Hostage Situation

That evening, as usual, Jude Lawson had instructed his driver to pull the Maybach up to the edge of the high-end commercial plaza just outside the Apex Media headquarters. 

Because of a police barricade blocking the main avenue, Jude decided to step out and walk the remaining distance to the executive tower. 

Every single time he appeared in public among the old-money elites, he attracted strange, fearful, and resentful looks from the rival executives and socialites. 

Not many good words came out of their mouths. 

"Look, isn't that the Wall Street vulture who just dismantled Pierce Studios?" 

"Apex Media may not find his hostile tactics shameful, but I certainly do!" 

Jude heard these whispered remarks every single day, and after hearing them enough, he had gotten entirely used to the predictable jealousy of inferior competitors. 

Jude pretended not to hear the whispers, walking with steady steps through the upscale community plaza.