Hunting in Hollywood

In just a few meetings, Simon and Janet could tell that Sophia's daughter Gemma was an exceptionally spirited and charming young girl.

Having transferred from Switzerland to the East Coast of the United States, it only took her a few months to make a large group of friends at her new school.

The private school Sophia chose for Gemma had only a dozen students per class. Initially, the birthday party invitations were intended mainly for these classmates.

However, the socially expansive Gemma personally expanded the guest list, ultimately bringing the number of children alone to over thirty. Including the accompanying parents, the total number of guests neared a hundred. This was why Sophia had to resort to borrowing Simon and Janet's estate for the birthday celebration.

As dusk fell, the Greenwich estate was transformed into a childlike wonderland with colorful lights, toys, stuffed animals, and balloons everywhere. Even Alice and her team of maids dressed up in warm-toned cartoon outfits.

The party shared the same theme as the documentary set to be screened later that night, "Ice World," and the decorations all around were related to this theme.

A movie screen was also set up on the main villa's lawn to play the documentary that Janet had gifted to Gemma for her birthday.

As more children arrived, the estate grew livelier.

Being one of the most affluent neighborhoods on the East Coast, Greenwich was home to a host of wealthy business people, politicians, and socialites who typically spent their weekdays in Manhattan. These individuals naturally had more sensitive channels of information.

As a high-ranking executive within the Westeros system and managing one of the 'Four Women' of Westeros Corporation, Alexandra, the fact that the estate hosting the birthday belonged to Westeros and a certain young man was currently on the East Coast meant this party was an exceptional opportunity for many parents to network.

While patiently playing and laughing with a group of mothers and their children, Sophia caught a glimpse of Simon mingling with the men. A sense of satisfaction filled her.

By tonight, everyone would know she was Simon Westeros's lover.

And not just any lover, but a true one, not a mere fleeting affair.

But then, what of it?

There are levels to being a lover.

How many in this world could shine as brightly as he does?

And how many women could find a lover who would mingle at their child's birthday party as if he were the host?

Perhaps the well-to-do ladies currently smiling at her might gossip behind her back.

But from the fleeting looks some gave the young man, those mostly ornamental women, attached to powerful men, likely felt more envy than disdain.

Occasionally sidetracked by these thoughts, Sophia soon refocused on the children.

They were the most important thing to her.

Games, fun, blowing out candles, singing the birthday song, eating delicious food, and finally watching "Ice World." Given tonight's theme, the children were especially excited about the film.

To match the children's patience, the 90-minute theater version of the documentary had been cut down to 50 minutes for the party, with more footage of penguins that the children loved.

As the lights in the yard dimmed and the children nestled into their mothers' laps on the lawn, all attention turned to the big screen.

After mingling for over an hour, the men either stood or sat around the perimeter, some joining their families on the grass.

Morgan Freeman's voice, known for its calming effect, filled the air, and the surroundings fell completely silent.

At a table on the edge of the crowd, as Sophia approached, the men previously chatting with Simon tactfully excused themselves.

Seeing Sophia sit next to him, Simon smiled and looked around, asking, "Why aren't you with the kids?"

"They're watching the movie; they don't need me hovering over them."

Sophia's voice was gentle.

As she spoke, she scooted closer to Simon, making no effort to hide her actions.

Simon just smiled, enjoying the scent of the woman next to him, and took a sip of juice, turning his attention to the big screen.

Sophia didn't try to make conversation; she simply sat with Simon, watching the film and occasionally asking questions like little Gemma would, with Simon casually responding.

However, this warm atmosphere didn't last long.

Someone from the crowd approached them—it was a mother and daughter.

Simon greeted them as they came closer, recognizing the sparkly-eyed young girl and addressing the woman holding her hand, "Mrs. Hearst, can I help you with something?"

Gemma, naturally just being a child, had invited her friends, but Sophia had prepared a guest list for Simon in advance.

Given Simon's status and wealth, he didn't need to actively network, but being in Greenwich, there were still many people worth meeting.

When he had seen the guest list, one name had stood out to him: Lydia Hearst.

Just hearing the surname indicated what that meant.

There had been some friction with the Hearst

 family over shares in ESPN, but of course, Simon wouldn't hold a grudge against a child for that.

Moreover, Simon knew that the current heads of the Hearst family were William Hearst's second son's lineage.

Lydia Hearst's grandfather was Randolph Hearst, the fourth son among William Hearst's six children. Though Randolph's branch also held substantial shares in the Hearst Corporation and was wealthy, they didn't wield much power in the media empire.

Patty Hearst sat down next to Simon with her daughter, saying, "Lydia wanted to meet you, Simon. She admires you a lot."

"Oh, that's quite an honor," Simon replied, extending his hand to the doll-like beautiful little girl, "Hello, Miss Hearst."

Technically, Lydia Hearst should have taken her father's surname.

However, given the prestigious Hearst family background and following the upheavals of the 1970s, Patty Hearst's husband, who was relatively obscure and didn't even appear at tonight's party, Lydia continued to use her mother's surname.

Lydia Hearst, now only seven or eight years old but already showing signs of beauty that she would be known for in adulthood, wasn't shy. She looked curiously at Simon and politely said, "Mr. Westeros, can I be in one of your movies?"

Simon didn't answer directly but asked, "Have you seen my movies?"

Lydia nodded, "Yes, I've seen 'Run Lola Run,' 'Final Destination,' and, um, 'Pulp Fiction.'"

Simon glanced at the woman behind the little girl, taken aback.

These films weren't exactly suitable for a seven- or eight-year-old.

Lydia noticed Simon's look and turned to her mother before looking back at Simon, "My mom is your fan too."

Hearing her daughter suddenly bring her up, Patty Hearst's face seemed to flush with a bit of embarrassment, but she didn't contradict her daughter and nodded slightly, "I particularly like 'Pulp Fiction.'"

Simon remembered the woman's past.

In the 1970s, Patty Hearst was kidnapped by a terrorist group, a sensational event in America at the time.

Even more sensationally, after some time in captivity, she released a video announcing her allegiance to the terrorist group.

She even actively participated in several armed robberies.

After being arrested following several dramatic incidents, she underwent lengthy interrogations and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Although Randolph Hearst's branch didn't wield much power within the Hearst family, it was unthinkable for a Hearst to actually serve a 35-year sentence.

She only spent a short time in prison before President Carter, known for his integrity, issued a pardon for Patty Hearst, who was quickly released.

To avoid moral condemnation, the Hearst family even orchestrated a media campaign that led to the widely disputed 'Stockholm Syndrome' being definitively categorized as a psychological phenomenon.

Now, hearing Patty Hearst say she liked 'Pulp Fiction,' Simon thought that the wild gene in this woman must be deeply ingrained.

"Mr. Westeros?"

The crisp childish voice snapped Simon back to the present.

Noticing Lydia still waiting for an answer to her earlier question, Simon shifted his attention from a woman who might still harbor 'excitable' traits inside, smiled at the little girl, and said, "Lydia, you can call me Simon."

"So, Simon, can I be in one of your movies?"

Simon shook his head, smiling, "Not right now. I won't be directing any movies for quite a while."

The little girl looked momentarily disappointed, glancing pitifully at her mother and then back at Simon.

Alright.

Those puppy-dog eyes were quite effective.

And for some reason, Simon also felt that this expression might be a bit rehearsed.

Recalling how the little girl would look when she grew up, if he had to describe her, one word seemed apt: little witch.

Because when she was silent, her mouth seemed very small, paired with those big eyes, she was absolutely a doll-like figure that one would want to pinch. However, once she spoke, especially when she laughed, her mouth stretched into a straight line, teeth bared, and she looked mischievously devilish.

And Simon was sure it wasn't an illusion.

From his fragmented memories, Simon knew that Lydia Hearst would casually participate in some very gory B-movies as an adult, often playing characters that met gruesome ends.

There seemed to be a movie, Simon couldn't remember the name, but it was about a biohazard scenario where infected people turned into zombie-like creatures. Lydia played one of these zombies, axed in the head, terribly disfigured but still tirelessly mumbling as she chased the protagonist.

Thinking back, Simon glanced at Patty Hearst and couldn't help but feel a sense of like mother, like daughter.

Now, realizing she had put on a full pitiful act only to hear that

 Simon Westeros wasn't planning on making any movies soon, how could this be?

The little girl felt she should try a bit harder, so she reached out to gently shake Simon's hand, adroitly acting coquettish.

But just as Simon's attention shifted to Lydia Hearst, he sharply caught a glimpse of cunning flicker through the little girl's eyes.

"So," Simon smiled, "although I don't have plans to shoot any movies right now, my company does have many films that could offer you roles. Would you like to try acting?"

Lydia blinked, asking, "What kind of movies?"

Simon thought for a moment, "How about a sequel to 'Home Alone'?"

Lydia immediately showed disinterest, the pitiful look vanishing as she shook her head, "That's boring. That's for little kids."

Hearing this, all three adults couldn't help but laugh.

Simon said, "The problem is, Lydia, you are a little kid too."

Lydia didn't argue, simply nodding, "Yes, but I'm not like those other kids."

"Alright, then tell me, what kind of movie do you want to act in?"

Lydia blurted out without hesitation, "'Pulp Fiction'."

"…"

It seems a certain unscrupulous woman really did watch a lot of R-rated films with her daughter.

Before Simon could respond, Lydia added, "You know, the taxi driver lady. Mom said she's your wife. Simon, can I play a role like that?"

Simon raised an eyebrow, "Why do you like that role?"

Lydia gestured, "Well, I think that lady seemed like she could go crazy at any moment, pull out a knife, and stab the guy in the back seat. That's so cool."

This...

Simon momentarily found himself at a loss for words.

Janet's portrayal of the tough cab driver, though a minor role with few lines, had left a strong impression on many.

That grueling day of shooting, which pushed Janet to the brink of collapse, indeed brought out an intense sense of danger in her performance.

Simon never expected a seven- or eight-year-old girl to resonate with that scene.

And even think it was cool and want to emulate it.

Taking another look at the 'doll' in front of him, Simon almost blurted out: Hey, little girl, can we talk about something appropriate for seven- or eight-year-olds?

Like, your parents' approach to raising kids seems problematic.

However, noticing Lydia quickly switch back to a pitifully hopeful expression, Simon didn't voice his thoughts.

Seeing that Patty Hearst had no objections, he nodded, "Alright, I can find some similar roles for you, but if you don't act well, I will have to replace you."

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