Chapter 495: Back to Los Angeles

[Chapter 495: Back to Los Angeles]

Eric heard Chris and laughed, "Right now, all I care about is when he can launch that Hotmail online email service."

"Probably in at least six months," Chris said, seeming to remember something. He clicked on a program in front of him on his laptop and mentioned, "Eric, you might want to take a look at this. It's Microsoft's email client, Microsoft Mail, which they launched on the 3.1 system."

Eric glanced briefly and quickly realized that this email client bundled with Microsoft Office applications was probably the predecessor of the famous Outlook. In another timeline, Outlook came about after Microsoft acquired Hotmail and integrated it with their existing email client for an office product.

However, at this moment, Microsoft Mail was just a point-to-point LAN email client, usable only on fixed computers and lacked online email functionality. "Don't worry, Chris. This application doesn't pose a threat to us. Our Hotmail targets all internet users, while Microsoft's application is more limited to business use, which common folks wouldn't really need."

Chris knew Eric spoke the truth, so he merely brought it up casually.

Eric felt reassured primarily because all the software giants didn't recognize the internet's potential, giving them ample time to strategize. As for Microsoft, even though the release of Windows 3.1 garnered positive feedback, their operating system hadn't yet captured mainstream status, as Windows 95, which would solidify Microsoft's dominance, wouldn't release for another three years.

The two chatted in the study, losing track of time until they both realized dusk had settled outside. Chris decided to take his leave.

As he prepared to leave, Chris suddenly halted and said, "Eric, there's one more thing I almost forgot to mention. After a series of investments, the company still has about $1 billion in cash. If we keep those funds in a money market fund, we'll only earn about 6% a year. Personally, I'd prefer the company to make larger-scale investments."

"That amount isn't too much," Eric responded. "Just a billion dollars. If we spread it thinly across different investments, we often won't gain enough leverage, so it's perhaps better not to invest at all. Moreover, I haven't yet found a project big enough to take on."

Chris chuckled, "Not too much? There aren't many companies in the entire United States with over a billion dollars in liquid capital."

Eric nodded but internally thought of Apple from his past life. He remembered reading an article stating that Apple's cash flow once exceeded $200 billion, even surpassing Disney's market value. After Jobs regained control, he maintained a debt-free operating model. As a public company, owning debt offers tax advantages, but Apple managed to stay zero-debt for two decades.

It was exactly Jobs' extreme stubbornness that allowed Apple such flexibility without the constraints of shareholders and creditors. Apple wanted to create MacBook, so they did. They wanted to make the iPod, so they did. They wanted to produce the iPhone, so they did, ultimately securing Apple's position as the world's most valuable company twenty years later.

Eric knew he wasn't particularly gifted at running a company. However, as someone who had crossed over and fortuitously possessed a repository of past life memories, he felt confident that imitating the paths of others wasn't an issue. If Firefly went public or issued a large amount of bonds, while it could bring significant profits, it would also mean the company's strategies would have to cater to investors. Eric was aware that many decisions made based on his memories would likely perplex many people. If he couldn't maintain absolute control over the company, several strategies would face substantial challenges. By the time he haggled with investors, many opportunities might already evaporate.

"Don't worry, Chris. I've got it under control. But I remember telling you that if you come across a project you believe in, feel free to make investments. You're not my steward, but the CEO of Firefly Investment Company."

Chris shrugged and laughed, "As long as you're aware, that's what matters. To be honest, since our Cisco investment, I've felt your investment insight exceeds mine. Dad said the same. The money we invested in Cisco will at least double this year."

Eric could see the confusion in Chris' eyes; he was just a high school graduate, and Chris must have been curious about how he selected Cisco and produced films. However, those were things Eric couldn't possibly be open about.

After a few knocks on the study door and receiving a response, Virginia peeked in and asked, "Eric, it's already six o'clock. I came to ask what you two wanted for dinner?"

"No need, Miss Madsen. Emily and I are about to leave. We have a date later," Chris quickly shook his head.

Eric tried to persuade him to stay, but Chris indeed had things to do, so he didn't insist.

...

While having dinner, Eric shared with the two women some of the conversation he had with Chris in the afternoon. After hearing him out, Virginia exchanged glances with Joanna, and eventually, Virginia spoke up, "Eric, you've been in New York for several days. There are surely many things to attend to in Los Angeles. You should head back tomorrow."

Eric didn't refuse but suggested, "Why don't you both come back to Los Angeles with me? I'm not too comfortable with you two alone in New York."

Virginia smiled and replied, "We're not kids, and besides, we have our staff. Just give us a call now and then."

"I really don't understand why you won't come back to Los Angeles with me," Eric shook his head again.

Virginia shot him a look, "You know exactly why."

Eric raised both hands, "Alright, I surrender."

"Ha ha," Joanna and Virginia burst into laughter. The reason they didn't want to return with Eric was simple: Eric had too many women in Los Angeles, and they were both pregnant. If they went back to Los Angeles, there would definitely be unnecessary trouble. If the women wanted to live in peace, the safest way was to keep a certain distance.

...

The next day, after Eric briefed the two women on numerous matters, he boarded the flight to Los Angeles. Since July, he had been away from Los Angeles for three whole months and could practically picture the mountain of tasks piling up, awaiting him.

A few hours later, the plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport. As soon as Eric stepped out into the terminal, a petite figure in a pink hoodie rushed toward him, immediately showering him with hugs and kisses.

"Alright, Drew, if you keep this up, I'll have to yell harassment," Eric laughed, pulling the girl off him, allowing her to link her arm with his as they strolled toward the car.

"I missed you! I was going to go to Hawaii, but then I heard you went to France and then to New York. Hmph, you're going to forget me at this rate!"

Eric climbed into the car with Drew, playfully squeezing her cheek. "Why do I detect such strong hints of jealousy?"

Drew swatted Eric's hand away and shot him a sideways glance, as if to say, well, you laid out the rules.

"You knew all along, so what else is there to say?" Eric couldn't help but chuckle as he reached out again.

"Annoying," Drew said, raising her hand but then pulled Eric's large hand toward her chest, "So, are they really pregnant? Both of them?"

Eric nodded, "It seems that way."

"What do you plan to do about it?" Drew asked nervously.

"Of course, we'll have them and raise them. You can't expect me to be an irresponsible father, can you?"

Drew rolled her eyes at Eric, extending her two little fingers, "But that's two! Twins at once!"

"That doesn't seem like a serious problem to me; I can afford it," Eric responded, puzzled.

Drew fell silent, her expression growing concerned.

Eric gently patted the girl's head, "Don't sulk. You're getting two siblings; isn't that great?"

Drew was taken aback by this statement, and soon a smile spread across her face, crossing her arms and teasing, "Siblings? Eric, you're so wicked!"

Eric instinctively regarded Drew as a child. After years of knowing each other, he had never really seen her as older. His previous comment just slipped out. Looking at the young girl's current demeanor, Eric realized the ambiguity of his words and quickly corrected himself. "Alright, not siblings, but little nephews or nieces. You'll be an aunt!"

"Hmph, I already heard that, don't you think it's a little late to say it now?"

"Then let's not talk about that. What about your two little minions?" Eric asked playfully.

Drew pouted, "You keep calling them my minions. They aren't my daughters, and I don't have to take them everywhere."

Noticing the fire in Drew's demeanor today, Eric realized that nothing he said would help. He chose to lean back in his seat and close his eyes instead.

A moment of silence fell in the car, and outside, the buildings sped by until they reached the coastal highway to Malibu.

After a while, Drew leaned over, "Eric, I missed you."

Eric gently wrapped his arm around her, "I know, I missed you too."

Drew's rare display of insecurity shone through as she looked up at Eric and asked, "Really?"

"Why don't you just ask it yourself?" Eric took one of her small hands and pressed it against his chest, joking, "Do you want me to pull my heart out so you can inspect it?"

...

After three months away, stepping back into the mansion at Liberty City felt surreal for Eric; it seemed unchanged thanks to Drew's care.

Drew instructed the driver to bring in Eric's luggage, then promptly shooed them away.

"Eric, you should go rest. I'll help you unpack and call you when dinner is ready," Drew said while rummaging through his bags.

"Sounds good. There are gifts I brought back from France; pick one out."

"Hey, it's all mine!" Drew exclaimed, having spotted a pile of gift boxes in his luggage.

Eric chuckled, not responding and made his way to the bedroom.

...

When he woke up, it was already past eight in the evening. He went downstairs and saw Drew bustling around the kitchen, so he walked over.

"I tried learning for a long time but couldn't get it right, so I had to call someone to get takeout," Drew explained a bit sheepishly while operating the microwave.

As soon as Eric entered, the scent of something burnt wafted toward him. He approached and asked, "What's in here?"

"Pizza. That's all we could have for dinner tonight," Drew replied with a hint of embarrassment.

"Pizza's fine. Is there juice?"

"Yeah, I just squeezed some orange juice," she pointed to the juicer.

The two swiftly busied themselves and soon settled down in the living room.

While having dinner, Eric quietly listened as Drew filled him in on recent happenings in Los Angeles.

"The Rough Cut of Ace Ventura is done, but Liz isn't satisfied with the marketing plan that Firefly provided. She got into a heated argument with Michael Lynn over it," she said mischievously, sounding like a little informant.

Eric chuckled, "I have a feeling you might have stirred the pot."

"Not at all," Drew immediately retaliated, but her confidence clearly wavered. "Okay, I might have said a few things, but Liz definitely handled that argument with Michael on her own."

"Michael didn't mention it, which likely means it's been resolved. How did that end up?" Eric directly inquired.

Drew answered, "It's the same scale as the marketing for Speed, but Ace Ventura is set for the Christmas release, with 2,000 screens."

Eric thought for a moment and nodded. The women hadn't stirred up any outrageous issues. The marketing scale and release size were quite reasonable.

Given the box office performance of The Mask during the summer, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, starring Jim Carrey, indeed warranted that level of marketing. Plus, as a comedy, Christmas would likely be a more fitting time than Thanksgiving.

"Also, Jim started picking and choosing roles again right after Ace Ventura: Pet Detective wrapped. He and his manager have been stalling on his next project," Drew quickly added.

"How much are they asking this time?" Eric asked.

Drew held up her pinky finger, gesturing, and then awkwardly pulled it back. "Fifteen million, and he refuses to sign a two-film package deal."

*****

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