Chereads / REVIVE: AMERICA 1995 / Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Beverly Hills

Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Beverly Hills

Soon, the first course arrived: French foie gras with tuna caviar cones, meticulously plated and emanating a tantalizing aroma. Milo scooped a spoonful of caviar into his mouth, the tiny beads rolling across his tongue. A gentle bite released a burst of fresh flavor that sent his taste buds into raptures.It was indeed delicious. Despite its high price, it was an undeniably top-tier ingredient. The chef's skill was also impeccable, allowing the ingredients' essential flavors to shine through. The foie gras was incredibly smooth, melting in his mouth like snowflakes in warm water. The tuna was tender and rich, its taste unparalleled.Despite the exquisite flavors, Milo felt a twinge of disappointment. Accustomed to the generous portions of Chinese cuisine, he found the Western courses rather meager. However, he knew there were many more dishes to come, and the entire meal would eventually satisfy his hunger.Pizza, salad, cream of mushroom soup, steak… one after another, they found their way into Milo's stomach. After the satisfying meal, everyone went their separate ways. Tomorrow, he would travel to San Francisco for negotiations. Today was for rest and recuperation.Milo had been living in California for nearly six years and had his own residence there. Located at 9406 Crest Drive in Beverly Hills, a modern mansion encompassing 21,344.4 square feet with five bedrooms and nine bathrooms served as his Los Angeles base.Returning to the villa in a company car, Wendy, who was sitting in the passenger seat, turned to see Milo staring at the villa gates, a faraway look in his eyes."We're here, Milo," Wendy announced."Paladin loved this house," Milo suddenly said. "He especially liked the Los Angeles weather, saying it wasn't as gloomy as Plymouth. He bought this house for me."Wendy remained silent. He knew that much more than just the house, Milo's previous life of carefree indulgence in California was due to Paladin's favoritism. None of the other Blackbourne family's less favored scions lived such a comfortable life.But he couldn't say that aloud. Instead, Wendy offered a gentle reassurance: "We must look forward, my dear boss.""You're right."The melancholy seemed to vanish as quickly as it had appeared. Wendy watched as a bright smile, as radiant as the California sun, spread across Milo's face."Paladin wouldn't want me to wallow in sadness. I mustn't disappoint him."Barely had he uttered these pious words than he was instructing Wendy to make calls and arrange a party.Wendy was speechless, but this trip to Los Angeles was different from previous ones. Before they'd left, both old John and Joseph had spoken to him at length.After these conversations, Wendy's standing within the Blackbourne family structure, along with the resources he could access, had risen by two or three levels.Wendy understood the reason. With Paladin gone, the once-unimportant Milo had become the family's sole male heir. Even if he proved to be completely incompetent, his status had been elevated enormously."Sigh…" Wendy sighed, then forced a smile. "Very well, as long as you can move on from your grief.""Choose clean and wholesome types, if you understand my meaning." Milo winked.Wendy thought that the old Milo had never been so selective. But now, even without Milo's prompting, he would have done just that.Wendy left to make the necessary arrangements for the evening's festivities. Milo was left at the villa with his two bodyguards.The two bodyguards were named David and York. David had been with Milo for as many years as Milo had been in Los Angeles. York, on the other hand, had previously been with Paladin. Before this trip, he'd been reassigned to Milo.Milo wasn't very familiar with York. He knew that David had once worked for the CLA (presumably a misspelling of CIA), and that he'd been rescued by the Blackbourne family after some unspecified incident. Protecting David, a former CIA operative, hadn't been difficult for the Blackbournes. After all, Milo and Paladin's maternal grandfather had once been the director of the CIA.Once Wendy was gone, Milo began to wander around the villa. June in Plymouth was often rainy and chilly, but June in Los Angeles was gloriously sunny.The villa's design was ingenious: five floors at the front and three at the back, effectively creating five levels. The entrance and garage were located at the rear. Upon entering, the main floor opened into a living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and large doors leading outside. A gourmet kitchen, wine tasting room, and wet bar were also on this level.The second and third floors housed the bedrooms and sitting rooms. The 2,000-square-foot master suite boasted a private dressing room, two garden sitting areas, two walk-in closets, and a glass shoe display.The lower level was the entertainment area, complete with a luxurious bar, spa, and home theater experience, including an infinity pool, Himalayan salt sauna, Japanese soaking tub, and a private gym.The lowest level, the second basement, extended outwards to a beautiful garden, which, combined with the infinity pool deck above, was an ideal location for outdoor parties of up to fifty people.Milo recalled hosting many parties there in the past. The beautiful infinity pool, the garden, and the bedrooms all bore witness to countless encounters between his former self and various aspiring actresses, models, and socialites.After his stroll, Milo arrived at the rear of the house, facing the car garage that opened onto Crest Drive. Four cars were parked inside.A Mercedes van, the one he'd just arrived in.A new, neon-colored Toyota sedan, somewhat resembling a sports coupe. Milo noticed the "Camry" badge on the rear. It was the villa's "errand car," used by the housekeeper for grocery shopping.The remaining two were sports cars.A flashy blue Ferrari 308 GTS. V8 mid-engine, pop-up headlights, maximum engine power of 188 kW, top speed of 252 km/h. It was an older car, a gift from his uncle, George Bush, for his sixteenth birthday. That was just two months after Milo had run over the Black orator. His uncle had a rather dark sense of humor.The other car was more conventional: a red Lamborghini Diablo SE30. This was a 30th-anniversary edition model, released to celebrate Lamborghini's 30th anniversary. Only 150 were produced, with a price tag of $380,000. It boasted a V12 engine, 525 horsepower, a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 4 seconds, and a top speed of 331 km/h. Paladin had given it to him as a birthday present the previous year.But this beast had no air conditioning, no radio, and no CD player. But it did have an automatic fire suppression system hidden under the engine cover, designed to prevent overheating and extinguish fires with the touch of a button.Despite being an experienced driver in both his past and present lives—in his previous life, he had been a struggling screenwriter whose best car was a newly purchased BYD Qin L—Milo had never driven a luxury sports car since his rebirth.For most men, the allure of a luxury sports car was second only to that of a stunningly beautiful woman.Seeing the two sports cars parked in the garage was like seeing two gorgeous women waiting to be adored. How could Milo resist? He called for David and York, asking them to bring the keys.Seeing Milo's intention to drive one of the sports cars, York hesitated visibly. Paladin had almost never driven sports cars. But David, having been with Milo for years, knew his personality well and handed over the keys without hesitation.The bodyguard even suggested, "It's a hot day. The Lamborghini doesn't have air conditioning. The Ferrari would be more comfortable."Taking the advice, Milo took the Ferrari keys, climbed into the car with excitement, and watched the garage door slowly rise. He excitedly turned the ignition, revved the engine in neutral, and listened to the roar with a thrill.David and York didn't remain idle. They got into the air conditioning-less Lamborghini.Milo wasn't concerned. Whenever his previous self went out in a sports car, David would always follow in another vehicle for protection.As the garage door fully opened, the Ferrari 308 GTS roared out onto Crest Drive.A surge of adrenaline coursed through him as he accelerated, the powerful engine pushing him back in his seat like an arrow released from a bow.However, Milo's excitement was short-lived. He was forced to slow down. Crest Drive was a winding road in the hills of Beverly Hills. Driving fast was practically suicidal.No matter how good the sports car was, he couldn't speed. Furthermore, there was constant traffic. Milo was forced to reduce his speed.Through the car window, he gazed at the familiar yet unfamiliar mansions, a sense of melancholy washing over him.Los Angeles was a city of stars, and Hollywood was its heart. Naturally, Beverly Hills carried a strong sense of worldly clamor, filled with restlessness and unease.Reducing his speed and checking the rearview mirror to see David and York behind him, Milo drove aimlessly.