Free Web NovelChapter 457: Chapter 254: The Pros and Cons of Loyalty
"My proposal requires you and your current legal wife, Lady Aliya, to undergo a divorce agreement."
"Then, as a legally single person, you will register a legal marriage with Ms. Emily in the United States."
"The purpose of this is to achieve a thorough risk mitigation both legally and morally. It could provide crucial benefits."
"First, it shows Ms. Emily that you hold equal love and commitment to both her and Aliya. This makes the emotional bond between the three of you more unbreakable."
"Second, and most importantly, it provides perfect PR ammunition for us in case of a future media crisis, offering the public an acceptable perspective."
"Lin, you have to understand, the majority of Americans are very conservative. They cannot comprehend a man having two wives in a Mormon-style living arrangement."
"However," his tone became clever, "they can very well understand and sympathize with a responsible man."
He elaborated, "Imagine, if your family structure gets exposed by the media in the future, our story will not be controversial polygamy."
"Instead, it will be a story about a great man filled with responsibility and love, caring for both his ex-wife and current wife who bore his children."
"A man who takes on the responsibility of caring for two women and all the children, as opposed to polygamy that oppresses women like a cult, do you see the vast difference?"
"The former would be seen as responsible in conservative Redneck States; in progressive Blue states, it would be viewed as an avant-garde modern family."
"It might induce controversy, but more so sympathy, understanding, and even admiration!"
"The latter, however, would be nowhere viewed as anything but a cult, a scandal!"
"As for the joint life between you three, it will be comprehensively protected by a ’Family Property and Rights Trust Agreement’ personally drafted by Matty Singh."
"In that agreement, Lady Aliya, though legally an ex-wife, will have equal rights with Ms. Emily."
Lin Yu’an did not immediately respond. He leaned back on the chair, silently gazing at the tranquil snowy field outside the window.
He thought of Aliya’s tenderness and contribution, Emily’s intelligence, and sacrifice. This matter was far more significant than signing a business contract.
It touched on their emotions, the very core and sensitive foundation of this special family.
He slowly spoke to the screen, his voice calm yet filled with unwavering principles: "Mr. Braun, I admit your proposal is very professional and convincing."
"However," he paused, his tone becoming resolutely firm, "this matter is not something I can decide alone."
"They are my family, and any change to our family structure, whether merely formal or substantial, must have their complete and unconditional consent."
"Therefore, I cannot give you an answer right now."
"I need time to have an internal discussion with my wives for our family."
He looked at the men on the screen who held the reins of Hollywood power and said calmly, "Once we have a mutual decision, I’ll inform you."
These words left Scooter and Brian unexpectedly surprised on the other end of the video.
They hadn’t anticipated that at this critical moment of deciding future business worth billions, Lin Yu’an’s first concern was not profit, but the feelings of his family.
However, soon after, a genuine sense of admiration flashed in Scooter’s eyes.
He realized that this time, he might have really made the right gamble.
A man who, in the face of great temptation, still prioritizes his family over everything is far more reliable and likely to go much further than those only chasing fame and fortune.
"I understand, Lin." Scooter nodded, his tone filled with respect, "You’re right; family always comes first. We await your news."
The atmosphere of the video meeting became somewhat subtle because of this interlude.
Breaking the silence was Brian Lorde, who once again displayed his signature charming smile capable of resolving any awkwardness.
"Alright, now that we’ve reached a consensus on this most important and personal risk point,"
He glanced at Scooter and then at Lin Yu’an on the screen, his tone becoming light yet forceful, "Let’s move on to the next equally important matter on the agenda."
His gaze finally settled on the man who remained as steady as a statue throughout.
"Matty," Brian’s voice carried a hint of authorization, "I think our new friend can’t wait to see CAA’s first welcome gift."
He looked at Matty Singh and made a courteous gesture.
Matty Singh nodded calmly at the camera. He didn’t even end the video meeting, just picked up another phone and pressed the speaker button.
"Prepare the Gulfstream G650 flight route application, Los Angeles to Vancouver, departing in one hour."
"Alright, sir."
"Also, ask Anderson when he can send me the stock price fluctuation curves and financial reports of Archaeopteryx’s parent company, Amer Sports, and its ultimate parent company, Anta Sports, for the past year."
"I need to know how much money they actually have in their pockets and how much they’ve been fearing death lately."
"Have that new Harvard recruit organize all the information on Mountain Rat and Old Man’s Head, including their brand concepts for this quarter and whether they have any new financing plans."
"I want to know what cards our competitors can play."
"Lastly, get me on the phone with Marcus Weber, the global market director for Archaeopteryx. Tell him that I will be representing Mr. Lin Yu’an to accept his invitation to the meeting."
"I will be present at their headquarters office on time at 5 PM this afternoon."
After saying this, he turned to Lin Yu’an and Scooter on the other end of the video call and said, "Alright, everyone, I’m off to retrieve what’s rightfully my client’s. Wish me luck."
He hung up the call, and the video signal was interrupted simultaneously. An epic blitz by the Mad Dog Lawyer against the Archaeopteryx Headquarters had officially commenced.
Lin Yu’an’s avatar soon disappeared from the massive conference screen as well, but the call did not immediately end in the meeting room.
The screen only showed Brian Lorde, CAA’s co-chairman, and super-agent Scooter Braun.
Scooter slowly took off his glasses and wiped them methodically with a velvet cloth. The signature smile on his face vanished, replaced by a deep contemplation.
"Brian," he slowly began, breaking the silence, "what I’ve found for you this time is not just an ordinary client."
"Oh?" Brian leaned back in his chair, stretching lazily as he looked at his old friend with interest, "How so?"
"I’ve seen countless geniuses and ambitious people." Brian put his glasses back on, his sharp eyes seemingly able to penetrate one’s soul, "But Lin Yu’an is the first of his kind."
"He possesses an extremely rare, even contradictory quality."
"On one hand, at the negotiating table, he exhibits a shark-like coldness and precision. His sense of profit, utilization of strategic rules, even rivals that of professionals."
"But on the other hand," he shifted the tone, his voice becoming somewhat complex, "when facing family issues, he showcases an almost naive commitment to sentiment, disregarding consequences."
"For the sake of his family’s feelings, he is even willing to temporarily shelve decisions involving tens of millions of his future commercial value."
He looked at Brian and summarized word by word, "This commitment to sentiment, for an artist, is both his greatest strength and potentially his most fatal flaw."
"The strength lies in his image being real, indestructible. He will never do anything that harms his Guardian’s image purely for commercial gain."
"But the flaw is that when personal emotions conflict with immense commercial interests at some point in the future, he might unhesitatingly choose the former."
"Such commitment to sentiment poses a huge, unpredictable risk for us as investors."
After listening to Scooter’s profound analysis, Brian Lorde laughed.
He shook his head and said, "Scooter, my old friend, perhaps you’ve been in this fame and profit whirlpool of Hollywood for too long, I only agree with half of your view."
"I acknowledge that commitment to sentiment can bring risks. But from another perspective, this is precisely what I value most about him."
Brian spoke with the deep insight of a seasoned veteran: "I’ve worked with too many people, those who are purely profit-driven might bring you enormous returns in the short term."
"But when a bigger interest shows up, they will be the first to betray you without hesitation. Such people are like dogs you can never fully train."
"But people like Lin Yu’an." He paused, his tone becoming undeniably certain.
"They might refuse a project due to principles, but they will never betray a friend who has helped them solely for personal gain."
"As long as you don’t touch that baseline of trust in their hearts, they are the most reliable and worth investing allies in this world."
"So, Scooter, my friend, what I’m betting on is not just his talent, I’m betting more on his character."
Scooter listened quietly, remaining silent for a long time.
"Alright, Brian. I didn’t expect you to value him so highly, then let’s look forward to how exciting the returns from our ’new project’ will be!"
With that, the two exchanged knowing smiles and ended the call.
An epic business maneuver centering around Lin Yu’an had only truly commenced with the final consensus between these two giants.
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