Chereads / REVIVE: AMERICA 1995 / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: A New Wind in Los Angeles

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: A New Wind in Los Angeles

"You're still going to Los Angeles?"Plymouth, Massachusetts.At the gates of the Blackbourne family estate, Joseph Blackbourne frowned as he watched his son about to get into a car.Milo shrugged in response to his father. "Grandfather has already agreed. My staying here wouldn't be of any help to the family."Joseph thought to himself, If Father hadn't agreed, I wouldn't have let you go to California! He had already lost one son; he couldn't lose another, especially with Paladin leaving no heirs and Milo still unmarried.But since old John had given his approval, Joseph couldn't go against his father's decision. With a sigh, Joseph turned away. Out of sight, out of mind.Robin stepped forward, her expression somber. "Paladin only just left me, and now you're going too…""Mother!" Milo quickly reassured her. "I promise I'll take good care of myself. I'll get a check-up every month. I'll never let what happened to Paladin happen to me, alright?"Robin knew that her children had their own lives to lead. She only lamented not having had more children when she was younger, as she was now left alone."I understand, I understand… Thankfully, I still have Haley with me." Robin took her eldest daughter-in-law's hand.Milo glanced at his sister-in-law. Over the past few days, Haley's complexion had regained some color. She was no longer completely consumed by grief. She wore no makeup, her natural skin tone fair and radiant.Standing there, her posture upright and graceful, Haley, at barely thirty, embodied the most captivating age for an Anglo-Saxon woman."Have a safe trip, and take care of yourself," Haley instructed her brother-in-law. "Come back and visit Robin often."Milo nodded at her, then embraced and bid farewell to the rest of his family.When he hugged Haley, feeling her graceful figure against him, he suddenly whispered, "Haley, I'll miss you…"Before she could react, Milo released her. He smiled at the entire family. "I'll miss all of you! Goodbye, my dear family!"Turning, Milo got into the car without hesitation.It was a Plymouth Laser, a two-door sports coupe manufactured by Chrysler under the Plymouth brand, produced locally in Plymouth.Haley remembered that six years ago, Milo had driven this very car when he ran over her husband's strongest political rival. The man was a Black Democratic politician, a gifted orator.Remembering his embrace, his words, and his appearance—so similar to her late husband's yet more dashing and cheerful—Haley watched the departing car, a heavy silence settling over her.…After several hours of flight, the plane from Boston landed at Los Angeles International Airport. Wearing sunglasses, a white t-shirt, faded jeans, and Adidas sneakers, Milo's tall, athletic frame and handsome face exuded an air of confidence that drew the attention of nearby women. Wendy Aris, who had arrived in Los Angeles a few days prior, spotted Milo and his bodyguards from a distance.The portly man felt that Milo radiated an almost palpable aura, drawing gazes involuntarily. Someone was already taking photos of him, assuming he was some Hollywood celebrity. After all, this was Los Angeles."Hi, Wendy." Milo walked briskly to Wendy and gave him a hug.Feeling Milo's warmth, Wendy returned the embrace. "Boss, welcome back to Los Angeles."Wendy used the word "back" rather than "to," as while Plymouth was Milo's hometown, he had moved to California after the incident with the Black orator. He'd been living there for almost six years."Hehe, thanks for your hard work these past few days," Milo said, returning the hug.After Paladin's funeral, Milo hadn't been in a hurry to leave. However, at Milo's request, Wendy had returned to Los Angeles early to make preparations.Hearing this, a wry smile appeared on Wendy's face. "It was indeed hard work. You gave me so little time!"After complaining, the portly man boasted, "But I still managed to fulfill your request and assemble a temporary acquisition team!"He introduced Milo to the people around him."Nelson, a representative from Bank of America. He'll be handling our loans and other financial matters.""Coson, an old acquaintance. He was our actuary and accountant during the negotiations with Miramax. He's the financial advisor for this acquisition.""Georgia, we've worked with her before. She's an excellent market researcher…""And I…" He finally introduced himself. "I'm serving as the project manager and legal counsel for this acquisition.""Haha!" Milo playfully punched Wendy's arm. They were very close. "I trust you. Just make sure you acquire the shares of that company for me. I don't need all of them, but at least half!"Hearing Milo's words, Wendy shrugged, a confident expression on his face. "If that's the case, then there shouldn't be any problems.""Let's go grab some food first. I'm starving!" Milo said to the group.At Spago Beverly Hills, a renowned two-Michelin-star restaurant located at 176 North Canon Drive in Beverly Hills, Milo listened attentively to Wendy and the others' detailed introduction of the target company while ordering.After ordering a few of his favorite signature dishes, such as the smoked salmon pizza and the tuna caviar cones, he passed the menu to the others and said with a smile, "So, in the end, Sequoia is willing to give me half the shares because my last name is Blackbourne?""Yes," Wendy said, letting the others order first. "Including Netscape, which you're very optimistic about, there seem to be many venture capitalists interested in it. The company you want to invest in is also very sought-after."After speaking, Wendy heard Milo mutter something, but he didn't understand what it was.Unbeknownst to Wendy, Milo had just spoken in Chinese: "Damn it, it's good to be a celestial being!"Milo smiled at Wendy. "Let's eat first, then order! After we finish eating, we'll head over."It was Wendy's turn to order. He happily patted his round belly and said, "Great! I'm starving. I feel like I could devour a whole cow. I want to try everything on this menu!"Milo rolled his eyes at him and retorted, "You should go on a diet, or you'll get even fatter.""Who cares? If I can't enjoy good food, you might as well kill me!" Wendy didn't mind Milo's teasing at all.The others couldn't help but chuckle at their interaction.