Around nine o'clock, after chatting with a Prada executive for a while, Simon glanced at his watch and said to the two girls who had been sticking close to him throughout the cocktail party, "I have to head back. Do you two want to stay longer?"
Nadja Auermann and Yasmeen Ghauri felt that the past two-plus hours had probably been one of the most glorious short stretches of their lives so far.
From the initial camera flashes to all the guests at the party coming forward one after another to get to know them.
Even if Simon Westeros offered them no further help after tonight, the two girls were confident they could make waves in the fashion industry.
Hearing Simon's words, the two girls subconsciously exchanged a glance. They both felt they hadn't had enough. If possible, of course they wanted to stay until the very end of the party.
This kind of thought could only be kept to themselves.
Without the slightest hesitation, they nodded. At the same time, they realized they might have to accompany this super tycoon together tonight.
However, neither girl felt even a trace of resistance in her heart.
In this circle, there was no shortage of far more outrageous stories. Accompanying Simon Westeros together was really no big deal.
As soon as Simon walked out of the hall with Nadja Auermann and Yasmeen Ghauri, obvious whispers rose behind them from the cocktail party.
The main topic of discussion was still the two girls who had been fortunate enough to catch Simon Westeros's eye.
Everyone realized that two more supermodels would likely be born very soon.
For others, this was naturally nothing special, just another piece of gossip or excitement. But for the already famous supermodels, the pressure was clearly palpable.
In the past two years, the trend of the film and television industry invading the fashion world had become very obvious. Thinking back, it had all started from that hugely successful Gucci show two years ago. Fashion brands that previously preferred using supermodels as spokespeople gradually began shifting their attention to the film and television industry, more precisely, to Hollywood.
As for the fashion circle itself, the number of supermodels it could truly accommodate was very limited.
The ones who had been dominating the spotlight in recent years were basically only a handful: Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer, and so on. These were the ones recognized by the media, and these few supermodels had claimed most of the glory at major mainstream shows.
For example, tomorrow's Gucci show. Two years ago, due to pressure from other brands, the supermodels had been unable to attend. This time, however, it had gathered Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, and Claudia Schiffer together.
Almost all the top supermodels had shown up at tonight's cocktail party.
However, the attention at this cocktail party had been completely stolen by the two vases beside Simon Westeros.
Watching Simon Westeros leave with the two girls, Naomi Campbell, known in the industry as the "Black Pearl," said to Linda Evangelista beside her, "Linda, why didn't Gerard come tonight?"
Linda Evangelista's husband, Gerard Marie, was the president of Elite's European division. It was by latching onto this big tree that Linda Evangelista had risen so rapidly in recent years.
Also gazing in the direction Simon Westeros had departed, Linda Evangelista understood what Naomi Campbell meant. She simply shook her head and replied, "He went to Paris. Said there was an urgent matter. He might come tomorrow morning."
She spoke casually, but Linda Evangelista knew very well that her husband was actually fooling around in Paris. However, she had only wanted to use his resources to climb higher in the first place. She had voiced objections to his affairs several times. Seeing that he ignored her, she no longer bothered.
She had already established a firm foothold in the circle anyway. She could simply choose a suitable opportunity to divorce later.
Thinking this, Linda Evangelista felt a touch of envy.
It would be wonderful if she could connect with Simon Westeros. That man was truly a towering tree, more than enough for her little vine to grow wildly.
Naomi Campbell didn't give up. "That Nadja Auermann is also with Elite. Her style is quite similar to yours. Aren't you afraid that once she rises, she'll push you down?"
"Then what do you suggest I do?" Linda Evangelista looked at Naomi Campbell. "Have Gerard terminate her contract immediately? Do you think Gerard would actually do that? Even if Elite were foolish enough to do it, a pile of other agencies would be fighting to sign her right now."
Naomi Campbell didn't hide her thoughts. "Of course we can't terminate the contract, but we can put her on the shelf."
Linda Evangelista gave a self-mocking smile. She knew her own weight very well. If Nadja Auermann hadn't climbed onto the big tree named Simon Westeros, she might still have been able to use her influence to suppress the other party.
This kind of thing was actually very simple. As long as word got out, fashion brands, in order to avoid offending her, would proactively cold-shoulder the rival.
Naomi Campbell had used this tactic more than a few times to maintain her position as the sole "Black Pearl."
The fashion pond was only so big, and the threshold was too low. The competition for resources was extremely fierce. Anyone with even a little cunning would spare no effort to suppress any potential threat to their status.
However, these methods would have little effect on Simon Westeros.
This young super tycoon was not merely a top rich man with Twenty of billions in assets. The Westeros System had already become a behemoth in both the media and fashion sectors.
The rapidly rising Gucci might not mean much in front of certain other industry giants, but in terms of revenue, it had already become the second-largest luxury goods company after Dior. In just two short years, it had surpassed even the old established brands like LV, Prada, and Chanel.
The level above Gucci, Melisandre, after acquiring Van Cleef & Arpels, had recently shown signs of imitating LVMH by building a comprehensive luxury group.
Because of the close cooperative relationship with Dior and Chanel, Linda Evangelista had refused to join tomorrow's Gucci show again this time. However, thinking of the two girls who had stayed close to Simon Westeros earlier, her mind began to stir.
Three people had already gone over. She had turned down Gucci for two consecutive years, which was already showing enough courtesy. If she joined Gucci's show next year, Dior and Chanel probably wouldn't say anything. They couldn't possibly shut all the supermodels out.
Having made up her mind, Linda Evangelista glanced at Naomi Campbell, who had quietly walked to a corner of the hall to make a phone call. She hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided not to share her thoughts. She understood that what Naomi Campbell was wary of was likely only the Pakistani model beside Simon Westeros.
In the fashion circle dominated by white models, ethnic minorities mostly served as supporting roles, included only so that brands could prove they held no racial discrimination.
There was even a saying circulating in the industry that "the fashion world only needs one black model."
If that Pakistani model rose to prominence, she would obviously threaten the living space of other minority models.
However, Linda Evangelista felt that if Naomi Campbell tried to pull any dirty tricks behind the scenes right now, it would be extremely unwise. This "Black Pearl" had quite a notorious record in recent years. It was said that even Elite's founder John Casablancas was almost at his limit with her.
On the other side, as soon as Simon exited the hall with the two girls, Ken Dixon, who had come to Europe with him this time, walked over and whispered a few words in his ear.
Simon merely smiled upon hearing it. As they entered the elevator, he said to the two girls beside him, "I might not be able to send you back personally. The car is already waiting downstairs. The driver will take you to your hotel."
The two girls were somewhat surprised by Simon's words.
Simon didn't explain what Ken Dixon had told him. Paparazzi were already staking out the parking lot. Clearly, word from the hall had already spread.
Without photos, even the most accurate information wouldn't lead the media to write recklessly when it involved Simon.
But photos would change everything.
Simon had no intention of letting that happen.
After a brief daze, a wave of disappointment rose in Nadja Auermann's heart. Thinking of the luxurious ensemble on her body, the girl hesitated for a moment before asking the man beside her in a deliberately casual tone, "Then, Simon, these things on me... um, how should I return them?"
Simon smiled and said, "I don't have the habit of taking back gifts I've given away."
Nadja Auermann was instantly stunned.
Yasmeen Ghauri also widened her eyes in disbelief. After a moment, she couldn't help touching the pearl necklace around her neck and quietly confirmed, "Simon, you mean... these are gifts for us?"
"Of course."
Seeing the man nod in confirmation, Nadja Auermann came back to her senses. After roughly calculating the value of the outfit on her body, she suddenly felt her legs go weak.
Oh my god! Oh my god!
The elevator soon reached the ground floor. Ignoring the two girls who were still somewhat dazed, Simon gave one last instruction: "Go on. The car is in the underground parking lot."
With that, Simon took Ken Dixon and another bodyguard out of the elevator and headed toward the hotel lobby.
It was only after the elevator doors closed automatically that Yasmeen Ghauri hurriedly pressed the button for the underground level. She then glanced at Nadja Auermann, who couldn't help clutching the ruby necklace on her chest. Her eyes were filled with unconcealable envy: she knew very well that this necklace was worth far more than the pearl one around her own neck.
Seeing her look over, Nadja Auermann subconsciously clutched it even tighter. "This one is mine."
Yasmin Ghauri resisted the urge to roll her eyes and deliberately said, "This is a gift Simon gave to both of us. I think it should be split equally."
Nadja Auermann took a step back, her eyes showing even more vigilance. "Don't even think about it."
Yasmeen Ghauri pretended to step forward. Seeing Nadja Auermann quickly remove the necklace and stuff it into the limited-edition Gucci handbag in her hand, she couldn't help teasing, "Now it's even easier to snatch."
Realizing the teasing tone in Yasmeen Ghauri's voice, Nadja Auermann finally understood she had been tricked.
However, thinking about the necklace in her bag that was valuable enough to buy her a luxury apartment in Paris, Nadja Auermann still didn't relax her guard.
The elevator doors soon opened. Yasmeen Ghauri walked out first and couldn't resist saying, "Be careful. There might be robbers around here."
Nadja Auermann had already spotted the Rolls-Royce they had arrived in not far away, along with the burly driver standing respectfully beside it. She immediately raised her chin with a confident look.
It wasn't until the two girls got in the car and left that the paparazzi hiding in another car in the corner of the parking lot finally came back to their senses.
The two big vases had appeared.
But where was the main man?
Without Simon Westeros, the secretly taken photos had no value at all.
The Rolls-Royce wove through the Milan streets, dropping the two girls off at their respective hotels one after another. However, the night was far from over.
Upon hearing the news, senior executives from Elite were already waiting for Nadja Auermann at the hotel. The higher-ups from Yasmin Ghauri's DNA agency were also waiting for her. Even her North American agency had called to discuss plans to capitalize on the momentum and propel both girls into supermodel status.
When Simon returned to the hillside mansion by Lake Como in northern Milan, Sophia was already waiting for him. The woman had also attended the fashion week opening cocktail party tonight but had only stayed briefly before leaving early.
After the small fantasy she had entertained when she first slept with the man had been mercilessly crushed, and she realized this man was someone she could never hope to possess, Sophia had properly adjusted her position.
Of course, a few sour teasing remarks were inevitable.
Simon didn't mind the woman's slightly acidic teasing. As punishment, he pulled her along to take a bath together.
By the time they left the bathroom, it was already past eleven at night.
Sophia had changed into a figure-hugging light blue silk nightgown, her face carrying an alluring flush. After drying her hair, she climbed onto the large bed. Simon, still full of energy, was holding a laptop and checking his emails.
Ygritte Company had already licensed World Wide Web technology to major telecom operators across Europe. The WWW business in Italy was still in the internal testing phase, but this apartment in Milan had already been connected to dedicated fiber optics. The villa's monitoring system was even directly networked to Malibu across the ocean.
Of course, the cost was exorbitant.
Curling up against the man like a cat, Sophia tugged the network cable to the side and couldn't help saying, "It would be nice if we didn't need this cable."
There was of course no WiFi in this era. To access the internet, one had to plug in a cable.
Simon smiled. Wireless internet was already in Ygritte Company's plans, but it definitely couldn't be rolled out anytime soon.
Sophia had only said it casually and then looked at the computer screen in front of Simon.
The man was actually reading a novel.
Patiently reading along with him, judging from the translated title, it seemed to be a Japanese novel originally. Um, Ring?
Then, after accompanying Simon through the entire novel, Sophia already felt a creepy chill.
For quite a long time afterward, she wouldn't dare touch any videotapes.
Simon smiled and asked, "What do you think if it's turned into a movie?"
Sophia gently rubbed her cheek against the man's shoulder. "It would definitely be terrifying."
"That's exactly the effect we want."
As Simon spoke, he opened his email and began writing a message to the Los Angeles team.
Scream 3 was scheduled to be released next month. Once this most successful teen horror franchise concluded, New World Pictures would need its next strategic direction.
In recent years, teen horror films had already become somewhat oversaturated. Creating another similarly successful series wouldn't be easy. After careful consideration, Simon had ultimately chosen Japanese horror films as New World Entertainment's next major development focus.
Coincidentally, the Ring novel in his memory had been published this year.
Under Simon's instructions, Daenerys Entertainment had easily secured the film rights to this phenomenal horror novel.