The Tyrant Billionaire

Hardy isn't the only one leveraging connections; Caesars Palace and the Venetian have partners who are also inviting their networks, ensuring a grand and lively opening that will make headlines.

Monroe is back.

The filming ofSome Like It Hothas wrapped, with the director returning to Los Angeles for post-production. Monroe's first action upon returning was to visit Hardy.

In the bedroom…

Stroking Monroe's golden hair while leaning next to her, Hardy says, "You're the lead performer at the opening concerts for the two new Las Vegas casinos."

Monroe nodded; she was more than willing to take on the role.

"Tomorrow, I'll have the performance director meet with you. You'll need to coordinate on rehearsals, backup dancers, and the overall program effect," Hardy said.

"Alright, I'll make sure it's perfect," Monroe replied.

The next day…

Monroe returned to work mode. Not only Monroe, but Ava, Johnny, Judy Garland, and other singers had also started rehearsing.

Meanwhile, two more Hardy chain stores in Los Angeles had opened. Hardy hadn't had a chance to visit yet, but today he planned to check on them, as there were still many expansions and developments for the chain's future.

He decided to bring Taylor along.

When Hardy called Taylor, she was thrilled and got dressed immediately. She waited outside her home for Hardy, estimating the time.

While Taylor was waiting, a green convertible sped towards her. When the driver saw her, his eyes lit up, and the car screeched to a stop in front of her.

"Hey, Elizabeth! Were you waiting for me? I brought my new car to take you for a ride!" he said, tapping the car's steering wheel.

Taylor recognized the young man behind the wheel: Nicky Hilton, the eldest son of the Hilton family. She had attended a friend's birthday party recently, where Nicky had been a guest.

At the party, Nicky had been captivated by Elizabeth Taylor's beauty. He introduced himself and stuck close to her the entire night, clearly trying to flirt. Taylor, though, was no fool and quickly recognized his intentions. But these days, Taylor only had eyes for Hardy and ignored him.

In Nicky view, Elizabeth was just an actress with some fame, but nowhere near his level as an heir to a wealthy family. He believed that once Taylor knew he was a Hilton, she'd naturally warm up to him.

But he miscalculated.

Hardy was an outstanding man, just 29 years old yet already one of America's top magnates, almost on par with families like the Rockefellers and the Morgans—far beyond the Hilton family.

Besides, Nicky Hilton was merely an heir with an uncertain future.

Taylor saw him as a typical playboy: frivolous and relying on his family name to lure women, only to discard them once they'd fallen for him.

At the party, she hadn't paid him much attention. But he wouldn't give up, starting to hound her.

He sent flowers and small gifts to her regularly.

Taylor returned everything, sending them back the way they came.

Hilton even started showing up at her door, asking her out. Taylor bluntly refused, telling him she had a boyfriend and wanted him to stop bothering her. Hearing this, Nicky Hilton only laughed and said, "I don't mind stealing someone's girlfriend—as long as her boyfriend's worth the challenge."

Then he left with a smile.

Taylor and Hardy's relationship wasn't public, and due to Hardy's influence, no paparazzi dared report on it. The actors' guild, which now included reporters, kept them in line; after all, there wasn't yet a dedicated journalists' union, so no one dared cross Hardy.

Those with some sense had an inkling of Hardy's other connections. Reporters avoided covering him because they valued their lives.

Reporting that Hardy was with a movie star would be mere gossip, entertaining to some.

But the repercussions would be unbearable.

Disappearance.

Car accidents.

Drowning.

Choking on food.

Getting stabbed in broad daylight with no one the wiser.

Hardy had started out in the Mafia, and the Mafia was notorious for its unconventional means of assassination.

Only a fool would take that risk.

So Nicky Hilton didn't know that Taylor's boyfriend was Jon Hardy. If he had known, even if he had several lives, he wouldn't dare pursue Hardy's woman. He was a playboy, not an idiot.

That day, Hardy had arranged to pick Taylor up. She was waiting when Nicky Hilton showed up and spotted her at her door.

"Nicky, I told you I have a boyfriend and won't accept your advances. Please leave. I'm waiting for him to pick me up," Taylor said, moving away from Nicky.

"Oh, your boyfriend's coming? Great, I'd love to see who he is and what kind of car he drives. Let's hope it's not a black Ford," Nicky said with a smug grin.

Taylor rolled her eyes.

At that moment, a motorcade approached, led by a Ford, with a Rolls-Royce in the center.

"My boyfriend's here, and yes, it's a black Ford," Taylor said with pride.

Nicky noticed the Rolls-Royce in the middle and was taken aback by the procession. Who could command such a display, with security cars front and back? Even a presidential motorcade would have a similar setup.

Hardy hadn't intended to show off but valued safety. He had vast wealth, many women, and a bright future; he didn't want to risk anything by being careless.

Hardy, still in the car, had already seen Taylor waiting at her door, with a young man in a convertible beside her.

The car door opened partially, and Hardy's voice called out, "Taylor, hop in. Let's go."

"Sure thing!"

Taylor joyfully answered and hopped into the car.

Nicky Hilton never saw who was inside the car. After Taylor got in and the door closed, the motorcade departed.

Taylor sat next to Hardy, smiling as she held onto his arm.

"Was that guy with the sports car a friend of yours?" Hardy asked casually.

Taylor pouted, "Who would be friends with him? His name is Nicky Hilton, one of the heirs of the Hilton family. I met him at my friend's birthday party, and since then, he's been chasing me relentlessly."

"I told him I have a boyfriend, but he just laughed and said he enjoys competing with others. Later, he kept sending flowers and gifts, but I refused all of them. He even came to my house, but I sent him away."

"I think that if I mentioned your name, he'd have been scared off right away. But without your consent, I was worried that mentioning your name might have consequences, so I didn't say anything," Taylor said, glancing up at Hardy.

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