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With just a single sentence and a glance, Edgar exuded an aura of icy resistance.
Imdiately, the three of them stepped aside to make way, watching Edgar leave with cold stares, as if even the Californian sunshine instinctively avoided his shoulders. Their hearts couldn't help but clench.
It was only after Edgar left that the three finally dared to breathe again.
Lily looked at Connor, Connor looked at Miles, but Miles was just as puzzled. The three cautiously tiptoed into the room, carefully surveying their surroundings, fearful of accidentally disturbing the "T-Rex."
Based on Edgar's expression earlier, it seed he and Anson had just had an unpleasant conversation. Now Anson might be in a foul mood too, making them wonder if they should hide under a car.
"If you guys were trying to be burglars, you'd be way too clumsy."
A teasing voice ca from the front of the hall, causing Lily and the others to jump like startled birds, as if the floor beneath them had suddenly beco too hot to handle, even Miles, who was usually composed and elegant, was no exception.
"Haha."
Then, they saw Anson laughing out loud.
It was a false alarm.
Judging by Anson's expression, it seed everything was fine. It appeared their worries were just in their heads. Lily pressed a hand to her wildly beating heart, trying to regain her composure. She relaxed her tense nerves and said, "Anson, your manager is really scary."
Anson looked confused. "Captain? Are you sure?"
As far as he could recall, Edgar had always maintained a cheerful deanor from their very first eting. Even when faced with provocations or jabs, Edgar had never lost control. Anson really couldn't recall seeing Edgar looking stern or fierce.
Of course, Anson knew that this didn't necessarily reflect Edgar's usual way of doing things. After all, there were no true "good guys" among Hollywood agents—
Good guys either got weeded out or switched careers.
Lily nodded repeatedly. "Yes, we even forgot to greet him."
Anson chuckled, "No worries, he doesn't eat kids."
Lily: ... With a face full of black lines, she thought, *Mr., that comnt really didn't help at all, did it?*
However, Anson didn't continue chatting idly and instead invited the three to sit down, getting straight to the point without delay.
"Sorry, after the 'Tonight Show,' work hasn't stopped until today. I think it's ti we talked business."
Since Anson lived in Los Angeles, he naturally didn't have to worry about it, but Lily and the other two were under trendous pressure. Rent and daily expenses were almost crushing them. Although Anson had offered to help, given that the band's stagnation was partly due to him, they had refused.
As Connor put it, "There will be plenty of things we need your help with in the future. For now, let us stand on our own."
Lily agreed, "We've managed to survive in New York for so many years; we can handle a new city just as well."
Anson understood their determination, so he didn't push further.
After much delay, things were finally coming to a crucial turning point.
"One thing is Warner Records..."
Anson laid out his thoughts without holding back, openly discussing everything.
All along, Anson had taken this seriously. Despite the band's street videos going viral because of him and the fact that he wrote all the songs, he always believed that Connor, Lily, and Miles were indispensable. If he worked with different people, the sa songs would likely have a completely different feel.
A band should be a unit, advancing and retreating together.
Connor couldn't help but swallow hard. "Are you saying we should only sign a single album contract for $800,000 but get 20% royalties? Do you think there's a good chance Warner Records will agree?"
"99.9%?" Anson shrugged lightly. "For them, it's a good deal. They have no reason to refuse. The only issue is that they want a contract for two albums at once."
Lily thought she could stay calm, but in reality, her mind was buzzing. "What was Warner Records' original proposal again?"
"Uh, I'm a bit unsure—maybe $1 million per album with 11% royalties? And a contract for five albums? Or was it three? Anyway, lower royalties, higher signing bonuses, longer contracts."
The air humd slightly.
Miles felt his mouth go dry.
They often talked big about never bowing to money or how $100,000 or $200,000 ant nothing. But now, faced with Warner Records, a giant waving a check in front of them, they found themselves montarily incapable of rational thought.
A million dollars. Eight hundred thousand dollars.
That $200,000 difference was tangible—roughly $50,000 per person. After performing on the streets for so many years, they had never seen $10,000 in one place. To say they weren't tempted would be a lie. Royalties, after all, were just a future prospect, not as direct as cash in hand.
Indeed, money is always the most effective tool.
Miles wanted to say that he trusted Anson's judgnt and fully supported him. He knew this was the right decision. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't make a sound.
Hesitating slightly, his heart pounded like a drum.
It wasn't just Miles. Lily and Connor were the sa. From having nothing to suddenly having too many choices, they found themselves a bit overwheld.
Anson wasn't surprised.
Hearing about sothing is one thing; experiencing it firsthand is quite another.
They just needed so ti.
Anson didn't rush them to clear their thoughts and instead continued.
"The other issue is the album's the."
"Actually, we don't have to go with Warner Records. There are other labels, or we could sign with an independent label to maintain our musical integrity. There's no need to rush the decision."
"But I think we need to settle on a central the for the album. No matter which label we sign with, having a clear idea during negotiations will give us leverage. We can see if they accept our creative vision or if they'll say one thing and do another—sign us up only to alter our music style drastically after the fact."
"After all, it's no longer the '70s. Bands are in a weaker position, and pop idols and mainstream music dominate the scene."
"So, if we can clarify our direction and the before signing, I think that's a good thing."
"Any ideas?"
However, when Anson looked up, he saw three faces frozen in shock, which made him burst out laughing.
Dear readers, happy Lunar New Year!
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