Forbes had been rankirepreneurs as part of an exclusive roster for years, highlighting the status and fame they represented and their value as some of the wealthiest individuals in the Uates. Billy’s position on the list was somewhat irregur due to the private trol his pany maintaihat afternoon, as Billy held Moni his arms and filled her with promises, one phrase lingered in his mind: “You’ll never want for anything.” It was a vow he inteo fulfill, with past mistakes as lessons for the care he’d lost over time.

  -None of that matters. - Billy murmured, kissing his lover’s . Monica leaned against him, naked and shy, basking in the prote and tenderness of a man who had once seemed ready to leave her, but now sought to shower her with love and passion. She allowed herself to be carried along, uain about the future. She was not good at predig what love might bring or navigating the emotional intricacies of others.

  -So, you’ll take me on a tour of Engnd this summer? - she asked, surprised.

  -I will. Two weeks. I’ll speak with my assistant tahe trip. And yes, it’ll just be the two of us. But as I’ve said, I’ll be sed filming for quite some time, probably until year. - Billy replied.

  -Do you have to leave? - Monica whispered.

  -I do. There’s so much to handle. I o visit some panies personally. I’ve ed the gamierprise and now it seems to operate without me. They’re creating projects, adhering to my formats, and developing their owiating strong tracts for the children’s el partnerships is also on the agenda. - Billy tightened his embrace around her. It was his unique rhythm, a mix of trated focus aless effort, aced t until he was utterly drained. We, like this, seemed deceptive, almost like a lie.

  Such was the nature of his work.

  …

  As he waited for his flight, the modern design of Rome’s airport struck him, bustling with travelers. He spotted his image in a magazine—shining as the new sports magh an overview of his wealth. While not immediately visible to many, his stant transas had drawn attention. Forbes calcuted that the bined value of his four sports teams totaled at least 600 million. Or so they cimed.

  It seemed Forbes’ math was desigo put a pri his fortune, but bas and tax obligations added plexity. His iment portfolio, including stock acquisitions, was far less transparent.

  In a ret interview, Forbes asked Anne Halle, his right-hand woman, about Billy’s ventures in the sports world and his new project to struct a tennis stadium. Her response was firm and bold, den with meaning: “We simply do what we must. As phinthropists, oal is to improve lives by encing people to pursue what they love—from the young to the elderly.”

  -Anne moves fast. - Billy muttered, notig that she likely already had a sports plex in development near San Jose, where his proposed athletic facilities were based.

  Anne, pregnant, crossed his mind fleetingly. He resisted the urge to call her, but a versation with her was iable. Her ash-blonde hair, rounded cheeks, and toned figure pyed on his thoughts.

  …

  He arrived in Los A 5:00 a.m. on Monday, the weight of the journey a g pressing on his shoulders. The tie he wore felt like a sed skin, though he sidered switg to bow ties in the ing months, having received a simplistic yet stylish colle from a sponsor.

  Jim Waiit was waiting at the entrah a coffee in hand.

  -We have a lot to discuss. I iated the Titanitract. Asked for a 10 million sary and secured a 7.5% share of the box offistead, just as you suggested. There’s also a cuse that waives the sary if the movie doesn’t break even. I emphasized you’re not someone who does things halfway and will give your best to the project. - Jim reported as Billy sipped the coffee with satisfa. A pertage of the box office was the sweetest reward.

  -Additionally, they’ll pay you ara 500,000 if you handle promotional efforts through your projects. - Jim added.

  Billy proposed writing a book and using his ics for promotion. His ic sales, particurly in Spanish-speaking markets, were well-known in various outlets. Including a dedicated page for the film was innovative. He envisioned branding partnerships for the uping seasons.

  -Let Anne know we’ll dedicate a single, meaningful page to this. Let the brands fight over the opportunity. - Billy said.

  -You’ll o deliver the book by October for the editors and producers to approve it. - Jim reminded him.

  -I’ve thought about creating an illustrated version. I’ll design some of the settings and key ses myself. Maybe ten drawings to add spirit to the book. - Billy added.

  Jim shifted the topic.

  -Arnon Mil has a new projeight like. I spoke with him and suggested you’d be a great fit for one ency’s uping films. Thanks to your rapport with Al Pao, he agreed to take a role. The film could be a surprise hit. -

  -What’s the catch? - Billy asked.

  -Sary. They’re 3 million. The budget is 50 million, but most of it is allocated to sets and locations. Produ is scheduled for year, giving you enough time to finish Titanic. -

  -Do you like the film? - Billy asked.

  -It’s excellent. Devil’s Advocate has all the elements of a major award tender. It’s a different tohan the romantic lead you’ll py in Titanic. - Jim remarked.

  Billy’s eyes lit up. A great movie could elevate his career, and he could always earn money elsewhere. His growing filmography would secure him future opportunities.

  -I’ll have to read the script. If the film is even half-det, I’ll take it. - Billy said, finishing his coffee. They got into a car to meet with Arnon Mil. Later, Billy would rehearse with Kate, who was brimming with energy. Filming was likely to begi month.

  -You’ll enjoy this project. There are other films oable, but we’ll discuss them ter. year looks like it’s shaping up to be a big one for movies. - Jim noted, how the industry seemed to be pig up momentum with numerous major produs on the horizon.

  ...