Chapter 278: The Land is in Hand, the Size of France
Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, every woman in Hardy's life received a gift from him. Among these were luxury items from his recent acquisitions in Italy and France, including Bulgari jewelry. Han Yizhen, in far-off Hong Kong, also received her share—a luxurious piece of jewelry mailed directly to her.
For Hardy, jewelry was the quintessential gift: valuable, lavish, and ideal for feeding the vanity many women had. He understood that, despite any other claims, most women cherished jewelry for its ability to make them feel special and admired.
Given his numerous romantic interests, Hardy had adopted a straightforward approach: extravagant jewelry for every festival and birthday. This ensured his gifts were both impressive and well-received.
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**Christmas Eve—The "Super Idol" Finals**
The Sacred Citizen Auditorium in Los Angeles, famed for hosting the Oscars, was now the venue for the "Super Idol" finals. The audience was a dazzling array of Hollywood stars, politicians, and prominent figures, making it an event as glamorous as the Oscars.
Hardy's influence was evident. As the chairman of the Screen Actors Guild and a major player in Los Angeles, his presence drew a high-profile crowd. His efforts to improve Hollywood's safety during the 1940s gang turmoil had paid off, leaving the city secure and vibrant. The reduction in gang activity had contributed to a flourishing entertainment industry and attracted more investment.
The "Super Idol" competition, a sensation with a staggering 90% TV rating, featured 32 finalists. The finale would determine the champion, runner-up, and third place based on audience votes.
The finalists, including Sunni, Monroe, and Patty Page, each showcased exceptional talent. The audience, rather than judges, would decide the winners, making the voting process highly anticipated.
As votes were counted, Monroe's lead grew, surprising Hardy. With the majority of the audience being men, he noted the possible influence of Monroe's appeal. It was a reminder of how public preferences could sometimes overshadow talent.
Monroe ultimately won the title of "Super Idol" with 211 votes, with Sunni and Patty Page taking second and third places, respectively. Monroe also earned the "Most Popular Singer in the Audience" award, and her excitement was palpable as she received her trophy.
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**Post-Finale Celebration**
After the show, the festivities continued at Hardy Manor in Beverly Hills, where a Christmas carnival party took place. While some officials departed, many from the entertainment industry remained to enjoy music, dancing, and celebrations. Fireworks illuminated the night sky, adding to the festive atmosphere.
As the new year approached, Hardy received a telegram from the Western Australian government. The council had decided to delay the sale of the 500,000 square kilometers of land—approximately the size of France—despite his readiness to proceed. The council believed retaining some land would better attract future investors.
Displeased with the delay, Hardy traveled to Australia to negotiate with Governor McGowan in Perth. McGowan explained that the council's decision was firm, and any new proposal would take considerable time. However, Hardy was allowed to choose from the available land.
Over three days, Hardy studied the maps meticulously. Using his strong memory of the Australian mining industry, he identified key areas: the Pilbara Hamersley Basin for iron ore, Bloom for nickel, Jinwan for gold, and Shake Bay for oil. He circled these regions, focusing on known mineral deposits.
After finalizing his choices, Hardy acquired 50 million hectares for $220 million. Despite the high price, the investment aimed to secure future resources. The announcement of the purchase led to skepticism, causing Hardy Mining's stock price to drop. Nonetheless, Hardy remained confident, having secured financing through a bank mortgage.
This acquisition marked a significant move for Hardy Mining. Next, Hardy planned to explore opportunities in the UK and Hong Kong, and invest in recovering industries in East Asia.