When Harry Jackson walked into the boardroom, you could cut the tension with a knife. The dim light reflected off the marble table where Lawrence Jackson sat, with Keating and Douglas—two of the company's old guard—on either side. Mason was quiet, his lips tight. Harry's chair was right across from Lawrence, like a hot seat.
Harry walked in, calm but ready for anything, his coat moving behind him. He sat by Mason, putting a folder on the table.
"You know why I'm here," Harry said to Lawrence, his eyes fixed on him. "Uncle must have told you."
Douglas, in his old blazer, leaned forward, his voice sharp. "We know. And we also know you're playing with fire."
Keating huffed. "A silly fit because you're leaving JTV? After all we did for you?"
Harry didn't even blink. "'Done for me?' Seriously? I did all the work. You handed me a disaster of a company and wanted me to fix it with nothing. And guess what? I did it."
Lawrence put up a hand, stopping Keating from exploding. He pointed to a pile of papers in front of him.
Douglas gave the same papers to Mason and Harry. "These are JTV's rating charts," Douglas said. "The last three years. You see what's going on?"
Harry took a quick look. It was clear. The first year—nothing but bad news. Viewership way down, money lost, talent leaving. Then, out of nowhere—four months after he took over—a big jump. More ad money, better deals, younger viewers. What he'd changed was working.
"Pretty amazing, huh?" Douglas went on. "You almost matched HBO's numbers last quarter. And you want to just walk away?"
"I want to do more," Harry said, not showing any emotion. "Not get stuck with one network forever."
Mason finally lost it, slamming the papers on the table. "Ten years?! Are you kidding me?! You want to tie him down for ten years like he's some character on a show?!"
"Calm down, Mason," Lawrence said. "It's not a punishment—it's acknowledging what he's done. The network needs Harry. He's proven it. JTV is doing well again. He'll get stock options. Extra stuff. His own team to develop things. We're not the bad guys here."
Harry laughed without humor. "You think I'd give you another ten years of my life so you can dangle that team in front of me? No way. I'd rather take my next idea to Fox. I hear they're in trouble lately. They could use something good."
Lawrence looked angry. "You know they're our biggest rival."
"Exactly," Harry said, leaning back. "Maybe it's time the Jackson name did something unexpected."
Lawrence's face got hard. "And ruin your father's name while you're at it?"
"My father," Harry said quietly, "would have wanted me to create my own thing. Not just be a puppet for the family business."
Keating slammed his fist on the table. "If that's how you see us, maybe we should rethink your voting rights on the board."
Mason turned quickly. "Hold on a second—"
"No, Uncle," Harry cut him off. "Let them talk. Let them threaten me."
He stood up, calmly collecting the papers. "I haven't been to a single board meeting since I took over JTV. You know why? Because I was too busy saving your failing company."
He turned to the door but stopped—his hand on the shiny brass handle. He looked back over his shoulder, smiling in a way that wasn't friendly at all. "Oh, and one more thing. Shows like Power Rangers, Mr. Bean, and the animated stuff that's coming up? They're all registered in my name. FunTime Productions. Jackson Animation, JTV can't touch them after October without a deal."
Lawrence jumped up from his chair. "You little—"