Hunting in Hollywood

Janet's due date was December 11th, but she began experiencing irregular contractions a few days before Thanksgiving.

After Thanksgiving, it was confirmed that the little one would arrive in the first few days of December. Persuaded by Simon, Janet obediently checked into a private hospital near Pepperdine University in Malibu.

The Westerlo family's own hospital was not an option this time.

To ensure everything went smoothly, Raymond Johnston sent the entire team from the Johnston Family Medical Center in Australia.

Simon also stopped working entirely before Thanksgiving, planning to stay with Janet throughout December.

The news of Janet's pregnancy had already caused quite a stir in the media.

As the due date approached, public interest in the event grew again, with paparazzi appearing near Dume Point Manor.

Simon responded forcefully, having Pat Kingsley personally inform various media outlets that any reporters found snooping around would no longer be welcome at any Westerlo companies.

Such a statement was taken very seriously.

Not only was Daenerys Entertainment involved, but the entire Westerlo system had numerous events of interest to the media every year. If a newspaper were banned by the Westerlo system, it would lose a significant source of content compared to other media outlets.

Additionally, security was significantly increased both at Dume Point Manor and the private hospital where Janet was staying. Even the hospital staff was replaced with doctors and nurses flown in from Australia, causing the media to abandon their attempts to gather information and simply wait for an official announcement from the Westerlo family.

Naturally, discussions about the baby were unavoidable in the media.

The name drew the most attention.

Melbourne Westerlo.

Simon and Janet hadn't deliberately kept the name a secret, and it had leaked out after the baby shower.

Some people inevitably criticized the 'non-mainstream' nature of the name.

However, most of the media focused on interpreting the name and the possible implications behind Simon Westerlo naming his son 'Melbourne.'

Many believed the name was Janet's choice.

Australian media reacted enthusiastically, with the mayor of Melbourne expressing excitement during an interview, stating that it was an honor for Simon Westerlo to name his son 'Melbourne' and sending his best wishes to the soon-to-be-born child.

Not to mention, the two "Batman" films shot in Melbourne had significantly boosted the city's international reputation.

Due to the rise of the film industry, Melbourne had become Australia's most popular tourist city in the past two years.

On December 6th, after breakfast, Simon was walking with Janet in the hospital garden when she suddenly felt discomfort. By the time the on-call medical team gathered, Janet's water had broken.

Everything had been well-prepared in advance, so Janet was smoothly taken to the delivery room, with Simon donning sterile clothing to stay by her side.

Since it was her first child, the doctors estimated it would take over eight hours.

Multiple prior check-ups had shown both mother and baby to be very healthy. Despite her fear of pain, Janet chose to deliver naturally.

Lying on the delivery bed, clenching Simon's hand tightly, Janet occasionally gave him a reproachful look when the pain became intense.

Simon was filled with both anticipation and anxiety about the impending birth of his child, patiently staying by Janet's side.

Entering the delivery room around 8:00 AM, it wasn't until 2:20 PM that a healthy 8-pound baby boy finally made his loud arrival into the world.

After another half-hour of busy activity, Simon, looking at his newborn son and commenting that he was 'so ugly,' saw Janet, exhausted, fall into a deep sleep.

Simon personally carried Janet to the adjacent room, where the baby was placed in a crib next to her.

After settling both mother and child, Simon kissed the sleeping Janet on the cheek before leaving the room.

Outside the room, many people had already arrived.

His assistant was in a nearby room, continuously answering calls and noting down first-time congratulations from all over.

After greeting the executives from Daenerys Entertainment, Eaglet, Cisco, AOL, and others, everyone took turns peering through the glass wall at the newborn before gradually leaving.

After sending off Amy Pascal and Nancy Brill, the last to leave, Simon returned to Janet's room. His assistant came over, and together they stood in front of the glass, gazing at the baby in the crib with a look of envy. But she didn't forget the important matters: "The folks from Australia are already on their way. They should arrive around 8:00 AM tomorrow."

Simon nodded but didn't take his eyes off the baby inside.

Newborns are extremely sensitive and fragile, unsuitable for too much contact, so everyone had observed from outside the glass. Even the nurses on duty entering and leaving the room were thoroughly disinfected.

Simon wasn't about to indulge anyone's curiosity by parading his newborn around just hours after birth.

The Westerlo family had no need to satisfy anyone's curiosity.

After his assistant finished her report, she glanced at her notebook and continued: "Steve Ross called from New York to congratulate you and sent a gift and card. My dad also called."

She smiled at this point and skipped over it, continuing: "Besides Mr. Eiger from the East Coast, Mr. Smith from Verizon, Ms. Facy from Europe, and so on, the heads of the other major Hollywood studios also called and sent gifts."

Simon listened and said, "Handle these for now, and make a list. I'll call them back this evening."

The assistant nodded and added: "Should we announce the news publicly? Ms. Kingsley called earlier saying many media outlets are waiting for an update."

Since it was a happy occasion, Simon thought for a moment and nodded: "Have Jeff post an announcement on the Eaglet portal."

The assistant agreed but didn't leave immediately, instead continuing to stand with Simon, looking at the baby in the crib for a while longer. Then she asked, "How does it feel to be a father?"

Simon, staring at his son, honestly replied: "A bit bewildered."

"Hmm?"

"I wonder what he will become."

The assistant paused, quickly understanding Simon's thoughts.

For ordinary families, there would be many worries at this point—about the baby's diet, health, education, and so on.

However, these issues were non-existent for Simon or for little Melbourne Westerlo in the crib.

This child was destined to be born with a silver spoon and receive the best of everything.

Given that Simon could provide everything other children could only dream of, his bewilderment was understandable.

Moreover, the assistant knew that Simon had never been a very secure person.

Instinctively, she moved closer to Simon, stopping when she touched his arm, and softly said, "Mel will definitely grow up to be as remarkable as you."

Understanding the improbability of this and knowing the assistant was comforting him, Simon smiled, patting her waist reassuringly.

The assistant, born in 1962, was only two years younger than Janet. According to their earlier agreement, she could have a child next year.

Having made the promise, Simon wouldn't go back on it.

Sensing Simon's mood, the assistant smiled gently and didn't bring up the matter, instead saying, "I'll go prepare some food for you. You haven't eaten since morning."

Simon spent the rest of the day patiently staying in the hospital.

Outside, after careful deliberation by the PR team and Simon's approval, Eaglet's portal released a very brief news announcement: The first child of the Westerlo family had been born.

This was similar to the announcement when Janet's pregnancy was first revealed.

Of course, there were no photos.

Even though it was well-known, the announcement didn't mention the baby's name.

Immediately, a large number of mainstream media outlets reported on the event.

Simon Westerlo's first child, heir to a fortune worth billions, was a headline-grabbing story, capable of drawing significant attention even without additional details.

Early the next morning, the tired Johnston family finally arrived in Los Angeles.

This time, the whole family came.

Raymond and his wife, Anthony and his family, Norman and his family, David from England, Patrick and their respective girlfriends, and of course, Veronica Johnston.

Simon had a mansion in Palisades prepared for them.

The Johnston family was traditionally conservative and, given their low family numbers, took such events very seriously.

Even the usually stern Raymond Johnston couldn't hide his joy at seeing his grandson.

David and Patrick were still unmarried, and Janet had been in the same situation before. The last time the Johnston family welcomed a new member was ten years ago with Norman's son, Victor Johnston.

Despite the child being a Westerlo, Raymond naturally considered him part of the Johnston family.

If it weren't for Simon's overwhelming achievements, the child might have taken Janet's surname.

There is such a tradition in the West.

When the mother's family is exceptionally strong, the child often takes the mother's surname or includes it as a middle name, symbolizing honor and heritage. The child, too, would not find this odd and might even prefer the mother's surname.

For example, Lydia Hearst.

Few know Lydia Hearst's father's surname; most naturally assume it's 'Hearst.'

Simon hadn't forgotten the promise he made to the precocious girl at Gemma's birthday party. Recently, he even gave her a small role in "The Ring," to which the Hearst family responded positively. The girl accepted enthusiastically and called Simon to discuss her small role seriously.

In the private hospital.

After the large family had admired the baby, they headed to Palisades to settle in.

Since they were in the U.S., they planned to stay for a few days.

Raymond even called David and Patrick aside, insisting they stay with the family in Palisades, hinting at the importance of their personal lives.

Raymond was never satisfied with David's girlfriend, Leslie Wicket

. However, seeing his newborn grandson might soften his stance.

Despite everything being fine, Janet would stay in the hospital for two more days before returning to Dume Point Manor.

Simon planned to host a family dinner at Dume Point Manor after Janet's discharge.

Around noon.

As everyone left, few noticed that Veronica Johnston had quietly stayed behind.

Due to her naturally quiet and cold demeanor, Veronica seemed to have little presence.

However, Simon and Janet had noticed.

After carefully feeding the baby and seeing him blow bubbles, Janet looked at Veronica, who was sitting quietly by the bed. Since Simon wasn't in the room, Janet didn't address her intimately as 'aunt,' nor did she call her 'iceberg' in front of her son. Instead, she simply asked, "Would you like to hold him?"

Since first laying eyes on the baby, Veronica had shown an inexplicable emotion.

The newborn seemed to have a certain magic, continually drawing her in. Even though everyone else had left and Janet might notice something, Veronica couldn't help but stay.

To avoid revealing too much, Simon had left the room earlier under the pretext of preparing lunch.

Veronica hesitated but eventually reached out.

Janet handed the baby over, reminding her: "Support his head. His neck is fragile. Don't hold him too high; it'll make him uncomfortable..."

Veronica silently and carefully followed Janet's instructions, holding the baby with even more caution than Janet had.

It seemed.

As if she had reclaimed something lost long ago, something she thought she could never regain.

Old memories, long buried, flooded back as she gazed at the baby in her arms. She felt an almost tearful surge of emotion and a strange, strong impulse to take the child away.

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