Chapter 248
On Christmas Eve, Norika Fujiwara flew in from Tokyo to Hong Kong. Joey Wong had returned to Taipei temporarily for family matters.
Aaron brought Norika to his villa in Repulse Bay.
That night, in the bedroom, Aaron held the stunningly sensual Norika in one arm while speaking on the phone with Jack Wells back in the United States. Jack had successfully built a relationship with George W. Bush and was actively supporting his Texas gubernatorial campaign—financially and strategically. Meanwhile, construction on the Dawnlight Center arena in Houston was about to begin.
After kissing the woman resting against his chest, Aaron asked,
"Jack, what's the situation with Michael Jackson?"
"The scandal is having a major impact on him," Jack replied. "What do you think?"
"What do I think?" Aaron snorted softly. "Michael Jackson looks completely framed to me. The Chandlers just want to extort a massive settlement."
Jack let out a helpless chuckle.
"I'm a fan too. But the pressure on him is enormous. And Sony Music Entertainment definitely doesn't want this affecting him any further."
Two years earlier, Michael Jackson had signed a landmark $1 billion contract with Sony Music. At the end of that year, he released the explosive studio album Dangerous, which became a global phenomenon. The following year, he launched the Dangerous World Tour.
Now, due to the child abuse allegations, the second leg of the tour had already been canceled. Sony Music was absorbing significant losses. If Jackson continued to be consumed by scandal and legal battles, the company would not sit idly by.
Aaron paused before adding quietly,
"Maybe this has something to do with the company he owns—ATV Music Publishing."
In 1985, Jackson had stunned the industry by purchasing ATV Music Publishing for $47.5 million—a record-breaking price at the time.
ATV's catalog included more than 200 songs by The Beatles, classics from Elvis Presley, and hits from Little Richard—over 4,000 songs in total.
The deal had strained his friendship with Paul McCartney, who had originally informed him about the availability of the catalog. McCartney had long hoped to regain the rights to The Beatles' songs—only to see them fall entirely into Jackson's hands.
A Black artist controlling such a valuable and iconic music catalog had made many in white corporate circles deeply uncomfortable.
"From the perspective of entrenched capital," Aaron said calmly, "what Michael did—buying up song rights like that—was almost a provocation."
Jack, who knew the industry well, didn't disagree. Jackson had long been one of CAA's most important clients. The politics behind the scenes were never simple.
After hanging up, Aaron lay back in thought.
Should Dawnlight enter the recording business as well?
Norika, resting against him, looked up curiously.
"Oniisan… is something wrong in America?"
Norika, obedient and affectionate in his arms, leaned up and kissed Aaron gently on the cheek.
Aaron smiled, captured her lips in a lingering kiss, and let his hand roam lightly across her chest.
"It's nothing serious," he said softly. "Just the uproar this year over the allegations against Michael Jackson."
"Really? There have been so many reports about him," Norika replied. "Was he framed?"
"Of course," Aaron answered without hesitation. "Michael Jackson is a kind man. He's always loved children and done enormous charity work. He wouldn't do something like that."
Aaron knew very well what forces were at play behind the scenes—certain powerful circles in America were more than willing to see him fall.
"It's such a shame," Norika sighed as she shifted onto his lap, her stunning figure pressing close against him. "He's the King of Pop. He has countless fans all over the world."
Her curves were impossible to ignore, and Aaron held her tightly, unwilling to let go.
---
After spending Christmas with Norika, Aaron received a call from Joey Wong—she had already returned to Hong Kong.
Soon, he arrived at her high-rise apartment in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. The 2,800-square-foot residence overlooked Victoria Harbour, offering a breathtaking panoramic view.
"Did everything at home get settled?" Aaron asked as he wrapped his arms around Joey by the window, gazing out at the glittering skyline.
"All taken care of," she replied, turning to kiss him deeply.
When the kiss ended, Aaron slipped his hand beneath her blouse and drew her closer, smiling.
"Only a few days apart and you missed me this much?"
Joey closed her eyes, nestling against his chest.
"Didn't you miss me?"
"Of course I did."
She smiled faintly and kissed him again, more insistently this time.
A soft groan escaped Aaron's lips as she slowly knelt before him…
---
Later, Joey emerged from the bathroom to find Aaron reclining lazily on the sofa. She walked over, sat beside him, and looped her arm through his.
"When I went home, I ran into Ms. Hsu Feng, the producer of Farewell My Concubine," she said.
"She mentioned that a veteran filmmaker I once worked with has been developing a script for years. He's looking for investors."
Aaron raised an eyebrow, his hand resting casually on her thigh.
"So that explains why you were so enthusiastic earlier—you have a favor to ask?"
Joey looked at him with wide, expressive eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"It's not like that. The script has been in development for years. They just haven't been able to secure foreign funding."
"This year, Director John Woo directed Hard Target in Hollywood and gained some international recognition. He's willing to come on board as producer. A European company has agreed to cover half the budget."
"The remaining half—they're hoping an American distributor might invest. Ms. Hsu probably knew I know you… so I thought I'd ask."
She added gently, "You can just take a look. If you're not interested, that's completely fine. Not many people are optimistic about it."
Aaron nodded and took the script from her.
Director: King Hu.
Title: The Blood and Tears of Chinese Laborers.
The story centered on early Chinese laborers who were shipped overseas to the United States to build railroads—men who endured hardship, discrimination, and exploitation while struggling to survive in a foreign land.
King Hu's name carried weight. He had directed classics such as Come Drink with Me, Dragon Gate Inn, and A Touch of Zen—one of the earliest Chinese filmmakers to receive international recognition.
"For me, it's a small investment," Aaron said, gently pinching Joey's cheek. "Since you brought it to me, I'll at least meet the people behind the project. Arrange it."
Even at 50 million Hong Kong dollars, it amounted to roughly $6.5 million—and half the funding was already secured from Europe.
For Dawnlight, it would be nothing more than a modest co-production.
But sometimes, modest projects carried unexpected significance.