Andy sat on the recliner, playing with his phone and a smile on his face. In the past, Andy really disliked his agent, especially in the last six months. Carl's incessant persuasion and finding him work everywhere made the arrogant Andy feel ashamed. After all, he was young and impetuous and could not understand his agent's intentions.
Andy has started to like this sleazy fat man. In this money-obsessed world, it's rare to see even a bit of humanity in Carl, especially in a profession like an agent. People are all about whoever feeds them and whoever pays them. They'll rip you off without hesitation, spend your money, sleep with your wife, and do anything.
However, the thought of Carl's secretary filled Andy with worry again. That woman was no pushover. This was Hollywood, after all. Everyone who came here was single-mindedly focused on climbing the social ladder. This world of fame and fortune was a battlefield where people trampled on each other and devoured each other. The weak did not deserve to succeed here.
That fatso won't listen to advice; he'll get what's coming to him sooner or later! I stood up, stretched, and shook off my chaotic thoughts. I picked up the coffee cup from the table and went inside.
I brought a freshly brewed coffee to the study, sat down at the computer, looked at the text in the document, stretched my fingers, and continued typing.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I watched the rain fall from the gloomy sky, hitting the glass and splashing everywhere.
Andy checked the time; it was already past nine o'clock, almost time to leave for his appointment with the bank. He tidied himself up a bit, grabbed his car keys, and went into the garage.
Amidst splashing rain and the roar of sports cars, Andy arrived at the Los Angeles branch of Bank of America.
Upon entering the lobby, lawyer Nelson and accountant Kohler were already waiting in the lobby's sofa area.
Seeing Andy walking towards them, the two men stood up to greet him. Andy quickened his pace and walked up to them, saying, "Damn weather, am I not late?"
"Hehe, boss, there's plenty of time." The shrewd and capable accountant, Kohler, was in his thirties. He was introduced to Andy by Nelson when Andy first arrived in Los Angeles, and he was very professional.
The three sat down and chatted for a few minutes. Nelson took out a stack of documents from his bag and handed them to Andy. "These are asset valuations and copyright valuations. Boss, please take a look."
Andy took the documents and glanced through them. "How much money can we borrow from the bank?"
"The real estate market is booming right now, with soaring prices. Your house is valued at around four million after an appraisal. The copyrights of your two works have also been appraised because they were recently included in the list of books for teenagers. Even though the film adaptation rights to one of them have already been sold, you can now get a loan of two to three million US dollars."
Kohler calmly explained to Andy, but her eyes occasionally flashed with a barely perceptible glint of envy and jealousy.
"Oh," Andy closed the file and handed it back to Nelson. "What's the loan interest rate?"
Kohler quickly pulled out a table. "This is a table of loan interest rates for all the banks that accept copyright loans. Bank of America has the lowest interest rate, but the mortgage amount needs to be negotiated."
"Yes, leave professional matters to professionals. I trust your abilities." Andy glanced at the form, smiled, and casually handed it back to Kohler.
Nelson checked the time, gestured to Andy, and the three of them got up and headed towards the account manager's office.
The bank's loan officer was a man who looked to be around fifty years old. He was dressed in a sharp suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he looked very capable. He also had a smile on his face and appeared very gentle.
Seeing Andy and the others enter, he stood up with a smile to greet them.
"Boss, this is Mr. Lewis, a credit manager at Bank of America. Mr. Lewis, this is my boss, Andy Smith," Kohler introduced.
Upon hearing this, Lewis's smile widened as he shook hands with Andy and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Smith. I really enjoy your work."
Andy shook hands with him with a smile and said, "Thank you, it's an honor to meet you."
The two released each other's hands, exchanged a few pleasantries, and after they were both seated, Andy said, "Mr. Lewis, I believe Kohler has already discussed the specific loan project with you. I wonder how much your bank can lend me?"
Lewis took the asset valuation documents from Kohler. He wasn't surprised by Andy's straightforward approach. The deal wasn't large, but he valued the security and stability of the mortgage and copyright.
"Mr. Smith, our bank offers the lowest interest rates. Please believe that we are very sincere in lending to you. Here is our report; please take a look."
Lewis took out a stack of documents and handed them to Andy, then began to explain them.
Upon hearing their terms, Andy quietly discussed the details with Nelson and Kohler, and then negotiated a few more points, quickly reaching an agreement.
Nelson and Kohler began to look through all the legal documents and details. Both of them were reviewing the documents, as it wouldn't be easy to get things sorted out in a short time.
Andy waited patiently, sipping his coffee and slowly considering his options. Apple stock was already a little over $51, and he couldn't afford to waste any more time. He could only borrow a total of $6 million this time, plus $2 million from his savings. That was all he could get. Unless he asked his grandfather for a loan, although his grandfather was a well-known large rancher in California, Andy needed cash right now. Thinking about the trouble and explanations that would follow, he decided against it.
It's not a big deal, it's not a small deal, I'll earn whatever I can, it's just about making my first pot of gold, there are just too many opportunities to get rich.
Having freed himself from the struggle of missing out on maximizing profits, Andy let out a sigh of relief and calmed himself down. After half an hour, Andy got busy, signing documents and mortgaging three assets.
Six million dollars were deposited into Andy's account. After a few more casual words, the meeting ended. Lewis and Andy exchanged phone numbers. Lewis greatly admired the young writer; after all, there's no harm in making another friend, is there?
As Andy walked out of the Bank of America building, the rain had stopped. After saying goodbye to Nelson, and with Kohler's guidance, Andy opened a stock account, linked his bank card, went home, downloaded stock trading software, and transferred all his funds into the stock account.
"Boss, are we going to use all eight million dollars to buy stocks?" Kohler asked with a doubtful look after a moment's hesitation.
Andy smiled mysteriously, looked at the slightly embarrassed accountant, nodded, and didn't explain further. With Kohler's explanation, he familiarized himself with the stock transfer process. Watching Kohler leave with a suspicious and slightly sarcastic look in his eyes, Andy closed the door and snorted, "Looks like I need a new financial advisor!"
Kohler, sitting in the car, wore a contemptuous sneer. "What a spendthrift! He really thinks he's a genius who knows everything! You'll regret it someday."
With a malicious and jealous look in his eyes, he looked at the luxurious villa outside the car window, and then, as if possessed, picked up his phone.
"Hello, is this Mr. Nelson? I'm Kohler."
"Hi, Kohler, how can I help you?" Nelson put down the documents in his hand, adjusted himself into a comfortable sitting position, and he was quite considerate of his college classmate's son.
"Sir, do you know that Mr. Smith has transferred all his funds into the stock market? But he has never even touched a stock before. I just taught him how to use the stock trading software, and he refuses my help. I'm afraid he'll end up losing everything."
Kohler said with a hint of contempt.
"Hmm? You've entered the stock market?"
Nelson paused for a moment, somewhat surprised, but quickly recovered, sensing the sarcasm in Kohler's tone towards Andy. He frowned, seemingly guessing Kohler's thoughts, and gave a cold laugh. "Oh, whatever the situation, it's the client's choice. We just need to do our job. Well, if there's nothing else, I have a meeting to attend. Please give my regards to your father."
Hearing the busy tone on the other end of the line and hearing Nelson's icy tone, Kohler was taken aback. Looking at the phone in her hand, he angrily muttered, "Damn it, you dare to lecture me, you bitch!"
After hanging up the phone, Nelson paced back and forth in his office, his brow furrowed and his face filled with worry, before finally picking up his phone.
"Hello, is this Mr. Smith? This is Nelson. I'd like to speak with you about your son's situation..."
****
Mass Release 6/10
Reviews would truly help me.