America: My Time

Chapter 1332 The warmth and warmth of human relationships
Chapter 1322 The Coldness and Warmth of Human Relationships

“John, if you have something to do, just leave. There’s no need to worry about what’s going on here!” Justin carefully reminded John, not wanting him to put the important matter aside just to save face.

Hearing this, John smiled calmly and said, "Uncle, don't worry, there won't be any problems. Do you think I'm so stupid as to let my own interests suffer? This draft is just a small matter. Would I let a small matter affect the big matter over there? Actually, this kind of accident is good. At least I can stay out of it, and all the pressure will fall on Soros. Let's continue. The more this is the case, the more I need to cooperate with their actions."

As he spoke, a faint smile appeared on John's face. If this accident hadn't happened, he would have had a little trouble, but now that such an accident had occurred, he had no trouble at all, everything would be simple, and he wouldn't need to have so many worries. Moreover, even if something happened in Southeast Asia, or even if something happened between South Korea and Japan, it wouldn't concern him, since he was still in Russia!
"Uncle, I've noticed you've been staring at that beautiful woman. You haven't fallen for her at first sight, have you? Is it really necessary to be so crazy?" John changed the subject, not wanting to discuss the Asian financial crisis or the actions of Soros and his ilk at this time and in this place, as it wasn't appropriate to talk about it here.

"You're absolutely right, I did fall for her at first sight, and now I'm going to pursue her!"

Upon hearing his uncle's answer, John couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. This was the romance of French men—a romance of being fickle, and with such ridiculous reasons. However, John didn't see anything wrong with it. He could tell from Eugenia Volodina's expression that she was no pushover either. Someone who could walk this path couldn't be ignorant. As long as she knew her uncle's identity, she wouldn't refuse. After all, only a fool would refuse. Someone who could embark on this modeling career had naturally prepared beforehand; otherwise, she wouldn't have earned the title of "Queen of the Golden Dragon." Anyone who truly believed she achieved fame so easily without paying any price was a fool.

And then there's Natalia Vodianova. The more you understand how ruthless this industry is, the more you realize the price these women pay for their fame. She married a British aristocrat not long after entering the European modeling world—that was the price. She used his status and position to gain resources and even protection, allowing her to grow step by step from weakness, before finally experiencing new changes.

You can understand all this just from that simple experience. After all, there is no love without a reason, and even if she is very beautiful, how could she succeed without a backer or background? How could she succeed without paying a price?

"John, aren't you tempted? That beautiful woman has been staring at you the whole time; she seems interested in you!"

John shook his head and said, "Do you think I have to be attracted to her? Why should I care? If she wants to use me as a stepping stone, she's overthinking it. She is indeed very beautiful, but beauty doesn't mean I'll necessarily like her."

“I know you like Asian beauties, after all, you’re surrounded by Asian beauties.” At this moment, Justin, the younger brother, expressed the opinion of many people. Not only did people in the United States think so, but even those who had been paying attention to and even studying John thought so.

"No, you're overthinking it, or rather, you're all overthinking it. I like any beautiful woman, but liking someone doesn't mean I have to get her. Besides, I don't have that much energy to waste on these things. You only see the side I'm intentionally showing. How do you know I won't do anything else?"

John shook his head again. It wasn't that he disliked these European beauties, but rather that he didn't like their personalities. They valued profit above all else, and they made it all very public. He worried that women with too much scheming would disrupt his backing and cause him a lot of trouble.

"Alright, let's not talk about my preferences. If you like that beauty, then go for it. One more of her won't make a difference; it's a good resource for the company. Don't let her get eliminated, that would be embarrassing! She's got a strong personality, but right now her performance isn't very popular!" John didn't want to continue this topic, so he reminded his uncle that Eugenia's current performance wasn't well-received, and she could easily be eliminated. Beauty isn't that important in modeling competitions, and there are plenty of beautiful women in this industry!
Meanwhile, things weren't peaceful in the United States either. As Christie Turlington took control of Victoria's Secret, the beauties whose contracts were about to expire felt the pressure and all sought her out.

"Christie, does Victoria's Secret have given up on us? We've had a long-standing relationship!" Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista approached Christie Turlington, hoping to turn things around!

“Cindy, this isn’t my decision, it’s John’s. It’s precisely because you’ve been Victoria’s Secret Angels for too long that the audience has become tired of you. That’s why we’re making changes. Not only will you Victoria’s Secret Angels not renew your contracts, but we won’t be inviting any of the previous models either. We need fresh blood. In recent years, besides changes in the clothing and the order of appearance, has there been any change in the personnel at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show? Don’t think John is unhappy; even I think you’ve gone too far. Suppressing newcomers isn’t like this. And some people are so arrogant that they’re even suppressing newcomers from Elite Model Management. Do you think there’s no problem with that?”

As soon as Christie Turlington finished speaking, Cindy Crawford couldn't help but smile bitterly. She knew it was true. In recent years, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show had indeed not changed much, and the participants were almost all fixed. Behind this were many vested interests, and these people had indeed gone a bit too far.

“Christie, aren’t you going to leave us any mercy?” Linda Evangelista was also a little dissatisfied. After all, this decision would have a significant impact on them, reducing their income considerably. Without the attention from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, their influence would be weakened, and they would be replaced by newcomers. “I have no choice. If this were a decision I could make, I would naturally give you face, given our friendship. But this isn’t a decision I can make, so I’m powerless to change it. If you’re not satisfied, you can complain to John. As long as he agrees, everything will be fine. And if you don’t believe me, you can ask Claudia Schiffer and Jennifer Connelly; they were both there and heard John’s decision!”

Just as Christie Turlington steered the conversation toward John, and just as she was about to have Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista ask Claudia Schiffer for information, the beautiful woman appeared.

Why go to Claudia Schiffer? Because they have a relationship and still keep in touch. Instead of Jennifer Connelly, who has gradually faded out of the industry and has little contact with these 'old friends,' at most maintaining a facade of friendship.

“Claudia, you’ve come at the perfect time. Tell them whether the changes to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show were John’s decision, and whether coming to me will make any difference.” Christie Turlington quickly shifted the blame to Claudia Schiffer. The reason she invited Claudia Schiffer was to use her to reject her two ‘good friends’!
“This decision really was John’s, it has nothing to do with Christie. She was only responsible for selecting new models, and even then, she didn’t have the final say. John made the final decision. If you really have ideas, you should talk to John. However, I don’t think the chances of success are high, after all, this concerns Victoria’s Secret’s brand value. You all know how amazing Victoria’s Secret’s value is now. Do you think John would let Victoria’s Secret’s brand value be affected for your 'friendship'?” Claudia Schiffer’s words were very straightforward. At this point, she had no need to lie, nor did she need to save face for Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista.

“Cindy, you heard it too. I really can’t make the decision on this matter. It’s impossible for Victoria’s Secret Angels to renew their contracts. If you want to maintain your attention, you can choose to be invited guests.”

Upon hearing this, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista couldn't help but smile wryly. They also had their pride, and as supermodels, making such a choice would inevitably affect their reputations. For a moment, they were at a loss for words, and the atmosphere immediately became awkward.

After a moment, Claudia Schiffer said, "Cindy, you're actually nearing the end of your careers. If it weren't for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show maintaining your popularity, you would no longer be supermodels by now, given the development of the original modeling industry. Your current popularity is all thanks to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Instead of wasting time on this, you should think about finding a way out for yourselves. There's almost no chance of this changing!"

“Claudia, what do you think about us switching careers to become actors? Could we make it in Hollywood?” At this moment, Cindy Crawford revealed her long-planned scheme. She had brought Linda Evangelista to meet Christy Trington, hoping to leverage their 'old friend' relationship to see if she could break out of the modeling world and become a Hollywood star.

The idea was good, but it wasn't something Christie Turlington could decide. If it weren't for Claudia Schiffer, Christie Turlington really wouldn't know how to respond to Cindy's words.

“Cindy, you want to change careers, but Hollywood isn’t a place where it’s easy to get a foothold. Putting aside the issue of acting skills, even if you want to be a pretty face, someone has to be willing to promote you. You need resources. There are countless people in Hollywood who want to be pretty faces but don’t have the opportunity. I can’t help them. The resources I have are all compromises made by others because of John. If you have this idea, you still have to go to John in the end.”

Ultimately, the matter still had to be resolved with John, which made Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista both sigh. They had no sentimental connection with John; after all, so many years had passed, and any remaining affection had long since vanished. If it weren't for the help of their 'old friend,' they wouldn't have been able to maintain their positions at Victoria's Secret for so long. This sudden change had put them under immense pressure and plunged them into a predicament.

Supermodels, they seem insignificant now. Faced with Victoria's Secret's transformation, they were powerless. Now they're even starting to regret their choices. Look at Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington, and Jennifer Connelly, who has become increasingly low-key. The two of them have become a laughing stock; the difference is too great. Their status and position are vastly different; they're not even in the same league.

It would be a lie to say they didn't regret it, but they knew perfectly well that they had no chance left. Over the years, they had come to know John quite well. From the moment they made their decision, their 'friendship' ended. It was already quite good that they had received such care from Victoria's Secret.

Looking at Sophie Marceau now, who pursued individuality, freedom, and art, she has gradually faded out of Hollywood because there is almost no market for her there. Without John's influence and protection, her path in Hollywood has become narrower and narrower, and she has gradually lost her market.

Human relationships eventually run out. Once the past favors have faded, you can no longer get any help. Hollywood is a place of fame and fortune, where the competition is even fiercer. Without a powerful backer or connections, you simply can't get resources. That's the reality of Hollywood.

Claudia Schiffer wasn't optimistic about Cindy Crawford's idea. After all, she herself had encountered numerous problems along the way, and without John's protection and the support of Phoenix Media and Legendary Entertainment, she wouldn't be where she is today. Cindy Crawford's desire to cross over and switch to Hollywood was simply wishful thinking. This wasn't a promise she could make, nor was it something Christy Turlington could guarantee. If anyone had such influence, Jennifer Connelly might have the ability, but she would never help Cindy Crawford; they didn't have that kind of 'relationship'!
(End of this chapter)