Chapter 259: That's good

Feeling someone nudging her, Demi Moore opened her eyes and saw Simon, neatly dressed, standing by the bed. She immediately remembered the events of last night.

The curtains in the bedroom were not drawn, but judging by the sky outside, it was still early.

Demi Moore sat up, letting the thin sheet slip off her body inadvertently, and smiled pleasingly at the man beside her, saying, "Good morning, Simon."

"Morning," Simon replied, placing a square box on the bedside table. "I have to go to work now. I've ordered breakfast for you guys, it's downstairs. The driver is outside, ready to take you whenever you're ready."

Demi Moore's eyes drifted to the box with 'Gucci' printed on it. "Is this for me?"

"For her," Simon gestured towards the other woman still asleep on the other side of the bed. He pinched Demi Moore's chin and said, "Alright, that's it, goodbye."

Demi Moore watched Simon leave the bedroom, then suddenly lay back on the bed, muttering discontentedly, "It's Saturday, why work, darn man." After grumbling, she turned her head to look at the woman under the sheet beside her, far more delicate than herself, and tapped her: "He's gone, no need to pretend to be asleep."

"You tricked me," Renee Russell, who had buried her head in the pillow, suddenly spoke up, adding resentfully, "You all tricked me."

Demi Moore opened the box, revealing a classic Gucci Floral series silk scarf with a versatile floral theme, inspired by Grace Kelly, the Princess of Monaco, and a style that has continued to this day.

Admiring the scarf with a mix of envy and dissatisfaction, Demi Moore could afford a Gucci scarf, but was upset at the man's favoritism. Hearing Renee Russell's accusation, she retorted, "Who tricked you? You were willing."

Renee Russell grew even more discontent, cursing, "Bastard, I thought it was just me, but to think it was three of us, oh my, three people."

Demi Moore tried to drape the scarf around her neck, ignoring Renee Russell's curses, "So what? He still prefers you. Last night it was like that, it's still the same now, even the gift wasn't for me."

"That's liking? I even feel like I must have committed some unforgivable sin, and he was punishing me," Renee Russell propped herself up, feeling weak all over and had to give up. She noticed Demi Moore was about to put the scarf around her neck and snatched it away: "This is mine."

She also took the box.

With the scarf snatched away, Demi Moore resentfully glanced at it and got out of bed, wearing nothing, heading for the bedroom.

Renee Russell, watching Demi Moore head to the bathroom, muttered an insult under her breath, rolled over, stared at the ceiling for a while, and finally got up. She noticed several not serious but obvious red marks on her body, which made her even more depressed.

Although.

The guy was really strong, and the experience last night wasn't that bad. She felt his strangely gentle brutality, even, perhaps, a sort of longing.

But.

Having an impromptu encounter with a man over a decade younger was one thing. The unexpected threesome made her somewhat collapse.

Wrapping a sheet around herself, she walked towards the bathroom and pushed open the door.

Demi Moore was comfortably soaking in a luxurious marble bathtub. Seeing Renee appear at the door, she waved, "Go use another bathroom, I'm not used to sharing."

"I'm even less accustomed," Renee Russell sarcastically retorted, leaning against the door, silent for a moment, then asked, "What now?"

Demi Moore feigned ignorance, "What do you mean, what now?"

Renee Russell stopped talking, just staring intently at Demi Moore in the tub.

Feeling guilty under her gaze, Demi Moore, worried the woman at the door might attack her in the tub, explained, "What can be next? There are so many jerks in Hollywood, how would I know?"

Renee Russell continued staring, "Don't think I don't know, you're vying for the lead role in 'Ghost'."

"Yes, but that jerk didn't promise me anything. He probably just wanted to play with women, and one wasn't enough," Demi Moore shrugged, suddenly smug, "You're worse off, he probably doesn't even know your name."

Renee Russell fell silent.

Last night, seeing the young man come in and Demi Moore not leaving, she was confused. Then it was a night of madness. Until he left just now, she had barely spoken to him.

Her expression fluctuated for a moment, then Renee Russell silently turned around.

Demi Moore, back to lounging in the tub, began to ponder. Despite her words, she wasn't going to give up; as a married woman, she had taken a big risk last night. Even if she couldn't land the lead in 'Ghost', she had to seize some other opportunities from that young man.

After an hour in the luxurious tub, Demi Moore, dressed in last night's gown, left the second-floor bedroom.

Renee Russell was already sitting in the dining room.

Demi Moore picked a few items from the central plate and sat down, noticing the scarf around the other woman's neck and teased, "You really like his gift, wearing it so quickly."

Renee Russell just glanced at her and continued with her breakfast.

After changing into another bathroom to shower and dress, she stood in front of the vanity, realizing why that detestable young man gave her a scarf.

Her neck was like a strawberry field.

And reluctantly tying the scarf, she had a sudden, inexplicable fondness for him, followed by self-scolding.

So indecisive!

Now, thinking he might not even know her name...

Sigh.

Let it be a dream.

After all.

He was so dazzling in Hollywood.

And she was, yes, fourteen years older than him. How could she dare to hope for anything?

At that moment, hearing Demi Moore's words and facing the woman who brought her into this situation, she felt even less inclined to pretend.

…

Leaving Pacific Palisades, Simon spent the morning with Amy at the Daenerys Entertainment Studio construction site in Malibu.

After months of planning and preparation, the overall design of the studio was complete, and the land in the valley was leveled, with the access road to the studio widened. The project was scheduled to start in mid-May, with a construction period of six months for both main building and later interior decoration, and expected to be operational by June next year.

He had lunch with Angela Ahrendts, President of Gucci's U.S. division, who had specially flown in from New York.

Simon remembered Angela Ahrendts well, having chosen her from a pile of resumes offered by Sofia Fissiti. In the original timeline, Ahrendts had been CEO of the British luxury brand Burberry, leading the century-old brand back to its peak, catching Apple's attention and joining as Senior Vice President in charge of retail, even rumored to be Tim Cook's successor.

At 28, Angela Ahrendts had been impressing both Simon and Sofia since her appointment. Sofia was now planning to use Ahrendts' concepts to reform Gucci stores in Europe and Asia and privately told Simon she might let Ahrendts run the entire Gucci operation in two or three years.

In a seafood restaurant on Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Ahrendts shared her ideas on customer experience, financial management, and marketing strategies with Simon, who just listened attentively, asking questions occasionally.

With the rapid expansion of the Westeros business empire, Simon just needed a general understanding of business concepts without needing to master the details, as he lacked the time and energy.

The lunch lasted until two o'clock in the afternoon.

Towards the end, Ahrendts mentioned another matter: "Simon, about the 'Gucci Night' event at the Cannes Film Festival, Sofia still hopes you can make a trip to France."

After the Oscars in March, the 'Gucci Night' event co-hosted by Gucci and Daenerys Entertainment was a huge success. Sofia immediately decided to replicate the marketing event at the Cannes Film Festival in May, scheduled for May 20th, the second Saturday of the festival.

Simon had heard Sofia mention this in Melbourne but didn't pay much attention, only saying he'd see if he had time.

Hearing Ahrendts bring it up again, Simon asked, "Do I really need to be there?"

Ahrendts nodded, "If you're not there, many of the guests we hope to invite might not attend."

Simon thought about his schedule.

As post-production for 'Batman' was quite flexible and didn't require constant supervision, he was splitting his time between 'Batman' and managing the company. Busy, but not unable to leave.

The smooth operation of Daenerys Entertainment during 'Batman' filming proved the company was on track and didn't need constant oversight.

So he agreed.

Seeing it was time, Simon called the waiter to pay, then asked Ahrendts, "Do you have plans for the afternoon?"

Ahrendts hesitated, then shook her head.

Noticing her hesitation, Simon explained, "Daenerys Entertainment has established a data analysis company to support Blockbuster's operations, which I'm visiting this afternoon. Their head has some ideas similar to yours; you two might benefit from discussing them."

Ahrendts, embarrassed by her fleeting thought, agreed, "I know Nancy."

The Daenerys Analysis Company, near Santa Monica Beach, was a short distance from Venice Beach.

Looking at another Daenerys Entertainment subsidiary housed in a small three-story building, Simon increasingly anticipated the completion of Daenerys Studio.

Nancy Brill was waiting, delighted to see Ahrendts, engaging in whispered conversation, almost forgetting about Simon, their boss.

Ahrendts, not as daring as Nancy to ignore Simon, briefly chatted before saying, "Simon suggested we look at your work."

"Let's go upstairs," Nancy suggested, then told Simon, "I've just discovered something I wanted to discuss with you."

Upstairs, the data analysis office was a bit messy, with various charts on the walls. The working staff curiously glanced at Simon, their boss. After greeting them warmly, he listened to Nancy's explanation.

"Blockbuster's data management system won't be upgraded until September. However, based on past data, the analysis company has started collaborating with Blockbuster, offering suggestions on logistics, storage, and management," Nancy said, handing Simon a file, "Like this, what I wanted to tell you."

Simon opened the file, a report on Blockbuster's video tape rental and sale categories, with detailed rental and sales data for each type of film.

Reviewing the file, Simon asked, "Ideas are important, but how do you ensure Blockbuster implements them without discount?"

Nancy replied, "I'm personally overseeing it, so they won't."

"You personally?" Simon raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Nancy confirmed, "Besides being a board member, I'm now Blockbuster's Senior Operations Consultant."

Simon was puzzled, "I didn't know that."

Nancy was more puzzled, "Do you need to?"

"Alright," Simon resignedly remembered Nancy's previous 'coup' at Blockbuster's management. Amidst Ahrendts' light laughter, he reminded, "When you want to oust Wayne Huizenga to be Chairman, let me know."

Nancy seriously said, "Given Blockbuster's expansion, Huizenga's capabilities might be lacking by the end of next year."

Simon, joking before, admitted defeat, "I was just kidding."

Nancy earnestly replied, "I wasn't."

Simon carefully observed the petite woman in high heels, still shorter than him, and cautiously asked, "Nancy, any plans to oust Simon Westeros?"

Nancy shook her head, "No, you're Daenerys Entertainment's 100% shareholder. Doing that would only get me ousted."

Relieved, Simon concluded, "That's good."

___________________

(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)

If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters

Read Ahead

Patreon.com/INNIT