Infinite Cashback System

Chapter 178: 178 | A Reasonable Conclusion Based on Available Evidence

Brooke’s expression flickered through several emotions too quickly for Jordan to catalog. She settled on something that looked almost like a smile. "Your honesty regarding your own limitations is refreshing. Most individuals in positions of leadership prefer to project competence regardless of actual capability."

"I spent the last four months pretending I had my life together while my apartment slowly became a biohazard zone. Faking competence hasn’t worked out great for me."

"A reasonable conclusion based on available evidence." Brooke pulled another document from her stack. "Shall we proceed to the LLC formation paperwork? I have pre-filled most fields based on publicly available information. You will need to provide a physical address for the registered agent and select a business name for official filing."

"Nova Network works."

"Excellent." Brooke made another note. Her handwriting was small and precise, each letter formed with mechanical consistency. "I will verify domain and social media availability this afternoon. Assuming no conflicts exist, I can submit the Articles of Organization to the California Secretary of State by end of business tomorrow. Expedited processing is available for an additional one hundred fifty dollars if you wish to receive confirmation within twenty-four hours."

Jordan did the math in his head. Seventy base fee plus one-fifty expedited. Two-twenty total. Not bad for legitimizing his entire streaming empire concept.

"Do it," he said.

Brooke nodded and added another item to her growing task list. "I will also draft the operating agreement for review. Standard boilerplate with customized revenue allocation clauses. You should have your talent review the document before signing to ensure informed consent."

"My talent."

"Chloe Kim and Kumiko Yamanaka." Brooke did not look up from her writing. "Your registered girlfriends, according to campus gossip networks. Also the two streamers you have recruited for the initial collective roster."

Jordan blinked. "How do you know about that?"

"I am aware that my social interactions are limited." Brooke’s pen continued moving across the legal pad. "However, my observation skills remain functional. Kumiko Yamanaka has been visibly infatuated with you since the karaoke event. Chloe Kim’s body language during your recent campus appearances suggests romantic involvement. The probability of both women being unaware of each other’s interest approaches zero, therefore I concluded that some form of acknowledged arrangement exists."

"You figured all that out just by watching us?"

"Your hand placement when walking together follows consistent patterns associated with romantic rather than platonic relationships." Brooke finally looked up. Her cheeks were pink again. "Also, Kumiko Yamanaka posted an Instagram story this morning containing a drawing of two stick figures holding hands. One figure had spiky hair. The other had twin tails. The caption read ’best Sunday ever’ with seventeen heart emojis."

Jordan groaned. "She posted that publicly?"

"Her account has ten thousand followers." Brooke’s expression contained something that might have been amusement. "The post had accumulated four hundred likes at my last observation. Several comments inquired about the identity of the spiky-haired figure."

"Of course they did."

"I do not believe this negatively impacts your streaming collective plans." Brooke returned to her notes. "Parasocial interest in creator relationships frequently drives engagement metrics. The audience investment in your romantic connections could be leveraged for marketing purposes if managed correctly."

Jordan rubbed his face with both hands. "You’re saying I should monetize my love life?"

"I am observing that others have successfully done so." Brooke’s voice remained clinical but her eyes softened. "However, the ethical implications of such monetization warrant careful consideration. Authenticity resonates with audiences. Manufactured drama does not sustain long-term community engagement."

"So be real but also let people watch."

"Essentially, yes."

Jordan took another sip of his refresher and thought about that for a moment. The System already tracked every aspect of his relationships in excruciating detail. Chemistry percentages. Transaction logs. Attraction modifiers. Having an audience watch from the outside felt almost redundant compared to the literal algorithm grading his romantic performance in real time.

At least the audience did not assign numerical values to his girlfriend’s feelings.

"What else do we need to cover?" Jordan asked.

Brooke consulted her list. "Tax registration. Employer Identification Number application. Business banking account selection. Content calendar framework. Brand guidelines document. Equipment inventory and depreciation schedule. Insurance requirements."

"That’s a lot."

"Most items require only administrative completion rather than substantive decision-making." Brooke began organizing her folders into a neat stack. "I can handle the paperwork components independently. Your attention is better allocated to talent management and content strategy."

"You’re going to do all the boring stuff so I can focus on the creative stuff?"

"That division of labor optimizes our respective skill sets." Brooke’s pen tapped against the table twice. "I am unsuitable for talent-facing roles due to my social limitations. You possess charisma and interpersonal capability that I lack. Logical task allocation suggests you should manage people while I manage systems."

Jordan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Brooke, I want to be clear about something."

She looked up, her crimson eyes wary behind her glasses.

"This isn’t just you doing free work for me." Jordan held her gaze. "If Nova Network becomes profitable, you get a cut. A real cut. Not a thank you and a gift card."

Brooke’s lips parted. Her pen fell from suddenly nerveless fingers and clattered against the table surface.

"That is not necessary." Her voice came out uneven. "I offered assistance because the intellectual challenge interested me. Compensation was not a factor in my decision."

"Doesn’t matter. You’re providing value. You should be paid for it."

"I have not requested payment."

"Brooke." Jordan let a little heat into his voice. Just enough to make it a command rather than a suggestion. "You’re too smart to work for free. If this takes off, you’re getting fifteen percent of management’s share. Non-negotiable."

The silence that followed stretched for nearly ten seconds. Brooke’s face cycled through expressions that Jordan could not fully interpret. Surprise. Confusion. Something that looked almost like fear.

Then her shoulders dropped and her entire posture softened. The tension she had been carrying since they sat down melted away like ice in sunlight.

"You are very insistent." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I’ve been told it’s one of my more annoying qualities."