The Wolf of Los Angeles.

Before the New Year, Brian hosted a reception dinner at the governor's mansion in Sacramento, inviting a large number of California's wealthy and famous people.

After years of effort, central and southern California have turned red again, more than a decade after turning from red to blue.

In the northern metropolitan area centered on San Francisco, Silicon Valley has become the latest area to gravitate towards the "red" (political) camp.

Even in Hollywood, which is heavily left-leaning, right-wing forces are rising on a large scale and beginning to rival the left.

Leonardo left his female companion and went to find Hawke alone, whispering, "I have confirmed that Harvey Weinstein has withdrawn his nominations for Best Director and Best Picture."

Hawke asked the waiter for two glasses of wine, handed one to Leonardo, and said, "Looks like you've succeeded in persuading him."

“I’m not convincing,” Leonardo said, knowing his own limitations. As he clinked glasses with Hawke, he added, “I can only use you and Twitter to increase my persuasiveness.”

This was something Hawke had already permitted. He took a sip of his drink and said, "Have you informed Tom and Eric?"

Leonardo replied, "I've already spoken to them." He paused slightly before continuing, "There's one more thing. I had my bodyguards keep an eye on some of the girls Harvey assaulted, mainly a few living in Los Angeles, and they've discovered some interesting things."

Erica, standing next to Hawke, chimed in, "Isn't it just a matter of paying them off and hiring a few actors to appease them?"

Leonardo shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon arranged to meet with a few women. Although the bodyguards couldn't hear what they were saying from a distance, judging from their actions and expressions, it was probably a threat or warning."

Erica couldn't understand: "How could he make such a choice?"

Hawke could roughly guess Harvey's mindset: "He was helpless against Leo, but those actresses were all small fry who could only fawn over him. The attitude of the higher-ups towards the lower-ups is often consistent."

Leonardo DiCaprio agreed: "It's impossible for Harvey to apologize to some actors; the environment in Hollywood dictates his stance."

Hawke said, "Keep an eye on Harvey's side."

Leonardo replied, "No problem."

“Two people of Indian descent are coming,” Erica specifically pointed out. “One is California Assemblywoman Marjorie, and I don’t know the other one.”

Hawke looked at another familiar face, vaguely remembering him. He seemed to have seen him at the World One Tower promotion event hosted by President Dong.

Marjorie had been living in Los Angeles for many years and knew Erica. Before she even got close, she took the initiative to greet her: "Hi, Erica, and Hawke too."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mary Jo introduced the girl next to her: "This is Usa Chilucuri. Her father is an exceptionally talented engineer, and her mother is the Dean of Education at the University of California, San Diego."

Usa shook hands with Erica, then looked at Hawke: "We just met in New York not long ago."

Hawke nodded slightly: "At President Dong's presentation."

Usa asked curiously, "Did you buy any property in World One?"

“Not yet,” Hawke said simply. “I will send someone to India to conduct an investigation later, and if it is suitable, I will purchase in large quantities.”

In Marjorie's eyes, Hawke, who has always cooperated closely with India, is definitely a good friend of the Indians. She added, "India will definitely not let you down. World One will surely become a landmark of Mumbai in the future."

Usa laughed: "My father bought two buildings on the 120th floor."

Erica casually praised, "You have great taste. I hope we'll have the chance to become neighbors in the future."

Marjorie quickly said, "In that case, I need to hurry and catch up."

Usa took her arm and said, "Perfect, you can live next door to us."

Both men are Indian elites in the US, and have long been influenced by media propaganda, including on Twitter. They are full of confidence in US-India relations and India's bright future.

Erica, as Hawke's companion, to some extent represented Hawke's attitude and joined the conversation, chatting enthusiastically with the two.

Someone came over and said, "Hawk, long time no see."

Hawke shook hands with the visitor: "I never expected to see you in California."

The person who greeted him was Representative Michael Johnson of Louisiana, known for his anti-gay and LGBTQ movements, and a typical conservative.

This person is secretly receiving funding from an overseas foundation of Hawke, becoming a pioneer in the anti-LGBTQ movement.

He greeted Leonardo and then highlighted the round-faced middle-aged man next to him: "This is Davis Vance, from Ohio, currently studying at Yale Law School. He's temporarily serving as a pro bono legal advisor in the organization I've established."

Davis quickly stepped forward, extended both hands to shake Hawke's, and said, "It is my honor to meet a legendary figure like you."

He went straight to the praise, while showing off his experience: "My comrades in Iraq were full of praise for the individual transport vehicles provided by West Coast Technologies, saying that they solved the transportation problems in complex areas and saved the lives of many wounded soldiers in last year's counter-terrorism operations."

Hawke recognized the guy; he was Dong Zong's former deputy.

He had previously considered having someone look for him beforehand, but he never expected the guy to show up on his own.

Following up on the other person's words, Hawke politely asked, "Did you serve in Iraq?"

“I joined the Marine Corps in 03.” Davis was very humble in front of Hawke: “I was deployed to Iraq in 05, but as a civilian officer, mainly responsible for some battlefield reporting.”

Michael Johnson praised, "Those who can go to the front lines are all warriors; war reporting often involves going deep into the front lines of combat."

Davis was quite proud of this experience, but didn't show it: "It also made me realize my shortcomings, so after I came back, I went to Yale Law School to recharge myself, hoping to serve the country more in the future."

The women who were talking heard the name Yale Law School, and Mary Jo turned over and interjected, "You study at Yale? You're an alumna of Usain's school."

Usa took two steps closer and said, "I graduated from Yale in 07."

Davis immediately chimed in, "There are actually two Yale students here."

Usa added, "I'm planning to go back to Yale to study law, and we might become classmates there."

Compared to Usa, Davis's family background was not very good. His father abandoned him after he was born, and his mother gave birth to him before graduating from high school. She later became addicted to drugs and committed theft.

It is no exaggeration to say that he came from the bottom of society.

Of all the people present, the others were too good for Davis to be worthy of.

But seeing an opportunity with Usa, he quickly approached her and struck up a conversation. Their shared interest in Yale Law School brought them closer.

When the small circle dispersed, Davis and Usa had already huddled together and found a corner to chat alone.

Davis quickly figured out that Usa came from a well-off family, with both her parents being high-income earners, and that Usa herself was currently single.

Under the allure of money, Davis found Usha's dark Indian face incredibly attractive.

Michael Johnson didn't leave; he stayed with Hawke and gestured towards Davis and Usa, saying, "Is it just my imagination, but it seems like Davis's spring has arrived."

Hawke vaguely remembered that Davis's ex-wife was apparently of Indian descent.

Could it be this Usa?

He said, "Davis knows how to seize opportunities."

Michael Johnson considered for a moment and said, “That’s right. I was doing an event in New Haven, Connecticut, and Davis offered himself up and became a part-time pro bono legal counsel.”

Hawke had some ideas and asked, "How is this person at work?"

Michael Johnson knew more: "A pragmatist, he had intended to work as an office assistant for Bob Schuler of the Donald Party before working for me, but he immediately changed his mind after seeing my recruitment notice because the Elephant Party was now more powerful."

Hawke had read news about this person in his previous life. He was once one of the most vehement critics of President Dong, but when faced with the prospect of personal gain, he quickly changed his stance, becoming not only President Dong's deputy but also constantly acting like a brainless fanboy.

These are all illusions, seemingly mindless praise, but in reality, they are cunning.

Some things in the political arena are similar to those in Hollywood—to rise to the top, you must first learn to bow down and curry favor with powerful figures.

Hawke said softly, "Idealists can make empty promises, but it takes pragmatists to actually get things done."

Michael Johnson completely agreed: "That's why I intentionally focused on developing him and brought him to such an important occasion."

Hawke had no idea if there was any shady deal between the two, since even if they valued each other, they wouldn't have brought them along specifically and introduced them to him and Brian.

Michael Johnson added, "This guy has a lot of drive. I just need to explain my purpose, and he'll find a way to accomplish it."

"Sounds like a good guy." Hawke's mind was preoccupied with how to use this guy's drive and enthusiasm to take a bite out of President Dong.

If these two were to fight, it would surely be a very exciting match.

Hawke, lost in thought about these random things, ended his conversation with Michael Johnson.

Erica, having also gotten rid of Marjorie, returned from the other side, quite moved: "The Indians have a very good impression of you and consider you a good friend of India."

“Not a good friend, but someone who can take advantage of you.” Hawke understands the Indian mindset: “They think they can get countless benefits from me, including money and technology.”

Erica looked around and, seeing that no one was around, lowered her voice: "Actually, all you want is their deposit."

Hawke said frankly, "The profit margin on deposits is already quite high."

He waved slightly to his side and behind him, and when Raul came over, he quietly pointed to Davis Vance and said, "Keep an eye on that guy, and also notify Campos to gather information about him and check on his daily life."

Raul nodded slightly and stepped back.

Erica asked curiously, "Is there something special about this person?"

Hawke replied, "We might need it later."

Erica didn't ask any more questions.

At such banquets, socializing and networking are always the main themes.

People came and went around Hawke and Erica, and there was no time to stop.

Erica felt her face was about to freeze from smiling, while the guy opposite her, whom Musk called the world's number one pimp, was still talking non-stop.

"My girlfriend Priscilla is from the East and has taught me a lot about Eastern philosophy. I've also learned to speak fluent Eastern languages ​​from her and her family." Zuckerberg said to Hawke, outlining his next plan: "After the New Year, before the Eastern New Year arrives, I'll go to the East with Priscilla and try to open up the Eastern market."

Hawke looked slightly surprised: "You plan to promote Sugar Baby in the East?"

Zuckerberg nodded repeatedly and said, "The mainstream media in North America are all praising the Indian market right now, but I think the Eastern market has greater potential. If Tangbao.com can penetrate the Eastern market, the website will gain hundreds of millions more users."

This is pure fantasy. Hawke advised, "Have you considered the market and policy issues over there?"

“I have seriously considered it, but there is no hope if you don’t do it. Only by doing it can you know if it will work.” Zuckerberg is also a man of action. He won’t give up until he sees it for himself: “I haven’t personally investigated that market yet. It involves hundreds of millions of potential users. I will not give up as long as there is even a glimmer of hope.”

People who succeed in a certain industry have their own stubborn side, and Hawke doesn't offer advice like, "Good luck."

Zuckerberg was full of confidence: "I hope this time it will be a success."

Hawke, of course, wouldn't dampen his enthusiasm, saying, "If you can succeed, Twitter can also expand into that market in the future."

Zuckerberg addressed Hawke in a pleasant tone: "Then let me be your trailblazer."

Since its listing on Nasdaq, SugarBaby's stock price has been steadily rising, and the website has attracted more and more SugarBabies and SugarDaddys.

Many emerging artists from Sheng Gu have broken away from the traditional contract model with major studios and opened personal columns on the Tangbao website to publish their unique works.

The best among them earn far more than the top artists under the traditional Sacred Valley model.

Brian was busy with social engagements, but he finally had time to come over and chat with Hawke in the break room for a few minutes: "The news from Washington is that Tom Emer may be launching a targeted operation against the Walker family."

Hawke was not surprised, saying, "Peterson Consulting has told me that the root of the conflict between the two can be traced back to George Walker's reneging on his promise to Tom Emmer after his second term was elected, by appointing another ally, Rice, as Secretary of State."

Brian said, "All these years have passed, and he still hasn't let it go."

“Both of us have had many dealings with Tom; he’s not a magnanimous person.” Then again, if it were Hawke, he wouldn’t have tolerated it either, and asked, “What does Paul think?”

Brian had spoken with his grandfather: "For now, let's just observe their fight." (End of Chapter)