America 1919

Clattering and clanging, the train's noise did not affect Donnie's traveling mood.

From Atlantic City to Los Angeles, it was almost a cross-country journey, spanning more than two thousand miles. With the current speed of trains, it would take no less than two days for Donnie to reach Los Angeles.

However, Donnie certainly would not shortchange himself, so he had booked an entire carriage, complete with a living room, bathroom, and all the amenities.

Moreover, accompanying Donnie to Los Angeles were the top three finalists of Miss America as well as Jessica Dole.

So at this time, what Donnie needed to worry about was not whether the journey would be uninteresting, but whether his back could take it.

Two days later, Donnie, holding his back, disembarked from the train.

The four girls following him were radiant and light on their feet.

Griffith was waiting at the train station and, seeing Donnie in this condition, let out a laugh, "It seems, Donnie, you've really been working hard all the way!"

Donnie laughed it off, "I had no choice, in order to sort out the United Artists business, I couldn't afford to rest for a moment!"

Griffith laughed again, "Then we leave it all to you, Donnie!"

"Sure thing, sure thing!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Griffith and his driver, in two cars, took Donnie and others to the Beverly Hills Hotel, located near Beverly Hills.

Griffith personally introduced Donnie saying, "This is Villa number 5 of Beverly Hills Hotel; whatever you need, just ask the hotel staff to arrange it for you!"

The Beverly Hills Hotel had been in business since 1912, different from other hotels, the Beverly Hills Hotel operated with individual villas.

Naturally, the charges were very expensive. In an era where ordinary boarding apartments cost just one US Dollar per night, the Beverly Hills Hotel's nightly charge was as high as 100 US Dollars!

Looking at the villa covered in greenery, and the swimming pool outside, Donnie said, very satisfied, "David, thank you very much, this place is lovely!"

Griffith, with a smile, replied, "I'm glad you like it!"

While showing Donnie around the villa, Griffith continued, "Pickford, Douglas cut their honeymoon short and returned to Los Angeles for this matter. If you're not busy, how about we meet this evening and talk things over in more detail?"

Donnie naturally had no objections. Though Los Angeles was the City of Angels of the United States, Donnie had too many things to attend to, so he definitely could not stay for too long.

The sooner he wrapped up things here, the sooner he could return to Atlantic City.

"Alright then, take some rest, and we'll come over in the evening!"

Griffith left the place very courteously.

The continuous two-day train ride had left Donnie completely exhausted. He said to Jessica Dole and the four girls, "Next is your free time, I'm going up to sleep now, and nobody is allowed to disturb me!"

After saying that, Donnie headed to the bedroom to sleep amidst the giggles and laughter of the four girls covering their mouths.

By the time Donnie woke up, the sky had already darkened, and the distant hills of Beverly were bathed in gold by the sunset.

Outside, Jessica Dole and the four girls had already changed into their swimsuits and were frolicking and playing in the swimming pool.

"Alright, hurry up and change clothes. Pickford is also going to come over, and seeing you like this, I think Pickford will surely not be pleased," Donnie clapped his hands and said to Jessica Dole and the others.

Keira Sandton, wearing a yellow one-piece swimsuit, came up to Donnie, put her hands on his shoulders, and giggled, "Donnie, are you actually afraid of Pickford?"

Donnie slapped Keira Sandton's perky rear, laughing, "It's not that I'm afraid of her, but I'm thinking of you. After we finish up things here in Los Angeles, I will definitely return to Atlantic City, and you will have to stay here."

"Pickford is currently the hottest actress in Hollywood. If she gets a bad impression of you, even if you have contracts with the company, Pickford will surely have a thousand ways to make you fail in Hollywood."

"Is that what you want?"

Hearing Donnie's words, the girls, without any hesitation, leaped like 'mermaids' from the story, rushing out of the swimming pool to find their watches, and immediately returned to their rooms and changed into the most proper attire.

By then, Donnie had already called the hotel to arrange the meal for the dinner.

By seven o'clock in the evening, Charlie Chaplin and his group arrived punctually. The four people got out of three cars, and Griffith introduced Pickford and the Douglas couple to Donnie.

"Donnie, I'm very sorry that we should be showing you hospitality tonight, but since our plans haven't started yet, and everything should remain confidential, so we can only meet here!" Pickford said with a sweet smile.

Seeing the first-generation American sweetheart, Donnie shook her hand, "Since we're about to be partners, there's no need for formalities!"

Douglas took out two bottles of red wine from his car, laughing, "This is the fine wine I've kept for years, Donnie, you must try it later!"