Chapter 433: Chicago

Chicago, as the third-largest city in the United States, is located in the Great Lakes region at the southwestern corner of Lake Michigan and serves as the core of the Chicago metropolitan area in Illinois!

In Chicago, in the Near North Side, at the Trump International Hotel & Tower on the north branch of the Chicago River, Charles Capet and Ivanka were staying at their family's hotel.

From the Lakeview Suite, one could admire the scenery of Lake Michigan. Charles felt the newly opened Trump International Hotel was quite impressive.

"Next year, when it tops out, this building should be the second tallest in the Western Hemisphere," Charles said while enjoying Lake Michigan from the floor-to-ceiling window.

The freshwater resources in the Great Lakes region were extremely abundant. Lake Michigan belonged solely to the United States, while the other four were shared with Canada.

Ivanka hung up Charles' coat and walked to his side, helping him loosen his tie. "My father originally wanted to build the tallest skyscraper in the world, but the project plan changed after 9/11," she responded. "Sears Tower in Chicago is still the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere!"

"At least, next year it will be the tallest residential building," Charles laughed. The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago was mainly a residential condo-hotel.

"Is this your first time in Chicago?" Ivanka asked as she finished loosening his tie and put it aside, hugging Charles.

Chicago's weather was definitely not as warm as Los Angeles. With temperatures below 10°C, Ivanka was wearing a blue V-neck knitted sweater, showing off her well-proportioned figure.

Holding the girl in his arms, Charles smiled, "I came to Chicago a long time ago. The first movie I worked on, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, was filmed here. I still remember at that time, the musical Chicago was being shot simultaneously with us!"

Charles seemed to recall his first encounter with Catherine Zeta-Jones at the wrap party for Chicago.

"What are you thinking about?" Ivanka sensed Charles holding her quietly.

"Oh, nothing. Just remembering how frugally we shot My Big Fat Greek Wedding in Chicago. I had to think of every possible way to save money to complete the movie!" Charles sighed, reminiscing how stingy Tom Hanks was with the budget back then.

"Charles, it's still early. How about we go out for a stroll?" Ivanka suggested, turning around and kissing Charles on the lips.

"A stroll through the Windy City?" Charles laughed and nodded, "Alright!"

Then, Ivanka took the initiative to wrap her arms around Charles' neck and kiss him.

Soon after, Charles changed into new clothes. He wore a black turtleneck sweater and a wool coat, pairing jeans with Ivanka, who wore the same outfit, leaving the Trump Tower together.

...

As an Illinois Democratic Senator, Barack Obama made history by becoming the Democratic presidential candidate.

Having just returned to Chicago from Springfield, the capital of Illinois, Barack was chatting with his campaign advisor, Roger Fishco, in his study.

"Has Charles Capet arrived in Chicago?" Barack asked.

Roger Fishco nodded, "Yes, he arrived today!"

Barack's campaign had received substantial support from Charles Capet. Although they had few meetings, Barack had a deep impression of Charles.

"What do you think of him?" Barack asked Roger Fishco.

Roger immediately pictured a young, handsome face in his mind. "He's young and reserved, yet carries a sense of deep, untapped potential. It's hard to describe; maybe that's what a genius is supposed to be like!"

Barack nodded, "Yes, when I first announced my candidacy, Charles Capet sent Ms. Huffington to assist me. From campaign advertising to keynote speeches and fundraising dinners, he has helped a lot. Later, he also advised me to increase my investment in Hollywood.

As expected, Hillary, who had great influence in Hollywood, almost lost all support because of her connection with Harvey Weinstein in the Hollywood sexual harassment scandal!"

"Charles Capet leveraged feminism to push the Hollywood sexual harassment case, driving Harvey Weinstein out of Hollywood," Roger Fishco understood that none of these actions could happen without Charles Capet's manipulation.

Barack, unfamiliar with Hollywood, saw the dark side through this scandal.

"What do you think Charles Capet wants?" Barack inquired Roger Fishco.

Roger furrowed his brows, "He is already acknowledged as the son of Hollywood, and now he seems to accelerate his dominion over it. Recently, his conflicts with Sumner Redstone have become public, and Capet Entertainment is eyeing General Electric's NBC Universal. A regular MPAA membership card apparently can't satisfy him anymore. He wants his own TV station to make Capet Entertainment's media empire more complete!"

"Amazing, he's only 26," Barack admired. "I heard his assets have already surpassed a10 billion dollars?"

Roger nodded, "That's a minimal estimate. His current ownership of Capet Entertainment alone is worth more than 10 billion - Capet Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Netflix, Capet Records... And the stocks held by Capet Fund, the rapidly developing social media platform Twitter is also his.

Capet Sports Entertainment owns the Premier League's Arsenal Football Club and the NFL's Miami Dolphins, worth another 2 billion together!"

Roger looked at Barack, "In any case, Charles Capet is already among America's top elites. If Capet Entertainment successfully acquires NBC Universal from General Electric, his influence in Hollywood will rise another step!"

Barack nodded, "Perhaps, our cooperation with him won't be less in the future."

Roger agreed, "Though he is a part of Hollywood's camp, his influence on Wall Street is not small, and it's starting to show in Silicon Valley too."

With military manufacturing enterprises, Jewish financial groups, and media propaganda forces, the three together determined America's policy direction.

The President was just a spokesperson; all aspects of interests needed considering.

"Give Charles Capet another ten years, who knows where he'll be?" Barack sighed.

Roger laughed, "America will just have another Capet family!"

*****

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