Chapter 59: Headlines
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Monday – Brentwood – 7:42 a.m.
Judith stood in the kitchen, newspaper in hand. The headline:
"Teen Titan or Tech Threat? Jake Harper Meets with Washington Power Brokers"
Below it, a photo: Jake walking into the Capitol—head down, Callum beside him, both looking serious. Jake looked older than thirteen. Or maybe just heavier.
She set it on the counter as Jake entered in his hoodie, biting into toast and scanning his FacePhone.
"You made the front page," Judith said.
Jake glanced over. "Do I look like a supervillain?"
Judith raised an eyebrow. "You look tired. Want to talk about it?"
Jake sighed and picked up the paper.
> "Too much power, too young."
"Genius meets government: What's really going on?"
"Who watches the boy who built the world?"
He folded it neatly. "I've got bigger things to worry about."
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Later – FaceWorld HQ – Downtown LA
Callum leaned across the table, a funding proposal open between them.
"Netflix wants a firm offer by Friday," he said. "Hastings is warming up. But our cash reserves?"
Jake tapped his laptop. "I have six hundred and thirty million liquid. Not enough for a $3.6B acquisition."
"Plan?"
"Leverage buyout," Jake said. "Loan against projected ad revenue and FacePhone growth. I'll pitch it to Global Investment Group and two hedge funds. If I get two billion in financing, I'll cover the rest with equity."
Callum blinked. "You're thirteen."
Jake grinned. "But my cash flow's better than Boeing's."
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Friday Evening – Alan & Kandi's Condo – Santa Monica
Jake stepped into the marble-tiled condo and was immediately hit with the scent of lavender candles and financial instability.
Alan greeted him with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Hey, buddy!"
Kandi waved from the couch. "Jakey! Check out the shoes I bought with the hot tub points!"
Jake blinked. "There are hot tub points?"
Alan shot him a silent please don't ask look.
By dinner, Jake had already spotted the cracks: Kandi browsing a luxury furniture site, Alan nervously calculating expenses.
"We could lease a second SUV," Kandi chirped. "For when we go wine tasting."
Alan choked on his pasta.
Jake ate quietly, watching the show unfold.
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Saturday Night – National Talk Show – Burbank
The lights flashed. The audience roared.
"Please welcome… Jake Harper!"
Jake walked out cool and confident, dressed in a clean blazer and jeans. The applause swelled.
"You're thirteen, a billionaire, and just got back from D.C.—how was that?"
Jake deadpanned, "Great. The government asked me not to take over the world."
Laughter.
The host grinned. "Joining us next—star of The Island, Lost in Translation, and soon The Nanny Diaries—Scarlett Johansson!"
The crowd screamed. Scarlett walked out in a red dress, sat beside Jake, and turned to him with a smirk.
"You're adorable."
Jake raised an eyebrow. "You're not bad yourself."
The host leaned in. "Careful, Scarlett. He might be the only guy in Hollywood richer than you."
She laughed. "So what's it like running the world before puberty?"
Jake smiled. "Efficient. I schedule voice changes between product launches."
Scarlett burst out laughing. "Okay, that was good."
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Sunday – Brentwood – Jake's Room – 10:47 p.m.
Jake lay in bed, watching the clip go viral.
> "Scarlett and Jake—Cutest Interview of the Year"
"Boy Genius Flirts with Hollywood Royalty"
He smiled softly.
Then his inbox pinged.
From: Global Investment Group
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL – Funding Terms
> Jake—We're interested in leading your acquisition financing. Let's talk Monday morning.
Jake closed the phone.
And for the first time in days… fell asleep without thinking about what came next.