leaves him without any such ceiling.

As long as he has the ability and can navigate his rise without being taken down, there’s no limit to how high he can climb.

In fact, he’d likely attract countless allies to support him because he’s young.

Many WASPs would see him as a potential future leader and role model for their community.

This is an enviable advantage, one that even a parallel-universe Elon Musk—worth $250 billion—would be jealous to death over.

But I digress.

In short, Milo’s unique status is the reason his entertainment industry gala has garnered such widespread acceptance and participation.

His dual identity—being both of distinguished lineage and a media mogul—makes this possible.

Without the former, the true controllers of America’s media industry wouldn’t respect him.

Without the latter, he wouldn’t qualify to be the de facto leader of this circle.

Both are essential.

Now, he’s achieved it.

The sheer number of attendees is proof.

This event is undoubtedly a grand celebration for America’s entertainment media and even for global entertainment journalists.

---

“... I’ve brought in an additional 200 personnel from our headquarters, bringing the total to 600. However, as planned, only 200 will be present on-site during the event.”

“... Local Miami police departments will also deploy 500 officers to help maintain order.”

“... The local FBI and DEA have confirmed that by morning, they’ll each have 200 plainclothes agents and investigators stationed nearby.”

Kenny smiled and shrugged. “Unless it’s a military strike, nothing will disrupt your party, boss. And if the military does attack, we’ve got the federal troops and the National Guard to back us up.”

Hearing Kenny’s report, Milo nodded, then frowned slightly as he gazed at the sky. “Let’s hope the weather cooperates.”

Thanks to its geography and proximity to the ocean, Miami has a nine-month rainy season, typically running from May to January. As for weather forecasts? Well, everyone knows how unreliable they can be. A stray cloud could show up and pour rain at any moment, which would be quite frustrating.

---

As night fell, the grand star-studded event of sin city, Miami, officially began.

This was one of the most highly anticipated and luxurious parties in Miami, and arguably all of America.

A stunning Spanish-style palace, a pristine red carpet, lavish floral arrangements, dazzling flashbulbs, and the enchanting music of a small symphony orchestra on the lawn set the stage. Outdoor spotlights illuminated the entire Mar-a-Lago estate, giving it a magnificent and radiant glow that left every guest in awe.

The red carpet at the Mar-a-Lago party was an epitome of glamour and high fashion.

“Katherine…”

“Over here, Katherine…”

Hearing the calls from the red carpet photo area by the entrance, Milo couldn’t help but smile. His very own English rose had arrived in style.

Catherine Zeta-Jones turned heads in a crimson deep-V gown with intricate cutouts, flaunting her stunning S-curve figure. Her elegant, beautiful face wore a sweet smile, and her dimples added an extra touch of charm.

Recently divorced Nicole Kidman made her appearance in a red embroidered evening gown. Standing at 5’11” (180 cm) and paired with silver high heels, her model-like physique radiated confidence and elegance.

She walked hand-in-hand with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, both in dazzling silver gowns. These two pop sensations immediately became the brightest stars on the red carpet.

Cate Blanchett graced the event in a pale-yellow strapless gown with a matching shawl, exuding regal poise.

French actress Julie Delpy, with her large expressive eyes and delicate brows, accompanied Blanchett. She wore a deep-V gown with soft waves in her hair, epitomizing the allure of a Parisian woman.

Charlize Theron, in a custom Dior red evening gown with a plunging neckline, exuded both grace and boldness. Her burgeoning queen-like aura stole the show, captivating countless cameras.

Even Monica Bellucci, who had stepped away from the limelight to focus on her pregnancy, made an impression despite her absence.

And Sophie Marceau, the ever-elegant mother, was also present.

But it wasn’t just Milo’s women who showed up.

Among the male Hollywood A-listers were Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Jean-Claude Van Damme. On the female side, Julia Roberts and Demi Moore led the charge.

The music industry’s biggest stars also turned out, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Mariah Carey, MC Hammer, Sheryl Crow, and Whitney Houston. Not one was missing.

In comparison, American television actors of the time—much like their future Chinese counterparts—had far less prestige. The Emmy Awards’ ratings lagged far behind those of the Grammys and the Oscars.

---

Yet, beyond the celebrities who thrilled the public and sent entertainment reporters into a frenzy, the true highlight of the evening was the attendance of industry titans like Rupert Murdoch, Sumner Redstone, and Michael Eisner.

This was truly a “feast of kings,” where intellectuals mingled, and not a single ordinary guest was to be found.

The venue sparkled with opulence as glasses clinked, and everyone seemed to find their place amidst the grandeur.

Milo smiled warmly, standing beside Sophie Marceau, who had been specially chosen for the evening. Elegantly dressed, she embodied grace and sophistication.

Among all his women, Sophie, his "French first kiss," was the first to get pregnant and bore him the most children. Naturally, he showed her some extra respect.

Thus, she became his first companion for the evening.

Of course, not all the other women were thrilled about this.

But Milo had a knack for smoothing things over effortlessly.

"She gave birth to two children for me and has been in a semi-retired state for over a year."

That reason is truly hardcore.

Just like that, he moved among the guests, toasting and chatting with ease.

When the large countdown clock set up in the courtyard struck 7:00 PM,

Milo gently patted Sophie’s small hand resting in the crook of his arm, smiled slightly, and said, “I’m going to give a speech. I’ll be right back.”

Sophie nodded slightly, let go of his arm, and watched as Milo walked confidently toward the stage where the band was playing. Holding a microphone in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other, his face was adorned with a radiant smile.

The guests gradually quieted down, turned toward him, and looked at him with friendly smiles.

“First of all, welcome, everyone. Many of you here are old friends I’ve known for years, while others are new acquaintances. It is my honor as the host of this party to have you all gathered here tonight.”

“This party holds great significance for me. Firstly, it’s the grandest event I’ve ever hosted, allowing my friends from the media and entertainment industries to meet and connect. You may see this party as a platform for networking, sharing resources, and fostering cross-industry collaborations.”

“In our country, the most precious things are freedom and ideals. Free thought, a leisurely life, and fulfilling dreams are all invaluable treasures.”

“Look at us—we are truly wealthy!”

“As long as we hold on to these treasures, we can proudly proclaim that we have always been surrounded by beauty. That is true now, and it will be even truer in the future!”

“May all of your futures be as bright as my present. Here’s to everyone—”

Amid warm applause and joyful cheers, Milo raised his champagne glass high, signaling to all the guests.

“Cheers!”

The crowd raised their glasses and drank heartily.

In the audience, Murdoch and Redstone, who had been chatting quietly while drinking, set their glasses down.

“Sigh…”

Murdoch let out a soft sigh.

“What’s the matter, Rupert?” Redstone asked curiously.

“Oh, nothing,” Murdoch quickly recovered. The old man smiled as he looked at Milo descending the stage. Shaking his head, he said,

“I just can’t imagine it. In just about two years, he’s reached this level. Look—everyone is here. I’d say if someone were to drop a bomb over our heads right now, the entire American entertainment industry would be wiped out.”

“If someone could actually do that,” Redstone chuckled,

“then it wouldn’t just be America’s entertainment industry that would be destroyed. It’d be the whole world’s!”

“But you’re right,” Redstone continued with a smile before Murdoch could laugh,

“It’s truly unimaginable. I remember when we first met him, we thought of him as a North American grizzly bear, just wandering into the garden for a nibble on some flowers and grass.”

“Who would have thought that the grizzly would plant its roots in the garden?”

“A very vivid metaphor,” Murdoch agreed.

The two old men exchanged a glance, clearly recalling the time two years ago when they first met Milo at a Disney cocktail party.

That party was hosted by Disney to celebrate their successful acquisition of ABC.

Both old men knew that Milo’s father, a congressman who was then Chairman of the National Broadcasting Regulatory Committee, had played a significant role in helping Disney close the deal.

That was also the beginning of Milo’s entry into the media industry.

It explained why Disney had supported him so much at the start.

Although their relationship eventually soured—or perhaps it wasn’t even fair to call it soured; they just became competitors and collaborated less—Disney had undoubtedly been his greatest benefactor initially.

But now… Redstone glanced at Murdoch.

Now, Milo’s most frequent collaborator was this Australian fellow.

Redstone thought to himself.

Meanwhile, near Miami—

Tom Hanks, who was smiling and chatting with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, suddenly froze.

He thought he’d heard the rapid sound of gunfire coming from the city.

But as he focused, the only sounds he could hear were the elegant music from the party and the noise of over a thousand guests and several hundred staff.

Shrugging, Tom figured it must’ve been his imagination.

When he arrived earlier, he had noticed that the entire southern end of Palm Beach, near Mar-a-Lago, was swarming with police cars.

Even the skies above were being patrolled by helicopters from the local police department.

No matter how chaotic the “city of sin” might be, no one could disrupt this party tonight.

“I really should’ve listened to Rita and smoked just a little more before coming,” Tom thought.

“Maybe then I wouldn’t be hearing things now.”

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 218: The Light and Darkness of Miami*

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Tom Hanks wasn’t mistaken, nor was he imagining things.

While at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, he distinctly heard the sound of gunfire.

However, the shooting didn’t occur amidst the luxurious mansions scattered across the estate.

It was in the broader Miami area, where tonight, a heavy police presence and FBI agents flooded Palm Beach’s vicinity.

### Miami: A Vast Urban Sprawl

In its broader sense, Miami refers to an expansive metropolitan area that includes Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County.

- *City of Miami Population*: 600,000

- *Miami Beach Population*: 95,000

- *Greater Miami Area Population*: 210,000

With an elevation of 20 feet and covering 45 square miles, Miami ranks among the most densely populated cities in the United States.

It is the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern U.S. and the fourth largest in the country.

### A Double-Edged Sword

In America, there’s an unspoken rule: the denser the population, the more developed the area. But it also becomes fertile ground for gangs and criminal activity.

From New York to Chicago to Los Angeles, this holds true. Miami is no exception.

As the closest major U.S. city to South America, Miami has earned the nickname "the true capital of South America."

And when it comes to crime, Latin American groups are often considered more formidable than African-American or Italian gangs.

With such a dense population of Latin Americans, could the "capital of South America" possibly avoid trouble?

The Infamous Mariel Boatlift

Adding to the chaos was the infamous maneuver by Fidel Castro in 1980, known as the "Mariel Boatlift."

That spring, thousands of Cubans sought asylum at the Peruvian embassy in Havana, most of whom were impoverished or had criminal records.

Taking advantage of the situation, the U.S. announced that it welcomed these individuals to "a land of freedom and democracy."

All they had to do was set foot on American soil to become U.S. residents.

The reality was clear to many: America’s sanctions were often the root cause of widespread suffering around the world. But Western media would never admit to this.

Fidel Castro saw an opportunity and seized it. He declared Mariel Harbor open, allowing any Cuban to leave freely within three months.

To make matters worse, he emptied Cuba’s prisons, mental hospitals, and detention centers, sending 150,000 people—predominantly criminals, vagrants, and psychiatric patients—straight to America.

Washington was stunned.

Initially, U.S. leaders had envisioned the Cuban immigrants to be skilled professionals, like the doctors and nurses from earlier waves in 1959.

But instead of valuable talent, what they got were societal misfits.

Caught in a Cold War stalemate with the Soviet Union, Washington had to accept these 150,000 "elites" to maintain its image as a beacon of freedom.

Florida, particularly Miami, bore the brunt.

### Miami's Transformation

With little preparation, Miami was overwhelmed. After registering the immigrants, authorities granted them "freedom" and left them to fend for themselves.

Most refused to leave Miami, claiming they had fallen in love with the city.

At the time, Miami had a population of fewer than two million.

Adding 150,000 unprepared newcomers—many of whom weren’t even Cuban but had purchased Cuban nationality to immigrate—strained the city beyond its limits.

Within a decade, Miami’s local white population began moving out. The city, once a symbol of modern prosperity in the 1960s and 70s, became America’s crime capital.

This wasn’t the last such event. The Soviet Union later dumped Siberian criminals into Florida as well, exacerbating the problem.

A Crown of Crime

Starting in 1983, Florida consistently held the title of "America’s Most Crime-Ridden Region" for over a decade.

Even in the pre-internet era, Florida’s crime rate became infamous nationwide, spread by word of mouth alongside its reputation as a tourist destination.

In 1997, just 17 years after the Mariel Boatlift, the impact of these immigrants was still felt.

Even if those who arrived in 1980 were now in their 50s, many were still active, especially those who had arrived as young adults.

In today’s Miami, crime often revolved around their actions.

Before the Pandora’s box was opened under President Obama, Miami’s daily gunfire incidents likely surpassed those in Los Angeles and New York combined.

This fourth-largest city in the U.S. was undeniably chaotic.

This is the current state of public safety in Miami.

So, is it safe to say that hearing gunshots in Miami has become a normal occurrence?

Yes, it’s very normal.

But tonight, even Tom Hanks, attending a banquet in Palm Beach, could hear the sound of gunshots coming from far-off Miami.

And the shots were quite frequent.

That’s not normal.

In fact, while Milo was at Mar-a-Lago, smiling as he took the stage to announce the start of the soirée, something else was happening at the same time.

Over 200 fit young men from New York, using various fake identities to slip through unnoticed, infiltrated America’s so-called "Sin City," Miami, with the help of some locals and even a few FBI agents.

While Milo Blackburn was smiling and chatting with Rupert Murdoch and Sumner Redstone, elsewhere in Miami, on Glenden Street in the Design District, Tupac Lima, a local biker gang leader, was getting out of his car with a grin, holding his young girlfriend close. He was headed toward a nearby bar.

Before he could see what was happening ahead of him, a red Chevrolet sedan rolled by and suddenly stopped.

The rear window lowered quickly, and out came a handgun in a flash.

Tupac Lima, a gang leader who loved guns and had a massive collection at home, instantly recognized the weapon. It was a Glock 17 with an extended magazine, a fairly new model on the market. Using 9x19mm ammunition, it had low recoil and rarely jammed—a popular choice upon release.

He had two unopened Glocks at home and carried a frequently used one in his pocket.

But before Tupac Lima could even draw his gun from his waistband, the Glock 17 in the red Chevrolet fired five shots.

One hit his head, two struck his torso—enough to make even Death himself shake his head.

The remaining two shots hit his legs. He was dead before he could react.

The ordinary and slightly battered red Chevrolet sped away, its engine and tires roaring in unison.

“Making a movie? I’m far too busy for that. Steven, seriously, I have no time to make films anymore.”

At almost the same moment, Milo, after exchanging pleasantries with two older gentlemen, encountered Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Tom Hanks, who came over to greet him.

“Oh, what a pity. That’s truly a great loss for the global film industry!” Spielberg said softly, looking at Milo seriously. “Just now, I was telling George that if we don’t get to see another film by Mr. Blackburn, it would be a real regret. I didn’t expect to hear you say this now.”

“Exactly,” George Lucas chimed in enthusiastically. “I feel the same way. Mr. Blackburn, Hollywood cannot do without you.”

Tom Hanks smiled beside them. He wanted to add a few words of support but held back.

After all, standing next to two legendary directors and not knowing Milo well, he decided to remain a quiet observer.

Milo smiled. How could he not see through the flattery of these two old pros?

Directing films?

When he first arrived in Hollywood, he had indeed entertained the idea.

At the time, he wanted to be like Adrian Corwell from The King of Hollywood—making films, earning money, and charming Hollywood goddesses.

He envisioned establishing himself in the American media industry, amassing wealth, and living the life of a worldly tycoon.

But people change.

Adrian stuck to directing films because that’s all he could do.

As for Milo?

He had the extraordinary ability to hear the "voice of God."

Although he didn’t believe it was truly the voice of God, it seemed more like fragments of information from the future.

This "gift" as a time traveler was far superior to what the so-called King of Hollywood possessed.

Using it solely to make movies and chase actresses seemed like a waste.

Besides, Milo’s background was far more privileged than Adrian Corwell’s.

And the truth was, Milo didn’t actually enjoy directing films.

What he enjoyed was working with the actresses who starred in them.

After directing Angels & Demons, he quickly lost interest in being a director.

By that time, his career was already taking off.

So, directing films? No thanks.

Being a media mogul and focusing on actresses suited him much better.

Milo changed the topic, mentioning Spielberg’s current troubles. “By the way, Steven, I heard about DreamWorks...”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three gunshots rang out.

Jolie, a Haitian leader of the Marvozo gang, collapsed in a pool of blood.

This was on Eighth Street, the heart of South Beach in Miami.

It was a famous area, known for its vibrant nightlife, artistic vibe, and diverse culture.

Home to upscale restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and galleries, it was a major attraction in Miami, a city synonymous with tourism.

Even at night, though not quite late, the area was bustling with tourists and locals alike.

When the shots were fired, chaos erupted on Eighth Street.

What surprised many was that, despite the usual police patrols in this high-profile tourist spot, no officers appeared immediately.

As the gunman fled, sprinting toward the beach, he climbed aboard a jet ski that seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

The jet ski sped off into the distance, and only then did the sirens of Miami PD squad cars blare into action.

"...Among emerging markets, the only region with potential at the moment is Asia."

A corner of Mar-a-Lago.

William Hearst stood with his daughter, Amanda Hearst.

Beside them was Si Newhouse, accompanied by his...

Female associate—or perhaps his lover, Anna Wintour.

The two media tycoons from New York, both with polite smiles and serious expressions, listened intently to the host of tonight’s cocktail party.

"Imagine a region with a population potentially reaching 1.5 billion, where millions of households have a net worth exceeding one million dollars. The demand for luxury goods and refined taste in fashion would form an enormous market!"

"Let me be candid with you,"

Milo addressed the two media moguls, Hearst and Newhouse:

"Paladin Media is interested in entering this market. Of course, I don’t mean the fashion media you excel at. I’m talking about direct involvement. In a while, I’ll take a trip to Europe to study their luxury goods market."

Milo wasn’t exaggerating.

He genuinely intended for Paladin Media to enter the luxury goods sector.

For now, it was fine, but in twenty years…

What would be Europe’s strongest global industry?

Without a doubt, luxury goods.

For example, Britain’s tobacco and alcohol, France’s fashion, leather goods, and wine, Italy’s sports cars and jewelry, Germany’s luxury automobiles, Switzerland’s watches, and so on.

After the turn of the millennium, Europe’s billionaire lists were often topped by figures like the Arnault family of LVMH, who leveraged the immense profits of the luxury goods industry to claim the title of the richest in the world.

In those European countries, the stock market leaders were frequently dominated by the luxury goods sector.

These brands often had centuries of history, deep competitive moats, and were tough for companies in emerging markets to rival.

Aside from admiring their glow and profits, most could only look on with envy.

Even compared to these storied European luxury brands, American companies could only be considered newcomers.

Some might ask: What is the key capability that sustains these brands’ continuous profitability?

Is it their heritage?

That certainly plays a part.

Heritage provides a strong foundation for storytelling and marketing.

But more importantly, it’s their ability to market and promote themselves.

And what are media groups best at?

Marketing and promotion, of course!

Frankly, Milo believed that media groups, the luxury goods sector, and even commercial sports industries share a natural affinity.

Or rather, any industry reliant on hype and marketing has a deep connection with media.

After over a century of development, traditional media had reached its peak.

At this stage,

Even if Paladin Media achieved great success, it would merely become another oversized Disney or Viacom.

It would take blazing a new trail to expand its influence.

That’s why Milo had long set his sights on the internet, a budding industry that both complemented and disrupted the media sector.

But relying on just one strategy was risky—better to have as many strategies as a centipede has legs.

That way, even if a few legs were cut off, it wouldn’t be catastrophic.

So, he’d been interested in the luxury goods sector for a long time.

However, the fashion magazines Paladin Media launched struggled to make a dent in an industry dominated by giants.

Thus, he adjusted his strategy slightly.

He planned to collaborate with Hearst and Newhouse, the two giants of fashion media and publishing.

---

“Boss, are we really not doing anything? It looks like a shootout could happen any second.”

At Miami’s FBI Fifth Office, rookie agent Merrick glanced uneasily at seasoned agent Garland in the passenger seat.

They were currently on Lincoln Avenue, a hundred meters away in their armored Chevrolet SUV.

A group of intimidating-looking Black men were laughing and horsing around.

“Merrick, honestly, if it weren’t for your dad taking a bullet for me, I wouldn’t have brought you along,” Garland snapped before continuing, “Tonight, we do nothing. Remember, our only job is to show up at the scene after the gunfight happens—before the reporters do.”

Merrick stayed silent.

Witnessing crime but not intervening went against the principles that had led him to join the FBI.

But Garland was not only his father’s best friend and war buddy but also his godfather.

He was the one who got Merrick into the FBI and mentored him.

More importantly, Merrick’s father had retired due to injuries, and his mother was unwell.

He needed this job—he couldn’t afford to lose it.

Bang! Bang! Bang!  

Boom!  

Suddenly, the group of laughing Black men was sprayed with bullets from an automatic rifle sticking out of a nearby white Chevrolet SUV.

To Merrick’s shock, someone in the white SUV’s trunk tossed a tactical grenade into the middle of the group.

In less than 30 seconds,

The gunfire and explosion ceased, and the white SUV sped away, disappearing from sight.

All that remained were the bodies of the Black men, dismembered limbs, and terrified bystanders who had taken cover but now cautiously peered out after the noise subsided.

“F**k!” Garland cursed. “They even used a tactical grenade. Miami’s going to be plastered all over the news tomorrow!”

Merrick, however, felt a sense of relief that he hadn’t acted on impulse.

Automatic rifles and tactical grenades? They would have been cannon fodder with their standard-issue sidearms.

---

“Glad you could make it.”

As the party wound down,

Milo finally approached someone in the crowd who had remained low-profile, someone most of the media insiders there couldn’t recognize or identify.

But he was surrounded by your recognized good friend, Milo Blackburn.

Don Trump Kim, whom all Americans referred to as the "lucky New Yorker," had always accompanied these two.

Gary McCarthy, the head of the Miami FBI.

Also present were Miami Mayor Javier Suarez and Milo's uncle, Jeb Bush.

The statement he made was, of course, directed at Javier Suarez and Gary McCarthy.

“We should be the ones thanking you, Mr. Blackburn,” said Gary McCarthy with a smile.

“What an extraordinary party—so many stars and entertainment tycoons in attendance. I’ve never experienced anything like this before, and I fear I may never see such an event again. Being here is truly an honor for me,” Gary remarked.

“Haha, dear Gary. As long as you wish, I’ll make sure to invite you again at the same time next year,” Milo said with a smile.

Gary McCarthy looked surprised upon hearing this.

Milo then smiled and turned to Javier Suarez, saying:

“I’ve promised Mayor Suarez that August 15 will be the fixed date for Paladin Media’s annual gala. The location will always remain in Miami.”

What is Miami’s main industry?

It’s certainly not the banging noises echoing around the city at the moment.

Instead, it’s finance, tourism, and other service industries—especially tourism.

Miami’s tourism resources are unparalleled across the United States.

And for the tourism industry, besides inherent qualities and resources, the most critical factor is promotion.

Imagine this: why is Los Angeles called the City of Stars?

Because Hollywood is in Los Angeles.

Now, if Miami could host an entertainment industry gathering even grander than the Oscars every year, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous boost to Miami’s tourism promotion and its image to the outside world.

This was the benefit Milo used to persuade Javier Suarez, the Mayor of Miami and a prominent local Republican figure.

Of course, this was also connected to Milo’s grandfather coming out of retirement to serve again in Washington as the Republican Party whip.

It was also tied to his grandfather’s position as a major faction leader within the Republican Party, his uncle’s longstanding local roots, and his influence in the area.

As for why Milo was trying to convince Javier Suarez…

Milo thought to himself: if I said it was just for fun and to prove a point, I wonder if anyone would believe me.

“Wow!” Gary McCarthy exclaimed with excitement. “That’s quite a surprise!”

Jeb smiled from the side and said, “By the way, Milo, did I hear you say you want to relocate Universal Studios from Orlando to Miami?”

Universal Pictures has a project that competes with Disney’s theme parks.

Yes, it’s the now-famous Universal Studios.

However, at this time, Universal Studios is still somewhat overshadowed by Disney’s parks.

In 1997, there are currently only two Universal Studios locations in the United States, plus the one in Osaka, Japan, making a total of three.

Of the two Universal Studios in the U.S., one is, of course, in Los Angeles.

The other one is in Orlando, Florida.

Oh, and Orlando is also home to the famous Walt Disney World.

Orlando, located in central Florida, has a population of less than two million—hardly enough to sustain two large theme parks. It relies heavily on an influx of tourists.

However, Milo now wants to shut down Universal Studios Orlando.

Not because it isn’t profitable—on the contrary, it’s highly profitable.

The reason lies in the fact that Universal Studios Orlando was built when Universal was under Japanese ownership.

At that time, the Japanese had already been heavily exploited by the Americans and were extremely cautious.

As a result, during the construction of Universal Studios Orlando, they left numerous loopholes.

Currently, Universal Pictures only receives 40% of the profits from Universal Studios Orlando.

The remaining 60% goes to the Japanese and Wall Street.

How could Milo tolerate this?

He had long wanted to deal with this issue.

Moreover, it was clear that Miami’s traffic flow would far surpass Orlando’s.

Rather than letting it compete with Disney in Orlando, why not relocate it closer to Miami?

It became the perfect bargaining chip to lure Javier Suarez, the Mayor of Miami.

After all, even in America, politicians need to build their political achievements.

Although Javier Suarez is getting older and nearing retirement—much like Jerry Brown in California—Jerry Brown had protégés to promote, and Javier Suarez likewise had a son to support.

So, whether it’s political achievements or connections, the more, the better.

(End of Chapter)