The massive conference room felt less like a meeting space and more like a high-altitude pressure chamber. The air was thick with tension, despite the fresh-brewed triple-shot espresso and warm buttered brioche offered to the guests. The long, mahogany table was set for corporate warfare.
Jax Ryland stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the crawling New York traffic. He was back from Paris, fueled by a quick, light breakfast of Greek yogurt mixed with berries and granola, a meal designed for efficiency. His suit was immaculate, his demeanor sharp and cold.
The clock read 10:55 AM. The negotiation was five minutes away.
"She's here, Jax," Silas Trent confirmed, checking his phone. Silas, stressed but ready, sipped his strong black coffee. Do not let her talk about creative input. Secure the Phoenix Catalog.
"I won't let her near the art," Jax affirmed, turning to face the door. But I know what she wants. She wants influence. I will give her a deal that secures our publishing rights but forces her to expose one of her assets.
He thought back to the Volkov offer, the ultimate financial safety net he desperately craved, but had refused.
Jax thought: I would not compromise the control that Rhys, Kellan, Nick, and Damian built this company on. That is my promise to them, and my promise to myself. Aria and I are fighting for the same thing: control born from the fear of being helpless.
Michael Johnson, the Vice President of Vance Global and the company's public face, entered first, leading the way. He offered Jax a firm, practiced handshake.
Aria Vance walked in.
She wore a charcoal pantsuit that was flawlessly tailored, professional, and entirely discreet; it did nothing to draw attention, yet commanded the space. She offered no smile, only a cool nod to Jax. She sat down, her posture perfect, her expression empty of emotion. Elias Vance followed her, silent and watchful, and took a seat slightly behind her.
"Thank you for meeting, Mr. Ryland," Aria said, her voice low and precise. She opened a thin, expensive briefcase. Let's dispense with the pleasantries. We are here to finalize the rights to the Phoenix Catalog. Vance Global requires a resolution.
Jax sat down opposite her. I agree. But I want to discuss the overall valuation of Zenith Publishing. Your recent acquisition of the Thorne Company creates instability in the market, making our long-term assets, like the Phoenix Catalog, undervalued.
He launched his first weapon, citing recent successes.
We are not a distressed asset, Ms. Vance. Yesterday in Paris, Gucci secured a multi-year global ambassadorship deal with Aether as a partnership, not a simple endorsement. It includes creative input and multi-million dollar investments. Furthermore, we are finalizing a massive co-marketing alliance with Ascend Communications to launch their Aura Model X phone, a deal that will generate millions in clean, immediate revenue.
He paused, letting the weight of the information settle. "The question is not what the Phoenix Catalog is worth today, but why a security-minded firm like yours is risking capital on legal battles when we are clearly expanding and stabilizing without you."
Aria met his intense gaze without flinching, absorbing the blow without any change in expression.
Aria thought: He's using his fame as a shield. He's predictable. He wants me to acknowledge his power.
She thought: "I will concede the battle to win the war."
"Your growth is noted, Mr. Ryland," Aria said calmly. However, Zenith Publishing's expansion is decentralized. That presents a logistical risk that a company specializing in global security, like Vance Global, is uniquely qualified to mitigate. We don't want to fight the litigation, nor do we want to hinder your creative success. We want a profitable partnership.
She pushed a new contract amendment across the table, a surprising move.
"Vance Global is prepared to concede the majority of the Phoenix Catalog rights and associated revenue to Zenith Publishing," Aria stated. We will step away from the litigation completely. In exchange, we require only one thing: we must be designated as the sole, exclusive security and logistical contractor for the entire Eclipse World Tour.
Jax froze. It was a brilliant, unexpected countermove.
"The Eclipse Tour is your most sensitive, exposed, and valuable operation," Aria continued, her voice gaining a cold, compelling momentum. It requires maximum secrecy and absolute control over global movement and local threats. Vance Global will secure the tour, ensuring maximum profitability and minimum risk, completely neutralizing any corporate or physical threat to your artists.
Jax thought: She's trading the publishing the permanent asset for control over the movement of the operation. If she controls the tour, she has access to everything. She controls my life.
"That's an extreme demand for a right settlement, Ms. Vance," Jax challenged, his voice hardening. You want full oversight over our most complex operation. That is unacceptable.
"It is not unacceptable; it is necessary," Aria countered, her eyes finally darkening with a sliver of intensity. Your fame is a liability. Your entire operation is exposed to risk we see constantly in the global market. We will take all the risk for you, ensuring the tour is the most secure and profitable endeavor in music history. You keep the rights, and we keep you safe.
Silas Trent jumped in, worried. That is too much access, Ms. Vance. Our current security team is excellent.
Aria looked at Silas with a dismissive glance. A standard CPD team is not prepared for the level of coordination required to move global assets with Aether's level of fame. Elias, please show Mr. Ryland our current threat assessment on the Eclipse Tour.
Elias Vance, silent until now, pushed a thin, confidential document across the table.
Jax opened it. Inside were detailed, accurate breakdowns of specific security weaknesses in their planned venues, accurate estimates of local criminal element risks, and a terrifyingly precise map of the band's planned European movements that included vulnerabilities even Zenith's own team had missed.
The information was too good. It was the level of detail only a major global intelligence or military operation would possess. Jax felt a cold dread settle over him, the kind of professional respect one gives a predator.
Jax thought: She is showing me that her life is a real danger, and she is offering me a shield that I desperately need to protect my team. She's giving me absolute safety in exchange for control.
"I want to know who is running this operation," Jax demanded, his voice low, his eyes locked on Aria. "Who is the field operative who gathers this kind of intelligence?"
Aria simply stared at him, the challenge clear. The security and logistical team are managed directly by Vance Global's field commander. The only people with operational access will be this commander and Elias Vance. We require a decision, Mr. Ryland. The rights to the Phoenix Catalog, or absolute security for the Eclipse Tour.
Jax knew he was trapped. He looked at the details of the threat assessment. He could fight Aria in court for years over the publishing rights, but he couldn't gamble on the lives of Kellan, Rhys, and Nick—the brothers he'd built his career with. The security of his team was his ultimate priority, a loyalty ingrained deeper than his fear of instability.
"We accept the terms," Jax said, the words tasting like defeat. "Vance Global has been granted the exclusive contract for security and logistics for the Eclipse World Tour."
Aria gave a tiny, almost invisible nod of satisfaction. Excellent. Michael Johnson will handle the contract details with Mr. Trent. The paperwork will be ready by the end of the business day.
She stood up, gathering her things. She had won complete, silent control over his most valuable asset—his movement and his team.
As she turned to leave, Jax spoke, his voice quiet, demanding her full attention. You wanted influence, Ms. Vance. You have it. Now you're on the inside. You are part of the family, and you are exposed. Watch your shadows, Aria.
Aria paused at the door, turning just turning her head. Her expression was cold, the ghost of the sixteen-year-old girl in the forest completely hidden.
"I only watch the targets, Mr. Ryland," she replied, before turning and walking out, leaving him with the unsettling victory of her control.
Minutes later, Jax Ryland and Silas Trent were walking quickly down the hall to the corner office of Damian Reed, the CEO of Zenith Records and their co-owner.
Damian Reed, a large, imposing man known for his calm, strategic mind, was sitting behind his enormous oak desk, reading a financial report. His office was filled with sunlight and the trophies of two decades in the music business. He looked up as they entered.
"Close the door," Damian instructed, his voice low. I saw Michael Johnson leave with Ms. Vance. Tell me what happened. I assume the Phoenix Catalog is still ours, but at what cost?
Jax dropped heavily into a chair. Silas remained standing, agitated.
"The catalog is secure," Jax began, pushing a hand through his hair. We keep all the publishing rights and revenue. But the cost is the Eclipse Tour.
Silas took over, his voice tight with frustration. She forced us into a corner, Damian. She conceded the rights in exchange for the exclusive contract to handle all security and logistics for the entire world tour. She brought in a threat assessment that was terrifyingly accurate. It detailed weaknesses in venues, routes, and security protocols that even our best team missed. It was a level of intelligence only a major government or military contractor would have.
Damian's calm demeanor did not shift, but his eyes narrowed. She leveraged fear. She offered absolute safety for the only thing Jax truly prioritizes: the well-being of the band. Smart. She knew the law wasn't her best weapon.
"She knows what we value," Jax said, the weight of the decision heavy on his shoulders. I had to accept it, Damian. I cannot risk the lives of others for a contract war. The tour is the biggest thing we've ever done; the risks are too high. She neutralized the threat with a professional offering we couldn't match.
Standing up, Damian walked over to the coffee station where a pot of strong Colombian blend was waiting. He poured three cups, two black, one with cream for Silas.
"The good news is, we keep the revenue stream intact, which strengthens our position globally," Damian said, handing Jax his coffee. The bad news is, she now has complete, intimate operational access to our most private assets. This Vance Global field commander will be in every city, privy to every rehearsal, every private detail, every moment the band is outside their secured area.
"I asked who the commander was," Jax admitted, rubbing his jaw. She refused to say. Only operational access is limited to the commander and Elias Vance. I don't trust it. I don't trust her."
"You shouldn't," Damian agreed, leaning back against his desk. But you did the right thing, Jax. You prioritized the safety of the band over the corporate battle. That's what makes this company different. Now, we use this access to our advantage.
Silas frowned. "How?"
We are about to sign a multi-million dollar deal with Ascend Communications, a deal that makes us publicly formidable. And we had just secured a massive creative ambassadorship with Gucci, Damian explained, taking a slow sip of coffee. She traded finance for control. Now, we use her presence and her contract to secure more stability. We need to publicly announce the partnership with Vance Global before we announce the Ascend deal.
"Announce it?" Jax asked, surprised. "That's too much exposure for her."
"Exactly," Damian stated, a flicker of cold amusement in his eyes. She wants to operate in the shadows, but she just signed a very public, very lucrative contract with the most famous band in the world. We are going to force Vance Global and the commander into the spotlight. If she wants control over us, she has to submit to our publicity.
Damian thought: I will force her to compromise her secrecy. Jax is right; we need to use her own contract as a weapon against her.
Jax felt a surge of professional anticipation. It was a perfect counter-move: turn her shadow into a target.
"And what about the Volkov offer?" Damian asked, his eyes suddenly piercing. Saskia Volkov's interest is a serious signal. She's looking for vulnerability, and she's looking for you.
"I refused the investment," Jax confirmed. I told her we would fight our own battles. It comes with a price that is too high.
"Good," Damian said, relieved. We fight the fight. Now, Jax, I want you to personally oversee the Ascend Communications meeting. Use the momentum. Silas, draft the press release about the Vance Global security partnership immediately.
Jax stood up, draining the last of his coffee. The exhaustion from Paris was gone, replaced by the fierce energy of the fight. He had lost control of the tour, but he had won the long game for the publishing rights. The battle with Aria Vance was now officially personal and entirely interwoven with his professional life.