Devil’s Music

A week later.

Arthur managed to produce the prototype much earlier than the originally promised time. With the help of a professional designer, the watch passed the test of Alisher Usmanov.

In fact, Alisher Usmanov had already made up his mind at the same time Geon's investment was confirmed, so he wasn't particularly concerned about the quality of Arthur's prototype.

On the day the investment was decided, Arthur's parents, who were worried about him, came all the way to London and waited outside the office where the investment decision was being made. Seeing Arthur's bright smile as he left the office, his parents cheered.

That evening, Arthur, slightly tipsy, fiddled with his mobile phone after guiding his parents to their hotel room and having a toast with them.

He remembered the conversation he had with Alisher Usmanov during the investment decision meeting.

In the huge, luxurious conference room, where blinds blocked out the sunlight, and sitting alone at the end of the long table with a nervous expression, Arthur faced Alisher Usmanov, who was sitting at the opposite end of the table and smiled.

"The investment has been decided. It will be the same amount as Kay's, and we will talk about the investment share negotiation later."

A secretary quickly approached and handed over the investment decision contract, a simple document that didn't need much reading as it outlined the amount and the part about shares being determined later through additional contracts. Arthur signed it immediately, his tension relieved as he leaned back in his chair and sighed.

Soon, Alisher Usmanov, who had approached him, tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Now, we must do this properly, right? The prototype is just that, a prototype. You know it can’t be commercialized as it is, right?"

Arthur stood up, resolute, and replied, "Of course, I understand. I will work hard so that you won't regret investing in us."

"Ha-ha, I hope that determination doesn't change."

"Thank you very much for this opportunity, Mr. Alisher Usmanov."

"Hmm... It would be more appropriate to thank Kay, actually."

"Ah, yes! I am indeed very thankful to Kay."

"Hmm... Actually, the decisive reason for investing in you was because of Kay. Once his investment was confirmed, all the directors of Arsenal Holdings had no reason to oppose it. It’s rare to decide on an investment unanimously, even if it’s a small amount."

"Is that so?"

"Do you not know what it means for Kay to invest?"

Arthur, taken aback by the unexpected question, stuttered.

"That... I know that celebrities also engage in personal business or investments... wasn’t this part of that?"

Alisher Usmanov crossed his arms and laughed.

"That's true, but you're slightly off the mark. Kay is a global star. That he has invested means he might become a major shareholder, right? That implies we can receive marketing support from Kay. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Ah... yes, like getting help with advertising."

Alisher Usmanov smirked and continued.

"You still don't quite grasp it, do you? Kay has only done three commercials so far. First, he signed with Korea's SJT Group for $15 million, then with Germany's Merced Benz for $34 million, and he got $70 million from a contract with the US government."

Being widely reported news, Arthur nodded, aware of it.

"It was impressive."

Alisher Usmanov smiled with his eyes and said, "You created the brand, and Kay invested in it. That essentially gives you a free pass to request unlimited commercials from The Lake. We estimate its value to exceed $200 million."

Arthur stood up, shocked.

"2... $200 million?"

"Yes, and that’s why there was a strong argument in the Arsenal Holdings board to invest more than Kay, to secure more shares."

Realizing only now that the investment could have been higher, Arthur asked with a puzzled look, "Then why is the investment the same?"

Alisher Usmanov placed a hand on his shoulder and explained.

"It was Kay's decision. During the investment decision meeting, we had a call with Kay."

"Ka... Kay opposed raising the investment?"

Seeing Arthur's disappointed expression, Alisher Usmanov chuckled.

"You’re new to business, Mr. Arthur Hodgeson. A higher investment means the company takes more shares.

Since you have no initial investment funds, that means Arsenal Holdings would have a greater influence over your brand, The Lake, especially if it succeeds, which could eventually hold you back."

Arthur's eyes widened with ignorance, and Alisher Usmanov continued with a smile.

"Kay was worried about that. The investment you received is enough to start the company. Any more could actually be harmful later.

He requested to keep the investment moderate, and that’s why we dismissed the directors' opinions

to increase it."

Arthur, who had felt momentarily disappointed in Kay, reproached himself.

"Ah... Kay did it for me..."

"Ha-ha, yes."

"Ah... It’s really something to be thankful for. I was unaware..."

"Enough self-reproach. Now is the time to work hard. If you really want to thank Kay, then fulfill the conditions he asked for. That’s the only way you can repay him."

"Conditions...? Oh, it was about learning to play the drums, right?"

"Yes, exactly."

Arthur furrowed his brow and asked.

"Did you hear why he asked me to learn the drums?"

Alisher Usmanov, recalling the vision shown by Pyemon, shook his head.

"No, I haven't heard anything about that."

Arthur slumped back into his seat and said.

"Phew... drums... I’ve never been interested before, so I’m worried."

"He-he, don’t think of it just as a hobby. Try your best."

"Yes... I must."

Sitting on the hotel room bed, Arthur fiddled with his phone and searched for a number. He stared at Geon’s number on the display for a while before nervously pressing the call button. After a few rings, Geon answered the phone with a slightly bright voice.

"Hello, Arthur?"

Arthur swallowed and stuttered.

"Is... is this Kay’s phone?"

"Ha-ha, yes."

"Ke, Kay... It’s Arthur."

"Ha-ha, I said that as soon as I picked up."

"Oh, did you? Tha... the investment has been decided."

"I know, congratulations, Arthur."

"Th, thank you so much. I don’t know how I can repay you..."

"I didn’t do much, just work hard and repay me with success."

"Yes, yes! Of course! An... and."

"Yes, go ahead."

"I’m going to a drum school starting tomorrow morning. I’ll try my best to repay Kay."

"Ha-ha, good."

"But... may I know why I need to learn drums?"

"He-he, you might find out tomorrow."

"What? To, tomorrow?"

"Ha-ha, don’t get so absorbed in drumming that you neglect your watch brand, okay?"

"Th, that won’t happen. That’s my main job."

"He-he, we’ll see about that. Anyway, work hard and keep in touch."

"Ye, yes... I will!"

"Yes, then I’ll talk to you later."

"Ye, yes! Th, thank you!"

Arthur continued to bend over in the empty hotel room until the call ended.

He then saw himself in the mirror, startled, and straightened up. Still not quite believing it, he looked down at his phone and burst into a broad smile, lying sprawled on the bed. Looking up at the ceiling, which seemed exceptionally beautiful today, Arthur punched the air and shouted.

"Yes!! Let's do everything, whether it's drums or launching the brand!"

* * *

The next day, after a quick lunch at the hotel, Arthur headed to the drum school that Alisher Usmanov had mentioned. The drum school, just five minutes from the Arsenal Holdings building, taught not only drums but also seemed to offer guitar, bass, keyboard, and vocal lessons as well.

Seeing many students, apparently majoring in practical music, carrying their instruments around the academy, Arthur, older than most students, hesitated before tentatively opening the glass door of the academy with a careful touch.

Two men at a small desk in the academy's lobby stood up as he entered.

"How can I help you?"

Arthur, still not fully inside, said from the doorway,

"I’m here to start learning drums today."

One of the men approached and asked,

"Ah, is that so? Please come in. What's your name?"

"Ah, Arthur Hodgeson."

"Ah, the person Arsenal Holdings called about. Please have a seat over here."

"Th... thank you."

He led Arthur to a small meeting room. As Arthur admired the wooden interior decor alone, a man brought in coffee and sat opposite him.

"I’m Wayne Shelton, the drum instructor here at SNMA Academy."

Arthur accepted the coffee and introduced himself.

"Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Arthur Hodgeson."

"Ha-ha, and how are you related to Arsenal Holdings?"

"Ah... should I say business partners?"

"Business partners?"

"Yes, they are investors in my business."

Wayne tilted his head and asked,

"They got you a drum lesson unlimited pass as a business partner?"

Arthur, slightly startled, asked,

"What’s an unlimited pass?"

"Normally, the academy offers one hour of lesson per week, and the rest is for personal practice. But you have a free pass, which means you can take lessons whenever you want, even up to eight hours a day, seven days a week."

"Ah... I see."

"It seems hospitality towards business partners is beyond

my understanding, ha-ha. Since you’re busy, we’ll just take a tour of the academy today and do some basic training. Come this way."

"Ah, yes, yes."

Following Wayne through a soundproof door opposite the lobby entrance to the practice rooms, Arthur grimaced. Wayne noticed his expression as they passed rooms filled with music from various instruments.

"It's noisy, isn't it? But don’t worry, you won’t hear this noise once you’re in a private practice room."

Arthur grimaced as he heard drumming from a closed private practice room. After passing several rooms, he frowned more deeply at one door and pointed.

"The person in this room must be quite new to drumming."

Wayne looked at the door and shook his head slightly.

"Um, no. They’ve been practicing for about a year."

Seeing Arthur's face scrunch up even more, Wayne asked with a puzzled look,

"Why do you say that?"

Arthur waved his hands as if to say it was nothing.

"Ah, it's nothing. Let's go."

Shrugging, Wayne turned away, and Arthur, unseen, covered his ears and grimaced, thinking to himself,

'What kind of rhythm is this? It’s completely off! More than three hundredths of a second off!'

>

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