Chapter 70: Cunning

Ink & Ivory was the name of the merchandising company Feyre Publications had signed on-board to help with creating merchandises for Niall’s Fate series.

Currently at the company which was situated somewhere in downtown LA, Niall, alongside Michael were reviewing the products the team had made.

As a result, the environment within the room was quietly tense as both individuals moved from product to product, their gazes boring down on it with a heavy scrutiny.

More than anyone else though, Elliot Floyd, the company’s merchandising manager whom was aged thirty-five, was probably the most fidgety at the moment.

The man had a rather lean build to him, his face quite forgettable despite his tousled chestnut hair and hazel irises framed by wire-framed glasses as he subconsciously bit a finger whilst trailing closely behind the duo.

But despite this seemingly restless habit and anxious energy of his, Michael had purposely selected the man’s company because he noticed they had an eye for turning beloved children’s stories into merchandises that were of surprisingly great quality.

And as one would expect, Elliot himself was the one that spearheaded every merchandise they made.

Unfortunately, they seemed to lack the capital and resources to push for a better stand in the industry, hence why they were struggling, much like Feyre Publications had previously been.

That said, roughly ten minutes later, Niall smiled warmly, his tone impressed as he spoke;

"These are, really, really fantastic. I couldn’t be happier to see the amazing work you and your employees have put into these, Mr. Floyd."

Michael was also of the same belief, his head bobbing in acknowledgement as he added;

"Yeah. The quality’s really great. I knew I could count on you guys to do a great job."

No sooner had the merchandising manager and his employees heard that, their shoulders visibly sagged in relief, all of them releasing a breath they hadn’t quite realize they had been holding in.

From wearables like T-shirts, cufflinks and baseball caps, to collectibles like a replica of the Token of Fate, PVC figurines of Tristan and Rayleigh and several stationeries, the employees at Ink & Ivory had truly outdone themselves.

One half of it was because their company was practically on its last legs so they had no other choice than to go as hard as they could to exceed the expectations demanded of them.

The other was because they were rather wary of Michael, especially since he’d sort of ’coerced’ them into working for Feyre Publications.

However, for as tyrannical as Elliot’s and his employee’s original impression of the man had been, it didn’t take long before they started realizing that the CEO was actually very understanding.

Afterall, even though they had been behind schedule, and were still behind schedule on some of the merch they were meant to produce--all to no fault of theirs--it didn’t detract from the fact that he had given them enough leeway to do their jobs properly.

"Most of these are ready to be mass produced, yes?" Michael then gestured to the merchandise on the table as he picked up a leather notebook with the Token of Fate insignia etched onto it.

"Ah, yes. Yes." Elliot nervously said as he walked up to the man while adjusting his sleeve for the umpteenth time.

"The ceramics and home goods might take a while before we can mass produce them though..." he added, his voice trailing off as he watched Michael nod in understanding to which he soon replied;

"Take your time, take your time,"

"People would much rather buy something of higher quality for a well-adjusted price, than pay beyond what’s required for a shoddy product." the CEO gently placed the leather notebook down.

As that was happening, the employees in the room still finding it rather baffling that a CEO like this actually existed in this day and age that prioritized quality and a good service over corporate greed, Niall on the other hand had found himself before a couple lithographs on one of the tables.

They were one-to-one recreations of Aelderon’s map, one he himself had constantly provided inputs for over the past couple months.

Yet, like a kid in a candy store, his cool-gray irises kept glinting in fascination as he took in the work and appreciated all the little details that made it as eye-catching as it was.

Literally a few seconds after, he pointed at it, his words polite;

"Can I take a picture of this? I’d like to share it with someone."

To that, Elliot and his employees looked over in mild surprise, seemingly taken aback by his gesture.

Sure, he could take a picture of it. He did, theoretically, make them after all.

Still, it was rather nice to see that he was considerate of and aware that they might be unwilling to reveal it to the public just yet for various reasons asides the fact that it might not be the final product.

Afterall, who was to say if it might require a last-minute revision or some adjustments here and there down the line.

That was why,

"As... as long as they can keep it out of the media’s grasp till the day [The Spire of Fate] hits shelves," Elliot quickly walked over as he carefully chose his words.

"Then yes, it shouldn’t be a problem." he nodded while subconsciously adjusting his glasses.

"Noted. I’ll be sure to inform them. Thank you." Niall smiled in appreciation and then took a good shot of it.

Then, he forwarded the picture to Camille with the caption; Top secret stuff. I know you’ll love it.

Pocketing his phone immediately after, he then continued perusing through the rest of the merchs for a while alongside Michael.

A couple minutes after that, they were done.

Bidding the employees at the merchandising company farewell, Niall and Michael soon stepped out of the establishments and did the same to one another.

Just as Niall was settling into the driver’s seat of his vehicle though, his phone beeped with a designated notification.

Smiling to himself, he retrieved the phone from his pocket, his smile becoming more amused by the minute as he read Camille’s response to message.

-

Camille: Give it to me! GIVE IT TO ME, NOOOOWWWW!!!

-

Chuckling a bit at that, Niall texted back.

-

Niall: Unfortunately dear, you’re going to have to wait like everyone else come October.

Camille: Sigh... I know.

Camille: So sugah, when’d you think you’ll be back?

-

For a moment, Niall contemplated over that question.

Given he was gradually sorting out everything that he needed to over the past couple months pertaining to his multiple careers, there was still one major thing he needed to do before he could head back home.

Mastering a couple figure-skating moves.

Moves so crazy, it would essentially solidify his role as Noah Bennett, the prodigy, in [Rink].

Yet, they were also moves that would take him weeks, if not more than a month to gain complete mastery over despite his Gift of True Aptitude.

As a result, he honestly replied;

-

Niall: Not sure yet. But I’ll be back before your session in August. I promise.

-

*

(One week later...)

Upon releasing the teaser for [Silver Comets] like they’d planned on May 6th, Vrael Productions were met with a bit of a whiplash.

Given the projections they’d had, there were a bit disappointed to see it perform slightly below expectations.

That said, it wasn’t a particularly bad showing, all things considered.

Accumulating a little over five hundred thousand views for a teaser was still quite the impressive feat... especially since they happened to have ’coincidentally’ released it on the same day as [Tyler Kingstone: Under the Lights] tour movie teaser.

A teaser that had gotten over seven million views within the first twenty-four hours of its upload.

A teaser several of Hollywood’s Publications company and media companies promptly began milking in an effort to farm Tyler’s rabid audience for clicks and views of their own.

Logically, it then made perfect sense then as to why their own teaser was absolutely mogged. At least that was what they had thought initially.

But then, Henry got a bit curious and decided to check in on whom was financing and promoting the movie.

To his annoyance, it just had to have been Diamond Productions.

Normally, this shouldn’t even be an issue, neither should it have been a cause for concern.

Afterall, coincidences like this weren’t exactly a rarity in Hollywood where several film studios and production companies were constantly working on something... something they could announce at every given moment provided they felt the time was right.

However, in the case of Diamond Production, Joaquin’s production company, Henry knew better than to not be on the alert.

Sure, he’d warned his step-brother at the onset of [Silver Comet]’s production, a production process that had gone smoothly and without any hitches, Henry hadn’t for once believed the man would simply let him be.

He had been bitten, one too many times to not be on the alert for any possible signs of subterfuge from his younger brother.

Which was why, in an effort to ensure their movie wasn’t being targeted, Henry quietly had the marketing and PR team, shift the release date of the next trailers by a couple days.

To that effect, instead of having the movie’s very first, actual trailer released on July 8th, it was shifted to July 12th.

All that he would have to do now, was sit back and watch.

Yet, unfortunately for him... Joaquin was just as, if not more cunning.

Advance Chapters are available on Patreon!

/Caer07