325 The new CEO of the Alpha Group 7

Max and Nathan went over the list several times, ensuring that only the ones who are worthy are present. Of course, those were family, friends, and a number of executives from the Alpha group.

Max was at the table with Liz, Mia, Hunter, Brianna, Quentin, Sabrina, and Ashton.

"So, how does it feel to be the CEO?" Ashton asked Max.

"Ask me on Monday." Max responded. "That will be the first day officially without Nathan, and my name will replace his on the door, company's website, and any other place where the CEO of the Alpha group is mentioned. I expect that I will feel the pressure of working without Nathan's support and the relief of working without Nathan hovering over me." Max gestured toward Hunter. "Hunter will be my right-hand man. I know that he will help to keep me in check."

"I am always your right-hand man." Hunter chimed in.

Max smiled. "I know."

"Look who decided to join for dinner…" Nathan's voice rang from the door.

Liz didn't need to turn to see who that 'who' is because she felt Max stiffening next to her. His hand is draped over the back of her chair and he was touching her shoulder. His small caresses stopped after Nathan spoke.

Liz looked at Max and observed his expression.

She admired him. If not for those subtle signs she noticed only because he is touching her, she would believe that he is totally unphased. His face was unreadable.

"Max, son… Director Brooks is closer in age to you and she does not know anyone here, so I was thinking…"

Max stood up abruptly and turned to Nathan. "You were thinking that she can join us for dinner and get to know people."

"Yes, yes." Nathan was happy that Max understood.

Max lifted his hand and two seconds later, Foxy was by his side.

"Foxy, Miss Brooks wants to join us for dinner. Can you tell the staff to set an extra chair for her at your table, please?"

"Of course… This way, Miss Brooks…" Foxy gestured to Irene.

Irene was looking at Max and wondered, how can he be so rude? She noticed that Max was shocked when he saw her at the hotel, and Irene was confident that Max will be eager to have her by his side. He always was. However, this Max is not welcoming and Irene wanted to know what caused this sudden change in attitude, but Max's gaze was on Nathan and she knows better than to make a scene. She didn't start working yet, and her current mission is to leave a good impression.

Irene plastered a smile on her face and walked after Foxy.

"It's director Brooks." Nathan's voice conveyed disapproval. Why is Max addressing Irene like she is any other Miss instead of giving her a respect a director deserves?

Max was in a half-squat, about to sit when Nathan spoke…

"Can we have a word?"

Max leaned toward Liz and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I will be right back…"

Nathan stepped out in the hallway, and Max was right behind him.

"Max, you know that I wanted director Brooks to sit at your table." Nathan went straight to the point.

"I thought that we agreed on the guestlist. At the hotel, you could invite whomever you wanted, but here we needed a consensus."

It's not that Max is wrong, but Nathan had a point also. "Director Brooks said that she can't make it but then her schedule opened up. What am I supposed to say to her? Max, you are about the same age, and it's a good thing to meet your director outside work hours."

"My table is for my friends only. I wanted to be surrounded by people where I can relax and be myself. She does not fit."

Nathan pursed his lips and he remembered that Max didn't want to have many people present. Nathan thought that this is a good networking opportunity, but Max said more than once that for him, this is personal, and outsiders can read about it in the magazine.

"Sorry, son. I didn't think about it."

"You don't think about many things." Max grumbled.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Director of Marketing. How can you hire someone for that position without consulting me?"

Nathan looked at Max like he said something outrageous. "I hired all other directors without your input, and they are doing fine. You are not the CEO until Monday. Why should I ask for your approval on the decisions that are mine to make? What's got into you?"

"Nothing." Max didn't want to tell Nathan that Irene is his ex. Not now, at least.

Nathan was not pleased with Max's response. "This is NOT nothing, Max. Director Brooks is here the first time, she will report to you, and she will help you in accomplishing all the wonderful things you envisioned for the company. Your behavior is leaving a bad impression. How can you expect her heart to be in the work if you are mistreating her? I regret mentioning to her that you are having a party after this…"

"Dad…" Max cut Nathan off. "I don't need Miss Brooks to use her heart to work. I expect my directors to use their heads. This is outside office hours and I need you to stop pushing another woman in my face. I have Elizabeth."

Nathan's eyes opened wide in disbelief. "That is not what I meant. The energy at work is better if you know your employees personally."

Max shook his head in disapproval. "This director or any other. I have no need to meet with them outside office hours and I don't have any intention to know them personally…"

"What are you two doing here?" Madeline asked when she approached them.

Max exhaled. He wanted to say nothing, but then he changed his mind. Nathan is stubborn with his mind mostly focused on business, and Max would approve if they are talking about anyone else other than Irene. Max needs Nathan to back off and Madeline is the perfect ally. "Mom… the new director dad hired, what do you think about her physical appearance."

"Uhm… she is a nice looking young lady."

"Only nice?" Max continued probing his mother.

Madeline looked back, to make sure they are not overheard. She leaned closer to Max and Nathan and spoke in a half-whisper: "More than pretty. Very attractive."

Max nodded in approval of Madeline's words. "I hope that we agree how if that woman comes close to me outside work, Elizabeth might become insecure. Maybe even doubt my fidelity."

Madeline's eyes darted from Max to Nathan a few times and then they settled on Nathan. "What did you do?"

"Nothing." Nathan responded with urgency.

Max snorted. "Maybe nothing to you, but it's a lot for me. You are sowing discord in my relationship with Elizabeth. I have no intention to familiarize myself with Miss Brooks tonight or any other night. She is not welcome to sit at my table for dinner and she is not welcome to join the after-dinner party I planned with a few of my friends. If you promised her otherwise, I suggest you fix it. And if she wants to discuss anything, she can contact Foxy and schedule a meeting with me during office hours. Are we clear on that?"

"Yes. Yes." Nathan responded while nodding fervently. What else can he do under Madeline's intense glare?

Max kissed Madeline on the cheek. "Thanks, mom. I knew that you will understand me."

Nathan felt how that is something against him. "Understand what?"

Max's eyes rested on Nathan while he spoke: "Mom, maybe you can explain to dad how getting to privately know a man in his sixties and an alluring woman in her twenties are two different things and they can definitely send different signals. I have no intention of messing up my relationship with Elizabeth because of employees who come and go. Sorry, dad, but if I allow anyone to push women into my lap, I will lose Elizabeth."

Madeline exhaled. "Go, son, and join Liz. I'm sure she is worried where you are…"

Max obeyed. He knows that he exaggerated the situation, but he did it on purpose with a goal to get back at Nathan for hiring Irene.

With Madeline's help, Max is confident that Nathan will stop any attempts for Max to get to know Irene.

Unfortunately, this chat confirmed to Max that Nathan hired Irene without knowing about her past with Max and that she left a good impression. Nathan would not hire a person without stellar achievements. Max exhaled. Irene was a good student, always chasing those extra credits, and knowing her personality, she continued doing that at work as well.

Now, the next thing for Max is to figure out why she is here, and hopefully to find a good reason to fire her.

When he gets back to work, he will request to see Irene's resume and any other paperwork she submitted. If all looks clean, Max will get Irene to make a mistake, or at least to put her in a situation that looks like a mistake. Irene is smart, so Max will need to be smarter and create something that Irene can't see through because he wants to avoid a lawsuit. Max knows that he can count on Hunter and Foxy.

Foxy is smart, and Max is confident that Foxy understood how she needs to keep an eye on Irene because Max told Foxy to put Irene to sit at her table.

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