Chapter 14

This time, the negotiations for the publication of Jin Hyuntae and Dave's 'California Cultural Publishing' went surprisingly smoothly, something Jin Hyuntae had never expected. However, he was very satisfied with the outcome and was more than willing to accept it.

Indeed, such a good thing would only be rejected by a fool.

After Jin Hyuntae finished reviewing the contract and confirmed that there were no issues with its content, the remaining matters became much simpler. Both parties signed the contract, making it officially effective. At the same time, Dave fulfilled his earlier promise and paid a signing fee of 20,000 yuan.

"If possible, I think you should continue your studies in the future. After all, obtaining a university degree and having a higher level of education will give you more opportunities. Originally, you had to abandon your studies to work and support yourself and your child. But now, you don't have to worry about your livelihood anymore. I guarantee that after the novel is published, your current economic situation will be completely turned around. Therefore, I personally suggest that you should resume your studies."

These were the sincere words Dave said to Jin Hyuntae after the contract was signed.

Jin Hyuntae, of course, could appreciate and understand the good intentions in Dave's words and could hear the kindness in them.

"Thank you, Mr. Dave. I will definitely take your sincere advice to heart."

Dave extended his hand and shook Jin Hyuntae's hand firmly, giving it a vigorous shake.

"By the way, if you are looking for a new place to live, I can help you if you don't mind. I know a reputable real estate agent."

Jin Hyuntae looked at Dave with a bright and sunny smile and replied, "Thank you, Mr. Dave. I have the same idea."

Since Jin Hyuntae did not refuse his offer, Dave then took a business card from his desk drawer and handed it to Jin Hyuntae. This was a business card of a real estate agent, with the agent's name and contact information. If Jin Hyuntae needed to, he could contact the agent through the information on the card.

"If you need to, contact the person using the information on the card. If they ask, tell them I introduced you."

Jin Hyuntae nodded and carefully put the card away. After a brief conversation with Dave, he said goodbye and left the publishing house with his daughter.

After Jin Hyuntae left, Dave dismissed his secretary and lawyer from the office and then made a phone call.

When the call was connected, Dave gave his impression of Jin Hyuntae to the person on the other end. Since Dave had a good impression of Jin Hyuntae, he naturally spoke very sincerely, even with a slight bias.

"Mr. Nord, I met the young man. I feel he is very good, a very good young man. Although he is an orphan, he has not picked up any bad habits, and his mentality is not dark. He is a very diligent and hardworking child, but he has dropped out of school, which I personally find a bit regrettable..."

Indeed, the person on the other end of the call was Annie's butler, Nord.

Annie was aware that Jin Hyuntae was coming to the publishing house to discuss the publication. Therefore, she had instructed her butler Nord to ask Dave to use this meeting to understand and observe Jin Hyuntae.

As for why Annie wanted to do this, neither Nord nor Dave knew. But since Annie was the boss, even though they did not understand why she wanted to do this, Nord still instructed Dave to follow her wishes.

So, as soon as Jin Hyuntae left, Dave immediately called Nord.

Of course, some personal 'information' (falsely created by the alien elementary school student) about Jin Hyuntae was already in Annie's possession through Nord's connections.

However, these pieces of information were just text, and it was impossible to fully understand Jin Hyuntae through just text.

Therefore, this meeting with Dave was a good opportunity.

Through face-to-face conversation, Dave could gain a deeper understanding of Jin Hyuntae, which was much better than the cold text.

Nord listened to Dave's words and silently compared them with the information and '16-year life' experiences and personality descriptions of Jin Hyuntae in the documents. He found no significant discrepancies.

Therefore, it could be basically confirmed that the information and documents about Jin Hyuntae in their possession were consistent with the real Jin Hyuntae.

Of course, since Dave and Jin Hyuntae were not familiar and had only met once, it was unrealistic to say that he truly understood Jin Hyuntae.

However, at least through the information and documents, and Dave's evaluation from this meeting, they could basically determine what kind of person Jin Hyuntae was.

"Thank you very much for this. I will tell Miss Annie your evaluation. Oh, by the way, the promotion of the young man's novel will be handled by the publishing house."

Butler Nord spoke politely and reminded the other party to put effort into the promotion of the novel.

Dave quickly replied, "Not at all, not at all. This is just a small matter, not worthy of your thanks, Mr. Nord. As for the promotion of the novel, we will certainly do our best. To be honest, I personally have high hopes for this novel. It will definitely be a bestseller."

After a bit more conversation, Nord hung up the phone.

After all, from an outsider's perspective, Dave was a social elite with status and position, but compared to Nord, he was far behind.

Nord, though just a butler, served the Whitney family.

After ending the call, Nord crossed the large living room and came to the spacious bedroom, where Miss Annie was lying on a beanbag sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the lush greenery of Central Park and enjoying the sunlight.

"Hmm, it seems that Dave's evaluation confirms that the information we have is basically correct, with no significant discrepancies."

Annie slowly nodded, her face showing a lazy expression as she spoke to Nord.

Butler Nord stood quietly in place, slightly bowing, but in his heart, he was puzzled and confused about why his young mistress was so concerned about an Asian youth.

However, since this was a private matter of his young mistress, he could not ask. He just needed to follow her instructions.

As a butler who had served the Whitney family for three generations, Nord was very clear about what he should say and ask in such a family.

What Miss Annie was doing now was not something he could inquire about.

"Dave mentioned that the boy wants to move?"

Regarding Jin Hyuntae's intention to move, Dave had not overlooked it and had passed the information to Butler Nord, who then relayed it to Miss Annie.

Nord nodded, "Yes, when Dave was chatting with the young man, the latter revealed that the community where he currently rents is not very safe, with serious gang problems. Therefore, he is considering that living in such a place is not safe for himself and his child. Originally, due to poor economic conditions, the young man had to endure living in that community. However, now that the novel publication contract has been signed and Dave has given him a signing fee of 20,000 yuan, the young man has decided to move to a better environment. Of course, according to him, it is mainly for the sake of his child."

"For the sake of his child." Annie placed her hands on her small belly, lowered her head, and her gaze fell on her belly. Her cheeks were tinged with an alluring blush, and her face radiated a mysterious feminine glow.

Miss Annie was becoming more womanly, no longer as cold as before.

Looking at her, enveloped in a feminine aura, Nord silently marveled in his heart.

"Uncle Nord, I remember that in Los Angeles, I have a few properties, right?"

Regarding Dave's special treatment of giving Jin Hyuntae, a newcomer, a signing fee of 20,000 yuan, Annie was very satisfied.

She thought Dave had done a good job.

At the same time, she considered that since Jin Hyuntae wanted to move, helping him a bit should not be a problem.

As for the reason, even Annie herself could not explain it clearly. Her mindset was very complex.

Well, let's just say it's a way to thank him for providing the sperm, or as a way to help the child in her womb, who would never meet his (her) father.

Yes, yes, that's it!

She was just compensating for the child's father.

Alright, Annie quickly found a lame excuse for herself. Though the excuse was lame, as long as it could deceive and comfort herself, it was fine.

"Yes, Miss, in Beverly Hills, there is a 200-acre villa estate, and in Laguna Beach, there is a seaside vacation villa."

Butler Nord promptly informed Annie about the properties in Los Angeles.

After hearing the butler's words, Annie's golden eyebrows furrowed, and her delicate nostrils twitched.

Clearly, these two properties would not help Jin Hyuntae.

It was simple; could Jin Hyuntae afford to rent such properties?

Even if Annie were to give them to Jin Hyuntae for free, why would she give such a big favor to someone she had never met?

This would raise many suspicions.

And Annie did not want to reveal herself to Jin Hyuntae.

"Uncle Nord, help me buy a property in Santa Monica Beach. The property doesn't need to be too luxurious or too large. After buying it, rent it to the young man. The rent can be a bit cheaper..."

However, such a small problem could not stump this super-rich and beautiful woman. Annie instantly thought of a solution.

"Yes, Miss." Butler Nord responded respectfully.