Chapter 202: An Opportunity

[Chapter 202: An Opportunity]

Ryan didn't expect to run into her here. They exchanged pleasantries for a moment. "Here to deal with the land matters?" Ryan glanced at the office behind her.

Nora shook her head. "That falls under the jurisdiction of the planning office."

"Can it be done smoothly?" Ryan asked. He wasn't particularly anxious; he had the Carlyle Group backing him up. However, it was Nora who seemed more concerned.

"Don't worry about it. What are you doing here?" Nora gave Ryan a quick scan before eyeing Russell next to him.

"Securing land for the music festival. We need the city office's approval for that," Ryan explained.

Nora nodded but didn't linger, leaving with her team, her heels clicking sharply on the floor.

...

"Is she your girl?" Russell asked, curious.

Ryan shook his head.

Ryan and Russell entered the office and stated their purpose. The staff there looked surprised to see Ryan in person and quickly offered coffee.

"It's not that I disagree, but when we chose the site this year, Alex had already agreed to keep it away from residential areas. The land you're talking about is right next to two waterfront apartment buildings," the staff member said with a smile, implying that this discussion was pointless.

Ryan glanced at Russell...

"Oh, Alex did say that," Russell quickly nodded.

"And the other day, Alex came to me demanding that I revoke the authorization. What's going on between you two?" the staff member added.

"Just a small issue, nothing to worry about," Russell said with a forced smile.

"Regarding the location, Alex has always been in charge of the communications, right?" Ryan looked at the city office staff, realizing he'd have to dig deeper since Russell had been keeping quiet.

"That's right," the staff member confirmed.

No wonder Russell had been feeding the media the news that the Ultra Music Festival was moving out of Miami.

...

"Did you and Alex have a falling out?" Ryan asked as they exited the office. He had pieced together the facts from earlier conversations.

"There was just some disagreement over profit distribution, but I'm already working on it. We'll resolve it this year, I promise," Russell shrugged it off casually.

"As for the stages, if the outdoor setup doesn't work, we can always host it indoors. I have stakes in several major nightclubs in Miami," Russell added, brainstorming ideas.

Alex had connections, but so did Russell.

So they quickly headed to one of Miami's large nightclubs. The venue had been revamped from an old warehouse, and even before entering, they could feel the heavy bass thumping through the hall. The hallway was dimly lit, covered in graffiti, with numerous call-girl numbers plastered on the walls. In a corner, a few women sat slumped over, half-dressed, typical for a big city.

"Didn't I tell you to get rid of those cockroaches in the hallway?" Russell said with annoyance as he grabbed a security guard after entering.

The guard showed respect as he hurriedly replied, "Those people owe us..."

Realizing Russell's threatening gaze, the guard quickly fell silent.

After a few hushed commands from Russell, the guard finally left.

"This is very common in nightclubs, you don't have to worry. If you want to choose this place as a secondary stage, I'll make sure it's spotless -- no roaches left behind," Russell smiled.

Ryan stayed quiet while Russell showed him around, moving from the backstage to the main hall, then upstairs to the VIP areas.

The overall environment was grimy, infused with the scent of smoke, and the equipment was barely adequate. A group of women dressed provocatively stared intently at Ryan, while in another corner, some tattooed tough guys looked menacing, but they were nothing compared to the usual crew he was familiar with.

Once they reached the VIP area, the club manager approached them before Ryan could even sit down, referring to Russell as the boss.

"Ryan, this space is more than big enough to hold a lot of people. If you think it's still too small, we can set up a big screen at Bayfront Park as a second venue. Just give me the nod; it'll only cost you a symbolic fee," Russell said with a grin.

The manager immediately lifted a glass to toast.

Ryan reached for a can of Coke, avoiding the alcohol.

"Still not twenty-one," Russell smirked.

The manager then relayed some instructions, and shortly after, a couple of young women strolled in.

"These two just dropped out of school," Russell pointed to one of them. "Tonight, they'll take care of you, Ryan."

"Why are you just standing there? Come over!" Russell barked, and the two girls quickly joined Ryan, sitting on either side of him.

"Relax, Ryan. They're trained and know the rules. We've got plenty of business to discuss, including your Bad Room -- Miami has plenty of cash just waiting for us," Russell declared as he pulled aside another woman beside him. "Look at this, all natural, no fakes -- quality's number one in Miami."

...

After about half an hour, Ryan stood up to leave, completely ignoring the two "just dropped out" girls.

"I'll consider the venue issue," Ryan told Russell as he said goodbye.

Russell escorted Ryan downstairs, and once Ryan's figure disappeared into the distance, Russell's smile instantly faded.

"Put on a front, will you?" Russell spat.

"Boss, do you think he'll agree?"

"He has to agree, even if he doesn't want to," Russell waved his hand, and a subordinate immediately handed him a cigarette.

"By the way, boss, a new shipment came in today, and we've got a new chef. I heard that the taste is very good."

"A new chef? Let me try it first." Russell sniffed.

"This is good, sell them at higher price. And about those cockroaches, get rid of them. Find someone to recycle them or something. The price can be low; even if most of them are unusable, we can get some use out of them, right?"

...

Ryan returned to the hotel and found Taylor and Daddario waiting in his room.

"It's obvious that the deal didn't go through," Daddario said, glancing at Ryan's expression. They had been in the room chatting and had ordered a mountain of food through room service.

"The secondary stage has to be canceled. We can only perform here, and Taylor's new song will follow the original promotional channels," Ryan chose to terminate the plan.

The Ultra Music Festival was mired in infighting, and his involvement offered no benefits.

At that moment, Ryan's work phone rang, and currently, Ryan had three phones; he usually carried one and left the other two with Taylor.

"Unknown number..." Taylor peeked at it before answering.

"This is Ryan Rivers' work number... Ultra Music Festival? Okay, sir, I'll relay that. I can't guarantee that he'll call you back..." After some back-and-forth, Taylor hung up.

"Someone named Alex Omes wants to reach you. He says he has important matters to discuss," Taylor looked at Ryan.

Russell's partner?

"Let's call him back now," Ryan nodded.

...

Ryan picked up the phone and walked to the window where the neon lights sparkled outside, reflecting on the shimmering sea under the moonlight in the distance.

"Ryan Rivers, I advise you to stay out of the Ultra Music Festival -- this isn't your business," the voice on the other end came coldly, sounding almost threatening.

"Did Russell tell you that?"

"Someone will always tip me off."

"The city office staff?" Ryan shot back.

"..." The voice on the other end hesitated.

"Right. I don't care what you and Russell are scheming; you still have a chance to back out. Otherwise..."

"Sounding a bit scared, aren't you?" Ryan instantly called his bluff.

"Russell said he's going to deal with you shortly... I guess you're hiding somewhere right now?" Ryan continued.

"Not hiding at all; I'm just waiting for him." The voice denied Ryan's assumption.

"I have no intention of getting involved in your affairs -- just a simple performance and then I'd leave," Ryan said straightforwardly.

"Smart choice," the other person sighed in relief.

"But you're at a disadvantage now, with Russell controlling everything -- you've become the outsider," Ryan probed.

"But I have a stake in the Ultra Music Festival!"

"True, and Russell still needs you. Without you, he would be at a loss, unable to secure a venue."

"That's all my network -- without me, there wouldn't be an Ultra Music Festival. What did he do? Just some easy organizational work, but now he's the host." The voice on the other line sounded frustrated.

"So, where is he now? Do you still hold a position?"

"Not anymore; he and his brother, along with another guy, pushed me out. I'm figuring out my next move, like maybe filing a lawsuit," Alex said.

Thinking of suing, he really did sound like a business person.

"Who's backing you?"

"Louis Kelly, a member of the Recording Academy, organizer of the Winter Music Conference," Alex replied.

"Besides that? Where's your network come from?"

"Do I need to explain this?"

"Maybe I could help you."

"My sister 'knows' a state senator."

"Got it, what does she think?"

"She told me to back off," Alex answered.

"Are you connected to anyone in the city office?"

"Uh-huh, some friends of the state senator have interests in Miami. My sister occasionally passes messages between them, so over time, she got to know the person in charge at the city office. As for the exchange of interests between the state senator and the city office, she doesn't know much."

Typical revolving door.

Alex, Russell, Nora, Ultra Music Festival... a plan gradually took shape in Ryan's mind.

This might be a great opportunity.

"Do you want to reclaim what's yours?"

"Of course, I've invested a lot! Now they don't want to give me a dime."

"Maybe you could get more, but you'd have to cooperate with me first."

"What are you planning?"

"I'll call you back shortly." Ryan hung up the phone.

Then he used another phone to call Nora's number...

*****

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