82. Windham's Decision

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(A/N: Hello Everyone! Come and read my new fanfic called the King Of Arsenal, I hope you like it! I love football/soccer and decided to have a go with it!)

As they stood together, looking out over the city from the top floor, Sandro felt a deep sense of connection to his family, to the future, and to the endless possibilities that lay ahead. There were still challenges to face, but with his father by his side, and with his own growing confidence in his ideas, he knew he was ready for whatever came next.

After a thorough tour of the Nexum Core headquarters, Sandro found himself standing alongside Jack in front of the building's impressive third floor. This floor, unlike the others which housed either office spaces or residential quarters, was dedicated entirely to Jack's investment team.

A group of highly skilled professionals that had been instrumental in the growth of Nexum Core. Jack had reserved the entire floor for this team, allowing plenty of room for future expansion as the company continued to scale.

The moment they stepped out of the elevator, they were greeted by the warm but professional energy of the team. Sandro had met many of them before, but there was something different about this visit. He wasn't just Jack's son tagging along—he was here to contribute, to bring fresh ideas to the table, and possibly, to initiate the next big move for Nexum Core.

Jack, with his usual authority, greeted the team, shaking hands and making quick conversation as they moved toward the main meeting room. Once everyone was gathered, Jack turned to the group, his voice carrying a tone of importance.

"We've got something big to discuss today," Jack began, his eyes scanning the room. "I've been talking with Sandro about some potential investments—ones that could reshape the way we think about our portfolio moving forward. This is a discussion that requires all hands on deck, and we'll need everyone's input to make sure we're considering all angles."

Sandro could feel the weight of the moment as he took a seat at the large conference table, surrounded by some of the sharpest minds in the financial world that Jack could hire.

It wasn't his first time being involved in one of these meetings, but it was certainly the first time he'd be leading part of the discussion. Jack had always included him in business matters, but this felt different. There was an air of expectation, of seriousness that Sandro hadn't quite felt before.

After a brief introduction from Jack, the meeting began. Jack motioned to Sandro, signaling that it was time for him to present his ideas.

"Thanks, Dad," Sandro said, standing up and walking toward the screen where he had prepared a few visuals. "So, I've been thinking about two major areas of potential investment. The first one is social media, specifically Twitter."

He clicked on the first slide, which showed a graph of Twitter's recent growth, user engagement, and monetization strategies, presentation slides that he made last night after his father offered to see the Nexum Core Headquarters office.

"Twitter's been making some bold moves lately," Sandro continued, glancing at the attentive faces around the room. "They're expanding monetization through ads, and positioning themselves as an essential tool for influencers and corporations alike."

"The market's volatile, no doubt, but I see this as a calculated risk. Their leadership is making moves that could transform the platform, with expanding into new forms of advertising. If they play their cards right, this could become a cornerstone investment in the digital landscape."

The room was quiet for a moment, the team digesting his words, before one of the senior investment analysts, Roger, leaned forward.

"Interesting," Roger said, his tone thoughtful. "But Twitter's had a history of volatility, especially with user retention issues and their ability to consistently innovate, unlike Facebook. What makes you think this time will be different?"

Sandro anticipated the question. "I think it's all about timing. Twitter has lagged behind, yes. But this shift towards advertisement monetization for users and creators is new territory for them. They're essentially taking a page from platforms like YouTube, but with a more social, real-time engagement model. It's not a sure thing, but the opportunity to capitalize on their user base is immense. We can either get in early before these shifts solidify or watch from the sidelines as other investors take the leap."

Roger nodded, considering Sandro's points. Jack was listening intently, not jumping in, but letting Sandro handle the discussion.

Another team member, Angela, spoke up. "What about regulatory risks? With all the scrutiny around social media companies and data privacy at this time, do you think Twitter can navigate that smoothly?"

Sandro clicked to the next slide. "Regulation is always a concern, but from what I've seen, Twitter is taking steps to address some of the major criticisms. Their transparency reports are becoming more robust, and they're tightening up on content moderation in ways that might help them in the long run. It's not perfect, but I believe they're positioning themselves better compared to where they were even a year ago."

The discussion continued for a while, with Sandro fielding more questions from the team. He felt confident in his responses, and more importantly, he could tell that his ideas were being taken seriously. After about fifteen minutes, Jack interjected, signaling that it was time to move on to the second topic.

"Good insights, everyone," Jack said, nodding approvingly at Sandro. "Let's shift gears to the music industry—something Sandro's been thinking a lot about as well."

Sandro clicked on the next slide, which showcased the growth of streaming services, particularly focusing on Spotify.

"So, the music industry is evolving rapidly, much like social media. Streaming has begun to change the music landscape slowly, and there's still much room for growth, especially when it comes to how artists engage with fans. I'm proposing we look into investments in Spotify, and potentially even explore partnerships with some of the more innovative record labels and agencies."

He moved to a slide showing how Spotify had grown its user base over the past two years and its aggressive push into the music industry to become an artist tool.

"Spotify is a rising music streaming service," Sandro explained. "They're building an ecosystem—one where creators, musicians and songmakers can monetize directly. They're pushing into podcasts, audiobooks, and exclusive content, much like Netflix did with video streaming. And the way I see it, this is just the beginning."

One of the investment team members, Alicia, raised her hand. "What's your angle here? Are you suggesting we invest directly in Spotify, or are you more interested in the broader ecosystem?"

"Both, potentially," Sandro replied. "Spotify is a proven platform with room to grow, especially as they attract more and more users. But beyond that, I think there's a unique opportunity in the engagement space—where artists can interact more directly with fans, similar to how wrestling has capitalized on direct fan interaction. Artists are looking for new ways to monetize their following, and fans want more personalized experiences."

He clicked on the next slide, which outlined his idea for partnerships with record labels or agencies that were willing to innovate.

"I'm proposing we consider partnerships or even investments in agencies that are willing to take risks and think outside the box. There's potential for artist-fan interaction to be the next big thing in music—not just streaming, but live Q&A sessions, virtual meet-and-greets, and exclusive content drops. It's all about building a community."

There was a ripple of interest around the room, and Jack seemed especially intrigued by this concept. Sandro could see his father's wheels turning, considering the potential of the idea.

"This is definitely something we should explore," Jack said, glancing around the room. "The music industry has been ripe for disruption for years, and if Sandro's right about the direction it's heading, we could be on the ground floor of something big."

As the conversation progressed, the team began to chime in with their own thoughts, ideas, and concerns. They discussed the challenges of the music industry, the volatility of streaming platforms, and the potential regulatory hurdles. But through it all, Sandro felt a growing sense of confidence. He wasn't just presenting a couple of ideas—he was helping shape the future of Nexum Core's investment strategy.

By the end of the meeting, it was clear that both the Twitter and music industry investments were going to be taken seriously. Jack wrapped things up by summarizing the key points and assigning different team members to do further research on the opportunities Sandro had presented.

As the team filed out of the meeting room, Jack turned to Sandro with a proud smile. "You did great in there, son. These ideas… they're strong. I think we're onto something."

Sandro felt a wave of satisfaction. "Thanks, Dad. I just wanted to bring something fresh to the table, you know?"

"You did more than that," Jack said. "You brought vision. And that's what we need right now."

As they left the building later that day, Sandro couldn't help but feel like he had crossed a new threshold in his life. His ideas were being taken seriously, his input was valued, and he was playing a bigger role in his family's legacy than ever before.

After the meeting, Sandro and Jack headed back home, the afternoon sunlight casting a golden glow over the Orlando skyline as they drove through the familiar streets. Sandro felt a lingering sense of accomplishment from the meeting—he had offered real, actionable ideas that could shape the future of Nexum Core. Jack's approval had given him a renewed sense of purpose, and he could tell that his father had been genuinely impressed by the presentation.

When they pulled into the driveway, the smell of Taylor's cooking wafted through the air as they approached the front door. Inside, the kitchen was alive with the comforting scents of roasted chicken, herbs, and freshly baked bread. Taylor was moving about the kitchen with her usual grace, preparing the evening meal.

"You're just in time," Taylor called out with a smile as they entered the house. "Dinner's almost ready."

Jack placed a hand on Sandro's shoulder as they took their seats at the dinner table. "Your mother never disappoints. Best part of coming home."

Sandro chuckled, feeling a deep sense of warmth and belonging as the three of them sat down together. The dinner was simple but delicious—roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and a fresh salad.

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, but inevitably, the conversation circled back to the day's events.

"You should've seen him in action today, Taylor," Jack said between bites. "Sandro led the meeting like a pro. He's got a real head for this business."

Taylor looked at Sandro with pride. "I'm not surprised one bit. You've always been sharp, honey. It's just nice to see you getting the recognition you deserve."

Sandro smiled, feeling a rush of gratitude for his parents' unwavering support. "It felt good. Honestly, I wasn't sure how they'd take to my ideas, but it seemed like everyone was open to it. Especially the music stuff."

Jack nodded. "It's a tough industry to break into, but you were right. There's potential there. We just need to do our homework and make sure we're getting in at the right time."

The rest of dinner passed with light conversation about upcoming family plans, the latest news, and Jack's excitement about the new Nexum Core headquarters. It was one of those rare moments where everything felt in balance—Sandro's career, his family, and his future all aligned.

After dinner, Sandro took a long, hot shower, letting the steam relax his muscles. The stress of the last few weeks began to fade away, replaced by a sense of calm.

Once he was done, he joined his parents in the living room, where they were settling in to watch a movie together. It was a peaceful evening, the kind that Sandro had come to cherish whenever he managed to steal time away from his hectic schedule.

Just as they were getting comfortable, Sandro's phone buzzed on the coffee table. He glanced down and saw Windham's name flashing on the screen. His eyes widened in surprise—he hadn't expected a call from Windham tonight, or any time soon, for that matter. It had been a while since they'd spoken, so Sandro quickly picked up the phone, greeting Windham with enthusiasm.

"Windham! What's up, man? How've you been?" Sandro asked, his voice genuinely excited.

Windham's familiar deep drawl came through the phone. "Hey, Sandro. I'm good, man. Been thinking about a lot of stuff lately, and I wanted to run something by you."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Sandro got to the heart of the conversation. "What's on your mind, Windham? Everything alright?"

There was a brief pause before Windham spoke again, his tone more serious. "Yeah, everything's fine. I just wanted to let you know I've made a decision. After talking with my family—my dad, my granddad—I'm going to drop out of college next year and join you at FCW."

Sandro sat up straighter on the couch, surprised but also intrigued. "Whoa, wait. You're serious? You're dropping out of school to come wrestle?"

"Yeah," Windham said firmly. "I've been thinking about it for a long time. School's fine and all, but it's not where my heart is. Wrestling's in my blood, and after talking it over with my dad and granddad, they both think it's the right move for me. They've given me their blessing."

Sandro felt a mixture of emotions—excitement, pride, and a little concern for his friend. Windham had always been passionate about wrestling, but this was a huge decision. Still, Sandro knew what it was like to chase a dream, and if anyone could understand the pull of the wrestling world, it was him.

"Man, that's a big step," Sandro said, choosing his words carefully. "But I know you've got the passion for it. If you're sure about this, then I'm all for it. FCW's no joke, though. You'll need to be ready for the grind."

Windham chuckled. "I know it's going to be tough, but I'm ready. I've been training on the side for a while now, and I've been talking to some people about getting a spot in their developmental system. I wanted to let you know first because you're the one who really showed me what's possible in this business for people our age."

Sandro felt a surge of pride hearing that. Windham had been a friend for years, and now, seeing him take this leap was inspiring. "I'm honored, man. You're going to crush it. Just remember, it's not all glamour—there's a lot of hard work ahead."

Windham's voice was full of determination. "I know. But I'm ready for it. And having you there is going to make it even better. We can push each other, like we always have."

Sandro couldn't help but smile at the thought of having Windham by his side at FCW. "I'm looking forward to it, man. We'll be unstoppable."

They talked a bit longer, discussing what Windham's next steps would be, how he planned to transition into the wrestling world, and some advice Sandro had about making that jump from training to performing in front of live crowds. By the time they hung up, Sandro felt energized. Having Windham alongside him in FCW was going to be a game-changer.

After the call ended, Sandro set his phone down and leaned back into the couch, a satisfied smile on his face. His parents glanced over at him, curious.

"Everything okay?" Taylor asked gently.

"Yeah," Sandro replied, nodding. "That was Windham. He's dropping out of college next year to join FCW."

Jack raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "He's really making that leap, huh?"

Sandro nodded. "Yeah, he's serious about it. He's been talking to his family, and they're on board. It's a huge step, but I think he's got what it takes."

Taylor smiled, her voice soft. "Well, it sounds like you're going to have a good friend by your side. That's important, especially in a career as demanding as yours." Sandro nodded, feeling the weight of that truth. Wrestling was a tough business, but having someone like Windham, someone he trusted, was going to make the challenges ahead more manageable.

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Name: Alessandro Zhang

Age: 18 (2008)

Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA

Brand: FCW

Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style

Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)

Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions