Chapitre 321: Aftermath

The Harvey Weinstein case had been a headline and talking point across the nation as the days went on. On the fourth day after the stunning verdict, there was still no sign of the hype dying down.

Late-night shows scrambled for content around it. Jimmy Fallon cracked on The Tonight Show, "Hey, you guys hear about this Lucas Knight guy? He just sent a big shot to jail. So I guess Lucas Knight really knows how to give an amazing performance — on any screen!"

On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert said wryly, "Harvey Weinstein's in prison because an actor spoke out about his behavior. … You know what they say: Sometimes the hero doesn't wear a cape — but does have an excellent attorney and a brother who'll spill everything."

Even in daytime Ellen DeGeneres couldn't resist bringing it up. "I had Lucas Knight on my show not long ago," she told her audience. "Who knew when he left here he'd be responsible for bringing down one of Hollywood's biggest monsters? Maybe instead of Lucas Knight we should start calling him Lucas Day, because he's certainly had his."

***

Lucas had just settled back into his New York apartment when there came a sudden banging at the door. He opened it to find Paul Sterling, his actor buddy, bouncing on his toes with excitement.

"Dude!" Paul yelped, enveloping Lucas in a bear hug. "You crazy bastard! Taking down Harvey Weinstein? That's nuts!"

Lucas laughed and hugged him back before leading him inside. "C'mon in, man. Good to see you."

Paul sank onto Lucas's couch and shook his head in wonder. "I can't even wrap my brain around it. One minute you're just another pretty face in Hollywood, the next you're this... this goddamn avenging angel or something."

Lucas grabbed two beers from the fridge and handed one to Paul. "Believe me, I'm still wrapping my own brain around it."

They clinked bottles, and then Paul leaned forward eagerly. "So spill: what was it like in that courtroom? Was Harvey as terrifying as they say?"

Lucas took a swig of his beer and thought for a moment. "You know?" he said finally. "Surreal doesn't begin to cover it. One minute I thought we were toast; next thing I knew Bob Weinstein was dropping bombs left and right."

As the night went on they traded more stories — wilder stories — until their laughter filled the apartment; amidst all the madness that had become his life lately, Lucas cherished this one brief night of ordinary.

"You know," Paul said some time later; he'd gone serious again without quite seeming to realize it himself yet — maybe he never would — "you did good, man. What you did... that took balls."

Lucas smiled at him then because what can he say to that but thank you?

***

The next day, Lucas's dwelling was filled with the lively chatter of comradeship as Liza and Samantha entered. They greeted him with hugs so tight they could have strangled a bear and excited babble.

"Lucas, I still cannot believe what you did," said Samantha shaking her head in disbelief. "It is like a movie."

Liza nodded her head up and down. "You always surprise me but this one takes the cake."

They moved into the front room and conversation flowed freely. Samantha shared her new music composition ideas eagerly; her eyes lighting up while she described how complex some of the melodies were.

During a pause in the talk, Liza looked at Lucas with gentle eyes. "So when do you think you can come see the kids at Bellevue? They've been asking about you."

Lucas' face lit up when he heard them mention the children. "How are James, Jonathan, Marian, Nicole… all of them?"

A grin spread across Liza's face. "They're doing great Lucas! Your LK Charity has paid for all their treatments and we're seeing some really good signs!"

Lucas let out a sigh of relief that could've extinguished a candle before visibly relaxing his shoulders. "That's… that's amazing news Liza… You don't know how happy I am to hear that…"

Liza reached across squeezing his hand tight. "Your charity is a godsend Lucas… It was awful of Harvey to try and smear that good work."

Samantha nodded hard enough to give herself whiplash. "Seriously though Lucas… Not just Harvey but what you did with your charity too... It's changing things for real."

Lucas choked back tears as he thought about what his friends had said and imagined those poor kids getting better. "I'm- I'm just glad I can help … Those kids are the real heroes..."

He struggled to hold back tears while Liza and Sam playfully teased him.

"Aw, look at our big Hollywood hero crying," Sam grinned.

Liza joined in, "Who knew taking down Harvey Weinstein would make you so soft?"

Lucas chuckled and wiped his eyes. "Oh, shut up you guys. I'm allowed to have feelings."

Laughter filled the room–a moment of levity after everything that had happened. But then Lucas' phone rang, and his face grew serious as he checked the caller ID.

"Sorry guys, I have to take this," he said as he left the room.

"Hello Bob," Lucas answered, his voice low.

Bob's greeting came through the phone tinged with a sadness that Lucas could almost feel. Sensing where Bob's emotional state was, Lucas didn't pry; instead he simply asked "How are you holding up?"

Bob sighed heavily. "It's… it's been tough, Lucas. The company is furious with me. Seems like the whole industry is pushing me away. I knew there would be consequences but…"

Lucas set his jaw determinedly. "Listen, Bob. You did the right thing and I'm not going to let you face this alone. I've got some connections in production companies who are looking for experienced executives–let me make some calls and see if I can get some meetings set up for you."

"You'd do that?" Bob's voice was full of surprise and gratitude.

"Of course," answered Lucas firmly. "You risked everything for what was right; all I'm doing is making sure you land on your feet."

As they continued talking, Lucas' mind was already racing with industry contacts whom he could reach out to.

Lucas came back into the living room with a thoughtful look on his face. Liza and Sam looked at him expectantly, but he only shook his head slightly, indicating that he wasn't ready to talk about the call yet.

As the afternoon dragged on and their visit drew to a close, Lucas walked them to the door. Just as they were about to leave, he turned to Liza with an apologetic expression.

"Liza, about visiting the kids…" He started, running his hand through his hair. "I think I might have to put it off for a bit."

Her face fell slightly, but she nodded in understanding. "Because of all this attention you're getting right now?"

He sighed. "Yeah. My name is pretty hot at the moment - I don't want to bring a media circus down on that hospital. Those kids need some peace and quiet."

Sam slapped him on the shoulder. "Always thinking about others, huh?"

Liza smiled softly. "They'll understand, Lucas. Maybe we can set up a video call or something in the meantime?"

"That's a great idea." He brightened up again. "Let's plan for that – and as soon as everything dies down a little bit I swear I'll show up there myself."

***

Seven days after the Harvey scandal erupted, Lucas observed that the noise was starting to die down. At least in New York. He figured he should get back to work.

The moment he stepped outside his apartment, a small mob of paparazzi rushed at him, cameras flashing. Jack and Simon, his bodyguards, moved to intercept them without missing a beat.

"Mr. Knight, any comments on the Weinstein case?"

"Lucas, over here!"

Lucas ignored the shouted questions and gave a little wave to a few star-struck bystanders who obviously recognized him but kept their distance.

"You all right, sir?" Jack asked as they reached the car.

Lucas nodded. "Yeah, thanks guys. Not as bad as I thought."

He slipped into the car; Shawn was waiting for him inside. Without a word from either of them, Shawn pulled away from the curb — he knew exactly where they were going next: Some discreet little place in Midtown where Lucas was set to meet with the CEO of Big Machine Records.

As they drove along, Lucas stared out the window at all those big-city skyscrapers passing by — but really he was thinking about this upcoming meeting. His first time coming face-to-face with this CEO guy. 'I wonder what they've got planned for me…'

He'd worked with different artists before — different producers — but who did they have in mind this time? And then there were these new songs of his … still unpublished … that could potentially go on his next album.

They weren't far from the building now; Lucas straightened his jacket and started mentally preparing himself for what lay ahead.

Lucas moved into the eatery. His eyes settled on the dark, beautiful inside of the restaurant. At one of the corner tables, he saw Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Records' CEO. As he approached, Scott got up from his seat.

"Hi Lucas," he said with a friendly but professional tone and shook his hand.

Lucas shook it back just as firmly. "Thanks for meeting me, Scott."

They both sat down and a waiter appeared almost immediately.

"Good to see you," Scott began leaning forward slightly once they had ordered their drinks. There was a hint of smile on his face. "I appreciate you coming in especially given all the… excitement of the past week."

Lucas nodded with neutral expression on his face. "It's good to focus on the music again."

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Chapitre 322: Mars Collab

Lucas and Scott had been discussing his unpublished songs and potential album plans when Lucas decided to address the elephant in the room.

"My contract with Big Machine Records is almost about to end," Lucas said, his tone matter-of-fact. "So... I think that's the real reason you wanted to meet with me?"

Scott chuckled dryly, nodding. "Can't slip anything past you, can I? Look, Lucas, we value you as an artist. Your success, your recent... high profile actions, they've only increased your value. We're prepared to offer you significantly better terms."

He launched into a detailed pitch, outlining increased royalties, more creative control, and a substantial signing bonus.

Lucas listened silently, his face unreadable. When Scott finished, Lucas simply said, "Actually, this isn't even my job. It's my manager's job to handle this."

Scott's smile didn't waver, but there was a glint of determination in his eyes. "I, as a CEO myself, am willing to come from Tennessee to New York to offer you these good terms, Mr. Knight." He slid a document across the table.

Lucas glanced at the paper but didn't pick it up. "I appreciate the gesture, Scott. Really. But I'm not going to make any decisions without consulting my team. You understand, right?"

Scott leaned back, studying Lucas. "Of course. I respect that. But I hope you'll consider our offer seriously. We believe in you, Lucas. We want to continue being part of your journey."

Lucas nodded, his expression softening slightly. "I'll definitely give it serious thought. Now, about that collaboration you mentioned earlier?"

As they shifted back to discussing music, both men knew that the contract negotiation was far from over.

Scott leaned forward, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Alright, let's talk about that collaboration. We've got a few stars in mind - Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Rihanna. Heck, you can even pick," he chuckled.

Lucas smiled, considering for a moment. "I'm quite interested in having a collaboration with Bruno, actually."

"Bruno Mars?" Scott's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise.

Lucas nodded, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Yeah, I've actually met the guy before. In a casino, of all places."

Scott chuckled, shaking his head. "I've heard that guy frequents those places. Quite the character, from what I understand."

"He is," Lucas agreed. "But he's also incredibly talented. I think our styles could mesh well together."

Scott nodded, looking thoughtful. "Bruno Mars... that could work. He's got that retro-pop sound that's really taking off. Your voices would complement each other nicely."

He pulled out his phone, making a quick note. "I'll have to reach out to his team, of course. But I think we could make this happen. Any particular style or theme you're thinking for the collab?"

Lucas leaned back, his mind already working on potential ideas. "I'm thinking of something... melancholic, but with an undercurrent of hope. A song about two people who've been through a lot, feeling empty and worn out, but finding strength in each other."

He paused, choosing his words carefully. "It's not quite a love song, more like... a recognition of shared struggles. I want it to have a slow, soulful rhythm, but with moments that build up to something more powerful."

Scott listened intently, nodding along. "That's an interesting concept. It's got depth to it. I can see Bruno's soulful voice working well with that kind of emotional complexity."

Lucas continued, "I've been working on some lyrics and a basic melody. It's still in the early stages, but I think with Bruno's input, we could create something really unique."

Scott's eyes lit up with interest. "Sounds promising."

Lucas nodded, his expression turning more businesslike. "Look, Scott, I'm willing to continue working with the label until my current contract expires. But for any future agreements, you'll need to discuss the details with my manager. I simply don't have the time to handle these negotiations myself."

Scott sighed, realizing his attempt to directly negotiate with Lucas wasn't going to work. He had initially hoped to take advantage of the one-on-one meeting, but Lucas was proving to be more savvy than he'd anticipated.

"I understand," Scott said, nodding slowly. "You're right, of course. I'll reach out to your manager to discuss the terms in detail."

Lucas appreciated Scott's professional response. "Thanks for understanding. I do value our working relationship, but these things need to go through the proper channels."

They wrapped up their discussion about the potential Bruno Mars collaboration and other upcoming projects. As they stood to leave, Scott extended his hand.

"It's been a pleasure, Lucas. We'll be in touch about the collaboration and... other matters."

Lucas shook his hand firmly. "Looking forward to it, Scott. Thanks for lunch."

With that, Lucas left the restaurant, feeling satisfied with how the meeting had gone. He had maintained his boundaries while still moving forward with new projects.

***

Two days later, Lucas arrived at the studio to meet with Peter Gene Hernandez, better known as Bruno Mars. As they greeted each other, there was an initial stiffness in the air. Bruno, sensing the tension, decided to break the ice.

"Yo, man," Bruno said, his voice carrying a slight accent and casual flair, "I gotta say, the way you handled that Harvey situation? Damn. The moment I saw that dude in cuffs, I knew I had to collab with you."

Lucas shook his head, laughing in surprise at Bruno's directness. "Thanks, but it wasn't all me. Bob's the one who really blew the lid off the whole thing."

Bruno nodded, his brow furrowing. "Yeah, about that... I'm kinda confused, man. Why'd he snitch on his own brother? Ain't family supposed to stick together?"

Lucas sighed, his expression turning serious. "Bob's situation was... complicated. Sending his brother to jail was probably the hardest thing he's ever done, but he saw it as the only way to really help Harvey."

"Help Harvey?" Bruno raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "How's jail supposed to help?"

"Bob could see that Harvey was mentally unstable," Lucas explained. "He figured this was the only way to force Harvey to get the help he needs. It was a tough call, but sometimes tough love is necessary, you know?"

Bruno let out a low whistle. "Damn, that's heavy. Must've been rough for Bob."

Lucas nodded solemnly. "Yeah, it wasn't an easy decision. But sometimes doing the right thing isn't easy."

There was a moment of thoughtful silence before Bruno clapped his hands together. "Well, enough of that heavy stuff. Let's make some music, yeah?"

The mood lightened as they turned their attention to their collaboration.

Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. "And here I thought you just wanted to meet up for some Harvey gossip," he joked.

Bruno burst out laughing. "Nah, man. I mean, that shit's wild, but we're here for the music." He reached into his bag, pulling out a folder. "Look, I even brought some ideas. Music sheets and all."

Lucas took the offered files, nodding appreciatively. "Looks like great minds think alike," he said, reaching for his own folder. "I've got some stuff prepped too."

As they exchanged papers, Bruno whistled low. "Damn, Knight. You don't mess around, do you?"

Lucas shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "What can I say? I like to come prepared."

Bruno flipped through Lucas's notes, his eyebrows raising. "This is some deep stuff, man. I'm digging the vibe."

"Thanks," Lucas replied, already scanning Bruno's ideas. "Your rhythms here... they're really interesting. I think we can work with this."

Bruno studied the lyrics Lucas had written, nodding appreciatively. Then, to Lucas's surprise, Bruno began to hum and sing, capturing the melancholy yet hopeful tone.

"Funny how we never get it right

Too burnt to see the brighter side"

His soulful voice brought life to the words on the page.

"It's hard to love the way you should when half your heart is gone

But if part of me is all I have, then you can have it all"

Lucas watched, impressed, as Bruno tapped out a rhythm and continued vocalizing. The melody Bruno improvised seemed to perfectly complement the mood and theme of the lyrics.

"Wow," Lucas said when Bruno finished. "You really captured the feeling I was going for there."

Bruno grinned. "It's good stuff, man..."

As Lucas and Bruno continued to work together, Lucas found himself increasingly impressed by Bruno's talent. The ease with which Bruno had picked up the melody and emotion of his lyrics was remarkable.

"Man, you've really got a gift," Lucas said, shaking his head in admiration. "I knew you were good, but seeing it up close is something else."

Bruno smiled. "Thanks, bro. Been at this since I was a kid, you know? It's in my blood."

As they continued to work, the studio engineers helped them lay down some beats. They experimented with different sounds and rhythms.

"What if we try something like this?" Bruno suggested, tapping out a complex rhythm on the edge of the mixing board.

Lucas listened intently, then nodded. "Yeah, I like that. It adds a nice layer of depth to the chorus."

They went back and forth, refining ideas and building on each other's suggestions. Despite their different backgrounds and styles, they found a surprising synergy in their collaboration.

"You know," Bruno said during a break, "I gotta admit, I was a bit nervous about this collab. Wasn't sure how our styles would mesh..."

Lucas chuckled. "Same here."

After several hours of intense collaboration, Lucas and Bruno finally decided to call it a day. They both stood, stretching out the kinks from sitting for so long.

They started packing up their things.

"Same time next day?" Bruno asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

"Sounds good," Lucas replied. "I'll work on refining that bridge section we talked about."

"See you around, Knight," Bruno said with a grin. "Keep it real, man."

Lucas chuckled. "You too. Stay out of trouble."

They parted ways outside the studio.

Lucas watched Bruno saunter off down the street, his distinctive swagger unmistakable even from behind. He shook his head, smiling to himself.

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