Chapter 242: A Dream

"Kate's movie didn't do well at the box office, and the tabloids have been making fun of her relationship with you, so she's too embarrassed to come over. It's just as well; staying in Los Angeles, she can keep an eye on our house construction."

In the elevator, Jenny intimately clung to Simon's arm, sharing recent happenings in Los Angeles.

Simon listened with a smile, "Catherine is a director with a strong personal style. She just hasn't found her niche yet."

Jenny asked, "What kind of movies do you think Kate should make?"

"War films," Simon blurted out, then added, "Catherine's realistic cinematography is very suited to portraying the intensity and brutality of war."

Jenny tilted her head in thought, "That makes sense. Despite Kate sometimes appearing shy and not good at socializing, she's actually quite violent at heart. Back in her days at Columbia, many of her paintings were quite graphic."

Their conversation was interrupted by the elevator's ding, reaching the 32nd floor.

Exiting the elevator, they walked down the corridor to an apartment.

Jenny took out keys from her bag to open the door. Once inside, she kicked off her shoes and headed barefoot to the living room.

Simon followed and was about to pick up her shoes when he was enveloped by a faint feminine fragrance, stirring a sense of déjà vu and a slight throbbing in his head, as if something was trying to emerge from deep within his memory. After a moment of dizziness, Simon's mind cleared.

He neatly placed Jenny's shoes and took off his own, noticing there were no men's slippers. He, too, went barefoot into the living room.

Jenny handed him a bottle of mineral water, "This is all we have in the fridge. Should I call Neil to bring some groceries?"

Simon chuckled, accepting the water, "Let's not trouble Neil anymore. Besides, this isn't your apartment, is it?"

Jenny nodded, "I've wanted my own place in the city since I was 18, but my parents wouldn't allow it. Spending most of my time in Los Angeles, there wasn't much need for it."

"And this place?" Simon gestured around.

"It's Iceberg's," Jenny replied, tossing her coat on the sofa. "She's vacationing in England, so we can stay here."

Simon took a moment to remember that 'Iceberg' was Jenny's aunt. "Staying in your aunt's apartment, is that appropriate?"

"Of course. I used to crash here to avoid my father's nagging when I came back to Melbourne," Jenny said casually, taking a few sips of Simon's water before wrapping her arms around him, cheek pressed against his body, whispering, "Miss me?"

Simon, smiling, cradled her delicate frame, "Been too busy."

Jenny playfully bit Simon's lip, "I'll bite you."

After their intimate moment, Jenny gestured towards a direction. Simon turned off the living room lights and they headed to the bedroom.

Perhaps due to the unfamiliar environment, Simon experienced a night of fragmented dreams. People from the deepest recesses of his memory resurfaced. In one moment, aware he was dreaming, he was unable to wake up.

Scattered fragments repeatedly featured a small, quiet, possibly introverted child, often locked in a dark closet.

The child, wise beyond his years, longed for visits from someone, as those were times of good food, new clothes, and kindness from everyone.

The disjointed thoughts drifted away, unable to form any coherent picture, leaving only a faint imprint in the deepest recesses of his memory.

Later, the child grew up alone, a stubborn little creature in a strange place.

Waking up, Simon noticed tear stains on his pillow. Recollecting last night's dreams, the fragments rapidly melted away like snow under harsh sunlight.

Bright light filtered through the curtain gaps. Checking the time, it was 11:55 am. Usually waking at 8 am, it was unusual for him to sleep until almost noon, especially with morning meetings with Cersei Capital's fund management team, but no one had called him.

Probably Jenny had hung up on them, wanting him to rest a bit longer.

With that thought, Simon quickly showered and dressed in clothes Jenny had prepared. Entering the living room, he was greeted by the scent of food from the kitchen.

Calling out, Jenny peeked from the kitchen, "Five minutes. You can watch some TV."

Nodding, Simon opened the fridge filled with various drinks, likely bought by Jenny that morning. After drinking half a bottle of mineral water, he was about to help in the kitchen when he heard a noise at the entrance.

In this high-security apartment, it was unlikely for anyone to enter unnoticed.

Puzzled, Simon saw a tall blonde woman in a beige turtleneck and black pants, holding a small suitcase, standing at the entrance. She turned pale with panic and fear in her eyes upon seeing him.

Simon guessed her identity immediately, but seeing her triggered the same dizziness from last night, with dream-like fragments merging in his memory.

Gripped by intense headache, Simon tried to raise his arm but collapsed before he could.

"Simon Westeros rushed to the hospital, Johnston family tight-lipped."

"Rumors of Simon Westeros's mental illness relapse."

"Inside sources say Simon Westeros collapsed at noon, likely due to overwork."

"Amy Pascal among Daenerys Entertainment executives flying to Melbourne."

"Japanese stock market plummets 226 points due to Westeros's collapse."

"Los Angeles city spokesperson demands Johnston family disclose Westeros's condition."

"Stanford University expresses concern for Simon Westeros."

"If the genius boy meets with misfortune, who will inherit his billions?"

"Breaking news: After a six-hour coma, Simon Westeros woke up around 6:20 pm. Johnston family to hold a press conference at 8 pm to update on his condition."

"Batman producer Joel Silver announces a week-long filming halt."

Waking up again, Simon found his old memories reorganized, some lost, some clearer.

Lying in the hospital bed, he saw Jenny's tearful face and decided he couldn't faint again.

How could he let those who care about him be saddened?

Spotting another figure in the crowd, he quickly averted his gaze, reassuring Jenny lightly.

Knowing he was fine, but under everyone's insistence, Simon underwent a thorough check-up and agreed to a three-day hospital observation.

The tests were all normal, and Anthony Johnston accompanied Simon's doctor to the press conference.

The next day was Simon's birthday.

His 21st birthday, confirmed by the recovered memories.

Indeed, February 22, 1968.

However, he had to spend it in the hospital, with many flying in from the U.S.: Catherine, Sandra, Amy, and others like James and Warner's Terry Semel.

With Simon awake, the chaos quickly settled.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles tabloids speculated about the handling of Simon's billions if he met with misfortune or lost autonomy, unaware of his arrangements with George Norman.

Batman's filming was paused.

Simon wasn't concerned about Jenny managing Cersei Capital. Its focus was on long-term bullish operations. As long as the Japanese stock market was rising, the fund was unlikely to lose money.

After the noise, Amy and others returned to the U.S.

Spending two days in the Johnston-sponsored private medical center, Simon planned to recuperate at the Tasmanian farm they had bought, seeking more tranquility.

After a dull day, dinner, and some TV, Jenny retired to the next room.

Simon quickly fell asleep, free from fragmented dreams.

Perhaps they would never return.

In a haze, he felt a figure beside his bed, sitting quietly in a chair.

Waking to a familiar presence, Simon silently faced the woman he had known for years.

Without speaking, the woman began to weep softly, muffling her sobs and murmuring apologies.

"I was only seventeen... I didn't know what to do... I gave the Levinsens a lot of money each year, hoping you'd be better off... They took you on a trip one year and never returned to Birmingham... I looked for you... never expecting you'd be in San Francisco..."

Listening to her broken words, Simon interrupted sternly, "Don't cry."

At his command, she stifled her sobs, fearing further displeasing him.

After a while, she wiped her tears, "I'll give you anything. It's all my fault. Please don't harm the Johnstons or Jenny. Jenny truly loves you."

Simon remained silent, then coldly stated, "I never intended to hurt anyone. It's all coincidence."

Skepticism clouded her face.

"Did you tell anyone?" he asked.

"No."

"Let's forget this happened. I don't know you, you don't know me."

"Really?"

"I'm tired. Please leave."

She looked at him for a moment before carefully leaving the room.

The next morning, after another check-up, Simon left the medical center amid a crowd, followed by a throng of journalists to the Johnston estate.

A lunch banquet awaited him, emphasizing the concern over Cersei Capital's operations.

Raymond Johnston formally introduced his sister, Veronica Johnston, to Simon. Despite Veronica's strange behavior, it was passed off as normal for strangers.

Having remembered more, Simon resolved not to let old memories disrupt his life, treating recent events as just a dream.

A dream over, life must go on.

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