The Tyrant Billionaire

Kennedy, meanwhile, was deeply disappointed and frustrated by his loss. In his analysis afterward, he admitted Nixon had been the stronger candidate. While he had the backing of the Boston financial consortium and his family, it paled in comparison to Nixon's support from the Hardy Group.

By then, the California consortium, under Hardy's leadership, was the third largest financial power in the U.S., behind only Rockefeller and Morgan. Hardy's unparalleled connections and influence gave the consortium even greater dominance.

In addition, Hardy's extensive media holdings, including ABC Television and the Global Times, allowed him to shape public opinion in ways Kennedy could not match. Simply put, Kennedy didn't just lose to Nixon; he lost to Hardy.

Kennedy, a playboy at heart, not only envied Hardy's wealth and power but also the stunning women in Hardy's life: Princess Margaret, Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, Audrey Hepburn, and, above all, Marilyn Monroe. Kennedy was particularly jealous of Monroe, whom he considered an absolutely gorgeous actress.

When it came to other men's women, Kennedy didn't hesitate to flirt. But when it came to Hardy's women, even he knew to retreat.

In private, Kennedy sought solace by finding a lover who resembled Monroe. He even had her dye her hair blonde and style it short, purely for his fantasies.

Despite his loss, Kennedy remained hopeful. "I'm still young, and I'm still a senator. Next time, I'll have a better chance. Nixon's presidency is bound to have flaws, and I'll seize those to my advantage."

Kennedy kept encouraging himself.

Six months later as Nixon's administration settled into its rhythm, Kennedy met a new woman. To avoid his wife, he took her on a drive outside the city. As things heated up in the car, Kennedy failed to notice a warning sign ahead indicating a road closure. By the time he realized, it was too late. The car plunged off the edge of the road, flipping in the air before crashing roof-first.

When rescuers arrived, both Kennedy and the woman were already dead.

Kennedy, a former presidential candidate and sitting senator, made headlines with his untimely death. When Hardy read the news, he was stunned. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

Kennedy's death had nothing to do with Hardy. He had assumed Kennedy would live since he hadn't become president in this timeline. But fate had its way. Even without the presidency, Kennedy couldn't escape the "Kennedy curse."

...

The 1960s was the era of large-scale industries. Hardy had already positioned himself in advance in industries like mining, oil, and metallurgy. However, in metallurgy, he chose not to pursue the route of ore smelting but focused instead on recycling and smelting scrap metal.

As early as the early 1950s, Hardy had begun making moves in the urban waste recycling industry. Not only did he involve Bill in the business, but he also invited other Mafia families to join. Who could be more suited for the scrap recycling business than the Mafia?

Don't underestimate the business of collecting scrap; it's a highly profitable trade.

In the U.S., people pay to dispose of garbage. Once collected, trash is sorted: plastics are recycled, metals are recycled, and even paper is recycled.

It's all money.

By the mid-1950s, Hardy acquired several small smelting enterprises, which processed scrap metal for recycling.

From the beginning, this business was quite lucrative.

Hardy also knew, from his past experiences, that after the industrial age, major steel companies in the U.S. would collapse. Even dominant enterprises like Carnegie United Steel would not be spared. In contrast, steel mills that relied on recycled scrap metal would continue to turn a profit.

In the later years, over 70% of American steel would come from recycled scrap metal.

When Nixon came to power, Hardy found himself in his element.

Whether in the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands, or Penang, all of Hardy's industries saw rapid growth without encountering significant obstacles.

During this period, Hardy accomplished many things, one of which was establishing a private university in the U.S. named "Hardy University." The choice of name wasn't for vanity but followed tradition.

For instance, Harvard University was named after John Harvard, and Stanford University derived its name from former California governor and railroad magnate Leland Stanford and his wife.

Naming a university "Hardy University" was entirely appropriate.

The purpose of Hardy University was clear. First, to create a prestigious school in the U.S. that he could call his own. Second, to use Hardy University to foster better partnerships with universities in Penang, Singapore, and even Hong Kong.

This collaboration would help improve the educational quality in those regions.

Hardy University was located in Los Angeles. Hardy spent a considerable amount acquiring an 8,000-acre plot on the outskirts of the city. The property included two small lakes and a river, offering an excellent natural environment.

The university was established as a non-profit private institution, exempting it from government taxes. However, this also meant that shareholders could not earn a single penny from the university.

Most prestigious U.S. universities are non-profit private institutions.

From the outset, Hardy invited numerous investors to fund the university. Hardy had always excelled at using other people's money for his ventures.

Investors benefited, too. Their children would have an easier time enrolling in Hardy University, as the board could issue direct invitations.

The same principle applied to elite schools like Yale, Harvard, and New York University.

This is also why so many people donate to prestigious universities: to secure a spot for their children.

Hardy University focused on disciplines such as economics, law, sociology, medicine, pharmacology, life sciences, electronic information engineering, computer science, communications, and media studies.

While training talent for society, it would also nurture talent for Hardy Group itself.

After the university was established, Hardy spared no effort in hiring renowned professors, scholars, and educators, thereby attracting a large number of students, including international students. Hardy University also broke the tradition of white supremacy by employing capable Black professors, such as John Hope Franklin and Angela Davis, which was rare at the time.

Over these years, all of Hardy's industries experienced rapid growth.

By the late 1960s, estimates suggested that Hardy's enterprises had reached the staggering value of $50 billion.

Hardy's industries spanned across the U.S. and over dozens of countries and regions worldwide.

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