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Chapter 66 - Chapter 66 – Marmot Company and the Future

"Isa, setting up an agency in our country is actually very simple…"

The moment he got Vivian's call, Valentine O'Connor came rushing over with a stack of papers in hand. Smiling, he began explaining to his old client how the British talent agency world worked — which, of course, was also why he'd warned her earlier. He didn't know who was targeting Isabella, or whether the thieves were after her in particular, but he did know that making one phone call cost nothing, and Warner Bros. wasn't exactly a company anyone wanted to mess with.

And, well, his gamble paid off — the business came rolling back in.

Through his explanation, Isabella got a glimpse of the U.K.'s agency landscape:

There are nearly ten thousand agencies across the British Isles.

Two reasons for this.

First, theater culture is huge in the U.K., and all stage tours require agency coordination. To keep the profits in-house, every theater company is registered with agency functions, making touring simpler.

Second, Britain's pop and fashion scenes are both enormous. London is a fashion capital, home to one of the Big Four fashion weeks. The result? Agencies breed like rabbits.

British agencies face almost no restrictions when signing artists.

Ten-year contracts? Legal.

Twenty-five percent commissions? Still legal.

That's because of the stability demanded by theater. Theaters can't keep swapping actors every year, so those long contracts are a legacy of stage tradition — what Hollywood bans, Britain embraces.

After understanding all that, Isabella began brainstorming a name for her new company.

After a brief discussion, she decided on Marmots — the groundhog.

Yeah. She's got a thing for furry animals now.

Once the name was set, the rest was easy.

Her mom Vivian remained general manager, while all the legal registration, accounting, and paperwork were handed off to Valentine — the shiny bald man who'd already proven his loyalty. Until he officially turned traitor, Isabella would "keep trusting him."

Well… mostly because she didn't have that many people she could trust anyway.

The entertainment industry was small — and full of devils.

Since registering the agency took three days, the group went home to wait.

During that time, young Margot Robbie brought her mom over to meet them.

Her mother was a typical white woman — skin a bit rough and flushed, probably from overwork — but full of enthusiasm. The moment she saw Isabella, she grabbed the girl's hand and thanked her nonstop for choosing her daughter.

When she learned the company Margot signed with was Isabella's own, she got even more excited, practically ready to sign on the spot.

Honestly, the scene looked a little like—

"Mom, why does it feel like Margot's mom is doing human trafficking?"

Catherine, sitting nearby, watched as the woman eagerly chatted with her daughter and Isabella, looking more like a broker than a parent.

Vivian raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Remember the summer three years ago?"

"I 'sold' Isabella to J.K. Rowling the exact same way."

"…"

Catherine gave her mom a look.

To Vivian, Margot's mother was her from three years ago.

Any loving mother wants her child to have a better life.

Every 'sale' like this is just a quiet kind of self-blame — for not being capable enough.

Catherine sighed, leaned against her mother, and idly traced invisible shapes on her palm.

Meanwhile, Isabella and Margot's mom finished their talk.

When the contract was signed—

"Okay, Margot. From today, you're my girl."

As the fresh ink dried, Isabella smiled.

The contract was for six years — right until Margot turned eighteen. Long, yes, but the commission was only 10% of Margot's total income. Assuming Margot made a million a year, the agency's cut — a hundred grand — would easily cover her management expenses.

Because Isabella didn't plan to profit off the agency.

Her goal was simple: as long as Marmot Agency could sustain itself, all real profits would flow to her main company — Beaver Productions (Since it was translated as Coypu in the past, I will go back and edit it to the new name.).

Then she took out another file.

"Margot, here are two projects. If you're interested, I'll call Disney."

The printouts came from an email Robert Iger had sent — projects titled The Game Plan and Enchanted.

Yes.

If she was going to build her own network, and if British agencies could legally hold long-term contracts, then Isabella already had a business plan for her future:

Use Marmot to sign promising talent. Use her Hollywood influence to secure them projects. Have Beaver Productions co-produce those projects.

That way, she'd achieve both teamwork and profit — without exploiting anyone.

And for anyone wondering when she'd find the time to make movies herself?

Please.

Who said a production company actually has to produce films?

Eighty percent of "production companies" in Hollywood are just shells for revenue-sharing!

Their entire job is to exist in the credits so they can get paid.

Why would studios agree to that? Simple.

"Oh~ Isa, these two projects are great! I love them both!"

Margot's eyes were sparkling. She hadn't expected Isabella to already have roles lined up for her.

The Game Plan first, Queen Bee in the middle, Enchanted to close —

This kind of treatment didn't exist anywhere else in Hollywood.

Scratch that — anywhere on Earth.

"Okay, I'll call Bob now."

Ignoring the time difference, Isabella phoned Disney's young dragon, Robert Iger.

She told him she'd started an agency, signed the breakout villain from The Voice, and wanted projects for her new artist.

Iger immediately caught on.

"Okay, Isa. Which projects do you want?"

Isabella didn't hesitate: The Game Plan and Enchanted.

She added that she'd even attend her artists' premieres — no matter how busy she got.

That was all Iger needed to hear.

"Isa, I get it. I can give Margot The Game Plan, but I'll need you as a credited producer. For that, I'll offer you 2.5% of total profits, and I'll classify your cut as production income."

"As for Enchanted…"

"Eh… that one's not ready yet. Let's talk later, okay? You said Margot's doing Queen Bee with Paramount next year — I've read that novel, the heroine's a bit rebellious. Depending on how that goes, Disney might not want her as our princess type. You understand — brand image and all."

"But if she's good, we'll develop something more fitting later. You can always call me directly if you've got ideas."

And that was that.

Why was Isabella earning money for doing nothing?

Because she had a name.

"Executive Producer" titles are basically golden tickets in Hollywood.

You lend your name for marketing, they pay you for prestige.

Done.

Of course, that game can backfire.

If the movie tanks, your reputation tanks with it.

Like a certain once-revered "heroic" martial arts film that torpedoed a famous director's career.

But Isabella wouldn't have that problem — because she only put her name on her own projects, the ones she knew were safe.

With The Game Plan, Queen Bee, and Enchanted all guaranteed box office hits, there was no way she'd crash.

After all, she was working from memory of a past life — and in this business, that was the ultimate cheat code.

And when she couldn't star in every great project herself?

Well, let's be real — being a "producer in name only" was basically free money.

Since Iger agreed so readily, the talks went smoothly. Before hanging up, he even said he'd reach out to Dwayne Johnson to see if The Game Plan could start filming within three months and release by Christmas.

Once that call ended, Isabella dialed up Paramount.

When the production manager heard that Margot Robbie was now Isabella's signed artist, he instantly saw an opportunity to capitalize on her fame and said,

"Oh, Isa, I get it. Your company co-produces, you get producer credit — no problem. Simple to handle. We'll do the accounting. How about 2%?"

Isabella: "But Bob offered me 2.5%."

"Bob?" The manager blinked.

"Yeah," Isabella said. "Didn't you say Queen Bee won't start filming soon? So I called Disney and got Margot another project first — a family film starring Dwayne Johnson. I'll be producing that too."

"Then Bob said the total investment for that film is at most twenty million, so I think it's very likely to make a profit."

"Okay, three percent, across the board," said the Paramount manager, understanding immediately.

Isabella continued, "What if the film grosses a hundred million?"

"Uh… four percent. We can include that increase in the contract."

"Alright, then let's find a time to sign it."

"No problem, we'll draft the contract and come to London to meet you… ma'am?"

Three projects, two phone calls—it all took Isabella twenty minutes.

Her smooth, effortless negotiation left little Robbie completely stunned.

And when Isabella cheerfully tossed her phone aside, that graceful, confident gesture made the girl blurt out, "Sister Isa… so it's that easy for you to land a project?"

"Oh—it's not that it's easy for me to land one—"

"Then it's…?"

"It's that it's always easy for powerful people to land projects."

Isabella smiled. "Margot, once you have enough commercial value, Hollywood becomes a simple game."

The little beaver winked at Robbie.

With business wrapped up, she went to rest, and that bright, carefree figure walking away made Robbie feel as though a sun had risen before her—dazzling, radiant.

Since the company was being established and the contracts signed in London, Isabella and her family were staying at their house in Mayfair.

Maybe it had been vacant too long? Or maybe London's fickle weather was to blame? Even though Vivian had hired cleaners to tidy the place regularly, many things in the house still showed obvious signs of aging.

The sight made Vivian feel a pang of regret.

Most of the furniture had been picked out by her own hand.

Now that they were cracking and going moldy, she couldn't help but feel the years slipping away.

However—

"Ugh, Mom, stop obsessing over that stuff already—"

Isabella sighed. "Even the strongest steel weakens with time."

"There's only one thing in this world that never changes."

"What's that?" Vivian asked, curious.

"Me," Isabella said matter-of-factly. "Your daughter's cuteness is eternal."

"…"

Vivian rolled her eyes at her daughter.

"Come here."

She beckoned to her.

"What for?"

Leaning on the sofa, Isabella shrank back, half-expecting her mother to smack her.

Vivian merely tapped the kitchen counter and said, "Since you're free, come help me cook. It's been ages since I made anything."

That was something Isabella could handle.

Still, as she stepped into the kitchen, she muttered, "So… we're not gonna get food poisoning, right?"

"…"

At that moment, Vivian really wanted to smack her.

Amid the chatter and noise, people from Disney and Paramount began to arrive.

On January 19, 2003, the three parties officially signed the employment contracts in London.

Disney invited Margot Robbie to play the female lead in The Game Plan, with a salary of $100,000.

If the box office hit $100 million, she'd receive a $300,000 bonus.

Paramount invited Margot Robbie to star in Queen Bees, with pay depending on results.

If The Game Plan reached $100 million at the box office, Robbie would earn $500,000 for Queen Bees. If not, her maximum pay would be $200,000.

If Queen Bees itself grossed over $100 million, she'd get another $300,000 bonus.

If it hit $200 million, the bonus would rise to a full million.

Not bad at all.

Still, not every project was Harry Potter.

A sure-fire hit like that came maybe once a decade in the whole industry.

Isabella's own $300,000 payday wasn't because she deserved that much—it was because Harry Potter's budget could afford it. Simple as that.

Of course, if Robbie's next two films both crossed $100 million, then after Queen Bee, her asking price could jump past $3 million—and with the right big commercial film, even $5 million wasn't impossible.

That's just how show business works—pricing is all about confidence.

If you've got talent and you believe you're worth it, you can try asking for it.

Whether investors agree… that's another story.

"Mrs. Haywood, Isa, Keisha, Margot—since the contracts are signed, we'll head back."

"We've already been in touch with Dwayne Johnson. He's filming MGM's Walking Tall right now—it should wrap in May, so we'll likely start shooting around June or July."

"Keep in touch—we'll come get her when it's time."

The Disney production rep pointed at Robbie.

Everyone nodded. "No problem."

After shaking hands and parting amicably, the Disney manager suddenly slapped his forehead. "Oh right, Isa—Bob told me to remind you to check out NBC tonight."

"What? Why?"

"Because the 60th Golden Globe Awards are tonight. Hollywood's been in chaos thanks to you—don't you want to see the results?"

The Disney manager winked.

That teasing smile left Isabella speechless.

Why was everyone blaming her for what happened?

Were these people even polite?

Still…

After rolling her eyes and seeing them off, Isabella went back inside and opened her laptop.

She searched for the live broadcast time of the Golden Globes.

Yeah, part of her wanted to know—just how many people's fates she'd managed to change.

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