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Chapter 71: A Dog Without a Home
🕑 Added 2024-10-21 20:34:01 +0000 UTC"Ethan, my boss, Vice President Edinson, already helped you terminate the contract in yesterday's meeting!" Carl was so happy that he couldn't focus on eating his steak, gesturing animatedly with his knife and fork as he spoke.
In the routine meeting at CAA yesterday, Edinson presented a list of collaborators currently idle, including directors, photographers, and other personnel involved in package deals. He harshly criticized Brady for hoarding too many resources without proper allocation, which had led to many people considering looking elsewhere.
Brady, of course, argued that he was doing this to select the best talents in the industry, allocating resources based on merit. But Edinson then threw another piece of evidence on the table: a copy of the private contracts Brady had signed with some directors.
No one knew where Edinson had managed to dig up this information, but although Brady was surprised, he wasn't afraid. This was a double-edged sword—on one hand, it showed he was ambitious and trying to control resources under his own banner; on the other hand, it also demonstrated his skill in winning over those directors.
The president wouldn't punish him for this, but since the issue had been exposed and Edinson had leverage, Brady had to pay a price. That price included Ethan's contract.
"So, I'm free now?" Ethan asked, putting a piece of steak into his mouth.
"You could say that. However, if you don't choose an agent yourself, the company will assign one to you," Carl replied, his eyes filled with expectation as he stared at Ethan.
Carl was incredibly anxious inside, fearing that Ethan might change his mind. After all, there was no agreement between them, and if Ethan didn't choose him, Edinson would surely assign his most capable agent to handle Ethan. Time was running out for Carl.
When Ethan finished his steak and saw Carl's nervous yet smiling face, he finally extended his hand: "Then here's to a happy future collaboration."
Carl was overjoyed and grabbed Ethan's hand firmly. "Happy collaboration!"
"I'm heading out now. You should finish your meal; the steak's getting cold," Ethan patted Carl on the shoulder and left.
The restaurant was left with only Carl, who kept stabbing and pulling his fork out of the steak, too excited to eat. His mind was filled with joy and visions of a bright future.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Brady's office had sunk to its lowest point in recent times. Mike and a few other agents sat on the couch, watching Brady's dark expression, not daring to make a sound, fearful that they might be the next to be reprimanded.
They were well aware of Edinson's attack on their boss in the meeting and had to admit it was a very ruthless move. Taking out that confidential contract in front of Brady was clearly meant to show him that there was a mole among his agents. But with over ten key agents under his command, could he really investigate each one?
Not to mention the hassle, but what if after the investigation, his subordinates lost trust in him? Would he replace them all?
So, Brady had to swallow his anger. He cast a sharp gaze at the agents present and, upon seeing the familiar hooked nose, immediately asked, "Why? Why haven't there been any package deals assigned to Ethan since Avril's music video?"
Mike's heart sank, and he quickly explained, "I've suggested several projects to Ethan recently, but he kept declining, saying the songs weren't good enough or that he had personal matters to attend to, so he wouldn't shoot."
"So, you just left him idle? Mike! You're his agent! You should be pushing him! But what have you been busy with lately? Don't think I don't know!" Brady's tone grew harsher. "You've signed three new directors and two photographers, and you've given all the package deals to them. What are you trying to do?"
"Just because Ethan has a bad temper, you left him hanging? Hoping he'd come begging to you for work? FXXK! Mike, now look what's happened. He's free, and Edinson's agents just got a golden opportunity handed to them! He even rejected my deal! Do you know what he said?"
Brady stood up and spat out each word: "He said he didn't feel valued! Instead, he felt threatened! Mike, because of you, he rejected me! He thought I was using the deal to coerce him, that if he didn't sign, I'd take away his work! SHXT! You ruined everything!"
Brady's booming voice hit Mike like a drum, leaving him dizzy. He hadn't realized that his unintentional favoritism had led to such consequences. Regret and frustration filled him, but there was no chance to fix things. Brady immediately announced a new decision: "Mike, since you're so busy, hand over the directors you're handling to Norstin. I'm also giving you a two-month vacation; you can go travel and spend time with your family."
"I... I don't need..." Mike opened his mouth, his voice hoarse.
But Brady didn't care to hear his objections: "That's final. Now, let's congratulate our agent Mike, who's about to start his wonderful vacation."
"Clap!" Everyone clapped mockingly at Mike.
Regardless, someone had to be the scapegoat. Everyone had lost directors to Edinson, but only Ethan had been someone Brady had high hopes for under Mike's management. Now that Ethan had left, Mike was of no use, so he was conveniently made the scapegoat.
As for the vacation... Two months away from the company—would there even be a spot on the couch in the president's office when he returned?
Mike knew the answer but was powerless to change anything. Enduring his colleagues' mocking gazes, he picked up his briefcase and left the office.
After he left, the room quickly returned to normal. Brady discussed future strategies with his subordinates and then announced, "Since Ethan doesn't want to side with me, give Eminem's music video to Joseph Carbin. Norstin, I hope he doesn't disappoint me."
Norstin stood up, his tall figure with light brown hair and blue eyes radiating warmth as he smiled. Without any hesitation, he assured Brady, "Don't worry, Joseph has already discussed the music video concept with Eminem and has even hand-drawn several hundred pages of storyboards. The creativity is incredible. This year's MTV award will definitely go to this song."
"Good. Well, that's fine. Ethan's as arrogant as a rooster—let Edinson deal with him."
Whether Brady was trying to console himself or truly believed this, his words were quickly met with agreement from the others, who echoed his sentiments. The words Mike had spoken earlier were now on everyone's lips.
But that man, who should have been appreciated, had now left CAA like a dog without a home.
