Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

On the flight to New York, Martin leaned back with his eyes closed, carefully planning his next move.

To acquire Michael's share of the music library, Martin needed Michael to use it as collateral. This was why he had to handle the matter in person—his powers didn't stretch across the Pacific.

Securing Michael's half of the music rights library wasn't difficult. For years, Martin had subtly planted the idea through psychological cues. If Michael ever decided to give up his share of the library, the first person he would think of was Martin.

But obtaining SONY's half? That was far trickier.

Although Martin's abilities were formidable, persuading every SONY Music shareholder was beyond his capacity and time. Instead, his pawn, Tommy Mottola, would prove invaluable.

In the original timeline, Mottola had failed to resolve the Michael Jackson issue and officially left SONY Music in February 2003.

Should Martin save him?

Shaking his head, Martin dismissed the idea. Despite their collaboration on Spider-Man, his relationship with SONY-Columbia wasn't strong enough to influence the board. Moreover, SONY's rigid, conservative Japanese stakeholders were notoriously difficult to sway.

Since Mottola's fate was sealed, Martin needed to act swiftly.

New York

At the airport, Martin and his assistant Gordon were picked up by a car Michael had sent—clearly, Michael was desperate.

The car took them to Michael's farm in the suburbs of New York.

(This wasn't Neverland Ranch. After his legal battles, Michael had been deemed "unwelcome" by residents near Neverland Ranch and never lived there again.)

As Martin stepped out of the car, he saw a pale, exhausted Michael waiting in the yard.

"Oh, my dear brother, I knew you'd support me!"

Before Martin could speak, he was enveloped in a big hug.

"Michael, you look tired."

"I can't sleep at night. Every time I close my eyes, I feel like someone's trying to get close and harm me. I'm developing paranoia... No, it's not paranoia—they really are out to get me!"

[GodOfReader: Bro, it's just Diddy is watching you]

Inside the house, Michael wasted no time. "I've already thought about the collateral. I once tried getting a loan from a New Jersey bank, but they also demanded my music library rights. Those vultures are all after my copyrights."

Though frustrated, Michael couldn't help but feel a bit smug. It was proof of his foresight—after all, most of the songs in the library were handpicked by him.

"But instead of giving it to those vultures," Michael continued, "I'd rather use my share as collateral with you, my dear brother."

Martin was overjoyed. His subtle conditioning had worked. Without his influence, Michael would have eventually turned to a bank.

Far from feeling like he was taking advantage of Michael, Martin considered himself saving him from a tragic fate. After all, "A man without sin is still vulnerable if he carries treasures coveted by others."

The next day, their lawyers met to draft the agreement, while Martin and Michael took a break to watch a play starring Natalie.

On Martin's third day in New York, he received a call from Mottola, who had learned of Martin's meeting with Michael.

That evening, Martin visited Mottola.

"I thought you were on my side, Martin," Mottola opened bluntly.

Martin smiled. "Uncle Mottola, I thought you'd be on my side."

Mottola was taken aback.

Martin continued, "SONY Music is already in talks with Rob Stringer and Doug Morris. You know what that means. They won't give you time. You don't have time."

"Uncle Mottola, forgive my bluntness, but you should be thinking about your future. Why make enemies with a global superstar for a company that's about to fire you? That's unwise!"

Martin leaned closer. "Michael Jackson isn't alone. Behind him are millions of fans and investors who have supported him. While they might not take down SONY Music, they can ruin you. And—"

He paused, letting Mottola digest his words, then added, "And even if you succeed in bringing Michael down, what's your reward? Staying in your position? Impossible. SONY will use you as a scapegoat, throwing you to the wolves to appease fans and investors."

This wasn't just talk. In the original timeline, even after Mottola was ousted as CEO, he became a punching bag for public outrage, a scapegoat unable to recover his reputation.

"What should I do?" Mottola asked, his resentment and trust in Martin now amplified.

"You still have power. Use it to secure benefits for yourself while you can," Martin said, his voice dripping with temptation.

"How?" Mottola asked again.

Martin's tone turned conspiratorial. "Uncle Mottola, the most valuable asset you have right now is the SONY/ATV music library."

"You want the library?"

Mottola quickly grasped Martin's intentions but shook his head. "Impossible. Even if I agreed, the board wouldn't."

Martin smiled. "That's where strategy comes in. Convince the board that Michael is unyielding. Emphasize that when his contract ends in 2005, he'll leave SONY and take half the songs with him."

"Remember, the library's value lies in its extensive 200,000-song collection. If half the songs disappear, the value won't just halve—it'll plummet."

Martin explained how a library's value grows exponentially with more high-quality copyrights. Conversely, losing songs results in an equally dramatic decline.

"Make the board believe they can sell the library now for a high price or face a collapse when Michael walks away. The choice is theirs."