Chapter 41: Lack of Morality

The recording released by Jude Lawson included an explicit conversation between the underground fixer, Silas Grey, and Donovan Pierce!

They were discussing the kidnapping of Apex Media’s lead artist!

This recording was real, so Jude wasn’t afraid of the opposing executives questioning its validity.

Moreover, Silas Grey’s call records had several incoming calls directly from Donovan’s private office line.

Everyone in the Pierce boardroom fell into silence..

"Donovan, you are a despicable scoundrel," Jude said. "You actually used such pathetic means against an innocent artist simply because you couldn’t compete in the open market."

Maxwell Pierce was both shocked and furious.

He slammed his hand on the table and glared at Donovan, "You absolute bastard! How could you do such a stupid thing?!"

Jude smiled faintly. "Chairman, don’t be angry just yet. The recording isn’t finished; what’s next is even more exciting!"

Donovan screamed hoarsely, "Lawson, stop playing the recording! Yes, it’s me! I admit it! Is that enough for you now?!"

Jude looked down at him with disdain. "The content that follows is far too exciting not to share with your board."

Saying this, Jude pressed the play button on the burner phone once again.

"Instead of adding money to the base fee, I have a better idea," Donovan’s voice echoed through the boardroom. "Silas, do you really think Lyla is worth an extra hundred thousand for a simple media leak? Just strip her down and take the photos yourself. I don’t care how rough your men are with her, as long as her pristine brand is destroyed."

"Young Master Pierce, you really are an absolute scoundrel," Silas’s recorded voice chuckled darkly. "Isn’t Lyla universally beloved by the public? You could even think of such a vicious idea for a young girl. I admire your total lack of morality!"

"What public? Anyone who stands against the Pierce legacy is my enemy. I wish she were dead. I wonder if you have any personal interest in her, Silas?"

"..."

In this recorded conversation, simply to save a hundred thousand dollars on his extortion budget, Donovan Pierce suggested that Silas Grey harm Lyla!

Hearing these callous words, every executive in the Pierce family boardroom was struck with shock and disgust.

Jude’s eyes narrowed.

"You bastard! You absolute bastard, kneel before me!" Maxwell Pierce exploded in rage, slamming his hand on the table so hard that his whiskey glass fell to the floor and shattered into pieces.

Donovan dropped to his knees on the carpet. "Grandfather, I know I was wrong! It was just a moment of madness fueled by jealousy of Lawson’s new studio! In my fury, I did something foolish. I truly didn’t mean for it to go that far. Please forgive me this once, I’m begging you!"

Maxwell Pierce shouted in rage. "A moment of fury?! But you’ve already done it! You almost harmed an innocent girl, and you nearly destroyed the entire Pierce Studios legacy in the process!"

Jude stepped forward. "Chairman Pierce, Donovan targeted my lead asset. If not for my personal intervention, Lyla would have fallen victim to his scheme. You must stand up as the leader of this conglomerate and severely punish Donovan! I want him to pay for his actions!"

Maxwell Pierce grimaced. "Donovan’s actions... I will not let him off lightly, Lawson! Tell me, how would you like him to be dealt with to settle this corporate grievance?"

Jude didn’t hesitate for a single second. "I want him in federal prison."

Maxwell Pierce’s expression changed drastically.

At this moment, Richard Pierce angrily pointed a finger at Jude. "Lawson, don’t go too far! Donovan already knows he’s wrong, and your pop star wasn’t even harmed! We’re all corporate executives here, gentlemen; let’s settle this with a fine, don’t take it too far!"

Jude’s eyes flashed with anger. "Richard, listen to yourself! Am I going too far? It’s your pathetic son who went too far! He’s unworthy of his title!"

Richard pleaded with the Chairman. "Father, Donovan is the family’s legitimate heir! If he goes to federal prison and word gets out to the press, our studio becomes a joke! Our stock will plummet to zero. How could we ever hold our heads up again? Please, Father, reconsider!"

Maxwell Pierce nodded, his shoulders slumping as he tried to persuade Jude. "Lawson, his father has a valid point. This matter shouldn’t be made public to the federal authorities; this concerns the Pierce family’s reputation and our shareholder value. If this scandal spreads and causes an uproar, our current film distributions could unravel, and the international deals we’ve worked hard on will be wasted."

Jude fell silent for a moment.

A drawn-out federal trial would tie up Apex Media’s legal teams and drag Lyla’s name through the very tabloid mud Jude was trying to protect her from.

But he couldn’t just let Donovan off the hook...

Jude looked at the Chairman, his tone calm. "I have a suggestion, Chairman, which you may consider. How about this: you expel Donovan from the Pierce family trust and strip him of all executive shares... remove him from this conglomerate! This matter need not be made public to the feds, but his total expulsion must be done today!"

Jude’s suggestion was harsh.

"If I can’t send him to federal prison without dragging my own artists into a media circus," Jude said, "then expelling him into total poverty is a compromise I can accept. Either way, I want him removed from this industry. Just seeing him disgusts me."

Donovan was terrified, scrambling up from the carpet. "Lawson, you’re going way too far! I’m the Pierce family’s oldest legitimate grandson; how can you demand my grandfather expel me so casually?!"

"I oppose this entirely!" Richard shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "Father, you can’t expel Donovan! He is the oldest legitimate grandson, and he will inherit the family’s assets in the future! Father, you must reconsider!"

Maxwell Pierce found himself at a difficult loss.

However, at this moment, he had to give Jude Lawson a definitive explanation...

If Maxwell protected Donovan, Jude would undoubtedly launch a hostile takeover that would obliterate Pierce Studios overnight.

Maxwell Pierce found it incredibly difficult to make this final decision.

"Chairman, is this decision so incredibly hard?" Jude asked with a mocking smile. "Expel Donovan from the family trust right now, and we will settle this corporate dispute quietly. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to call my contacts at the Department of Justice, as a federal prison sentence seems far more fitting for him."

"Shut up, damn you! You arrogant Wall Street kid! Who the hell are you to speak to us like this?!"

Richard Pierce pounced forward across the table.

In his blind fury, Richard lunged wildly to hit Jude.

Watching the studio executive rush at him with a raised fist, Jude laughed.

He thought how it couldn’t be blamed on him if this arrogant executive came at him on his own.