"Please, have a seat."
As Carmen Kass sat down, Michael pulled out a chair and positioned himself behind the bearded man. The rest area of the banquet hall was small, with tables placed very close to each other.
Due to the earlier incident with Leonardo, Michael and Carmen Kass had grown somewhat familiar. Michael, unlike most Americans, did not view people from Eastern Europe through a biased lens.
Back in his previous life, Michael's hard drive had a collection of high-quality content featuring Eastern European women, who, in his opinion, were far superior to American women.
Women like Nikki, Angelica, and Mila Azure were much more appealing to him than the likes of Jenna Jameson and her artificial enhancements.
These insights were usually kept to himself.
Michael discreetly observed Carmen Kass. This Estonian model was tall and leggy, with beauty and grace, although she was not particularly busty. However, given her nearly six-foot height, this was normal. Not every woman could be like the previous First Daughter, who had both height and an exceptionally ample bosom.
Most tall women tended to lack that kind of aggressive bust size.
Under Michael's subtle guidance, Carmen Kass began talking about the poverty-stricken life before and after the Eastern European upheaval. Michael listened attentively, taking in both her words and the conversation behind him.
The bearded man was not alone; he was complaining to someone, "Kate is getting too close to that jerk. That jerk flirts with women everywhere, and Kate pretends not to see…"
His voice was filled with obvious anger.
Anger was good, the more the better.
Michael continued to listen intently.
Anyone would be upset if their girlfriend or fiancée was getting too close to a handsome and universally adored man.
"Life has gradually improved over the past two years," Carmen Kass said with a smile. "My modeling career is on track now. I was invited to this event by my sponsor. I didn't expect to run into Leonardo."
Clearly, this girl, not yet twenty, was disgusted by Leonardo's behavior of flirting with other women and then hitting on her.
That evening and the previous encounter had left Michael equally disgusted with Leonardo.
Michael's voice grew louder and hoarser as he said, "Leonardo is too full of himself. Carmen, you're better off staying away from him."
The bearded man's conversation suddenly halted.
Carmen Kass found it strange. Why had Michael's voice suddenly become hoarse? She nodded without showing much emotion, "Okay."
Michael winked at Carmen and said, "Do you know how much of a jerk Leonardo is? When he couldn't get anywhere with you, he dragged Kate Winslet to the terrace. People say those two are involved. They're probably fooling around on the terrace."
Carmen Kass was about to respond when the man facing away from her suddenly stood up and hurried towards the terrace.
"What's going on?" she asked, puzzled.
Michael pulled her along, saying, "Come on, let's watch the show. Leonardo's."
Being grabbed by someone she had just met was a bit surprising for Carmen, but hearing the last part, she went along, rising to her feet and following Michael to the terrace.
"What's happening?" she whispered.
Michael explained, "That man is Kate Winslet's fiancé."
"Oh…" Carmen immediately understood and, leaning closer to Michael, said, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Michael led her around a group of people, then through another circle, asking, "Don't you like seeing Leonardo in trouble?"
Truthfully, if Carmen hadn't seen Leonardo flirting with other women first, who knew how things might have turned out.
Women and their first impressions could be very strange at times.
Carmen nodded slightly as they walked. "He deserves to be taught a lesson."
Following Michael, she felt a sense of excitement, eagerly anticipating what would happen next.
This man named Michael Davenport seemed young but very interesting.
Hmm…he was very calculating.
That could be both a strength and a flaw.
Calculating people tended to have many thoughts; those who weren't calculating often led simpler, more unfortunate lives, as her experience in the modeling world had taught her.
Michael's thoughts were actually quite simple. Given the chance, he would love to date a woman like Carmen, but he wouldn't push it if it wasn't meant to be.
After all, his primary focus right now was on his business.
As for Leonardo, given the opportunity, Michael wouldn't miss it, Carmen Kass or not.
"Leonardo!" Before they reached the terrace, Michael heard an angry British voice shout, "You bastard!"
"Hurry," he urged Carmen.
They quickened their pace and then heard a woman's voice, "Jim Trevelyan!"
The voice drew a lot of attention. People near the terrace turned to look, and some curious ones even walked a bit closer.
Michael stopped a few steps from the terrace, positioning himself perfectly to see everything unfolding.
At that moment, the bearded man's fist bypassed Kate Winslet's attempt to block it and landed squarely on Leonardo's left eye.
Carmen quickly covered her mouth, seemingly shocked, though she was actually trying to hide her laughter.
Leonardo was stunned. He couldn't believe someone had dared to punch the star of a $1.5 billion movie!
Kate Winslet, far more mature in her thinking than Leonardo, couldn't do much to help due to her strength, or lack thereof.
Jim Trevelyan's next punch landed on Leonardo's right eye.
In his black suit, Leonardo instantly went from Black Cat Sheriff to a panda.
"Ah—"
Leonardo's scream echoed.
Carmen grabbed Michael's arm tightly, covering her mouth with the other hand, her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
"Enough! Jim Trevelyan! Stop! Enough!"
Kate Winslet's roar finally brought Leonardo back to his senses, and he tried to fight back.
Two men, with a woman between them, started to brawl. More people gathered to watch, and some acquaintances stepped in to mediate.
Knowing the fight was about to be broken up, Michael quietly said to Carmen, "Let's go."
Carmen nodded, following Michael out of the crowd towards the banquet hall doors.
Once outside in the hallway, Carmen could no longer contain her laughter, leaning on Michael's arm as she laughed until tears came.
Michael laughed too. How could anyone not laugh at such a spectacle?
"Did you see Leonardo?" Carmen said, still holding onto Michael's arm, her laughter bubbling up again. "Hiding behind a woman!"
A waiter turned into the hallway, and Michael gestured for silence. Carmen quickly stopped laughing, and they walked arm-in-arm, looking like a perfect gentleman and lady, as they exited the hallway.
"That felt so good!" Carmen said again.
Michael nodded, sharing her sentiment. "That kid really isn't likable."
"Ha…" Carmen laughed brightly, then asked, "How old are you? Not older than Leonardo, right?"
"Twenty," Michael said.
Carmen Kass looked at him closely. "You don't seem like it."
Michael joked, "Do I look that old?"
"No, I mean…" Carmen struggled to find the right words, linking arms with Michael as they entered the hotel lobby. "You seem more mature than Leonardo. Compared to you, he really is like a kid."
Michael responded, "Is that a compliment? I'll take it."
Carmen laughed. "Consider it a compliment."
They reached the hotel entrance, and Michael asked, "Would you like me to give you a ride?"
"Thank you, but no need," Carmen replied, giving a practical reason. "My agent is waiting for me outside."
Michael didn't insist. Like his trip to Abu Dhabi, patience was a fundamental quality of a successful hunter.
"Nice to meet you, Carmen," he said with grace. "It's been a pleasant evening."
For Carmen Kass, the evening had started well, turned sour, and then became very interesting after meeting Michael.
"Yes, very pleasant," Carmen, no longer shy or reserved from her days as a model, replied straightforwardly. "You're more interesting than any American I've met."
"Thank you," Michael noted that non-Americans seemed to like him more, such as the Arabs and Carmen, the Estonian.
Perhaps in the future, he could make connections with the black community and show respect for the LGBT community. After all, love between women was quite beautiful.
Michael asked, "Carmen, can the interesting person give you a call?"
Carmen laughed. "I don't have a business card with me." She recited a number. "This is my private number. Sometimes it might be hard to reach me; I don't carry my phone when I'm working."
Michael tapped his forehead. "Got it."
Carmen waved her slender fingers. "Goodbye."
Michael held the glass door open for her. "Goodbye."
She got into a car and quickly disappeared.
Michael took out his phone, saved the number, and sent a text message to confirm.
Since she hadn't refused to give her number, it was a good start.
Carmen Kass might not have reached the top of her field yet, so there might be an opportunity for him.
Michael understood the importance of priorities and wouldn't pursue her relentlessly or invest too much time.
His career was his main focus.
Coming from a society where love was highly materialistic, some of his beliefs were deeply ingrained.