Given a base salary, Avril worried that James might not agree to a 90-10 profit split. Thinking about some exploitative companies that take all of an artist's earnings, Avril felt a bit panicked and said nervously,
"Uncle, 90-10 is already very low. You can't totally bleed me dry."
James chuckled, "How could I do that to you?"
Seeing his broad smile, Avril breathed a sigh of relief.
"You scared me; I thought you were going to be a total skinflint."
"Don't think so badly of people. We're neighbors, after all. I wouldn't bully you," James said leisurely. "How much of a share do you want?"
"I can set the terms?" Avril asked eagerly.
James gave a nod, and her eyes lit up with hope. She carefully suggested,
"Can you give me an 80-20 split for the first few years?"
James smirked, "Why are you being so timid? Why not go for the best deal right away?"
"Then... if we could do 70-30, I'd be willing to sign for ten years," Avril said tentatively.
A 70-30 split was pretty good; many artists in South Korea only got an 80-20 split for their entire careers. For someone with nothing now, getting company support and making it big meant that a 70-30 split would be a win for her.
"What if it's 60-40? How long would you sign for?" James asked, amused.
"For a 60-40 split, I'd work for you for life," Avril said earnestly. "As long as you don't force me to do disgusting things, I'd agree to a lifetime contract."
Seeing her so eager, James teased,
"What if you get 60 and I get 40? What would you do then?"
Avril could hardly believe her ears. She trembled as she asked,
"Uncle, are you serious?"
James smiled.
"Of course, if you agree, we'll sign it right now."
In the front seat, Winnie Morgan felt like something snapped in her brain. She wanted to open her mouth to stop James, but when she saw his grin in the rearview mirror, she forced herself to swallow her words. While the proposal sounded absurd, for a lifelong partnership, it might barely make sense.
Avril's eyes widened in disbelief.
A 50-50 split was already the best treatment a management company could offer. Only mega stars who ran their own studios could enjoy better terms. For someone like her, who needed all the resources the company provided, a 60-40 splitâwhere she got the bigger shareâwas unheard of.
"Uncle," she said cautiously, examining James up and down. "You're not drunk, right? I remember you only had two bottles at lunch."
She leaned closer, holding up two fingers in front of his face.
"How many fingers?"
The girl was lively and mischievous, brimming with energy. Her floral dress, snugly fitted, had a V-shaped neckline that hung low as she bent forward.
James glanced briefly before looking away, calmly saying,
"You're exposing yourself."
Avril looked down and realized he was right. But instead of being embarrassed, she smirked and held her posture.
"So, what do you think? My figure's better than your girlfriend's, right?"
Tailsa's figure was leagues curvier than most women. Avril didn't even come close.
"Not even close," James said with a chuckle. "But you're small, and that's cute too."
Avril's cheeks flushed pink.
"You pig, taking advantage of me and acting like a gentleman."
James, unbothered, leaned into his natural playboy demeanor.
"You're the one flaunting yourself in front of me. If I didn't look, wouldn't that be rude?"
Flustered, Avril leaned back with a huff.
"Men are all the sameâbig jerks."
"Let's stop fooling around," James said, his tone serious now. "We need to discuss the last pieceâthe penalty clause. I'm investing in you, giving you a base salary, and offering you a share of the profits. How much do you think the penalty should be if you breach the contract?"
This was bound to be a massive sum, likely in the hundreds of millions. Avril rarely grew serious, but now she bit her nails in thought before tentatively suggesting,
"Fifty million?"
The number was modest, so much so that she felt guilty saying it out loud.
As expected, James shook his head and asked,
"You think I care about fifty million?"
Avril stammered awkwardly,
"Then how much do you want? But let me say thisâif it's too much, I can't accept it. It'd be better if I could pay it off within five or six years. That way, I'd still have hope in life."
James sighed dramatically.
"Forget it. Such a small amount isn't worth it. If you ever want to leave, just leave."
The car fell silent.
Both women were stunned.
In the front seat, Winnie Morgan couldn't hold back any longer. With the tone of a loyal advisor pleading with an emperor, she said,
"Boss, you can't! You're spending all this money on her. The company has to have some protection. If she makes it big and then jumps to another company, we'd lose everythingâeven our shirts!"
James interrupted, "I can afford to lose it."
Winnie was left gasping for air, her eyes filled with despair, as if she might collapse on the spot to make James see the gravity of the situation.
Even Avril gulped nervously and muttered,
"Uncle, you're not going to hire a hitman to kill me if I leave, are you?"
If he didn't want money, he must want her life. Rich, willful bosses were capable of anything. The entertainment world was full of dirty secretsâdeaths labeled as suicides often weren't.
The horrifying thought left Avril trembling. But before her imagination could run further, a flick to her forehead snapped her out of it.
"Be normal. We have no feud, so why would I kill you?" James said, his tone cold.
Rubbing her head, Avril said timidly,
"How about thisâlet's set the penalty at three hundred million. I'll help you make back your investment before leaving, deal?"
James couldn't help but feel like this was déjà vu. It reminded him of when he tried to give Tailsa a house, and she kept overthinking his intentions.
To avoid repeating that mistake, James took Avril's small hand and said gently,
"Don't worry. I just don't want you to feel trapped by clauses. I don't care about penalties. What I care about is you."
Avril's expression turned delicate, her big eyes looking at him pitifully.
"But... didn't you say you weren't going to make me sleep with you?"
"I'm not that kind of person," James said sternly.
"Then why are you being so nice to me?" Avril asked, her voice full of suspicion.
James had prepared for this question. With a warm and almost ethereal tone, he replied,
"Do you believe there's someone in this world who would genuinely care for you, asking for nothing in return, just wanting you to be happy?"
"No," Avril said decisively.
As an entertainer, she'd seen too much darkness. For money, people would do anything. She had never imagined someone would one day pamper her, protect her, and let her be free.
Faced with James's sincerity, Avril could only think of one explanation.
"Uncle, do you want to be my dad or something?"