Chapter 60: Sharks and Stars

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Sharks and StarsThree days after the media frenzy over Bytebull’s AI had finally begun to cool down, Richard and Jack found themselves in a stark, minimalist meeting room inside the complex. The atmosphere was tense, the air thick with the scent of cigars and old money. Jack’s father, Ernesto Purnas, sat across from them, a man who exuded both authority and a chilling detachment. Beside him, Don Estello, the godfather-like patriarch, leaned back in his chair with a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

Jack swallowed hard, his pulse drumming in his ears. He wasn’t used to negotiations of this scale. A glance at Richard, however, revealed calm, calculating eyes — eyes that seemed to see three steps ahead.

Estello spoke first, his voice gravelly and smooth.

"I’ve called this meeting to make things official. Since both of you boys managed to pull off this... multi-million-dollar operation," he chuckled, "we’re interested in investing. I personally offer $80 million for 15% equity in your company."

Jack’s jaw tightened. Fifteen percent? That was steep. He shot a quick glance at Richard. But before he could react, Richard leaned forward, fingers interlaced, expression neutral.

"Thank you for your generous offer, Mr. Purnas," Richard said smoothly. "However, I’d like to make a counteroffer. Instead of 15%, how about $150 million for 10% equity, plus 7% royalties on every copy of the game we sell?"

A ripple of surprise swept across the room. Even Jack blinked, trying to absorb the number. $150 million. That was almost double what Estello had offered. Ernesto’s icy expression didn’t change, but his eyes flicked to the financial graphs in front of him. Estello, on the other hand, broke into a slow, toothy grin.

"That’s a good number, boy," Estello said, leaning forward. "But here’s my offer. $300 million for 12.5% equity, and 5% royalties — not just on your game, but on every product Bytebull produces."

Jack’s eyes widened. That was a lot of money. Too much money. He leaned toward Richard, voice barely above a whisper.

"He’s trying to own everything we make, not just the game. He’s thinking long-term."

Richard didn’t respond immediately. He stared at Estello, as if weighing the man’s very soul. Finally, he smiled — a small, tight-lipped smile.



"How about this?" Richard said. "$275 million for 8% equity and 4% royalties on all products."

Estello leaned back, rubbing his thick beard as if contemplating the offer. Ernesto watched them both, his face a mask of indifference, but his eyes as sharp as a hawk’s.

Estello’s grin widened, eyes narrowing to slits.

"Alright. But I have one more condition," he said, voice dropping to a near growl. "I want 10% annual revenue from any new markets you two plan to invade."

Jack stiffened.

"He’s leveraging the AMFs," Jack whispered to Richard. "He knows we’re planning to break into new markets — AI commercialization, enterprise systems, all of it."

Richard nodded, eyes fixed on Estello. He took a slow, deliberate breath.

"Three percent," Richard said firmly.

Estello’s smile vanished. His gaze hardened.

"Do I look like a fool to you, boy? Eight percent."

Richard’s jaw clenched. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Five percent."

Estello’s grin returned, feral and triumphant.

"Done."

Jack exhaled deeply, feeling the tension ease from his shoulders. Estello leaned back, chuckling. Ernesto, however, remained a stone statue, watching Richard and Jack as if they were two wild animals in a cage.

Finally, Ernesto leaned forward, eyes locking onto Jack.

"I’ll make you an offer as well," he said, his voice as cold as winter. "$150 million for 3% equity. But I want 3% annual revenue on all current products and management rights. If you’re looking for a CEO, that is."

Jack’s throat tightened. His father’s eyes were drilling holes through him. He glanced at Richard.

Richard’s lips barely moved as he whispered, "Try for $200 million."

Jack swallowed, then forced himself to meet his father’s gaze.

"How about $200 million?"

Ernesto’s face remained expressionless, but his eyes glinted dangerously.

"I’m already being generous, Jack," he said, his voice a razor’s edge. "That’s more than fair."

Jack’s shoulders sagged.


"Fine," he muttered, defeated. "I accept."

Estello clapped his hands together, the sound loud and sharp in the room.

"Well then, gentlemen," he said, smirking. "Looks like we have a deal. Ernesto will handle the paperwork."

Richard and Jack exchanged a quick look. Despite the heavy amounts of cash now promised to them, a chill ran down their spines. They had just sold pieces of their company to two of the most ruthless businessmen they knew.

And in that moment, as Estello’s sinister chuckle echoed through the room, both men knew they hadn’t just made a deal.

They had made a pact with the devil.

As Richard and Jack began to stand, ready to leave the room and shake off the suffocating tension, Estello’s gravelly voice sliced through the air like a knife.

"Oh, and before you two go," he said, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Since Ernesto here is now the new CEO of your company, I’d like to sweeten my offer."

Jack and Richard froze mid-step. Ernesto’s eyes flicked to them, cold and unblinking.

"This entire compound," Estello continued, sweeping his arm dramatically to indicate the vast estate outside the window. "Including the complex building, it’s yours. Use it as your new headquarters. Plenty of room for expansion, perfect for Bytebull’s operations."

Jack’s eyebrows shot up.

"You mean... all of it?"

Estello’s grin widened.

"Not all of it."



"I still retain the rights to the warehouses and living quarters for my employees," Estello said, his smile now fading into a hard, steely expression. "Temporarily. Until I say otherwise."

Richard exchanged a quick glance with Jack. The complex was massive — enough space to house not just their development team but future employees, a full-scale R&D lab, even a dedicated server room. But the warehouses? The barracks? That was where Estello kept his real business operations — the ones Jack and Richard had learned to avoid asking too much about.

Before they could respond, Ernesto stood, straightening his suit and buttoning his jacket with methodical precision. His eyes bore into Jack’s, then shifted to Richard.

"Both of you," he said, voice cold and cutting. "We’ll have a meeting later."

Jack swallowed, throat dry.

"About what?"

Ernesto’s lips twitched, but it wasn’t a smile.

"About running a company, gentlemen. You’re both officially running a multi-million-dollar operation now. And if you want to keep it from sinking, you’re going to need to learn about responsibility."

Jack’s shoulders slumped, eyes downcast. Richard ran a hand through his hair, jaw clenched tight. They both knew what this meant — a crash course in corporate management, business strategy, and investor relations, courtesy of Ernesto Purnas, a man who was as ruthless in business as he was in life.

Estello laughed, his booming voice echoing through the room.

"Don’t look so glum, boys. Think of it as a rite of passage."

Richard forced a tight smile, and Jack managed a stiff nod. But as they left the room, the door closing behind them with a heavy, ominous thud, they both felt it — a sense of foreboding.

------

The door to Ernesto’s office swung open, and Jack and Richard stumbled out like zombies emerging from a crash course in advanced economics and corporate management. Their faces were pale, eyes glazed over, and shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world had been dropped onto them.

Jack rubbed his temples, wincing.

"Man... It never occurred to me how hard being a CEO actually is," he muttered. "I swear, it felt like we were being tutored by an MIT professor after bombing a calculus exam."

Richard chuckled weakly, massaging the back of his neck.

"You don’t say. Your old man definitely doesn’t pull punches," he said, shaking his head. "I think my brain melted somewhere around the part about annual revenue forecasting and market cap projections."

Jack forced a laugh.

"Yeah, but honestly, I’m glad he’s here. No way we could handle that stuff on our own."

Richard nodded, but his expression tightened. The feeling of being out of his depth still gnawed at him. Sure, they were game developers, but running a multi-million-dollar company? That was a whole different battlefield.

As they walked down the corridor toward their room, Jack threw his arms up, stretching with a loud yawn.

"Alright, back to our lane. Let’s make some changes to the game. Too real, they said, huh?"

Richard’s brows knitted as he unlocked the door.

"Yeah. We might have gone a little overboard. If we don’t implement age censorship, we could be looking at some lawsuits. People are already saying it’s way too intense for kids."

Jack shrugged as he collapsed onto his beanbag chair.

"Well, at least Lina’s handling all the social media pages and emails. Otherwise, we’d be drowning in complaints."

Richard grinned, sliding into his chair.

"Yeah. Lina’s a lifesaver."

The moment they sat down, Lina’s voice echoed softly from the speakers, the AI’s tone crisp and professional.

"Sir Richard, here is a brief report based on current feedback. 56% of players have requested that the AI’s realism be toned down. Additionally, a significant number of inquiries are asking about the potential for a multiplayer update."

Jack’s eyes lit up, and he sat up straight.

"Oh man! Multiplayer update, huh? I’ve been itching to drop some Easter eggs and teasers for that. I’ll handle it, bro. Maybe throw in some cryptic messages and hidden codes for the hardcore fans."

Richard nodded.

"Good. I’ll add the age censorship option. Kids, teens, and adults — different levels of realism, toned down based on age settings. Should keep the lawyers off our backs."

Before he could continue, Lina’s voice cut in again.

"Sir, there’s an email from Rockstar Games. They’re requesting a collaboration on the overhaul of their NPC assets for an upcoming title. They’ve asked to meet you in person."



Jack’s jaw dropped.

"Rockstar Games? Like... GTA Rockstar?"

Lina replied smoothly,

"Yes, sir."

Jack’s eyes sparkled.

"Holy crap, bro! Rockstar? That’s huge! What do you think?"

Richard leaned back, arms crossed, his gaze distant as he considered it. The old Richard would’ve been skeptical, maybe even dismissive. But after that lecture from Ernesto, something had clicked.

"Yeah... you know what? That’s fine," he said, nodding. "Lina, tell them we’ll meet anytime. Might as well build some bridges instead of going at it alone. I guess Ernesto was right about one thing — relationships with other companies are crucial. We can’t just be some isolated powerhouse. We need to play the game smart."

Jack leaned back, a sly grin forming.

"Look at you. One business lecture and you’re already a whole new man."

Richard laughed, but there was a new, determined glint in his eyes.

"Perspective, bro. It’s all about perspective."