My Life in Hollywood C37 A Deal With The Devil Part 2 (Patreon)

"Are you fucking serious right now!?" Jefferson's voice cracked as he yanked Marcus into a quiet corner of the apartment, away from Douglass. His face was flushed, veins bulging at his temples. "Are you giving up just like that? After everything—after all the faith I put in you?"

Marcus raised both hands defensively, feeling the heat radiating off Jefferson's fury. "Relax, would you—"

"How the hell am I supposed to relax when you pull something like this!?" Jefferson was practically shaking. "You're handing him half your shares for seventy million? I know that's serious money, but didn't you say you were going to make it big? You had me believing in you—so seventy million shouldn't be your goddamn ceiling!"

He stepped closer, gripping Marcus's shoulders hard enough to hurt.

"Is this all you can take? Is this as far as you go?"

Marcus winced at the grip but kept his voice steady. "Can you please—"

"How can I—"

"I wouldn't make an offer like that unless I was confident I could pay it back within three years." Marcus cut him off cleanly.

Jefferson's hands loosened. His eyes searched Marcus's face. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious." Marcus met his gaze without flinching. "I want to take advantage of this arrogant bastard. I want to teach him a lesson."

He continued, voice gaining momentum. "Besides, that seventy million is enough to fund major licensing deals, establish direct relationships with studios for DVD distribution—cutting out the middlemen entirely. And most importantly?" He leaned in slightly. "I can finally start producing original series for Netflicks."

Jefferson let go completely, but his expression was still storm clouds. "Kid, do you understand how much seventy million is? I know you've got a big appetite for money and your ambition's a bottomless pit—but do you actually grasp how hard it is to generate seventy million in net income? It's borderline impossible!"

"I know." Marcus's confidence didn't waver. Not entirely from himself—but from the system. Just the Quest Search Engine alone had already turned his life around. "But I've got cards up my sleeve."

"You really think originals is enough to generate seventy million in net income for Netflicks within three years?" Jefferson sounded incredulous. "Kid, almost no companies pull off net income that fast after founding. You're talking about turning a profit and paying back a massive loan—in an industry that burns through cash."

"It's hard. But not impossible." Marcus's eyes sharpened. "And if I can't pull it off, then maybe someone else should be running the company."

He didn't really believe he'd fail—not in any way that mattered. Sure, he could stumble. Make mistakes. But total failure? That wasn't an option. And he wasn't just some ordinary kid trying to make it in Hollywood.

He was a transmigrator with a goddamn cheat system.

If he couldn't handle this level of challenge, what was the point of continuing? He might as well accept a smooth, boring, uneventful life.

Jefferson stared at him for a long moment. Then he exhaled slowly, his shoulders sagging. "Alright. Have it your way." His voice softened. "But kid—if you fail at this, don't lose hope. There's more to life than one company."

"I'm not going to fail. Trust me." Marcus said it with so much conviction that even Jefferson wanted to believe him.

But the older man still looked worried. "Okay. I'll trust you. But generating seventy million in revenue within three years is hard enough—net income is a whole different beast."

Marcus patted his shoulder. "Think of it like this: it's basically a seventy-million-dollar bank loan. And if I don't pay it back, the bank seizes my company."

"And obviously, I'm going to pay it back. I plan for Netflicks to become the biggest player in Hollywood."

Jefferson snorted. "You make it sound so simple. But the difference between a bank loan and convertible notes? The conditions are way harsher." He shook his head. "If I'd known you'd go this far, I wouldn't have introduced you to Douglass in the first place."

Marcus smiled wryly. He couldn't exactly tell Jefferson about the system mission tied to that exact seventy-million figure. And even if he did, it probably wouldn't reassure the guy.

After a beat, they returned to the main room.

Douglass was still there, casually eating like none of this was a big deal.

"You thought about it, kid?" Douglass asked without looking up. "Thirty-five million for half your shares?"

Marcus sat down and sighed heavily. To activate the mission, it had to be seventy million. Nothing more, nothing less. Anything else, and the system's Major Quest would be voided.

"Seventy million. Nothing more, nothing less."

Douglass made a face. "Do you understand how much risk I'd be taking? Seventy million into a company that hasn't proven anything yet?"

Marcus knew that seventy million would be pocket change for Netflicks down the line. But right now, in this moment, Douglass had a point.

"Alright." Marcus leaned forward. "How about I stake all my shares for seventy million? How's that?"

Douglass's eyes lit up. Jefferson's face went pale.

"All of your shares?" Douglass's grin turned predatory, but his mind was racing. 'Netflicks... the subscription model for content is genius. I know it'll be worth something major later on.'

'This might not be a bad play.'

"Okay. You've got my attention, kid." Douglass set his utensils aside and waved off the Japanese woman who'd been lingering nearby. She left without a word. "I'll give you fifty million—"

"Seventy million. If there's no deal, then we're done here." Marcus left no room for negotiation.

Douglass studied him carefully. 'This kid... does he really think he can generate seventy million in net income within three years of founding the company? He'll only be nineteen by then. There's no way.'

"Why are you so hung up on seventy million?" Douglass's tone was annoyed, but inside, excitement was building. He'd been hunting for a company with serious potential—something he could control without too much effort, something he could get in on early while the valuation was still dirt cheap.

This might be it.

Douglass had spent years watching investors burn money chasing "the next big thing." Most of them were idiots who threw cash at buzzwords and PowerPoint decks. But every once in a while—very rarely—there was a founder who had that spark. The kind of founder who didn't just believe in their vision, but had the intelligence and grit to make it real.

Nathan Crown had that spark once. Then he'd gotten arrogant, made bad decisions, and torched everything.

But this kid? Marcus had something Nathan never did: restraint. Focus. And an edge of calculation that reminded Douglass of himself at that age.

'He's betting everything on this. That means he either knows something I don't—or he's a fool. Either way, I win.'

If Marcus succeeded, Douglass would have loaned money to a future billion-dollar company and gotten it back with interest. If Marcus failed? Douglass would own the entire operation for seventy million—pocket change compared to what the infrastructure and IP alone would be worth.

"Okay." Douglass flashed a predator's grin. "Since I like your guts, seventy million it is."

He leaned back, fingers steepled. "Convertible notes. We'll hash out the details—terms, interest rates, and the exact trigger for equity conversion."

"You're one interesting kid." His grin widened. "I like your style. This'll be a real test for you. It's not easy to pull off. But if you do?" He chuckled darkly. "Then yeah—it'll be just like taking out a bank loan. Hehe."

Marcus felt a chill run through him—not from fear, but from the weight of what he'd just agreed to.

'No turning back now.'

Jefferson looked like he wanted to throw up.

Jefferson knew seventy million was serious money. But for all of Marcus's shares? That didn't seem like nearly enough. After all, he'd watched Netflicks grow from making a few thousand dollars a month to pulling in hundreds of thousands in just a matter of months.

Sure, it sounded impressive. But the company wasn't that profitable yet. And earning seventy million in net income within three years? That was a hell of a challenge.

Still, if Marcus pulled it off, this would essentially function as a loan. Right now, Douglass wouldn't get any equity at all—he was just taking on the risk. If Netflicks turned a profit but didn't hit that seventy-million mark, and Marcus couldn't repay, those convertible notes would transform into 87% equity. That would seriously dilute everyone's shares—including Jefferson's. Because by the time that happened, Marcus's stake wouldn't still be 87%. It would've already shrunk from future funding rounds. Meaning Douglass's conversion would hit everyone.

But if Marcus succeeded? Douglass would get nothing but his money back—seventy million plus interest. No equity. No control.

Jefferson had to admit, no matter how this played out, Douglass wasn't going to lose. Even if Marcus succeeded, Douglass got his cash back with interest. And if Netflicks failed to generate enough income and Marcus couldn't repay? Douglass would own the whole damn company for seventy million. Less risk, high reward.

'I don't know how you can be this confident, kid. But I'll trust you won't give up your shares and screw everyone else in the process.'

Jefferson glanced between Marcus and Douglass as they shook hands, sealing the agreement. Inside, he couldn't shake the nagging thought that maybe—just maybe—he'd made a terrible mistake setting up this meeting between a greedy shark and a kid reaching for greatness.

---ʕ⁠ ⁠º⁠ ⁠ᴥ⁠ ⁠º⁠ʔ---

After the talks wrapped up, Marcus wasted no time calling Diana back in the States. A deal this size with someone like Douglass? That wasn't something to handle casually.

We were talking about massive money here.

By the next week, Diana arrived with her assistant in tow.

Marcus met her at the airport. "How've you been, Ms. Stone?"

Diana tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I've been well, thank you." Then her gaze sharpened. "But let's get to business. You told me you secured seventy million in convertible notes, and that my presence is required to review the paperwork and terms?" Her voice carried a hint of disbelief, like she still couldn't quite process what she was hearing.

"That's right. From Jefferson's friend—Douglass Burton." Marcus nodded. "Seventy million. If it's not repaid within three years, it converts into 87% equity."

"So you're actually serious." Diana shook her head slightly. She really couldn't believe how gutsy—or reckless—Marcus was being. This deal carried enormous risk. "You know the company's not doing badly so far. It would've been smarter to keep things steady instead of gambling like this."

Marcus didn't look worried in the slightest. "Yeah, things were going smooth. But I'm not interested in playing it safe. I want to go big at the poker table—full poker face."

It was a gamble. No one in their right mind could guarantee earning seventy million in net income to repay Douglass. Not in three years.

From anyone else's perspective, Douglass had the upper hand. The odds heavily favored those convertible notes turning into equity.

And when that happened? Douglass would become the sole owner of Netflicks.

'Jefferson should've protected this kid better,' Diana thought. She knew Jefferson well—the guy who'd invested seven million into Marcus and had gotten close to him over the past few months.

After a moment, she sighed and decided to just do her job. It wasn't her place to judge whether Marcus could pull this off or not.

Marcus walked beside her as they left the airport. He noticed the young woman trailing behind Diana—her assistant. She looked shy, keeping her eyes down. He flashed her a kind smile, and she blushed slightly.

Diana noticed but didn't comment.

Time passed quickly, and Diana found herself sitting across from Douglass's legal team. Facing them, she couldn't help but feel the pressure. There were three of them—all from a well-known firm, sharp-eyed and meticulous.

The terms were laid out clearly. Three years from the signing date. If there was no repayment? All of Marcus's shares would transfer to Douglass. That was the trigger.

But if Marcus did repay? There was the agreed-upon 20% interest. That meant Marcus would owe eighty-four million dollars total.

If Marcus failed to meet the repayment condition, Douglass would walk away with 87% of the company.

And here's why Jefferson was so worried: if Netflicks really did make it big—say, reached a billion-dollar valuation—Douglass's equity stake would be worth way more than seventy million. Hell, even if the company hit a couple hundred million in revenue, we were still talking about net income here.

Net income was always lower than revenue because of operating costs. And hitting seventy million in net income? That was a massive hurdle. Marcus was taking on enormous risk.

Sure, Marcus could technically repay using other means—maybe from investments in other companies, pooling those funds together. As long as it wasn't a bank loan or investor capital, it counted.

But how the hell was he supposed to do that? Netflicks alone was going to be hard enough to manage, let alone juggling side investments to generate that kind of cash.

So as they all signed their names on the dotted line, Douglass was already savoring the taste of that 87%—like it was practically in his hands.

After the agreement was finalized, Douglass leaned back with a smug grin. "Alright, kid. You can have my seventy million. Don't spend it all in one place." He said it like he was handing over lunch money.

Marcus's eyes flashed. He wasn't pretending anymore—not like when they'd first met. "Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure to repay this debt—with the twenty percent interest."

Douglass's face lit up with amusement. "Is that so? Hahaha! Only if you succeed, kid. And if you don't? I'll gladly take those shares."

In his opinion—hell, in anyone's opinion—Marcus was being foolish. Sure, Netflicks might become profitable eventually. But earning seventy million in pure net income? Within three years? That was borderline delusional.

In other words, those shares were already his.

But Douglass—and everyone else—was thinking that way because they didn't know Marcus had the system. They didn't know he had an entire library of hit content from his previous life stored in his head.

If they knew?

Douglass wouldn't be grinning like an idiot.