Behind The Spotlight

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 271


Two months before Collin made the decision to resign...

The news of Apex Network Talent being sold spread further, and the employees talked about it in secret. There was no official announcement, but it was confirmed that Elijah Edward had sold the company to another organization.

An emergency shareholders' meeting was called as a result. Collin and the other executives were present, sitting stiffly around the long table. Most of them were nervous, uncertain about the future of the company now that a new entity had acquired it.

Apex Network Talent was making great strides in the entertainment industry, particularly in its film department. Any decision made by the new boss could impact their positions in many ways, whether positively or negatively.

Even Arnold was wiping his face every other minute, his handkerchief already damp with sweat.

Salvador was present as well. He occasionally glared at Collin with resentment, but he maintained his calm and remained silent. He had already accepted that Shawn's career was over, especially with him rotting in jail. As for exacting revenge against Collin and Jennifer, only Salvador knew the answer.

Lila was also in the meeting. She felt a touch of melancholy, but a text message she received brought a smile to her face as she read it. Fortunately, Lila had learned about the acquisition months ago, giving her time to prepare herself emotionally.

If anyone was exceptionally nervous, it was Claude. He was the President of Talent Management and Representation and had held the position for decades, a throne he protected fiercely. However, he was getting old, and his position was in danger.

He loved the authority and power he possessed, even clinging to it, but he was helpless against a larger organization. He lacked the means to resist higher authority and could do nothing but accept whatever decision was made. His fingers tightened on his chair.

The executives murmured quietly, discussing the meeting and fearing the impending changes.

Suddenly, the door of the conference room opened, and everyone turned to look.

A small group of people entered the room. Some executives swallowed hard as they waited for the announcement.

No one recognized these newcomers, but based on their confidence and demeanor, they were likely the new owners of ANT.

A woman stepped forward to face the table, drawing the gaze of all the executives. She was followed by four men carrying briefcases, two appeared to be lawyers, while the other two were accountants.

"I'm Cherilyn, the representative from General Group, and I will be facilitating this emergency meeting."

She turned to her entourage, and the men opened their briefcases to distribute documents to the executives.

The talent agents began whispering among themselves, knowing that change was now inevitable.

"General Group? Isn't that a private equity firm?"

General Group was similar to Blackstone Corporation, a private equity firm that bought companies to turn a profit.

'I thought it would be the Wallmart family or the Blackstone Corporation. I guess General Group offered a higher price, which led Elijah to sell ANT to them,' Lila thought.

"With the authority granted to me by the new owner of ANT, I hereby announce a change in management."

'As expected... I'm doomed.' Claude closed his eyes, gritting his teeth. Despite his age, he couldn't bring himself to let go of his position, the power was addictive.

"General Group recognizes that Lila Seraphina has brought improvement to the company, but her presence is no longer acceptable. She is terminated from her position, though she will receive three years' worth of severance pay, a performance bonus, and her stock shares will be bought out at 25% above the market rate."

When Cherilyn announced this, the entire conference room fell silent. The first target had been removed.

"Are there any questions? What about you, Miss Lila Seraphina? Do you have anything to say?"

"I accept the decision," Lila said calmly.

Collin was about to stand up, but his phone vibrated. He opened it and saw a text from Lila.

-- Don't do anything stupid, please.

Collin's eyes trembled, and he chose to remain seated. Everyone in the room understood that the decision was final. Someone like Lila, brought in by Elijah Edward, was not welcome under ANT's new ownership.

"Second, for the time being, Mr. Claude will assume Lila's position and become the CEO of Apex Network Talent. Mr. Salvador will step up as the President of Talent Management and Representation while Mr. Claude serves as CEO."

Both Claude and Salvador were stunned by the announcement. Salvador couldn't believe he didn't have to fight for voting power, he had secured the position just like that.

Claude was equally thrilled to receive a promotion instead. Though temporary, the role could become permanent if he proved himself. He had known his days at ANT were numbered, and becoming CEO was his only lifeline.

"We will do our utmost best!"

Claude and Salvador stood up and pledged their commitment to Cherilyn. The woman nodded and dismissed the meeting.

"That is all for now. Aside from Miss Lila Seraphina, everyone may leave."

The executives quickly exited, eager to escape the heavy atmosphere.

Lila had already come to terms with the fact that she wouldn't remain CEO of ANT. Still, before signing the non-disclosure agreement and other contracts, she consulted her lawyers.

When Lila finally stepped out of the office, she looked exhausted. She took a deep breath and let out a soft sigh.

"Did you wait for me?" she asked, turning to Collin, who was standing a short distance down the hallway.

"Yes."

Lila chuckled and walked toward Collin... She wanted to hug him, but she knew they were in the hallway where employees might see them.

She simply stood there in front of him.

It was Collin who made the first move, drawing her into an embrace.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 272


"What are you doing?"

"I'm comforting you." His arms tightened slightly around her.

"You..." She smiled weakly, her expression easing up. She was happy and relieved now that Collin was here.

"You should have let me defend you. I didn't like that they announced your resignation in front of all the shareholders. It would have been better if they did it privately." He was mad that Lila was disrespected like that. If not for the message she sent, Collin would have confronted Cherilyn.

"They probably did that to show authority and assert dominance. They wanted the executives to fear them, and it worked," Lila calmly answered. Her fingers curled into his tuxedo, seeking reassurance and comfort. At this point, she didn't care if other people saw them hugging.

"Still..."

"Collin, you should know better. You have to protect your career..." She paused, her blue eyes trembling. "You won't break up with me now that I'm useless, right?" That thought immediately popped into her mind, and she became afraid, her grip unconsciously tightened. She was being emotional and vulnerable right now.

"What are you talking about? Do you think I only like you because of your position?" Collin was offended by the accusation.

"Well..."

Collin didn't let her speak, choosing to act instead. He sealed her lips with a passionate kiss that left Lila heart-struck.

"... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

After a breathless kiss, Lila realized her mistake. Collin patted her back and told her he didn't mind. He was just worried about her, he didn't want to see her sad.

"Thanks, Collin."

"Lila, I actually have a plan... Can you please listen to me?" This time, Collin became serious.

.........

......

...

Weeks passed, and the management gradually adjusted to the changes as their shock slowly faded. They were still not used to calling Claude the CEO and Salvador the President, but they had to accept the reality and move on.

Lila sold her shares entirely because she wanted to leave everything behind, she was done with ANT. With all the shares and benefits she received, Lila walked away with $141 million, a staggering amount that symbolized her worth as the CEO who had turned ANT around.

As for Collin... His situation in the company deteriorated now that Claude and Salvador were the bosses. He was being targeted, or rather, his clients were being targeted. He realized he was tired of working under someone else. If he had to leave everything behind and start over, he would do it. The idea was no longer frightening.

Things were far from simple. Now that Lila was gone, no one could protect Collin from the bad intentions of others. He admitted it: Lila had protected him all the time, and Collin was extremely grateful for it. He truly loved her so much... Ahem.

The biggest threat came from Salvador and Claude. For some unknown reason, the two had decided to join forces, forming an alliance to protect their own interests. After what happened with Shawn, Salvador treated Collin as his worst enemy, putting his friction with Claude on hold for the time being.

Their targets were Collin's clients. They wanted to transfer their contracts to other agents, leaving Collin with nothing, effectively destroying his career and kicking him out of the shareholders' circle.

Naturally, the other executives were also interested in Collin's clients. They were all profitable, except for Jennifer, who faced an uncertain future after her scandal. If Claude and Salvador successfully won this battle, the other executives would get a piece of the pie. The Music Department would finally get Princess Chantal, while the Film Department would take Wyatt, Lawrence, and Axel. They didn't care much about Jennifer.

Speaking of Jennifer, the excuse Salvador used to transfer Collin's clients was Collin's failure to protect her. Salvador claimed that Jennifer's career was destroyed because Collin fucked up, so he had to take responsibility for his mistake. Salvador added that Collin should transfer his other clients' contracts because his performance as a talent agent was destructive to their careers.

It was deeply ironic, considering the biggest reason Jennifer lost her job was none other than Shawn, Salvador's client. Yet Salvador had the audacity to blame Collin.

Talent agents were truly shameless people.

As for the other executives, they agreed with Salvador and acted as though Shawn was not part of the reason Jennifer lost her hosting job.

They simply wanted to acquire Collin's clients, who were massive money makers.

'I already expected it.'

Collin smiled faintly. He was done with corporate politics, this was too much for him to handle. Surprisingly, he felt nothing about it, no sadness, no anger, not even frustration.

Back when Gabriella had offered him a chance to work under her agency, Collin had already considered leaving ANT.

This company had brought him so many good things. It was the place that helped him change his life for the better. But he also knew that ANT was a toxic workplace for someone as talented as him, full of people who were jealous of his success and constantly schemed to destroy him.

'I guess it's time to contact my clients.' Collin was about to grab his phone when his secretary informed him that Arnold wanted to talk to him.

"Let him in."

Just like Collin, Arnold was not in a good position. He could protect his clients in the film industry since he wasn't the target of this attack, but Arnold knew that Pulse Static would be separated from him moving forward.

Arnold had heard about the plans Claude and Salvador intended to execute.

"They want to reshuffle our clients," Arnold said to Collin.

Moving forward, a client from the music industry could only be handled by a talent agent from that same industry to maximize efficiency. Aside from that, they wanted clients like Princess Chantal and Pulse Static handed over to someone in the music department... It was a defeat.

Arnold sighed and sat down.

"Collin, are you okay?"

"You're worried about me?" Collin teased.

"Bro, this is not the time to joke around. You have it way worse. I can protect Tom, Jolyne, and Brody since they're in the film industry, but I have to let Pulse Static go... But you? They want to take everything from you and leave you with nothing."

"Even Jennifer?"

"I guess so."

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

[Since my other novel reached 200th chapter, I decided to offer a 50% discount on my Patreon. If you're interested in reading more chapters of this novel, including the smut chapter, you can check out my Patreon. The discount will end in 10 days.]

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_makii

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 273


The two men fell silent. This was truly a disaster for them. They had worked hard for their clients and helped them reach success, yet the company decided to sabotage them. It was painful to accept.

"Arnold, I can trust you, right?"

"What, do you have something in mind? I want to hear it. Don't worry, they'd have to grab me by the balls before I snitch."

"Why do you have to be so specific? Who cares about your balls?" Collin asked, disgusted.

"I do. So, what's your plan?" Arnold leaned closer.

"I'm starting my own agency."

"... Collin, are you serious?" Arnold was shocked. "Starting your own agency isn't that simple. Investment aside, are you even confident in managing a company? You don't have any experience at all."

"That's why I have Lila to help me."

"Don't tell me..."

"Yes, she has already registered the company in Delaware. I'm serious about this."

"That fast!? You already have a company?"

"Yeah, I'm just finalizing the paperwork."

"But I thought Lila wasn't allowed to work for a rival company or something?"

"She didn't sign that non-compete. Come on, she has tons of lawyers to help her spot traps on paper."

"And they just let her go like that?"

"She's Elijah Edward's daughter, there's nothing they can do to her."

"I guess so... But what about you?"

"I'll hire a lawyer to help me too. If I can't break it cleanly, I'll just pay the damages for breach of contract. How much could it be anyway, $3 million?"

For the record, $3 million was a lot of money. However, it was an amount Collin was prepared to part with if necessary.

"So, what about it?"

"..." Arnold fell silent.

Lila had been the CEO of ANT for years and possessed solid experience managing a company. She also had a vast network in Hollywood. Arnold had full confidence in her.

"What about you? What are you going to do?" Arnold asked.

"Honestly, I'm tired of being hands-on. I prefer to just find talented people and let others manage them. I think that's a better fit. Being the President of Talent Management and Representation suits me well."

Arnold thought about it. He, too, believed in Collin's talent-scouting abilities, the man had proven himself time and again.

"Wait a minute. If you're going to be the President of Talent Management and Representation, what about Lila? What's her position going to be?"

"Either CEO or General Manager."

"This guy... Why don't you become the CEO while Lila serves as the President of Talent Management and Representation? The exact titles don't really matter for you two. Lila will manage the company as President, while you discover talent as the CEO."

"Yeah, that could work. No wonder Lila didn't agree to my decision to be President of Talent Management and Representation right away," Collin admitted.

"She was probably waiting for the right time to convince you to change your mind," Arnold added. "So how did you split the ownership? Is it 50-50? Am I allowed to invest?"

"The money's all on me. I'm taking a gamble that I'm confident I'm going to win. As for the equity, I actually offered Lila 50% of the company shares, but she was mad about it."

The couple had argued about it in Lila's office. Lila was too deeply in love to let Collin give her 50%, and Collin felt the exact same way... He was only convinced to lower her share when Lila undressed and they had snu snu.

After a naked negotiation, terms were finalized in a 75-25 split, with Collin holding the larger share, and that was Collin doing his best to settle for less. If Lila had pushed any harder, the negotiation might have ended up at 90-10.

It was a very strange negotiation: instead of fighting for more, they were fighting for fewer benefits. Was love truly that powerful that people would sacrifice everything to make their loved ones happy?

And yes, Collin was frustrated that he ended up with more. In his opinion, someone like Lila, who would be managing the company, deserved a larger stake. He wasn't a greedy man and wanted only the best for the people he cared about.

"A 75-25 split?" Arnold clarified.

"Yeah," Collin said, gritting his teeth.

"Why are you looking so sad, then?"

"You're not in my position, so you wouldn't understand. Anyway, are you in or not? Lila and I talked about it, and we're comfortable offering you 3% of the shares. We need someone we can trust."

"Now I'm flattered."

"So, what's your answer?"

Arnold swallowed hard. Now that Collin had laid out his cards, it meant he was leaving ANT completely to start fresh.

"What about your clients? What are you going to tell them?"

"Hey, you're dodging my question."

"I'll answer yours once you answer mine."

"This guy... I'm going to contact my clients and tell them the truth."

"Are you going to invite them to switch agencies?"

"... I won't force them. I'll tell them the truth, but I won't pressure them to follow me."

"But why!?" Arnold was shocked, his voice rising slightly.

"They already have established careers, and switching agencies can disrupt that. Breaking their current contracts could cost them a fortune. I'm confident in myself and the future of my company, but there's a small chance I could fail, and I don't want to drag them down with me."

Even though Collin was preparing to resign, he still put his clients' best interests first. He was a true talent agent.

"So, now that I've answered your question, are you in or not?"

"..."

Arnold knew that once Collin left ANT, Claude and Salvador would target him and potentially steal Tom and Brody from his lineup... Before that could happen, Arnold had to fight back in his own way.

"I'm in... But 3% of the company shares? I think I'm worth more than that. How about 10%?"

Collin chuckled, he knew Arnold would ask for more. That was precisely why he had offered 3% first, knowing Arnold would try to negotiate.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 274


"I'm going to resign."

Collin dropped that announcement, and the whole place fell silent. Only a few people were in the room, holding their preferred choice of alcohol, thinking today was a celebration.

Lawrence's movie was currently the highest-grossing film of 2001, and he had brought an expensive bottle of champagne to warm up the small gathering. They rarely had time to party together, and he cherished this moment.

Yet Lawrence was met with a grim announcement from Collin.

"Collin, what are you talking about?" Wyatt frowned. His fiancée stood next to him, comforting him and reminding him to calm down.

"As you can see, ANT was acquired by General Group, and now I'm in a pinch. I offended someone in management, and I'm going to lose all of you," Collin explained, laying everything out. At this point, there was no reason to hide it.

Most of them had heard about ANT's new owners, but they hadn't expected to be impacted this severely.

"Management will transfer your contracts to other talent agents."

"We won't agree to that, right, everyone?" Axel looked around at the others, and they all nodded in agreement. Collin had done an exceptional job, and they didn't want a different agent handling them. Why bother building a new relationship with someone else when Collin was already perfect for them?

"Of course! I don't agree with this at all," Princess Chantal raised her voice... She was a bit tipsy, having already drunk quite a bit. She had just wrapped up her concert tour in Asia, and while there, she discovered the appeal of alcohol and became quite dependent on it... Fortunately, she hadn't turned to drugs that much, most famous music artists usually succumbed to substances.

"I don't agree either. I won't change my agent," Lawrence replied, and the others shared the exact same sentiment.

"You guys are right. If you don't agree, they'll have a hard time transferring your contracts to other agents. You have the final say... But I have to apologize. I'm tired." Collin offered a bitter smile, letting his true emotions show.

"I'm tired of constantly guarding myself against their tricks and schemes. I'm tired of being targeted. You probably have an idea, but you guys are the cream of the crop. Many agents wanted to take you away from me because you are all super talented. I'm proud of you, and I'm happy to be your agent. But I can't endure all this politics and backstabbing anymore. I want to leave ANT."

Throughout his time working at ANT, Collin's greatest stress hadn't come from any scandals involving his clients, it had been caused by company politics.

"But you promised me I would make a comeback. Was all of that a lie?" Out of everyone in the room, Jennifer was the most emotional. Her career was faltering, and Collin was the only one who could save her.

If Collin resigned, Jennifer's career was basically over.

"I'll keep my promise. You will soar once again."

"How?"

"I started my own talent agency."

"..."

This time, silence fell over the room for a completely different reason. They all stared at Collin, whose green-brown eyes burned with determination.

"I started my own talent agency, and I want to invite all of you. Of course, I won't force you if you don't want to come. However, my decision is final. Please forgive me for my actions." Collin bowed his head slightly.

"Collin... Are you sure about this?"

"I am."

Technically, what Collin was doing right now was a breach of contract. Soliciting his clients to switch agencies while still employed by ANT was grounds for a lawsuit.

However, Collin trusted his clients. They wouldn't do anything to harm him, they owed him too much.

Once he left ANT, it would be difficult to reach out to them again, making this his only opportunity to state his intentions.

"Of course, I'm not forcing you to leave right away. You're all under contract, and a breach of contract could cost millions, which I don't recommend. All I hope is that when your contracts expire, you'll think of me and remember all the great things I've done... Maybe that will convince you to switch agencies."

"I'm in," Jennifer answered immediately, gulping a shot of vodka.

"My contract ends in two months... Now that I think about it, is this why you didn't want me to renew?" Jennifer asked Collin.

"That's right," he confirmed.

"You fucking bastard... I had a hard time sleeping because of you! I thought you were going to drop me once my contract expired," Jennifer cursed, her emotions running high.

"I'm sorry I could only explain it today."

"So, what about you guys?" Jennifer turned to the others.

"My contract ends next year in February," Axel said. Collin was the sole reason he had reached his current status, and he had no intention of leaving him behind.

"Mine ends in April," Wyatt chimed in. Truthfully, Wyatt didn't care which agency he was signed to, he had always been Collin's client, and he wanted to keep it that way.

"... My contract doesn't end for two years." Princess Chantal was so devastated by the news that tears began streaming down her face. Isabella moved to comfort her.

"How much would I have to pay for a breach of contract?" After a brief moment of emotional overwhelm, Princess Chantal asked the question.

"... For a pop star of your caliber, at least $10 million."

Princess Chantal's profitability was extremely high, and ANT made a fortune representing her. If she chose to terminate her contract early, she would have to pay at least $10 million based on 30 to 60 percent of projected financial losses.

ANT took its contracts very seriously. Even though their agreements were strict, many talent prospects signed with the agency because ANT delivered results, providing them with unparalleled career opportunities.

In the eyes of the public, Collin's clients had no logical reason to leave ANT, given the agency's solid performance and stellar reputation.

Because of this, contract breaches were extremely rare and rarely worth the cost, unless an extraordinary situation occurred.


[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 275


Most of the clients showed a clear intention of jumping to Collin's agency once their contracts ended, except for one.

Suddenly, everyone turned to Lawrence, the last client who hadn't answered.

The actor chuckled.

"You probably already know my answer. Of course, I'll follow Collin. But my contract won't end for another 2 years and 7 months, so I'll probably have to wait a long time."

Collin was the person who had discovered him and offered him a contract. That day marked the beginning of his success, and Lawrence had no reason to ignore everything Collin had done for him.

"We will wait for you," Collin said.

"I'll hold you to that promise," Lawrence grinned.

Two years and seven months was quite a long time... It remained a mystery whether Lawrence would keep his promise or not. After all, a lot could change in that time.

Princess Chantal and the others were in a similar situation. What if most of them changed their minds and decided to stay with ANT? What then?

Well, promises were promises until they were fulfilled.

People could change, and no one could guarantee what the future held. For now, the group decided to enjoy themselves and celebrate their success.

"So, what's the name of the agency?"

"It's called Golden Spotlight Group. If you sign, we'll lower our commission rate to 7%," Collin answered.

.........

......

...

A month later.

It was Collin's final day at Apex Network Talent.

He had wrapped up his remaining tasks and completed everything before leaving his office.

"Sir, have a safe trip," Lucia Sarah, a woman in her 40s who had been Collin's secretary for years, bid him farewell.

Collin chuckled.

"Lucia, don't be like that. We're going to see each other tomorrow too."

Just like Collin, today was also Lucia Sarah's last day at ANT. She only had to compile a few final documents and hand over the office keys to management before taking her leave.

"Yes, sir. Have a safe trip."

"You too."

Collin waved and stepped into the elevator. This would likely be the last time he used it.

Inside, he found another person. It was Claude, the new CEO of Apex Network Talent.

"Claude. You're taking the elevator?"

"I didn't expect to run into you today, Collin. Yes, I'm taking the elevator. Let's head down together."

"Alright."

The elevator doors closed again.

"Was my offer not enough to convince you to stay?" Claude asked.

A month ago, when Collin handed in his resignation, the CEO was blindsided. He knew Collin was too valuable a talent to lose, so he had offered him with at least a 2% equity stake in the company for him to stay.

However, Collin had declined.

"What you offered was just empty promises. At the end of the day, you need General Group's approval to grant me that 2% share."

"And I'm confident they would have agreed."

"Perhaps yes, perhaps not."

"Is this because of what Salvador is doing? I already promised you that he wouldn't succeed."

Claude was actually opposed to the idea of transferring Collin's clients to other talent agents. Now that he was CEO, what he wanted most was stability.

However, he couldn't confront Salvador directly because he was still consolidating his own power.

Salvador had been promoted by General Group, leaving Claude powerless to intervene. Hence, the awkward situation for Collin and Arnold.

"... You're not going to poach your clients, right? You know soliciting them violates your contract, and we can sue you."

"As if," Collin lied with a straight face.

"My clients are free to make their own decisions," he added.

"..." Claude sighed. He recalled what happened when Collin brought his legal team for the NDA signing. Claude had been stunned to realize the attorneys who showed up were the exact same team that represented Lila when she stepped down.

Just like before, a brutal back-and-forth ensued. Collin remained silent, letting his lawyers handle the heavy lifting. In the end, Collin walked away without signing a non-compete clause. That was the moment Claude realized Collin's true intentions.

That day, Collin walked away with roughly $25 million after the company bought back his shares, a sum that also included his severance pay.

'I wonder which agency he'll move to. Perhaps AAC.'

At this point, only AAC could rival ANT in terms of industry performance and status. Claude was convinced Collin would end up there.

"I have one last question."

"As long as I can answer it."

"Are you and Lila dating?"

Claude had heard rumors that Collin and Lila were seen hugging in the hallway, as well as whispers that Collin visited Lila's office nearly every day.

"Yes, and I'm lucky to be dating someone like her."

"I see." The elevator doors slid open.

"See you around, Claude."

Collin stepped out of the elevator.

"I suppose so." Claude sighed... He felt a twinge of regret watching Collin walk away. Collin was exceptional at his job, and as CEO, Claude needed people like him to keep the company profitable.

"Take care of my clients," Collin added over his shoulder.

"They are in good hands," Claude promised.

The moment Collin submitted his resignation, dozens of talent agents made their moves to claim his roster.

However, all of Collin's clients were superstars who possessed enough leverage to choose their own representatives.

Collin had provided his clients with a list of trusted agents. Those agents were now reaching out to their targets in hopes of winning them over.

As for what would happen next, Collin had no idea. He chose to trust his clients instead, confident they would thrive no matter who managed them.

Claude watched Collin walk away, sensing that the man was finally free from his shackles.

"Let's hope this doesn't get any worse," the CEO muttered to himself.

Unfortunately for Claude, Arnold was about to file his resignation as well... and the legal team he hired happened to be the exact same one representing Collin and Lila. It was bound to be another head-splitting situation.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 276


On the same day, Collin went to visit his new company. He first picked up his sports car, which was parked in ANT's lot.

Some talent agents preferred to be low-key, and Collin was that type of person. He never liked bragging about his possessions, but he also acknowledged that appearance and status were important when convincing people.

Today, he wanted to look good in front of his employees, so the sports car was necessary... even though the car was actually a gift from Princess Chantal. Collin didn't particularly enjoy buying cars himself.

It had been about two months since Collin asked Lila to start the company and recruit employees. Collin couldn't visit the premises while still under contract, so all he could do was ask Lila about its progress while they were cuddling...

Eventually, the car reached the building housing the Golden Spotlight Group. Their office was located in Burbank, near the headquarters of Whiner Bruh and Wash Dismay.

They were renting two floors at the moment, as the company was just a start-up with no active business yet.

Collin drove into the underground parking lot after giving his name to the guard, who checked the logbook and let him in.

He stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 7th floor. The entire 6th and 7th floors were reserved for Golden Spotlight Group... Collin had to pay half a million dollars annually to rent the two floors. Their lease was for three years, and Collin had to pay the first year upfront as a down payment. On top of that, he was responsible for the renovation costs.

Fortunately, the 6th and 7th floors had been vacated by another company, and most of the existing layout met Lila's criteria. They didn't need a massive overhaul, just a few tweaks here and there.

When the elevator opened on the 7th floor, Collin stepped out. He saw the name "Golden Spotlight Group" mounted on the wall and smiled faintly.

"Um, sir, are you here for a business meeting?" a receptionist with a friendly smile asked curiously. Since the company was a talent agency, she assumed Collin was an actor based on his handsome appearance and deduced that he was applying to join.

"Submitting applications is handled on the 6th floor. You can turn right, and someone there will guide you," the receptionist politely informed him.

"I'm here to see Miss Lila Seraphina. Just tell her Collin East is here."

"Pardon?"

Collin smiled.

"You can check your guest list, my name is on it," he added. He glanced above the receptionist's head and saw yellow words floating in the air. The woman possessed a yellow talent in "Friendly Smile."

"Y-Yes!" The woman stuttered and immediately scanned the log. She apologized profusely as soon as she spotted his name on the guest list, then quickly contacted Lila's secretary to report Mr. East's arrival.

Instead of sending her secretary, Lila came out to meet him herself.

"You're here." She adjusted her glasses, maintaining a poker face, though she was secretly overjoyed.

"Did you miss me?"

"I missed you a lot."

"Alright, let me show you to your office."

"Lead the way."

The receptionist witnessed the entire interaction and didn't know how to react, choosing to keep her head down and blend into the background.

Lila and Collin walked into the CEO's office. After a few naked negotiations, Collin had decided to take on the role of CEO at GSG (Golden Spotlight Group). Lila would serve as the President of Talent Management and Representation, while Arnold would become the Head of the Film Department... though it would take a few days before Arnold could officially join the company.

"Is there anything you dislike? We can contact the contractor to renovate it," Lila offered.

"No, it looks great... So, where's our room?"

When Collin asked, Lila let out a soft cough to compose her expression.

"It's right next to my office. We can rest there whenever we want."

"Oh, so you actually built one?" He teased her, causing Lila to blush.

"It was... just a practical thought. We are both workaholics, so we need a private room to rest."

Collin refrained from teasing her further.

"I like the office. I'm not picky anyway. As long as I can get my work done, I have no complaints, unless you want me to install a bed in here."

"Here is the list of people I hired. Honestly, I don't know what you were thinking when you asked me to recruit these specific individuals, but I assume you have your reasons." Lila transitioned back into full businesswoman mode.

When Collin originally asked her to start the company, he had provided a specific roster of people he wanted to recruit. Lila had been confused, but she hired them anyway, though a few declined because they preferred their current jobs.

'I even hired a homeless man off the street. If not for Collin's information, I never would have located him,' she thought, stealing a glance at Collin's handsome face.

"These are the people I believe will help our company prosper," Collin answered.

"Well, since you're so gifted at discovering talent, I assume you saw something in them."

"That's right."

Collin had been in Los Angeles for many years and had crossed paths with countess people. He had carefully recorded the names, talents, and details of those he believed would be valuable, never expecting he would eventually use that list to hire his own workforce.

Indeed, about 70% of the employees at Golden Spotlight Group possessed yellow or white talents directly suited to their respective roles.

Collin had meticulously planned every single detail, down to the staff recruitment...

"So, what's your next step? We've already posted a open call for clients, and tryouts are scheduled for next week."

"You recruited sports agents, right?"

"Yes, we currently have three talent agents with experience managing athletes."

"That's great. I'm interested in signing a basketball player." Collin leaned back in his chair, which felt quite comfortable. He already had someone specific in mind to recruit.

"Good to hear," Lila nodded, stealing subtle glances at him.

"So, how about we bless my new office with a little love before you introduce me to the staff?"

[Thank you for supporting this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 277


Every country had a dangerous city, and every city had a dangerous neighborhood.

Currently, Collin was cycling through Skid Row while wearing casual, simple clothes. Skid Row was a notorious section of Los Angeles.

Homelessness, drugs, and theft were well-known issues in this area. Especially at night, a lot of crime occurred in this place.

As Collin pedaled along, he saw many homeless individuals lying down or sitting on the sidewalks. They had hollow gazes, as if they had already accepted their fate. They knew it was nearly impossible to change their lives for the better, they were at rock bottom, with no hope of redemption. They were either too deep in drug addiction or their circumstances were so miserable that they simply couldn't make a turn around.

Collin averted his eyes... This place was deeply depressing. However, he had a clear reason for visiting Skid Row.

Carrying nothing of value except his bicycle, Collin traveled until he found an open outdoor basketball court where a game was underway. The court was cracked concrete floor decorated with graffiti.

Collin stopped nearby, looking for someone.

He had been exploring various parts of Los Angeles in hopes of discovering talented people. He hadn't expected that while passing through the streets of Skid Row, he would spot a man possessing a golden talent in basketball.

'Is he here?' He narrowed his eyes, searching carefully. He decided to move a bit closer.

The men continued playing basketball.

Suddenly, a player passed the ball to an African American man, who leaped high into the air and threw down a thunderous alley-oop. The play stunned the court, sending both players and onlookers into a frenzy.

"That's what I'm talking about!"

"Shiiittt--! Jumping that high is insane."

'Found him.'

Collin grinned as he spotted his target. The Black man, wearing a durag, let out a fierce roar after dunking the ball. He completely dominated the court, every time he touched the ball, he generated a scoring play.

-- James Michael Kobe

-- Basketball's Greatest Of All Time. (Gold)

-- Long Stamina (Yellow)

-- Healing Factor (White)

Back then, Collin had been passing through Skid Row when he noticed James playing basketball. He had caught sight of the glowing golden words floating above the young man's head, which immediately seized his attention. Collin had carefully noted the name and talents in his small notebook.

If not for his complicated situation at ANT, Collin would have approached James much sooner to invite him to join his client roster.

'This time, I'll talk to him,' Collin thought as he watched the game continued.

Throughout the match, James had controlled the court and scored the vast majority of the points. If the game had been captured on camera, it would have yielded an entire highlight reel.

"Yo, where's my money at?"

James called out to their opponents. The game had been played for cash, with each player putting up $30. Since his team won, James was collecting his share of the pot.

Once their game concluded, another group took over the court. James sat by the sidelines, counting his cash.

"Tch, motherfucker's short a dollar."

While he was counting, Collin walked up to him.

James only noticed someone approaching when Collin stepped right up to him.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Collin. It's nice to meet you." He extended his hand for a handshake, but James simply stared at it in confusion.

He glanced around before looking back at Collin.

"You looking for weed? Who sent you?" James scanned Collin, deciding he looked far too clean to be buying drugs. He grew cautious, suspecting Collin might be an undercover police officer.

"Huh? No, I'm not looking for that."

'Does this guy deal drugs?' Collin was caught off guard, though he quickly remembered he was standing in the middle of Skid Row. A place known for all kinds of crimes.

"I'm here because I want to recruit you to my agency and turn you into a professional basketball player."

"Are you a talent agent or a college recruiter?" James asked, skeptical. He had heard of recruiters offering opportunities to players, but those people usually visited high schools or colleges.

"I'm a talent agent, to be precise," Collin explained. He pulled out a sleek business card and handed it to James.

"Here is my contact info. You can call me or visit our offices."

"..." James examined the business card. It looked completely authentic, complete with phone numbers and a physical office address.

"Golden Spotlight Group?"

"That's my agency. I watched you play, and I firmly believe you have the potential to make it to the NBA. I can help make you an NBA player."

James frowned, eyeing Collin suspiciously. The man was remarkably handsome and looked entirely out of place in Skid Row.

'This isn't a setup, is it?'

Collin could clearly see the skepticism in James's eyes.

"It's completely up to you whether you want to believe me or not. But I can promise you one thing: I can change your life for the better."

With that, Collin turned and left. He knew that staying any longer would only make James more defensive and hesitant.

The young man watched as Collin pedaled away from the court. Everything Collin had said sounded too good to be true, yet the words hit him deeply. He looked down at the business card once more.

That evening, James returned to his family's apartment. He lived with his mother and two younger siblings. His father had died in a gang-related shooting years ago, a tragedy that had thrown their lives into hardship.

"Ma, what are you making?"

James's attitude were different outside and inside the house.

"Pancakes," Mrs. Kobe replied softly.

James looked at his mother... More than anything, he wanted to give his mother and siblings a better life. However, making that happen felt almost impossible. He had struggled academically, and his only real asset was his tall, exceptionally powerful physique.

James stood at 6'7" with an extraordinarily athletic build. He was fast, strong, and exceptionally resilient. Once, when he was younger, he had severely twisted his ankle and assumed he wouldn't walk for at least two months due to the pain, surprisingly, he was walking as if nothing had happened within just twenty days.

As he ate, James observed the tired lines on his mother's face. Mrs. Kobe worked two jobs just to keep a roof over their heads. At twenty years old, James was the eldest child and had barely managed to graduate from high school. His younger siblings were still in middle and high school.

"Ma..."

"Yes, son?" His mother looked up at him.

"... No, it's nothing."

[Author's Note: I couldn't choose which of the three G.O.A.Ts I should pick as the basis of this character, so I decided to merge them into one and name him based on the three. Once again, thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 278


"James, if you have something to say, you can say it to me... Unless you're selling drugs again!? How many times do I have to tell you to stop selling drugs! That's dangerous!" She raised her voice slightly and glared at James, convinced he had gotten into trouble once more.

"No, no, Ma. This is different, put down the spatula! Ma, believe me, I'm not doing anything illegal anymore."

"Then what is it this time?"

"... Here."

James handed her the business card and explained what had happened earlier.

"So you're saying a talent agent invited you to sign with his agency and promised he could get you into the NBA?"

"Yes, Ma." James nodded politely. Despite standing almost twice as tall as his mother, he was still afraid of her.

"..."

Mrs. Kobe put on her reading glasses and carefully inspected the business card. She frowned and looked up at her son. James was indeed a tall kid and athletically gifted, but she never expected a talent agent to approach him with promises of an NBA career.

"So why are you asking me? If you're interested, go check it out. You can visit the building."

'... I'm scared it's a trap to bust me,' James thought, unable to voice his fears to his mother.

"What? Do you want me to go with you? I can do that. I want to find out if this Mr. East is even real or just trying to scam you. Don't worry, I'll handle it."

"No. I'll go by myself."

After thinking it over, James decided to handle things on his own. He didn't want to drag his mother into potential trouble.

He needed to find out if the Golden Spotlight Group was legitimate.

.........

......

...

Two days passed, and James confirmed that the Golden Spotlight Group actually existed. He located the building in Burbank where the company was headquartered, and it appeared entirely professional.

He even spoke to the receptionist on the ground floor to inquire about the agency. The woman explained that the Golden Spotlight Group was a talent agency occupying the 6th and 7th floors of the building.

"... Should I call them?"

James considered it seriously. If Collin wasn't lying, he really could help him reach the NBA.

He knew his reality all too well, selling drugs was a dangerous path. If given a choice, being an NBA player offered a vastly superior life to the one he currently lived.

He found a public payphone and dialed the number...

"Hello, uh, this is James Michael Kobe."

.........

......

...

The next day, James returned to the building dressed much more formally... and feeling nervous as hell.

'... I shouldn't have mentioned anything to Mom,' James regretted telling her about his visit to the Golden Spotlight Group.

Mrs. Kobe had insisted he wear something respectable, so James was currently wearing a button-down shirt and a suit jacket, attire he was completely unaccustomed to. To top it off, both his mother and younger sister had braided his hair to make him look more presentable.

'I even had to beg Mom not to come with me...' James glanced around nervously, checking to see if she had followed him to the building.

"I'm James. I believe I have an appointment on the 7th floor today. Could you check the list?" James approached the receptionist.

The female receptionist remembered speaking with him the day before. She checked the schedule and confirmed his appointment.

"Please take the elevator, sir."

"Thank you."

Once James stepped out on the 7th floor, another receptionist greeted him and confirmed his scheduled meeting with the CEO.

"Right this way, sir." Lucia Sarah appeared and led James down the hall to Collin's office. James saw the engraved nameplate on the door.

-- CEO

-- Collin East

Anxiety gripped him. He realized the man he was about to meet was far from ordinary.

The door opened, and Collin nodded at him.

"James, I've been expecting you. Have a seat. Lucia, bring us some coffee and cookies."

"Yes, sir."

James took a seat. The chair was soft, but he felt no comfort whatsoever... he simply wasn't used to this kind of environment.

Collin had seen a great deal throughout his career, so meeting a rare prospect with a golden talent like James wasn't enough to rattle him.

"You called my secretary yesterday, so I assume you want to be an NBA player."

"... Can you really do it?" James stared intensely at Collin.

"I can. But let me turn the question back to you: do you truly have what it takes to make it in the NBA?"

"I can do it."

"That's the kind of confidence I want to see."

Lucia Sarah returned, placing coffee and cookies on the table.

"Lucia, please contact Lila. Let her know we have a new client."

"Yes, sir."

A few minutes later, Lila walked in, finding Collin and James deep in conversation about the league.

"James, this is Lila."

"Hello, ma'am."

"It's nice to meet you."

The two shook hands. Lila stole a quick glance at Collin.

'Is this the person you were talking about?'

'That's right.'

The couple communicated through a silent, unspoken understanding. Collin had already briefed her on his interest in signing a basketball prospect.

Having worked alongside Collin for years, Lila trusted his instincts when it came to spotting raw talent. She knew anyone he brought in was worth their time and attention.

"James, you've probably heard quite a bit from Collin. He likely promised he could get you into the NBA, and he isn't exaggerating."

"I'm determined to do whatever it takes to change my life."

"Is that so?" Lila adjusted her glasses. "I happen to have connections within the Lakers Los Angeles management. I can get you a tryout with their team."

'The Lakers Los Angeles!'

James was so stunned that he sat up straight in his chair. Los Angeles was home to two NBA teams: the Clippers and the Lakers. Growing up in the city, he followed both, but he held a special fondness for the Lakers.

Hearing that he could potentially become a part of the Lakers made his blood boil with excitement.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 279


"But here's the deal. They need to see if you actually know how to play basketball and if you're worth being part of their team. I'm going to be honest with you, you'll probably start in the D-League first just to prove you have what it takes to be officially on the roster."

"Ain't I able to get drafted instead?"

"Do you have any collegiate basketball credentials?"

"..."

James didn't answer. He had played sports in high school, but it was football.

The NBA draft was a system designed to select new players from colleges, international leagues, and other established lines. However, James' situation was complicated. Would a major team even consider drafting a total nobody?

"The best possible route is to use our connections to get you a look with the Lakers Los Angeles. You'll likely start in the D-League until you develop into a bona fide NBA player. My question is, do you have what it takes to reach that goal?"

"I'ma do it." James clenched his fists slightly. When he first stepped into the agency, he hadn't held out much hope. But hearing that Golden Spotlight Group had a concrete plan gave him a newfound sense of determination. He suddenly realized there was a clear, achievable path forward.

"I see... Then you'll need to sign a contract and officially become a client of GSG." Lila smirked. The paperwork was already prepared, all they needed was his signature.

James read through the contract with utmost seriousness, though a few legal terms left him puzzled.

"Would it be cool if I took these papers home so my Mom could read 'em? I wanna have a lawyer look over the contract before I sign anything, too."

"Of course you can. That's actually what I recommend."

Collin simply listened, letting Lila take the lead.

"I understand. Thank you, ma'am, sir," James said respectfully. He now treated them with genuine respect, realizing just how influential an agency capable of landing him a tryout with an NBA team truly was.

"You can contact us whenever you're ready to sign," Collin said, bidding him farewell as James prepared to leave.

"So that's the guy you were talking about. How tall is he?"

Once James was gone, Lila turned to Collin.

"He's probably 6'6" or 6'7"."

"What about you? You're pretty tall too. Over six feet, right?"

"6'2"," Collin answered.

"Who's going to handle James? We currently have three agents with experience in athletic management."

"I'm thinking of Amelia Nova."

"Her?" Lila frowned slightly. "But isn't she--"

"Trust me, she's a great fit for someone like James."

"I trust you."

.........

......

...

Three days later.

"Amelia Nova, you're wanted in the CEO's office."

"Me?"

Amelia Nova was stunned when the HR representative delivered the message. She felt both confused and anxious. She had only been working at Golden Spotlight Group for about a month, and she still questioned whether joining them had been the right move.

Amelia had previously worked as part of an athlete team, specifically as a nutritionist for a professional football player. She had managed a few other athletes as well, but that football player had been her primary source of income.

Unfortunately, the player retired and their team disbanded soon after. Amelia lost a massive chunk of her livelihood and had no idea what her next step should be.

Then, someone had reached out and offered her a position with a higher salary. Naturally, with nothing left to lose, she accepted and joined Golden Spotlight Group.

Though hired as a talent agent, she lacked formal experience in the role. At her core, she was still just a nutritionist.

"Amelia... You can do this," she whispered, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves.

She reached the CEO's office and stepped inside after the secretary opened the door.

"Amelia, we've been waiting for you."

"Yes, sir."

Amelia greeted Collin and Lila. Seated alongside them were a mother and son whom she didn't recognize, looking at her with curious expressions. Despite her confusion, Amelia maintained her composure.

Collin nodded inwardly as he spotted the text floating above her head.

-- Amelia Nova

-- Anxiety Breaker (Yellow)

Collin didn't know much about sports, but he understood that being a professional athlete was a grueling profession that extended far beyond physical demands.

Mental resilience and psychology were critical factors in determining whether an athlete possessed the fortitude to improve.

'Basketball is a high-stress sport, and James needs someone who can help him manage that pressure.'

Honestly, Amelia's unique talent was better suited for mental health counseling, but Collin had decided to bring her aboard anyway.

'This is the first time I've encountered a talent capable of improving mental well-being. It's definitely unique,' Collin thought. He didn't know the exact mechanics of how her talent functioned, but he chose to trust his intuition.

"Hello, I'm Amelia Nova," she introduced herself.

"Amelia, this is James. You will be managing his career negotiations moving forward."

James had officially signed the contract. GSG would handle all major negotiations for his career, taking a 10% commission in return.

Mrs. Kobe had accompanied him, eager to ensure her son wasn't being scammed. She had thoroughly read the contract herself and confirmed its legitimacy.

"... So what happens now?" Mrs. Kobe couldn't help asking. This concerned her son's future, so naturally, she wanted clarity on their next steps.

"Tomorrow, Miss Nova and I will take James to the Lakers Los Angeles practice facility. The head coach will evaluate James and decide whether to offer him a contract," Lila replied, having already laid all the groundwork.

[Thank you for reading this novel. If you want to read more, you can check out my Patreon.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 280


The next day, three people visited the Lakers Los Angeles gymnasium: Lila, Amelia, and James. Mrs. Kobe had wanted to come, but James told her it wasn't necessary. He was no longer a child who needed constant hand-holding.

"Lila, it's nice to meet you."

One of the Lakers' assistant coaches greeted Lila and her companion, then glanced at the towering man standing behind them.

"Hello, Mr. Turner. Where is Mr. Moore?"

The head coach of the Lakers Los Angeles was Phil Moore, though the players preferred to call him Coach Moore.

"The head coach is currently on the court, watching the players train."

"I see." Lila raised an eyebrow slightly, a gesture that made Turner a bit nervous.

In truth, the head coach had zero intention of personally meeting Lila. Whoever this guy was, she was trying to force him onto the team, and Coach Moore despised that kind of interference.

Coach Moore had seen it all before, shareholders using their leverage to meddle with the roster, decisions that almost always backfired on the team.

So, Coach Moore had assigned Turner to handle the situation instead. If the player Lila brought in failed to meet their standards, they would reject him outright. If by some miracle he performed well, they might offer him a spot on their D-League affiliate.

At best, they wanted to do the bare minimum just to appease Lila. As for drafting James straight onto the main franchise roster, that was utterly out of the question. Breaking into the NBA was brutal, and everyone who made it was the absolute elite of the elite.

"Well then, let's take James to the court and evaluate him," Turner said, leading the three inside. At the very least, James possessed the height for the job.

Standing around 6'7", he had the frame to play as a small forward or even a power forward if he had explosive athletic ability.

In the NBA of 2001, standard positional heights looked like this:

Point guards stood at least 5'11".

Shooting guards stood at least 6'3".

Small forwards stood at least 6'6".

Power forwards stood at least 6'8".

Centers stood at least 6'11".

These were the strict criteria most franchises followed.

When they reached the gymnasium, they found a massive facility capable of fitting three full-sized basketball courts side by side.

Numerous players were running drills on one court, while the 15 players on the official roster were playing on another.

James stared at the players on the court, clenching his fists as his palms grew sweaty. He was terrified... This might be the most important moment of his entire life, the ultimate turning point.

Today would determine whether he would soar into a completely different world or crash hard back to Skid Row to keep selling drugs.

It was no wonder he was shaking with fear. He couldn't afford to mess up and throw away the single greatest opportunity he had ever been given.

'Man, I ain't got no reason to be nervous. I ain't got no reason to be nervous!' He chanted internally, but it wasn't working. It only made his muscles tense up further.

"Are you nervous?"

"Huh?"

James looked at Amelia, the talent agent assigned to manage his career.

"... Is it bad if I say yes?"

"So you are nervous."

"Yes, I'm nervous," James admitted, his hands trembling slightly.

"That's good." Amelia nodded.

"What you mean? Ain't it better for me to keep my cool?" James asked, confused.

"If you're nervous, it shows you're taking this situation seriously," Amelia replied. "I'd be worried if you were completely calm right now. That wouldn't even be human."

"..." James didn't know how to respond. Every instinct told her logic was backwards, but Turner interrupted them to announce that the court was ready for evaluation.

"All right, James, you can get started."

James wore full basketball gear, complete with brand-new basketball shoes his mother had bought him the day before. She had insisted he needed a proper pair of shoes to show off in front of the coaches.

"All right," James muttered. To his surprise, he realized the nervousness and fear had completely evaporated. His brief chat with Amelia had cleared his head, leaving him completely dialed in.

Three coaches stepped up to put him through his paces. They tested his shooting from various distances and instructed him to throw down some dunks.

As the workout progressed, the team's head coach caught sight of him from across the floor, recalling that a shareholder's daughter was trying to sneak a new face into the franchise.

"Is that the guy?" Coach Moore watched James with mild curiosity.

"His shooting form looks clean, but can he sustain it under pressure?" he muttered.

James followed every direction, sinking shots from the free-throw line with ease. Then he moved out to the three-point arc, draining shots from every spot, and even hit a deep half-court shot without missing a beat.

"... Now that's interesting." Coach Moore decided to step closer to get a better look at the assessment.

Minutes later, the shooting drills concluded, with James missing only three out of dozens of attempts. Next came ball-handling and agility drills. Even though it was his first time running formal basketball drills, James moved with a natural fluidity that left the assistants visibly impressed.

"Turner, I want to see how he handles live action."

Head Coach Moore walked over, barking his decision directly to Turner.

"Do you want us to set up a game with the D-League squad, Coach?" Turner yelled back.

"No. Put him on the floor with the main roster. Hey you, follow me," Coach Moore yelled at James. James nodded respectfully and followed after him toward the main court where the official team was playing. James recognized Head Coach Moore immediately from watching countless games on television.

"Did you see that..." Amelia watched the unfolding scene alongside Lila, both of them witnessing Head Coach Moore personally hijack the tryout.


[Author's Note:]

You can read more on my Patreon with:

97 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight

92 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_makii

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 281


"Is that a good thing?" Amelia asked Lila.

"It's a good thing, it means James has caught the attention of the head coach." Lila was also surprised.

'Collin, the more I know you, the more I love you. Tell me, did you also expect this to happen?'

Collin was confident in James and his talent. He knew that once James showed his capabilities, he would attract attention.

Even if the Lakers Los Angeles didn't sign him, Collin was confident that another team would. A Golden Talent was no longer just talent, it was practically a superpower.

"What's your name?" Head Coach Moore asked James.

"It's James Michael Kobe, sir."

"So, James, I only have simple instructions. I want you to score points or make plays for the team."

"Yes, sir."

James nodded, and Coach Moore called for a substitution. The other players were confused as to why the head coach subbed a stranger into their game, but they followed orders and kept playing anyway.

"What are you guys doing!? Did I tell you to stop? Keep playing!" Coach Moore yelled at them.

If Collin were present, he would probably see the text floating above Coach Moore's head.

-- Phil Moore

-- Player Profiling (Yellow)

Because of Coach Moore's talent, he recognized that James possessed extraordinary potential, escalating the situation to the point where he wanted to see James play in a real game against NBA players.

The results were impressive.

James' team won, and James put up 21 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals while shooting 62% from the field. Those were his stats after playing only half a game.

Even the official roster became curious about James. They were surprised he could match their intensity.

Coach Moore nodded, thoroughly satisfied with James' performance.

'Looks like the person they introduced is not that simple.' Coach Moore glanced at Lila and Amelia, who were watching from afar.

The Los Angeles Lakers' performance last season had been abysmal. They had finished 14th, second-to-last in the Western Conference, and held the third-worst overall record in the NBA. They had a strong, dominant center, but that wasn't enough, they desperately needed a playmaker.

Coach Moore had actually been preparing for the upcoming draft, hoping the franchise could land a new player with elite potential.

'... Let's give this guy a chance.'

Head Coach Moore made his decision.

.........
......
...

"... I'm going to do what?" Amelia asked, staring at Lila in shock.

"You heard me right."

"No, no, please repeat that."

"You will be the one responsible for handling the contract negotiations. Good luck." Lila smiled slightly.

"Um..." Amelia wanted to protest, but she realized her role had officially shifted. She was no longer a nutritionist, she was a talent agent, and her job was to secure the highest possible value for her client.

She wasn't entirely sure she could pull it off.

"Do you have any advice, ma'am?" Amelia had heard that Collin and Lila held senior executive positions at Apex Network Talent and were true veterans in the industry.

"First of all, don't call me ma'am. We're the same age."

"I apologize."

"Second, ask for a high price. Based on their reactions, they're definitely interested in recruiting James. It'll either be a two-way contract or a standard NBA contract."

A two-way contract meant James would split his time between the D-League and the main NBA roster. It was basically an experiment, they could drop James whenever they wanted to.

A standard NBA contract was the real deal.

There were also other agreements, such as a 10-day contract, a rest-of-season contract, a training camp contract, and a rookie contract. Lila deduced that James would at least secure a partial spot on the official roster.

"How much should I ask for?" Amelia knew it was bold to ask her boss these questions, but she truly lacked negotiation experience.

"If it's a two-way contract, ask for at least $1 million per season. If it's a standard NBA contract, go for $4 million per season." She lied.

A typical rookie might only earn $300,000 to $400,000 per season, but Lila didn't elaborate further.

"What if they don't agree?"

"Then you have to convince them. Tell them James will be their lifeline," Lila explained patiently, knowing Amelia was new to this.

"You want me to bluff?"

"That's right."

"..."

"At the end of the day, it's up to you how you close the deal. Just remember: your job is to advocate for your client and find an amount acceptable to both sides."

'I get a 4% commission, so I guess I'd better work hard,' Amelia thought, resolving to push her nerves aside.

Lila watched her demeanor shift, impressed by how quickly she took control of her emotions.

Shortly after, someone from management contacted Amelia. She walked into a meeting room and found two men waiting for her: Coach Turner and a legal representative.

"Amelia, right?"

"That's me."

"We're offering James Michael Kobe a two-way contract. He'll split time between the D-League and the NBA depending on team needs. We'll pay him $250,000 for the entire season."

This year, the NBA pre-season was set to begin in October, leaving James about a month and a half to prepare. Pre-season was typically when rookies and new signees received playing time across 7 to 8 games, allowing franchises to evaluate players and finalize their rosters.

"I think James deserves $1 million."

Despite screaming on the inside, Amelia followed Lila's instructions.

Turner frowned and turned to the team's lawyer.

"$1 million is out of the question."

"Then..." Amelia didn't have a prepared script.

"We can offer him $350,000 for the season," the lawyer counteroffered. He had been instructed by the head coach to sign James, but with minimal expenditure.

"You saw what he did earlier. He scored 21 points, and his assists and rebounds were just as impressive. He should get at least $850,000," Amelia countered, expressing clear dissatisfaction.

It was at this moment the lawyer realized he was dealing with a genuine talent agent... and talent agents were notoriously greedy.

After half an hour of back-and-forth exchanges, both sides agreed on a final figure of $570,000.

"Make sure James shows up early tomorrow for his physical exam. If he doesn't pass the medical exam, this entire negotiation is void," Turner reminded her.

"I'll keep that in mind."

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 282


"I'm gonna earn what?" James couldn't believe what he heard, so he decided to ask again.

"This season, you will earn $570,000. You need to show up early tomorrow for the medical examination. That could take a few hours, and while that is happening, our lawyer will check the contract to make sure that it is safe for you to sign," Amelia repeated.

"Alright..." James was still speechless.

Earlier, he had just played a game with the Los Angeles Lakers. The basketball players whom he had only ever seen on television were right in front of his eyes, and he had actually played alongside them. He was completely starstruck. But he knew he was undergoing an evaluation, so he had to do his best and score for his team.

For some reason, he didn't feel nervous or scared. He didn't know why that happened, perhaps because he was too focused to think of anything else. In that game, he gave 110% and performed brilliantly.

"I will definitely show up early tomorrow."

"Don't drink alcohol tonight. If you have anything to ask or if you experience a problem, don't forget to call me. Here is my contact information." Amelia handed him her business card.

"Thank you."

"As much as possible, don't speak about the fact that you're going to be signed by the Lakers Los Angeles. Don't celebrate yet until the contract is signed. They might ask for a confidentiality agreement."

James nodded and locked the advice away in his mind.

"I'm allowed to tell my mom, though?"

"It's alright, just don't spread it around."

James thanked Amelia once again. Because he was in such high spirits, he decided to take a taxi instead of the bus, just a small indulgence now that his life was finally turning around.

However, the taxi stopped right before they reached Skid Row. The driver explained that he had trauma from driving into the neighborhood because someone had once robbed him and nearly killed him.

James didn't have a choice but to walk the rest of the way. As he walked, a group of local guys greeted him.

"Yo, James! Got any weed?" their leader called out.

"Nah, I don't have any." James kept walking. Both Amelia and Mrs. Kobe had drilled it into him to stay away from that life.

"Bullshit, you? So where's my product? Come on, just a loosie. I got a nice snow bunny here for you."

"Nah, man, I don't have anything on me right now."

The leader narrowed his eyes but ultimately let James walk away.

He reached an old apartment building. It didn't have an elevator, and their apartment unit was on the 5th floor, which was always a hassle. But because the neighborhood was dangerous, the rent was low, making it the only option for a household like theirs.

"Mom, I'm back."

James knocked on the door. It was always kept locked from the inside since break-ins and assaults were common in the building.

Someone opened the door, it was Shaina, James's younger sister. She wore an eager expression, as the family had been waiting anxiously for him to return.

"So what happened?"

"Let me in first."

James stepped inside and sat on the couch, where his younger brother was also watching him expectantly. Mrs. Kobe paused her cooking and approached her eldest son.

"So what happened?"

James looked at his family one by one and chuckled.

"I received an offer for $570,000, but I have to pass the medical examination first. Tomorrow, once everything is done, I'll sign the contract."

They gasped. They had never expected James to receive an offer like that. In fact, both of his younger siblings had privately assumed that the Golden Spotlight Group was just a small, insignificant agency with no real power to get anyone into the NBA.

The NBA wasn't an organization just anyone could walk into. People from their background simply didn't make it.

Yet today, James was telling them about his actual experience playing alongside the official roster of the Lakers Los Angeles, and the family was stunned silent.

"That's so cool!" Nate, the younger brother, listened with wide-eyed excitement. He was a massive NBA fan.

"$570,000? That's..." Mrs. Kobe was speechless. In her heart, she would have been satisfied just seeing James stop selling drugs and put his time toward something legitimate.

"James, buy me a Chanel bag once you get your money!" Shaina immediately tried to butter up her brother.

"How much would that cost?"

"$7,500."

"Shaina! Do you think money grows on trees? Your brother worked hard for that money," Mrs. Kobe reprimanded her daughter, causing Shaina to pout.

"My agent told me they prolly gonna pay me monthly."

A season could last anywhere between 6 and 8 months, depending on whether the team made the playoffs. James's salary would be spread across those 8 months of pay.

If the team missed the playoffs, the remaining balance would be paid out in a lump sum.

If they made the postseason, however, players would receive playoff bonuses scaled according to how many rounds the team advanced.

"Mine isn't that expensive. Just buy me a PlayStation, it's not even $1,000. We can play games togethe," Nate chimed in.

"... That's affordable. Once I get my first check, I'll buy you one. But I got something way more important I need to spend my money on first. Ma, I'm planning on finding us a better place to stay. I don't wanna live in Skid Row no more."

Mrs. Kobe readily agreed. There were times when they couldn't even leave their apartment because shootings broke out in the hallways. The cheap rent wasn't worth the constant danger.

"Son, I support you completely."

James nodded.

"You said you have your medical examination tomorrow, right? Then you better get to sleep early. I'll finish cooking dinner, and then you eat. And you better eat the vegetables and fruit I prepared for you."

"Alright, Mom," James muttered with a shrug.

.........
......
...

[Author's Note:] I can already see the ending of this novel, I just need to tackle some plot points and then I can end it.

So obviously, I have to plan something for my next novel.

Before Behind The Spotlight, I wrote Hollywood What If, and that novel gained a lot of readers, more than Behind The Spotlight. So I started thinking about it, and I analyzed the core selling point of Hollywood What If that Behind The Spotlight lacks.

Aside from real-life fanfiction, I realized that Hollywood What If featured an original cinematic universe: the Continental Cinematic Universe. It's a shared universe I thought of consisting of Taken, John Wick, Wanted, Fast and Furious, Ninja Assassin, and Jason Bourne.

So for my next novel, I plan to make another cinematic universe. You guys have the power to choose what I will write. I will post a poll.

1.) Vampire Cinematic Universe

-- I'll merge Underworld, Van Helsing, Twilight, and other vampire movies into one cinematic universe.

2.) Monster/Kaiju Universe

-- I know that Godzilla and King Kong are already part of a cinematic universe, but I want to include Pacific Rim in it as well.

3.) Non-Comic Superhero Movie Universe

-- I want to make a cinematic universe featuring Jumper, Chronicle, Lucy, Unbreakable, Hancock, Push, and possibly Limitless. Heck, I can even add Kick-Ass if I want to.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 283


"It says here that you use marijuana." The doctor stared at James seriously. The results were out.

"It ain't that bad, right?"

"Just don't use it when you're playing," the doctor answered. Many basketball players used drugs, but they signed contracts stipulating that they must not use them while actively playing. If they failed to do so and their performance was badly affected, they would pay damages and might even be kicked off the team.

"I swear on my life, I ain't gonna touch weed again."

"Good. Make sure you keep that promise. You will have a medical examination at least once a year to verify your health."

The doctor spoke to the coaches and management of the Los Angeles Lakers, confirming that James Michael Kobe was healthy and free of injuries or underlying health issues.

With that, James successfully signed his contract and was officially a part of the Lakers Los Angeles. He would split time between the D-League and the NBA, with management deciding when to promote him to the main roster based on his performance during the preseason, which was set to start in October.

.........
......
...

"Everyone, let's give a big round of applause to the cast of Week On An Island!" Kimberly Alphonse smiled gracefully, though the audience barely clapped. Still, her smile didn't waver despite the lukewarm reception.

It had been five months since Kimberly took over as the host of Morning with Kimberly following the trouble Jennifer had created. Her agent had seized the opportunity, successfully convincing the production team to let Kimberly host now that Jennifer was blacklisted.

At first, Kimberly's debut as the new host drew higher ratings, and the production team had been thrilled.

As time went on, however, viewership gradually declined until it stabilized at around 3 million viewers per episode. It wasn't terrible considering the timeslot, but it paled in comparison to the show's numbers back when Jennifer was the host, which regularly pulled in an average of 7 million viewers.

Now that Jennifer was gone, the staff of Morning with Kimberly realized Kimberly lacked the charisma to carry the show on her own. If not for weak competition from other networks, Morning with Kimberly might not even have been renewed for another season.

While Kimberly maintained her polite smile, the main cast of Week On An Island finally walked out. That was the exact moment the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause.

The three actors, Axel Gunner, Brody Paige, and Cross Pinger, waved brightly at the cameras and the crowd.

Week On An Island had been in theaters for over a month, and this might be their final week promoting the movie domestically. Soon, the cast would have to embark on international press tours.

As of September 2, the movie had grossed over $192 million at the North American box office alone. The sequel to the smash hit Week On A Cruise Ship had proven its staying power. Uni-Versus Pictures believed the film would ultimately clear at least $400 million worldwide.

The movie was directed by the talented Wyatt Bray and starred Axel Gunner and Brody Paige, both of whom carried massive box office appeal. Naturally, its success came as no surprise.

The three actors did their best to answer Kimberly's interview questions, but backstage they couldn't help admitting that the host was boring. Her jokes felt forced, her smile was fake, and even her demeanor was blatantly artificial.

.........
......
...

"Arnold is leaving ANT this week."

Once the interview wrapped up, Brody Paige pulled Axel aside for a quick chat.

"I see." Axel nodded knowingly. He had half-expected it, given how close Collin and Arnold were.

"Is that really your only reaction?" Brody raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing Axel's face. But Axel had awakened his Golden Talent, making him notoriously difficult to read.

"What else did you expect me to say?"

Having worked together twice and spent months on set filming side-by-side, they had formed a casual friendship, close enough to discuss sensitive topics.

"You know what I'm talking about."

"I genuinely have no idea."

"This guy..." Brody frowned.

"Arnold invited me to leave ANT and follow him to Golden Spotlight Group or whatever they're calling it. He said I wouldn't have to break my contract immediately, I could just wait for it to expire and then make the jump."

Poaching clients was strictly prohibited, and if ANT found out, Arnold could face a serious lawsuit. Fortunately, Brody wasn't the type of asshole to betray his agent like that.

"So I'll ask you straight: what are your plans? I'm hesitant to leave ANT because it provides access to resources and opportunities smaller agencies simply can't match."

Brody readily admitted he owed Arnold a debt of gratitude, but he wasn't about to torpedo his career and jump onto an unproven ship just because his agent asked him to. In his eyes, ANT remained the premier talent agency in Hollywood in terms of sheer influence and track record.

"I don't think I want to answer that," Axel replied.

"Refusing to answer practically confirms it. I'll reach out if I change my mind, your contract ends before mine anyway. Let me know if Golden Spotlight Group turns out to actually be special or just another mediocre start-up." Brody Paige bid him farewell, intending to use Axel as a guinea pig to gauge whether leaving ANT was a smart move.

Arnold had offered him a lower commission rate, which was tempting, but ANT could easily match it if pushed.

As Brody walked away, a middle-aged Asian woman approached Axel.

"Are you finished talking with Brody?" Vanessa Wang asked curiously.

Vanessa Wang was an ANT executive who had recently given birth. She was also a divorcée, while she hadn't secured a full 50% split of her ex-husband's assets, the settlement had still netted her millions.

"Yes."

"So what were you two discussing? Anything important?"

"Not really. He was just asking what we should focus on once we head to Portugal to promote the movie."

[Thank you for reading this novel.]