171-175

*Chapter 171: Journey with Paris*

With a wealthy heiress covering the expenses, there was no need to worry about fundraising. For broadcasting, Twitter was an excellent platform, and Hawk could even pitch it to Fox TV. These steps alone eliminated most of the typical headaches of a Hollywood project.

Hawk was responsible for the creative aspect, while Eric gathered his professional team to turn ideas into an actionable project plan.

Katherine took on the full responsibilities of a producer.

The three had clear roles and managed to complete a practical plan for a reality show in just two days.

The project was named "Journey with Paris."  

Yes, the name was inspired by Paris Hilton’s “handbag girl,” Kim Kardashian, as Hawk humorously put it.

Once the shooting plan was finalized, Hawk called Rooney.

That afternoon, Rooney Chasen arrived at Twitter with Paris Hilton and her “handbag girl.”

Hawk introduced Eric and Katherine to them.

Katherine shook Paris’s hand. “We met in New York. You were still in school then.”

Paris remembered. “I recall. You lived in the Upper East Side and were part of the socialite circle.”

Katherine smiled. “I’m a film producer now.”

This piqued Paris’s curiosity. “How did you make it in the film industry?”

Katherine glanced at Hawk. “Because Hawk helped me. He made success very easy for me.”

Seeing that Katherine, once a party girl, had transformed so successfully, Paris’s confidence in Hawk soared. She turned to him. “What’s the plan?”

Hawk handed copies of the proposal to Paris and Rooney. “Take a look.”

Rooney started reading seriously, and Paris, unusually attentive, did the same.

Kim Kardashian, watching the scene, seemed eager to have a copy too, but no one acknowledged her.

After a while, Rooney asked Hawk, “The design focuses on contrasts, right?”

“Exactly. Contrast—like a wealthy heiress doing ordinary things. This contrast adds a unique charm that audiences will find highly entertaining.” Hawk emphasized, “This is Paris’s natural advantage. It’s something neither stars nor actors can easily replicate. Her lifestyle and media presence over the years have made her irreplaceable in this niche.”

Paris scratched her cheek. “Sounds interesting. I get to show off my life while doing things I find fun…”

Rooney nodded approvingly. “I think the concept is excellent.” Ever the diligent PR manager, she asked, “Which platform will it air on?”

Hawk replied, “Twitter or Fox TV. I’ve contacted the latter, but they’ll need to see a pilot first.”

Paris wasn’t one to overthink decisions. Impulsive by nature, she quickly said, “The plan sounds good—totally my vibe!”

Hawk, having tailored the proposal to suit Paris’s style, said, “I plan to shoot three episodes first to test the market response.”

Paris questioned, “Only three episodes? Isn’t that too few?”

“This type of show has a short planning and filming cycle,” Hawk explained. “Let’s see the initial response first.”

Coming from a business family, Paris had some sense of strategy. She nodded and asked the critical question: “What’s the budget?”

Hawk gave a high estimate. “Three million dollars for three episodes.”

Rooney interjected, “That’s a bit steep.”

Hawk elaborated, “We’ll need to rent a luxury mansion for filming.”

Paris immediately offered, “I have a villa in Malibu. It’s newly renovated and hasn’t been used yet.”

Hawk nodded. “You’re well-connected with top brands, right? We’ll need outfits, jewelry, and everyday luxury items…”

“No need to rent.” Paris waved dismissively. “I have plenty of those. I’ll arrange for a few trucks to deliver everything to the villa.”

Everyone—Hawk, Eric, and Rooney—felt speechless.

No wonder Paris Hilton was polarizing; even casual remarks of hers carried an air of bragging.

However, Paris had one redeeming quality: she was straightforward about money. “Three million dollars for three episodes. Done.”

Hawk said, “Once the funding is in place, the crew can be formed today. Please prepare the Malibu villa as soon as possible. Eric and his team can be ready by tomorrow.”

Paris turned to her “handbag girl.” “Kim, head back to the hotel and arrange for my clothes, jewelry, and personal items to be packed and sent to Malibu. Take a set of keys with you too.”

After Kim hurried off, Paris told Hawk, “You can head there tonight.”

Hawk looked at Eric.

With a generous budget, Eric stood to gain a handsome reward. Motivated, he said, “I’ll start preparations tonight.”

Hawk turned to Paris. “For the show’s promotion, there’s some work you’ll need to do.”

The concept fit Paris’s personality and lifestyle perfectly, so she agreed readily. “Tell me.”

Hawk addressed both Paris and Rooney. He looked at Rooney. “Take notes; we’ll need to do the following before the show airs.”

Rooney pulled out a notepad and pen.

Hawk instructed, “Have Paris’s lawyer file a lawsuit against Rick Salomon. Make it as high-profile as possible. Ideally, engage in a media battle to attract public attention.”

Rooney, experienced in such matters, said, “Leave it to me.”

Hawk then told Paris, “Don’t change your lifestyle. Keep partying, living lavishly, and being as flamboyant as ever—maybe even more so.”

Paris laughed. “I’m great at that.” She added playfully, “To grab more attention, I’ll drag Britney along for the fun.”

Hawk praised, “Great idea.”

Rooney chimed in, “Britney is famously gullible. You can handle her easily.”

Paris beamed even more brightly.

Hawk continued, “Create a Twitter account. We’ll drive traffic and hype. Use it to flaunt your wealth all you want.”

Paris nodded enthusiastically. “That’s right up my alley.”

At that moment, she thought highly of Hawk. He didn’t lecture her; though he gave directions, they all aligned with her interests and passions.

---

*Show Off Wealth, Keep Enjoying Life.*

Hawk stood up and clapped his hands forcefully. “Alright, folks, let’s get moving.”

Everyone dispersed to their tasks.

Once the others had left, Hawk turned to Edward. “Any updates on Rooney Chasen?”

Edward replied in a low voice, “Campos’s people have been following her for days, but they haven’t noticed anything unusual.”

Hawk nodded slightly. “Tell them to keep following her.”

Edward went to make a call.

For the unedited version, check out the novel’s first release on 69shuba!

Hawk then gathered Carolyn and Harland for a meeting to discuss the feasibility of airing With Paris on the Twitter platform.

This would require the addition of a new video column.

The timing wasn’t ideal right now.

Afterward, he called Megan Taylor.

Fox Television Network, which owns a dedicated movie channel with high ratings and occasional variety shows, was interested.

Even though Megan Taylor was the intermediary, they still needed to see a pilot episode first.

The budget was ample, and Paris had sponsored the shooting location and all the props and costumes. The plan was to produce the first episode right away.

The next afternoon, Edward drove Hawk in an armored Mercedes to the seaside villa district in Malibu.

Paris’s ocean-view villa spanned nearly two acres, complete with a pool, beach, and lawn.

Inside the two-story villa, everything from the decor to the appliances and furniture exuded luxury.

Erica’s villa in the Silver Lake neighborhood wasn’t even in the same league.

Inside, Hawk saw Eric directing the installation of camera tracks in the open kitchen area.

It wasn’t a studio, so filming wasn’t particularly convenient, requiring coordination in many areas.

Fortunately, Paris was extravagantly generous. Anything that needed moving or dismantling for filming—decorations, furniture—was promptly taken care of.

Hawk walked into a large living room that had been cleared out. The space was filled with women’s clothing and a variety of newly purchased everyday items and kitchen supplies.

The first episode of With Paris was set to showcase the heiress’s culinary “daily life.”

Of course, this wasn’t just any “daily life.”

Eric, having finished his tasks, walked over.

Hawk instructed, “At the beginning of each episode, Paris must make a grand entrance, wearing the finest evening gown and appearing in her lavish villa.”

Eric nodded. “There are plenty of haute couture dresses here.”

“Go for something dazzling,” Hawk emphasized. “Prioritize outfits with sequins or diamonds.”

Eric understood. “To create a sense of luxury.”

Hawk pointed at several dresses adorned with sequins and diamonds. “Paris loves this style. Such luxurious attire will highlight the contrast.”

He moved to the kitchenware section, picked up a frying pan and spatula, and said, “Items like this, even though they’re from high-end brands, aren’t good enough for filming.”

Eric examined them. “These are already top-notch kitchen tools.”

“They’re not encrusted with diamonds,” Hawk noted. “The spatula must be completely encrusted with diamonds. Natural ones are too expensive, so use lab-grown or rhinestones. Our motto is not practicality but extravagance!”

Just then, Paris came downstairs.

Hawk picked up a pair of evening gloves and said, “Modify these slightly, and they can be your kitchen gloves.”

Paris asked curiously, “How should I modify them?”

“Cut off the fingertips to make them more functional,” Hawk explained.

Without hesitation, Paris grabbed a pair of scissors and snipped off the fingers. “Like this?”

“The style works.” Hawk took them, pointing at the back of the gloves. “Embed gemstones here—rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.”

Paris’s eyes lit up. “I love these gloves! I can cook and flaunt my wealth at the same time!”

Hawk picked up an electric iron and said, “Let’s modify this too—cover it in gold and diamonds.”

Paris asked, “To iron clothes? I don’t know how.”

Hawk shook his head. “Not for ironing clothes. Use it to showcase your unique culinary skills—like pressing bacon.”

“Perfect! Perfect!” Paris clapped her hands in excitement.

A wildly imaginative creator paired with a delightfully eccentric heiress—it was an unbeatable combination.

From the start, the preparation radiated a blindingly opulent vibe.

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 172: The Business Blueprint

After four days of preparation, the new era variety show "Traveling with Paris" officially began filming in a luxurious Malibu villa.

The program's producer, Katherine, and Hawk Osmond, along with director Eric Eason, starred Paris Hilton in the lead role, with Kim Kardashian in a supporting role.

Since Paris was the sole financier, she followed the advice of experienced agent Rooney Chasen to establish Paris Entertainment Studio. Naturally, the program's copyrights belonged to the studio.

Rooney saw Paris as a long-term cash cow and took it upon herself to protect her client's interests.

Once filming started, Hawk refrained from commenting, leaving professional matters entirely to Eric, the expert in charge.

The content mainly revolved around Paris Hilton, dressed in high-end couture, preparing various foods, including candies and cakes. The contrast between the luxurious heiress and her efforts in the kitchen was the focal point.

The show aimed to portray Paris Hilton as the public imagined her—a wealthy, clumsy, and naive heiress.

In an open-plan kitchen, Paris whipped cream while wearing diamond- and ruby-encrusted fingerless gloves. Her overly vigorous movements caused several gems to fall into the cream.

Furious, Paris threw her spoon and lashed out at her assistant, Kim Kardashian, demanding she retrieve the gems immediately.

At this stage in her career, Kardashian could only acquiesce to Paris’s temper tantrums.

When Paris’s temper exploded, filming had to halt.

Eric and Rooney tried to console her, but the heiress refused to be pacified.

With no other options, Rooney went outside to fetch Hawk.

Predicting this scenario, Hawk walked in and asked casually, “What’s the problem?”

Rooney detailed the situation: “Paris is upset with her assistant.”

Upon entering the villa, Hawk heard Paris shouting. He found a seat and gestured for Rooney to wait.

Eric joined them, and the three of them ordered coffee, drinking leisurely as they waited.

A short while later, a tearful Kim Kardashian emerged from the villa.

Eric pointed in her direction, but Hawk shook his head. “Leave her. She’ll come back on her own.”

Rooney, observing Hawk closely, noted his calm demeanor. Her last professional clash with him had shown her that her traditional PR methods seemed outdated in comparison.

Soon after, Hawk stood up. “I’ll go have a chat with her.”

Rooney followed. “I’ll come along. It’s better if a woman’s present.”

Hawk waved her off and approached Paris’s open dressing room door, knocking lightly.

Upon seeing him, Paris immediately complained. “Filming this stuff is such a hassle. And these gloves? Ugh!” She waved her hands dramatically, showing off the gloves.

Hawk sat in a chair and didn’t address her complaint directly. Instead, he asked, “You can’t inherit the Hilton family fortune, can you?”

Paris shrugged. “I’m not an heir.”

Hawk continued, “Someday, you’ll probably marry into another wealthy family, have children, and settle down, right?”

Without waiting for her answer, he added, “So, until that happens, you want to live freely and chase all your desires.”

“You know a lot,” Paris remarked, intrigued. “We could explore some of those desires together. I’m quite skilled—you’ve probably seen those tapes…”

Hawk maintained a composed demeanor. “Let’s not go there. Once you’re married, you’ll want freedom, and a successful career is the foundation for that. Only success will allow you to truly live on your terms.”

Paris blinked, finding his words unexpectedly compelling. If she made enough money, she could do whatever she wanted.

“What does that have to do with wearing these gloves?”

“Fingerless gloves,” Hawk said, emphasizing her unique style. “Diamond-encrusted, no less. If the show performs well, you could create a fashion brand. It might even spark a trend.”

Paris considered this seriously. She knew the fashion world better than anyone and realized the niche potential for jeweled fingerless gloves.

Turning to Rooney, she instructed, “Contact someone immediately. Register this brand, just like Hawk said.”

As filming continued, Hawk prepared her for future complications. “It’s not just about fashion. In the second episode, when you make glittery cotton candy and sparkling candies, you can use the show to launch your own candy brand.”

Paris’s eyes lit up like diamonds under stage lights.

“So, your plan for me isn’t just being a TV star?”

Hawk pointed at her with his index finger. “Remember our contract? It’s about strategic business planning. A life strategy. Understand?”

“I get it.” Paris nodded eagerly. “A business empire that’s truly mine.”

Her mood shifted entirely as she strode out of the dressing room, calling for Eric.

Eric stood and waved.

Paris nearly ran to him and apologized. “Sorry, Eric. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. I’m ready now. Let’s keep shooting.”

“Sure,” Eric replied, then glanced toward her assistant.

Before he could finish, Kardashian re-entered the villa.

Paris snapped, “Are you ready yet? Come on, we’re starting!”

Kim meekly apologized and followed Paris back to the kitchen area.

Eric called his team to resume filming.

With just Rooney and Hawk left, Rooney mused, “I think I understand now why your clients always sing your praises.”

Hawk smiled. “So, you’ve done your homework on me.”

“Of course. Last time, I lost badly—even the client ended up gone,” Rooney said with a laugh. “You don’t just focus on the immediate; you think long-term.”

Hawk shook his head. “Entrepreneurship? I wouldn’t recommend it to most people. But Paris is different.”

Rooney leaned in, curious. “How so?”

Hawk explained, “Paris has influence in the socialite world. Forget her Upper East Side friends—just her connection to Britney alone could smooth her path in fashion.”

Rooney nodded. “True.”

“And for the candy business? Hilton Hotels operate thousands of locations worldwide. Candy is a hotel staple. Even if only a fraction of their orders go to Paris’s brand, it’ll be enough to sustain it.”

Rooney glanced toward the kitchen. “These are her unique advantages. But she lacks the vision to capitalize on them.”

Hawk remarked, “With more life experience, she’d figure it out. Right now, she’s too focused on indulgence.”

Rooney studied him before suggesting, “Care for a drink tonight? The Vineyard Bar has a new men’s cocktail—it’s supposed to be amazing.”

“Sorry,” Hawk declined politely, shutting down any advances. “I’m having dinner with my girlfriend tonight. Skipping would be a headache.”

“Fair enough. Another time, then,” Rooney said.

Hawk went to observe Eric’s filming.

Paris had become much more serious about cooking, though her increased effort only led to more mishaps.

Eric, however, didn’t stop filming. He believed the chaos would be a selling point, even capturing a cream cake filled with ruby and sapphire fragments.

Later, Katherine arrived and informed Hawk, “I’ve contacted Fox. They’re clear that a test screening is mandatory for any outside programs.”

“Let’s finish editing the first episode and prepare for the screening,” Hawk said.

Katherine nodded. “Once Eric wraps filming, I’ll get the editors involved.”

Hawk left the villa and drove to Laurel Canyon, where Erica was waiting for him at a Chinese restaurant.

She had invited him to try hot pot—a relatively simple introduction to Chinese cuisine compared to more modified dishes.

As they ate, Erica asked, “Any updates from Fox?”

“Nothing yet,” Hawk replied. “Everything seems normal. Gretchen’s work status hasn’t changed.”

Switching topics, Erica mentioned, “You moved into a new place. I still haven’t visited.”

Hawk smiled. “I called, but you’ve been busy.”

She sighed. “This city is full of lunatics—either dirt poor and desperate or obscenely rich and crazy…”

Hawk quipped, “Maybe Brian should run for president and fix it.”

“Yeah, until he gets shot for trying to reform too much,” Erica joked.

After dinner, they drove to Santa Monica together.

At Hawk’s new home, Erica carried a shopping bag.

“What’s that?” Hawk asked.

“New outfit,” Erica said, linking arms with him. “You’ll love it.”

Intrigued, Hawk hurried inside, but Erica stopped him. “Shower first. You smell like lamb. Upstairs. I’ll change downstairs—no peeking.”

“What kind of outfit?” Hawk pressed.

“You like being a pilot?” Erica teased.

Hawk grinned. “Very much.”

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 173: So Naïve, So Innocent*

After two days of filming and three days of post-production, the first episode of Following Paris was successfully completed.

Meanwhile, Rooney Chasen and the Hilton Group’s lawyers in Los Angeles jointly announced that Paris Hilton was suing Rick Salomon for invading her privacy.

Following Hawk’s advice, they sparked a public spat in the media, with both sides trading verbal blows. The uproar became a hot topic.

Rick Salomon gave a TV interview, stating, “It was Paris who insisted on filming. I disagreed at first, but she threatened to break up with me!”

Hawk advised Paris to respond with a “dumb blonde sweetheart” approach.

Paris posted on Twitter, “I was forced. He told me at the time that if I didn’t let him film, he’d call another woman. I didn’t want to lose love.”

She even quoted Shakespeare, “I was too young then, so naïve, so innocent...”

Her persona as the lovable, clueless sweetheart quickly captured public attention.

These developments reignited interest in the previously cooling videos and news.

After finishing the first episode, Paris, following Hawk’s instructions, resumed her former wild lifestyle, partying with Britney at nightclubs.

Leaving the club drunk, Paris boldly lifted her dress in front of paparazzi, putting on a shocking display.

Years ago, Nicole Kidman lifted her dress and shocked the Venice Film Festival.

Now, Paris Hilton was stirring up waves on Sunset Boulevard.

Under Hawk’s orchestration, the buzz reached new heights again.

Where there’s buzz, there’s business.

Hawk quickly contacted Natasha, whom Megan Taylor had introduced. Catherine also reached out to her contacts at Fox Television.

Paris had been a hot topic for the past two years, especially this year. The scandalous video alone had overshadowed countless Hollywood celebrity scandals.

Both parties quickly came to an agreement and held a preview screening at the Fox Television Center’s editing room.

That afternoon, Hawk, Rooney, and Catherine brought the demo over.

On the Fox side, Megan joined them for the viewing.

Her friend Natasha, who worked in the television department, appeared to be in her early 30s, with long brown hair.

Natasha introduced two others to Hawk: “This is York, the associate producer, and this is Cole, the director.”

Hawk shook hands with each of them.

These three held the decision-making power.

After some small talk, Hawk suggested, “Shall we watch the episode first? We can discuss the rest afterward.”

“Sure,” Natasha agreed readily.

Hawk handed the storage drive to an assistant, who promptly connected it to the digital player.

Megan chose not to sit with Hawk but positioned herself beside Natasha.

The show began to play.

The title sequence lit up the screen: Following Paris.

A seaside villa appeared on screen, and then Paris Hilton burst into the frame, giving a tour of her luxurious Los Angeles home.

Dressed in lavish attire, Paris wandered through an even more extravagant villa. Every second of the footage screamed opulence.

Natasha frowned slightly. While it was visually interesting, it risked alienating viewers.

York and Cole exchanged glances, finding the over-the-top display dull.

Other networks already had plenty of such shows, and audiences were growing tired of them.

But then, the scene shifted. Paris, feeling hungry, decided to find something to eat. With no housekeeper at home and her assistant clueless in the kitchen, the wealthy heiress opted to cook herself.

She changed into what she deemed “work-appropriate” cooking attire: a sequined mini dress encrusted with diamonds and a rose gold hair clip.

To protect her hands, she wore custom fingerless gloves adorned with diamonds and red-and-blue gemstones that sparkled under the lights.

She began preparing her first dish: ironing bacon with a clothes iron.

Her clumsy efforts led to a couple of minor burns, but thankfully, the diamond-studded gloves saved her from injury.

The juxtaposition of an impeccably glamorous heiress with her baffling cooking methods immediately piqued York and Cole’s interest.

Cole whispered, “This show is kinda intriguing.”

The experienced York caught on to the essence, “Glamorous and ditzy—a classic rich girl stereotype the audience loves.”

On screen, Paris showcased her cooking skills and luxurious kitchen tools.

A pink potato peeler inlaid with sapphires.

Sparkling, glittery salt, half a bottle of which she accidentally dumped onto her dish.

While whipping cream, she dirtied her outfit, and one of the gems from her gloves fell into the cream.

Her caramel sauce turned into something resembling tar.

The once-pristine white cake ended up an odd gray color.

York suddenly remarked in a low voice, “That cake looks delicious.”

Cole glanced at him in disbelief. “You’d actually eat that disaster?”

York lowered his voice further, “Eat it, and you could profit big! I just saw at least five gemstones, each over a carat, fall in.”

Cole immediately changed his tone, “I’d like some too.”

As the episode neared its end, Paris decided to make something simple: steak.

Everything went smoothly until she revealed her cooking spatula—completely encrusted with diamonds.

Even Natasha couldn’t help but laugh.

The episode concluded with Paris finally enjoying her slightly burnt steak.

It wasn’t about the food—it was about her meticulous, lavish style from start to finish.

The show painted her as an out-of-touch “dumb Barbie” princess.

Before the credits rolled, Paris made a point of removing her diamond-studded gloves, thanking them for their protection.

Director Eric and producer Catherine’s names appeared on screen as the credits began.

---

---

Megan looked at Natasha. Natasha gave a slight nod and a faint smile; there was no need to say much.

The screen turned off. York and Cole glanced at Natasha and then walked over to shake Hawk's hand one after the other.

York said, “That was an impressive episode. To be honest, it exceeded my expectations. The person on the screen was a completely different Paris Hilton.”

Hawk smiled and replied, “The media has stigmatized her, but in reality, she’s just a young woman in her early twenties, with a very human side.”

At that moment, Natasha walked over and said directly, “The show is interesting. I want it. Let’s discuss collaboration in a different setting.”

The primary goal of this meeting was to get the show aired on television.

Hawk didn’t care much about licensing fees or profit sharing since Paris covered all the expenses.

Renee Chasen, her diligent PR manager, ensured that the show’s copyright remained with Paris.

Hawk, along with Catherine and Renee Chasen, followed Natasha into a reception room.

During the negotiation, Renee took the lead, while Hawk and Catherine barely spoke.

Although the show was intriguing, Paris Hilton didn’t have a substantial audience base. In the end, only $1.5 million was agreed upon for three episodes, with Fox retaining partial rights to future production and distribution.

Similar to Hollywood films, the party with the distribution channels held the absolute advantage.

The next day, Hawk had Renee call Paris over to finalize a series of agreements.

Paris was ecstatic that her show would air on a Fox-owned network. She fully embodied the image of a billionaire heiress.

Paris divided the $1.5 million licensing fee into three parts: $300,000 as a bonus for Renee Chasen, $500,000 as a production bonus for Eric’s team, and the remaining $700,000 to Hawk as a special consultant fee.

After spending some time with Paris, Hawk had a clearer understanding. While Paris might seem frivolous, she wasn’t entirely naive.

With the Fox agreement secured, production of the second and third episodes began in full swing.

Paris was far more serious this time, especially with the second episode, which focused on candy-making.

She hired a professional confectioner through Renee Chasen to teach her how to create visually stunning candies.

She also ordered a large batch of gold and platinum leaf for wrapping the candies.

Since viewers couldn’t taste the candies through the screen, visual appeal was key.

Paris remembered everything Hawk had said to her. She was determined to create her own candy brand.

Given the $1.5 million deal and the $700,000 consultant fee, Hawk offered Paris some advice during filming: “Starting a candy brand requires a comprehensive business plan. I can help you with the planning, but the execution has to be up to you.”

He emphasized, “Paris, you should consult your parents about this candy project.”

Paris was puzzled. “Other than providing me with a comfortable life, they don’t interfere much. Why should I ask them?”

Hawk asked, “Are candies essential at Hilton hotels?”

“Of course. Candies are placed at the front desk, in lobbies, gyms, entertainment rooms, and during PR events.”

At that moment, Paris had an epiphany. She stared at Hawk in awe. “Is this the key to making the candy brand successful?”

Hawk, being professional and diligent, replied, “Don’t see it as something to be ashamed of. Look at me and Eric—we couldn’t even dream of such an opportunity.”

Paris, now fully trusting Hawk, said, “Alright, I’ll call my parents tonight.”

Hawk added, “This will help you achieve your goals faster.”

Paris, brimming with ambition, declared, “I want to be famous, I want to be successful, and I want to become a billionaire!”

Hawk’s efforts were essentially about monetizing Paris’s publicity.

While the second episode was still being filmed, Fox’s video channel had already started promoting Paris.

Meanwhile, Paris’s lawsuit against Rick Salomon for invasion of privacy had its first hearing in Los Angeles.

Hawk had Renee leak the news in advance, resulting in dozens of reporters crowding outside the courthouse.

When Renee accompanied Paris out, she specifically gave a media interview, announcing a press conference at the Hilton Hotel the next day to formally address the leaked tape.

Hawk didn’t have to worry about the rest. Renee, well-versed in traditional media strategies, handled everything smoothly.

At the press conference, Paris emphasized that she was a victim. At its peak, she announced that With Paris would premiere on Fox’s video channel the following weekend.

Fox also released a promotional trailer.

Paris’s luxurious style, along with her over-the-top act of cooking a steak with a diamond-encrusted spatula, caused a sensation.

The promotional poster of Paris wearing diamond-studded gloves and showcasing her cooking skills appeared on her official Twitter account, sparking a frenzy of retweets.

In less than a day, it made the Twitter trending news list.

For the past two years, Paris had been a hot topic in tabloid media, with staying power that surpassed many Hollywood stars.

Riding this wave of popularity, Fox launched the episode.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 174: A Resounding Success*

May in Los Angeles was hot during the day, but as night fell, the sea breeze made it quite comfortable.

In a slightly old house, Renee had just put her daughter to bed. She closed the bedroom door, grabbed a beer and some snacks, and brought them to the living room, placing them in front of Jacqueline.

Jacqueline pointed at the TV. “Check out this show. It’s pretty interesting.”

Renee sat down next to her and glanced at the screen. It featured Paris Hilton, who had been all over the media lately. After watching for a while, Renee commented, “It’s rare to see a rich girl acting crazy on TV just to entertain us poor folks.”

Jacqueline’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’m so jealous of her life. I’d love to try one of Paris’s cakes!”

“It’s like watching a Barbie playhouse,” Renee replied. Despite her words, she found herself thoroughly entertained. For someone like Renee, burdened with the stress of supporting her daughter’s medical needs by running a small business, seeing a wealthy socialite make a fool of herself was oddly satisfying.

There was a sense of triumph in seeing her own practical skills outshine those of a privileged heiress.

And the sheer absurdity of it all was irresistible.

The show was utterly ridiculous, but the chaos on-screen was hilariously captivating.

The two women couldn’t stop laughing.

As the show neared its end, Jacqueline watched Paris flipping a steak with a diamond-encrusted spatula and couldn’t help but say, “I really want to try a steak cooked with a diamond spatula. It must taste amazing.”

Renee nodded. “A diamond-grilled steak must have a unique flavor, right?”

They both wanted to try it but didn’t have nearly enough diamonds.

This same thought was crossing the minds of many Americans.

Countless viewers also expressed a desire to taste Paris’s “black cake.”

After all, it was baked with gemstones!

---

*Fox Television Center, Entertainment Channel*

Rooney Chasen sat on a chair outside the control room, waiting for the first round of feedback.

As the director of a top PR firm, Rooney was deeply invested in the show because the Hilton family had provided an exceptionally generous budget for their services.

More importantly, if this show succeeded, her future work would become much easier.

The toughest parts had already been handled by Hawk Osmond.

The public relations fees for the next year might not be entirely effortless, but they would be far less tedious than dealing with the typical celebrity scandals.

For Rooney, it would be a piece of cake.

Just then, the control room door opened, and Cole walked out.

Rooney stood up and asked, “Are the ratings in?”

Cole, clearly in high spirits, smiled and said, “Viewership peaked at over 4.22 million during prime time—this is just the first episode!”

“Impressive.” Rooney felt a wave of relief. “The ratings are excellent. Please ensure you fulfill the contract and allocate more resources for promoting the second episode.”

Natasha emerged from the control room and added, “The quality of the next two episodes must be maintained. Since this is a weekly show, make sure the second episode is ready by Thursday.”

Rooney replied, “The second episode is already filmed and in post-production. Its theme is Paris and candy. The third episode is planned, and Paris has invited Britney Spears to participate.”

Natasha seemed genuinely excited. “I’m looking forward to it!”

After discussing a few more details about future collaboration, Rooney left the production team, stepped into the hallway, and pulled out her phone. Her first call was to Hawk. “The ratings are in. The peak was 4.22 million viewers.”

On the other end, Hawk breathed a sigh of relief. “The first episode was a success. Make sure Paris stays in the spotlight this week—go out drinking, have wardrobe malfunctions, keep arguing with Solomon online, and don’t stop flaunting her wealth on Twitter.”

Rooney agreed. “I’ll talk to her about it.”

“Alright, get some rest.” Hawk ended the call.

Standing by the hallway window, Rooney looked out at Century City’s nightscape and suddenly understood why Caroline liked working with Hawk.

Hawk always managed to handle the toughest parts, making it easy for his collaborators to make money. Who wouldn’t want such a partner?

She called Paris next to deliver the good news.

---

*Beverly Hills, Hilton Hotel Presidential Suite*

Paris didn’t fully grasp the significance of the ratings. “Does this mean we succeeded?”

Rooney replied, “We did—very successfully!”

“Fantastic!” Paris cheered, throwing her phone aside. She raised her glass and said to her assistant, Kim Kardashian, “Cheers to my success!”

Kim raised her glass and drank with Paris. Taking advantage of Paris’s good mood, she hesitated but then asked, “Could you ask the director to give me a few more shots in the next episode?”

Though Kim came from a decent family, it was nowhere near the Hilton level. The gap was enormous.

Drunkenly, Paris agreed, “Sure, no problem. I’ll take care of it.” Then she shouted, “Bring the fireworks! Let’s celebrate with fireworks!”

Excited, Kim fetched the fireworks they had purchased earlier.

The two women lit them inside the suite, filling the room with smoke and flames. From outside the hotel, the top floor appeared to be on fire.

Naturally, the indoor fireworks triggered the smoke alarms, throwing the hotel into chaos. Guests on the lower floors even called 911.

---

Fortunately, the suite manager reacted quickly, promptly opened the door, and stopped the two crazy women.

However, several customers called the police. The Hilton Hotel, being a high-priority location, saw three nearby patrol cars rush to the scene.

Paris Hilton’s private suite here was already infamous due to her past antics.

An incident like this would definitely need an explanation.

The hotel manager called, and the suite manager was rambling nearby. Paris sobered up slightly.

She knew this was trouble. Her first thought wasn’t to call her public relations manager, Roni Chasen, but instead, Hawk.

Thinking of Hawk, Paris picked up her phone and called him.

Hawk was practicing shooting with Erica’s assistance. When his phone vibrated, he immediately declined the call.

Less than three seconds later, the phone vibrated again.

Erica, snapped out of her daze, pushed Hawk off, picked up a glass of water to rinse her mouth, and gave Hawk a playful smack on his muscular chest, motioning for him to answer the call.

Hawk glanced at his phone, saw it was Paris, and answered. “Calling so late—what’s up?”

On the other end, Paris quickly explained, “The show tonight was a success. I had a bit to drink and set off fireworks in my hotel suite to celebrate. Someone called the police. Now the police are here, and the customers who reported me are accusing me of endangering public safety. The police will definitely take me to the station…”

Hawk thought to himself: You should be calling your PR manager, Roni Chasen, for this nonsense.  

But remembering how generous Paris was with her payments, he considered briefly and asked, “Is your assistant there?”

Paris replied, “She’s here. She drank with me and even helped with the fireworks.”

Hawk said, “Here’s what you do. Before the LAPD arrives, talk to her. Tell her the fireworks were entirely her idea and had nothing to do with you. If she’s willing to admit it, promise her that during the third episode of filming, she’ll get more screen time in the final cut.”

This suggestion gave Paris some relief. She recalled a question Kardashian had asked earlier, which steadied her nerves. “I’ll discuss it with her right now,” she said.

Paris hung up, proposed the idea to Kardashian, and without hesitation, Kardashian agreed.

For the chance to appear on TV more, Kardashian didn’t just accept the blame—she strategized. She poured Paris another drink, making her appear completely drunk and asleep in the suite, oblivious to what was happening.

Kardashian took full responsibility and was taken away by the LAPD.

---

At the villa on 20th Street, Erica emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel and asked, “I heard you mention the LAPD. Should I call my contact at the West Division?”

Hawk shook his head. “Paris set off fireworks in the presidential suite at the Hilton. Some customers called the cops. It’s not a big deal; she’ll handle it.”

He added curiously, “Do you have anyone like Paris in your family?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Erica replied. “My uncle in Washington has a son—one of my cousins—who does nothing but indulge in luxury and pleasure. Compared to him, Brian looks like a saint.”

She paused before adding, “But to his credit, he keeps a low profile and stays out of the media. He just lives off his family dividends.”

Hawk chuckled. “Living the life…”

“Jealous?” Erica teased.

Hawk, uninterested in banter, took action and swept her off her feet.

---

When Cooking with Paris aired, it garnered significant attention.

The next day’s replay still attracted over 3.3 million viewers.

In the past, the public could only passively gossip about Paris Hilton’s escapades. But now, they had direct access to her through her new personal Twitter account.

Before the replay, Paris posted two tweets. One addressed the Hilton fireworks incident, apologizing on behalf of her assistant, Kardashian. The other revealed the second episode’s poster with the subtitle “Candy.”

The comments on the second tweet exploded with reactions from viewers of the first episode, titled “In the Kitchen.”

“Barbie’s over-the-top cooking bloopers had me laughing so hard I spit out my midnight snack.”

“You laugh at Paris for being clumsy; she laughs at you for not being able to pay off your credit card.”

“You thought this was a cooking show? It’s actually Paris Hilton’s princess-style extravaganza!”

“Rich people’s lives are so boring. They miss out on so much—like struggling, hard work, or worrying about poverty.”

The show, though seemingly absurd, hit the mark in satisfying viewers’ curiosity about the lifestyles of Beverly Hills socialites and the antics of a ditsy beauty.

When the second episode, Cooking with Paris: Candy, aired, viewership skyrocketed to 5.5 million.

Paris was both loved and ridiculed, but her fame soared. Her daily Twitter updates also brought a surge in new user registrations.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 175: Indians Not Allowed*

Ocean Park Avenue, inside the Twitter office building.

Paris Hilton, accompanied by Kardashian, who had just been released on bail, took the elevator to the fourth floor.

As she stepped into the hallway from the elevator, the operations director’s office door opened, and Caroline walked out.

The two women, separated by a few meters, scrutinized each other.

Paris quickly scanned the woman before her.

The woman across from her had a tall and slender figure, much like her own. Beneath her bangs was a petite face with light makeup. Her features, though seemingly ordinary at first glance, combined to create a striking beauty.

With her keen understanding of fashion and luxury brands, Paris instantly saw through Caroline’s façade.

A beige Chanel short skirt—this season’s latest release but not a limited edition, something anyone could purchase.

A Cartier watch and hairclip—both mass-market items.

Red high heels—last season’s Hermès collection.

Just a pretentious woman trying to pass off as a refined socialite.

Paris chose to ignore her and walked past Caroline without a glance.

Caroline stood rooted in place, her long lashes fluttering as though she had just taken a blow.

The clothes and shoes the other woman wore weren’t big-name brands but bespoke, high-end pieces that money alone couldn’t buy.

As for the Hermès bag carried by the assistant behind her—it wasn’t hard to recognize. It was one of only twenty made worldwide.

Caroline felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and disdain.

---

Inside the conference room, Paris thanked Hawk, then took the Hermès bag from Kardashian, unzipped it, and placed it on the table.

Smiling, she said, “These are handmade candies I personally made. I brought them as a token of my gratitude.”

“Thank you,” Hawk replied, accepting the bag.

Through the open zipper, he could see a bag full of candies, each wrapped in gold foil—luxurious and extravagant.

Paris continued, “The filming for the first three episodes is over. Eric and his team have left. But Fox Video Channel signed a new contract with me—they want to produce a second season. Do you have any suggestions?”

Hawk thought for a moment before saying, “The show’s ratings and reception have been good. Seize this opportunity. Inviting Britney for the third episode was a good move. For the second season, you could try inviting other guests.”

Paris thought of Lindsay Lohan, whom she had recently befriended.

Hawk added, “The first episode’s theme of cakes and gemstones was well-received. To promote your candy brand, you could organize a gemstone lottery—embed gemstones in some of the candies.”

Paris nodded enthusiastically and took notes.

“I’ve spoken to my parents, and they support me in creating a candy brand,” she said, showing some progress compared to before. “When the first batch of products is ready, I’ll bring them to you for a taste test.”

Hawk nodded politely. “Sure.”

After a brief conversation, Paris left.

With that, the business strategy contract between Hawk and Paris Hilton was finalized.

---

The conference room door was knocked upon, and Caroline entered, immediately noticing the limited-edition Hermès bag on Hawk’s desk.

Hawk picked up the bag and slid it toward her. “Take these.”

Caroline wanted to refuse, but the allure of a limited-edition Hermès bag—especially a worldwide exclusive—was too strong.

She approached the bag and caught sight of the gold-wrapped contents inside.

“Paris Hilton personally made these candies,” Hawk explained. “They’re all wrapped in gold foil. Take them.”

Understanding her motivations, Hawk immediately employed his persuasion skills: “If we work together and grow the company, you’ll be able to do more than just own this bag. You could have Hermès designers come to you and create custom lambskin bags tailored to your desires.”

Caroline was easily hooked. “Yes! With premium lambskin!”

Hawk expanded her vision. “Focus on your work. As the company scales up, you’ll be able to buy as many of these as you want.”

“Absolutely!” Caroline knew she was being manipulated, yet she willingly played along.

After all, she had witnessed Twitter’s journey from nothing to its current success firsthand.

Miss Bleat wanted to express her regret with a few sheepish “baas.” As one of the early team members, she could have become a minor shareholder, just like Edward.

Hawk had given her the chance to invest.

Back then, Miss Bleat had been too absorbed in her obsession with refined fashion trends. She didn’t even have a five-figure sum in savings, and her credit cards were nearly maxed out.

But she knew she still had a chance.

---

Hawk left the conference room, looking for the next big breakthrough.

In the meantime, Erica called him and invited him to practice shooting in the afternoon.

Hawk agreed and sat at his desk, delving into the website’s backend to analyze various data points.

If Will Smith had been the spark that ignited Twitter’s rapid growth, then Paris Hilton, her infamous tape, and the resulting news frenzy had been a temporary liquid nitrogen accelerator for the platform.

Just last night at 8:35 PM, Twitter’s global registered user count officially surpassed 20 million.

Outside of North America, the UK had become the second-largest market.

Caroline was preparing to lead her operations team to the UK, New Zealand, and Australia to collaborate with local download sites and further promote Twitter.

These English-speaking countries within the Five Eyes Alliance provided a shared language advantage, aiding Twitter’s market expansion.

Hawk also instructed the tech department to hire new developers proficient in one of the following languages: French, Spanish, or Portuguese.

---

---

This is not just for the European market but also for the broader Latin market.

From Mexico down south, aside from Brazil and a few other countries or regions, Spanish dominates.

After lunch, Hawk slung his gun bag over his shoulder and drove to the Atel Mountain Shooting Range.

This time, at Erica's suggestion, they switched roles: Hawk provided support from a distance while Erica handled the assault.

This adjustment was meant to prepare them for different unexpected situations.

They practiced for over an hour, took a brief break, and then Hawk picked up an assault rifle and suggested they practice coordinated two-person attacks.

The entire afternoon was spent at the shooting range, with each of them firing over 300 rounds.

When Hawk saw Erica loading more bullets into an empty magazine, he stopped her and asked, “What’s going on? Are you trying to vent with the gun?”

Erica replied, “You noticed?”

Hawk said, “I saw it after you emptied your first magazine. I didn’t say anything because I thought shooting might help you release some tension.”

Erica put the bullets down and said slowly, “Over the past few days, I’ve been handling an abuse case involving several children. They were smuggled into Los Angeles from Mexico and suffered horrifying abuse at the hands of some Hollywood perverts.”

She forced a smile. “Even I felt sick looking at it.”

Hawk said, “Some people don’t deserve to be called human—demons are kinder than them.”

He asked, “You mentioned Hollywood perverts. Were any celebrities involved?”

“No celebrities,” Erica explained. “Two screenwriters—reasonably well-off—were members of a dark web forum. They started with buying videos and eventually passed tests to ‘purchase services.’ But they had to smuggle people from Mexico themselves.”

Hawk glanced around and said, “When you arrested them, you didn’t shoot them on the spot?”

Erica lowered her voice. “I wanted to, but they were cowards. As soon as we broke down the door, they dropped to the ground with their hands up. They didn’t give me any chance.”

Hawk remarked, “Probably because your reputation precedes you. They were scared at the sight of you.”

Erica sighed, “Now the case has been handed over to the FBI. No chance for me to act anymore.”

Hawk began cleaning his gun and changed the subject. “We need to strengthen this kind of team coordination training. Best if we hire a professional instructor.”

He tried to distract Erica. “I have a feeling that bastard Brian is cursing us behind our backs again. That guy has a jinxed mouth. His good predictions never come true, but his bad ones always do.”

Hearing her cousin’s name, Erica gritted her teeth. “Brian actually said the two of us are bad luck. The real jinx is him!”

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became. “Remember when we got back from Wyoming, and he said we’d encounter dozens of armed criminals? What happened?”

Hawk picked up the story. “We got surrounded by over twenty armed robbers.”

The pair was certain: the real jinx was Brian Ferguson.

After dinner, they returned to Hawk’s villa on 20th Street.

Exhausted from shooting practice, Hawk grabbed a bottle of liquor and led Erica to the rooftop terrace to enjoy the view of Santa Monica’s beach at night.

As Erica opened the bottle and poured Hawk a drink, they heard someone shouting next door.

Hawk looked over to see their neighbor, Jet Brown, and his girlfriend Diana on their second-floor terrace, also enjoying the night view.

Their villas weren’t too close together, but Jet waved and shouted a few words before pulling out his phone to call Hawk.

A smooth talker, Jet asked, “Can Diana and I come over for a drink?”

Considering Jet was a senior talent consultant at Korn Ferry and might prove useful for Twitter, Hawk said, “You’re welcome.”

Jet waved and headed downstairs with Diana, soon arriving at Hawk’s place.

Hawk went downstairs to greet them, accepted the gift Jet brought, exchanged pleasantries, and led them up to the rooftop terrace.

Introductions were made all around.

Jet, surprised by Erica’s height, asked, “Are you Erica Ferguson from the LAPD?”

Erica brought two new glasses and poured drinks for the guests. “That’s me.”

“I’ve seen your videos,” Diana said, starstruck. “You’re amazing—like a real-life gun goddess.”

Erica responded politely, “I’m just doing my duty as part of the LAPD.”

Meanwhile, Hawk and Jet started chatting, quickly steering the conversation toward work.

Jet got straight to the point. “I’ve been keeping an eye on Twitter’s progress. Its growth has been phenomenal.”

Hawk didn’t deny it. “We’ve seized a few good opportunities.”

Jet asked, “With such rapid growth, do you have any talent needs? I’ve been a talent consultant in Los Angeles for ten years and with Korn Ferry for eight. I have an extensive talent pool in my head.”

Hawk indeed had a need. “I’m looking for web architects and software developers proficient in both Spanish and French.”

He added pointedly, “No Indians.”

Jet was surprised. “From what I know, Indians are very talented in the IT field…”

Hawk interrupted, “That’s a non-negotiable condition.”

“I see,” Jet replied, dropping the subject. “How about this? Can you come by Korn Ferry tomorrow?”

Hawk agreed. “Sure.”

(End of Chapter)