REVIVE: AMERICA 1995

The first course arrived promptly: a delicate presentation of foie gras with a golden tuna roe egg cup. The aroma was intoxicating. Milo took a spoonful of caviar, letting the tiny beads dance on his tongue before bursting with a burst of umami. It was a truly exquisite flavor, a testament to the finest ingredients and impeccable culinary skills.

Despite the indulgence, Milo couldn't shake off a slight feeling of dissatisfaction. Accustomed to the hearty portions of Chinese cuisine, these delicate Western dishes left him wanting more. However, with more courses to come, his appetite would undoubtedly be satisfied.
Pizza, salad, bread soup, steak – one dish after another disappeared into Milo's belly. As the meal came to an end, everyone retired to their respective homes. Tomorrow, they would travel to San Francisco to begin negotiations. For now, rest was the priority.
Milo had been living in California for nearly six years, and he had a home here. Located at 9406 Crest Drive, Beverly Hills, it was a modern mansion spanning an impressive 21,344.4 square feet, complete with five bedrooms and nine bathrooms. It was his Los Angeles base.
As the limousine pulled up to the villa, Wendy, sitting in the passenger seat, noticed Milo staring intently at the front door. "We're here, Milo," Wendy said. "Paladin loved this house," Milo replied thoughtfully. "He especially loved the Los Angeles weather. He said it wasn't as gloomy as Plymouth. He bought this house for me." Wendy fell silent. He thought to himself, 'It's not just this house. You've been living the decadent life you've been leading in California all because of Paladin's favoritism. The other disinherited scions of the family don't have it as good.' But of course, he couldn't say that out loud. Instead, Wendy offered words of comfort, "You're right. We should look forward. Your brother wouldn't want you to dwell on the past." "You're right," Milo replied, his expression brightening. "Paladin wouldn't want me to be sad. I can't let him down." With that, he turned to Wendy and said, "Let's throw a party tonight." Wendy was taken aback, but he knew this was to be expected. Since returning from the funeral, John and Joseph had spoken to him at length. His position within the Blackburn organization had been significantly elevated. "Sure," Wendy replied, "just give me a list of people you want to invite." "Just make sure they're clean and respectable," Milo winked. Wendy nodded. He knew what his boss meant. With that, Wendy left to make the necessary arrangements. Milo was left alone in the villa with his two bodyguards, David and York. David had been Milo's bodyguard for years, while York had been assigned to him after Paladin's passing. Milo began to explore his home. The house was designed with a contemporary aesthetic, featuring a grand living room with floor-to-ceiling windows at the front. The second and third floors housed the bedrooms and living areas, including a 2000 square foot master suite with a private dressing room, two sitting areas, two walk-in closets, and a glass shoe display room. The lower level was dedicated to entertainment, with a luxurious bar, spa, and home theater, complete with an infinity pool, Himalayan salt sauna, Japanese soaking tub, and a private gym. The basement level housed a beautiful garden that extended out from the villa's platform, creating the perfect setting for a party of around fifty people. Milo had hosted countless parties in this very house. The infinity pool, the garden, and the bedrooms had all been the scene of countless wild nights. He walked out to the garage and admired his collection of cars. There was a sleek Ferrari 308 GTS, a gift from his uncle George Bush for his sixteenth birthday. And there was a stunning red Lamborghini Diablo SE30, a 30th-anniversary edition given to him by Paladin last year. Milo couldn't resist the temptation. He grabbed the keys to the Ferrari and revved the engine. The roar of the engine filled the garage. As he drove out of the garage and onto Crest Drive, he couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. Beverly Hills was a city of excess and indulgence, and Milo was right at home.