Rise of the Zillionaire Star

Chapter 36: Legal Threats and Dirty Deals

The notification hit like a gavel to the skull.

“SYSTEM ALERT: Roman Vale has filed a civil defamation suit against you in the State Superior Court.”

Jaylen’s phone screen glared with the headline. Every major entertainment blog had already picked it up. Their thumbnails are a carousel of his angry freeze frames from several interviews he had attended. He didn’t need to read the comments to know the tide was against him, at least for now.

“Defamation?” Jaylen muttered, tossing the phone onto the desk. “The guy’s made a career out of lying through his teeth.”

Zee’s holographic form pulsed to life above his laptop, sharp blue light reflecting off the studio walls.

 “It’s more than that. The lawsuit is structured to bury you in legal fees, tie you up in court, and starve your brand. Roman doesn’t need to win, he just needs to bleed you dry.” Zee expressed.

Jaylen leaned back in his chair with his jaw tightening. “And it’s working. I just got off three calls. Two clubs have been canceled, and the stadium gig in Chicago is gone. Sponsors are nervous. They think I’m a problem.”

Before he could sink deeper into frustration, Zee’s voice shifted to its tactical tone.

“Activating Legal Ghost Protocol. Accessing court databases… scanning the suit… cross-referencing financial disclosures.” Zee expressed. 

The hologram flickered with streams of encrypted data which was faster than the human eye could track.

Thirty seconds later, Zee froze on a single image. It was a smiling, heavyset man in a black robe… Judge Harmon.

 “I found something. Harmon has been on the bench for fifteen years. Two sealed transactions routed through shell corporations in the Caymans. The dates align with Roman’s last two major corporate acquisitions.”

Jaylen’s eyes narrowed after Zee's response. “Are you telling me the judge is bought?”

 “He is bought, leased, and gift-wrapped. Sub-Quest initiated: Expose Judge Harmon’s Bribe Trail. You’ll need hard proof, not just speculation.”

Jaylen’s pulse quickened. Proof meant getting close… dangerously close… to the people Roman kept insulated. And if Roman had any say in it, Jaylen would never make it to trial.

Two Hours Later at the  Studio Parking Lot

Night had draped itself over the city. The streetlights flickered in the humid air. Jaylen had just wrapped a rough mix session. The bass from his last track was still echoing in his head, when he caught movement near the dumpster.

A dark SUV idled at the curb. His windows were tinted to the point of opacity. Jaylen’s instincts screamed wrong.

He stepped out, locking the studio door behind him. The click was met with the sound of boots pressing the ground aggressively. 

“Evening, superstar,” a voice drawled from right before him.

Three figures emerged. They wore black hoodies, gloves, and the unmistakable gleam of brass knuckles. Roman’s calling card.

Jaylen kept his hands visible in a loose stance.  “Let me guess, you are here to serve me court papers?”

The tallest thug cracked a grin. “Nah. We’re here to serve a message.”

They moved in.

The first swing came high and sloppy. Jaylen pivoted, letting the man’s momentum carry him forward.  He then drove an elbow into his ribs. The thug stumbled, gasping.

The second one was faster. He came low with a sweep aimed at Jaylen’s legs. Jaylen jumped back, but not far enough, pain lanced up his shin as the kick connected.

“SYSTEM alert: Should I activate quick reflex Level 2? Cost: 3 Stamina Points.”

“Do it,” Jaylen hissed under his breath.

The world slowed. His vision sharpened, mapping angles and trajectories in glowing overlays.

The third thug lunged with brass knuckles raised, but Jaylen was already moving. He ducked under, grabbing the man’s wrist, and twisted it until the weapon clattered to the pavement.

Jaylen then launched a knee to the gut and it dropped him.

The first thug recovered, charging with a roar. Jaylen sidestepped again, using the man’s weight to slam him into the SUV’s hood. The metal dented with a satisfying crunch.

The second thug hesitated now. He started walking around him, looking for an opening. Jaylen’s breathing was steady, his stance balanced. He knew the guy was waiting for backup or for Jaylen to get tired.

Zee’s voice was a calm hum in his ear.  “The police scanner just lit up. An anonymous tip was placed about ‘disturbance with weapons.’ That was me. You’ve got ninety seconds before sirens.”

Jaylen nodded subtly, feinting left. The second thug bit, stepping into range. Jaylen’s hook landed flush on the jaw, dropping him cold.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

The tallest thug, still wheezing from the rib shot, spat blood and glared. “This ain’t over.”

Jaylen took a step closer. In a low and razor-edged voice. “Tell Roman, he’ll need more than three amateurs next time.”

They scrambled into the SUV and peeled away with their  tires screeching.

Back Inside the studio

Jaylen slammed the deadbolt behind him. His adrenaline still buzzing.

 “Threat neutralized. But this confirms escalation. Roman’s shifting from media warfare to physical intimidation.”

Jaylen dropped into his chair, rubbing his shin where the kick had landed. “Good. Let him think I’m rattled. The more desperate he gets, the more mistakes he makes.”

The hologram’s glow softened, displaying a to-do list in crisp white text.

“Trace Harmon’s Cayman transactions,  Link shell corps to Roman Vale’s holding companies and Secure physical evidence - preferably with media value.”

Jaylen smirked. “We are going to burn his whole operation down in public.”

Zee tilted its head. “Public burn rate: optimal for maximum Fame gain. But expect counterattacks.”

Jaylen leaned forward. His eyes locked on the glowing map of connections between Roman, Harmon, and a web of faceless corporations.

“This isn’t just about winning a case,” he said. “It’s about making sure no one ever tries to pull this on me again.”

………

The city outside buzzed, oblivious to the chaos gearing up in backrooms and servers. Jaylen knew the legal battlefield was just as brutal as any stage and Roman had just drawn the line.

“SUB-QUEST ACTIVE: Expose Judge Harmon’s Bribe Trail.

OBJECTIVES: Gather hard proof. Survive Roman’s intimidation tactics. Deliver evidence live.”

Somewhere deep in the network, files were waiting to be found. It was files that could shatter Harmon’s career and rip the mask off Roman Vale for good.

Jaylen cracked his knuckles, a slow grin spreading across his face.

“Alright, Roman. Make your move.”

A sharp knock rattled the studio door. Jaylen froze with his muscles coiling. Zee’s scanners lit up red. “Multiple heat signatures.”

Jaylen’s eyes narrowed. “It's round two already?”

The knocking turned to pounding.