Chapter 20 Chapter Nineteen

For the next two years, Tony Blackwell felt as if he was stepping on a huge treadmill, unable to stop and unable to see the destination.He was about to inherit a jaw-droppingly large conglomerate.Kruger-Brent's kingdom has expanded to include several paper mills, an airline, several banks and a hospital system.Tony learned that a name is like a key that opens all doors.In some clubs, organizations and social groups, the pass is not money or influence, but someone's name.Tony is accepted as a member of the United Club as well as the Brooke Club and the Communication Club.Wherever he went, he always received warm hospitality.He felt like a liar, he had done nothing great, he didn't deserve it.He relied on the power and influence of his grandfather, with whom he felt he was constantly being compared.It's not fair, because there are no minefields to climb, no guards to shoot at him, no sharks to threaten his life.The old adventures had nothing to do with Tony.That belonged to a past century, another age, another place, a heroic deed done by a stranger.

Tony worked twice as hard as anyone else in Kruger-Brent Ltd.He drove himself relentlessly to work, trying to shake off the unbearably painful memories.He wrote to Dominique, but his letters always came back unopened.He called Mrs. Kantar, but Dominique was no longer modeling at the school, she had disappeared. Tony did a fantastic job and organized.But he has neither passion nor love.Even if he felt an emptiness deep inside, no one saw it, not even Kate.Once a week, someone reported to her about Tony, and she was really happy to hear these reports. "He has a flair for business," she said to Brad Rogers.For Kate, her son's long hours are a testament to how much he loves what he does.Kate shudders at the thought of the prospect that Tony has all but thrown away him.Thankfully, she finally saved him.

※※※ In 1948, the National Party took full power in South Africa, and apartheid was implemented in all public places.Immigration is strictly controlled.Families can also be separated for government purposes.Every black man had to carry a pass, and it wasn't just a pass, it was a lifeline, including birth certificates, job permits, tax cards.It controls a person's actions and life.More and more riots occurred in South Africa, but they were brutally suppressed by the police.From time to time Kate reads about the destruction and riots in the papers.Banda's name always appears prominently.Despite his age, he is still the leader of the underground movement.Of course, he fights for his people.Kate thought, because he was Banda.

※※※ Kate and Toni celebrated her fifty-sixth birthday at the mansion on Fifth Avenue.There's no way this handsome twenty-four-year-old boy sitting across the table is my son, she thought, I'm not that old yet.He was toasting her, "Cheers to me—my great mother! Happy birthday to you!" "You should say cheers to my great old mama." Soon I'll be retiring, thought Kate, but my son will succeed me, my son! At Kate's insistence, Tony moved into the mansion on Fifth Avenue. "This place is too big. It's too lonely to walk around in it alone." Kate said to him, "The entire east wing is yours to live in. You can do whatever you want, and no one will disturb you." Tony had to back down, because arguing was futile.

Every morning, Kate and Tony have breakfast.The conversation at mealtimes was always about Kruger-Brent GmbH.Tony was amazed that his mother had put so much passion and effort into an abstract soulless thing, a mass of buildings, machines, and bookkeeping figures. Where was the magic?There are thousands of mysteries to be explored in the world, why should a person waste his life amassing more and more wealth and gaining more and more power?Tony didn't understand his mother, but he loved her, and he did his best to live up to her expectations of him. ※※※ Flying Pan Am from Rome to New York is a pretty average trip.Tony liked the airline because of its efficiency and comfort.As soon as the plane took off, he began to study his overseas purchase report. He didn't bother to eat dinner, and the stewardesses kept bringing him drinks, pillows and other things that the handsome passenger might need.But he remained indifferent to it.

"Thank you, miss, I'm fine." "Mr. Blackwell, is there anything we can-" "thanks." Next to Tony sat a middle-aged woman, reading a fashion magazine.When she turned a page, Tony happened to glance over.He froze for a moment. There was a photo of a model in a ball gown. It was Dominique.no doubt.The high delicate cheekbones, the dark green eyes, the thick blond hair.Tony's pulse quickened. "Excuse me," Tony said to his traveling companion, "may I borrow that page?" Early the next morning, Tony called the clothing store and got the name of their advertising agency.He called the agency, "I'm looking for one of your models." He said to the switchboard operator, "Can you—"

"Please wait." A man's voice came, "What do you want?" "I saw a photo in this month's Vogue of a model promoting a ball gown for Rothman's. Is that an ad you made?" "yes." "Can you tell me the name of the modeling agency?" "It's called Carlton Blessing Agency." Then he gave Tony the number. A minute later, Tony spoke to a woman from Blessing's agency. "I'm trying to find a model for you," he said. "Her name is Dominic Masson." "Sorry, we have a rule not to disclose any personal information." Then the phone hung up.

Tony sat there, staring at the microphone in a daze.Make sure to find a way to get in touch with Dominic.So he went to Brad Rogers. "Good morning, Tony. Would you like coffee?" "No thanks. Brad, do you know the Carlton Blessing Model Agency?" "I think I know. It belongs to our company." "what?" "It's under one of our subsidiaries." "When did we buy it?" "Two or three years ago, around the time you joined the company. Why were you interested in this?" "I'm looking for one of their models. She's an old friend."

"No problem, I'll give them a call and—" "Don't worry about it. I'll do it myself, thanks, Brad." A warm expectation rose in Tony's heart. ※※※ That afternoon Tony came to the offices of the Charlton Blessing Agency and gave his name.After a while, he was invited into the office of Mr. Tilton, the chairman. "It's a great honour, Mr. Blackwell. I hope nothing has gone wrong, our profit last quarter was—" "No problem. I'm interested in one of your models. Her name is Dominique Masson." Tilton's face suddenly lit up. "She has become one of the best models we have here. Your mother has a good eye."

Tony thought he had heard it wrong, "I'm sorry, what did you say?" "It was Lingtang himself who asked us to employ Dominique. It was one of the terms of the negotiations when Kruger-Brent Ltd. took over us. It's all in our files, if you will..." "No." Tony couldn't understand what he heard.Why did his mother—? "Can I get Dominica's address?" "Certainly, Mr. Blackwell. Today she was showing clothes in Vermont, but she should be back." He looked at the schedule on the table. "Tomorrow afternoon." ※※※ Tony waits in front of Dominique's apartment.At this time a black car drove over, and Dominic got out of the car.A burly, athletic man was carrying Dominique's suitcase.Dominic was stunned when he saw Tony.

"Tony! My God! What are you—what are you doing here?" "I want to talk to you." "Hey, friend, change the time," said the athlete. "We're still busy in the afternoon." Tony didn't even look at him. "Tell your friend to go away." "Hey, you fucking count—" Dominic turned to the man, "Come on, Ben, I'll call you tonight." The man hesitated, then shrugged. "Okay then." He shot Tony a look, then got back in the car and drove away on full throttle. Dominic turned to Tony and said, "You better come in and talk." This is a duplex apartment, very spacious, with white carpets and curtains, and modern furniture.Apparently it cost a lot of money to buy. "You're doing well," Tony said. "Yeah, I'm lucky." Dominique's fingers tugged at her blouse uneasily. "Would you like something to drink?" "Thank you, no need. I've been trying to get in touch with you since I left Paris." "I moved." "Moved to America?" "yes." "How did you get a job at Carleton Blessing?" "I—I saw the job posting in the newspaper," she replied reluctantly. "When did you first meet my mother, Dominique?" "I—in your apartment, remember? We—" "Stop playing games," Tony said.He felt the anger burning in his heart. "It's time to end. I've never hit a woman in my life, but if you tell another lie, I can guarantee that your face will never be photographed again." Dominique was about to speak when the anger in Tony's eyes stopped her. "I'll ask you again, when did you first meet my mother?" This time she didn't hesitate, "When you were admitted to the Academy of Fine Arts, your mother arranged for me to be a model there." He felt sick, but he forced himself to keep talking. "So I can get to know you?" "yes, I--" "She paid you to be my mistress and let you pretend to be in love with me." "Yes. It was after the war - it was pretty bad. I was poor, can't you see? But trust me, Tony, I mean it, I really mean it -" "Answer my question." His savage voice startled her.Before him was a stranger, a man capable of violence. "What's the purpose of that?" "Your mother asked me to watch your actions." He thought of Dominique's tenderness, the scene of making love to her-it turned out to be the result of bribery, a free gift from his mother-and he felt ashamed.He has always been his mother's puppet, controlled and manipulated by her.His mother never cared about his feelings.He is not her son, but her crown prince, her heir.All she cares about is the company.He gave Dominic one last look, then turned and shambled out.She looked at his back, tears blurred her vision.She thought to herself, I really love you, Tony, and I'm not lying about that. ※※※ Kate was reading in the study when suddenly Tony came in, very drunk. "I talked to Do-Dominique," he said. "You two--Ken--must be very--happy, laughing--laughing at me behind my back." Kate immediately became alert, "Tony—" "From now on, I want you not to—don't meddle in my private—private—life. Do you hear me?" He turned and staggered out. Kate watched him leave, and suddenly had a terrible premonition in her heart.