Chapter 73: The Owner Of Distort?
Kyle was ready for his meeting, feeling the weight of anticipation pressing on his chest. He couldn’t believe what Jones had done for him, but he was incredibly grateful—he knew there was no way he could have achieved this transformation on his own.
The sheer thought of stepping into such an influential space without Jones’s help made Kyle shudder.
He knew the stakes of tonight; how his look, his presence, would impact the outcome, whether it worked or not.
But just before Jones had left him, he had shared some incredibly valuable advice, which Kyle now kept in the back of his mind.
"The people you’re going to meet aren’t just hosting a meeting—they’ll be sizing you up, judging you by how you present yourself, not just your words. The entertainment industry is as much about how you present yourself as it is about the deals you make.
"Don’t let them intimidate you, but also, don’t come off too serious," Jones advised, his tone serious but caring.
This advice made perfect sense to Kyle. It was more than just the business itself; it was about the perception, the atmosphere, and how he carried himself in the face of overwhelming expectations.
It was time to put everything into practice.
At present, Kyle’s bank account held an astonishing $206,000,000, though it was rapidly depleting.
However, unlike most people who might spend that amount carelessly on trivial luxuries, Kyle was strategically investing, building his empire piece by piece. Every penny he spent had a purpose—it wasn’t about lavish indulgence, but about making decisions that would pay off in the long run. Kyle was building, not squandering.
With the clock ticking, Kyle hopped into his car.
He was excited, but a little nervous at the same time. Jones had even helped him pick out a new cologne—a fragrance he believed would make a lasting impression. The scent was subtle, yet unforgettable.
The night had already fallen when Kyle navigated through the streets of Los Angeles, the city’s nightlife unfolding before him like a vibrant, glittering maze. The nerves began to creep in; he knew how easily people in this industry could tell if someone belonged to their social class or not.
Kyle arrived at his destination, only a few minutes late. He had left his house 30 minutes earlier, anticipating traffic, but to his relief, the roads had been unexpectedly clear.
When he parked outside, his heart skipped a beat.
The name of the venue had led him to believe it was just a regular hotel, but as he approached, he was taken aback—it was a nightclub.
Relief washed over him like a wave, realizing that Jones had truly saved him. Imagine walking into a nightclub in a suit.
That would have been a disaster. It would have been an enormous mistake.
The moment Kyle entered, his presence didn’t go unnoticed.
He received stares from almost everyone, a mix of curiosity and awe. His appearance alone was enough to capture attention.
He was dressed in a way that made him look like someone who belonged on the big screen—almost like a celebrity.
His outfit screamed success and ambition, and it was evident that his impact wasn’t lost on the crowd. But despite his appearance, Kyle still felt the weight of the situation.
There was a bouncer at the door checking names, and a part of him wondered whether he should just walk past or stand in line like everyone else. It was a delicate decision, and Kyle knew he had to think carefully before making a move.
Before he could act, a voice startled him from behind. "Mister Kyle?"
He turned around quickly, and sure enough, there stood a woman—Yuki, he presumed. She clearly knew his name, so it had to be her.
But something felt off. She wasn’t dressed like someone with significant power, and her presence didn’t command the kind of authority Kyle had expected. This was not what he had envisioned.
"Hello there, do you sneak up on everyone?" Kyle joked, trying to lighten the mood, but Yuki only responded with a polite smile. Her expression was neutral, unbothered by his attempt at humor.
"Mr. Nakamura will see you," Yuki said, her tone devoid of any warmth.
She was small, standing at just 5’1" in heels, but her voice carried a slight American accent, indicating that she might have been originally from the U.S. It was subtle, but noticeable.
"Isn’t it customary to introduce yourself?" Kyle asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise. He had expected more of an introduction from someone working at this level, but Yuki didn’t seem too interested.
She just gestured for him to follow. She didn’t seem to care much about the small talk, and that was a red flag for Kyle.
Her cold demeanor reflected the same attitude he suspected Nakamura had.
Kyle had already done some research on Nakamura, but there was no mention of him owning Distort, so Kyle had no idea how important he truly was.
He was walking into the unknown, but that was part of the thrill. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he might have to play the game in a way he wasn’t used to.
But there was no way he was going to grovel in front of someone as inconsequential as an assistant. That was non-negotiable.
"You know what? I think I’ve changed my mind," Kyle declared, standing his ground and refusing to move forward until he was treated with more respect.
Yuki paused, looking back in confusion.
"I have better things to do than waste my time here. I’ll take my business elsewhere," Kyle said with firmness, his voice a sharp contrast to the carefree tone from earlier.
"Huh? You’re not a representative?" Yuki was visibly taken aback by his response. It was clear that she, like everyone else here, had assumed he was just another corporate face, another cog in the machine.
But Kyle wasn’t just anyone.
"I am the owner. You called me here for a meeting and you treat me with this much disrespect?" Kyle’s voice grew cold, his disappointment obvious in every word.
His disgust was apparent, and it made Yuki quickly reconsider her approach.
The shift in Yuki’s posture was instantaneous. She bowed her head and apologized profusely, realizing her mistake.
Her sudden change in behavior made Kyle wonder just how deep the divide was between those in power and everyone else.
It was as if they thought their success gave them the right to treat others as insignificant.
"The rich looking down on the poor, how typical," Kyle thought to himself, reflecting on the world he was now a part of. The disparity was clear.
"My name is Yuki, and I’m Mr. Nakamura’s personal assistant. I was told to wait for you and bring you in. My behavior doesn’t reflect Mr. Nakamura’s views. I’m truly sorry for the misunderstanding," Yuki said, still bowing.
Kyle studied her briefly. She was petite, with delicate features, but Kyle didn’t find her particularly attractive, despite her "cute" appearance. He wasn’t here to make friends; he was here to secure a deal, and that was his sole focus.
"It’s fine. Just take me to him, Yuki," Kyle replied, eager to move forward despite the awkward start.
He wasn’t about to let this derail his entire purpose for coming here.
As they walked through the nightclub, Yuki seemed somewhat surprised by Kyle’s age.
"He’s so young..." she whispered to herself, more to her than to him. Kyle took it as a sign that his appearance had fooled her, and it might work in his favor, for now.
They passed the bouncer once more, and Kyle couldn’t help but notice the intimidating aura he exuded—his newfound confidence radiating with every step. It wasn’t arrogance; it was assurance.
Kyle knew he looked the part, but it would take more than that to make it in this world.
When they entered the VIP section, Kyle was hit with a surprising, yet pleasant, aroma. It was unlike anything he had smelled before—a subtle mixture of sophistication and elegance.
The lack of music also caught him off guard. Instead, everyone was wearing headphones, dancing in silence. Kyle had heard of this trend before—some clubs were experimenting with silent discos to reduce noise pollution.
It was certainly a modernized experience, but it felt strangely disconnected from the original purpose of the venue.
Then, Kyle spotted a man sitting alone in the VIP area—he knew immediately that this was the person he had come to meet.
Nakamura, the man who had built an empire. He had the power, the wealth, and the presence to back it all up.
As Yuki led him closer, a short man handed Kyle a pair of headphones, but he declined. He wasn’t here to party.
He was here to do business, and that was all that mattered tonight.
The moment Kyle stepped forward, Nakamura’s presence became undeniable.
The man exuded authority, sitting in a lavish chair surrounded by the solitude of the VIP area, likely reserved exclusively for him.
Kyle knew that despite his appearance, he had to treat Nakamura with respect, but he wouldn’t allow himself to be overshadowed by him.
"Welcome, Mister Kyle. Shall we get to business?" Nakamura’s voice was calm, measured, and his appearance—slightly weathered with age—spoke to the experience and wisdom he had gained throughout the years.
"Mister Nakamura, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long," Kyle said, settling into a chair opposite him. He wasn’t going to treat Nakamura as a superior, not when Kyle had the power to change that in an instant with the money he had at his disposal.
"You didn’t, but I must admit, I was quite surprised when I heard that a bankrupt agency was willing to cover part of our movie in exchange for featuring one of their actresses. I had to meet the person behind such a bold decision... But it seems I was sent instead." Nakamura began, but before he could finish, his assistant whispered something in his ear, interrupting him.
"What?!" Nakamura shouted, his eyes narrowing as he glanced back at Kyle. Kyle already knew what had been revealed.
"Hi, I’m Kyle, and I’m the sole owner of JPD Agency," Kyle introduced himself. The game had just begun, and there was no turning back now.
