Eric looked around through the dense crowd, and his sights stopped towards the west, where the empty Runkles house was.Home Alonehad been released for less than three days that the couple had hurriedly take Stuart and left the promotion tour, as someone had apparently offered them a high price for an advertisement.

When Eric was still in New York, he had seen in the newspapers that thanks toHome Alones popularity, Stuart had made several successful commercials and earned a few millions in endorsement, which lead to the Runkle family moving into a mansion in Beverly Hills.

Although Eric had initially hoped that Stuarts parents wouldnt only be concerned about profit like Macaulay Culkins in his past, that was obviously just his wishful thinking. He could only pray that Stuart wouldnt go down the same path as Macaulay instead, asHome Alones sequel still needed the smart little guy. In the past, the thirdHome Alones box office directly plummeted from the seconds 170 million $ to 18 million $, because Culkin hadnt been a part of it.

While he was still in his thoughts, ten minutes had passed and the surrounding reporters were getting more and more agitated. Some people had discovered Erics difficult position and decided to call the police, and Eric was then led away by them once they arrived.

Ah, God bless the people !

Eric drove to the headquarters of Columbia, and once he arrived, the two receptionists- eyes lit up when they saw him. They didnt know anything about the Columbia executives complex emotions towardsHome Alones box office, what they knew was that this young man in front of them would soon become the youngest millionaire in Hollywood. So after notifying the presidents office of his arrival, the two girls started flirting with him; if this stud fancied them, that would be equivalent to reaching heaven in one step.

Eric was also joyfully teasing those two flowers, he made some casual jokes to which the girls giggled endlessly, and two perfumed contact cards had unwittingly made their ways to his hand.

Hey, Eric. While he was still in midst of chatting at the reception, Blount Cohens voice suddenly sounded nearby. Turning around, he found the CEO with his arms opened wide, so Eric stepped forward and warmly hugged him.

Mr. Cohen, why did you personally come down, you couldve just sent someone.

Blount Cohen laughed: Why, is this old man bothering you young people in your flirting ?

Of course not. Eric quickly denied.

Blount Cohen said: Home Alonemade a pretty good box office, so I personally picked you up, lets get down to business first, you young people can flirt later.

Eric nodded, pocketed the two girls cards, and followed Blount Cohen in the elevator.

Looking at the two people boarding the VIP elevator, the petite receptionist girl asked the one next to her: Emilia, do you think Eric will contact me ?

The tall and blonde Emilia leaned towards her ear and whispered: Who knows, he might even contact the two of us at the same time, how would you like that ?

Ah ? That Um Imagining that possible scene, the petite girls face flushed slightly.

Emilia suddenly laughed, and said: Lisa, stop your wishful thinking. Judging by our conversation with

Eric Williams just now, he didnt seem interested at all. He was probably just humoring us.

How can he only be eighteen ? Although she had just met him, Lisa had a very good impression of Eric. If another guy had flirted with them, he would have been beaten up flat by Columbias security. But Eric was a stud and he was about to become filthy rich, so him flirting with them flattered the girls instead.

Let me correct you; hes a millionaire eighteen-year-old. To be able to achieve success at such a young age, he is in another league. Also, when Mr. Cohen left just now, he glared at us, so just be realistic Lisa, alright ? Lets go to a club tonight, Ill introduce you to some handsome guys.

Lisa nodded in disappointment, she couldnt help but glance at the VIP elevator not far.

Columbia Pictures president office, Blount Cohen enthusiastically let Eric sit down on the sofa, before taking out a bottle of wine from his personal stash, and saying: Eric, lets celebrate a little bit, whenHome Aloneis done screening Ill throw a grand celebration for you. This white wine is from the Burgundy region in France, its my last bottle of it.

Eric held his wine glass, gently swirled it, and took a sniff as a fresh breath of pineapple overflowed from the amber-colored liquid.

Blount Cohen knew about Erics upbringing and understood that the young man had probably never had access to that kind of top-class wine, he thought Eric was going to bumble so he asked with interest: How is it ?

Eric nodded and exclaimed: Great Burgundy wine, to get a pineapple fragrance after the brewing process is not an easy thing.

Blount Cohen was surprised: Eric, I didnt think you had some understanding of wine.

Heard about it by chance. Eric told the truth.

Blount Cohen didnt take it to heart as he held his glass up and said: Cheers, toHome Alone.

Cheers.

After drinking, Blount Cohen let his assistant pack up the wine, he returned to his seat and said: Eric, lets get down to business, this isHome Alones data for its first week at the box office, take a look.

Eric opened the file, there wasnt only theHome Alonebox office data, there was the data for all the movies andHome Alones 27,550,000 $ was hanging at the top.17 Againwas in second place with its 13.12 million $, and although it was quite good, the results forHome Alonehad left it in the dust.

Its as youve seen, Eric. Blount Cohen straightened up, his face a little ashamed, he said: Theres something we need to bring to your understanding, its aboutHome Alonefor this week.

Looking at Cohens expression, Eric had a foreboding feeling, he nodded, indicating the man to continue.

Blount Cohen said: According to our gambling agreement, Columbia should increase the screens to 2000 this week, but unfortunately, becauseHome Alones success was out of our expectations, we didnt make adequate preparations, and were only able to liberate 500 screens.

Although the reason that Blount Cohen had brought up was reasonable, Eric felt something was off.

So, Mr. Cohen, what does Columbia intend to do about this ? Eric calmly asked.

Eric, although Columbia will do everything to uphold its part of the agreement, this matter took everyone of us by surprise, were just unable to get more screens at the moment, so in the meantime, Columbia has prepared a compensation agreement instead.

Eric warily asked: A compensation agreement ?

Yes, Eric, dont worry, there will be no change in the original gambling agreement. Because our lack of preparation has caused you a loss, starting from next week, we will add an additional 100 screens to the original number decided in the bet, and this until the movie stops screening. I think this is enough to show Columbias sincerity. Blount Cohen smiled.

Eric subconsciously nodded, but even if this compensation agreement was acceptable, he still felt something was strange.

Seeing Eric nod, Blount Cohen took out the contract and pushed it in front of Eric as he said: This is the compensation agreement, Eric. You can look at it, and if theres no problem, then just directly sign it.

Eric picked it up and began to read, the agreement was very short, only a handful of word and the terms of address were also very straightforward, it didnt look like there was any trap on the surface. But Eric was still cautious and stated: Mr. Cohen, Ill take this to my lawyer to have a look, and if theres no problem, I will send you back the signed contract.

Sure, no problem. Blount Cohen generously nodded, then said: Well then, lets talk about theHome Aloneoverseas distribution rights. Eric, since the movies popularity is at its peak, the sooner we release it overseas, the higher the box office well obtain. If we miss that window, we might only get half of what we originally could. We want to give you 16 million $ or 8% ofHome Aloneoverseas box office, what do you think ?

Mr. Cohen, 8% ? Thats too low.

Blount Cohen shook his head and said: Eric, releasing a movie in overseas theaters brings about a lot of taxes, in the end well only get about 20%, but you dont need to do anything and still get 8% of the profits, thats very reasonable.

Eric coldly snorted in his hear. What ? Reasonable price ?

If there was noHome Alone, perhaps in an entire year, each of Columbias movies could only make about 50 million $ at the North American box office, and those films probably didnt exceed ten. Relying solely onHome Alone, Columbia, who had been the last amongst the Big Six* in performance, would directly rise to the top three. So the truth was that Columbia really hit it big this time.

Im sorry, Mr. Cohen, I need to think about it. He shook his head and rejected Cohens proposal. Eric wouldnt just give up what he deserved just because he had made a lot with the gambling agreement. Sure they had help him put the movie out, but that was it, what was his was still his.

Erics answer seemed to have been foreseen by Blount Cohen as he nodded and said: Alright, Eric, you go back and think about it, but please give me a reply as soon as possible.

The young man was just out of the office, that he met the responsible of theHome Aloneproject, Lester Reed.

Hey, Lester, good morning.

Lester didnt expect to coincidentally bump into Eric, he somewhat unnaturally said: Hello Eric, congratulations onHome Alones success.

You too Lester, with you being responsible ofHome Alone, your year-end bonus will probably be huge, right ?

Although Lester started cursing and swearing in his heart, he only displayed an awkward smile on his face.

Right, Lester, can you tell me where Ms. Pascals office is ? If she hadnt helped me recommendHome Alone, I wouldnt be here today, so I want to thank her in person.

_ _ _ _

* Big Six was a term used in the past, it refers to 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Warner, Disney, Columbia and Universal. The order is random.