Chapter 119: A Seat on the Board
Morgan's Retreat was one of the many mansions owned by Henry. It was his favorite—a secluded paradise perched on the cliffs of Big Sur, a place where the world seemed to disappear. The mansion clung to the edge of the coastline, its sleek architecture merging with the jagged rocks and endless ocean below. It was a fortress of glass, stone, and wood, with sharp lines and open spaces that made it feel like it was part of the landscape.
From every room, the Pacific Ocean stretched out, a vast, unbroken expanse of blue that seemed to go on forever. The mansion was set far from any other home, its isolation complete. You could look down the coast for miles and see nothing but cliffs and waves.
Henry had spared no expense when it came to amenities. There was a private cinema tucked into the lower level. Outside, there was an infinity pool that seemed to spill over the edge of the cliffs, the water blending seamlessly into the ocean below. On clear days, you could lie in the pool, gaze out over the Pacific, and feel like you were part of the sea itself.
It was the cliffside boardroom that made this place truly special—the room where I'd be meeting Reed Hastings, the co-founder and co-CEO of Netflix. The boardroom's walls were mostly glass, offering an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean, with waves crashing against the jagged cliffs below.
I had rented this place from Henry as a mini-vacation for Margot and me, but also to conduct some important business. I needed to meet Reed in person, and this was the perfect setting for such a meeting. I had to keep up appearances, after all—I did own 4 percent of his company.
My involvement with Netflix started back in 2009, when I finally had serious money in my hands. That year, I made a bold investment, purchasing over 10 million shares at around $6 per share. I paid around $60 million to own a 3 percent stake in Netflix. Over the last two years, I had bought even more stock, and now my holdings amounted to 4 percent. My stock was currently worth around $186 million, and if everything went according to plan, it would be worth billions in the near future.
My goal wasn't just to be a passive shareholder—I wanted a seat on the board. I hadn't made any such demands yet, but this year, things were going to change. I planned to develop my IPs into exclusive content for Netflix, and I was quite confident it would help them grow even faster than they had in my previous life.
I was already thinking of ideas. A Percy Jackson animated series was one of them. Game of Thrones was another. There were so many possibilities, and I knew Hastings would see the value in aligning Netflix with these projects.
Reed couldn't avoid this meeting as well. My request for it was polite, and given the size of my stake in the company, he had no choice but to accept.
I stood up from the couch and made my way toward the pool, where Margot was gracefully swimming through the water. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the horizon, making the view from the cliffside even more stunning. But my attention was drawn elsewhere.
My eyes were immediately on the skimpy black bikini she wore, which left little to the imagination. The wet fabric clung to her curves like a second skin. Her blonde hair was slicked back, water droplets clinging to her long lashes and full, pouty lips.
She noticed me watching, a playful smile forming on her lips. "Enjoying the view?" she teased, leaning against the pool's edge, her arms resting on the stone as she tilted her head up to look at me.
"Always," I said with a grin, stepping closer to the water. "The sunset has some competition."
"Come on in," she called out. "The water's perfect."
I hesitated, my eyes raking over her wet, glistening body. "I can't," I said, my voice hoarse. "I have a meeting, remember?"
Margot pouted playfully, her arms folded on the ledge, her breasts pressed together. "Hurry back," she said in a low, sultry voice.
I quickly turned and walked into the mansion, eager to get this meeting done as quickly as possible.
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As I walked in, I saw Julie, my PA, approaching me. "Mr. Hastings is here," she said, her tone calm.
"Ah, great," I replied with a nod. "Show him into the boardroom."
Julie turned to leave but paused as I called out to her again. "Jules," I said, and she glanced back at me.
"After my meeting with Hastings, you can head out too," I added. "Also, make sure no one bothers me for a week."
She nodded, though a hint of surprise flashed across her face.
"Wasn't this trip supposed to be just for three days?" she asked.
"I changed my mind," I said with a smirk.
Julie, ever the professional, nodded once more and continued on her way.
I made my way to the boardroom. As I stepped inside, the breathtaking view hit me all over again. The boardroom was surrounded by glass on all sides, with the Pacific Ocean stretching endlessly into the distance. The setting sun bathed everything in a warm, golden light, casting a fiery reflection across the ocean's surface. From the elevated position of the cliffside, it felt like I was perched at the very edge of the world, with nothing but the sky and sea before me.
I took my seat at the head of the table, glancing out at the horizon as I waited for Reed Hastings to enter.
The door opened, and Julie stepped aside to allow Hastings into the boardroom. The silver-haired man spotted me immediately, a wide smile spreading across his face as he made his way toward me.
"Ah, Mr. Adler, it's great to meet you in person," Hastings said, extending his hand.
"Likewise, Mr. Hastings," I replied, gripping his hand firmly. "Please, sit," I gestured toward the seat across from me.
"Thanks for making the time to come all the way out here," I said with a smile.
Hastings chuckled. "Well, Mr. Adler, when one of our major shareholders calls, it's hard to ignore." He glanced around the room, clearly taken by the surroundings. "And I can see why you chose this spot. It's… breathtaking."
"I'm glad you like it," I said, leaning back slightly. "It belongs to a friend of mine, Henry Morgan. You might've heard of him."
Hastings nodded. "Yes, I'm familiar with Mr. Morgan."
"Well," I continued, my smile fading as I got down to business, "let's get straight to it."
Hastings looked at me expectantly.
"I want in on the board, Mr. Hastings," I said, my tone firm. The last rays of the sun cast deep shadows over my face, making the moment feel even more serious.
Hastings didn't flinch, nor did he seem surprised. In fact, he nodded almost immediately. "I've been waiting for you to ask. To be honest, I'm surprised you didn't push for this sooner, given your position."
He paused briefly, as though weighing his words. "I'll personally see to it that this is handled at the AGM meeting this June. Your candidacy will be part of the official vote. I have no doubt you'll have the support of the board and the other shareholders," he added confidently.
I nodded slowly, taking in his response. This was the result I had anticipated. Hastings' affirmation was more of a formality than anything else—I already knew the seat was mine.
But I wasn't done yet. There was more to discuss.
"Well, now that's out of the way," I said, leaning forward slightly. "Let's talk about something we both enjoy—making good entertainment and, of course, making money."
Hastings chuckled, his eyes lighting up with interest. "Of course, Mr. Adler. What do you have in mind?"
"You know, Mr. Hastings, I see Netflix as the future," I began, my tone confident. "I see it as something that's going to change the way people consume movies and TV shows. That's why I want to create content for it."
Hastings smiled broadly. "There were some in the company who wanted to approach you about this," he admitted.
"Well, here I am, coming to you first," I said, matching his smile.
"As you may know, I have a very famous IP in my hands—the Percy Jackson series. It has millions of fans all around the world, especially in the teenage demographic."
Hastings' eyes widened slightly as I mentioned Percy Jackson. "My fans have been clamoring for more content. I've got five books, each one a goldmine waiting to be adapted for these hungry fans."
"You're proposing an adaptation of the books?" Hastings asked, his voice hopeful.
"Not live-action," I said, shaking my head slightly. "What I have in mind is an animated series, with each season adapting one book. So, we're looking at five seasons in total."
Hastings leaned back, considering the idea. "An animated series could appeal to a broad audience."
"Exactly," I said. "And I don't want just any animation. I want something that appeals to younger audiences but has the depth and complexity to keep older viewers hooked too. This needs to be a project people talk about for years."
"The budget needs to reflect that," I continued. "This isn't some low-tier project. I'm talking about top-tier animation, high production values, and a serious promotional push."
Hastings nodded eagerly. "Of course. Nothing short of the best. We can do that."
"This is just the beginning, though," I added, my voice dropping slightly as I leaned forward. "There's more I want to bring to the table."
"Please, do tell," Hastings said, clearly eager.
"I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Recently, a book series has been making waves—a bestseller. You might've heard of it. A Game of Thrones."
Hastings' face lit up with recognition. "I'm a huge fan," he said. "That book is incredible. I've been following it closely."
I smiled. "Ah, you see, I wrote it."
Hastings' smile faltered for a moment, his mind piecing together what I'd just said. He stared at me, his expression blank for a second before his eyes widened. "Wait… That means—"
"Yes," I interrupted. "I am George R.R. Martin. Imagine what we could do with a series based on those books as well. All exclusive to Netflix."
Hastings leaned back in his chair, clearly stunned. Then, a wide grin spread across his face as the realization hit him. "Mr. Adler," he said, shaking his head in amazement, "I think you and I are going to make a lot of money together."
He extended his hand across the table, and I met it with mine.
"Yes," I said gleefully. "Yes, we are."
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As soon as Hastings left, I walked towards the pool area. The sun had set and I felt the cool air of the sea on my skin. As I rounded the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat at the sight before me.
There, by the pool, lay Margot, completely nude, her body glistening with water under the soft moonlight. She was on her front, her elbows propped on the ground, her back arching slightly, her ass round and firm, dripping with water. Her breasts were visible, pressed together by her arms, their fullness and the hardness of her nipples on full display. Her skin was slick and shiny, steam rising from the heated pool, creating a haze around her.
Her blonde hair was wet and swept to one side, dripping water onto the stone tiles beneath her. She turned her head to look at me, her gaze locked onto me. She raised one hand, her index finger curling in a silent, beckoning gesture, calling me to her.
I obeyed like a moth to a flame, unable to resist.
It was going to be a long night.
.
.
I will be taking a break for a week.
The next chapter will be on the 27th.
You can read up to chapter 129
p.a.t.r.eon.com/Illusiveone (check the chapter summary i have it there as well)
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