Hunting in Hollywood

After cuddling for a while and waiting for the rehearsal on the runway to end, Sophia let go of Simon and said, "I really have something else to do. It's a meeting next door in the office area."

Simon nodded and replied, "Go ahead, I'll sit here for a while."

Sophia didn't get up immediately, instead, she looked towards the eager girls nearby and asked, "Are you coming to the opening cocktail party for Fashion Week tonight?"

What she truly wanted to know was whether he would appear at the villa by Lake Como tonight.

Simon replied without hesitation, "Definitely. Actually, I usually don't get involved with women I'm not familiar with."

As he spoke, he gently kissed her on the cheek.

Having just embraced her, it was one thing; being kissed by Simon suddenly made Sophia somewhat embarrassed, remembering the gazes from nearby, she couldn't help feeling a bit proud.

However, as she was about to leave, Sophia couldn't help but ask, "Really?"

A hint of girlish annoyance tinged her voice.

"Of course. I wouldn't want to risk a spring night fling and then have a woman frequently discuss my performance in bed or even write a few books about it in the media. That would be embarrassing. So, my preference for older women isn't without reason—they are smarter and know when to advance or retreat."

Sophia teased, "Sounds like you're explaining something."

"Yes, I am explaining that I really don't have any complexes about this."

"But everyone thinks that explaining is just covering up."

Simon looked at Sophia's convinced expression and could only show a helpless smile.

"You seem more like a seasoned playboy than a naive young man," Sophia quickly changed the subject, raising her hand as if to touch Simon's face but ultimately didn't reach out, instead she asked, "Are you really only 23 years old?"

"Actually, I'm 500 years old."

"And you have another name called 'Dracula'?"

"Now that you know my secret, I'll have to silence you tonight."

Sophia rolled her eyes at Simon and finally stood up, "I have to go now, see you tonight."

Simon smoothed the slightly curled hem of her blazer as she had just sat down, saying, "See you tonight."

As Sophia's figure disappeared at the entrance of the runway, a group of eager young women nearby quickly gathered together.

Everyone knew about Sophia's relationship with Simon, and if Sophia hadn't left, they wouldn't dare do this.

This young billionaire was too far out of their reach, and Sophia could get them fired with a single phone call. But since Sophia had left, they didn't want to miss this opportunity.

"Hi, Simon."

"May I sit here?"

"My name is Jasmine Gary, and uh, Simon, you can understand French, right?"

"..."

Amidst the babble, the amphitheater seating around Simon was soon surrounded by seven or eight young women, with the slower ones seeing no space left by Simon's side, giving up on joining in.

The seat on Simon's left was taken by a long-legged young woman introduced by Sophia as 'Naga'.

Because of his extensive memory, Simon knew that this woman, Naga Orman, was one of the more famous models from the nineties. Though she had legs that had set a Guinness World Record, she hadn't reached the status of a 'supermodel.'

On his right was a woman of Asian descent, with a look reminiscent of a golden-age actress from Hong Kong, named Jasmine Gary.

Simon also remembered this model.

Having an extensive memory was one of the biggest perks.

Once everyone had settled in and introduced themselves, Naga Orman, sitting next to Simon, clearly intended to drape her arm around his but hesitated and instead asked in broken English, "Simon, what have you been busy with lately?"

"I just came back from the 'Wonder Woman' film set, and after watching your show tomorrow, I'll head back to Los Angeles."

Hearing 'Wonder Woman,' the women's eyes filled with envy.

'Wonder Woman's leading actress, previously just a third-tier model with little fame, had skyrocketed after being chosen by Simon Westeros.

It was rumored that since a few years ago, Simon Westeros had been grooming Famke Jansen to play Wonder Woman, a privilege that could make most struggling actors green with envy.

With the success of the 'Batman' series, also part of the DC Movie Universe, there was no doubt that Famke Jansen would rise to become a top Hollywood actress upon the release of 'Wonder Woman.'

Thinking of this, the women's gazes grew even more eager.

Modeling, even for the top fraction, isn't as glamorous as outsiders might imagine.

To maintain their fame long-term, even supermodels like Cindy Crawford or Linda Evangelista often needed to attach themselves to singing stars and become trophies by their side. Moreover, models can't

 compare to actors in terms of career longevity or personal income.

Many actresses had modeling experience before gaining fame, but it's unheard of for any actress to continue modeling after becoming famous.

After all, in the fashion and entertainment industry, models are just at the very bottom of the pyramid.

As for the man in front of them.

He was probably beyond the scope of any pyramid, more like someone who commanded the building of pyramids.

As Simon finished speaking, Jasmine Gary on the other side took up the conversation, still fluently in French, "Sounds like you're quite busy."

Simon smiled and looked at the Asian woman next to him, asking, "Where are you from?"

Jasmine Gary paused, then said, "I grew up in Canada, so I'm Canadian. But, well, my ancestors are from South Asia."

Jasmine Gary clearly wanted to conceal her background, but that didn't stop others from undercutting her.

Naga Orman, displeased that Jasmine had just stolen her spotlight, added sourly, "Pakistan."

In the modeling world, pedigree is important, and those with noble lineage are usually more favored. If not, they often need to craft a public image of noble quality in the media.

If a model claims she's from 'Pakistan,' many people's first reaction might be that she's a refugee.

Even if they might sympathize verbally, their true thoughts could be very different.

Jasmine Gary glared at the woman on the other side of Simon. If it weren't for Simon Westeros being right there, she might have wanted to pull her hair out in frustration.

Of course.

That was just wishful thinking.

Outwardly, she just made a suitable pitiful expression, cautiously looking at Simon.

She had suffered from her background all her life, only hoping that the man beside her wouldn't show too much disdain.

Simon naturally didn't have the deep-seated racial notions typical of Westerners. Hearing she was from 'Pakistan,' he even felt a strange kinship, knowing what the woman next to him was worried about, and smiled, "I really liked your runway style earlier, and I've always wanted to visit Asia. Unfortunately, I can't find the time."

Normally, this would be the moment to volunteer as a tour guide.

Unfortunately, since Jasmine Gary had grown up in Canada and felt a certain repulsion towards the country she had no memories of, she couldn't bring herself to say such things.

However, she felt grateful that Simon was trying to help her out.

After Simon's comment, the conversation with the women around him continued, switching between English, German, French, Russian, and Spanish, impressing them further. They realized that this young magnate's success was clearly no fluke.

Once the rehearsal was over, Gucci's work here was technically done.

These models were not as free as they seemed.

In fact, apart from the very top echelon, most models during the busiest Fashion Weeks work over ten hours a day: auditioning, fitting, rehearsing, makeup, dashing between venues, and more. What presents as just minutes before an audience actually demands hundreds of times more effort behind the scenes.

The models who hadn't gathered around Simon had already started to leave, knowing well what mattered more.

If they could catch Simon Westeros' eye, losing all their jobs at Fashion Week wouldn't matter.

Not to reach the level of Famke Jansen in 'Wonder Woman'—even achieving Cindy Crawford's status would be a dream come true for them.

It was reported that just from her brief cameo in this summer's blockbuster 'Batman: The Dark Knight', Cindy Crawford had launched a line of action figures that netted millions of dollars.

Moreover, that supermodel wasn't a core actress in the DC Movie Universe and hadn't signed a strict contract with Warner Brothers, so she got a significant cut from the action figure sales.

Most models don't even earn a million dollars over their entire careers, and their income might be less stable than that of ordinary salaried workers.

In short, the young man beside them could elevate them from the bottom to the pinnacle of the pyramid with just a gesture.

After a week of continuous activity, Simon also relished some rare downtime, surrounded by beauties, his patience was plentiful.

The conversation moved through fashion, music, movies, and more. Naga Orman suddenly said, "Speaking of which, Simon, I'm a big fan of your films, 'Run Lola Run', 'Pulp Fiction', and those you scripted—I've seen them all. So, could you sign an autograph for me?"

Jasmine Gary seized the opportunity for a 'counterattack', turning to speak fluent English, "Naga, you speak English so poorly, can you even understand them?"

"Ha ha."

A burst of laughter followed.

Naga Orman had just switched to German to speak with Simon and now had to reply in clumsy English, "Can't I watch the dubbed versions?"

"Are you sure Simon's movies even

 have dubbed versions?"

"How could Simon's movies not have dubbed versions?"

Simon, listening to the playful banter, intervened just in time, "Alright, alright, you want an autograph, right? Hmm, who has a pen?"

The women hurriedly searched their purses, producing various eyebrow pencils and lipsticks.

Simon picked an eyebrow pencil, playfully sizing up Naga Orman for a moment, then asked, "Where should I sign?"

"On the face."

Jasmine Gary immediately responded.

She realized that Simon seemed to enjoy their bantering.

The one thing Naga Orman was most insecure about was her looks; hearing this, she retorted, "Why not sign on your chest? It's so flat there, nothing to worry about."

"How do you know I don't have anything?"

Jasmine Gary wasn't shy; she even deliberately leaned toward Simon to prove she wasn't lacking.

Simon continued to keep the mood light, "Let's sign on my favorite part then—Naga's legs are beautiful."

"Simon, my legs are beautiful too."

"Yes, mine as well."

As it was just a rehearsal, the models were dressed casually. Naga Orman wore a crop top with tight jeans, showcasing her perfect figure.

Hearing Simon compliment her legs, she posed provocatively, bringing her long legs closer.

But the problem quickly resurfaced.

Simon, holding the eyebrow pencil, gestured a few times and said, "These are jeans, not legs."

"Naga, Simon means you should take off your pants."

"Uh, don't eavesdrop on people's thoughts—it's unladylike."

"Ha ha."

Another round of laughter.

If Simon Westeros asked, Naga Orman wouldn't mind stripping off her jeans; the nature of her modeling career meant she wasn't shy about showing off her body. However, it would be foolish to do so in front of a crowd of women.

Yet, Westeros clearly wanted to sign directly on her legs.

After hesitating, she looked at Simon, ready to let him decide.

If he asked her to strip, she would.

Of course, Simon wouldn't go that far. After thinking it over, he asked, "Would you mind turning these jeans into shorts?"

Without a second thought, Naga Orman nodded, "Sure."

This was Gucci's Milan headquarters, where scissors and even tailors were readily available.

With a quick instruction, a staff member brought scissors and transformed Naga Orman's jeans into shorts on the spot, revealing a pair of enviably pale, long legs.

Naga Orman boldly placed her legs on Simon's lap, leaning back with her hands supporting her as she let him proceed.

Simon pondered for a moment before carefully sketching on the woman's leg.

A few moments later, two playful Chinese characters appeared on Naga Orman's thigh.

"Wow, it's beautiful."

"Simon, are those Chinese characters? What do they mean?"

Simon, pleased with his artwork, examined it for a moment, added a few strokes, and finally added 'S.W' in cursive letters below the two characters before explaining to the curious women around him, "Two words—one means 'leg', and the other means 'elf'."

Together, of course, they meant—'leg elf'.

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