Chapter 16: Blocked at Home by Reporters
Seeing his mother so happy and proud, William felt satisfied as well.
Free from the pressures of money and no longer worried about her son's future, Lina seemed like a new woman. She was more vibrant than usual, as if a great weight had been lifted.
"William, The Sun is really incredible. In just one day, they've uncovered most of our family's situation."
"Although some details are wrong, it's mostly accurate. It's a shame that as a woman, I couldn't inherit your grandfather's title."
"However, it seems you have a chance to inherit the title of Count. Your Aunt Mary told me that the current Count of Oxford has been trying for a child for ten years without success."
"I'd rather not, Mother. Don't you see how suppressed the English nobility is these days?"
"Nobles barely dare to admit who they are anymore. Aside from potential tax benefits, their social status and influence have plummeted, and they're restricted at every turn."
"Nowadays, who even cares about a title? Only those who have hit a ceiling in their career and need a peerage to boost their reputation and expand their connections."
Lina nodded a little sadly.
"You're right. If it weren't for that noble inheritance, your grandfather wouldn't have had to borrow money just to claim the title. In the end, after inheriting it, he was forced to sell the family's castles and businesses. He died in a state of depression, having gained nothing but an empty position."
"What your grandfather Henry couldn't stand the most was the thought of the title being inherited by a distant relative for whom he had no affection."
"And that bastard was practically celebrating while your grandfather was on his deathbed."
"But even though he inherited it, ten years have passed and he still doesn't have a child, does he? The title will eventually return to our family."
Her son now had money—a huge fortune of hundreds of millions of pounds. This fact reawakened aspirations in Lina that had long been dormant, and she couldn't help but entertain other ideas.
In fact, she knew of a secret power that had lain silent, waiting for someone to reactivate it.
However, Lina didn't intend to tell William just yet, fearing it might affect his negotiations with the game companies.
William, oblivious to this, saw his mother dwelling on sad memories and quickly tried to comfort her. "Alright, Mother, let's not talk about this."
"What's the use of it now anyway? Times are changing. England might abolish the aristocracy altogether one day. So many people are against the system now; we shouldn't get caught up in it."
"No," Lina said, patting William's arm.
"I must get that title back. William, you were too young then to understand your grandfather's pain and helplessness."
"Besides, the title still has many benefits. Otherwise, why do you think Parliament is so keen on suppressing the nobility?"
"Yes, yes, you're right, Mother," William conceded. "But you have to remember, I'm not of pure English bloodline. I can only imagine how many people would oppose me inheriting the title. Things are good for us now. You can live a peaceful life, and in a few years, you can enjoy having grandchildren around."
Hearing William mention grandchildren, Lina playfully complained, "Ha, William, I can tell you right now, don't you dare bring a grandson home to me yet. I'm not ready to be a grandmother! I'm only thirty-nine, and I still haven't accepted that you're grown up. Being a grandma… that would mean I'm getting old!"
The thought of a cute baby calling him 'Daddy' in a sweet, childish voice made William break out in a cold sweat.
He'd never been a father in either of his lives and had no idea how he would handle a child. He quickly said, "No way, Mother. I'm only nineteen and I don't even have a girlfriend. How could I possibly be a father?"
Hearing William mention not having a girlfriend, Lina grew concerned. "William, you should find a girlfriend. Otherwise, the papers will definitely start gossiping about you."
William nodded in agreement. He no longer needed to pretend to be a quiet, bookish nerd. It was probably time he found a girlfriend.
Ding-a-ling. The phone rang. William pulled it out and saw it was Anthony calling. He got up and walked to the window to take the call.
"Hello, Anthony."
Anthony's anxious voice came through the phone. "Hello, boss. Have you thought about how to handle today's report in The Sun? Perhaps we could send a lawyer's letter to warn them. We can't let them be so unscrupulous."
"No, don't do that," William replied. "I'm actually planning to use this publicity. It helps build the 'genius creator' narrative around the game in England and puts pressure on potential buyers. While there might be some negative side effects, today's report is more helpful than harmful. Offending the media right now would be a huge disadvantage. I need them to say good things for us. In a few days, the whole world will know about Plants vs. Zombies. Let them report on it, as long as they aren't deliberately spreading malicious rumors."
Anthony considered this for a moment. "Alright, Mr. Devinshire. I'll proceed as you've instructed and carefully monitor what each newspaper says. I won't disturb you further. Goodbye, Mr. Devinshire."
"Goodbye, Anthony. Call me if anything comes up."
"Understood."
After hanging up, William opened the curtains. A sudden flash of light strobed before his eyes, followed by the crackling sound of camera flashes.
Peeking through the window, he saw that his front yard was swarming with reporters.
"William, William, can you give us an interview?"
"Mr. Devinshire, I'm a reporter from The Times! Please accept my interview!"
"William, I'm from The Guardian! Can you give us an exclusive?"
Hearing the names of The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, and other major English newspapers being shouted, William's head began to ache.
These guys came really fast.
Watching the excited reporters relentlessly taking pictures, William knew he wouldn't have any peace until he went out and faced them. This was also a perfect opportunity to use the press to spread some beneficial information about his game.
After a moment's thought, he decided the time was right. He turned to his mother, who had come to the window, and said, "Mom, there are a lot of reporters out there. I'm going to go deal with them."
"Alright, William. Be careful what you say. Don't fall into their traps," Lina warned.
"I understand. Don't worry, Mom. I'll be careful."
Opening the door, he walked out and stood on the front steps, smiling at the horde of reporters snapping photos.
"Alright, everyone!" William projected his voice. "I'll grant you an interview, but please be mindful of safety. I will answer three questions. After that, I must ask you all to leave this street. You're disturbing the other residents, and you don't want them calling the police."
The mention of the police quieted the reporters for a moment, but the shouting quickly resumed. For these journalists, the police weren't a real threat; they would simply disperse if they showed up and then return later.
"Three questions, that's it! Otherwise, I'm refusing the interview, which is my right!" William shouted over the noise.
He was right. It was his prerogative to refuse the interview, just as it was the reporters' right to request one. But they couldn't physically compel him without facing a lawsuit.
There were smart people in the crowd. Before long, a clear voice cut through the din.
"Mr. Devinshire, I'm Linda from The Times. How did you arrive at the £100 million valuation for your game? Do you really think someone will pay such a high price to acquire it?"
"That's two questions, madam, but I'll let it slide."
"The Sun's report this morning made it quite clear. The game itself could generate over £60 million in sales."
"And once the game becomes a hit, I believe selling over £100 million in related merchandise annually will be no problem. And note, I said annually."
"That doesn't even include licensing for plush toys, movies, television shows, books, theme park attractions, and other ancillary rights. Nor does it account for the intangible value the brand's popularity brings to the parent company."
"These factors are especially important for publicly traded companies. I believe the resulting increase in their stock price could be several, or even tens of times, the initial acquisition cost."
"Just look at the five years from 1995 to last year—the way stockholders and capital have pursued the IT industry, and the incredible rise of high-tech stocks."
"Considering all that, I think if I offered it for £200 million, many companies would still be tempted."
---
$5 Tier – Early Access!
Read 30 chapters ahead of public platforms like RoyalRoad and Scribble Hub — with plans to increase to 40 chapters ahead as soon as I reach 10 members!
Chapters are posted as soon as they're completed, so you'll always stay ahead of the curve.
Support the story and unlock early access:
Patreon in the My Profile or About