Chapter 42

Unlike the historical development in another timeline, in this timeline, the historical development after the 49th year of the 20th century is somewhat bizarre.

The French colonial territory in Vietnam saw an independence movement. To maintain their interests and rule in Vietnam, the French sent a large number of troops to Vietnam after World War II to suppress the opposition and also established a puppet government in Vietnam.

As a result, Vietnam was split into two parts: the opposition-controlled area was called 'North Vietnam,' and the French-supported puppet government was 'South Vietnam.'

This independence war lasted for decades, and the French were deeply mired in this war quagmire, unable to extricate themselves.

The war broke out in 1956 and continued until 2015, lasting nearly 60 years. France spent a huge amount of manpower and resources and lost a large number of young soldiers' lives, leading to a severe economic downturn.

The constant military defeats on the battlefield and the continuous condemnation in the international community also made the French authorities look very bad.

Recently, the North Vietnamese army inflicted another heavy blow on the joint forces of France and South Vietnam, eliminating a large part of their effective forces. With the growing anti-war sentiment in France, the French rule in Vietnam is now in a precarious position.

It is clear to anyone who is not a fool that France has reached a dead end and can no longer maintain the situation in Vietnam.

Withdrawing troops and ceasing the war is the only way out for France.

However, at this time, the French side actually sent someone to contact her, hoping to get a loan. Annie thought the French were too naive and also considered her to be too simple-minded.

Clearly, the French intended to default on the loan after obtaining it.

As for the talk about 'hoping to use the loan to continue the Vietnam War,' it was just a way to deceive her. Annie would not take it seriously.

Only a fool would believe such talk.

Is Annie a fool?

Obviously not, so she would not believe it.

Moreover, the French military defeat in Vietnam would also lead to the current French government's downfall. Once this happens, the next government would definitely default on the debt.

Given her understanding of the French, Annie would certainly not lend money to the French side.

Though she has many businesses in France, she does not need to worry about them causing trouble.

After all, if they caused trouble, Annie could declare bankruptcy, leading to massive unemployment, which would be enough to make the French authorities very worried.

"Alright, Miss, I know what to do."

Nord, though a butler, also helps Annie convey and handle some business matters. After Annie told him how to handle these matters, Nord naturally knew how to instruct others.

After a series of phone calls, Nord conveyed Annie's intentions to the relevant department heads, and these matters were considered resolved.

Nord suddenly remembered something and said to Annie, who was flipping through documents, "Miss, there is some news from the Ando family, but it differs from our previous assumptions."

Due to suspicions of a mastermind behind the death of a direct-line family member, Annie instructed Nord to monitor the largest suspect, the Japanese industrial giant Ando family.

It has been over two months since she gave this instruction, and now Nord finally has some information.

Indeed, monitoring such a powerful force would not yield results in a short time. Getting some information after two months is already quite good in Annie's view.

"Oh, what is the situation?"

Annie stopped flipping through the documents and looked up at her old butler.

Nord frowned, with a serious expression: "According to reliable information from our people, Ando is likely just one of the participants, but the true mastermind is someone else. Based on the observations of our dispatched personnel, it is likely the Soviets, as the Ando family has very close ties with the Soviets."

The Soviets?

The Ando family and the Soviets colluding to plot against the Wheston family?

Annie fell into deep thought, considering the possibility of this scenario.

After some consideration, she felt that this was not impossible.

The Japanese and the Soviets are equally greedy, and using such unconventional means to target the Wheston family is not out of the question.

However, Annie could not figure out what the Soviets could gain from this.

Suddenly, Annie remembered someone she had forgotten, which made her body tremble.

"Uncle Nord, do you remember Morozov?"

Annie mentioned a name, and her expression was not very pleasant.

Recalling the name, the old butler Nord nodded solemnly: "I remember. He was one of your suitors at the time, but his intentions were not pure, so you did not treat him well and ignored him."

After recalling, the old butler Nord remembered the Soviet second-generation official, a slick and unscrupulous man.

The old butler Nord had no good impression of Morozov.

"Indeed, this guy pursued me just to use me to launder money and transfer the huge wealth his father had embezzled in the country. I saw through his plans at the time, so I did not treat him well. He even tried to force himself on me once, but did not succeed."

Thinking of Morozov, Annie's expression turned very bad.

"I heard his father has been promoted?" Annie asked, her expression changing.

Nord nodded: "Yes, his father is now the head of the KGB's European intelligence division."

Annie narrowed her eyes, deep in thought.

"If this guy's father has been promoted, then the mastermind behind the attacks on our family might really be him. After all, Morozov has a bad temper and is the type to seek revenge for any slight. When he tried to force himself on me, though he did not succeed, he was retaliated against by my family. Given his nature, it's not impossible that he would seek revenge once his father gained more power. Even collaborating with the Japanese would be mutually beneficial."

The more Annie thought about it, the more she felt that Morozov was involved.

However, with the current strength she possessed, dealing with the son of a high-ranking Soviet official was beyond her capabilities.

"Investigate! I want to know if Morozov is involved. Don't relax the surveillance on the Japanese side; continue to follow them."

When the Soviets were involved, Annie was almost certain that Morozov was behind it.

However, she lacked concrete evidence, so she could only instruct the old butler Nord to continue the investigation.

But even if she found out, what could she do?

The head of the KGB's European division is someone she cannot afford to offend.

With such a powerful father, even if Morozov really did what she suspected, could she go to the Soviet Union to seek justice?

Obviously, that was impossible.

She might disappear without a trace as soon as she arrived in the Soviet Union.

Though Annie is wealthy and influential in the eyes of ordinary people and has a vast network in Europe and America, she deeply understands that in the eyes of the Soviet elite, she is nothing.

Even in America, there are many people with more status and wealth than her, and globally, there are even more.

But Annie still wanted to know the truth.

Because she was not willing to accept it!

After this conversation, the atmosphere in the car became somewhat silent.

Fortunately, the car had already arrived at the destination, the luxury shopping street of Beverly Hills. The excited Coco broke the silence, drawing Annie's attention back.

"Wow! Wow!"

Coco, looking out the car window at the shops, let out a series of incomprehensible shouts, whether out of joy or admiration.

Beverly Hills, a place known worldwide, is home to many celebrities, tycoons, and renowned entrepreneurs from around the world.

Due to the presence of these people, the area has gained significant fame.

Mansions!

Luxury cars!

Celebrities!

Beautiful women!

These are the images that typically come to mind when people think of 'Beverly Hills.'

Because of these people, many world-renowned brands have set up specialty stores here, not only to cater to these celebrities but also to enhance their brand value and reputation.

Here, one can buy various high-priced men's and women's clothing, jewelry, and other items, though the prices are not affordable for ordinary people.

A seemingly ordinary T-shirt can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars here.

Yes, you read that right.

A T-shirt can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars!

The prices are truly outrageous!

Moreover, the shops here do not negotiate prices; if you try to bargain, you will be seen as unusual and laughed at.

It must be said that the Beverly Hills shopping street in this timeline is even more peculiar and unique than in another timeline.

But the tastes of the wealthy are not something ordinary people can understand. Despite the outrageous prices, people still buy these items. Isn't that strange?

Here, as long as you have money, you are God!

Oh, no!

Even God is not as good as you!

Women! Men! Middle-aged men and women! Elderly people and even children's goods, you can buy them here with your money, and they are unique.

Of course, these unique items would shock ordinary people with their prices.

But these shops are not for ordinary people; they are specifically for the wealthy residents of Beverly Hills.

Some major brands even set up stores here not to make money but to prove their strength or for other considerations.

Therefore, you don't need to worry about these shops having no business; that would be a misplaced concern.

"Uncle Nord, let's not talk about troubling matters now. I hope to have a good mood today and play with this child for the morning."

Annie, holding Coco, got out of the car and tried to adjust her emotions, reminding her old butler.

"Alright, Miss, I hope you have a pleasant morning," the old butler bowed slightly in response.

Annie, having composed herself, looked around and chose a store specializing in children's clothing, then walked straight in with the excited Coco.

The old butler Nord followed closely behind, and the bodyguards got out of the car and followed at a distance, not too close.

At this moment, Kim Hyun-tae was already at Monica Public High School, meeting with the principal and beginning his admission test...

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