Chapter 324: A Terrifying Return on Investment

Light footsteps landed on the thin layer of snow, leaving faint footprints. Duke braved the occasional snowfall from the sky, crossed the plaza in front of the villa, and jogged into the family garden. Having just returned to New York from summer in New Zealand, he found himself unaccustomed to the harsh winter cold, feeling as if the air he inhaled was freezing his lungs.

Still, Duke pressed forward, just as he had been doing all these years.

After jogging a lap in the snow-white garden, the clouds in the sky gradually dispersed, and sunlight began to shine down. The winter sun appeared closer than usual, seeming particularly vivid and dazzling, yet its warmth seemed chilled by the snow, never truly heating up.

Running another lap around the garden, Duke returned to the villa, took the hot towel handed to him by a servant to wipe his flushed face, changed out of his snow-covered running shoes, and slipped into cotton slippers before entering the dining room. Taking today's newspaper, he skimmed through it for a while until his mother walked in from outside and sat across from him. A servant soon served breakfast.

Leah glanced at him and said, "You seem much better than a few days ago."

"I only feel relaxed when I'm home."

Duke took a big gulp of skim milk. "I feel much better now. When I was in New Zealand, I felt like a mountain was pressing down on me, and my mind was consumed with work. It was as if I had turned into a computer CPU—constantly running, unable to pause for rest."

"You're putting too much pressure on yourself."

After swallowing her food, Leah looked at Duke for a moment and said, "Darling, don't push yourself too hard."

"That's why, Mom…"

Duke focused on the eggs on his plate, a rare relaxed smile appearing on his face. "I escaped New Zealand and came home to recharge."

Leah didn't eat much, and Duke ate quickly. Breakfast ended in no time.

As they left the dining room,Leah asked, "What are your plans for today? Still hiding at home?"

"I don't feel like going out."

Duke escorted his mother to the villa's door. Before she got into the car, he added, "I'll hide at home for a few days to recharge. Right now, I don't want to do anything."

"Then let's do this, Duke."

About to step into the car, Leah turned back and said, "There's a New Year's gala tonight—an upper-class New York event, not just an ordinary party. Join me."

"No problem."

Duke agreed immediately.

Watching his mother's car drive away, Duke returned to the villa and slouched on the sofa in the living room. He picked up today's newspaper and started flipping through it.

It wasn't serious publications like The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal but rather one of New York's most gossip-filled tabloids, featuring countless stories about celebrities and socialites. One article even featured him—a photo of him entering a Wellington restaurant with Kate Beckinsale. The tabloid confidently claimed he had a new romantic interest.

Duke had never cared about such potentially true or false gossip. Reading them was merely a way to relax and stop thinking about his work in New Zealand.

Between reading, napping, and spending time in the gym, the day passed quickly. By the time his mother returned in the evening, Duke had changed into a tailored suit, his earlier casualness replaced with his usual polished demeanor.

The New Year's gala for New York's elite was held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. When Duke entered the grand ballroom arm-in-arm with his mother, it was already half full. Many faces looked familiar—business elites from financial media or heirs of prominent families.

Regardless of personal relationships, everyone greeted each other courteously and exchanged pleasantries in such formal settings.

Anyone attending such an event, even those who might not always act sensibly, would have someone level-headed accompanying them.

Though there may be individuals foolish enough to act out, the likelihood of encountering such behavior here was less than 0.1%.

For instance, Duke saw Michael Ovitz here. Godzilla had faltered against The Matrix, with box office results far below expectations, prompting Sony Columbia Pictures to halt the series. This dealt a significant blow to Ovitz's new company's first package deal. Coupled with the animosities he had accumulated during his time at CAA, it was inevitable that Ovitz harbored some resentment toward Duke.

However, the two of them behaved like old friends, warmly shaking hands and chatting as if no conflicts had ever existed.

Even figures like Larry Ellison, notorious for his antics and disdain for New York elites, remained civil here, presenting himself as a gentleman.

While many of these elites and their descendants engaged in less-than-admirable behavior in private, none would risk their reputations in public settings.

Accompanying his mother, Duke met many of New York's elite. Events like this served a clear purpose: even business tycoons needed to network and expand their circles. Deals and investments often began at such gatherings.

"Director Rosenberg…"

"Please, just call me Duke."

The person Leah had just introduced was an investment manager from Goldman Sachs. As he looked at Duke, it was as though he were staring at stacks of green bills. "Your films are practically guaranteed hits, and your investments in Titanic and Mission: Impossible were both major successes. That big ship alone must've earned you at least $300 million last year, right?"

Duke simply smiled without responding.

"When will we collaborate?"

The manager's focus shifted to investments. "Goldman Sachs is interested in funding your films or co-investing in projects you find promising. I hear you're preparing The Lord of the Rings trilogy? If you're short on funds, don't forget about Goldman Sachs."

"If I need funding, you'll be the first to know," Duke replied politely.

They had exchanged business cards earlier.

The manager, still persistent, added, "The film industry is high-risk, but Goldman Sachs trusts you. Have you thought about expanding Duke Studios? We can provide financial support."

"Any external funding would need Warner Bros.' approval."

Without hesitation, Duke shifted responsibility onto Warner Bros. "I can't make decisions alone."

Finally breaking free of the Goldman Sachs representative's persistence, Duke returned to his mother's side. While greeting others, they made their way toward the banquet area. The Waldorf Astoria's grand ballroom featured nearly a hundred oak round tables, each spaced far enough apart to allow easy mingling.

"Hey, Duke, over here!"

As they approached their table, a familiar voice called out. Duke excused himself to his mother and walked over. "Hi, Irene, didn't expect to see you here."

"You've been hiding at home these past days," Irene Lauder greeted him warmly, dressed in a short blue evening gown. "Not used to New York's winter chill?"

"Just tired and in need of rest," Duke replied with a smile before complimenting her. "You look stunning tonight."

"Thank you."

Irene gestured toward the people behind her. "Let me introduce you."

"Sure."

Following her lead, Duke was introduced to her family members:

"This is Jane, my sister."

"And this is Robert, my cousin…"

After making introductions, only the Lauder sisters remained by Duke's side.

"When's your next movie coming out?" Jane asked eagerly, her curiosity resembling that of a regular fan. "What about The Matrix sequel?"

"The new film should be out in spring…"

Before Duke could finish, Irene tugged his sleeve gently. "Your mother's calling us over."

Duke turned to see Leah waving at them. "We'll chat another time. I have to go."

After Duke left, the Lauder sisters returned to their table and began whispering, their conversation revolving around him.

"He invested in Titanic, right?" Jane asked curiously. "Irene, you're close with him. Do you know how much he made from it?"

"The returns must've been enormous…"

Initially intending to brush off the question, Irene relented under her sister's insistence. "He mentioned that by Christmas, his $50 million investment had earned $380 million from Titanic's box office and merchandise. More will come later, though not as substantial."

"Nearly an eightfold return…"

Even Jane, raised in a commercial dynasty, was stunned. "That's terrifying."

"Terrifying?" Irene remarked matter-of-factly. "Which of his film ventures hasn't been?"

On the other side of the ballroom, Duke had returned to his table and seated himself to Leah's left. "Is something wrong, Mom?"

"I wanted to introduce you to a few people."

Leah gestured to her right, where a middle-aged man with short golden-brown hair sat beside a tall, long-haired young woman. Even seated, the girl's height was striking.

Duke glanced at them and immediately recognized them as a father-daughter pair he had seen before.