[Chapter 513: Breaking $200 Million in One Week, and a Deal with Bill Gates]

Next, Linton continued his promotional tour with Catherine and Michelle Reis, traveling effortlessly to Miami, Washington D.C., Houston, Atlanta, and San Francisco. Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible's box office soared unabated.

After grossing $100.99 million over Friday and Saturday, Sunday brought in another $45.31 million. The three-day opening weekend totaled $146.3 million, setting a new weekend box office record. On Monday, the film earned $21.81 million.

Although the drop was steep -- falling below the typical 50% weekday decline -- the figure still dwarfed what most blockbusters could achieve in their daily earnings on an opening weekend. The industry began to see Mission: Impossible's genuine potential to break box office records.

Fans mainly contributed during opening weekend, so Monday's strong showing confirmed that word of mouth was spreading, winning over casual viewers and boosting ticket sales.

Tuesday brought $20.59 million, Wednesday $20.97 million -- six days in, the box office hit $209.67 million, setting the fastest record to break $200 million. Thursday followed with $19.47 million.

By the end of the week, the total was $229.14 million.

At this point, no one doubted Mission: Impossible would reach $400 million in North America alone.

...

During the rest of the promotional tour, no other female stars joined the spotlight. Catherine and Michelle Reis enjoyed immense grandeur, appearing almost daily on the entertainment pages. They reaped huge benefits from the film's success -- rising popularity, buzz, and star power.

Catherine was now unquestionably a top-tier Hollywood leading lady, while Michelle Reis successfully ascended to second-tier stardom.

Their agents reported a flood of endorsement deals and business invitations, both increasing in frequency and price bracket.

---

On Friday, the group arrived in Seattle.

Seattle stood as one of America's major economic powerhouses, boasting over four million residents and strong capabilities in aerospace, software, bioinformatics, genetics, electronics, medical devices, and environmental engineering. The world-renowned Microsoft and Boeing headquarters were located here.

And of course, the world's richest man, Bill Gates, resided in the city.

Microsoft had skyrocketed in recent years, its stock price hitting record highs. The company's market cap surpassed $100 billion, and Gates stood firmly atop the richest list with a net worth of $38.3 billion -- nearly $10 billion more than the second place.

Since Linton revealed his Vitality Pills, Gates had been eager to meet him. However, Linton's busy schedule had prevented it. Especially after the Vitality Pills sold out within just ninety minutes on May 6th, Gates' desire to meet intensified even more.

He wasn't the only billionaire pursuing such a meeting. When Linton went to New York recently, Warren Buffett and David Rockefeller also extended invitations, all declined by Linton.

Gates, however, had a unique advantage. Linton's charity foundation office was steadily acquiring Microsoft shares and currently held 6.3% -- making it one of the company's largest shareholders.

That stake belonged solely to the charity office. Counting shares held by Skycrest Capital, Linton Films, and UPN TV Network, Linton's personal stake exceeded an astonishing 10%.

Still, Linton had no interest in Microsoft's management; his goal was pure investment growth. Once Microsoft's market cap neared $600 billion, he planned to liquidate for an enormous fortune.

The charity office hadn't even sent board members to Microsoft, as Linton remembered the company had been growing at an unstoppable pace well before 2000.

But thanks to this relationship, when Gates learned Linton would be in Seattle for promotion, he personally called to invite him for a meeting. Linton accepted graciously -- his schedule in each city was light enough to squeeze it in.

...

At 11 a.m. on Friday, Linton and others arrived in Seattle by private jet. After checking into the Hilton Hotel, he told Catherine and Michelle Reis to explore the city on their own.

Accompanied by his assistant Li Xiaoran, Linton took the car sent by Gates to Medina, a satellite town east of Seattle along the Washington Lake shore.

Gates's famed estate, "Xanadu 2.0," lay in this smallest of American cities, less than twenty minutes' drive from the Seattle Hilton.

The car drove down a tree-lined road filled with native alder, maple, and Douglas firs, eventually stopping in front of a grand mansion.

From the front, the estate overlooked the misty Washington Lake, with a wooded hill rising behind -- designed as a "buried architecture" fortress, resembling a giant bastion.

Reportedly, the estate covered over 160,000 square feet, was constructed entirely of wood from 500-year-old Douglas fir, and required over 300 workers seven years to build -- cutting into half a mountain. The total cost exceeded $100 million.

Besides its grandeur, Xanadu 2.0 was noted for advanced high-tech features and smart home automation.

Gates loved showing off the cutting-edge gadgets inside, occasionally hosting wealthy dignitaries to parties. Last year, tickets to tour the estate sold for $350,000 at a charity auction hosted by the Gates Foundation.

...

When Linton stepped out of the car, Gates was already waiting at the main gate.

"Linton, what a heroic young man! Last time we met was at the White House, wasn't it?"

"Right, at the White House dinner two years ago."

After some warm pleasantries, Gates personally led Linton through the mansion, explaining its features.

Xanadu 2.0 employed many high-tech touches. For instance, visitors had to wear a small brooch -- a locator. Without it, the home's alarm would trigger immediately.

Almost every room had weather sensors, which communicated with a control center to adjust temperature and ventilation in real time.

Approaching any glass door, it opened automatically -- no touch needed.

Lights and speakers turned on upon their approach, and would shut off after leaving, giving the house an almost alive intelligence.

There was a gigantic swimming pool with a retractable roof.

Li Xiaoran marveled quietly, "Boss, this smart tech is something else."

Gates smiled faintly. "Nothing in it -- give it ten years, this'll be widespread."

A hint of arrogance came with the statement, fitting a tech mogul flaunting his innovations.

Yet, Linton secretly admired Gates's visionary edge. Compared to traditional wealthy elites, Gates was truly ahead of his time.

Though the estate's luxury lacked the grace of Linton's own grounds, its smart tech was indeed cutting-edge.

Coming from the future himself, Linton saw smart homes as the natural evolution and agreed that, eventually, the concept would dominate the market.

Though Gates was optimistic about a ten-year widespread adoption, Linton thought twenty years was more realistic. Still, Gates's business foresight was remarkable, even if a bit premature.

Beyond business, having exclusive use of such innovations satisfied a super-rich's need for superiority.

Implementing a smart home with current tech wasn't easy, however.

Gates revealed the house contained over eighty kilometers of wired cabling connecting sensors, transmitters, and a central computer to control bathrooms, air conditioning, audio, lighting, and more -- all made obedient to the system.

...

After touring the smart tech, Gates and Linton proceeded upstairs to the mansion's third floor, housing a 24-person banquet hall.

Through glass walls, they enjoyed breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding hills.

The staff led Li Xiaoran to the adjacent dining room, leaving only Gates and Linton in the grand hall.

Dishes emerged from the kitchen: tender Wagyu steaks, Alaskan halibut with jumbo shrimp, honey-soy glazed salmon -- each dish a visual and culinary delight.

Gates brought out a prized French Chateau Latour wine to accompany the meal.

This was a formal business dinner, rich with ceremony and gravitas.

Linton noted Gates's calm demeanor, taking his time before raising business.

After a few rounds of wine and courses, Gates finally spoke, "Linton, from what I understand, your charity foundation already holds 6.3% of Microsoft's shares, right?"

"That's correct."

"I heard you started buying Microsoft stock steadily since your early days?"

"Yes, I was confident in Microsoft's future under your leadership."

"Thank you for your faith in me and the company. According to American securities rules, shareholders owning over 5% can request board representation. Why haven't you pressed this?"

"Two reasons: first, under your guidance Microsoft has grown so well, I trust you to deliver solid returns for shareholders. Second, we lack industry knowledge and suitable candidates from our side."

"How about this: you pick anyone -- maybe one of your 21 girlfriends -- to become a non-executive director at Microsoft. They don't need to understand the business or attend meetings. At least they'd earn a generous salary annually. What do you think?"

"Alright. I'll consider it."

Linton recognized this as a goodwill gesture, likely leading to talk about his Vitality Pills soon.

"Linton, your Vitality Pills are too scarce. On launch day, my people couldn't even get in line. Can you hold four bottles for me in advance?"

"Four bottles? That's quite a lot. One bottle lasts you a year."

Gates shifted gears and mentioned the pills first -- Linton hadn't expected such eagerness.

"I know one bottle is enough for a year, but I have to think beyond myself -- my parents and partner need them, too."

"The supply is limited..." Linton hesitated.

After some back-and-forth, they struck a deal.

Linton agreed to prioritize selling Gates four bottles at market price before the official launch next month.

In return, Gates promised to push for Linton to secure two non-independent board seats at Microsoft -- positions requiring no attendance but with salaries no less than $1 million each annually.

Linton already had candidates in mind: Aunt Kelly and Winnie.

Kelly was one of his most trusted confidantes, excelling at managing the charity foundation, though her salary capped at $500,000 yearly -- plus Linton's supplemental support which she declined.

Securing a legitimate, lucrative income for her was ideal.

Winnie was a favored companion -- unique among his girlfriends. Others were stars with effortless wealth, so the million-dollar salary would hardly move them.

...

With the deal done, it was half past three.

Since they had a film promotion at a cinema that afternoon, Linton didn't linger at Xanadu 2.0. Gates sent a car to return him and Li Xiaoran to the hotel.

There, Catherine, Michelle Reis, and the promotional team reunited to continue their smooth and enjoyable campaign tour.

*****

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