November 6.

  The longstandiation of the pany fueled the success of Lilo & Stitch, and for the first time, without a visible petitor causing trouble. The rivalry between panies had diminished Lux Animation, and now, with the shadow of a rival left behind, the fruits of success were evident. Following a 27 million opening in the first week, the film reached 49 million, easily c the minimum profit margins. Now, everything rofitable, and the maery began to run at full speed.

  Due to this success, the Lewis family was already being approached to participate in adapting the Narnia series. The lising price had started at 1.5 million, a respectable amount, and it was expected to reach 5 million as the animation phases progressed.

  -We have twenty-four days to release Ice Age. The process is still a hassle, - Billy murmured from his office. Monica was there, as beautiful as a swan, g her hands over Billy’s ics. She had only started retly, but she devoured as many as she could each day. She was fasated by what Billy created, his talent surpassing any writer or director she had ever known.

  It excited her.

  -I like Ice Age, - Monica remarked, smiling as she opehe door. Standing there was Billy’s supposed best friend—clumsy, shy, and talkative… but, acc to Billy, intelligent and very capable at his job.

  -I’m going to grab an herbal tea, - Monica said, leaving Billy’s office. She wore a short skirt, and high-heeled sandals that reached almost to her knees, and her walk, bined with the bck blouse she wore, was enting. Even Billy’s bodyguards couldn’t help but gaze at the boss’s beautiful woman—she was a delicious gem.

  -I think you’ve outdone yourself this time, - Raimon ented.

  -What are you talking about? -Billy replied.

  -Hunter x Hunter. What a deadly dark story. We’re only 20 chapters in, but I see so mas. Even the animators are hooked… it’s the Sm Dunk for the pany, - Raimon remarked.

  -Do you want the sneak peeks? - Billy asked.

  Raimon’s lip quivered.

  -Ahahahaha, you’re awful. I feel like reading ahead is going to e something I ’t afford, - Raimon said.

  There’s truth in his words, but he’s pletely wrong. It’s not that it costs anything; it’s the fact that Billy o py the politics within his pany to surprise his enemies. Now, using the remaining bullets in his chamber of ideas, he’s preparing to use one he’s beeant to deploy: secretly promoting Warner as the biggest film pany while sweeping the wsuit uhe rug, making it a public fa name only.

  -You read it, don’t worry, -{ Billy said, taking a seat while tinuing his writing. He po release 10 chapters of the Bleabsp;manga secutively in one week and equalize HxH with Bleach—meaning he had to publish 30 chapters by the end of the month.

  Raimon grabbed the ic, from volumes 28 to 33—they were his new panions in disc how incredible this series was. Billy had filled in gaps and improved everything from the artwork to the manga’s development, c more characters, and more stories, and opening up new plots, mysteries, and tribes. He expahe tent of the Dark ti with mystery and new cards.

  For now, the hunter’s stage was just beginning. Learning from Eiichiro Oda, using the characters is the best way to create greater opportuo expand the series. As such, he dedicated more time to the stories of Killua, Hanzo, Borodo, and the members who would participate in future plots. Some would die, others would live—it was the world of hunters.

  We bought the nd in San Jose and also the nearby hotel," Raimon ented, addi another iment to the future scheme of things. This is where a ercial hub would be born, lio the mega Star Wars studio and the animation museums in San Jose. In the ing years, tourism will bring in the money.

  -Sounds great, - Billy replied. "How’s the pany’s debt level?" he asked.

  -700 million. We’ve spent 540 million on that, but we have cash ing in from Microsoft until year. With the success of Lilo & Stitch, we’re pnning to adjust the payments, at least to bance assets and liabilities, - Raimon said, wiping his mustache. He had a clear idea of what to do and how to do it, and the iy was there. He decided to read his ic more slowly—something was ing.

  Silence again filled the office as Billy’s strokes were firm. He drew quickly ahodically, each line purposeful and precise. In ten minutes, Billy finished a page of Bleach, air-drying it before ying it oable and tinuing to the . The hunter’s storyline ig up pace, and Raimon was fully engrossed.

  ***

  Monica was leaving Billy’s office when she ran into Anne Hall. They were the same age, and to Monica, Anne was everything she would never be. She could see how Anne’s eyes stantly drifted to Billy, filled with a fraternal love, yet tinged with desire—something Moniew all too well.

  -Anne, so lovely to see you, dear, - Monica greeted, pnting a kiss on Anne’s lips, leaviuhe Italian model’s touch left Anne frozen ihe steaming coffee on the ter waiting.

  -Likewise, - Anne replied, trying to pose herself, but it was difficult in this situation. What an audacious and arrogant Italian, she thought, struggling to respond calmly.

  -Billy has told me all about you—an intelligent, capable, beautiful, and disciplined woman… you’re a true pride, - Monica said with a hint of jealousy, her simplicity masking her i. She had mao ule Anne for the sed time. Monica’s i in Anne urely educational—she wao know what the real retionship with Billy was. She had experimented with other women before; one more wouldn’t hurt. After all, it would only be kisses and caresses.

  -He’s been quite loose-lipped. I think he o carefully sider what he should and shouldn’t do, - Anne replied stiffly, as she usually did. She picked up the coffee from her table and took a long, weary sip.

  -That sounds amazing. He’s usually quiet at work and doesn’t allow interruptions in his meetings. He’s always traveling with a purpose in mind. His passion is outstanding; few men do things with such dedication as Billy. e to our home, dear! Have dinner with us, - Monica said. Her demeanor issued a challenge, and by the way, Anne responded, it was clear she took it as such. The two women locked eyes, both with a hint of disdain, each testing the other’s resolve. Anne would act with formality, but Monica reduced Ao a state of desire and warmth.

  -Of course, I’ll be with you! To-tonight… I’ll be there, - Aammered, her face flushed, with a grimace of disdain.

  Monica lifted her head slightly. Aiced her skirt—it was designer clothing, and she suspected that just the garment alone was worth a month’s sary. A surge of irritation rose in Anne as she realized how this woman was taking advantage of Billy, ed up iion of what this woman sought from Billy.

  -Bring the wine, - she muttered as she left the break room. A few people were in the distance, the tensioweewo women. The silence alpable. Monica, unfazed by the onlookers, delicately picked up a tea bag. As she stepped out for some fresh air, she felt the eyes on her back, a sensation she was all too familiar with.

  ***

  -I don’t think it’s wise to gh with that, - Raimon said.

  -You just o do it; it’s vital for our pany. Our position is just business, and besides, I’m fident that with the success of our films, expanding our position is the right move. I’ve already had a versation with the pany’s CEO, - Billy replied.

  -You’re talking to the CEO? - Raimon asked.

  ...