The Great Transformation

Chapter 4

Manager Lee led Jayson to a sleek, modern conference room, gesturing for him to take a seat on the couch. "I'm afraid we have some challenges ahead of us, Jayson. The company is in a state of disarray."

"What do you mean?" Jayson asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

"We're on the brink of bankruptcy," Manager Lee replied bluntly. "Our previous owner made some... questionable decisions. We owe money to actors, crew members, and vendors. No one wants to work with us until we pay our debts."

Jayson's eyes widened in shock. "How much do we owe?"

Manager Lee hesitated before answering. "It's a substantial amount. Over a million dollars."

Jayson whistled softly. "That's a lot. Can we pay it off?"

Manager Lee shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Not without a significant influx of cash. And even then, it would be a struggle."

Jayson leaned forward, his mind racing. "What about the actors? Can we negotiate with them?"

Manager Lee sighed. "I've tried, Jayson. But they're not willing to listen. They want their money, and they want it now. We can't blame them, really."

Jayson nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Well, we'll just have to find a way to fix this, then."

Manager Lee raised an eyebrow. "You're optimistic, I'll give you that. But it won't be easy."

Jayson smiled grimly. "I'm not afraid of a challenge. Let's get to work."

Jayson pulled out his phone and accessed the system's financial interface which was connected to his bank account. "I will transfer two hundred million dollars to the company account," he said, his eyes locked on the screen.

Manager Lee's jaw dropped. "What? Jayson, that's...that's more than enough to cover our debts!"

Jayson nodded. "I know. I want you to use it to pay off all the actors, crew members, and vendors. I want this company to start fresh."

Manager Lee's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Jayson. Thank you so much."

The manager gave Jayson the company's account number, and then Jayson wired the money.

Jayson smiled. "Just do what needs to be done. And one more thing..."

"Yes?" Manager Lee asked, his pen poised over a notepad.

"Sack the receptionist," Jayson ordered, his voice firm. "I don't want her working here anymore, she's too nonchalant and rude to be receiving guests."

Manager Lee's eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded. "Consider it done."

As Jayson walked out of the office building, he felt a familiar sensation in his mind. The system was flashing again.

{Congratulations, host. You have completed another task. As a reward, we are granting you a luxurious mansion in the hills, complete with state-of-the-art security and amenities. You have proven yourself to be a worthy host. We are also granting you an additional $50 million in cash, to be used as you see fit. Continue to prove yourself, and the rewards will continue to flow.}

Jayson's eyes widened in amazement. "A mansion? You're giving me a mansion?"

Jayson's mind reeled as he tried to process the sheer magnitude of the reward. A mansion? $50 million? It was almost too much to take in.

Jayson pulled up to his former house, he wanted to take back his belongings that he left behind at the compound storage the day his ex wife chased him out.

A sense of nostalgia washed over him as he entered the compound. He was only here to collect his remaining belongings, but as he stepped out of the cab, he was met with a sarcastic smile from his landlord, Mr. Johnson.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here," Mr. Johnson said, his voice dripping with condescension. "The prodigal son returns. Or should I say, the prodigal tenant?"

Jayson ignored the jab, his eyes fixed on the storehouse where his belongings were kept. "I'm just here to collect my things," he said curtly.

Mr. Johnson chuckled. "Oh, I thought you were coming back to stay, maybe rent the basement to stay. You know, since your ex-wife so graciously kicked you out."

Jayson's face tightened, but he refused to rise to the bait. "Just open the storehouse, please," he said.

Mr. Johnson shrugged, unlocking the storehouse door with a flourish. "By the way, I've decided to raise the rent. You know, since you're so clearly desperate. It's now double the original price."

Jayson's eyes narrowed. "I'm not staying. I just need my things."

Mr. Johnson smirked. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots. You're not exactly in a position to negotiate, Jayson. You're lucky I'm even letting you collect your things. You are supposed to pay me for keeping your things in storage."

Jayson's anger simmered just below the surface, but he kept his cool, gathering his belongings with quick efficiency.

Jayson just smiled, a cold, calculated smile. "I'm done with this place," he said, his eyes glinting with a hint of triumph. "And I'm never coming back."

As Jayson packed his belongings into his car, Mr. Johnson approached him with a smug expression. "Well, I'll be sad to see you go, Jayson. You've been such a model tenant or will I say an ex husband to Erica."

Jayson smiled wryly, tossing a duffel bag into the trunk. "Save it, Mr. Johnson. I'm just glad to be out of here."

Mr. Johnson's smirk faltered, and he looked at Jayson with a hint of surprise. "You know, I didn't think you had it in you. I thought you'd be crawling back, begging for a place to stay. Well if you have nowhere to go, I'll be kind enough to accommodate you if you will stay with my ducks." Mr Johnson smirked.

Jayson chuckled, slamming the trunk shut. "You underestimated me, Mr. Johnson. I've moved on to bigger and better things."

As he turned to leave, Jayson pulled out an envelope stuffed with cash. "Here, take this. It's for the years I was indebted to you, there's extra too. You can use it to feed your hungry looking ducks." Jayson added sarcastically.