The ongoing war in the Middle East was far removed from the peaceful life of the Mi Li family on the other side of the ocean.
Ava Gardner's latest film, *Across the World*, had been released for over two months and had recently hit the box office with impressive numbers. In the United States alone, it had grossed $30.58 million, making it the highest-grossing film of the year. It even surpassed previous records, trailing only behind *Gone with the Wind* in movie history.
The success of *Across the World* had elevated the status of its stars, including Ava Gardner and Gary Grant. Both actors, now at the peak of their popularity, had become prominent figures in the entertainment world. Ava Gardner, who was also the mentor on the popular show *Super Idol*, was one of Hollywood's most sought-after female artists.
Despite the buzz surrounding Gardner, she was nothing more than a kitten in the grand scheme of Hardy's world. As he watched *Super Idol* with Ava resting her head on his lap, Hardy's attention was divided between the show and his companion.
Tonight's episode marked the official selection of 32 semi-finalists from an initial pool of over 200 singers. These 32 had all been signed by the HD brokerage company, making them the only ones eligible to continue. Among them was Marilyn Monroe.
Monroe's progress had been notable. After months of intense training, her singing had improved, though she was still viewed as an unpolished talent by professionals. However, her undeniable allure and charisma had made her a standout performer. The company had leveraged her sex appeal to its advantage, and Monroe's performances were met with enthusiastic applause, especially from male fans.
Monroe had already garnered the exclusive title of "American Sweetheart," and her appearances on the show always elicited wild cheers. Her current performance, clad in a revealing dress with high heels, had the audience in raptures.
Ava, watching with Hardy, commented, "You're affected by her too, aren't you?"
Hardy, amused, responded, "Why do you say that?"
"I can sense it," Ava teased, glancing at the screen. "She's quite the stunner. I must admit, I was moved by her presence."
Hardy reassured her, "You match her allure, and you have talents she doesn't. Acting and singing require skill, which you have, while she relies mainly on her sex appeal."
Ava smiled at the compliment. "Do you want me to take her to the semifinals?"
Hardy shook his head. "She needs a male mentor for the best impact. Let's have Johnny Fontaine handle that."
Ava nodded and settled back down.
Meanwhile, Occidental Petroleum had been acquired by the Hardy Group. The purchase was straightforward since the company was struggling. The previous owner was happy to exit and leave behind a site with promising assets. The company had a site on the outskirts of Los Angeles, with over 100 workers, including prospectors, and fully equipped for oil drilling. It also owned several land reserves, notably on Long Beach, encompassing over 3,000 acres.
Hardy visited the site to assess the situation. The land, largely undeveloped, had a single distant oil derrick. The former manager enthusiastically explained the potential of the land, which had shown promise for oil production but had not yet yielded successful results.
Hardy was intrigued. Armand Hammer, who would later make Occidental Petroleum a significant player in the industry, had initially struggled but then achieved great success. Hardy decided to give it a try.
He addressed the manager, "What's your name?"
"John," the manager replied.
"Here's $100,000. This is your last chance. If you can't find oil, you're out," Hardy said.
John, determined, promised to do his best.
For Hardy, this was more than just a purchase; it was an experiment.
The Hardy Group also investigated land in New Mexico for agricultural use. They discovered diverse terrain, including barren hills, grasslands, and suitable areas for cattle ranching. With approximately 3,000 acres ideal for pasture, the land could support over 24,000 cattle.
Hardy contacted Armand Hammer, who was pleased by the news. Hammer, energetic despite his age, met Hardy at the New Jersey airport and was impressed by his reputation. During their visit to Hammer's ranch, Dream Manor, Hardy was introduced to Angus cattle, known for their high-quality meat.
Hammer explained that the Rocky Mountains' foothills in New Mexico were well-suited for Angus cattle due to their hardiness. Hardy planned to buy 2,000 cattle, including 200 bulls, and would let his team handle the negotiations.
Over a meal of Angus beef steak, Hammer praised Hardy's business acumen, referencing Hardy's success with *Playboy* magazine and ABC TV. Hardy enjoyed the compliment but remained focused on his ventures.
As Hardy prepared to leave, he decided not to extend an invitation to Hammer just yet. The timing would come later.
In political news, President Johnson's national tour continued as the election approached. A recent poll showed his approval rating at 44.6%, while Dewey's remained above 50%. Despite Johnson's efforts, public sentiment largely favored Dewey, and a major change was needed to shift the tide.