Chapter 261: Wrong Direction

[Chapter 261: Wrong Direction]

When Laura Pena pressed the question, Jennifer Aniston glanced at her boyfriend Eric Williams, noticing him casually blinking a couple of times. She leaned closer to the microphone and said, "I watched the preview of Home Alone 2. This movie is even better than the first one. Little Stu performed excellently as usual, and Matthew still managed to be a bust. The other actors also delivered outstanding performances. So, I think this movie should at least hit $200 million at the box office."

"Wow, $200 million -- a surprising number. I hope Miss Aniston's words bring this film good luck," Laura Pena had no intention of comparing it to last year's Home Alone. She continued, "By the way, Miss Aniston, I heard that the young bungler Marv was played by Mr. Matthew Perry, your former classmate, right?"

Jennifer nodded, "Yes, last year when Eric was casting, he couldn't find anyone suitable for Marv for a long time. So, I recommended Matthew to him. After a simple audition, Eric decided to cast Matthew in that role, and it turned out to be a great choice."

"I didn't know about that little tidbit," Laura said, her tone dripping with mockery. "So, Miss Aniston, you introduced Mr. Matthew Perry to Mr. Williams without fearing he'd get jealous?"

Jennifer's eyes widened at the question, and she tightened her grip on Eric's arm. "How could that be? If Eric was jealous, he wouldn't have chosen Matthew to play Marv."

After a brief interview, the couple walked across the red carpet and entered the cinema.

...

After greeting everyone who had already arrived, Eric leaned over to Jennifer and suddenly said, "Jen, honestly, I am feeling a bit jealous. You owe me a favor tonight."

Jennifer shot him a disbelieving look. "You do all this crazy stuff, and I can barely keep my cool. I haven't seen you make it up to me once."

"Well, how about I compensate you a couple of times tonight?" Eric said with a mischievous grin, wrapping his arm around Jennifer's waist and giving a playful squeeze to a sensitive spot through her gown.

A tingling sensation raced up Jennifer's spine; her body softened slightly. Gritting her teeth, she pushed Eric away, her cheeks slightly flushed. "You beast! You only think about these kinds of things. I'm ignoring you now."

She indeed escaped from Eric's side, deliberately walking toward Matthew Perry, greeting him with a warm hug.

...

Eric shrugged in resignation, just about to follow when Donald Trump, who had previously made a cameo, approached, beaming and waved from a distance. Accompanying Donald was a blonde woman who seemed to be in her thirties and holding a little girl. It was the adorable Ivanka.

"Hey, Eric, long time no see," Donald Trump said as he ambled over, warmly embracing Eric. "Eric, this is my wife, Ivana. Ivana, meet Eric Williams."

Eric politely shook Ivana's hand.

Just then, an adorable little voice piped up. "Eric, do you remember me?"

"Of course, I do, Ivanka," Eric said, smiling as he reached out to pinch Ivanka's chubby little cheeks, only to be met with strong protest. "Hey, Eric, you can't just pinch girls' cheeks!"

Eric squatted down in front of the little girl and asked with interest, "Why can't I pinch them?"

Ivanka tilted her head, thinking for a moment but failing to come up with a suitable answer. Then she puffed out her cheeks and exclaimed, "Just because you can't!"

As Eric was about to tease the little girl further, Jennifer returned. Spotting Ivanka Trump, she exclaimed excitedly, "Wow, what a beautiful little girl, just like a doll!" Without waiting for Ivanka's reaction, she reached out and pinched the little girl's cheeks.

"Ahhhh! You adults are so annoying!"

With the little girl flailing and squealing, everyone burst into laughter. Seeing how upset Ivanka was, Jennifer quickly released her grip and said apologetically to Ivanka's mother, "I'm sorry, did I... do something wrong?"

"It's nothing, Miss Aniston. Ivanka is usually very good; she just doesn't like unfamiliar people," Ivana explained with a smile. With Friends being immensely popular, she already knew who Jennifer was.

Jennifer still looked slightly apologetic and glanced at Eric, who quickly made the necessary introductions. The four of them then continued their conversation, ignoring the puffed-up little girl.

"Eric, what you said during the premiere of The Island was truly fantastic. I heard the film's box office had already surpassed $50 million, while its budget was only $5 million, right?"

"Yeah, while the production cost was only $5 million, the distribution cost was a bit higher," Eric replied.

Donald, who had some insight into film distribution, commented, "Even so, Firefly Films should make a killing. Eric, how much do you think this film could gross in total?"

Since these figures were widely reported with extensive analysis in the papers, Eric felt there was no need for secrecy. He replied, "I estimate it should make at least $150 million in North America. Overseas is hard to say, but with the Venice Silver Lion's prestige and the quality of the movie itself, it might do even better there."

Upon hearing Eric, Donald felt even more enthusiastic. If Eric's calculations were correct, this low-budget film was set to bring in profits of around $70 to $80 million for Firefly. Not to mention the profits from the upcoming Home Alone 2, which were bound to be even higher. Without considering other films soon to be released by Firefly, it seemed Eric could easily rake in $200 million in cash from just these two films. Donald was practically going mad thinking about cash.

Eric couldn't help but notice the shift in Donald Trump's expression. While he had a decent impression of the real estate mogul after spending little time together, he knew better than to let personal feelings guide his actions. He believed that even Donald's close friends might lend him some assistance but wouldn't invest heavily in an unstable real estate project at such a crucial time.

Not wanting to let Donald cling to false illusions, Eric thought it better to clarify the situation.

At that moment, staff announced that the guests for the premiere could enter the screening room.

"Jen, why don't you and Mrs. Trump head to the screening room? I want to chat with Donald for a bit," Eric suggested to Jennifer, not avoiding mention of the Trump family.

Donald nodded toward his wife, who was pulling Ivanka along to leave with Jennifer. However, Ivanka wriggled out of her mother's grasp, looking serious like a little grown-up. "Mom, you go ahead. I have something to discuss with Eric."

Ivana quickly realized her husband and Eric had something serious to talk about and tugged at her daughter. "Ivanka, stop fooling around and come along with your mother. Let's go see Kevin."

"I'm not interested in that little brat," Ivanka suddenly clutched her father's leg like a little koala, refusing to budge no matter how her mother tugged.

Finally, Eric spoke up, "Mrs. Trump, let Ivanka stay here. I don't have anything important to discuss."

Perhaps realizing something, Donald picked up his daughter and nodded to Ivana.

...

Once the lounge began clearing out, Eric sat down on a sofa beside Donald. Little Ivanka didn't rush to speak, blinking her big, beautiful eyes as she darted them between her father and Eric.

After organizing his thoughts, Eric finally began, "Donald, I've looked over some of your company's materials."

Donald chuckled awkwardly, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice, "A complete mess, right?"

Eric shook his head honestly, "Not at all. Under normal circumstances, the projects you're working on should wrap up by next year. While the real estate market isn't great right now, as long as those projects don't fall through, I believe you can make them profitable, given your capabilities." He paused before adding, "This isn't flattery. I've reviewed your documentation. Back in the late 60s, while you were still in college, you managed an apartment project in Cincinnati, Ohio, earning a million dollars in just one year. Not to mention the Hyatt hotel on 42nd Street, and the Central Park skating rink."

Hearing Eric mention some of his more successful ventures, Donald's face showed a glimmer of pride. Yet, he quickly recalled his current predicament and couldn't help but sigh.

Eric, not waiting for Donald to respond, continued, "However, Donald, just as you need funds to advance your business, I need a lot of money to expand my film company. Plus, even if I had extra capital, it wouldn't suffice for your real estate project's needs."

Donald understood Eric was speaking the truth, nodding casually and saying, "I see."

They sat in silence for a moment before Eric suddenly asked, "Donald, you must have been trying to raise funds recently, right?"

"Yeah, the banks that lent me money are no longer providing funds. I'm left trying to secure financing elsewhere. I've approached all possible investors I could, even taking a trip to Japan through a friend's introduction. Unfortunately, those Japanese investors are asking for a much lower price than what I can accept to cover my debts. I can't agree to that."

Eric thought for a moment and said, "Donald, maybe the direction you initially chose to pursue was wrong."

*****

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