Chapter 29: Celebration

Jude bypassed the pleasantries, walking straight to the head of the boardroom table.

He took a seat in the executive chair, gesturing for the three directors to sit.

Lyla and Mia quietly took seats near the corner, trying to make themselves as small as possible in the presence of the label’s highest authorities.

"Let’s cut right to the operational metrics," Jude said. "I want a blunt assessment of the music division’s current talent roster and its operating capital."

Director Vance adjusted his tie. "Of course, Mr. Lawson. I won’t sugarcoat it. Currently, Apex Records is running a very lean roster. We have two solid B-list solo artists who generate consistent streaming revenue. Beyond them, we have about forty indie and tertiary acts on short-term developmental contracts."

"And the financials?" Jude asked.

"We have several stadium tours in production," Director Xue chimed in, opening a ledger. "The upfront investment for staging, marketing, and logistics is draining our reserves. Last fiscal year, despite grossing a respectable amount, the division’s actual net profit was a meager forty million dollars."

For a localized studio, it would be a success. But for the music division of a multi-billion-dollar media conglomerate, it was essentially pocket change...

Director Chen, the oldest of the three executives, let out a sigh and looked toward Lyla and Mia.

"Mr. Lawson, forgive me for speaking out of turn," Director Chen began carefully. "But your assistant informed us downstairs that you authorized a two-hundred-million-dollar contract renewal for Stellar. Given our forty-million-dollar net profit... that contract is financially ruinous. We simply do not have the operating capital to absorb a two-hundred-million-dollar salary payout without bankrupting the entire division’s ledger."

Lyla and Mia visibly flinched.

Facing the judgment of the veteran directors, the two pop stars lowered their heads, feeling out of place.

They were artists, not corporate strategists...

In the eyes of the board, they were suddenly a massive financial liability.

Mia chewed her bottom lip nervously, looking over at Jude with a pleading expression.

Jude looked at Director Chen. "If the current operating capital is insufficient to support my artists, Director Chen, then the solution is simple," Jude stated smoothly. "I will rewrite the ledger."

The three directors stared at him.

"I am officially authorizing a personal capital injection into Apex Records," Jude announced, leaning back in his chair. "I will provide an additional one billion dollars annually, entirely dedicated to roster development and studio expansion. Do you possess the administrative capability to manage a billion-dollar development fund, or do I need to find a new board of directors?"

The boardroom fell into silence.

Director Vance stared at Jude as if the young man had just offered to personally fund a space program.

"One... one billion dollars?" Director Xue stammered. "Annually?!"

"Your base corporate valuation was just over two billion when I bought the conglomerate," Jude said, pulling out his smartphone. "Adding a billion in liquid capital gives you the leverage to dominate the industry."

Jude accessed his offshore accounts through his encrypted interface. With a few taps on the screen, he routed five hundred million dollars straight into Apex Records’ corporate account as a six-month down payment.

Ten seconds later, the tablet sitting in front of Director Chen chimed.

The director looked down at the banking notification. His face went pale. The influx of capital had already cleared.

"It’s... it’s here," Director Chen whispered in awe.

Director Vance let out a booming laugh, his demeanor shifting from cautious to sycophantic.

"Mr. Lawson, your liquidity is terrifying!" Director Vance praised. "With a billion-dollar war chest, all of our logistical bottlenecks vanish overnight! We can outbid every major label on the continent!"

Director Chen immediately turned toward Lyla and Mia, offering them an apologetic smile.

"I completely retract my previous statement," Director Chen said. "Lyla, Mia, you two are generational talents. You are the core of this label’s future. With Mr. Lawson’s funding, we will launch a global marketing campaign that will make your previous tours look like local theater."

Lyla and Mia let out a sigh of relief. They looked at Jude with profound loyalty.

He hadn’t just protected their contract; he had bent the board of directors to his will just to secure their future!

Jude slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"Since the financial restructuring is settled," Director Vance said, standing up. "I believe it is imperative that we formally introduce you to the rest of the roster, Mr. Lawson. The artists need to see the man who is about to revolutionize their careers."

Ten minutes later, Director Vance had called an assembly in the label’s acoustic training hall.

Over fifty signed artists, ranging from indie producers to established pop vocalists, had been pulled from their recording booths and dance rehearsals.

Standing near the front row of the assembly were the label’s two most prominent mid-tier artists...

A platinum-selling R&B vocalist named Orion, and a popular electro-pop singer named Elena.

"If the rumors are true, this is the best thing that could have happened to us," Orion said confidently, adjusting his jacket. "Apex Records was bleeding cash on those stadium tours. We needed a billionaire to step in."

"Quiet," Elena hissed, nodding toward the doors at the back of the hall. "They’re coming."

The doors swung open.

Jude walked into the acoustic training hall, flanked by the three senior directors and the two idols of Stellar.

Every artist in the hall stared at Jude in shock. They had expected a gray-haired, Wall Street tycoon in a stuffy suit. Instead, they were looking at a handsome young man.

"My god, he’s so young," Elena whispered, her eyes wide.

Director Vance stepped up to the microphone stand at the center of the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce you to the sole owner of Apex Records, Mr. Jude Lawson,"

"And I am thrilled to announce that Mr. Lawson has just authorized an annual, one-billion-dollar capital injection into this label’s development fund!"

The training hall exploded.

It was a tidal wave of pure cheering...

Dancers, singers, and producers screamed in excitement.

A billion dollars meant endless recording budgets, massive promotional tours, and top-tier production equipment...

The new boss hadn’t come to slash their contracts; he had come to elevate them all to superstardom!

Orion and Elena stepped forward from the front row.

"Mr. Lawson, it is an honor," Orion said smoothly, offering a bow. "Your vision for this label is incredible. We are at your service."

"We would love to properly celebrate your arrival, Mr. Lawson," Elena added, flashing a smile as she stepped closer. "Orion and I would be honored to host a welcome banquet for you tonight at the Obsidian Grand. The entire senior roster will be there to celebrate the new era of Apex Records."

The surrounding artists cheered their agreement, desperate for a chance to network with the billionaire.

Jude looked at the eager, expectant faces of his newly acquired talent.

He had spent the morning dismantling a kidnapping and restructuring a corporation...

A celebration at the city’s most exclusive hotel sounded like the perfect way to conclude the day.

"I accept," Jude said. "Set it up."