278 Max takes care of the trash 1

Thursday

3:28 PM

"I apologize, Mr. Adams…" Foxy said to Jackson's father. "CEO Anderson's current meeting might take a few minutes longer and he asked me to show you to the lounge. It will be more comfortable for you to wait."

"CEO Anderson? It is official?" Mr. Adams asked with a slight frown while following after Foxy.

Foxy smiled. "Not yet, but we know it's just a matter of time until Max takes over the role. He is already performing all the duties of a CEO while his father is observing. Max's performance is stellar, and his father is pleased that all the directors and shareholders are approving of him as the new CEO."

Mr. Adams snorted. He had a feeling that all this praising of Max was like pouring salt on his wounds. Why can't Jackson have such loyal employees? Why can't Jackson be the stellar CEO who will take their company to the next level? If he is any better, they would not need to latch onto the Anderson family so desperately. And it's not only that Jackson is performing poorly as the head of the company, but his personal life is a mess as well. Jack likes to party and to sleep around, no wonder Sabrina left him. But Mr. Adams will not admit openly to any of that because that would be admitting his failure to raise a capable and responsible son. Someone like Max.

Mr. Adams is familiar with Max's previous reputation, but in the last few months, Max managed to turn his life around. Now everyone is talking well about Max, either because they respect him, or because they fear him. And Jack is in the hospital because he got involved with some thugs. What a contrast.

Foxy led Mr. Adams down the hallway to a lounge with a sitting area. The wall separating the lounge from the hallway has sections of a one-way mirror which allows people to see out while providing privacy.

"Can I offer you something to drink?"

Mr. Adams looked at Foxy suspiciously. "How long do I need to wait here?"

"It should not be more than a few minutes." Foxy responded and gestured toward the wall. "You will see when the people leave the CEO's office, this is the only hallway leading to the elevators from there."

"I don't want a drink." Mr. Adams said impatiently and focused on the largest section which allows him to see the hallway in the hope to see who is the one in Max's office currently.

"I will come and get you when CEO Anderson is ready for you." Foxy excused herself and left.

With every passing second, Mr. Adams' resentment swelled. This past week was absolutely horrible.

After missing for four days, they found Jackson (on Tuesday). He was barely alive and practically unrecognizable.

Mr. Adams balled his hands into fists, he knows that this is Max openly showing disrespect. How is it possible that he can't find fifteen minutes of free time to see him? He was never friendly with Nathan, but Nathan was always polite and not so… outrageous.

Mr. Adams narrowed his eyes when he saw a man walking down the hallway with Foxy by his side. It is obvious that she is escorting him to the elevators. And if Mr. Adams' eyes are not playing tricks on him, that is Mr. Stone, and his expression is not good.

Mr. Adams frowned and his head started buzzing. What is Rita's father doing here? Is it possible that Mr. Stone met with Max related to the attack on Sabrina's new boyfriend? Rita was one of the few people who visited Jack when he returned from the hospital, and she is on Mr. Adams' shortlist of potential accomplices. But they didn't admit to anything, and he has no proof. Did Mr. Stone come here to talk to Max and admit to what happened? Mr. Adams shook his head in disbelief, this must be a coincidence, or he saw wrongly. It was probably someone who looks like Mark. He is anxious and it's impacting him. That's it. He will not accept that the man he saw was Rita's father because if his initial thoughts are correct, he is in trouble.

"Mr. Adams, CEO Anderson can see you now…" Foxy said while gesturing in the direction of the CEO's office.

Mr. Adams followed after Foxy with a grim expression.

Foxy entered the office and gave a barely-noticeable nod to Max, indicating to him that Mr. Adams saw Mr. Stone.

The corners of Max's lips curved into a smile. Things are falling into place, but this show only started...

"How can I help you, Mr. Adams?" Max asked from the massive executive leather chair. "Usually it's required for people who want a meeting with me to state their reason in advance, but because of our history, I overlooked that detail."

Mr. Adams' jaw tightened in irritation. "Thank you, Max." He reminded himself to be polite. After all, he needs Max to do things for him.

Mr. Adams glanced around. "You have a nice office."

Max nodded in agreement. "It's still my father's office but he does not come here often, so I'm making myself at home."

Max didn't lie. Nathan comes on Mondays and Wednesdays morning when the meetings with directors and shareholders are scheduled. During those times, Nathan does not have time to come to the office, so it's either not occupied or Max can use it in Nathan's absence.

Max leaned closer toward Mr. Adams. "My next meeting is in fifteen minutes, so I want to remind you that it's in your interest to start with the reason behind your visit. I believe you are not here to admire this office or to chat casually with me, Mr. Adams."

Mr. Adams pressed his lips into a line. He was not sure if Max's behavior is irritating or if he should be grateful that Max wants to skip the pleasantries.

"My partners are saying that the Alpha group warned them not to do business with me."

Max was silent for some time before responding. "They don't want to do business with YOU? I thought that you retired, and Jackson is leading your company. Did Jackson mess up and you are here to clean up after him?"

"Jackson is in the hospital." Mr. Adams said stiffly.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Max didn't try to fake sincerity, but Mr. Adams didn't care about that. He came here to save their business.

"Will you help me or not?"

"Help you with what?" Max asked innocently.

"With the partners refusing to work with me." Mr. Adams was frustrated that he needs to say this openly.

Max blinked. "What do you expect me to do?"

Mr. Adams lost his temper. "Max, stop playing games! You know what I mean. They are leaving me because you told them to step away. Tell them to continue working with me!"

Max looked at Mr. Adams in disbelief. "Mr. Adams… it seems that you forgot how business works. If you want people to spend money on your company, you need to provide good service and competitive prices."

"Don't give me lessons!" Mr. Adams hissed.

Max smirked. He was surprised that Mr. Adams lost his composure so quickly. Usually, his wife is the volatile one, while Mr. Adams is the voice of reason. This told Max that Mr. Adams is desperate.

"I'm not sure I understand what you want, Mr. Adams. Do you expect me to twist their arm so that they work with you? I don't have such power."

"You have the power to get them to back off. That is how I found myself in this predicament."

Max lifted his hands defensively. "That was not my doing. In the last week, I mentioned your business once. I pointed out to a few people that Jackson is not engaged to my sister anymore, and I guess that the news spread on its own. Do you believe that was enough for your partners to leave you?"

"You need to…"

"I don't need to do anything!" Max interrupted Mr. Adams.

Max stood up and his expression turned dark. "Your son blackmailed my sister for eight years by pretending that he is sick because of her. And when she broke up with him, he hired some thugs to hurt Sabrina's boyfriend. How dare you come here and demand that I help you?"

Mr. Adams stared at Max, intimidated by his unexpected change of demeanor. How come Max knows all this? Suddenly, the situation didn't seem good.

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