Chapter 67
Grandma was again in Uncle Charlie's house.
She was looking at the money in the fund at the end of 2000—her $11.5 million—with a very large grin.
"You really are the best thing that ever happened in my life, sweetheart," she said to me.
"Wow, high praise," I thought. I had never seen Grandma praise anyone like that. But then again, no one had ever given her $11.5 million in a year—without her needing to do any work.
Charlie and Dad said in unison, "Thanks, Mom."
Grandma looked exasperated at both of them. "If you two only gave me half the pride, I'd already be satisfied."
"Thanks again, Mom," they both replied.
"Hey Grandma, I have other ideas. And those ideas require a company," I said.
"Jake, you're 13," Dad said, surprised.
"Yeah, that's why I need someone to do it. Grandma, I need a very capable CEO. Two things matter most: capable and trustworthy."
I paused for a second, then added, "Initially, I was thinking about getting into the movie business. There's a lot of money to be made, and I already have a few script ideas. But that's just the beginning. I want a company flexible enough to invest in different areas."
Few times had I seen Grandma with such a serious expression. She looked at me for a moment and then nodded.
"I have a few options," she said. "And I need to make some calls."
—
The next morning, Grandma was back.
"Oh, Mom is back," Charlie said, glaring at me.
Grandma just rolled her eyes.
Then she looked at me and said, "I have three names. None of them will be easy to convince. Jared and Davis are directors at Comcast. Virginia used to be a director at Warner. She might be the easiest one to reach, since she's currently available."
"But which one is the best?" I asked.
Grandma took a breath. "Jared is the most strategic, very connected. Davis is a bulldog, great at execution. Virginia... she's the youngest, and with the least experience. But she's sharp, understands creative industries, and—most importantly—she's the one I would trust the most."
I nodded. "Then let's start with Virginia."
—
That afternoon, Grandma and I went to meet Virginia at a quiet café in Beverly Hills. The place was classy but low-profile, perfect for serious conversations.
Virginia was already there when we arrived, dressed in a professional but modern outfit, sipping a cappuccino while scanning something on her tablet.
I was freezing. My brain was screaming, That's Pepper Potts from Iron Man!
She looked up as we approached, offering a firm but polite smile. "Evelyn Harper. And this must be Jake Harper."
"Pleasure to meet you," I said mechanically.
Grandma greeted her with a warm smile. "Virginia, dear."
"Evelyn, just call me Pepper," she replied, smiling. "I got used to the nickname."
Grandma raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Well, it does suit you."
I was hyperventilating a little. I thought, What the hell is going on? Now there's Marvel here? What am I supposed to do if Thanos shows up? Tell him a joke? Ask Uncle Charlie to sleep with his daughter? Get Dad to lecture him?
"Do you, by any chance, know Tony Stark?" I asked bluntly, out nowhere
Pepper looked surprised but answered, "Tony Stark? I don't know anyone with that name." She paused for a second. "Wait, is he the Iron Man or something like that? I remember seeing my nephew reading a Marvel comic about him. But he's not very well known..."
Grandma looked at me weirdly.
"Sorry, I just wanted to know how wide your knowledge is. Or how you'd respond to a weird question," I said, trying to defuse the awkwardness.
The three of us sat down for coffee.
I cleared my throat. "I'll get straight to the point. I want to create a company, and I want you to be its CEO. We'll start with movies."
"And why would I do that?" she asked seriously.
"I will give you 10% of the company. Grandma gets 5%. Harper Fund 10%. And I will keep 75%." I paused. "That would be the best deal of your life. I know it's hard to believe coming from a 13-year-old. But it is what it is."
"I want half. And I want to know more about your ideas," said Pepper.
I shook my head. "The split is non-negotiable. I'm already being very generous with the 10%." Then I raised my hand, holding her gaze. "Five years. In five years, your share will be worth at least one billion dollars."
Pepper laughed. "You do dream big." She leaned forward slightly. "You know that I need more than that."
I looked at Grandma, and she nodded.
I took a folder from my backpack and slid it across the table to Pepper. It was a detailed report on the Harper Management Fund—our year-end performance and our total AUM (Assets Under Management).
She raised an eyebrow and began reading, her expression slowly shifting from amused to intrigued.
She said, incredulous, "You people put a 13-year-old in charge of a fifty million dollar fund? And this... this obscene return?"
"All his doing," Grandma finally said.
"Hey Pepper, give it a shot," I said. "One year is all I ask."
Pepper began tapping her fingers on the table, murmuring, "I was planning to take this year off..."
"One year. I give you one year. If you don't impress me, I'm out. And I'll even return half of my promised share," she said firmly. "And I want in on the fund too."
"Okay. You can enter with your own money," I replied.
------
I didn't want to drag the negotiation. So, let put to the sitcom logic
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