Leaving Kennedy International Airport, the group didn't return to Manhattan but headed to Greenwich, Connecticut, just northeast of Manhattan. Unlike the artistic Greenwich Village in downtown Manhattan, Greenwich, Connecticut is known as an affluent area comparable to Manhattan's Upper East Side and East Hampton on Long Island. Many wealthy individuals own properties in both the Upper East Side and the surrounding areas of Greenwich and East Hampton, usually residing in the Upper East Side during the workweek and retreating to their suburban mansions on weekends.
Janet had been actively acquiring properties for Simon. During a recent stay in New York, she purchased another estate in Greenwich. Moreover, Janet continued to scout for properties across the East and West Coasts in cities like Las Vegas, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Miami, supporting Simon's initial idea of owning properties around the world.
Sophia Fieschi had also purchased a property in Greenwich before coming to the U.S., planning for her children to attend school there. Known for its top-tier educational resources, Greenwich was undoubtedly an ideal choice for their education. Conveniently, the party Simon was attending that evening was also hosted at the Hearst family's mansion in Greenwich.
After less than an hour's drive on the East Coast's developed highway network, the group entered Greenwich. Sophia's property was in downtown Greenwich, while Simon's estate was in the northern suburbs. After arranging a lunch invitation with the female executive housekeeper for the next day, the group split up.
Simon and his entourage drove about five kilometers north along a tree-lined asphalt road to an estate in the outskirts of Greenwich. The estate was enclosed by a symbolic stone wall, elevated above the adjacent road, making it difficult for passersby and vehicles to peer inside.
Inside the wall, dense shrubbery and tall trees further concealed the interior of the estate. Unlike the neatly trimmed hedges and lawns of East Hampton, the vegetation here was kept in a more natural state.
Simon, who inherently preferred order, had no intention of altering the layout of the estate. Maintaining its natural state was, in itself, a form of order.
The estate spanned over 30 acres, about 12 hectares, and was irregularly shaped, with its length from north to south nearly 500 meters, and varying widths from east to west. The narrowest part in the north was less than 100 meters wide, adjacent to a lake, while the southern boundary stretched over 400 meters along an east-west asphalt road.
The group entered the estate through the western entrance. The interior was mostly uneven vegetation along a winding driveway, leading about 200 meters inwards to a European-style villa with a blue roof and white walls. A separate building, likely quarters for servants, was situated about seven or eight meters from the main villa.
The cars stopped in front of the main villa, and a group of women dressed in uniform black suits approached.
Janet, following closely behind Simon and taking his arm, cheerfully introduced the seven ladies, "This is our new housekeeping team for our properties in North America. I picked them out myself. Aren't they beautiful? Sophia handles Europe herself."
Simon nodded, observing the seven tall, fair-skinned women, and remarked somewhat subconsciously, "They seem a bit young."
Janet pinched Simon's arm in displeasure, "That's how it is, and if you're not satisfied, you can pick them yourself."
As they whispered to each other, a short-haired woman with a refined yet somewhat aloof demeanor extended her hand to Simon, "Hello, Mr. Westeros, I'm Alice Ferguson."
Simon shook her hand, "Nice to meet you, Alice."
After the greeting, Alice Ferguson slightly turned to introduce the other six eager women behind her, "Mr. Westeros, these are Mira, Emilia, Naomi, Doris, Isabel, and Zoe."
After swiftly introducing them, the new housekeeper turned back to face Simon, "Mr. Westeros, may I give you a tour of the villa?"
Simon, curious about the other women who were kept behind Alice, smiled and nodded, "Sure."
As Janet continued to smile and listen to Alice, she let go of Simon, "Go ahead inside, I'll arrange for them to handle the luggage."
Simon didn't object and led the way into the villa.
Alice Ferguson followed closely by his side.
As they entered, Simon surveyed the surroundings. The villa was comparable in size to his property on the Palisades in Los Angeles. The high-ceilinged two-story villa was taller than some ordinary three-story buildings, with a grand chandelier hanging directly from the dome over the single-story hall.
The interior was decorated entirely in white, with furnishings clearly replaced to match Simon's preferred minimalist style.
After a brief look around, Simon headed upstairs via the western spiral staircase.
Alice Ferguson continued to follow without initiating any further conversation.
Upon reaching the second floor, Simon paused in front of a painting by Janet to
admire it before starting the conversation, "How old are you this year?"
"27."
"Which university did you graduate from?"
"Princeton."
Simon turned his attention from the painting and continued down the hallway, sounding slightly displeased, "And then?"
"I studied economics and received my Ph.D. two years ago."
"Getting a Ph.D. in economics at 27 is quite impressive."
Alice corrected him, "I was 25."
"In the future, when asked, just say you were 27."
"Why?"
"Because I said you're 27."
"…Alright."
Simon opened a bedroom door, which led to a balcony with floor-to-ceiling windows. He stepped inside.
Upon reaching the balcony, Simon stood by the railing and looked over at the busy figures in front of the villa, asking, "What was your Ph.D. thesis on?"
Alice Ferguson responded, "The impact of Reagan's economic reforms on the U.S. trade imbalance."
"Are you interested in politics?"
"I considered it but gave up."
"Why?"
"It's difficult for women to achieve much in politics."
"That may not be true. Maybe in less than ten years, there will be a female president."
"That's nearly impossible."
"Well, why did you want to work for me?"
"The salary is high enough, and there's the possibility for better opportunities in the future."
"Hm?"
"The heads of the four core companies under the Westeros Corporation are all women."
Simon laughed, "Which four? I've invested in so many companies I can barely keep track."
"Daenerys, Melisandre, Igraine, Cersei."
"Alright, which of these companies has the most potential for growth?"
Alice hesitated before responding, "Daenerys or Igraine."
"I only asked for one."
"Igraine."
Surprised by her choice, Simon leaned back against the railing and reassessed the woman before him, "Well then, manage my properties well for five years, and you can go to Igraine. Of course, you still have to prove your capability. If I find you're more suited to be a janitor at Igraine, that's what you'll be."
Alice's lips pursed slightly as she said, "I'll need access to understand Igraine better."
"No problem. Also, since you're so smart, getting a Ph.D. at 27, spend the next few years learning computer technology."
"I also have a master's degree in computer science from Princeton."
Simon's gaze swept over her fair neck, "Any other degrees? Mention them all now."
"That's all."
"Then continue studying. Get another Ph.D. You'll only be managing properties for me, so you'll have plenty of free time," Simon said, not waiting for her response before adding, "By the way, do you have a boyfriend?"
"No."
"Really?"
"I've had a few girlfriends."
"…"
Simon was momentarily speechless, realizing why he had felt something was off.
Seeing Simon at a loss for words, Alice paused before adding, "But I don't dismiss the opposite sex."
Simon nodded, his gaze becoming more probing, "I understand; that's a hint."
Alice shook her head, "No, that's explicit."
Simon, feeling bold, gestured with his hand, "Go lock the bedroom door; I want you now."
Alice shook her head, "Not now, today is a risky day for me, and there are no contraceptives in this suite. If I get pregnant by accident, I will claim all rights for the child."
Simon insisted, his tone forceful, "Don't worry, I know many ways of intimacy that won't lead to pregnancy."
"I don't engage in alternative sexual practices."
Simon clenched his fist, cracking his knuckles lightly, "I'll make you agree."
Alice still met Simon's gaze head-on, seriously saying, "I will bite you."
That was too fierce.
Simon, noting Alice's occasional flash of beautiful white teeth, only felt a chill down his spine as he conceded defeat, "You have 10 seconds to disappear from my sight."
Alice glanced towards the door, calculating whether she could make it out of the bedroom in 10 seconds, then nodded at Simon and walked out, her high heels clicking on the floor. After leaving the bedroom, she softly closed the door behind her, stood by it for a moment to catch her breath, a faint smile curling her lips.
Sounds from the staircase drew her attention, and Alice quickly composed herself and walked over.
Two women, each carrying a suitcase, paused when they saw Alice, their eyes wary.
Alice approached, her gaze sweeping over them, "Allison Norris, Becky Hope, A and B, you're under my management now."
Allison retorted, "We only follow the boss, we won't listen to you."
Alice replied, "That's Mrs. Westeros's decision. If you have any complaints, discuss them with her."
Allison
started to object, but Becky pulled her aside and said, "Mrs. Westeros asked us to move these suitcases into the master bedroom."
Alice nodded and led the way down the hallway, "Follow me."
As they hurried to the Hearst mansion for the 7 pm party, Simon and Janet discussed the Hearst family's influence en route, comparing it to the Murdoch family's control in Australia and how Murdoch had maneuvered to facilitate his media investments in Britain during the 1960s.
Janet shared how Murdoch had helped a prime ministerial candidate he supported get elected by using his media influence to discredit an opponent as a Japanese spy. Once his candidate was in office, Murdoch secured a special decree allowing his investments in Britain.
Simon, recalling the phone-hacking scandal from his memories, which had been a collective backlash against News Corporation's long-standing media influence, asked Janet about Murdoch's involvement in the repeal of inheritance taxes in Australia.
Janet, seemingly reluctant to delve into the details, quickly changed the subject, noting that the Hearst family had always been Democratic supporters, which could be advantageous in fostering cooperation between them.
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