Chapter 21 Chapter Twenty

The next day, Tony rented an apartment in Greenwich Village.He no longer dined affectionately with his mother.He only maintains a certain working relationship with his mother, not any personal relationship.Although Kate made occasional gestures to reconcile with him, he ignored them. Kate was in great pain, but what she did was entirely for Tony's good.Just like what she had done in the past was for David's good.She couldn't let them both leave the company.Tony was the only person she loved in the world, and she watched him grow more and more lonely.She lives in seclusion, does not interact with anyone, and has no friends.In the past, he was enthusiastic and cheerful towards people, but now he has become indifferent and taciturn.He built an invisible wall around himself, which no one could break through.He needs a wife to take care of him, Kate thought, and a son to carry on.I have to help him, I have to.

※※※ Brad Rogers walked into Kate's office and said, "I'm afraid something is going on, Kate." "What happened?" He put a telegram on her desk. "The South African government declared the Aboriginal Congress an illegal organization and passed a bill banning communist parties." Kate said, "My God!" This bill has nothing to do with communism.It stipulates that anyone who opposes government policy and attempts to change it in any way is guilty of a crime and shall be sentenced to imprisonment. "It's their way of undermining the black resistance," she said, "if—" her secretary cut her off.

"There is an international call for you from Mr. Pierce from Johannesburg." Jonathan Pierce is the Johannesburg branch manager.Kate picked up the phone, "Hello, Johnny, how are you?" "Very well, Kate, I have some news I thought I should tell you." "what news?" "I just got a report that the police have caught Banda." ※※※ Kate is on the next flight to Johannesburg.She has notified the company's lawyers to try to rescue Banda.Even the power and prestige of Kruger-Brent Ltd may not help him.He was declared an enemy of the state.She dared not imagine what kind of punishment she would take against him.But anyway, she wanted to meet him and see if she could help him.

As soon as the plane landed in Johannesburg, Kate went to her office to call the superintendent of prisons. "He is in solitary confinement, Mrs. Blackwell. There are orders from his superiors that no one should see him. But in your case, I can think of a way--" Early the next morning, Kate arrived at the Johannesburg prison.In front of her stood Banda in handcuffs and shackles, with a glass partition between them.His hair is all white.Kate couldn't have foreseen what he would be like in advance—desperate, or strong—but when Banda saw her, he smiled and said, "I knew you would come. You're just like your father, you can't avoid him." It's trouble, isn't it?"

"Look who's talking?" Kate retorted, "Damn it! How do we get you out?" "In the coffin, that's the only way they could let me get out of here." "I have a lot of able lawyers who—" "Forget it, Kate, they got me on their own. Now I'm on my way." "What are you going to say?" "I don't like cages, never have. They can't hold me." Kate said, "Banda, please don't do this, they will kill you." "Nobody can kill me," Banda said. "The person you're talking to now has been through sharks, minefields, and wolf dogs." A soft gleam flashed in his eyes. "You know what, Kate? I think it was the best time of my life."

※※※ When Kate went to see Banda the next day, the warden said: "Sorry, Mrs Blackwell, we had to move him for security reasons." "Where is he now?" "I can't reveal it casually." ※※※ The next morning, when Kate woke up, she picked up the newspaper that came with breakfast. The headline on it was: "Bandit leader shot dead trying to escape from prison".An hour later, she came to the warden's office. "He was beaten to death during his escape, Mrs Blackwell. That's all." You're wrong, Kate thought, and there's a lot more to come.Banda is dead, but are his dreams of freedom for his people also gone?

Two days later, Kate returned to New York by plane after finishing the funeral arrangements.She looks out the window, saying goodbye to the land she loves.The soil here is red and very rich.In its depths lie unimaginable treasures.This is a place God has given, and He is very generous to people.But a curse now hangs over the country.I'll never come back here again, Kate thought sadly, never. ※※※ One of Brett Rogers' responsibilities is running the long-term planning department of Kruger-Brent Ltd.He is very good at finding some companies suitable for mergers in order to obtain greater profits.

One day in early May, he walked into Kate Blackwell's office. "I came across some interesting information, Kate." He placed two folders on her desk. "There are two companies, and it would be extremely beneficial to us if we bought either." "Thanks, Brad. I'll take a look tonight sometime." Kate had dinner alone that night and then studied Brett Rogers' confidential report on the two companies.One is Wyatt Oil Tool Company and the other is International Technology Development Corporation.The report is long and very detailed.Ended with the letters NIS.This is the code word of the company, which means: "Not interested in selling." This means that if the company wants to buy them, it will not succeed by normal business methods alone.However, Kate thought to herself that they were indeed worth buying.Both companies are controlled by well-to-do and determined individuals, which precludes any possibility of a takeover.It was a challenge, and Kate hadn't had one in a long time.The more she thought about it, the more intrigued she was by the possibility.She studied the confidential financial statement again.The Wyatt Oil Tool Company is owned by Charlie Wyatt, a Texan.The company's holdings included oil wells, utility companies, and dozens of well leases that were sure to be lucrative in the future.The Wyatt Company was undoubtedly an ideal annexation target for Kruger & Brent Ltd.

Kate began researching a second company.International Technology Development Corporation is owned by the German Count Frederick Hoffmann.The company was originally a small steelworks in Essen.Due to years of painstaking efforts, it has gradually developed into a joint enterprise.It now has shipyards, petrochemical plants, a fleet of oil tankers and a computer branch. Even Kruger-Brent Ltd. can only eat one of them.She knew very well in her heart which company to attack, and the report was written on NIS. Let's figure it out, Kate mused. ※※※ Early the next morning, she sent for Brett Rogers. "I'd love to know how you got your hands on these confidential balance sheets," Kate asked, laughing. "Tell me about Charlie Wyatt and Frederick Hoffman."

Brad had already prepared, "Charlie Wyatt was born in Dallas. He has a flamboyant style and a ostentatious manner, but he is very shrewd in running his own kingdom. He started from nothing, made a fortune by digging oil wells, and continued to develop. Now owns half of Texas." "How old is he?" "Forty-seven years old." "do you have any kid?" "A daughter, twenty-five years old. I heard she looks like a fairy." "Is she married?" "divorced." "Frederick Hoffman." "Hoffmann was two years younger than Charley Wyatt. He was a count, and came of a noble family in Germany. The family history goes back to the Middle Ages. He was a widower. His grandfather started with a small steel factory. Rederick Hoffman took it over from his father and developed it into a conglomerate. He was one of the pioneers in the computer field. He held many patents on microprocessors. Every When we use an electronic computer, Earl Hoffman gets a royalty."

"do you have any kid?" "A daughter, twenty-three years old." "how is she?" "I haven't found out yet," Brett Rogers said apologetically. "It's a very closed family. They only operate in their own small circle." He hesitated. "We may be wasting our time, Kate ...I've had a couple of drinks with two or three top executives from both companies. Neither Wyatt nor Hoffman has the slightest interest in selling their companies, merging or doing joint ventures. You can tell by the financial reports , they don't even think about it." A mood of challenge stirred Kate again, tugging at her heart. ※※※ Ten days later, at the invitation of the President of the United States, Kate went to Washington to attend a meeting of major international industrialists to discuss how to aid underdeveloped countries.Kate made a phone call.It was not long before Charley Wyatt and Earl Frederick Hoffman were also invited to attend the meeting. Kate's initial impressions of the Texan and the German matched her expectations almost exactly.She had never known a timid Texan, and Charlie Wyatt was certainly no exception.He was tall—almost six foot four, broad-shouldered like a rugby player, but he was starting to put on weight.His face is broad and rosy, and his voice is loud, like a bell.Looks like a big boy - but Kate knows it's not. Charlie Wyatt didn't build his kingdom by luck.He is a genius in business.It hadn't been ten minutes since Kate had talked with him that this man was a man of his own accord.He was so stubborn that no one could cajole him, threaten him, or lure him out of his company.Still, Kate found his weakness, and that was enough. Frederick Hoffman and Charlie Wyatt were the exact opposite.He was handsome, with an aristocratic face, and soft brown hair, graying a little at the temples.He pays great attention to small details and always acts according to traditional etiquette.On the surface, Frederick Hoffman is very cheerful and easy-going, but deep down, Kate can sense that he has a strong character of steel. ※※※ The Washington meeting lasted three days, and everything went very smoothly.The vice president chaired the meeting, and the president made an appearance.Everyone in attendance was impressed by Kate Blackwell.She is still charming and charming, leading the company empire she has helped to run.The attendees were admiring, which is exactly what she had planned. When Kate saw Charlie Wyatt alone, she asked casually: "Have you brought your family, Mr. Wyatt?" "I brought my daughter, she wanted to do some shopping." "Oh, really? That would be great." It never occurred to anyone that Kate not only knew that his daughter had come with him, but that she knew what kind of dress she had bought that morning at Garfunkel's . "I'm having a little dinner at Duck Harbor on Friday, and I'd be very glad if you and your mistress would come with us for the weekend." Wyatt replied briskly: "I have heard many descriptions of your mansion, Mrs. Blackwell. Of course I would like to see it with my own eyes." Kate smiled. "Well, I can arrange for you to fly there tomorrow night." Ten minutes later, Kate was chatting with Frederick Hoffman again. "Did you come to Washington alone, Mr. Hoffman," she asked. "Didn't your wife come?" "My wife died a few years ago," Frederick Hoffmann told her. "I came with my daughter." Kate knew they were staying at the Hay Adams Hotel, room number 418. "I'm going to have a little dinner at Duck Harbor. I'd be very glad if you and your daughter could spend the weekend with us." "It's time for us to go back to Germany," Hoffmann replied.He stared at her for a while, then smiled and said, "I think it doesn't matter if it's early or late." "That's great, I'll make arrangements for your transportation." ※※※ Every two months, Kate always holds a dinner party at the villa in Dark Harbor, which is her practice.Some of the most famous and powerful people in the world are invited to attend.Events like this are always rewarding and Kate intends to make this dinner a very special one.Her problem is trying to make sure Tony is involved.In the past year, he rarely came to Dark Harbor.Even if he came, he just showed his face in a perfunctory way and left.This time he must be called and asked to stay. When Kate mentioned the weekend to Tony, he responded casually, "I-can't. On Monday I'm going to Canada. I've got a lot of work-work to do before I go." "This is an important meeting," Kate said to him. "Charlie Wyatt and Lord Hoffman will be there. They are—" "I know who they are," he cut off her tongue. "I talked to Brad Rogers - talked to. We have no hope of buying either company." "I want to give it a try." He looked at her and asked, "Which--whose idea did you come up with?" "Wyatt Oil Tools. That would increase our profits by fifteen percent, maybe more, and when those Arab countries realize they can choke the neck of the world, they'll form a cartel, And the price of oil will skyrocket, and oil will turn into liquid gold." "What about the International Technology-Technology Development Company?" Kate shrugged. "It's a good company, but Wyatt Oil Tools is a better buy. It's the perfect buy for us. I need you to get there, Tony. Canada can wait a few more days." Tony didn't like parties like this, he hated the endless, tiresome conversations, the bragging men and predatory ladies.But, this is business. "Ok." The pieces on the chessboard are already in place. ※※※ The company's special plane sent Wyatt and his daughter to Maine, then took a ferry, and then took a car to "Pine Ridge Residence".Kate greeted them at the door.Brad's information about Charlie Wyatt's daughter Lucy was accurate.She was indeed very beautiful.Tall and tall, with black hair, and brown eyes shining with golden light.She was dressed in a silk evening dress, with a well-proportioned figure and a charming figure.Brad told Kate that she divorced a rich Italian playboy two years ago.Kate introduces Lucy to Tony to see how he reacts, but no reaction is apparent.He met the father and daughter with the usual courtesy and led them to the bar, where a waiter was waiting to pour them drinks. "What a beautiful house!" exclaimed Lucy.Her voice was surprisingly soft and sweet.Can't hear any Texas accent. "Do you live here often?" she asked Tony. "No." She waited for him to continue.After a while, he asked again: "Did you grow up here?" "not quite." Kate quickly took over the conversation, skillfully reversing the embarrassing situation caused by Tony's silence. "Some of Tony's happiest hours have been spent in this room. The poor man is too busy to enjoy himself, does he, Tony?" He gave his mother a cold look, and said, "Yes, I'm actually supposed to be in Canada at the moment." "But he postponed the trip in order to see you two." Kate finished for him. "Oh, I'm so glad," said Charlie Wyatt. "I've heard a lot about you, boy." He smiled. "You wouldn't want to work for me, would you?" ?" "I don't think my mother would agree, Mr. Wyatt." Charlie Wyatt laughed again. "I know." He turned to look at Kate. "Your mother is a wonderful woman, and you should see for yourself how she can overwhelm everyone in a White House meeting. She—" He stopped now, looking at Frederick Hoffman and His daughter Marianne came into the living room.Marianne Hoffman is fair-skinned and looks a lot like her father.She has the same aristocratic figure and long blond hair.She was overshadowed by Lucy Wyatt in a beige chiffon gown. "May I introduce my daughter Marianne?" Count Hoffman said. "Sorry we're late." He apologized. "The plane was delayed at LaGuardia Airport." "Hey, that's outrageous," Kate said.Tony guessed that this was Kate's intentional arrangement.She put the Wyatts on separate planes from the Hoffmans so that the Wyatts would arrive earlier and the Hoffmans would arrive later. "We're having a drink, what would you two like?" "A scotch, please," said Count Hoffmann. Kate turned to Marianne. "And you, dear?" "I don't want anything, thank you." A few minutes later, other guests arrived one after another.Tony walked among them, playing a hospitable host role.No one but Kate could have imagined how disinterested he was in such excitement.Kate knew that it wasn't that Tony was bored, but that he was so indifferent to everything around him that he couldn't get joy from anyone.This worried Kate deeply. Two tables were set up in the large dining room.Kate sat Marianne Hoffman between a Supreme Court justice and a senator.Put Lucy at another table, to Tony's right.All the men in the restaurant - married and unmarried - glanced at Lucy.Kate hears that Lucy wants to strike up a conversation with Tony, and it's clear she likes him.Kate couldn't help smiling secretly, this is a good start. The next day was Saturday, and at breakfast Charlie Wyatt said to Kate: "That yacht you have out there at anchor, Mrs. Blackwell. What size is it?" "I'm not too sure." Kate turned to her son. "Tony, what's the size of the Kessel?" His mother knew its dimensions all too well, but Tony replied politely, "Eighty-feet." "We don't take boats much in Texas. Because we're always in a hurry, and if we go out, we fly." Wyatt laughed. "I thought maybe I could take a ride and go for a ride on the water. " Kate smiled, "I was just hoping that you would agree that I would take you on a tour of this island. We can take a yacht tomorrow." Charlie Wyatt looked at her thoughtfully, and then said: "You are very kind, Mrs. Blackwell." Tony looked at the two people quietly, talking with each other without saying a word.The first move in the game had just been taken, and Charlie Wyatt was not aware of it, perhaps he was not aware of it.He was a shrewd businessman, but he had never met a match like Kate Blackwell. Kate turned to Tony and Lucy, "What a beautiful day, are you going out on a dhow?" Before Tony could say no, Lucy said, "Oh, I'm so glad." "Y-sorry," Tony said curtly, "I'll have to wait for a few long-distance calls." Tony could feel his mother's displeased eyes on him. Kate turned to Marianne Hoffman, "Why didn't I see your father this morning?" "He was out and about and wanted to see the island. He was an early riser." "I heard you like to ride horses. We have a lot of good horses here." "Thank you, Mrs. Blackwell. I'd like to take a walk around, if you don't mind." "Of course not," Kate said, turning to Tony. "Are you really not going to take Miss Wyatt out on a boat?" Her tone was as hard as steel. "T-really." This is a small victory.Although small, it was still a victory.The battle has begun, and Tony doesn't want to lose.This time he can't lose, and his mother can't cheat him anymore.She had treated him as a pawn, and he knew very well that she wanted to do the same trick again, but this time it was her who lost.She wanted to take over Wyatt Oil Tools, but Charlie Wyatt had no intention of merging or selling his company.However, everyone has a weakness, Kate has found his weakness, that is his daughter.If Lucy married into the Blackwells some kind of merger was inevitable.Tony looked at his mother sitting across the table and despised her.She has baited the trap.Lucy is not only beautiful, but also smart and charming.But she too, like Tony, was a mere pawn in this nasty game of chess.Nothing in the world could tempt him to touch her, and it was a battle between him and his mother. After breakfast, Kate stood up. "Tony, could you show Miss Wyatt the garden before your call comes?" Tony couldn't find any reason to politely refuse, so he said, "Okay." He decided to stay as short as possible. Kate turned to Charlie Wyatt. "Are you interested in rare books? I have quite a collection in my library." "I'm interested in anything you show me," the Texan said. Almost as if remembering, Kate turned to Marianne Hoffman and said, "Can you do it alone, dear?" "Very well, thank you, Mrs. Blackwell, and please don't worry about me." "I'm relieved," Kate said. Tony knew she was really reassured, because Miss Hoffman was of no use to her, so she sent her away, which was done under the guise of kindness and a smile, but Tony could detect the hidden danger deep below. Selfish and heartless.He was disgusted. Lucy looked at him. "Are you ready, Tony?" "All right." Tony and Lucy headed for the door.They hadn't gone far when Tony heard his mother say, "See if they're made for each other?" The two of them walked through the large garden towards the pier where the Kossel was moored.There are large tracts of colorful flowers everywhere, and the summer air is full of fragrance. "It's like heaven here," said Lucy. "yes." "We don't have flowers like this in Texas." "yes?" "How peaceful it is here." "yes." Lucy stopped suddenly and faced Tony. He saw the scowl on her face. "Did I say something to offend you?" he asked. "You didn't say anything, that's why I'm angry. All you have to say is 'yes' or 'no'. You make me feel as if it's me—I'm after you." "yes?" She laughed. "Yeah, maybe we could talk if I taught you how to speak." Tony laughed too. "What are you thinking?" "I didn't think about anything." He was thinking of his mother, how unwilling she was to admit defeat. ※※※ Kate showed Charlie Wyatt a tour of her huge oak-paneled library.Shelves hold first editions by Goldsmith, Sterne, Smollett and Donne; first editions by Ben Jonson; rare editions by Butler and Bunyan; and a rare 1813 privately printed copy of Queen Mab.Wyatt walked along the bookcases full of rare books, his eyes shining.He paused at a beautifully bound volume, Keats' Endymion. "It's the Roseburg version," said Charlie Wyatt. Kate gave him a surprised look. "Yes, there are two in total in the world." "I have the other one," Wyatt told her. "I should have known," Kate said, laughing. "You played me like a big boy from Texas." Wyatt laughed. "Really? It's a good smoke screen." "Where did you go to school?" "Colorado School of Mines, and then a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford." He stared at Kate for a moment. "I hear you managed to get me into this White House meeting." She shrugged. "I just mentioned your name. They were more than happy to have you." "Thank you so much, Kate, and now, while you and I are alone, can you tell me what you intend to do?" ※※※ Tony is working in his own study.It was a small room, just off the hall downstairs.He was sitting in a high-backed armchair when he heard the door shut and someone come in.He turned and it was Marianne Hoffman.He was about to say that he was working when he heard her exclamation. She was looking at the pictures on the wall, all done by Tony—the only ones he had brought back from the apartment in Paris.In this house, and only in this room, was he allowed to hang his paintings.He watched her walking in the room, looked at one picture after another, and it was too late to say anything now. "I can't believe it," she whispered. Tony suddenly felt very angry. He knew that the paintings were not so bad.The leather chair creaked as he moved, and Marianne turned and saw him. "Ah, I'm so sorry," she said apologetically, "I didn't know anyone was here." Tony got up and stood up. "Never mind." But his tone sounded very rude.He doesn't like people intruding into his private room. "Are you looking for something?" "No, I—I'm just wandering around. Your collection should be in a museum." "Except for that," Tony heard himself say. She couldn't understand why his words were so hostile.She looked back at the oil paintings, and suddenly saw the signature underneath. "Did you draw it?" "If you don't like it, I can only regret it." "Brilliant drawing!" she said, walking towards him. "I don't understand why you do anything else when you're so good at drawing? You're outstanding. I mean, you're not just average." , but outstanding." Tony stood there, not listening to a word, just wishing her to leave. "I wanted to be a painter," said Marianne. "I studied with Kokoschka for a year, and then I gave up. I knew I would never be able to draw as well as I wanted. But you!" she said. Turning to those oil paintings again. "Did you study painting in Paris?" He really hoped she would stop bothering him, "Yes." "And you just—did you give up like that?" "yes." "What a pity you—" "Oh, here you are!" They both turned away.Kate was standing in the doorway, watching them for a moment, then walking towards Marianne. "I've been looking for you, Marianne. Your father said you liked orchids, so you must see our greenhouse." "Thank you," whispered Marianne, "I really—" Kate turned to Tony, "Tony, do you want to take care of the other guests too." There was obvious displeasure in her voice. She took Marianne's arm, and they went away together. It's also really interesting to watch how her mother manipulates these people.Everything went so naturally, every move was a waste of time.The prologue begins with the Wyatts arriving early and the Hoffmans arriving late.Lucy was then seated next to him at every meal.She also had a private meeting with Charlie Wyatt.It was blatant, but Tony had to admit it, so he felt blatant only because he knew what was going on.He knew his mother and her way of thinking.Lucy Wyatt was a lovely girl who would make a good wife to someone but not his.Kate Blackwell is the matchmaker, he won't do it.His mother was a cruel, scheming witch.As long as Tony remembered this, he could guard against her schemes.He guessed in his heart what she was going to do next. It didn't take long for him to see it. They sat on the platform together, drinking cocktails. "Mr. Wyatt was very kind, and he invited us to visit his estate next weekend." Kate said to Tony. "Isn't it great?" Her face lit up with excitement. "I've never seen a Texas estate." In fact, Kruger-Brent owns an estate in Texas that may be twice the size of Wyatt's. "You too, will you, Tony?" asked Charlie Wyatt. Lucy said, "Come on." Together they put pressure on him, and it was a challenge, which he decided to take up. "I'll be happy--willing to go." "Great." Lucy's face showed genuine joy, and so did Kate. If Lucy was going to seduce me, Tony thought, she was wasting her time.His mother and Dominic have stabbed him in the heart, and he no longer trusts any women.When it comes to sex with women, he goes to high-priced call girls.Among the women, they are the most honest, what they want is money, and they will clarify how much they want as soon as they meet.You have to pay for what you get.You pay and get what you want.Nothing complicated, no tears, and no deceit. Lucy will be amazed. ※※※ Early Sunday morning, Tony went to the pool for a swim.Marianne Hoffman was already in the water, wearing a white bathing suit.Her figure was very slender, slender and elegant.Tony stood there watching her gracefully paddling, her arms moving up and down in rhythm. She saw Tony and swam to him. "Morning." "Good morning, you've had a good swim," Tony said. Marianne said with a smile: "I like sports, I learned from my father." She grabbed the edge of the pool, jumped up and sat on the edge of the pool.Tony handed her a towel and watched her dry her hair naturally. "Have you had breakfast?" Tony asked. "Not yet, I think maybe the chefs haven't woken up yet." "This is a hotel, and the service should be available 24 hours a day." She smiled at him. "That's great." "Where is your home?" "Mostly in Munich. We live in an old castle—in the outskirts." "Where did you grow up?" Marianne sighed. "It's a long story. During the war, I was sent to study in Switzerland. Then I went to Oxford, studied at the University of Paris, and then lived in London for a few years." She looked into his eyes, "That's all, you Where have you been?" "Oh, New York, Maine, Switzerland, South Africa, a few years in the South Pacific during the war, and Paris..." He stopped abruptly, as if thinking he had said too much. "Don't mind if I ask too much. But I can't understand why you don't go on learning how to draw?" "It doesn't matter," Tony replied simply. "Let's go have breakfast." ※※※ The two of them ate alone on the deck, looking out over the sparkling bay ahead.It was easy to talk to her, her demeanor was dignified, her temperament soft, and she was attractive to Tony.She was neither flirty nor nagging.She seemed genuinely interested in him.Slowly Tony felt himself captivated by this quiet, sensitive girl.But he couldn't help wondering how much of it was because he knew he would irritate his mother by doing so. "When are you going back to Germany?" "Next week," replied Marianne, "I'm getting married." What she said was completely beyond his expectations. "Oh." Tony replied weakly, "That's good, what does he do?" "He's a doctor and we've been friends since childhood." Why did she say this?Is there any implication here? Tony asked impulsively, "Would you like to have dinner with me in New York?" She looked at him, weighing how to answer. "I'd be very happy." Tony smiled, very happy. "It's a date." ※※※ They had dinner at a small beachside restaurant on Long Island.Tony wanted Marianne to be alone with him, away from his mother's watchful eye.It was a pure night, but Tony knew that if his mother heard the news, she would try to spoil it.It was a private matter between him and Marianne.During this short time, Tony wanted no interruptions.Tony enjoyed having Marianne with him, even more than he had anticipated.She was very funny, and Tony noticed that he hadn't laughed so much since he left Paris tonight.She made him feel lighthearted and carefree. When are you going back to Germany? Next week... I'm getting married. ※※※ For the next five days, Tony saw Marianne often.He canceled his trip to Canada, not knowing why.He had thought it a rebellion against his mother's plans, a small revenge.But if that was true in the beginning, it is no longer the case.He felt himself more and more attracted to Marianne.He loved her sincerity and sincerity.It was a quality he thought he could no longer find. Since Marianne was a tourist in New York, Tony showed her around. They boarded the Statue of Liberty, took the ferry to Staten Island, went to the top of the Empire State Building, and went to Chinatown for dinner.They spent a full day at the Met and an afternoon at the Frick Collection.They have the same hobbies, and both sides try to avoid discussing private matters.尽管如此，他们仍深深地感到相互之间那种强烈的异性吸引力。日子不知不觉地过去，这天是星期五，是托尼该出发去怀亚特庄园的日子。 “你什么时候飞回德国？” “星期一上午。”她的声音失去了欢乐的色彩。 ※※※ 那天下午，托尼出发去休斯敦。他完全可以同他母亲一道乘公司的飞机去那儿，但他不愿单独和凯特在一起。在他的眼里，她纯粹是个做生意的合伙人：聪明能干，独断专行，诡计多端，危险万分。 在休斯敦的霍比机场，有一辆劳斯莱斯牌轿车前来迎接托尼。开车送他去庄园的司机穿着牛仔裤和花运动衫。 “大多数人都喜欢直接飞往庄园。”司机对托尼说，“怀亚特先生修了一条很长的跑道。从这儿走，要开一个小时才能到庄园门口，还要再开半小时才能到正房。” 托尼以为他的话未免夸张了一些，可他错了，怀亚特庄园与其说是个庄园，不如说是个小城镇。他们从大门开始起，就奔驶在一条私人公路上。过了半小时，他们开始经过发电站，谷仓，牲口栏，客房，仆人住的平房。正房是一座巨大的平房，一直延续了很远很远。托尼认为这房子的式样实在是令人讨厌地丑陋。 凯特已经先到了。她和查利·怀亚特坐在平台上，俯视着一个像小湖泊似的游泳池。当托尼出现时，他们正热烈地交谈着。怀亚特一见到他便突然打住话头。托尼意识到，他是他们谈话的主题。 “我们的孩子来了！一路顺风吗，托尼？” “不错，谢谢你。” “露西一直希望你能赶上早班飞机。”凯特说道。 托尼转向他母亲，“是——是吗？” 查利·怀亚特拍了拍托尼的肩膀。“我们为了欢迎你和凯特，准备搞一次烧烤。许多人乘飞机来就是为了它。” “那您太客——客气了。”托尼说。他想，要是给那帮人肥牛犊吃，他们会饿着肚子回去的。 露西出现了，她穿着一件白色的衬衣，一条紧身的旧牛仔裤。托尼不得不承认她确是惊人地美。 她向他走来，拉起他的胳膊，“托尼，我都怀疑你是否会来了。” “对——对不起，我来晚了。”托尼说道，“我有些工——工作必须做完。” 露西给他一个甜蜜的微笑。“没关系，反正你已经来了。下午打算干点什么？” “你会提供什么呢？” 露西望着他的眼睛。“随便你要什么。”她温柔地说道。 凯特和查利·怀亚特在一旁乐滋滋地瞧着。 ※※※ 烧烤味道美极了，就是在得克萨斯州也算是上等的。大约有二百名客人乘私人飞机抵达这里。还有的乘奔驰或是劳斯莱斯轿车赶来。两个乐队在不同的地点同时奏乐。六七名侍者端着香槟酒、威士忌、软饮料、啤酒走来走去。在室外的火炉上，四名厨师在忙着做菜。有烤牛肉、羊肉、牛排、鸡和鸭。陶罐里熬着嘟嘟冒泡的辣酱，还有整只的龙虾。螃蟹、玉米穗也放在地上烤着，还有烤土豆、山药和刚摘下的豌豆。此外还有六种不同的沙拉，自己做的热饼干，涂有蜂蜜和果酱的玉米饼。四张摆甜食的桌子上放满了刚出炉的馅饼、糕点和布丁。另外还有十几种不同风味的自制冰激凌。 这是托尼见到的最明显不过的浪费。他想这正是老的花钱方式同新的花钱方式的不同之处。旧的格言是：要是你有了钱，就藏起来。新的格言是：如果有了钱，就应当炫耀一下。 眼前这种炫耀富有的规模是令人难以置信的。妇女们身着华丽的夜礼服，佩戴的首饰让人眼花缭乱。托尼站在一边，看着那些客人狼吞虎咽地吃着，大声呼喊着各自的老朋友。他觉得似乎是在参加某个疯狂堕落的仪式。每当他转过身来，面前总对着一名侍者，托盘上面放着大罐的鱼子酱、肉馅饼或是香槟酒。托尼觉得仆人似乎同客人的数目差不多。他聆听着周围的谈话。 “他从纽约来，想卖给我一批货，我说，先生，你这是在浪费时间。在休斯敦的东边是没有好的石油交易的……” “对方甜言蜜语，你可得当心啊。他们都不是好东西……” 露西来到托尼的身边，“你没吃嘛。”她注视着他，“出了什么事吗？托尼。” “没有，一切都很好，真是一次盛宴。” 她笑了，“精彩的你还没看到呢，朋友，等会儿还放焰火。” “焰火表演？” “嗯，”她碰了碰托尼的胳膊，“对不起，这儿这么乱。其实并不总是这样的。爸爸想给你母亲留下印象。”她笑了，“明天他们就都走了。” 我也要走了，托尼阴沉地想道，他来这里完全是个错误，如果母亲确实想得到怀亚特石油工具公司的话，她必须想个别的办法。他的目光在人群中搜寻着他的母亲。他看到她在一群仰慕者之中。她很漂亮，虽然已快六十岁了，看上去却要年轻十岁。她脸上没有皱纹，身体结实苗条。这是运动和每天按摩的结果。她对自己同对别人一样地严格要求。托尼虽反感却又敬佩她这一点。对一个旁观者来说，凯特·布莱克韦尔似乎玩得很开心。看，她同客人们交谈着，微笑着，有时也大笑起来。她厌恶这里的每一分钟，托尼心想，可是为了得到她想要的东西，她是宁愿付出任何代价。他想到了玛丽安，她一定会非常痛恨这种纸醉金迷、花天酒地。一想到她，他心里就一阵疼痛。 我要同一个医生结婚了，我们从小就认识。 半小时过后，当露西来找托尼时，他已在回纽约的路上了。 ※※※ 他在机场的公用电话亭里给玛丽安打电话。“我要见你！”对方没有任何犹豫，“好的。” 托尼无法克制自己不去思念玛丽安·霍夫曼。长期以来，他一直是独来独往，可他并不感到孤独。然而现在离开了玛丽安，他却感到非常孤单惆怅，似乎少掉了自己的一部分。和她在一起，心中就感到温暖，生活就有了乐趣，笼罩在心头的乌云就会被驱散一尽。他害怕一旦让玛丽安离去，他将会变得失魂落魄。这一生中，他从来没有对任何人感到过像对她那样的强烈的需要。 玛丽安来到他的公寓里同他见面，当她跨进门时，托尼心中激起了一种强烈的欲望，这种感情他本以为永远地死去了。当他望着她时，他发现她也流露出同样渴望的神情，这奇迹般的一刻无法形容。 她一下扑进了他的怀里，他们的感情像一股不可抗拒的洪流，把他们俩抛起来，又席卷而去。这感情犹如火山爆发一般，心中的甜蜜痛快是言语无可比拟的。他们一起漂浮在天鹅绒般柔软和谐的世界里，忘却了时间，也不知到了什么地方，每个人都溶化在对方那奇妙的魔力之中。事后，他们俩都筋疲力尽地躺在那里，互相拥抱着，她那柔软的头发贴着他的脸。 “我要娶你，玛丽安。” 她捧起他的脸，注视着他的双眼，“你肯定吗，托尼？”她的声音柔和动听，“有一个问题，亲爱的。” “你的订婚问题？” “不是，我可以取消婚约。我只是担心你的母亲。” “她和这没有关系——” “别着急，听我讲完。托尼，她打算让你同露西·怀亚特结婚。” “那是她的计划。”托尼把她搂过来，“我的计划是这个。” “她会恨我的，托尼，我不想那样。” “你知道我想什么吗？”托尼耳语道。 奇迹又一次从头开始了。 ※※※ 过了四十八小时，凯特·布莱克韦尔才听到托尼的消息。他在怀亚特庄园里失踪了。既没有解释，也没有告别，就飞回了纽约。查利·怀亚特感到莫名奇妙，露西·怀亚特更是十分生气。凯特难堪地表示了歉意，当晚便乘飞机飞回纽约。当她到家后，马上就给托尼的公寓挂电话，可是没人接，第二天一整天也没人接。 凯特正在办公室，突然桌上的私人电话响了。她还没拿起听筒，就知道是谁打来的。 “托尼，你好吗？” “我很——很好，妈妈。” "Where are you?" “我正在度蜜——蜜月。我同玛丽安·霍夫曼昨天结婚了。”一阵长时间的沉默。“妈——妈妈，你在吗？” "I am here." “你也许应当说——说点恭喜，或祝你们幸——幸福，或是其他套——套话。”他的话听起来有点挖苦嘲弄的味道。 凯特说：“对，对。当然啰，祝你们幸福，儿子。” “谢谢你，妈——妈妈。”然后电话就挂上了。 凯特放下电话，按了一下内部通话器的按钮。“布雷德，你能来一下吗？” 布雷德·罗杰斯进来后，凯特说：“托尼刚来过电话。” 布雷德看了一眼凯特的表情，说道：“天哪！别跟我说你干成了！” “是托尼干的。”凯特微笑了一下，“我们已经把霍夫曼王国搞到手了。” 布雷德·罗杰斯一屁股坐进椅子里。“我真不敢相信！我了解托尼是多么固执，你怎么能让他把玛丽安·霍夫曼娶过来的呢？” “实际上很简单，”凯特叹了一口气，“我把他往错的方向推。” 但她心里清楚，这实际上是正确的方向。玛丽安给托尼做妻子是再合适不过了。她能驱散他心中的黑暗。 露西曾做过子宫切除手术。 玛丽安会给他生个儿子。