Chapter 1117: Tilting
"I can, but considering I'm a poor bastard myself, would you mind if I used your name to dig up a little something for my studio too?" Stella held up her hand to indicate "just a little." "I don't need much."
"How much?"
"Whatever I negotiate for you, I'll take 14% of it. How about that?"
"...Too much. Five percent."
"Seven percent," Stella said at once. "That's the minimum royalty rate we give our authors. It can't go any lower—this is a matter of dignity. My work has value!"
Hesta folded her arms. "...Fine, but I have to be there when you negotiate."
"What for?" Stella glared at the young woman before her. "Trying to steal my tricks?"
Hesta burst out laughing. "What are you afraid of? You said fate sent you to my side—what's wrong with teaching me a little of what you can really do?"
Stella gazed deeply at Hesta, her eyes full of amused admiration.
"You know, Jane, I'd even be willing to do this for free, as long as you agree to one condition—"
Hesta stood up. "You should take the money first."
Stella froze for a moment, then immediately got up to chase after her. "Wait a second. Aren't you even going to hear what I want you to do?"
"Doesn't sound like a good thing."
"It's absolutely a good thing. I think you need someone to—"
"Stella." Hesta stopped, the smile on her face fading slightly. "We can discuss everything else later. Let's deal with what's in front of us first."
Stella took a deep breath, nodded with some reluctance, and followed Hesta toward the main house.
During those dozen or so steps, Stella kept staring at Hesta's back.
*God, why am I so excited... Does Jane know what she's doing