+The Archives

Rose had clean and cooked dinner for him. But Lex had a problem, he could sleep. It was almost the beginning so he did what any person would do he went to clean out the back room.

It had been years since he'd bothered to look through Roger Latham's archives—the projects his father had invested in, the favors he extended to friends, the blueprints of a man who built cautiously but thoroughly.

Lex wasn't here for nostalgia.

He needed leverage. If Barnie was circling the trust, there had to be something buried in Roger's old holdings that could shift the balance.

Lex sat at the small desk, pulling open the first drawer. The familiar scrape of wood-on-wood echoed faintly, and Lex's gaze settled on the rows of leather-bound journals inside.

Roger documented everything.

Lex pulled out the first notebook, flipping it open to pages filled with tidy script—notes on hedge funds, charitable projects, and company stakeholdings.

His father wasn't reckless. Every investment was deliberate and documented.

Lex skimmed over the names of startups, real estate ventures, and community projects. It wasn't just business. Roger's fingerprints were everywhere—schools, art programs, independent films.

Lex paused on a page dated nearly sixteen years ago.

Project: Eve Films – Independent Film Studio (25% Stake).

Investment Date: 05 Jan 2009.

Status: Inactive (Potential to Reacquire Rights).

Lex's brow lifted slightly. Eve.

The name hadn't come up in years, but Lex recognized it immediately. Ever Films had been a small indie studio his father helped fund after a close friend faced bankruptcy. The studio didn't last long, folding quietly after releasing three films—two of which became cult classics.

Lex flipped forward, scanning through additional notes. Roger had retained partial rights to several scripts, unfinished film projects, and intellectual property.

And it wasn't the only entry.

Marrick Technical Institute – 10% Stake.

Winterson Games – 15% Stake (Expired).

Vaughn Real Estate – 12% Stake (Held by Trust).

Lex's fingers hovered over the page.

Marrick.

A private tech-focused school downtown, known for producing some of the city's best engineers. His father had invested quietly, without drawing much attention. It was still operating, profitable—but discreet.

Lex leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing. Barnie hadn't touched these holdings.

Maybe he hadn't noticed them.

Or maybe he couldn't.

Lex carefully set the journal aside and reached deeper into the drawer, pulling out an unmarked file folder. Inside, legal documents outlined quiet ownership stakes in small businesses, art schools, and production houses.

They weren't flashy.

But they were stable.

Lex smirked faintly. His father may have been conservative, but conservative holdings lasted.

It wasn't long before Lex leaned against his office desk, rolling his pen between his fingers as he dialed Benny.

Benny picked up on the first ring. "Tell me you're calling with a stupid amount of money and a crazy idea."

It would seem that Benny was still bum out about Lex countering Netflix.

Lex smirked. "Would you settle for a reasonable amount of money and a solid plan?"

Benny let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine. I'll hear you out."

Lex turned to the file on his desk, flipping through the details of Project: Eve Films—an independent studio that had been left half-dead after funding dried up. "I want an update on Eve Films. You still holding twenty-five percent?"

"Yeah," Benny confirmed. "And my ex still has her fifty percent. She works in publishing now, editing literary fiction and regretting every second she ever spent with me."

Lex chuckled. "Sounds amicable."

Benny snorted. "Look, we're on talking terms. I can call her, but what's your angle?"

Lex tapped the folder. "Independent films are about to get their moment. Streaming platforms are desperate for unique content, and they're going to start throwing money at smaller studios for exclusivity deals. Project: Eve has the foundation, but it's been underfunded for too long."

Benny exhaled. "So you want in?"

Lex nodded, even though Benny couldn't see him. "I'll buy you out at twenty-five percent if you want. Or, we renegotiate ownership, bring in more funding, and expand."

Benny hummed, considering it. "And the ex?"

Lex smirked. "If she's smart, she'll listen."

Benny paused, then said, "You know, I think your dad owns the publishing house she works for. If I remember correctly."

Lex's fingers froze on the pen. That was interesting.

"You sure?"

Benny laughed. "Dude, it's in your portfolio. Check."

Lex clicked open his laptop, his fingers moving fast. Latham Publishing Group. A subsidiary his father had acquired years ago, tucked neatly into a network of intellectual property holdings.

A slow grin spread across Lex's face. "Well, that makes things easier."

Benny chuckled. "Let me to call Sarah first, and then you can talk."

The call ended but Lex thoughts were complicated, he wonder what else he had forgotten. Plays he could have made.