Slight Blindsided

Lex stormed out of the boardroom. Ignoring the sidelong glances of junior analysts and interns. And went stright to Elias's office. Entering without waiting Kat to buzz him in, his jaw was tight, his hands balled into fists.

Elias was on the phone, but the sharp click of Lex's shoes against the marble was impossible to miss. The family lawyer glanced up and held up a finger, silently asking for patience.

Lex ignored the gesture. "We need to talk," he said, his tone clipped.

Elias quickly ended the call, placing the receiver back in its cradle. "This is about the trust meeting."

Lex paced in front of the desk like a caged animal. "How didn't we know? Barnie's been pulling strings and burning through trust capital like it's Monopoly money, and we didn't see it coming?"

Elias leaned back in his chair, his calm demeanor a sharp contrast to Lex's frustration. "The trust was supposed to be secure, Lex. We had no reason to suspect Barnie would use Maddox Holdings' instability to justify tapping the rainy day fund."

Lex stopped pacing, turning to face Elias. "They almost gave him the money. If I hadn't said anything—"

Elias held up a hand. "You're right. They almost did. But you stopped it. That matters."

"It's not enough," Lex shot back, his voice low and sharp. "Barnie's made a mess of Maddox Holdings, and now he's trying to drag the trust down with him. What are my options to protect the legacy?"

Elias exhaled slowly, folding his hands on the desk. "Your options are limited, Lex. You're 17, which means you don't have legal authority over the trust yet. The board and the trustees hold the power to make decisions."

Lex's gaze narrowed. "And if I quit playing intern and start playing hardball? What if I walk away from this charade and focus on stopping Barnie from outside?"

Elias's brow furrowed. "Lex, leaving the company might weaken your position. As frustrating as this internship is, it keeps you in the room. It's easier to influence decisions when you're part of the conversation."

Before Lex could respond, Elias's phone buzzed loudly on the desk. He frowned as he checked the screen. "It's Margot," he said, glancing up at Lex. "The younger one."

"The social worker, not the socialite," Lex said, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Great. Answer it."

Elias picked up the receiver, his tone softening. "Margot, good to hear from you. What's going on?"

Lex crossed his arms, leaning against the wall as he tried to gauge the conversation from Elias's side.

Elias's expression grew more serious as he listened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Yes, I heard about the meeting… No, Lex was there. He raised valid concerns about Barnie's proposal… Of course, I agree it's a problem… Yes, I'll handle it."

He ended the call, his face unreadable as he set the phone down.

"What did she want?" Lex asked, pushing off the wall.

"She's concerned," Elias said. "She doesn't trust Barnie, and she's worried about the trust's future. She's asking if we have a plan."

Lex let out a humorless laugh. "A plan? The only plan right now is damage control. And honestly, I'm not sure it's enough."

Elias studied him carefully. "Lex, you're young, but you're not stupid. You've already done more in two weeks than most people would in a year. If you want to quit interning, that's your choice. But know this—quitting doesn't mean stepping away from the fight. It just means changing how you fight."

Lex met Elias's gaze, his voice steady despite the fire in his eyes. "Then tell me what I need to do."

"I'll release your funds," Elias said, "The trusts—your father's, grandfather's, even your great-grandfather's—I'll request access. We use that capital to establish your next steps."

Lex straightened, his interest piqued. "You're serious? No holding back?"

Elias nodded. "Serious as the market crash you keep warning me about. We'll set up your hedge fund first. If Barnie's going to double down on risky plays, we'll hedge against him. And while we're at it…" He paused, tapping his pen against the desk.

Lex raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Elias smirked. "I assume you'll want the label set up officially. You've been circling the idea for weeks. Why not make it real?"

Lex's lips curled into a faint grin. "I'll call it Roger & Son. My dad would've liked that."

Elias chuckled softly. "A little sentimental for someone as cutthroat as you. The music industry is volatile, but you've got the catalog to back it up—and more."

Lex leaned forward, his tone sharper. "And Barnie? What's his next move?"

Elias's smirk faded as he turned serious. "Margot called because the trustees are pressing Barnie for proof. They want detailed cash flow statements and a plan to stabilize Maddox Holdings. He's stalling, of course, but he can only buy so much time."

Lex drummed his fingers on the edge of the desk. "How much time?"

Elias glanced at his notes. "A few weeks at best. By the time the trustees realize he's got nothing but smoke and mirrors, you'll already be sitting pretty—with a hedge fund and a label in play."

Lex exhaled slowly, the fire in his chest cooling to calculated determination. "Fine. Get the paperwork started. Hedge fund first, then the label. And send me the updated trust account balances—I'll figure out where to allocate everything."

Elias stood, extending his hand with a faint smirk. "You're about to become a very busy young man, Lex."

Lex shook his hand, his grip firm. "That's the idea."

As he left Elias's office, the weight of the day began to feel less suffocating. The trust, the hedge fund, the label—they weren't just opening moves on a board.