279 Max takes care of the trash 2

'No, there is no way that Max knows. He is only guessing…', Mr. Adams thought and reminded himself not to admit to anything. "Jack didn't hire anyone."

Max narrowed his eyes dangerously. "There is no need for you to lie to me. I know what Jack did. He hired local thugs to beat up Ashton so badly that he was barely alive when Sabrina found him in the alley, among the trash. Do you know how difficult was for me to see devastated Sabrina when I reached the hospital? Sabrina was broken by the fact that Jack hurt Ashton because of her. The man she loves was hurt by the man who used her for eight years. When will Jack let go of my sister?" Max paused and straightened his back before continuing: "I must say that I was surprised to see how quickly Jackson came up with that plan after he was discharged from the hospital. Too bad for Jackson that the same guys he hired, gave him the beating Ashton received. Based on the rumors, Jack didn't pay them the second half of the amount they agreed on."

Mr. Adams paled. How is it possible that Max knows all these details? At this rate, it's not only Jackson, but their whole family is doomed. But he can't blame Jack because that indirectly implicates their family. He needs a way out of this. "That… Someone manipulated Jack. How can he hire anyone and pay them if he didn't leave the house? I checked Jack's bank accounts, and there were no withdrawals or money transfers. Jack left our home on Friday evening and we didn't find him until Tuesday."

Mr. Adams didn't dare to mention that Jackson went for dinner with Sabrina. He wanted to keep the matter of Jackson ending up hospitalized, unrelated to the Anderson family, if possible.

Max listened to Mr. Adams' poor excuse with amusement. "Someone manipulated Jack? Interesting… I was just talking with Mr. Stone and he swears that someone manipulated his daughter into contacting a group of local thugs and withdrawing five thousand dollars from her personal account. Mr. Stone doesn't know who the target of the thugs was, but I wonder if we are talking about the same incident."

Mr. Adams' eyes flashed when he realized that he has a scapegoat. "Rita? I knew it! It's all her fault! She forced Jack to participate in this! You need to believe me!"

Mr. Adams' eyes were locked on Max's smug expression. He could not believe this! He saw Mark leave Max's office and Mark set him up! Mr. Adams told himself to calm down and not to do anything rashly. He needs Max's help, and Max just said that he will help him, as long as he proves that the idea to attack Ashton came from Rita. Jackson is unconscious, in the hospital, but he can talk to Rita and he will make her admit. He will not allow one spoiled heiress to ruin their whole family!

Mr. Adams was plotting how to make Rita talk when Foxy entered the office with Hunter behind her.

"It is time for our next meeting." Hunter told Max and gestured toward Mr. Adams. "Do you need a minute?"

Max smirked. "We are done here."

Mr. Adams stood up stiffly and nodded toward Max and Hunter before walking out without a word.

Foxy escorted Mr. Adams out of the office, toward the elevators.

"Are you done taking care of the trash?" Hunter asked Max.

"Mhm…" Max hummed in confirmation. "Mr. Stone is on his way to the hospital to get an explanation from Jack, and Mr. Adams will head to the home of the Stone family, in search of Rita."

Max smiled while thinking about Liz. This was her idea, to pit Mr. Adams and Mr. Stone against each other. Now they only need to sit back and enjoy the show.

Hunter looked at Max and he was not sure if he should admire or fear this Max-Liz pair. He remembers how Max and Liz chatted about the best way to handle these two families and destroy them completely, like they are discussing the weather. The two of them are scary. But Hunter has to admit that the plan is brilliant.

"Mark and Greg will rip each other apart. How about a bet?"

Max didn't like the idea of betting with Hunter, but he had to ask... "A bet?"

Hunter nodded enthusiastically. "Let's bet who will go to the police first to report the other one."

Max waved his hand, dismissing the idea. "I don't want to bet. Whoever goes to the police, will only dig a hole for themselves and drag the other one with them."

Hunter agreed. "That is what greed does. It will be livelier when Madams get involved. Do you think that it will escalate into a fight? In any case, it's good for us. Like this, they will report themselves as the ones who plotted against Ashton." Hunter paused his chatter and looked at Max intently. "Why don't you want to bet? Other than who goes to the police first, we can bet on the winner between Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Stone."

Max rolled his eyes. "We don't have time for games. Let's go to the next meeting. It's my last one for today, and after that, I need to finish some paperwork, and then I can go and see Liz. She is at home, missing me."

Hunter made a face. Why does Max act like he is the only one who has a woman waiting for him at home?

Hunter saw that Max is already in the hallway and he dashed after him.

"I don't think that Liz is missing you." Hunter said half-mockingly.

Max frowned at the outrageous statement. "Where did that come from?"

"Did you hear that Brianna is here? They are probably out shopping, or catching up, or something."

Max gave Hunter a side-glance. He was not sure if he should believe Hunter or not. Based on what Liz told him, Brianna was due to come to Seattle in about a week. "Really?"

Hunter confirmed. "She arrived today and is staying at Q's place. She will be here until the end of the month. Bri was planning to stay in New York until she sells all the furniture, but Q ended up buying it all so that she can come to Seattle sooner."

"Bri is with Q, not with Liz." Max said smugly, happy that with this reasoning, Liz IS missing him instead of being busy with Brianna. "I would do the same and buy whatever Liz is selling if that would allow Liz to spend more time with me."

Hunter could not believe that Max twisted this into a story about him and Liz!

"Tomorrow I will leave earlier." Hunter announced when they stopped in front of the elevator.

"You have something planned?" Max guessed.

Hunter gave Max a meaningful look. "I'm going to Portland to meet Mia's family. We should be back on Sunday evening."

Considering the traps and stories Mia shared with him about the training she went through while living with her family, Hunter wanted to postpone going to Portland, but Ashton is at home now and Sabrina is not leaving his side. That is why Hunter can't use his bonding with Ashton as an excuse to stay in Seattle.

Mia shortened her original weeklong visit into one weekend and even if Hunter needs to go to Sabrina's studio and work with Ashton, he will not miss the workday.

Hunter asked Mia if one weekend will be enough, but Mia said that the weekend is plenty. Everyone will see him, and he will meet a few people that count. She added that if things go well, they can always go another time. Portland is about three hours away when traveling in a car.

Hunter had to agree. It will be for two nights only. They will arrive on Friday for dinner, and return on Sunday evening. How bad can it be?

"Don't forget the presents." Max said and entered the elevator.

Hunter paused as anxiety swelled inside him. He didn't buy anything! Should he get something? Should the present be expensive? Or modern? Or vintage? Or practical? ... He has no idea what to get and there is not much time left! They are leaving tomorrow!

"Are you coming?"

Max's question startled Hunter. He was lost in his thoughts about presents and didn't notice that Max is holding the elevator door for him.

"Do you have any tips on what I should get?" Hunter asked when he got inside.

Max shrugged. "I can ask Liz. She is good with presents and stuff…"

Hunter exhaled in defeat. He should have known that Max will make this about Liz, again.

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