Chapter 206: Aquaman Is Not So Good

Hardy discussed the Pepsi-Cola matter with Walter and decided that the situation in San Francisco was sufficiently handled. He planned to return to Los Angeles, leaving the finer details to be managed by his subordinates, with Andy taking charge.

After arriving back in Los Angeles, Hardy sent a telegram to Victor in Hong Kong, informing him of an upcoming shipment of medicine. Although Victor was not privy to the specifics of the shipment, he promised to handle it diligently. The shipment included over 100,000 bottles of penicillin, which, despite occupying only a small corner of a container, was worth millions.

With Christmas approaching, Hardy's film, *The Ghosts Among Us*, was released after a month of heavy promotion. Thanks to successful pre-release marketing and an ABC TV broadcast, the movie quickly became a hit, drawing full houses and generating predictions from MGM that it could gross over tens of millions of dollars. Heidi Lamarr, who starred in the film, became a sensation again. Critics praised her performance, noting its sincerity and emotional depth, with some even suggesting she might be a contender for Best Actress at the Oscars. The male lead, Li Gen, also received positive reviews, marking his rise from a second-tier actor to a prominent star.

When Hardy asked Li Gen about his future career plans, specifically whether he wanted to continue with the Screen Actors Guild or focus solely on acting, Li Gen chose to stay with the Guild. He explained that while acting could be lucrative, finding good roles was rare, and he found satisfaction in his work with the Guild.

Hardy also reconnected with Heidi Lamarr, who eagerly invited him to join her for a movie screening. They went together, and even though the film had been out for a week, it was still drawing large crowds. The audience was captivated, and many praised Heidi's performance.

After the movie, Heidi invited Hardy to her place, where they spent the night together. The following morning, Hardy presented her with a pair of exquisite diamond earrings as a Christmas gift, which delighted her.

Hardy also arranged a surprise for Han Yezhen, who was planning to return to San Francisco for Christmas. He offered to fly her there on his private plane. During the flight, he gifted her a stunning ruby necklace. Their connection deepened, and they shared an intimate moment on the plane.

Upon dropping off Han Yezhen, Hardy flew to New York to visit Ava Gardner, who was filming the final scenes of *Across the World*. Ava was thrilled to see him, and they spent Christmas Eve together. Hardy gave her a dazzling diamond necklace, which she wore proudly as they dined at a renowned New York restaurant.

On Christmas Eve, Hardy also surprised Irina with a visit to a charming villa in Beverly Hills, which he gifted her as a new home. Irina was overjoyed, and they spent the night together. Hardy also presented her with a custom diamond brooch featuring her zodiac sign, Aries.

Finally, Hardy spent Christmas Day with Elizabeth Taylor. They shopped, skated, and enjoyed the day together. That evening, they watched fireworks from Hardy's manor, wrapped in a quilt. Hardy gave Taylor a beautiful sapphire necklace as a gift, which she adored.

As the holiday season came to an end, Hardy reflected on the complexities of managing multiple relationships and ensuring that each person felt valued. While the perks were evident, the challenges of balancing these relationships required careful thought and attention.

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