Eva Kar silently cursed her luck, turned around with a slight smile, and greeted the two guests.
"Eva, I heard you were in Los Angeles. When did you return to New York?"
Kunas Jr. asked.
"Just got back!"
Eva Kar lifted the corners of her mouth and maintained her smile.
Kunas Jr. looked at her mature, voluptuous figure with a heated gaze and moved closer, saying, "I heard you like opera. 'Jersey Boys' is premiering at the Belasco Theatre tonight. I have two tickets. How about we go together?"
Eva Kar smelled the perfume on him and took a step back, politely declining his offer, saying she had just returned to New York and had work to do.
"Eva, go see the musical. You can put work aside for now," Mr. Thompson said.
Eva Kar glanced at Mr. Thompson, raised the folder in her hand, and with a smile said, "Reed, I have too much work. Another day, I'll invite you to see a concert by Plácido Domingo."
"Domingo? Great! He's my favorite opera singer. Eva, I'll be waiting for your call."
Kunas Jr. made a phone gesture with his hand.
Eva Kar forced a smile and exchanged a few more pleasantries before sending the Kunas father and son off.
"Eva, Kunas Jr. is a very impressive young man. You shouldn't be so cold towards him," Mr. Thompson said unhappily as they returned to the office.
Eva Kar shrugged and sat in the chair across from Mr. Thompson, pushing the folder towards him.
"What's this?"
Mr. Thompson asked, frowning.
"Link's first album sales and the projected revenue for Link Music's first quarter."
Eva Kar took a sip of her coffee.
Mr. Thompson flipped through the document and said, "Worldwide sales of 2.94 million copies? This kid Link's album is so popular?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Eva Kar tilted her leg and responded with a nasal sound, a bit smug.
"Projected revenue of 50 million dollars for the first quarter? Are you kidding me? Thompson International's assets are over a billion, with annual revenue only a little over 200 million. Your small studio, which only invested 5 million and has been established for less than half a year, is expected to earn 50 million in the first quarter? Do you think I'm senile?"
Mr. Thompson glared at Eva Kar, clearly displeased with the numbers.
If it weren't for the fact that this person was his own daughter, he would have thrown the documents at her. A company with only 5 million in investment and less than six months of establishment shouldn't be able to achieve 50 million in the first quarter.
It was so exaggerated that even a street beggar wouldn't believe it, let alone a major entrepreneur like him.
Eva Kar said while savoring her coffee, "Dad, the document lists all sources of income. Why don't you read it through before making judgments?"
Mr. Thompson grunted and patiently looked through the details. It included album income, concert revenue, music website download royalties, streaming revenue, advertising income, and so on.
Each project and income source was listed very clearly.
If the 2.94 million album sales were true, the other figures must be accurate as well. The global sales data was audited by professional institutions and reported by the media, so Eva Kar couldn't fake it.
But Mr. Thompson still couldn't believe it. "Damn, is the record industry this profitable?"
"Yes!"
Eva Kar was satisfied with Mr. Thompson's reaction and smiled, "That's just from selling albums and advertisements. In the music industry, concerts and world tours are the fastest ways to make money. Michael Jackson's concert revenue was over 100 million per show, and other top artists' world tour revenues are in the millions per show.
Moreover, Link's world tour hasn't even started yet. Our company's first-quarter revenue exceeded 50 million. Once the tour begins, our annual revenue will be comparable to Thompson International."
"Ha, don't flatter yourself. Your company earned 50 million in such a short time because you were lucky to produce a hit album, not because you're so capable. If the next album flops, you'll lose as much as you've earned, so don't get too happy too soon."
Mr. Thompson took a puff of his cigar, with an expression of "even though I'm an outsider, don't think you can fool me."
Eva Kar blinked, her fair fingers rubbing her skirt, and said, "Dad, this is just a hypothetical and pessimistic view. Why not be more positive? If our next album continues to sell well, even if we can't match Thompson International's revenue, it won't be far off."
"It's difficult. The risk in the record industry is greater than in real estate. Even the top five record companies can't guarantee that every album will be a hit. What makes you think you can?"
Mr. Thompson shook his head. Although he recognized his daughter's abilities—she graduated from a prestigious school, has a master's degree in economics, and has recently founded several companies while helping manage Thompson International—businesses are risky. Having ability doesn't guarantee consistent profitability; otherwise, Lehman Brothers and other Fortune 500 companies wouldn't have gone bankrupt during the financial crisis.
"Dad, I have confidence in this."
Eva Kar looked at Mr. Thompson with a determined expression and said, "If Link Music can produce one hit album, we can produce a second, a third, and more. Dad, give me five years. I'm confident that I can make Link Music a company with a market value exceeding 500 million dollars."
"Five years?"
Mr. Thompson was taken aback and suddenly realized, pointing at the folder on the desk and asking unhappily, "You're showing me these documents to tell me how capable you are now and that you don't want to follow my plan to get married?"
"Dad, I'm not saying 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."
Eva Kar said.
Mr. Thompson snorted and said, "I gave you so much time before. Why didn't you look for someone then? Now you're telling me you want to find someone you like?"
Eva Kar shrugged, looking embarrassed. "I was too busy with work before and hadn't met the right person."
"Have you met someone now? Don't tell me it's Link? That kid is fine, but your life environments and interests are very different. Whether Cinderella marrying into the palace is a tragedy or a fairy tale, I don't need to tell you."
Mr. Thompson snorted coldly.
"Dad, it might not be Link. I just want to accomplish some things in these five years and prove myself."
Eva Kar looked boldly into his eyes.
Mr. Thompson frowned and thought for a while, then said, "I'll give you one year. If Link Music's market value doesn't reach 200 million dollars within a year, you must leave and follow my plan."
Eva Kar blinked her eyelashes and thought for a moment. "Dad, how about two years and 300 million?"
"No, I said one year is one year. Don't try to negotiate."
Mr. Thompson clutched his chest, slumped in his chair, and gasped for air.
"Dad, are you okay? I'll call a doctor right now," Eva Kar said anxiously.
"No, no need!"
Mr. Thompson grabbed her, panting, and said, "Eva Kar, our family's situation is not good, and my health is also poor. The family will rely on you to support us in the future. Can you listen to me this time and stop fighting me?"
Eva Kar nodded repeatedly. "Okay, Dad. Don't speak. I'll arrange for a doctor to come over now."
"No need. I just feel a little uncomfortable. A sip of coffee will be fine."
Mr. Thompson sat up, took a sip of his coffee, and patted his chest to show that he was fine.
Eva Kar rolled her eyes helplessly, thinking he was acting again. However, thinking about the pressure to make Link Music's market value reach 200 million within the next year, she felt a bit stressed.
——
After leaving the office, she called Link and urged him to write songs quickly. He must deliver two good songs within this month.
After shifting the pressure onto Link, she felt a bit relieved.
(End of Chapter)