Chapter 67: Agent Negotiations

When Carl stood in front of the restaurant, he felt a bit nervous.

He was wearing a gray suit with a black tie, holding a briefcase he'd had since joining the company. He anxiously adjusted his cuffs.

"Hope Jimmy set things up well…" When Carl called him this morning, Jimmy had mentioned he was about to have lunch with Ethan. Carl immediately asked Jimmy for the restaurant's name and planned to stage a coincidental meeting.

After doing some digging over the past few days, Carl had discovered that Ethan hadn't taken on any new work recently. He'd even heard that Mike had been complaining about Ethan's attitude to others.

It looked like their relationship was deteriorating.

This was a great opportunity. CAA policy required agents to fulfill the terms of their contracts before switching clients, but internal company transfers were an exception.

If Carl could get Ethan on board, he could then go to his boss, Executive Vice President Edinson, and have Edinson approach the president to request Ethan's contract be transferred to him.

Then Mike's top music video director would be his for the taking.

Carl had been thrilled for days, barely sleeping, tossing and turning until his wife kicked him out of bed.

He had to seize this rare opportunity. Even though he was a lazy guy, laziness still needed money and status, right? Besides, there was no loss if he failed.

With everything planned, Carl stepped into the restaurant. It was a simple steakhouse, without any flashy decorations or over-the-top services—just a consistent taste that had held strong over the years.

Ethan loved this place. The fancy places often sacrificed the essence of the food for appearances. Small places like this, with no money for marketing, tended to have better flavors.

As he cut into a piece of steak, Ethan suddenly heard an exclamation nearby. "Hey, Jimmy! What are you doing here?"

Jimmy looked up, feigning surprise. "Carl, is that you?"

"Oh, I was passing by and got pulled in by the smell from outside. It's lunchtime anyway, so it's time to fill my belly." Carl said, pulling out a chair and sitting down. He turned to Ethan, momentarily stunned, then spoke with a surprised tone. "Oh! Ethan!"

"Hello." Ethan extended his hand.

Carl quickly shook it. "I didn't expect to see you here! I was just listening to Avril's song the other day. That music video was fantastic!"

Jimmy rolled his eyes, thinking Carl's act was a bit much.

But whether it was an act or not, this scene would continue because it wasn't just Carl's wish—it was Ethan's, too.

"Thanks for the compliment." Ethan replied, continuing his meal. Carl exchanged a glance with Jimmy, and Jimmy spoke up. "So, Ethan, why haven't you taken on any new projects lately? Thinking about retiring?"

Ethan shrugged. "I wouldn't mind, but Mike's been busy with his new director, and the artists he's sending me have terrible songs. I don't want to waste my time on them."

"You're right. With your record of getting two music videos to Billboard's number one, you should be working with top-tier artists." Carl nodded. "Honestly, I have a few big-name artists planning to release songs this year, but they haven't found a director yet. If you were my client, they'd all be yours."

Seeing Ethan frown, Carl bit the bullet and added, "I know this might sound harsh, but Ethan, Mike doesn't seem to value you. I heard he recently signed a supplementary agreement with his other directors. It's very lucrative, but you didn't get one. That's not fair."

Didn't get one? Ethan chuckled inwardly. He simply hadn't wanted to sign it.

"So, if I did make you my agent, what would I get?" Ethan asked, half-joking, half-serious.

Carl immediately perked up and took out a contract he'd prepared in advance. "It's simple. If you join me, I can secure an exceptional agreement for you."

"Whether it's resources, fees, pay, or decision-making power, I can give it all to you and let you be in charge!" Carl knew he had nothing as a fringe agent, so he went all in.

"Full control?" Ethan raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Of course! You can pick the artists yourself, do the projects you want, and pass on the ones you don't. The pay will be industry-leading… I'll give you the highest cut possible, and I won't interfere with anything on set, even if you want to increase the budget. I'd only review it. I guarantee the resources at your disposal here will be far greater than what Mike can offer!"

Carl finished in one breath, staring at Ethan, trying to read his reaction.

No matter how he looked, all he saw was calmness. Even with such good terms, Ethan wasn't rushing to agree.

He simply nodded slightly. "Not bad. But honestly, it's not much different from what I have with Mike."

Carl couldn't help but feel a little deflated.

Then Ethan suddenly said, "But I feel like your attitude is more sincere than Mike's. I believe that if I were under you, you'd do everything to help me, right?"

"Of course!" Carl answered without hesitation.

Ethan's smile faded as he frowned. "But switching agents would be a hassle, right? I'd have to wait until my contract ends."

"No! Ethan, as long as you agree, I'll handle everything!" Carl, sensing hope, eagerly took on the task.

"Well… alright, Carl, you've convinced me." After some thought, Ethan extended his hand.

Carl's face lit up as he shook Ethan's hand.

When he left the restaurant, he was practically floating. He couldn't believe how quickly everything he'd hoped for had fallen into place!

Though they were far from a final agreement—since Ethan required him to first get him out from under Mike—it didn't matter. As long as there was hope, Carl was ready to take a gamble.

He checked his watch, realizing it was his favorite tea time. But instead of heading home, he drove toward CAA headquarters.

Meanwhile, Jimmy and Ethan were discussing Carl.

"Why not go directly to Vice President Edinson? Wouldn't that be faster?" Jimmy asked, puzzled.

Ethan shook his head. "No, Jimmy, switching agents is easy if I'm willing to butt heads with Mike. But why make myself the target? I want the upper hand, especially the choice. So, I need Carl and Edinson to think they need me, that they're the ones hoping I'll switch agents—not me rushing to sign with them."

"That way, they'll offer the best deal. Like dating, the one who invests more always makes more compromises. Retreating to advance is always the way to win."

"Hard to grasp." Jimmy still didn't quite get it.

Ethan smiled and gave an example. "Like why I didn't say Carl's offer was better than Mike's. I first downplayed it, letting him feel a bit disappointed, then acknowledged him based on his attitude. That way, he thinks he's done well and will try even harder."

Jimmy paused for a few seconds. "Damn, you know a lot!"

Just then, Jimmy's phone rang. After answering, he looked excitedly at Ethan. "Ethan, our tobacco pitch got approved!"