From yesterday's earnings alone, George once again brought in 100 million US dollars. It was, without question, the easiest money he'd ever made. As the old saying goes, "There's gold in good ideas,"—and in George's case, it proved true.
Despite his enormous gain, the news wasn't reported in the newspapers. Everyone involved hoped to keep it quiet for as long as possible, allowing themselves greater freedom to maneuver.
The day after signing the contract, George received an invitation to a party hosted by Morgan Bank, scheduled three days later at a Morgan Family estate in New York.
On the day of the party, George arrived in a crisp ivory suit—a subtle statement of elegance without excess. Since he didn't have a girlfriend, he came alone, though typically, it was considered best to bring a lady to such events.
The estate was located deep within Long Island, surrounded by lush greenery and a serene environment. It spanned over five hundred acres, boasting 15 buildings, three guest villas, private roads, artificial lakes, a golf course, and even a forest park. The main villa, a three-story structure perched on a hill, offered sweeping views of Long Island Sound. All these details were graciously introduced to George by the butler, who led him through the estate.
Impressed by the estate, George found himself seriously considering buying one of his own. His current villa was fine for living, but as he planned to collect more antiques in the future, it would soon become inadequate. A larger estate could serve both as a home and a private museum. He resolved to start scouting for suitable properties in the coming days.
At the banquet, George immediately drew attention, especially from the ladies. Arriving alone was a clear signal of his single status, and his striking appearance only added to the allure.
Just as George reached for a cocktail from a passing waiter's tray, he caught sight of Little Morgan, who had also spotted him. George raised his glass slightly in acknowledgment.
After George gracefully handled a few conversations with women attempting to engage him, Little Morgan approached.
"So, George, did you find anyone you like? You young people should be bolder. A man as outstanding as you are very popular," Little Morgan said with a hearty laugh.
"I still have to study, and many things are happening at the company. I don't have time for a relationship."
"Would you like me to introduce someone? I have a niece—the Morgan Family's favorite. She's about your age. You two might hit it off."
"Haha, thank you for the offer, but I'm not looking to date at the moment. Things have been a bit hectic."
"All right, but I'll introduce you when the time is right. Welcome, George." He clinked glasses with George.
"It's my honor to be invited."
"Now, I won't monopolize your time—those ladies look ready to chase me away. But before I go, there's another reason I invited you. I heard you recently purchased some land—is that correct?"
"Yes, in California and Texas."
"George, you've earned the nickname 'Lucky Boy.' A gold mine was discovered right where you bought land in California."
"Haha, yes, I've been quite lucky," George replied with a smile.
"Well, recently, the Rockefeller Family reached out to me. They're interested in cooperating with you."
"Their business is oil. What kind of cooperation could they possibly want from me?"
George was well aware of Rockefeller's stature. As the "Oil King," Rockefeller had essentially unlocked the code to wealth in the American oil industry.
He was the first U.S. billionaire, a legendary figure who, unlike many wealthy individuals, hadn't been born into privilege. He built his empire through grit and foresight, becoming an icon of the American dream.
His biography could fill volumes. Rockefeller's success was a mix of luck and genius. He even profited during times of war, demonstrating courage and strategy few could rival.
George admired Rockefeller deeply. The current head of the family was John D. Rockefeller Jr.
"George, many people believe in your luck. Geologists recently published articles speculating that there might be oil in Texas. If possible, the Rockefeller Family would like to meet you. What do you say?"
"Of course, I'd be honored. If there truly is oil, collaborating with the Rockefeller Family would be a privilege."
"Excellent! I'll arrange for them to contact you."
"No problem."
"All right then, I'll leave you to enjoy the evening. The ladies are about to drive me away." He clinked glasses with George, finished his drink, and walked off.
The next day, at the company office, over fifty newspaper samples were laid out on George's desk. These were from medium-sized agencies—none of the top-circulation papers, which were typically backed by powerful financiers or national families.
This touched upon the issue of media influence. Even foreign powers were adept at shaping public opinion. The days of blatant trusts may have passed, but the major families still made their intentions clear through enterprise ownership: the DuPonts in chemicals and General Motors, the Morgans with General Electric and United Steel, and the Rockefellers with Standard Oil and the Federal Reserve.
Thus, George decided to start influencing public discourse. Radio, television, film studios, and now newspapers—all were tools. The subtle power of media influence was formidable. He compared it to how different cultures shaped public behavior, from Japan's conformity to America's bombastic self-promotion—both forms of engineered consensus.
With that in mind, George was optimistic about his future efforts in, as he half-joked, "influencing hearts and minds"—his vision for shaping public consciousness.
He didn't need to review all the newspaper submissions. Instead, he issued a general editorial policy: "Authoritative release of national policies, rapid reporting of current events, rational commentary on social and cultural hot topics, and objective reflection of public sentiment."
Playboy had sent over some sample content. George cut the fluff, added a feature on the new Lincoln car, and approved it for publication.
He also had the children's book Puzzles for Smart Kids sent off for publication.
Upon returning to his villa, George received an invitation from the Rockefeller Family to visit their estate.
The following day, George's motorcade headed toward the Rockefeller estate, located in Westchester County, upstream of the Hudson River—about an hour from Manhattan. Spanning 3,400 acres, it was nearly the size of a small town. Built by John D. Rockefeller Sr. at the turn of the 20th century, it was surrounded by gardens, fountains, racetracks, and sculptures.
At the estate gate, a welcoming party was waiting. The butler approached George's car and said respectfully, "Mr. George? The master is expecting you. Please, come in."
As the motorcade entered and came to a halt, a servant opened George's door. In the main hall stood a middle-aged man.
George approached with a smile. "Mr. Rockefeller, it's a pleasure to meet you."
George recognized the man from his research—John D. Rockefeller Jr., heir to Standard Oil, and father of the famous five Rockefeller brothers. He was known not only for his business acumen but for donating over $537 million to educational, medical, religious, and cultural causes—a rare capitalist philanthropist.
Rockefeller extended his hand. "Haha, the pleasure is mine. Meeting a promising young billionaire like you is a great honor. Come, let's sit and talk. What would you like to drink?"
"Tea, thank you."
"I enjoy tea as well." Rockefeller led him to a private reception room. Only the butler remained at a respectful distance.
"George, I'm very interested in your Texas land. Experts believe there could be oil."
"But that's still speculation, isn't it?"
"Haha, I trust your luck. So—would you be interested in working together?"
"Of course. I believe making money together is the best way to build a business."
"Excellent. That mindset is refreshing."
"The Rockefeller Family possesses the best oil exploration technology in the U.S. If there's oil beneath my land, working with your family would be an ideal partnership."
"So, how would you like to proceed?"
"Since the presence of oil isn't confirmed and I own the land, I'm willing to shoulder most of the risk. Here's a draft of the cooperation terms—designed to minimize early losses for Standard Oil."
George handed over the contract he had prepared with a team of accountants and lawyers. At this stage, sharing a portion of the oil profits with Rockefeller was already generous. If not for the political weight of such families, George could've gone solo. Even if the oil didn't meet Standard Oil's standards, volume and pricing could create a competitive edge.
But doing so would risk a serious conflict with the Rockefeller Family.
Though George wasn't afraid of their strength, he wasn't ready to oppose the U.S. government. His political capital was still too weak—his rise had been too rapid.
Still, he intended to gain as much as possible from this partnership.
"Mr. Rockefeller," George added, "I study biology and have a deep interest in medicine. Your family's medical laboratories are top-tier. I'd like to purchase shares in your medical group."