Chapter 152

"$10 million, what a squander. My father founded Motorola in 1928 and it took 60 years, and the Galvin family is a small fortune, but it's still hard for me to imagine how a party can cost $10 million, which is as ridiculous as Westeros made more than a billion dollars in just a few months. I think the first thing the Brady Commission should investigate is Simon Westeros, and if we find out about it, we will probably understand the cause of last year's stock market crash. ”

"Mr. Galvin, all of Westeros' transaction records for the last year have been made public, and no one has found any irregularities. ”

"Jim, do you really believe the data in the media?"

"All I can say is that, Mr. Galvin, I didn't see that another completely different piece of relevant information had been published. With over a billion dollars involved, I'm sure the FBI must have vetted Westeros very closely. If Westeros' last year's trade was really irregular, he might now be in jail for his 20th birthday. ”

"I still don't think he's innocent, otherwise it would have been the saddest event in the history of federal finance. With so many people working hard all their lives, generations may not be able to accumulate much wealth. That young man only took five months, can you imagine? Five months event, $1.6 billion," said Motorola Chairman Robert Galvin on the TV screen, his tone became more and more agitated, and he gestured, "and then he began to do nonsense, like a bastard who suddenly inherited a large inheritance, wantonly bought planes and mansions, and spent $10 million at a time for a birthday party." ”

"Mr. Galvin, compared to many other celebrities, Westeros is still very low-key. Moreover, the 20th birthday is still worth celebrating. “

"Westeros could have done something more meaningful, he was an orphan and everybody knew it, he grew up with the support of the federal social welfare system. But now, no one sees him trying to give back to the country, to the people who paid taxes to provide him with food, shelter and education. I've heard that a lot of charities have tried to contact him, but none of them have received a response. His indifference to philanthropy is simply chilling. ”

"Mr. Galvin, can I assume that you are simply holding a grudge for Westeros for selling Motorola stock. As far as I know, before Simon Westeros' sell-off, Motorola shares were trading at $75, but in recent months, that number has been hovering around $60. On the contrary, many of Westeros' holdings have continued to rise during this time. Also, I've heard that you've been attacked by the company's board of directors and may resign in the near future. ”

"No, no, of course these are not true. Motorola's share price did get disrupted by the Westeros sell-off, but that didn't affect our company's performance, with Motorola making a net profit of more than $300 million for the whole of last year. The stock price is only temporary, and it can create profits for shareholders, which is the foundation of a company. Also, about me personally, I'm 66 years old this year, and I was already thinking about retirement before that, and this matter has nothing to do with the Westeros sell-off. ”

“......”

“......”

Inside the mansion in Malibu, it was already noon the next day.

Janet walked into Simon's study, listened to a few words of interview with Robert Galvin, chairman of Motorola, on the TV, and waited for Simon, who was on the phone, to hang up the line, then picked up the remote control and turned off the TV, saying, "You like to hear people talk about you in person?"

Since this morning, both the mainstream media and the gossip tabloids have been discussing Simon's birthday party last night with all kinds of eye-catching headlines.

Pat Kingsley called in the morning to report some media developments that Simon needed to know, and finally laughed that she would be busy and calm the impact of this party for a long time to come.

Simon sat behind his desk writing something in his notebook, and said with a smile: "Knowing that there are still people in this world who hate you is still very motivating." Your brother has arrived?"

Janet leaned back on the desk, leaned forward slightly, and said, "In a few minutes, I'll come over to see if you're done calling." ”

"It's done," Simon nodded, and explained casually: "Amy called, the Writers Guild of America publicly launched a strike vote this morning, and this year's strike is definitely inevitable." ”

Today is February 23rd, and the date of the writers' strike as Simon remembers is March 7th. However, the strike of the Writers Guild of America naturally cannot be decided by the GA top management at will, and it also needs to be voted by members, because GA members distributed in North America and even overseas need to send their votes by mail, a process that usually takes two weeks.

Janet listened with obvious interest, and when Simon got up, she took the man's arm and was about to leave the study, but she pointed to the TV on the wall and said, "Just now, I think you should also set up some charitable funds or something, even if it's for show." This kind of thing is always unavoidable, otherwise there will definitely be more people attacking you with this matter in the future. ”

Because of some things in his memory, Simon was indeed very cold about charity, but at this time he did not object to Janet's suggestion, and said: "Okay, let's call Simon Janet Foundation, you can help me take care of it." ”

Janet shook her head and said, "No, it should be the Simon Janet Westeros Foundation." ”

"Well, the noun is a little longer so that it can be noticed. ”

"Hehe, that's not what I meant. ”

The two laughed and went to the villa kitchen, and just brought the prepared lunch into the dining room, the doorbell was already ringing.

Simon and Janet went out to greet them together, although they didn't feel special beforehand, but when they really saw Janet's family, Simon was inevitably a little restrained.

Anthony Johnston looked a little older than his actual age, wore a crisp gray suit, was about Simon's height, had a short beard on his face, and some features between his eyebrows that clearly showed that he was in the family with Janet.

After hugging Janet, Anthony Johns shook Simon's hand gently, and then took out a gift to congratulate Simon on his 20th birthday: "I could have arrived yesterday, but a business partner in London had to postpone it until now, Simon, happy birthday." ”

"Thanks, Tony, let's go inside, lunch is ready. ”

The three of them walked towards the villa together, but Janet unceremoniously took the gift box from Simon's hand, opened it as she walked, took out the watch in the box and looked at it carefully, before she was satisfied: "It's not bad, Dad's collection." I thought you'd pick up a gift at the airport. ”

Anthony Johnston listened to his sister's ridicule, but said to Simon: "I should often have a headache with Jenny, she likes to play pranks too much." ”

Simon smiled and said, "It's okay." ”

Janet was a little dissatisfied with Simon's ambiguous answer, and said, "What do you mean by 'okay'?"

"It's just that I get headaches once in a while, not so often. ”

Janet scratched Simon's arm dissatisfiedly: "If you want, I'll give you a headache every day in the future." ”

Although the Johnston family had received a lot of information about Simon and Simon and Janet's personal relationship through Neil Bennett and Ken Dixon in advance, Anthony Johnston was truly relieved when he noticed the intimacy between his sister and the young man that was unconsciously revealed.

After a brief fixation, the three of them sat down in the dining room.

The atmosphere at lunch was very relaxed, and everyone just chatted casually about various trivial matters.

After lunch, Anthony Johnston suggested talking to Simon alone, and the two of them went together to the terrace by the sea on the edge of the cliff.

The mansion is located on the west side of Cape Dume Park, standing by the balustrade of the terrace and looking out, in addition to the beautiful sea view in front of you, there is also a sharp corner not far from the left-hand side.

Anthony Johnston looked at the sharp corner of the cliff and said, "A good location for a mansion." ”

Simon smiled and said, "State park." ”

Anthony shook his head slightly and said, "Simon, for us, there is nothing that we can't get. ”

Simon hesitated slightly, then nodded, and said, "Okay, I'll find a way to take it down, it's really suitable for building a manor." Jianjiao Manor, well, this name doesn't seem to be appropriate, since it is Dume Point Park, it will be called Dume Point Manor in the future. ”

Anthony glanced at Simon and said, "You've been fancy that piece of land for a long time, haven't you?"

Simon admits: "It's just been a little hesitant. ”

Anthony smiled, but suddenly changed the subject: "Simon, do you remember the message of your parents?"

Simon was stunned, shook his head, and said, "I don't remember." ”

Anthony thought about it and seemed to hesitate, but he said quickly: "I don't know why, the first time I saw your photo, I had a certain feeling, just saw you in person, this feeling is even clearer." However, I can't say what that feeling is. It seems like we've met before, but it's certainly not possible, you should have been in San Francisco all the time before you came to Los Angeles two years ago, but I've only been to San Francisco three times since I was a kid. ”

"It's probably just a sense of déjà vu, and a lot of people feel that way. ”

"Maybe," Anthony nodded, "Actually, I hired a detective company to investigate your parents' information, I mean possible information, I don't have any malicious intentions, I hope you don't mind." However, none of these investigations were conclusive. When you were 5 years old, you were picked up by a police officer on the side of the road and sent to a welfare home, but there was no record of your identity until you were 5 years old. Do you remember before you were 5 years old?"

Simon didn't mind, he was actually very curious about his past, and if the Johnston family could find out, then he wouldn't have to waste any more experience.

At this time, hearing Anthony's question, Simon shook his head and said, "No, or, very vague, I can't remember it at all." ”

"Forget it, it is said that there have been people who claim that it was your parents who tried to recognize you, and you have not responded. I don't think you have any thoughts of looking for your parents. Anthony said, suddenly looking at Simon again, and said, "Do you hate them?"

Simon shook his head: "I don't know them at all, how can I hate?"

"So, I'm curious, what drove you to be who you are?" Anthony asked another question: "You know, without enough ideas, it is very difficult for a person who lives at the bottom of society to be where you are now, and most of them are more likely to just go with the flow or get worse." ”

"I haven't thought about it, Tony," Simon said, shaking his head, "If you really want an answer, maybe it's just that I want to be better, better than most." ”

"It still doesn't make sense," Anthony said, "but since you don't want to explain, I won't ask more." Actually, the only thing I care about when you come over today is when you plan to marry my sister, of course, this is actually the thing that my parents are most concerned about, they don't want two old girls in our family who can't get married. ”

Simon subconsciously said, "Two?"

Anthony was stunned and smiled, "I'...... There is also an aunt who is my grandfather's daughter and my father's sister. It's just a little younger than me. You should know, right?"

Simon nodded and said, "She, well, Jenny and I mentioned it, isn't she married?"

"Now that Jenny has mentioned it to you, she must have revealed something more to you. My little aunt has never been married, and even, well, you'll know when you see her later. My dad always thought that Jenny might have been influenced by my little aunt to keep her boyfriend from it. Anthony said and asked again, "So, when are you going to marry Jenny?"

Simon was not disgusted, and said: "As long as Jenny wants, she can do it at any time, and I don't resist this kind of thing." ”

"Then try to complete this within two years," Anthony was not polite, and said decisively: "You should know that Janet is 28 years old this year, and her parents hope that she can get married before the age of thirty." ”

......

"Now that Jenny has mentioned it to you, she must have revealed something more to you. My little aunt has never been married, and even, well, you'll know when you see her later. My dad always thought that Jenny might have been influenced by my little aunt to keep her boyfriend from it. Anthony said and asked again, "So, when are you going to marry Jenny?"

Simon was not disgusted, and said: "As long as Jenny wants, she can do it at any time, and I don't resist this kind of thing." ”

"Then try to complete this within two years," Anthony was not polite, and said decisively: "You should know that Janet is 28 years old this year, and her parents hope that she can get married before the age of thirty." ”