[Chapter 266: Broke]
Under Daniel's planning, the women around him had all undergone a significant breakthrough in their careers this year.
Amanda Seyfried had built up enough teen fanbase through The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Now, V for Vendetta had paved her way into mainstream commercial films, solidifying her status.
Jessica Alba, with Fantastic Four, had become the dream girl of men across America; her commercial value soared, and she was flooded with voice-acting offers.
Rachel McAdams was the most impressive; Wedding Crashers made her a box-office draw, proving her commercial clout. Meanwhile, Walk the Line had put one foot firmly on next year's Oscar red carpet.
Anne Hathaway, with her transformed appearance and charisma, was filming the movie destined to be a global hit, The Devil Wears Prada, in Manhattan, New York.
As for Megan Fox, though Transformers was still mid-production, her fame was just about to explode.
Scarlett Johansson was filming Enchanted and was on the verge of shedding her label as a box-office poison lead actress.
Liv Tyler's Knocked Up was also poised for success.
Each one of these women, taken separately, would be a future pillar of Hollywood.
...
After reviewing all this, Daniel's expression grew a bit complex.
They were all famous and had made money. But his own liquid assets on the books were nearly depleted.
"Chris."
Daniel called softly.
A wisp of pink smoke drifted from the phone in his hand.
Chris materialized under the moonlight, dressed in a sophisticated professional outfit, holding a virtual ledger with a teasing smile.
"Master, want to see the numbers?"
Daniel nodded.
"According to the current financials, Daniel Pictures is running a deficit this year."
Chris swiped through the air, and rows of numbers appeared. "You invested a huge amount this year: acquiring Marvel shares and buying out copyrights for several key superheroes totaled several hundred million dollars. You put 40 million into The Pursuit of Happyness, 30 million for Knocked Up, 35 million into Enchanted. You've already allocated 80 million as initial production funds for Iron Man."
Chris looked up at Daniel and smiled without sympathy: "Plus the large amounts of Apple and Google stocks you purchased earlier, annual mansion upkeep costs, property tax provisions... Master, your liquid capital now stands at less than $20 million."
Daniel's face froze for a moment.
Over $1.1 billion in income had been completely spent by him in less than half a year.
Though these investments would eventually yield returns dozens or even hundreds of times greater--
That was the future.
The present reality was that he was nearly out of cash.
"Tax season's coming up, right?" Daniel asked.
"Yes, Master. It's about to start."
Chris shrugged. "Though I used offshore accounts and various charitable items to help you deduct most of it, because of your massive stock trades and copyright purchases this year, we need to set aside at least $20 million for taxes."
Daniel rubbed the space between his eyebrows.
In Hollywood's eyes, he was a powerful man with unlimited resources. Yet, near the year's end, he had to worry about tens of millions owed in taxes.
"As expected, doing industry and investment moves is far slower than exorcism and selling medicine," Daniel said with self-deprecating humor.
Several of the films hadn't been released yet, so naturally, no income had come in.
Marvel was even further out on the horizon.
This was classic expansion mode, spending more than earning.
"Master, should I 'invade' the bad debt systems of several banks to embezzle some money for you?" Chris's eyes flashed dangerously as she eagerly proposed the idea. "Or maybe let a few unlucky hedge fund managers 'accidentally' go bankrupt while shorting their positions?"
"No need. Let's avoid that kind of trouble if we can." Daniel waved his hand. 'I haven't fallen so low as to need your illegal hacking skills to get by.'
He thought for a moment.
Recouping funds quickly in Hollywood wasn't actually hard. If he just put out word he was willing to sell Iron Man or Captain America copyrights, or his Marvel shares, he could get instant cash.
But he couldn't bear to.
Those were his sickles for harvesting global box office success in the future.
Besides, selling now wouldn't make money -- it could even lead to a loss.
Marvel hadn't fully proven its strength yet.
---
Three days later, a Cargolux Express-chartered plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport.
Daniel personally went to pick up the shipment.
Three special refrigerated boxes were sealed with layers of dry ice.
After opening them, Millennium Mandrake Root, Phoenix Tendril Vine, Frost Lotus Rhizome, Everflame Blossom, Morning Dew of the Vernal Equinox -- these rare herbs emitted bursts of fresh, penetrating fragrance.
"Mr. Cross, this batch drained three generations of my family's savings." On the phone, Marcus Hale's voice carried a mix of pain and excitement. "I didn't expect to find these medicines. Honestly, we haven't even finished studying all their medicinal properties. We barely understand which diseases they can cure. Mr. Cross, since you need them, I assume you have a plan. Can you explain?"
"Perhaps in the future."
Daniel hung up and placed the boxes into the System space.
...
Over the next two weeks, Daniel turned down all social events and answered fewer calls from Amanda and Megan.
He locked himself inside the Alchemy room, where a grand formation was set up, magic power fully activated.
The regenerative Elixir was a fifth tier Elixir -- already pushing the limits of Alchemy. He needed all his focus on this.
...
At December's end, a rare drizzle fell on Los Angeles.
When Daniel pushed open the Alchemy room door, a surge of vitality so thick it felt almost physical flooded out.
It caused several withered shrubs in the backyard to suddenly sprout inch-long tender buds.
Daniel held out his palm, and a medicine bottle appeared.
He poured some of the Elixir into his hand.
The liquid was translucent pale gold, with five dark red patterns faintly swirling on its surface. The patterns pulsed like breathing, containing enough potent energy to reverse life and death.
"This is the regenerative Elixir." Daniel gazed at the priceless treasure, smiling wryly. "The work is done... but the cost was frighteningly high."
The batch of medicinal herbs Marcus Hale had sent wasn't cheap -- he'd asked for a full 3 million dollars.
Now, Daniel was truly so broke, he only had medicine left.
...
"Master."
Chris appeared in the study. "Mr. Douglas has called three times. His tone sounds very urgent."
Daniel put the crystal bottle away and asked as he climbed the stairs, "What did he say?"
"One of his business partners, named Raymond, was ambushed by professional killers on his way home last night."
Chris pulled up a briefing: "He was shot three times -- one bullet pierced his lung, another hit his spine. He's currently in the ICU at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, and the attending physician has issued a critical condition notice. Mr. Douglas said the old man is dying."
Daniel paused and turned toward Chris. "Raymond? Is he very wealthy?"
*****
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