Chapter 15: Late Night Planning

Jude tapped his fingers against the armrest of the sofa, his mind working rapidly.

Owning a media conglomerate was a different beast than running a dealership, but the fifty million dollars sitting in an offshore investment fund was a much more immediate concern...

Capital that sat idle was capital wasted.

He picked up his phone and dialed Victoria’s number. She answered on the first ring.

"Mr. Lawson. How can I assist you this evening?"

"I need your firm to leverage its network," Jude said. "I have fifty million dollars in liquid offshore funds that I want to park in high-yield foreign trade projects. Reach out to the top-tier corporate families in your circle. Find out who needs massive capital injections, and set up the pitch meetings for tomorrow."

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line.

Fifty million in liquid cash was an astronomical sum to drop on a moment’s notice.

"Furthermore," Jude added, "I want a full dossier on the current executive board of Apex Media Group."

"Apex Media?" Victoria’s composure cracked slightly. "Sir, they are the largest entertainment conglomerate in the region. Their valuation is staggering."

"I know," Jude said. "I just acquired a one hundred percent controlling stake. Find me those investment projects, Victoria. We have a busy day tomorrow."

He hung up the phone before she could even formulate a response.

Across the city, Victoria stared at her phone screen in disbelief.

Apex Media Group? Her mind raced.

The sheer scale of Jude’s acquisitions was terrifying...

She immediately began dialing the private numbers of the most elite corporate families in the state, informing them that a titan was looking to invest.

The response was instantaneous... everyone wanted a piece of Jude Lawson’s capital.

Back in the Presidential Suite, Jude opened his banking application.

He stared at the screen, watching the numbers reflect his total liquid assets.

Between the initial rewards and the bonus cash, his balance hovered over $150,000,000.

If he converted his assets and offshore accounts, his net worth was well into the billions...

He let out a low whistle, a genuine smile breaking across his face.

A soft knock at the suite’s double doors pulled him from his thoughts.

Jude stood up, straightening his loungewear, and pulled the doors open.

Victoria and Maya were standing in the hallway.

Both women had changed out of their strict business attire.

Victoria wore an elegant, form-fitting evening dress, and Maya was dressed in a stunning silk blouse and skirt that perfectly complemented her figure.

"Mr. Lawson," Victoria smiled, stepping into the room. "I brought the finalized deeds. And Maya insisted we bring something to celebrate."

"I wanted to thank you properly," Maya said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Today changed my entire life. I thought we should toast to your empire."

Jude chuckled, stepping aside to let them in. "I can’t say no to a celebration. Come in."

They moved into the living room of the suite. Jude popped the champagne, pouring three crystal flutes.

"So," Maya said, a playful glint in her eye as she took a sip of champagne. "Since we are off the clock, I propose a game."

"A game?" Jude asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Corporate Truth or Dare," Victoria chimed in, leaning forward with a smile. "We play a lot of it at the law firm. We draw cards. Whoever pulls the highest card gets to issue a command or ask a question. The catch is, you can’t refuse."

Jude smirked. "Alright. Deal the cards."

Victoria pulled a sleek deck of playing cards from her designer purse... a staple for a lawyer who spent her life calculating odds.

She shuffled and dealt.

In the very first round, Maya pulled the King of Spades.

"Ah," Maya smiled, her eyes darting between Victoria and Jude. "I am the boss. Jude, since you own everything in the city... I dare you to maintain unbroken eye contact with Victoria for sixty seconds and tell her exactly what you look for in a partner."

Jude chuckled. It was a bold move...

He realized almost immediately that Maya and Victoria were subtly teaming up to test his composure.

He turned to Victoria, locking eyes with her.

The *Flawless Charisma* aura activated instantly.

Jude’s gaze was so intense, so magnetic, that Victoria actually felt her breath catch in her throat.

He calmly and smoothly described a partner who possessed absolute loyalty and ambition, never once breaking eye contact.

By the time the sixty seconds were up, Victoria’s face was flushed red, and she had to look away to compose herself.

"Well played," Victoria muttered, fanning herself slightly.

The game continued. In the second round, Victoria pulled the Ace...

She immediately turned her sights on Jude. "My turn. Mr. Lawson, I dare you to kiss Maya on the cheek. And Maya, you aren’t allowed to pull away."

Maya’s eyes went wide, her face turning a shade of crimson. "Victoria!"

"Those are the rules," Victoria teased, leaning back into the sofa.

Jude shook his head.

He leaned forward, closing the distance between himself and Maya.

As he leaned in, Maya actually turned her head slightly, closing the gap faster than he anticipated.

His lips brushed against her cheek. When he pulled back, Maya looked flustered.

Victoria dealt the cards for the third round, her eyes locked onto Jude, eager to see how far they could push the billionaire.

Jude looked at his card, then tossed it onto the coffee table face down.

"Alright, that’s enough," Jude said. He stood up, checking his platinum Audemars Piguet. "It’s getting incredibly late, and we have a fifty-million-dollar investment marathon starting tomorrow morning. I need my General Counsel and my General Manager operating at absolute peak performance."

Victoria and Maya blinked.

"Of course, Mr. Lawson," Victoria said, quickly recovering her composure. She stood up, smoothing her dress.

Maya nodded, though a clear flash of disappointment crossed her face. "You’re right. Tomorrow is a big day."

Jude walked them to the double doors of the suite, offering them both a smile. "Goodnight, ladies. Have your drivers text me when you get home safely."

The doors clicked shut behind them.

Out in the hallway of the Obsidian Grand, Victoria and Maya stood in silence for a long moment.

"He didn’t even break a sweat," Maya whispered, bewildered. "I thought we had him cornered."