[Chapter 256: Christmas Party]
Universal Music, President Daniel's office.
Linton brought his agent Mira, financial officer Mary, and Universal Pictures producer Tim to settle the shares of the album Flying, the soundtrack of the movies Speed, and Step Up 2.
The album Flying sold a total of 13.83 million copies in North America and 21.64 million overseas, totaling 35.51 million copies. Including various licensing fees, Linton received a total revenue share of $119.34 million.
As the songwriter of the theme song for the movie Speed, Linton earned $350,000.
As the songwriter of the two theme songs for Step Up 2, Linton received $730,000 total.
Shania Twain's single Surrender sold 3.63 million copies worldwide, earning Linton $1.96 million as the songwriter.
Adding all four parts, Linton's personal income share totaled $122.38 million. After deducting brokerage commissions and accounting fees, he actually received $118.71 million.
These earnings were all from the period of the first contract and shared according to the original ratio. Starting next year, his income will increase significantly with the new contract terms.
The Speed soundtrack sold 2.7 million copies. The Speed studio earned revenue share of $7.6 million. According to the investment ratio, Linton Films received $4.56 million and Universal Pictures $3.04 million.
The Step Up 2 soundtrack sold 2.91 million copies, and Linton Films earned $8.15 million.
Together, Linton Films earned $12.71 million.
It was another good day for earnings.
The soundtracks for Happy Death Day and Izumi Sakai's single Complicated were still selling well, but Linton decided to save those numbers for another time.
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After these tasks, Linton took Jonathan, James, and Yuen Woo-ping and went to the company's editing room. With the editor's cooperation, they began post-production on The Man from Nowhere.
After finishing shooting Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino, like many Hollywood directors, opted for a long break to clear his mind before editing.
Especially since his film used a lot of innovative techniques and a complex narrative structure, he wanted to carefully plan his editing before starting.
This worked in Linton's favor. Because there was only one editing room at the company, otherwise he would have had to wait in line, which would have been frustrating.
During editing, Linton freely shared his understanding of commercial films with Jonathan and James, emphasizing that the core of commercial movies was the audience. Everything needed to serve the viewers' experience, rather than catering to critics' reputations or reviews.
He also sought Yuen Woo-ping's advice on fight scenes. Everything was designed to make the fights exciting and visually appealing to raise the audience's adrenaline as well as provide aesthetic enjoyment.
...
Upon learning Linton had finished filming, Madonna, Catherine, Shania, and Cameron, who had just wrapped The Mask, all returned to Linton Manor for vacation. Every night was packed with thrilling parties...
They hadn't seen each other for over two months and missed one another tremendously, so the parties were wild and passionate.
Organized by Madonna, various themed costume shows, prop shows, and stocking shows followed one after the other, dazzling Linton, naturally escalating the excitement...
Sometimes, the group would draw inspiration from plots in the adult films and come up with unique sitcom-style skits, making the experience even more fun...
...
Linton edited movies during the day at the company and returned to the manor on time at night. Each night was fulfilling and memorable.
With the help of the four popular female celebrities, Linton's Starlight Spark greatly improved, reaching the peak of Radiant Core.
At this point, Linton was close to breaking through to the Celestial Presence Stage, but prudently continued to accumulate power and refine his skills.
Although his tools and formations to survive the Thunder Trial of this stage were ready, he wanted to be absolutely sure by perfecting the energy within him and laying a solid foundation.
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Time quickly came to Christmas.
Under the butler's direction, the manor was beautifully and festively decorated. To raise spirits, Linton also arranged for enough fireworks.
Originally, Linton thought the women would each go to their families for the holiday and planned to invite his aunt's family.
But unexpectedly, not only did Madonna, Catherine, Shania, and Cameron stay, but Winona, Sophie Marceau, Cristiana, Monica, Jennifer, and Heidi Klum all showed up.
Even Izumi Sakai and Noriko Sakai flew over from Japan, breaking their usual practice.
To Linton's surprise, even Winnie, who was usually reluctant to meet others, joined them for the festival.
Given this, his aunt's family naturally couldn't join in the celebration.
Since it was Christmas, they exchanged gifts.
Linton didn't spend much time on this and set the same standard for everyone. He instructed his assistant to go to major luxury stores and buy each woman a bag of the latest model, various styles, and brands worth about $50,000, letting them choose.
The gifts the women gave Linton varied; most were suits, dresses, coats, and watches. Only Madonna gave him a Ferrari sports car.
Unfortunately, except for the coat and dress, the other items could only be used or worn privately at home, because of Linton's endorsement contracts that required exclusivity in public appearances.
Linton also took this opportunity to take out the top-grade white quartz pendants.
"My dears, this is the pendant I bought in Hong Kong. I'm going to carve one for each of you and give it as a gift. Please tell me what kind of carving you'd like."
"I like kittens."
"I like puppies."
"I like the Phoenix."
"I like cherry blossoms."
...
Everyone had different tastes, and Linton wrote them down carefully. Once his stabilization serum was perfected, these pendants could be engraved with talismans to become protective charms.
These charms could shield the wearer, dispel negative energies, nourish the mind, and beautify the skin. With the carved designs unique to each woman, they truly became supreme treasures tailored to them.
...
This was the most complete reunion of Linton's companions. The manor was filled with singing and laughter, the atmosphere joyful. The chef team also ensured sumptuous meals for Linton and the women.
...
After the feast, Linton took the girls to light fireworks on the lawn. The brilliant fireworks in the sky, coupled with the beautiful women below, painted a breathtaking scene.
It was a bit disappointing that Winnie was still reserved and refused to join the naked party with everyone. Yet she had made great progress compared to before. After the fireworks, amid the girls' laughter, she took the initiative to pull Linton into her room on the second floor for a private moment together...
Her sweet, melodious singing floated through the villa...
Two hours later, despite Linton's efforts to keep her, she kissed him goodbye, left the manor, and returned to her own home, telling him she would visit her parents the next day.
Such a unique, gentle, and considerate beauty! Her departure made Linton feel reluctant for the first time.
But he soon had no time to dwell on it, as twelve beauties rushed over and pulled him to the third floor.
Another exciting party began...
Beautiful choruses followed one after another...
...
For three straight days, Linton and the girls stayed in the manor, celebrating Christmas to their hearts' content.
They held parties in the pool, bedrooms, dance room, garden terrace...
Performed various adult-film-inspired stories in gyms, cinemas, studies, bathrooms...
Of course, props and costumes were essential during these events, ensuring everyone had the ultimate enjoyment and wonderful experiences.
With the girls' help, Linton's power became more flexible and smooth. He estimated that by late January or early February, his power could no longer improve further.
By then, he would be able to confidently refine his stabilization serum and survive the Thunder Trial.
*****
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