Hollywood Zenith

The following morning, Wintringham Estate.

" Are we going out today as well?" Darren asked. As usual, he was looking for a way to avoid college.

" We? I will go alone. Don't you have other things to take care of?" Samuel said as he took a bite.

" Sami is right. Do you know how worried I was when I heard about your scruffle?" Audrey was worried that the kids would cause another commotion.

" Mom, It was not our fault. Besides, Samuel had already taken care of the problem, right?"

" We can not be sure about it. It's better to be cautious." Samuel didn't want to drag him into any more problems.

" I will take some of our family guards. You don't have to worry about it; we also have your team to support us."

" Well, It's up to Aunt. What do you say?"

Audrey was reluctant, she wanted to keep both of them here, but Samuel had discussed his endorsement deal. It would be better to call them here, but Samuel rejected her idea yesterday.

" Don't worry, mom, they are nothing in front of me!"

" Che, you would scurry away at the first sign of trouble; why are you showing off now?"

" Ok, Sami, take care of him. They are people who don't care about one's identity, so you also have to be careful."

" They are nothing. One week and I will bring the whole organization down!" Samuel was confident. He would personally participate, but the situation needed to allow him to act independently.

" Also, mother, I want to show Samuel our Trousdale Estate Manor. It is closer to the Orphanage; it would be better for him to stay there." Darren said something unexpected. Were they not talking about safety just now?

" Why? That place is too isolated. It would be harder to defend. You should not underestimate them." Audrey exclaimed. She was confused why he was suddenly mentioning that place.

" It's not right to confine ourselves. Also, it's a little far from the city so normal people wouldn't be implicated."

" He has a point. Send me the address, and I will inform Steve and the others." Samuel sensed that Darren was planning something, but his idea was good. The preliminary investigation found that they were violent; it would be a disaster if they targeted him in the city.

In the end, Audrey had to accept their decision on one condition that they would return home at night. Darren accepted it; he only needed to make Samuel stay at the Manor for his plan to work.

​ ...

...

...

" Is it done?" Samuel was on the call with Alastair.

" Yeah, they will meet you at the designated place. Was it indispensable, though?" Alastair asked.

" No, but mother asked me to be careful around that old man. He is quite cunning."

" If not, how could he build such a fashion empire? I will get back to you later. It's been busy since you decided to buy that company."

" Good work. Let's meet when I get back."

" Ok"

The destination of the meeting was Los Angeles Beverly Hills Montage Hotel, a well-known elegant and luxurious five-star hotel.

It was a prime location in the city, with Beverly Shopping Center nearby along Rodeo Drive on one side, adjacent to Beverly Hills.

A very typical Italian restaurant, with a European-style kitchen with an ancient stone fireplace. The restaurant had a great view, overlooking the adjacent Beverly Canon Gardens.

Arthur who was still in the country directly contacted the person in charge of the hotel and informed him about Samuel's intention to hold a meeting at their place. It was enough for them to arrange for a star chef to wait at the restaurant's door.

The person in charge respectfully led Samuel and Darren to the seat where the lawyers assigned by Alastair were already waiting. Four people? It was way too much firepower for a simple contract.

After waiting five minutes, the other party arrived, and an old man led their group.

"Buongiorno" (Good day). Samuel extended his hand. It was better to take the lead in business dealings.

" Oh, young master speaks Italian? That's a surprise." George was speechless, but what was more shocking was the appearance of the young man.

" Lilly was not lying." He thought as they both shook hands.

He was acclaimed as the most successful designer of Italian origin and was credited with pioneering red-carpet fashion. For people like him, status was secondary; a model had to have some zeal to dominate the stage.

He could instantly spot that his journey of coming here from Milan was already a success.

" I didn't know the master would come in person; I heard a lot about you," Samuel mentioned.

" Lilly contacted me and said she had found something incredible, I was also in the country, so I decided to personally meet you. Because of your background, I fear you coerced her or something. Hahaha," It looked like he was joking, but there was some truth.

It was not his first time dealing with wealthy kids wanting to enter the entertainment circle to chase some girl.

" Is that so? I hope you are not disappointed."

" No, never. You are better than I hoped; here is the contract for this endorsement." The old man went straight to the subject and handed him the documents.

Samuel passed it over to the lawyers, who began inspecting the terms and conditions.

" You really don't trust me? I dare not cheat you; I have heard about your mother's conquest. She will definitely demolish my headquarters!" The old man made a rare joke. But Arthur sighed; he knew Laura would make this ridiculous remark a reality.

" Master, why are you so optimistic about me? It's not like I am a professional model." Samuel raised the question because of his curiosity.

The old man, George, leaned back comfortably on the sofa.

"I had a meal with your father yesterday, we had a sincere conversation, and I learned about your double identity."

" What?"

" Relax, I will never disclose it. It's just that we are old acquaintances, so he somewhat trusts me."

"He saw through me. No wonder this boy's background and appearance are so popular; it's a shame I could not use his Hollywood fame. But I see it; he would make a name wherever he goes." George thought.

Old man George answered Samuel's question humorously. He didn't shy away from it and told him the whole plan.

" I will trust you but keep it a secret from others." Samuel sighed. What's done was done; he had to look for a contingency plan for the future.

" You have my word."