Chapter 188: Copyright Battle

"Put away your flexed biceps. I'm not shooting a fitness commercial for a bodybuilder."

"Adjust your stance. Your little buddy is about to show."

"Keep your head straight. Yes, I want your back and shoulder blades. Tighten up! You look way too loose."

"FK YOU! Ethan, your demands are endless."

"FK YOU, Leonardo! Your posture is awful."

Even though it's only 2005, the future version of Leonardo is already taking shape. When he's not in a shoot, his muscle tone looks quite unimpressive.

Clearly, he hasn't been paying much attention to managing his physique, which explains why he looked so out of shape on the beach in later years.

After the shoot, Leonardo put his clothes back on.

"Ethan, honestly, will these photos really help me win an award?"

Ethan frowned. "What are you talking about? These are just photos. How could they possibly win you an award?"

"But I've heard from others in Hollywood..."

Ethan patted his camera. "Leonardo, this is just a camera, not some magic device. But if you're hoping for good luck, you can try. Stand there, hold up two fingers, and shout, 'Cheese!'"

"What does that mean?" Leonardo, puzzled but cooperative, did as instructed.

"It's a charm for good fortune from the East. They often shout it into cameras at key moments in life."

"So, this will bring me good luck?"

"Oh, Leonardo, remember, good fortune doesn't come from others; it's something you attract yourself. You can't rely on a photo for what you want, but your wishes will be heard. Got it?" Ethan's words carried a mysterious tone.

Leonardo instinctively nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Let's do it!"

Then, with a big smile on his face, he stood in front of Ethan's lens, held up two fingers, and awkwardly shouted in Chinese, "Cheese!"

Click!

Click!

"Excellent. Kaiden, your physique is incredible. The shoot's over."

In a certain magazine's studio, Kaiden wrapped up her photoshoot and walked over to review her pictures on the computer.

"Stunning, Kaiden. You're a natural." The photographer praised her, clearly captivated. "Got time for dinner? I have so much creative energy left to share."

"Sorry, I have plans. Maybe you could direct your creative energy at your camera instead?" Kaiden smiled, but her words carried a sharp edge.

Ignoring the photographer, she went to the dressing room. Once seated, another model approached her eagerly.

"Kaiden, take a look at this." The model held up a newspaper featuring an open casting call for Fifty Shades of Grey. At the top was the logo of Norton's Eye, Ethan's company.

"They say there are no restrictions on profession or acting experience. Just go to the audition, and you might land the lead role!" The model was ecstatic, as if she had stumbled upon the perfect opportunity to rise to fame.

"Really?" Kaiden thought to herself, If I weren't so far from the character's image in the novel, that role should've been mine.

Of course, Cindy was a better fit, and under Ethan's guidance, she would also be participating in the auditions. Her path to the lead role was practically guaranteed unless someone even more suitable showed up during the final selection.

But the other model, oblivious to Kaiden's lack of enthusiasm, kept chattering.

"This novel has already sold two million copies! That means if I get a role in the movie, at least two million people will see me."

How naive. Kaiden rolled her eyes at the model's dreams, finding them laughable.

With such a big-budget film, there's no way they'd cast an inexperienced, stick-thin woman as the lead.

In her mind, the model would be better off hoping for a supporting role.

Still, Kaiden didn't let her thoughts show. She smiled and handed the newspaper back. "Go for it. I think you should try."

"I think so too!" The model's excitement grew.

And she wasn't alone. People everywhere—actors, models, singers, and ordinary folks—were all drawn to this opportunity.

Norton's Eye was flooded with inquiries, and even major film studios had to visit the office directly to get through.

At the moment, Universal Studios executive Milton Bain was sitting in Norton's Eye's office, presenting documents to Jimmy.

"After thorough calculations, we estimate the production cost of this film to be around $40 million. For Norton's Eye, that's a substantial and risky investment."

"So, we at Universal are willing to cover 80% of the production cost—$32 million. But I strongly suggest you sell us the copyright outright. We're willing to pay $30 million for it, so you can secure a profit without taking any risks."

Jimmy listened politely. Bain's words seemed considerate, but it was just a clever pitch to acquire the rights.

A $30 million offer was exceptionally high, revealing how much Universal expected to profit from the movie.

Jimmy smiled and declined. "Sorry, Mr. Bain. Norton's Eye may not be a big company, but since we've acquired the copyright to Fifty Shades of Grey, we're committed to producing it ourselves. Besides, our new movie is about to premiere, and revenue from Saw is still coming in. Worst case, we can wait until the second installment's profits before starting production."

Indeed, with a bestselling novel like Fifty Shades of Grey, box office success was almost certain. The only question was how much it would earn.

Unaware that Supreme Creative had already exhausted its funds, the major studios couldn't gauge Norton's Eye's financial situation. Jimmy's confidence made them think twice.

If Norton's Eye didn't need the money, how could they get their hands on this golden opportunity?

It wasn't just Universal facing this dilemma. Three other companies had approached Jimmy that day alone. Even Lionsgate had expressed interest in buying the rights.

But Jimmy, despite cursing Ethan under his breath, turned them all down.

"Damn it! How can they be so wealthy?" Jimmy scowled at the offers, the highest being Sony's $35 million bid, which included letting Ethan direct and share in the profits.

But Ethan rejected it, knowing full well that Fifty Shades of Grey had grossed $500 million worldwide in its time. Even if the circumstances didn't allow it to reach those heights now, $200–300 million was easily achievable.

The revenue share would still bring in over $100 million—a far cry from the one-time payout offered.

And so, Jimmy continued to turn away the studios, leaving them frustrated and retreating temporarily.

But then something unexpected happened.

After a massive surge in the U.S., Fifty Shades of Grey was published in countries like Japan, Korea, France, England, and Germany. In just ten days, it broke into the top ten on bestseller lists.

By the end of the month, global sales had reached a staggering 6 million copies, and the numbers kept climbing. It was now America's undisputed best-seller.

Sure! Here is the text with "Tang De" replaced by "Ethan":

The major companies couldn't sit still anymore.

According to statistics, the book's sales were expected to reach tens of millions.

Tens of millions, globally recognized—these words undoubtedly represented what the movie would become: a global IP, a solid cash cow.

Even if it wasn't an IP, Norton's Eye probably wouldn't hesitate to release a sequel.

The executives at Lionsgate were getting envious. How could Norton's Eye have two consecutive films in the IP series, plus one that won the Cannes Jury Prize, Little Miss Sunshine?

If they had made their move earlier, their contract with Norton's Eye would have been a money-making deal!

But now, backing out was obviously impossible, and the Lionsgate executives could only regret not investing sooner.

Seeing the book's hot sales, Jimmy was overjoyed. After finishing the business with the publisher, he drove home alone.

Lillina had been busy filming a variety show lately and didn't have time to keep him company. The long nights made him feel lonely.

However, he didn't think about playing around. After his cousin died of AIDS from reckless behavior, he had decided to put such thoughts aside.

Humming a tune, just as Jimmy was about to drive into his driveway, he saw someone waiting at the gate.

Under the low beam of the headlights, he could clearly see a very sexy businesswoman.

"Hey, miss, what's the matter?" Jimmy leaned out of the car window and called out.

"Jimmy?" The woman greeted him warmly, walking up to his side with a smile.

"Do I know you?"

"I know you," she said, her smile widening. "Jimmy, there's still a long night ahead... Aren't you inviting me in?"

She tilted her head slightly, her sharp features flickering in and out of the dim streetlight. Her fingers traced back and forth on the back of Jimmy's hand like a guitar pick strumming strings.

Jimmy felt a stir inside, cleared his throat twice, and said, "Maybe we can chat for a bit."

"Sure, let's chat." The woman sat in the passenger seat, and they drove into the yard together.

The next morning, he woke up in the woman's embrace.

"Jimmy, how was last night?" she asked, lowering her head and brushing his cheek with her hair.

Jimmy immediately reacted, turning and pulling her on top of him as he pinned her to the pillow. "Looks like we need some morning exercise."

"But I need an answer from you…"

"An answer? What do you mean?"

"You promised me last night, darling," she said, softly kissing him. "About the rights deal."

"Oh, that thing, of course!" Jimmy laughed. "I can get you in touch with Ethan. You know, you're the first company to ask."

"Hey… I'm not looking to meet Ethan," the woman said, looking directly at Jimmy. "I think we could strike a deal on the rights. Forty million dollars, plus an additional five million. Darling, isn't this a much better return than a dead-end salary?"

Seeing Jimmy turn to get dressed, the woman quickly grabbed him. "If you could get us the rights directly, we could give you twenty-five million. With that money, you could do anything you want, without having to answer to Ethan anymore!"

"Answer to him?" Jimmy grinned and stood up, looking at her with a playful glint in his eyes. "We're just a one-night fling; you're being a little too nosy."

"One-night fling, alright," the woman said, realizing that Jimmy wasn't going to make a decision. She retreated, adding, "Then just help us find a time, and I'll personally meet Ethan to persuade him."

"Persuade…" Jimmy raised an eyebrow, finding her confidence interesting. She was indeed beautiful, and her body was stunning. Last night had been great.

But when compared to Kaden, he thought she didn't have an edge.

Therefore, he didn't commit to her words. Jimmy got dressed, and the woman tidied herself up as well.

When she handed him a business card, Jimmy finally learned her name.

"Teri Lawson."

After Teri left, Jimmy took out his phone and called Ethan to discuss the matter.

"You really are a bad guy, enjoying yourself without giving any reward. Tell the higher-ups behind her to talk to me. Let's see what kind of offer they can make." Ethan laughed as he scolded Jimmy but wasn't concerned with his actions.

"Got it."

Hanging up, Ethan tapped his fingers on the armrest. "Looks like these companies are getting impatient."

"Of course." A woman's voice sounded beside him. He turned to find Anne Hathaway, who had come to visit him after a long night of affection.

"I bought this book. I didn't expect Carmella to write such a girlish story." Anne stretched and got out of bed.

The sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting light on her fair body, and the room was filled with the scent of incense.

"Maybe deep down, Carmella is a little girl," Ethan smiled, knowing that Carmella had already started writing a new book under his direction.

The idea came from Ethan, still within the Fifty Shades series, but now with the titles Fifty Shades of Black and Fifty Shades of Fly.

However, the latter two books, especially Fifty Shades of Black, hadn't had the best timing for release. Since the African American community's voice was still relatively small, they planned to wait for the "Black Lives Matter" movement to officially appear before releasing it. This would surely bring in big profits.

For now, they would publish and leave the rest for the future.

"Ethan…" Anne Hathaway walked over and hugged him. "My friend is having a party in a few days, do you have time?"

Her eyes were full of desire, but Ethan once again turned her down. "Sorry, darling, in a few days, Little Miss Sunshine is having its premiere. I need to attend for the press."

Seeing her eyes dim, Ethan added, "How about this? I'll invite you all to the premiere and have a party with the cast afterward."

Anne's eyes lit up. "That sounds great, Ethan, thank you."

She kissed him and hugged him, but though his tone was happy, his expression remained calm.

Because he was already thinking about what to do once his situation came to light.

There's no such thing as a perfect secret. Every woman has her own network of connections, and one day, they might hear everything from someone else.

When that happens, Ethan would face the consequences, and it was easy to predict.

But he wasn't afraid; instead, he felt excited because it was something new, something he had never done before, and it would be more challenging.