213-214

Chapter 213: The Heiresses

"I heard you're vacationing here, Ivanka. I hope you're having a great time."

Milo smiled as he greeted Ivanka, who, in a parallel timeline, would become the future First Daughter of the United States.

The sixteen or seventeen-year-old Ivanka had smooth, chestnut-brown hair cascading down her shoulders and stood about 5 feet 10 inches tall (177.8 cm).

She wore a mustard-colored coat paired with a pencil skirt and 5-inch heels, accentuating her graceful and slender figure.

There was an indescribable elegance about her—delicate, captivating, and brimming with energy.

Her outfit seemed to bounce ever so slightly, making one wonder if she was hiding a small animal under it.

"Yes, I'm having a wonderful time here. I come twice a year, usually during summer and winter breaks."

Her voice carried a soft laugh. She glanced at Milo and added quietly,

"When I heard you were coming last night, I was really happy. I... I called Ariana, and she said she knew you were visiting. But she had something to take care of and couldn't make it here to join you for vacation."

"She said... she said I'm more familiar with the area. If you're willing, I could be your guide."

Milo smiled but didn't expose the girl's unspoken intentions.

Ariana wasn't unable to come because she was busy.

Her family probably didn't let her come.

Florida Mutual Bank's interests were considerable.

The Rockefellers likely had a hand in it—possibly a significant one.

And Milo had a reputation for leveraging situations to stir things up.

The Rockefellers were probably concerned about that.

Of course, it was also possible Ariana truly was busy.

After all, in just a few months, she and Milo would be engaged and officially betrothed.

"So, would you like to, Ivanka?"

Milo smiled. "Oh, I mean, would you like to be my guide?"

"If you're happy with it, I'd be delighted," Ivanka replied with a perfectly composed smile.

"Alright then. My guide, please show me around this one-of-a-kind Mar-a-Lago estate that Don spoke so highly of on the phone."

"With pleasure!"

Mar-a-Lago was a prime example of Spanish Mediterranean architecture, where "water" was one of the style's defining elements.

The estate used water features and lush greenery as spatial dividers, seamlessly blending its architecture with the surrounding natural environment. From community spaces to private living areas, the waterfront atmosphere permeated every corner.

If mosquitoes weren’t a factor, this style of living would be incredibly comfortable.

However, mosquitoes are an unavoidable reality, especially in Florida's tropical climate.

Still, being a luxury estate, various mosquito control measures were in place.

All things considered, it was a comfortable place to live.

Ivanka, all smiles, led Milo toward the private residence at the center of the Mar-a-Lago estate while enthusiastically introducing the expansive Spanish Mediterranean-style property that belonged to her family.

"Are those your friends?"

Suddenly, she heard Milo ask.

"Yes. They came with me from New York for this vacation," Ivanka replied.

She looked in the direction Milo pointed, spotting four young women who were glancing toward them.

She nodded lightly.

"I heard they're from the Hearst and Hilton families?"

"That's correct."

"Don seems to have a good relationship with the Hearsts and Hiltons," Ivanka hesitated before nodding in agreement.

Before meeting Milo,

Trump had been the one chasing connections with prominent New York families like the Hearsts and Hiltons.

At that time, for the Trumps, families like the Hearsts and Hiltons represented the pinnacle of social and networking opportunities.

Trump had no access to higher tiers like the Newhouses, Astors, or Sulzbergers, let alone the Rockefellers or Mellons.

To achieve upward mobility, the Hearsts and Hiltons were the best connections he could pursue.

Back then, Trump was the one trying to get closer to them by attending their events and entering their social circles.

But everything changed two years ago.

Two years ago, Trump met Milo.

Since then, the Trump family had gained considerable standing in New York.

As a result, the Hearst and Hilton families began treating the Trumps more favorably.

However, Trump hadn’t truly achieved upward mobility—it was more about Milo taking a liking to him.

At best, Trump could be considered part of the Boston Consortium’s periphery.

He wasn’t in a position to refuse the goodwill of the Hearsts and Hiltons.

Over time, the relationships between these families grew even closer.

For Ivanka’s generation, this translated into more frequent interactions.

They even vacationed together in Florida.

In the past, Paris Hilton might have joined her, but the Hearst sisters would never have come along.

In their small circle, the Hearst sisters had always been at the top of the social hierarchy.

"Why don’t we invite them over?"

Milo smiled.

"I’m friends with Mr. Hearst and have met the Hiltons. If they don’t mind, perhaps we could all have lunch together later."

The Hearsts had been instrumental in Milo’s efforts to consolidate TBS.

They were also frequent collaborators with Paladin Media Group, especially in the fashion sector.

As for the Hiltons, Milo had held several cocktail parties in New York, most of which were hosted at Hilton hotels.

Thanks to Trump, Milo also had a good relationship with the Hilton family.

Both families belonged to the oil industry—a field Milo had the least interaction with during his rise.

To prevent these wolves from overthinking things, occasionally extending goodwill was a necessary strategy.

---

“I’m sure they must be very happy,” Milo thought.

Although deep down, he felt that it would have been better if they weren’t here at this moment.

Still, Ivanka was a sensible and well-mannered young woman.

She smiled and waved toward the group, signaling for Amanda and the others to come over.

The female bodyguards nearby, naturally, also received the unspoken permission from their employer to let them through.

Amanda and her companions approached Milo and Ivanka with reserved yet polite smiles, eventually joining them.

Among the five young women, Ivanka was the one Milo was most familiar with.

Paris Hilton, he had met a few times at social events.

But as for the other three daughters of New York’s elite families, this was his first time meeting them.

Amanda Hearst, with her light blonde hair, carried herself with an air of elegance.

Like Paris, she had joined a modeling agency earlier this year. Backed by her family, she was doing quite well, quickly becoming a rising star among New York’s social elite.

Lydia Hearst’s hair was a soft, dark blonde, and her features were more alluring than Amanda’s.

Among the five, she seemed the most introverted, as evidenced by how quickly she withdrew her hand after shaking Milo’s.

The Hilton sisters, on the other hand, were far more outgoing.

Especially the youngest, Nicky Hilton, who after shaking Milo’s hand even asked him for a hug. Whatever perfume she had on was delightfully fragrant, and the young girl herself was as soft and sweet as her scent suggested.

After a round of pleasantries and introductions, they became better acquainted.

“Oh, the Miami Bikini Fashion Show?”

As they strolled toward the main residential building of Mar-a-Lago, Milo overheard Paris and Amanda discussing the event.

“Yes!”

The ever-affable Paris grinned and said, “Miami hosts more bikini fashion shows annually than anywhere else in the world! Every month, from January to December, several swimwear brands hold events here. We had originally planned to return to New York after catching tomorrow’s Speedo swimwear show.”

Seeing Milo’s lack of familiarity with the topic, Amanda Hearst chimed in, explaining succinctly but clearly:

“Because of its climate, as well as local demographics and culture, Miami has always been a global hotspot for swimwear fashion shows.

"Brands like Speedo, ZOKE, and Vandaine, among others, host multiple runway events here each year. While Miami isn’t quite on the same level as New York, Milan, or London in the global fashion scene, it still ranks among the top cities.”

“Oh, and by the way,” Amanda added with a radiant smile, “Milo, your media group owns Victoria’s Secret, right? I believe they have a bikini runway show here in a couple of days as well.”

“Really?”

Milo smiled. “I wasn’t aware of that. When a company gets big, it’s inevitable that things like this slip through the cracks.”

By now, the group had entered the grand living room of the main mansion at Mar-a-Lago.

It was a towering, lavishly adorned, Spanish-style room with a high, soaring ceiling of at least 12 meters, exuding a bold, gilded aesthetic.

Ivanka took on the role of hostess, inviting everyone to take their seats.

However, Milo didn’t linger with them for long.

After all, there were too many of them—five at once.

If it had been just one or two of them alone, he might have been tempted to sample the allure of New York’s socialites.

Even though they were mostly only 16 or 17 years old, Western women tended to mature early.

And after all, if he could manage Britney Spears, then…

After lunch, Milo politely excused himself and temporarily parted ways with the group.

He retreated to the transformed study at Mar-a-Lago, which had been completely revamped by a global team of professionals.

Sitting at the computer, Milo reviewed documents on the screen while listening to a briefing from the Smith Foundation. They were reporting on the latest developments and analysis regarding the fierce competition over Florida Mutual Bank.

“So, in summary, the deal is already done?”

“That’s correct?” Milo asked, glancing at his deputy advisor, Andre.

Andre nodded lightly and replied, “Yes, sir. We arrived too late. Mellon, Morgan, and even some Californians began laying the groundwork four or five years ago. By the time Florida Mutual Bank declared bankruptcy, every piece of it had already been claimed.”

“Hmm…”

Milo exhaled sharply, clearly displeased.

This outcome meant his trip had been for nothing.

Sensing his boss’s frustration, Andre quickly added in a soft voice:

“However, sir, we’re not entirely out of options. Most of Florida Mutual Bank’s stock, due to their losses, has already been heavily collateralized.

"If we maneuver wisely, we might still be able to secure shares in companies like Supermarkets United.”

Milo nodded.

This sounded more reasonable.

America, after all, was a nation governed by capital.

But within its framework, conflicts among capital interests were inevitable.

Where there was conflict, there were losers. And losers became spoils for the victors.

Yet because of the complex internal relationships, the victors were often compelled to share part of their winnings to appease others.

Just as Milo had received significant shares in Yahoo and Palladin Media Group, now he was eligible to sit at the table.

While he hadn’t done enough preparatory work to claim a major portion of Florida Mutual Bank, others would inevitably cede some benefits to placate him.

Otherwise, next time, they wouldn’t get any concessions from him.

“Alright. Let’s proceed with this plan,” Milo said, leaning back in his chair. “Take whatever we can get. Prioritize shares in Supermarkets United.”

Andre nodded in acknowledgment, and Milo felt the discussion had reached its conclusion.

*Supermarket Giants and Strategic Maneuvers*

Dazhong Supermarket Company is a retail giant similar to Walmart and Kmart.

The difference is that Walmart and Kmart are both publicly traded companies.

Dazhong Supermarket, however, remains private. In terms of scale, it ranks among the top ten largest private enterprises in the United States.

With nearly 500 stores nationwide, over 20,000 employees, and a supply chain impacting more than 100,000 people, not to mention its vast market presence, controlling Dazhong would be a game-changer. Pair that with Kmart, where Milo already holds 20% of the stock.

If successful, the new company could rival Walmart in scale in the future.

However, Milo has even bigger ambitions in the retail sector.

His current financial resources, though, are insufficient to acquire and restructure both Dazhong Supermarket and Kmart.

For now, this project will have to be set aside temporarily.

In the meantime, the focus remains on acquiring as much stock in these two companies as possible to prepare for the future.

Andre nodded and jotted down the boss’s instructions.

After Andre left, Kenny entered.

“Our people in Africa have already taken control of the presidential palace,” Kenny reported. “The Presidential Guard has switched sides and is now backing Foday Sankoh. However, among the rebel forces, we’ve spotted the presence of French operatives.”

“The battle has reached their capital, and the rebels are clearly no match for us. Our team on the ground is concerned that the French backing the rebels might launch airstrikes with fighter jets.”

“Ha—”

Milo reviewed the briefing Kenny brought, which detailed the operations of Global Union PMC in Africa.

Nearly all of Global Union’s PMC personnel, around 1,500 strong, had been deployed to Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, on the Gold Coast.

While the number might not seem large, nearly all of them were elite, retired, or even active-duty personnel from the U.S. military.

With backing from certain five-star generals, the weapons and equipment they brought included many active-duty systems, such as the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

Before the advent of the more advanced M142 HIMARS, the M270 was the most advanced MLRS in the Western world—and, for this era, arguably the most advanced in the world.

If pitted against the regular armies of major powers, the M270 and similar heavy weaponry wouldn’t stand a chance.

But this time, Global Union’s opponents were merely rebels backed by the French—essentially, typical “Uncle Africans.”

Moreover, they had the tacit approval of their former colonial ruler, Britain, and the backing of the United States.

If they couldn’t defeat a bunch of poorly equipped rebels, Milo’s billions of dollars invested in Global Union might as well be thrown into the Atlantic.

Of course, this assumed that no major power directly intervened—not even with air support.

Milo sneered. “The French always overstep their bounds!”

“Have we notified the Pentagon?”

“Yes, sir. Mr. Blackburn assured us there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Good. Then tell our team in Africa to move faster. Before the French make up their minds, they must at least secure the capital.”

One reason coups in sub-Saharan Africa often succeeded was that controlling the capital, a few key cities, and the national radio station could effectively take over the country.

As long as Freetown was secured before the French could respond, Milo’s little gambit in Africa would be off to a successful start.

Kenny nodded and brought up another topic.

“On the Asian front, the expedition team has found some promising leads.”

“Oh?”

“They reported finding a suspected entrance to the temple treasure site. However, due to the large number of locals nearby, they’ll need a more thorough plan and some time to proceed.”

“Tell them that as long as they meet my expectations, I’ll have all the patience in the world.”

Compared to the African experiment, Milo saw the treasure hunt in India as a “nice to have” rather than a necessity.

He didn’t fully believe in the supposed hundreds of billions of dollars in treasure.

If such a fortune truly existed, the Indians would have already loudly announced it to the world.

As far as Milo remembered, the treasure from that temple had amounted to only a few million dollars’ worth of gold jewelry. Afterward, the Indians claimed there were still hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of treasure inside.

So, Milo merely sent an expedition team to investigate. If they uncovered something valuable, he could send reinforcements later.

However, dealing with India was tricky. While their capabilities weren’t particularly strong, their pride and sense of independence ranked among the highest globally.

If they discovered his covert activities, they would certainly retaliate.

Given India’s unique geographic and geopolitical position, getting the United States to act against them wasn’t feasible, leaving Milo with few good options.

Well, there were still a few options.

The smaller nations surrounding India, while often considered its "iron brothers" like Pakistan, are also to some extent influenced by the United States.

If India starts acting recklessly, it wouldn’t be impossible for me to influence the Pentagon a little—perhaps offering some benefits to Pakistan to make things uncomfortable for India.

After Kenny left, Milo continued reviewing the remaining reports.

He picked up one of them, which detailed recent updates about Victoria’s Secret, the lingerie brand owned by Paladin Media.

Corey Chris of Paladin Publishing had faced some setbacks with his strategy for fashion magazines.

The two magazines he launched with great enthusiasm received only lukewarm reactions in the market.

As a result, Victoria’s Secret, with Milo’s approval, collaborated extensively with Newhouse and Hearst, two major media groups, gaining more traction in the fashion industry.

Thanks to precise market positioning and strong backing from the media group, the brand achieved notable success over the past year.

Today, young American women are eager to own a few pairs of Victoria’s Secret shoes or lingerie sets.

Retail stores continue to open, and the future profits look promising.

Milo noticed upcoming shows for Victoria’s Secret, including the bikini and lingerie shows Amanda Hearst had mentioned, scheduled to be held in Miami in the coming days.

However, as it was a subsidiary’s brief report, the details were vague.

Since he was already in Miami, Milo decided to request a full and detailed report on Victoria’s Secret.

It didn’t take long before the documents were compiled and sent to him via email.

Victoria’s Secret’s leading models were still Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista, two top-tier supermodels.

However, with Milo’s financial backing, Victoria’s Secret had also signed three other supermodels outside the "Big Five": Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, and Naomi Campbell.

Adding Linda and Cindy to the mix, Victoria’s Secret had gathered the complete lineup of the "Original Supermodel Big Five."

However, the agreements with the latter three were for performance contracts, not exclusive ones, meaning they would model for Victoria’s Secret when needed but were not restricted to just this brand.

Exclusive contracts were only signed with Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista, who were American and Canadian, respectively.

Beneath the Big Five, Milo noticed some names that would later rise to fame in a parallel timeline as the "Victoria’s Secret Angels."

These included Angela Lindvall, Gisele Bündchen, and Karolina Kurkova.

However, they were still relatively unknown at the time. The now-legendary "Queen Gisele" was just an ordinary contracted model for Victoria’s Secret.

The most famous among them currently was Angela Lindvall, already a favorite of fashion media.

The report showed her contract was worth a staggering $10 million—an impressive figure for 1997.

Looking at the photos of these top models and future stars, Milo couldn’t help but lick his lips, thinking, Aren’t they all in Miami right now?  

With that thought, Milo picked up the phone and called a Paladin Media executive responsible for Victoria’s Secret.

In just a few words, he changed the venue for the 1997 Victoria’s Secret Fall Swimwear Show, originally planned for the Miami Brickell Fashion Tower.

He directed them to move it to Mar-a-Lago.

The estate was large enough, with an indoor venue spanning over 20,000 square feet.

With some minor adjustments, it could easily be transformed into an excellent runway for the models.

Having America’s top social media star present at the event would surely bring significant exposure and hype to Victoria’s Secret.

This could also help him alleviate the awkwardness of failing to secure the Reciprocal Bank deal in Florida.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 214: Victoria's Secret? No, It’s the Potala Palace!  

Afternoon, Miami.  

In a rented villa serving as Victoria's Secret's temporary headquarters, the living room buzzed with activity.  

Twenty-five stunningly beautiful models, dressed in trendy, breezy outfits, filled the space.  

There’s a saying that holds true here: “Where there’s a model gathering, there’s a sea of legs!”  

Having just walked a runway earlier that morning, the models were taking a break. But their trip to Miami wasn’t for leisure.  

Later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, they had more work to do—not another runway show, but a scheduled beach photoshoot.  

Runway shows, street photography, outfit shoots—this summed up most of their work.  

Compared to before or with other modeling agencies, the atmosphere at Victoria's Secret had significantly changed since being acquired by Paladin Media.  

Gone were the exploitation and abuses that plagued the industry. Gone was the pervasive darkness lurking in its shadows.  

Especially after word spread that Victoria's Secret was specifically handpicked by the enigmatic billionaire Milo Blackburn for acquisition, no one dared leave the company simply because it wasn’t yet a household name.  

Time had proven their faith well-placed.  

Over the course of the year, Victoria's Secret had never once mistreated them.  

As long as they were willing to work, they got paid—no delays, no exploitation, and no shady assignments. Most importantly, they were never commodified or sold out.  

This was a source of comfort for these young women, many of whom had entered the industry at an early age, lacked formal education, and were living far from home. For the first time, they could dream of achieving success through sheer effort.  

The arrival of five industry-leading supermodels—their "founding goddesses"—only strengthened their standing.  

Now, Victoria's Secret had everything: fame, talent, and powerful allies. All it needed to solidify its global reputation was one or two iconic shows.  

There was even a persistent rumor within the company:  

In six months, they might make an unprecedented appearance on the world’s most-watched stage—the Super Bowl!  

This rumor was one reason why industry legends like Linda Evangelista had eagerly signed on, seemingly throwing away their lofty status to join Victoria's Secret.  

Aside from Milo Blackburn's reputation—and the implicit threat of his blacklist—the possibility of performing at the Super Bowl was a massive lure.  

“Wow!”  

Suddenly, Angela Lindvall, seated at the villa’s only computer, let out a soft exclamation.  

This caught the attention of Heidi Klum and Gisele Bündchen, who were closest to her.  

“What’s got you so excited?” Bündchen asked, curious. “Did another magazine invite you for a shoot?”  

Her tone held a hint of envy.  

Though Angela Lindvall wasn’t yet on the same level as the "founding goddesses" in the modeling world, she had become the face of Victoria's Secret after Paladin Media’s acquisition.  

As the first model promoted by the company, Lindvall had benefited from Paladin Media’s vast resources and Milo Blackburn’s influence.  

In the past year, prestigious publications like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle had featured her in major spreads, including two covers.  

This made Lindvall a superstar even among Victoria's Secret models and a rising star in the global modeling scene.  

For Gisele Bündchen, who would later achieve iconic status herself, this was a bitter pill to swallow. At the time, Bündchen was still an up-and-coming model, often cast in Lindvall’s shadow.  

Despite her jealousy, Bündchen masked it well. On the surface, she played the role of the obedient younger sister, even though she was only a year younger than Lindvall.  

“Look here! Everyone, come look!” Lindvall suddenly shouted, drawing even more attention.  

“The boss is here! Our boss is here!”  

Her loud, excited voice piqued everyone’s interest, including the "founding goddesses" lounging nearby.  

Bündchen quickly leaned over to peer at the 17-inch computer screen.  

There it was—the headline on Paladin Media’s New York World:  

“World’s Richest Man Spotted in Miami, Possibly on Vacation.”  

Accompanying the article were high-definition photos of Milo Blackburn, both on the beach and entering a luxurious beachfront estate.  

The news spread quickly through the villa.  

One model speculated excitedly, “Do you think he’s here to see us walk the runway?”  

“It must be! What are the odds? We’re in Miami, and he’s here too!” . 

"Hehe... If Mr. Blackburn wanted to see us on the runway, he could have done so in Los Angeles or New York. Don’t forget, he was in New York during our last show there," one of the more composed supermodels remarked.  

"It’s always nice to dream. After all, some people say we’re not Victoria’s Secret, we’re Blackburn’s harem, hahaha!"  

"..."  

The supermodel’s comment stirred the imaginations of many of the other girls.  

That said...  

When Victoria’s Secret was acquired by Paladin Media last year, certain tabloid reports indeed delved into this kind of speculation.  

The tabloids suggested that Paladin Media, as a media conglomerate, had no logical reason to break tradition among mega-media groups by acquiring a company that primarily thrived on selling lingerie and hosting fashion shows.  

It didn’t make sense.  

When they connected this to Milo Blackburn's notorious reputation in certain areas, as well as the distinct style of Victoria’s Secret models compared to other brands' waif-like aesthetics, rumors swirled.  

They claimed Milo Blackburn bought Victoria’s Secret not for its lingerie but for its dazzling, alluring models.  

And honestly, with Blackburn’s well-documented “reliable” reputation in this regard, it wasn’t just the ordinary readers of those tabloids who half-believed it.  

Even Victoria’s Secret models themselves couldn’t help but think the same.  

Many of them, at the time, held onto high hopes.  

After all, the women rumored to have romantic ties with Milo Blackburn weren’t nobodies—they were small-time Hollywood actresses before the gossip.  

But after being linked to him, even the least successful of them managed to land significant supporting roles in major Hollywood productions.  

The modeling world is already a step below Hollywood in terms of status.  

For a supermodel, breaking into Hollywood is like achieving the ultimate dream.  

So, the idea of having a fling with Milo, or better yet, catching his eye and being given a shot in the film industry, was something they never dared to even imagine before.  

Unfortunately, as time went on and Blackburn never showed up at the company, the rumors faded.  

Victoria’s Secret models went from being full of anticipation to a state of mild resignation.  

Even the term "Blackburn’s harem" disappeared from the media.  

Now, with the supermodel’s remark, a ripple of emotion spread through the crowd.  

At that moment, the door to the villa’s living room suddenly opened, and in walked a slightly effeminate middle-aged man and a fashionably dressed middle-aged woman.  

The previously lively room of Victoria’s Secret models immediately fell silent.  

The man was Jitt, Victoria’s Secret's lead agent, and the woman was Kelly, the CEO of Victoria’s Secret.  

With a beaming smile, the flamboyant agent Jitt announced some earth-shattering news for the girls:  

"Milo Blackburn is in Miami! The boss wants you all to meet him at his residence!"  

Kelly, the CEO, followed up with a change in their schedules for the next few days.  

So, as excited as Gisele and the other supermodels were—still dazed and overwhelmed—they were whisked off to Mar-a-Lago.  

By the time their convoy arrived, night had fallen.  

Through the open car window, Gisele glanced outside.  

The night sky hung low, and Mar-a-Lago seemed to glow softly under a veil of moonlight, like silver gauze draped gently over the estate.  

The sea breeze carried a faint salty tang as waves lapped rhythmically against the shore, creating a serene, timeless melody.  

Inside the estate, dazzling lights illuminated the meticulously manicured lawns, trees, and artificial landscapes, blending seamlessly with the grandeur of the city skyline in the distance.  

Flowers swayed gently in the night breeze, releasing a subtle fragrance that lifted Gisele’s spirits. She silently vowed to one day live in such a stunningly luxurious villa.  

However, when they eagerly awaited their meeting with the big boss, disappointment awaited them.  

Instead of Milo Blackburn, they were greeted by five young women, led by someone who introduced herself as Ivanka Kemp.  

Representing Mr. Blackburn, she smiled and said, "Mr. Blackburn is occupied with other matters, but ladies…"  

Looking at the dazzling supermodels before her—some of whom were her idols, including the five legendary founders of the brand—Ivanka forced a calm demeanor.  

"I’ve arranged a party for you. I think you’ll enjoy it."  

As the five socialites from New York either enthusiastically or indifferently entertained the Victoria’s Secret models, Milo himself...  

...was, indeed, busy.  

But he hadn’t left Mar-a-Lago.  

In a secluded corner of the estate, inside a secret chamber, Milo sat with his right leg crossed over his left, sipping coffee. Before him lay three men, bound tightly and tossed onto the floor.  

All three were beaten black and blue, their faces swollen. Though their mouths were gagged, they wriggled on the ground, emitting muffled groans of “mmph, mmph.”  

For now, their lives weren’t in immediate danger.  

But only for now.  

"They all claim to be paparazzi," Kenny, Milo’s right-hand man, reported coldly. "But the newspapers they supposedly work for have no record of them."  

Kenny continued, "Based on comparisons with CIA and DEA records, the two on the left are likely members of a biker gang. The one on the right matches a profile in AGT gang files."  

"So what you’re saying is…"  

Milo crossed his arms, a cold smirk on his face. "These three idiots who tried to sneak into my residence are local gang members?"  

Kenny could tell the boss wasn’t pleased.  

But with the intelligence network and information he had, it indeed seemed to be the case. 

He had no choice but to nod slightly with a grim expression. "On the surface, it looks like that." 

"Have the interrogations yielded any results?" Milo asked indifferently. 

"The one on the right refuses to talk. No matter what we try, even with truth serum and a polygraph test," Kenny replied softly.  

"The two on the left insist they're paparazzi journalists. But they've admitted they were hired just today by paparazzi to infiltrate and photograph the internal operations here." 

Milo exhaled sharply and waved his hand. "Continue the interrogation." 

Kenny nodded in acknowledgment. 

A few minutes later, Milo found himself alone in his room. Picking up the satellite phone, he made a call. 

"…Yes. They appear to be gang members, likely part of a local Miami gang." 

"…You think it's unlikely that any gang would dare to go this far? I think so too. But as of now, the identities of these three match those of gang members." 

"…Maybe they were used as pawns. By the way, Uncle, the mayor of Miami is of Cuban descent, isn't he?" 

"…Alright, Uncle, please notify this Mr. Marco Suarez. I want to see the real mastermind behind this attack by tomorrow." 

"…Goodnight, Uncle. Love you." 

Ending the call with Jeb Bush, Milo shook his head. 

Florida really is an extraordinary place. 

Whenever Milo went elsewhere in the U.S., aside from being shot at once in Los Angeles, nothing significant ever happened. 

But here in Miami? He’d only arrived last night, and tonight hadn’t even ended, yet the local thugs had already made their move. 

Whether they acted on their own or were following someone’s orders, Milo knew he had to respond decisively. 

Still, this wasn’t anything unusual.  

Including his grandfather, the upper echelons faced incidents like this several times a year.  

Take Soros, for instance—he dealt with bomb threats two or three times annually.  

Even Rockefeller wasn’t immune.  

In this sense, America was quite fair. The number of desperate criminals willing to risk it all was truly abundant.  

After making a few more calls and arranging certain matters, Milo finally left the secret chamber. 

As he stepped out, David approached him and whispered, "One of them couldn’t hold up and died." 

"I heard Florida has a lot of alligators?"  

David froze momentarily at the comment.  

"Florida is one of the habitats for American alligators," Milo reminded him.  

This time, David understood.  

Seeing his head of security nod, Milo left with satisfaction.  

Regardless of the mastermind’s intentions or whether they could eventually be found, these three dared to provoke him, and their fates were already sealed.  

When Milo returned near the main residence of Mar-a-Lago, he could see that the place was lively.  

From his vantage point in the corridor, he could glimpse women with stunning figures and seductive elegance gathered in small groups around the open-air pool, the garden, and the walkway, chatting and drinking.  

Ah, Victoria’s Secret models.  

Well, he thought, let’s start with whoever crosses my path first. 

That was, after all, one of the reasons he’d invited them over. 

Walking towards the poolside pavilion, the first person Milo encountered was a young woman.  

She was strikingly tall, close to 6 feet, which was rare for a woman.  

Among the women he’d been with, only Nicole matched her height.  

But Nicole’s figure wasn’t as proportionate as this young lady’s. 

Not that those other women lacked anything in appearance, but the girl standing before him had a near-perfect body.  

She wore a white, one-shoulder dress with a black belt cinched around her slim waist. The high slit, though stopping mid-thigh, did nothing to diminish the allure of her long, shapely legs.  

Of course, nothing in this world is truly perfect.  

While her figure was nearly flawless, her face, though pretty, had features that were far too sharp.  

Some women pull off a chiseled look, but this was perhaps a bit too much. 

Still, despite that, she exuded a striking aura that made her stand out from the crowd. 

"Miss Gisele Bündchen?"  

In the pavilion.  

Bündchen, feeling a little bored as the party’s main area was dominated by five New York socialites huddled around five veteran supermodels and Angela, the rising star, decided to step outside for a break.  

The unique design of the pavilion had drawn her to it, and she had been resting there for barely two minutes.  

Then, suddenly, the seventeen-year-old rookie model heard a deep, magnetic male voice behind her.  

Gisele was startled. She quickly turned around and saw a face she and her colleagues couldn't stop looking at all day long.  

But it was a face they could only see in newspapers and on TV—the face of the big boss.  

“Mr. Blackburn!”  

She exclaimed in surprise.  

Her voice was slightly high-pitched at first but then inexplicably lowered toward the end.  

“Yes, it's me. Are you Miss Gisele Bündchen, the Victoria’s Secret model?”  

“Yes, that’s me.”  

After her initial excitement, the young model tried to suppress her slightly trembling voice. “Mr. Blackburn, I never expected you’d know who I am, let alone know my name.”  

“Of course.”  

Milo smiled as he walked over, thinking, You’re the future queen of the runway.  

Her features were a bit sharp.  

But her figure and aura were undeniably unforgettable.  

Even if he had only seen her on TV or the internet.  

About ten minutes later.  

“Traveling is indeed a wonderful thing—it broadens your horizons and opens your mind. You get to experience different cultures and customs firsthand. No matter how well books describe something, it can’t compare to seeing it with your own eyes. Hemingway’s depiction of Kilimanjaro in The Snows of Kilimanjaro is already breathtaking, isn’t it? But it doesn’t come close to one-tenth of what you’d feel seeing it in person.”  

Sitting in the pavilion, Milo held a wine glass, smiling as he spoke eloquently.  

Gisele Bündchen, resting her chin in her hand, gazed at him with an admiring expression, listening attentively.  

The wine had been brought by a waiter.  

By now, the other supermodels nearby had clearly noticed Gisele’s stroke of good fortune in being able to chat with Milo.  

Some wanted to approach.  

But fearing they might displease the boss, they could only watch enviously from afar as the incredibly lucky Gisele talked with Milo in the pavilion.  

“Mr. Blackburn, it seems you’ve been to Africa. I’m so jealous—I haven’t had the chance yet,” Gisele said, her tone full of admiration.  

“Unfortunately, not yet, although I’d love to go someday.”  

Milo shrugged. “I’m a workaholic... But these are all genuine reflections. For instance, seeing Notre Dame in Paris is vastly different from reading The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Similarly, while Montana’s mountain ranges may not rival Kilimanjaro, they still possess a majestic grandeur.”  

The topic of travel had come up because Gisele mentioned her greatest passion was traveling.  

She was already a fairly well-known model in Brazil.  

After finishing fourth in the Miss World competition in Spain, she had spent a year traveling to various places.  

In the past six months, she had visited many destinations across South America and Europe.  

Then her agent informed her about an invitation from Victoria’s Secret… Admittedly, the Victoria’s Secret team had an exceptional talent for spotting potential.  

Given the opportunity, she decided to visit the United States, ultimately becoming one of Victoria’s Secret’s signed models.  

“I’ve never met someone as honest as you, Mr. Blackburn,” Gisele said with a laugh.  

“Thank you. I’ve always believed that to win a woman’s favor, one must first be honest with her.” Milo smiled slightly.  

“Really? But how can one win a woman’s favor without telling some lies?” Gisele said with a hint of teasing.  

“Oh, no, only the foolish resort to lies to win over a woman. Honesty doesn’t mean one lacks conversational skills.” Milo raised a finger and shook it, his eyes fixed firmly on hers.  

“Oh?” Gisele, still young and inexperienced, quickly averted her gaze after just a few seconds.  

To ease her embarrassment, she picked up her wine glass and took a sip.  

“For instance,” Milo said, reaching out to gently brush the back of his hand against her cheek, “you’re not exactly beautiful, are you?”  

“Oh?” Gisele trembled slightly, but a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes.  

“But you are an incredibly captivating young woman who inspires admiration from every man.” Milo quickly added.  

Gisele raised her head, blinking in confusion as she looked at him.  

“It’s like your profession—a great model always knows how to showcase her strengths and downplay her flaws, captivating the public with her charm while making them overlook any imperfections.”  

He gazed into her face. “I have no doubt you possess this ability, Gisele. And what’s more, your charm far outweighs any shortcomings. In the future, countless people will cheer for you from the runway sidelines.”  

“…Alright, I must admit, Mr. Blackburn, you’re very good with words,” Gisele said, finally smiling again, attempting to make it a sweet one.  

Unfortunately, she was not the type to pull off a sweet persona naturally.  

“I’m merely stating facts,” Milo said calmly. “With the rise of the internet, society will become increasingly interconnected. Supermodels will become rarer, and the most sought-after ones will be those with the essence of a supermodel rather than the title itself. In my opinion…”  

At this point, he gently took her hand. “You’ll be one of them.”  

“Is that… a prophecy?” Gisele didn’t withdraw her hand, her eyes shimmering with an indescribable light.  

“If you like, you can see it that way,” Milo said with a slight smile.  

Another ten minutes later.  

With a loud bang, the luxurious bedroom door of a guesthouse on the left side of Mar-a-Lago was flung open.  

Two passionately kissing figures stumbled in. A dress was hiked up, and underwear quickly slid down long, toned legs.  

Before it was entirely removed, the young woman leaped up, trying to wrap her legs around the man’s waist, leaving her panties hanging loosely around her ankles.  

Everything happened quickly.  

Directly and intensely.  

From their first meeting until now, no more than forty minutes had passed.  

But as things escalated to their climax, Milo was momentarily surprised.  

So, the medical report was true?  

Watching her pained expression, which seemed genuine, Milo felt an urge to keep her for himself.  

But for now…  

He decided to simply enjoy the body of the woman who would one day be hailed as the world’s greatest supermodel.  

(End of Chapter)