The First Call.

Glass desk. Contracts open.

Jeremy’s face on FaceTime, nervous energy bleeding through the screen.

Jeremy: “I gave Ace a little too much space. Atlantic’s pushing hard. Rich set lunch at Water Grill.”

I don’t respond right away. Let him sit in it.

Me: “You gave him freedom without leverage.”

Jeremy: “I was trying to keep him comfortable—”

Me: “Comfort is for artists who’ve already delivered.”

He shifts.

Jeremy: “If he listens to them—”

Me: “He won’t forget who made him.”

A pause. Then quieter.

Me: “I didn’t just end up on the Billboard cover as THE manager to have because I gamble. I create results.”

Jeremy swallows.

Jeremy: “So what do you want me to do?”

Me: “You’ve done enough.”

I end the call.

Laptop shut. Keys in hand.

Headed to the car now.

This is why Sony pays me what they do.