Chapter 265: Stealing a Floating Life for Half a Day, No Intention to Buy a Candy Store

The other major companies in the inspection group were making substantial investments in heavy assets, which Hardy found tempting. However, he was acutely aware of his own limitations. Hardy Group's industry focus wasn't on such assets, and he couldn't afford to delve into heavy investments at this stage.

For instance, the Rockefeller Consortium, with its deep resources, was investing in Ajip Petroleum, Italy's largest oil company, which had top-notch oil technology and extensive financial backing. This was a project nearly impossible to secure for others.

Similarly, the Italian power grid, now a private industry, was likely to be nationalized eventually. Investing heavily in it now might mean losing control and uncertain future profits.

Hardy considered European manufacturing companies, but he preferred investing in American manufacturers. In the decades to come, American companies would survive and thrive in fierce competition with European firms. Investing in European manufacturing now would be risky given the unstable political situation.

Moreover, Hardy's own situation required caution. Despite Hardy Group's impressive appearance, its recent success and flashy operations didn't reflect a truly powerful organization. Compared to established conglomerates like Rockefeller and Morgan, Hardy Group was still in its infancy.

This was why Hardy aimed to join the core of the California consortium. Although the California consortium was emerging, it was still relatively young compared to the venerable Rockefeller and Morgan groups.

Hardy understood that it was prudent to focus on manageable investments—those with low initial costs and high returns. The future would present opportunities in electronics and other industries that might offer better returns.

Examining the investment list, Hardy identified five names that stood out. While their current scale was unknown, their continued existence into the future suggested they would be successful.

He contacted the Ministry of Commerce officials and asked, "Can you help me reach out to the heads of these companies? I'd like to meet with them."

The official agreed readily, recognizing the value of any investment. 

The following days brought meetings with representatives of these luxury brands. First, Hardy met with the owner of Prada. Founded in 1913 and once a royal supplier, Prada had fallen on hard times after the war. Hardy invested $550,000 for a 35% stake, with the rest remaining in the founder's hands.

Next, Hardy met Guccio Gucci and Dominique de Sol of Gucci. Gucci had a solid reputation but was limited to Italy. Hardy proposed leveraging his media resources to promote Gucci in the U.S. The two agreed to sell 32% of their shares for $660,000, with Hardy facilitating their global expansion.

Hardy continued to meet with Bulgari, Fendi, and others, securing stakes in these brands without seeking majority ownership. His goal was to support and benefit from their growth rather than control them outright.

Zegna's boss, bringing two tailors, sought investment to rebuild their garment factory. Hardy suggested opening factories in both Italy and the U.S. to tap into the burgeoning American market. Zegna agreed, and Hardy's investment would include significant shares with some technological expertise.

After finalizing these investments, Hardy took some time to explore Rome and visit the Rome branch of the Global Times. He encouraged the staff and treated them to a lavish meal.

While wandering Rome, Hardy stopped at the Trevi Fountain, reminiscing about the film "Roman Holiday." Inspired, he instructed his assistant to find an actress named Audrey Hepburn for potential future projects.

During this stroll, Hardy was drawn to a candy store: Ferrero Candy. Intrigued, he entered and sampled their renowned "Hazelnut Wafer Chocolate," which reminded him of his past. The taste was exceptional, surpassing even later generations' versions.

He decided to meet with the store's owner, expressing interest in investing. The salesperson, initially skeptical, eventually arranged a meeting with the boss. Hardy saw potential in Ferrero and aimed to support its growth, envisioning its future success in the confectionery market.

The future of Ferrero, marked by its innovative approach to chocolate during the post-war period, caught Hardy's attention. He appreciated the chocolate's quality and saw it as a promising investment opportunity, setting the stage for future success.