In the Third Exhibition Hall
This hall featured banks, especially Wells Fargo, showcasing overseas collaboration projects and investnt opportunities. Many business owners, typically focused on their specific industries, had limited understanding of investnts. Now, banks could assist them in professional and strategic resource allocation.
For instance, so celebrities, who might earn millions of dollars due to their fa, lacked any knowledge about investnts.
Cayman could help them invest.
Although Arican banks have always offered investnt services, Cayman’s services extended to global investnts, with a broader scope of opportunities.
Cayman presented over 300 investnt projects spanning countries and regions such as Italy, the UK, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Japan, Hong Kong, Penang, Malacca, and Singapore.
Many attendees left the exhibition hall, continuing to discuss financial investnt topics with their friends.
Soone remarked, "I saw a price list for Cayman mbership cards—$15,000 annually. That’s not cheap."
Another person responded, "It’s not cheap, but I believe more people will want to beco Cayman mbers. This place isn’t just about leisure; it helps us make money. It’s going to beco a global club for the wealthy. $15,000 isn’t much at all."
"Absolutely. To gather so many wealthy individuals, politicians, and celebrities—this is an enormous pool of resources. Even if you can tap into just a fraction of these resources, the returns will be massive."
Soone nearby did so quick math and exclaid in surprise, "If Cayman has 10,000 mbers, my goodness, that’s $150 million annually. And I think there will definitely be more than 10,000. If there are a million mbers, that’s $1.5 billion!"
It was astonishing to realize how lucrative this could be.
Even after accounting for complintary cards for presidents, parliant mbers, politicians, and heads of top financial groups, the revenue from second-tier wealthy individuals’ mbership fees would still be astronomical.
The casinos revenue was nothing in comparison.
Duty-free shopping? Insignificant.
People realized that mbership fees were Hardy’s most profitable venture.
After Cayman’s official opening, large groups of guests left after three days. However, thousands of visitors continued to arrive daily.
These thousands of people, enjoyed increasingly refined services.
anwhile, more and more companies began setting up on Cayman Island. People recognized the benefits of offshore companies, and so businesses weren’t going to pass up the opportunity to increase their profits.
After spending a few days in the U.S., Hardy boarded a plane to the UK to attend his viscount conferral ceremony.
The British Royal Family conducts an annual investiture ceremony.
Previously, Hardy’s appointnt as Governor of Cayman was a special investiture, held as a standalone event. This ti, the titles of Governor of Penang and Malacca and the hereditary title of Viscount were conferred as part of the standard investiture ceremony.
This ceremony included over twenty individuals.
The highest-ranking recipient inherited a family dukedom, while two others inherited earldoms. Three individuals were granted viscount titles: Hardy and two others, both of whom were mbers of the British Cabinet.
The ceremony was grand.
Having experienced it once before, Hardy was familiar with the process. However, this ti, King George VI was too ill to officiate. Historically, George VI would pass away from cancer a few months later. Therefore, Princess Elizabeth presided over the investiture.
Princess Elizabeth placed the sword on Hardy’s shoulder.
Hardy recited the oath.
From that mont, he beca a hereditary viscount of the United Kingdom, with the assigned territories of Penang and Malacca.
Although ceremonial, this officially legitimized Hardy’s authority over Penang and Malacca. Titles and recognition often carry significant weight.
After the royal dinner, as people bid their farewells, Hardy leaned in to exchange a close farewell with Margaret. Whispering softly in his ear, Margaret said, "Don’t go back just yet; I’ll co find you."
Hardy gave a barely noticeable nod.
Later, Hardy slept soundly in his hotel room until after 9 PM, when the doorbell rang. Opening the door, he found a woman wrapped in a coat and scarf, her face mostly concealed, standing at the entrance.
From her figure alone, Hardy imdiately recognized Margaret.
He quickly ushered her inside."How did you manage to get out?" Hardy asked.
"I just said I was going to visit a friend, and here I am," Margaret replied with a triumphant smile.
Hardy grasped Margaret’s cold hands and tucked them into his embrace. Touched by his gesture, Margaret leaned in close. Hardy noticed how icy her lips were and hurried to warm her with his passion.
When they finally finished, more than an hour had passed.
"I hate to part with you," Margaret said wistfully. "After this, it’ll probably be months before we see each other again."
Though she could always find an excuse to visit Cayman or other countries to see Hardy, their etings were inevitably fleeting.
However, it was precisely this brevity that sotis made such monts even more cherished.
"How about I arrange an official visit to Hong Kong in a few months? Or perhaps Penang and Malacca, since they’re British territories?" Margaret suggested.
"That’s an excellent idea," Hardy replied.
The two agreed on the timing of their next eting, and Margaret’s sadness quickly faded, replaced by hope and anticipation.
By March, it was ti for the annual Academy Awards. This year’s event in Hollywood was livelier than the last.
After Hardy sidelined McKenzie, no one had dared to suppress Hollywood. With a series of revitalization asures, the industry regained its vitality and returned to its forr glory. Hollywood was once again the paradise for filmmakers.
This year, Marilyn Monroe didn’t make it into the Best Actress category. AlthoughThe Seven Year Itchwas hugely popular, grossing $13.5 million, it lacked artistic rit.
Audrey Hepburn, however, was a contender for Best Actress.
Of course, Hardy’s behind-the-scenes efforts played a crucial role.
Hepburn was a newcor, andRoman Holidaywas her debut as a lead actress. Winning the Best Actress award would undoubtedly cent her place in cinematic history.
As the presenter stood on stage and read from the card, they announced loudly, "The Oscar for Best Actress goes to Audrey Hepburn forRoman Holiday!"
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