Chapter 111: Chapter 99: Unrestrained Display of Talent_l
Translator: 549690339
Avril Green laughed, “Then I’ll look forward to the good news.”
She was delighted.
Unlike the previous chances to get songs from Harrison Clark, this time Avril truly looked forward to it.
Experiencing that miraculous night, she had a deeper understanding of Harrison’s capabilities.
She had great confidence in her own taste, especially since “Deep in the Night” and “A Dull Life” had recently swept the entire Chinese music scene.
Some media even compared her to Carrie Thomas.
Of course, the industry generally believed that Carrie Thomas still needed some more experience since all her songs were written by “others.”
But Avril knew that once Carrie released “The Fire” and coupled it with her songwriting achievements, she would rapidly catch up to her in popularity.
It wasn’t that Avril was jealous of Carrie, but she didn’t want to lose to her.
She believed that her performance was no worse than Carrie’s.
She was confident.
In the past, her refusal to buy songs from others was not because she only wanted to sing her own songs, but rather that other people’s mediocrity just couldn’t move her.
“Mr. Owen, do you have a recording studio here?”
Harrison turned his head and asked.
Ward Owen replied, “Yes, what’s up?”
Harrison turned to Avril, “Lucia, let’s go now. I’ll play and sing it for you first.”
“Ah? You’ve already written it? And it’s fresh too?”
Harrison hurriedly shook his head, “No, I had some free time these past few days and wrote it.”
“Your output is too high! Harrison, I don’t mean to criticize you, but you can’t use up your inspiration like this. You can’t just have output without input. And the quality of the works you produce in a rush will decline.”
An hour later, Avril fled hastily, leaving only these words.
“I’ll release a single first, with five-year exclusive rights for two million. We’ll split the subsequent electronic rights between you and me fifty-fifty. Moreover, this song will be included in my next album, and you can’t charge me again.”
Ward Owen swallowed, “This is terrifying. Lucia’s offer is even higher than what I got!”
Not only was there a lump sum buyout fee of two million, but there was also the subsequent fifty-fifty split of royalties.
It was clear that Avril was only interested in making music and had little interest in money. She didn’t want to take any advantage of Harrison at all.
“Great, this will be my standard fee from now on. Mr. Owen, let me tell you a plan…”
About half an hour later, Harrison explained the plan.
Only after a while did Ward Owen digest it and say, “Master, do you mean to establish a company called Summit and I bring in twenty million to own ten percent of the company? At the same time, my artist management contract will also be transferred to Summit. My contract as an individual artist will be split fifty-fifty with the company. Then I’ll find a way to build the overall structure of Summit. Master, you won’t be involved in daily matters, only writing songs. And all my future songs will be taken care of by you, right?”
Harrison nodded, “Yes.”
He was worried that Ward Owen would refuse since the share ratio seemed too low to him.
“Okay!”
Ward Owen simply agreed, “Not to brag, but I feel like the moment my new album comes out, I’ll definitely become an overnight sensation. The annual income of top-tier singers in China can easily exceed 50 million. Even if I don’t inherit my father’s money, I can still make myself a billionaire!”
Harrison was hurt by ten thousand points, but he forced himself to stay calm, “Well said!”
“Actually, I already got seven or eight songs before, and with the three songs from you, Master, it’s just enough for an album. So just wait for the show!”
Harrison forced a smile, patting Ward Owen on the shoulder, “I like your blindly confident vibe. Bring all the songs you’ve already got for me to hear.”
Another hour passed, and Harrison put down the large headphones.
“Master, how is it?”
“Do you want the truth or a lie?”
“Of course the truth.”
“If you sing these seven pieces of shit, you’re done for.”
“One of the songs was written by Lucia.”
“These songs are generally decent and could be considered the representative works for second or third-tier singers. But you, Ward Owen, are ambitious, and your first album will determine how high you can reach in your lifetime. If you don’t obtain a spectacular debut, climbing back up later will take twice the effort. So you must always remember these three words: ‘Never compromise.’ When you make music in the future, never settle, even if it means not singing instead of filling up space.”
Ward Owen was completely swayed, “I’ll listen to Master’s advice and make a long-term plan without rushing to release an album.”
Harrison shook his head, pulled out a notebook from behind him, and slapped it on Ward Owen’s face, “This is for you. Now you’re an artist in my company, so your song copyrights are company assets. I won’t charge you for the copyrights.””What’s this?”
“These are the seven new songs I wrote for you. Practice them well and master them within three days. I’ll check your progress then.”
“WTF!”
Ward Owen’s mentality collapsed.
Since it was already shocking enough, Harrison Clark didn’t bother to keep a low profile in front of others anymore.
He laid his cards on the table—I’m a genius.
He brazenly displayed his “talents,” indifferent to the adoration and admiration of others.
After suppressing Ward Owen, Harrison Clark left with his hands in his pockets.
Later in the afternoon, the two quickly completed the company registration, and Harrison Clark truly became a hands-off boss.
Ward Owen wanted to speak but hesitated several times.
He desperately wanted to discuss the seven songs with his cheap teacher.
It was terrifying! How did you write these in just a few days?!
Are you even human?!
Unfortunately, Harrison Clark didn’t seem interested in discussing it, looking too calm for his own good.
It was no wonder he was acting all high and mighty.
He was also very embarrassed.
The seven songs he gave to Ward Owen were still from folk singer Logan Lee, who had achieved great success on a certain timeline.
That is, the man who once pursued Carrie Thomas.
Harrison Clark had plundered this man’s life’s work of ten representative songs, leaving nothing behind, just like a bandit raiding a village.
His actions were so brutal that even he felt a little ashamed. After counting his money for a long time, his conscience finally settled down.
Brother Logan, don’t blame me for being heartless. It’s all for the rise of mankind.
Three days later, Harrison Clark checked Ward Owen’s progress on the songs.
Although the chubby guy had little creative talent and wasn’t photogenic, his vocal skills were surprisingly good, with a great sense of music and quick learning capability.
His rendition might have been slightly lacking compared to Logan Lee’s original version, but the difference was not too significant and still within an acceptable range.
“Not bad. Practice for a couple more days, and then we’ll start recording officially. Summit Ventures is still a shell company for now—we don’t have much. For the time being, we’ll use your existing resources. You need to set up the venue as soon as possible.”
Ward Owen nodded but hesitated to speak.
“Is there a problem? Is the startup capital for Summit Ventures not enough?”
Harrison Clark asked.
Ward Owen shook his head, “It’s not that. Money is not a problem; I have enough here.”
“So the issue is with the personnel?”
“Yes, it’s easy to find entry-level employees. Many people here are willing to switch environments. But finding a professional manager who can help control the overall situation is difficult. After all, we both want to be hands-off bosses, so we need someone capable and trustworthy. My father is not willing to give me any of his executives, and besides, our industries don’t match. It’s not appropriate to force them to share. It’s not easy.”
Harrison Clark thought for a moment, then a name popped into his head, “I have a candidate.”
“Who?”
“Julia Lambert.”
“Her? That’s not a good choice, is it? She’s going to be an executive at a listed company. Would she come to our newly established company?”
Harrison Clark countered, “Do you lack confidence in your abilities or my creative talents? Summit may be a small temple now, but by next year, it’ll be Lancaster Church!”
Ward Owen agreed, “You’re right.”
Harrison Clark was confident about successfully poaching her.
Because Julia Lambert owed him a favor and was eager to return it now.
He wasn’t planning to take her money; he just wanted her to work for him and not shortchange her salary, which should match market standards.
When Harrison Clark negotiates later, he will make it clear that if she really wants to repay his favor, she should come and help him.
Money is unimportant; he doesn’t lack it.
What matters is her as a person—he wants her..