Dirty Secrets

The 3rd-floor foyer stayed quiet for a long moment...

In the film industry, Julian Mercer was the executive who mattered. As COO of Apex Studios' theatrical division, he oversaw production slates, budgets, and distribution schedules. Even established actors like Damon Vance and Camilla Frost treated him with careful respect.

Discovering that the man they had mocked as an uninvited guest was the chairman above Mercer cut the ground out from under them.

Damon stepped forward quickly.

"Mr. Lawson... Chairman Lawson, excuse us," Damon said, his voice unsteady. "We had no idea you held the chair at Apex. If we had known—"

"Our apologies, Chairman," Camilla added, keeping her head down. "We completely misread the situation."

Jude looked at them without expression.

Five minutes earlier, when they thought he had no influence, they were ready to call security to make a point for the cameras. The sudden apology came from panic, not sincerity.