November 1999 brought a rare, quiet Sunday morning to the Blackwood estate.
Donovan sat at the kitchen island, eating a bowl of cereal. He was mentally calculating his next massive move in the entertainment industry.
Behind closed doors, Richard was quietly waiting.
They had already secured the film rights to several key Marvel characters. Once the comic book giant officially declared total bankruptcy, the Blackwoods were going to swoop in and buy the entire brand for pennies.
But there was one massive puzzle piece missing. A billion-dollar franchise that should be making headlines right about now.
Donovan looked up from his cereal.
"Hey, Mom, Dad," Donovan asked casually. "Have either of you heard anything about a British book? Something about a kid named Harry Potter?"
Richard, who was pouring a cup of coffee, paused.
Evelyn looked up from her magazine, raising an eyebrow in genuine surprise.
"Harry Potter?" Evelyn asked. "How do you know about that, Donnie?"
Donovan blinked, caught off guard. He thought he was ahead of the curve.
"I just... heard some whispers in the industry," Donovan lied smoothly. "Why? Do you know it?"
"Know it? Your little sister hasn't stopped talking about it for a month," Richard chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee.
Donovan turned around. His eight-year-old sister, Lily, was sitting on the living room sofa with her St. Bernard, Bella, resting at her feet.
Lily was completely absorbed in a thick paperback with a cartoonish boy on a broomstick on the cover.
"Lily reads everything she can get her hands on," Evelyn explained with a smile. "We actually have a literary scout in London who sends her the most popular new releases."
"Apparently, this wizard boy is causing an absolute sensation in the UK," Richard added. "It's starting to make waves here in the States, too."
Donovan's eyes widened slightly. His human memories snapped into place.
It was late 1999. In his past life, this was the exact year J.K. Rowling sold the film rights for the first four books.
If the book was already gaining traction in the US, the major Hollywood studios were probably already circling like sharks. The clock was ticking.
Donovan stood up from his stool, his cereal completely forgotten.
"Dad," Donovan said. His voice was deadly serious.
Richard noticed the shift in his son's tone immediately. The corporate shark inside the billionaire woke up.
"What is it, Donnie?" Richard asked, setting his mug down.
"That book Lily is reading isn't just a popular bedtime story," Donovan said, pointing toward the living room. "It's going to be the biggest cultural phenomenon of the next twenty years."
Richard stared at his son in silence.
After the historic, record-breaking success of *Star Wars*, and the absolute genius of the *Pokémon* empire, Richard never doubted Donovan's instincts. If Donovan said it was a goldmine, it was a goldmine.
"Bigger than *Star Wars*?" Richard asked quietly.
"In a different way, yes," Donovan nodded confidently. "It's going to define an entire generation. Theme parks, merchandise, at least eight blockbuster movies."
Donovan leaned across the kitchen island, locking eyes with his father.
"We need the film rights. Exclusive, total control," Donovan stated firmly. "If we wait even another month, someone else is going to snatch it up."
Richard didn't hesitate for a single second. He looked over at his wife.
"Evelyn, call the pilots," Richard said smoothly. "Tell them to fuel up the jet."
Evelyn smiled, already reaching for the landline on the counter. "London?"
"London," Richard confirmed. He turned back to Donovan, a fierce, predatory grin spreading across his face.
"Go pack a bag, kid," Richard instructed. "We're going to buy a wizard."