Chapter 296: The Man-Eating Siren

The six-day Milan Fashion Week, on its second day, scheduled from 9 AM to 8 PM, featured 11 brand runway shows.

However, Gucci was undoubtedly the focal point of the day, as Italian luxury brands like Prada, Armani, Fendi, and Versace had all strategically scheduled their shows to avoid clashing with Gucci.

After the grand Gucci show, except for a few who had to leave for other commitments, most of the media and guests stayed behind. Beyond the post-show photo sessions and interviews, Gucci also arranged a lavish luncheon and was to host a grand brand-themed party in the evening.

Having accompanied Simon Westeros for a mere 15 minutes of the show, Sophia Vesey was back to her busy schedule, pulling Janet and Jennifer to assist her.

Simon then headed to the rest area next door, meticulously arranged from another warehouse. The area, adorned with elegant sofas, an open bar, and, of course, indispensable displays of Gucci products, radiated an artistic atmosphere, providing a comfortable space for guests to relax and socialize.

After completing their interviews and photo sessions, the guests gradually gathered here to rest, awaiting the start of the luncheon at 11:30 AM.

The model team responsible for the runway show also made their appearances gradually.

Given the busy fashion season, these models, of course, were not in Milan for just this one show, but thanks to Gucci, they at least had no other shows to rush to that morning.

At a round table in the corner of the rest area.

Madonna, after arriving, clung to Simon, saying, "Simon, the sales of 'The Bodyguard' soundtrack are astonishing. How about you produce an album for me? I could star in a Daenerys Entertainment movie for free."

Simon, finding Madonna nearly sticking to him, had to step aside, responding, "Madge, the success of 'The Bodyguard' soundtrack was a fluke. And your offer to star in a Daenerys Entertainment movie for free is hardly enticing."

"Oh, Simon, you're being too harsh. Wasn't I good in 'Pulp Fiction'?" Madonna persisted, inching closer. "Or perhaps, we could collaborate, like Daenerys Entertainment did with the 'The Bodyguard' soundtrack and Alistar Records."

Simon firmly shook his head again, "Producing an album takes a lot of effort, and I don't have that kind of time right now."

"Ah, Simon, you're heartless, and here I thought we were friends."

Simon chuckled, "Friends should keep work matters to a minimum."

"You're wrong, friends should help each other," Madonna retorted. Seeing Simon unyielding, she changed tactics, "Also, I just saw the team filming the 'Gucci Documentary'. Suddenly, I'm thinking, maybe my next concert could be turned into a documentary."

Remembering Madonna's music documentary "Truth or Dare", Simon recalled how it grossed nearly $30 million worldwide on a budget of less than $5 million, far outperforming Michael Jackson's 1985 documentary "Moonwalker".

Knowing the woman beside him to be very astute, Simon did not immediately show interest, simply saying, "The 'Gucci Documentary' is mainly for brand promotion. Why make a documentary?"

"It could be a hit," Madonna lit up, planning out loud, "Such a documentary wouldn't cost much, a few million should suffice. Plus, it's not just about me. Many friends would appear to support it, especially with a performance by Simon Westeros. Even if it doesn't make it to cinemas like Jackson's 'Moonwalker', it could still recoup its costs through video sales and TV broadcasts."

Madonna, having made up her mind, looked up, "Simon, how about we collaborate? If you're not interested, I'll look elsewhere."

Simon noticed Madonna's subtle probing and smiled, "How about this: you fund the production yourself, and Daenerys Entertainment can help distribute it. It might indeed make a big profit."

Madonna could afford it, but she knew all too well the cardinal rule in the industry: never invest your own money in films.

Seeing Simon's disinterest, Madonna tried once more, "Then I'll seek a partnership with another film company?"

Everyone in Hollywood knew Simon Westeros had a keen eye. If he showed interest in her documentary idea, whether or not it succeeded, she could use it as leverage for more benefits.

Simon simply shrugged, about to say more when a group of tall, beautiful models, all smiles, approached, drawing his attention away from Madonna to greet them, "Cindy, are you done for now?"

"Just taking a break, we've got a photo shoot this afternoon," Cindy Crawford replied casually, nodding towards Madonna before sitting beside Simon without much ceremony, striking up conversation, "What were you two discussing?"

As Simon responded, models like Paulina Porizkova, Helena Christensen, and Stephanie Seymour greeted him and settled around the table. Madonna, seeing Simon completely distracted by the group, gracefully excused herself.

Simon, seated on a minimalist two-seater sofa, intended to make room by shifting aside when a slender figure took the seat. A faint scent and slight body contact came from a girl with brown hair and blue eyes, high cheekbones, wearing a simple white shirt and washed jeans.

Having seen her during the last rehearsal and with many memories of her, Simon did not pretend to be unacquainted, greeting in Italian, "Miss Bruni, hello."

Carla Bruni, surprised, responded in Italian, "Hello, Mr. Westeros, your Italian accent seems even more authentic than mine."

Simon laughed, "How could that be? Aren't you Italian?"

Carla, holding a coffee handed to her by a waiter, shared, "I moved to France with my family when I was 5."

Simon, indicating his own coffee on the table, continued the conversation, "Why move to France? The Bruni family seemed quite prominent in Italy."

"With the worsening security in Italy, my family feared kidnapping and opted to move," Carla explained, then added, "Mr. Westeros, if you're staying here longer, be careful too."

Simon nodded, suggesting, "Just call me Simon."

Stephanie Seymour, sitting on a nearby sofa, interrupted their Italian conversation, "Simon, Carla, what are you talking about? We can't understand."

"We were discussing the mafia. Be careful in Milan these days."

Stephanie, aware of the dangers but unconcerned, replied, "We're not like those new models."

As they chatted, it was soon 11 AM, and staff began to usher guests to a nearby hotel for the luncheon.

Carla Bruni, upon leaving, handed Simon a business card, hoping to chat again sometime.

Simon, indifferent to the 'Man-Eating Siren', didn't share her aesthetic but kept the card.

In the following days, Sophia's Gucci team was incessantly busy.

Newspaper articles, magazine features, and TV interviews about the Gucci show spread rapidly across international media. Although some critiques deemed Gucci's latest fashion line overly commercial, the overall media sentiment was positive.

The order of the major fashion weeks was London, Milan, Paris, and New York.

It wasn't until the Paris Fashion Week began that the focus shifted from Gucci to French luxury brands, with Italian brands like Prada and Armani appearing completely overshadowed by Gucci.

The day after the show concluded, Simon and Janet commenced their own schedule.

They first flew to Rome for a meeting with Giuseppe Tornatore, finalizing preparations for "Cinema Paradiso," and attended some Italian film industry gatherings.

In the 70s, due to the rise of the "Italian Hollywood," Italian filmmakers had their moment in the Hollywood spotlight.

However, this glory faded as a series of European directors failed in Hollywood's big productions. Still, as the world's film center, Italian filmmakers continued to yearn for Hollywood, making Simon, a rapidly rising Hollywood mogul, warmly welcomed in the Italian film circle.

Since they hadn't found a suitable residence in Rome, Simon and Janet stayed in the city for only three days before heading to Florence.

Being a newly minted American billionaire and media tycoon, Simon's trip to Italy attracted significant local media attention, comparable to that in North America.

Having become the target of Italian paparazzi since arriving in Milan and traveling through Italy's three major cities, Simon's flattering comments to the media quickly painted him as an American tycoon fond of Italy.

However, the day after leaving Milan, due to a local newspaper exposé, Simon's Lake Como mansion experienced an attempted break-in.

All of Simon's European residences were equipped with alarm systems, and the intruders were detected as soon as they climbed the fence, with Milan police promptly arresting a gang of five with evident mob ties. An intrusion into the home of such a high-profile figure could tarnish Milan's image, prompting the Milan government to swiftly send representatives, hoping Simon would not publicize the incident.

Since he suffered no loss, Simon did not make a fuss.

Nevertheless, he tasked Sophia with a media relations assignment to minimize exposure of his European properties and considered upgrading or developing a more comprehensive residential security system. With a strong territorial instinct, Simon wasn't concerned about potential financial losses from such intrusions, but the invasion of his personal space deeply unsettled him.

Florence.

At Simon's estate on the southern outskirts of the city, it was September 28, Thursday.

With Milan Fashion Week having concluded on the 26th, Sophia and her team had returned to Florence.

After finishing a day's work, Sophia drove over at 6 PM, checked with the front gate security, and then headed to the backyard.

Under the setting sun, Simon and Janet stood by a table covered with various documents and files, discussing something in low voices, with Jennifer nearby. Greeting Sophia as she approached, they paused their discussion. Sophia glanced at the documents on the table, spotting a title, "Columbia Savings and Credit Bank Bond Asset Risk Assessment," and discreetly looked away.

Simon, undeterred, said to Sophia, "These aren't for you. Let's head to the living room."

Sophia followed Simon inside, taking a seat on the living room sofa. Simon, remembering something, asked, "What's the deal with Sabina Frei at 'Cinema Paradiso'? You've become good friends?"

Sophia, pulling out some documents from her bag, replied, "Sabina's father is a Milan city government official. He was quite helpful in securing the warehouse for our show in the eastern suburbs."

Simon nodded, understanding the necessity of engaging with government officials to do business in any country and to grow a business locally. Seeing Sophia adept at such relations, he decided not to delve further.

Sophia, without elaborating, handed Simon the documents, "These are Gucci's recent operational and financial reports, along with several project proposals."

Simon browsed through a report, asking, "Why show me these now?"

Sophia explained, "Based on Gucci's recent performance, we're projected to exceed $350 million in revenue this year, a 35% increase from last year's $260 million. However, we're still behind competitors like Dior and Chanel, who reported $830 million and $120 million in net profits last year, respectively."

Simon hummed, signaling for her to continue.

Sophia added, "Fortunately, Gucci's recovery has been swift. I aim for next year's revenue to surpass $600 million, overtaking Dior by 1991. To achieve this, we must expand Gucci's scale. The project proposals you're holding include plans for acquiring workshops, refurbishing Gucci stores worldwide, and a training program for staff, along with a marketing budget for the fourth quarter and next year. Simon, if you agree, Gucci won't retain any profits for the next two years. I plan to reinvest all funds into expansion, even considering further loans if necessary."

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