[Chapter 489: Calling Aunt Kelly to Oversee the Beauty Pageant]
Ever since it leaked that Linton had developed the Vitality Pills and Beauty Pills and started mass-producing them in preparation for official market release, his agent Mira had been bombarded with countless media interview requests. The offers came with sky-high fees, but Linton refused every single one.
He wasn't ready yet. He planned to give a single interview half a month before the exclusive store's grand opening -- and even then, only to his own media outlets. He wasn't about to let anyone else cash in on this buzz.
Beyond the media frenzy, his assistant Li Xiaoran and the chairman's secretariat had been flooded with appointment requests -- from some of the most influential figures imaginable.
Tycoons like Bill Gates and oil magnate David Rockefeller. The head of the DuPont family, Carter DuPont. The steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie's current generation. Investment legend Warren Buffett, among others. Local political heavyweights too: California Governor Pete Wilson, Speaker Cruz Bustamante, and Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan.
Hollywood peers were also reaching out -- directors and stars who had worked with him before, like James Cameron, Anne Fletcher, Halle Berry, and Tyra Banks. Even actresses who had shared fleeting romantic moments with him, such as Julia Roberts and Sharon Stone, had taken note.
Many women who had been involved with Linton were furious that only Madonna and about twenty other women had been given the pills. "Such a great thing, and I don't get any? What's wrong with me? He's such a cad," they grumbled.
Linton had been overwhelmed and simply delegated all these requests to his assistant to handle.
But there was one person he couldn't put off any longer.
---
After landing in Los Angeles, Linton didn't return to his estate. Instead, he instructed his driver to take him to The Summit community in Beverly Hills -- the home of Aunt Kelly Clayt.
Aunt Kelly and her husband had been expecting him. Aunt Kelly's husband even took charge in the kitchen, preparing lunch along with the house staff.
Linton's arrival was warmly welcomed. After lunch was underway, Aunt Kelly ushered Linton into the study.
"Linton, there are rumors that you developed the Beauty Pills and Vitality Pills -- is that true?" she asked without holding back, her curiosity obvious.
Linton pulled out six bottles: two contained Vitality Pills, the other four held Beauty Pills.
"Aunt Kelly, it's definitely true. The green ones are Beauty Pills; the yellow are Vitality Pills. I've prepared enough for you, your husband, and Judy -- two months' supply. When you finish, I'll send more. Here's how to take them..."
Aunt Kelly's eyes sparkled. "Wow, Linton, you're incredible. It's a shame my sister didn't live to see your rise to fame, but I bet she's proud of you in heaven."
"She definitely is. Living well, being happy, and thriving -- that's the best way to honor her memory."
After their moment of reflection, Aunt Kelly shifted to a more pressing tone. Linton was one of her closest family members -- almost like a son. "You've had this amazing discovery for so long, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Aunt Kelly, the pills weren't fully developed before -- they were still in testing stages, and I worried about side effects. It was only recently that we perfected the formula. That's why I'm here with these now." Linton had prepared this excuse in advance. It was flimsy, but believable enough.
"Don't worry -- I'm not blaming you. Your personal life has been wild lately. Twenty girlfriends exposed this time? There's nothing I can do about that, but just handle it yourself."
"Let's not talk about that. How's work going in Los Angeles? Are you settling in okay?" Linton, embarrassed by the mention of his private affairs, quickly changed the subject.
"Pretty well. The charity office here is running smoothly. We've already established three service stations dedicated to helping the city's homeless population. We're also planning to invest $30 million in Los Angeles Westside to build a top-tier private school in partnership with Cooke School and Institute -- the plan is still under review. Recently, we contacted the UN World Food Program to arrange a $10 million grain shipment to Africa.
By your request, this year's charitable funds for Columbia have increased to $50 million. That's quite a lot -- maybe it's too focused on Popayán?"
"You decide. You can increase support for other places with high poverty rates, but projects must be limited to road construction and school building."
"Got it. I'm planning to visit there for a project survey by the end of the month."
"Aunt Kelly, do you have any plans of travel befor that? I have some work I need your help with."
"What kind of work?"
"You know I built a large garden on my Montana farm, and last Christmas I wanted you all to come holiday there, but you declined."
"Don't remind me. How could I say yes with you running around with so many women? If we went, my husband and Judy might pick up bad habits." Aunt Kelly's frustration showed. Their family was already small, and now they couldn't even spend holidays together.
"Alright, enough. Here's the real matter. My garden is huge and needs many staff. Last year I hired 117 female attendants from Hong Kong for the garden. Now that my health products factory is about to open, I selected 30 girls from those attendants to work there.
Which means the garden staff is understaffed. I asked my friend, Lin Hao -- the deputy director of the Home Affairs Department -- to recruit 40 new girls. But there's a problem, and I need you to oversee the situation."
"What kind of problem?"
"Well..." Linton explained in detail how the mass naturalization of those 30 girls caused a huge stir, stirring influential people and powerful connections to attempt to push their candidates ahead unfairly, blocking the fair beauty pageant hiring process.
"What? You had 30 girls take American citizenship all at once?"
"I didn't do it myself -- I don't have that power. It was the White House. They imposed secrecy rules on my factory workers."
"That explains it. So you want me to act as chief judge and put a stop to all the backdoor dealings?"
"Exactly. Lin Hao's position is sensitive, and he's reluctant to offend people. But I don't want to hire any unqualified connections. I'm tied up right now and don't trust others to handle this properly. With your status and our relation, you can ignore all the political pressures there. Just supervise the process and ensure it's fair and transparent, following the original plan."
"Alright, since this is important to you, I'll rearrange my schedule this afternoon and try to leave the day after tomorrow."
"Thanks, Aunt Kelly."
*****
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