Early in the morning.
Following the announcement from S Entertainment about a contract signing fee that astounds everyone, Jessica becomes the talk of the town.
She isn't trending because of a stage performance, but rather in a way that catches everyone by surprise.
As the negotiation completed, they eventually agreed on a total package of astronomical endorsement fee of 10 million dollars, which sends shockwaves through the entertainment industry after being revealed.
At the same time, King Game Studios also enters the public sight for the first time.
...
In the office of Oceanic Securities, laughter fills the air.
"Selling lingerie, playing the stock market, spending a fortune to be the sugar daddy..." Edward Vanderbilt walks into the office, taking off his suit, unable to suppress a chuckle: "The kid's reputation is already a public joke among the heirs of the conglomerates."
"Jensen, you should have seen the expressions at the Uptown Business Council meeting just now."
Edward settles into the sofa, still laughing: "They keep bringing up the kid; old man's face turns green from being shamed."
He is clearly delighted. He can't help but feel happy.
At first, he thinks there is some grand strategy at play. After all, there have been cases in conglomerate families where the overlooked come out on top after playing dumb. Edward had been concerned that Sebastian Vanderbilt from New York University might be that type.
He had focused on this for a whole year. Turns out, Sebastian's talent might just be in academics.
He can rest easy now.
Soon, Edward asks, "How's the activity at that King Investment Studio these days?"
"It seems that King Studio received some kind of tip. Yesterday evening they suddenly started buying up stocks massively." Jensen, ever prepared, takes out his notebook and says: "In one night, they bought short-term positions in 136 stocks and went long on two, selling all their previous short positions and investing in new markets, totaling about 10 million."
With that, Jensen closes his notebook, adding: "These are only the domestic stock market figures; I can't get the foreign market movements."
"$10 million, that's bold. Aren't they afraid of losses?" Edward is taken aback.
Even as the second son of a conglomerate and managing director at Oceanic Securities, he would feel a sting at the thought of losing millions of money.
But then he figures, with such audacity, they must have a solid stock market analysis team behind them.
Their previous gains had already proven their success.
"Jensen, withdraw 1 million from my personal account and follow their investment." Edward smiles and instructs: "Invest under Theodore and Raymond's names, consider it pocket money for the kids."
He wants to dip his toes in the water, to test it out. If it proves successful, he'd consider upping the ante.
On the other side. The so-called stock analysis team at KI Studio, led by team member and captain Sebastian Vanderbilt, has arrived at the studio.
The memory of the impending financial crisis is getting closer.
Sebastian is eager to accumulate funds quickly as he is expanding his business empire all-round rapidly. He has been forced to go all-in on the stock market based on his memories, both domestically and internationally.
Recalling those investments has him racking his brain. After a sleepless night, he has managed to get merely forty minutes of rest in the early morning before heading to the studio.
It is the day to sign the lease for the venue near NYU. Sebastian arrives at the studio with a pale and tired face, dark circles under his eyes, and bloodshot whites.
"Sebastian, you didn't stay in night club all night last night, did you?" Patrick Anchor asks, immediately thinking of that taboo spot for high school boys.
"Aha, good one. How would a gentleman like me wander in places like that?" Sebastian replies with disbelief.
"How do you know gentlemen don't go there?" Patrick, sharp-eyed, presses: "Could you say that if you didn't know what goes on inside?"
"I..." Sebastian is worn out. Lack of sleep clearly damages his ability to counterattack. Seeing Patrick's 'I've got you figured out' face, Sebastian feels there is no need to explain.
"Let's get the signing done, I need to catch some sleep afterwards." Sebastian yawns.
"Hold up."
"What now?"
"Was that place fun?" Patrick's eyes twinkle with curiosity... and anticipation.
"You want to go?" Seb realizes and smiles.
The adults' forbidden city. The ultimate dream of high school boys! A determined look crosses Patrick's eyes as he steps back and lowers his head slightly. "Brother, please!"
But when he looks up, Sebastian is already far away. You can't be serious! Why would I waste my time on that meaningless place? I thought you were joking on me...
Renting the venue in the center city of New York costs Sebastian Vanderbilt a sum of $60k. Watching the landlord strut away with agent on a beaming smile plastered across his chubby face, Sebastian knows he'd probably overpaid.
But to throw off any onlookers, he clenches his teeth and accepts the role of the big spender for once.
Luckily, the thought of his stock market returns brings a bit of solace.
By the time everything is wrapped up, it is already 9 A.M., and all Sebastian wants to do is catch some Zs.
Just then, he bumps into Jessica, who has come to seek him out.
Jessica's outfit du jour is all denim—a jacket paired with a short skirt, complemented by black leather boots.
Her chestnut curls are straightened out, interlaced with a few fashionable braids that add an energetic flair to her look.
"I don't remember summoning you..." Sebastian mutters, fighting to keep his eyelids open, yet still managing to be polite.
"Last time, I accidentally took your clothes with me," Jessica explains, lifting the bag she is holding.
"I had a little break in my schedule, so I made a special trip to return them to you." Compared to her standoffish demeanor last time, Jessica is noticeably warmer now. Sebastian feels a tinge of satisfaction, realizing she must have finally acknowledged his prowess.
Cash power is still power, after all! "No need to return them; as a brand celebrity, consider those clothes a benefit." Sebastian says with a nod.
"What about the clothes I forgot to take last time?" Jessica hesitates, remembering she'd left her ID in the pocket of that outfit.
"They should still be in the dressing room, go take a look. No one has probably touched them," Sebastian says offhandedly, his overwhelming sleepiness making him eager to dismiss the matter.
"Alright, got it," Jessica nods.
Sebastian bolts for his office, desperately needing to crash. If he doesn't get some sleep soon, he feels like his head might just explode. Jessica watches him go, her beautiful eyes narrowed in suspicion. Something about him just seems off.
She quickly heads to the dressing room, guided by memory. But... the clothes that are supposed to be on the chair have vanished into thin air.
"???" Jessica stands puzzled. Weren't they untouched? Where could they have gone?
Back in the office, just as Sebastian is about to doze off, a knock on the door startles him awake.
Peering through the frosted glass, he sees the cleaning lady. "Need something?" he asks, mustering a smile.
"I found some dirty clothes in the dressing room yesterday, so I washed them," the cleaning lady says, passing him the bag.
"Thanks for the trouble," Sebastian replies, his head feeling like it is about to split open. He takes the bag, sets it aside, and then collapses onto the desk, quickly slipping into sleep.
His hand goes numb after a while, and he shifts positions. It feels like something hits him, but he doesn't care—it only makes him sleep more soundly.
It isn't long before Jessica comes back. Through the office window, she sees a Pikachu plushie covering Sebastian's head, seemingly smiling right at her.
...
...