NOVEL WEB Chapter 131 Agreement
Ivanka cursed her bad luck under her breath, turned around with a slight smile, and greeted the two guests.
"Ivanka, I heard you were in Los Angeles; when did you get back to New York?"
Kunas asked.
"Just got back!"
Ivanka moved her lips slightly, maintaining her smile as she spoke.
Kunas looked at her mature, full curves, his gaze heating up as he leaned in closer and said, "I heard you like operas. 'Jersey Boys' is having its premiere tonight at the Belasco Theatre. I have two tickets—how about we go see it together?"
Ivanka smelled his cologne and took a half step back, gracefully declining his offer, explaining she had just returned to New York and still had work to do.
"Ivanka, let's go see the musical; you can put work aside for now,"
Mr. Thomp said.
Ivanka glanced at Mr. Thomp, raised the folder in her hand, and with a smile on her face said, "Reed, there's too much work; another day I'll treat you to a Placido Domingo concert."
"Placido Domingo? That's great, I love his operas the most. Ivanka, I'll be waiting for your call,"
Kunas raised his hand, making a phone call gesture.
Ivanka forced a smile and exchanged a few more words.
She saw off Kunas and his son.
"Ivanka, Kunas is a very excellent young man; you shouldn't be so cold to him,"
Mr. Thomp said with pursed lips, displeased, as they returned to the office.
Ivanka shrugged her shoulders, sat down on the chair across the office desk, and pushed the folder across to Mr. Thomp.
"What's this?"
Mr. Thomp asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"Link's first album sales and Link Music's projected revenue for the first quarter,"
Ivanka sipped her coffee.
Mr. Thomp flipped through the file, "Global sales of 2.94 million copies? Link's album is that popular?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Ivanka replied, crossing her legs and responding with her nasal voice, clearly proud.
"Projected revenue for the first quarter is 50 million US dollars? Are you joking? Thomp International has assets worth over a billion, and its annual revenue is only just over 200 million. Your small studio is projecting 50 million in revenue for the first quarter? Do you think I'm senile?"
Mr. Thomp glared at Ivanka upon seeing the numbers.
If the person in front of him wasn't his own daughter, he might have thrown the documents in her face. A small company with only a 5 million investment, less than half a year old, claiming a first quarter's income of 50 million.
It was too exaggerated; even a street beggar wouldn't believe it, let alone a major entrepreneur like himself.
Tasting her coffee, Ivanka said, "Dad, there are various sources of revenue listed; why don't you read through it before commenting?"
Mr. Thomp grunted, forcing himself to examine it more closely. There were album revenues, concert incomes, revenue shares from music website downloads, streaming media plays, advertising revenues, and more.
Every item and revenue detail was listed very thoroughly.
If the sales of 2.94 million copies were true, the others couldn't be falsified, and since the global sales data were audited by a professional agency and supported by media reports, Ivanka couldn't have falsified these figures.
But still, Mr. Thomp could hardly believe it, "Damn, is the record industry this lucrative?"
"Yes!"
Ivanka was pleased with Mr. Thomp's reaction, smiling as she said, "This is just the money earned from selling records and adverts. In fact, in the music industry, holding concerts and world tours is the fastest way to make money. Michael Jackson and others would make over a hundred million US dollars per concert, and other top singers also make tens of millions per concert during their world tours.
Additionally, Link's world tour hasn't even started yet, and our company's revenue exceeded fifty million in the first quarter. Once the tour starts, the annual income will be no less than that of Thomp International."
"Haha, don't boast to me, your company managed to make fifty million in such a short time because you were lucky to produce a best-selling record, not because you are exceptionally great. If your next album flops, you will lose as much as you've earned, so don't get too happy too soon."
Mr. Thomp picked up a cigar and chuckled, wearing a look that said he might be a layman, but you can't fool me.
Blinking her eyes, Ivanka rubbed the hem of her skirt and said, "Dad, that's an assumption, a pessimistic viewpoint. Why not be more positive? If our next record continues to sell well, even if the annual income can't match Thomp International, it won't be too far off."
"That's difficult. The record industry carries more risks than real estate. Even the big five record companies cannot guarantee that every album will be a hit. What makes you so sure?"
Mr. Thomp shook his head, approving of his daughter's abilities. She had graduated from a prestigious school with a master's degree in Economics, founded several companies in recent years, and had even helped manage Thomp International, performing quite well.
However, in business, the risks are significant, and having capabilities does not ensure that the company will be profitable throughout the years. Otherwise, companies like Lehman Brothers would not have gone bankrupt during the financial crisis.
"Dad, I have that confidence,"
Ivanka looked firmly at Mr. Thomp and said, "If Link Music can produce one best-selling album, we can produce a second, a third, and even more. Dad, give me five years, and I have the confidence to build Link Music into a company worth over five hundred million US dollars." Explore hidden tales at empire
"Give you five years?"
Mr. Thomp blinked, then suddenly exclaimed, pointing to a folder on the table and asking discontentedly, "You brought me these papers to tell me how great you are now and that you don't want to follow my arrangement to get married?"
"Dad, it's not that I don't want to get married, I just don't want to marry someone I don't love. I want to choose my own partner."
Ivanka said.
Mr. Thomp snorted, puffing on his cigar, "You had so much time before, why didn't you find someone? Now you're telling me you want to find someone you like?"
Ivanka shrugged sheepishly, "I was too busy with work before, and I didn't meet the right one."
"Have you met the right one now? Don't tell me it's Link. Although he's not bad, your lifestyles are very different, and so are your interests. A Cinderella marrying into the royal family, do you need me to tell you whether that's a tragedy or a comedy?"
Mr. Thomp scoffed.
"Dad, it may not necessarily be Link, I just want to prove myself within these five years."
Ivanka boldly met his gaze.
Mr. Thomp frowned and thought for a while, "I'll give you one year. If Link Music's market value isn't at least two hundred million US dollars in a year, you must leave there and listen to my arrangements."
Blinking her lashes, Ivanka thought for a moment, "Dad, how about three hundred million in two years?"
"No, I said one year, and I mean one year—you shouldn't be negotiating with me here... Ah, the pain!"
Mr. Thomp clutched his chest, collapsed into the chair, and began to gasp for air.
"Dad, are you okay? I'm calling the doctor right now," Ivanka said hurriedly, getting up.
"No need for that!"
Mr. Thomp grabbed her, gasping for breath, "Ivanka, our family is not in a good situation, and my health isn't great either. The family will need to rely on you in the future. Can you listen to me just this once and not fight with me?"
Ivanka nodded again and again, "Okay, Dad, don't talk, I'll arrange for the doctor right now."
"No need, it's just a little discomfort, I'll be fine with a sip of coffee."
Mr. Thomp sat up, took a sip from his cup, and patted his chest, indicating he was fine.
Ivanka rolled her eyes, thinking he was just acting again. Still, thinking about reaching a two billion market value for Link Music within the next year, she felt some pressure.
——
After leaving the office, she called Link, urging him to write songs faster; they needed two good songs within the month.
After shifting the pressure onto Link, she felt much lighter.