417 Plans and schemes

It became a routine that she spends the mornings at the Franciscan Medical Center with her patients or in the lab with her interns, and to join Max for lunch and linger in his office for the afternoon until they return home together. 

While Max works, Liz would keep busy on her laptop with her research or she read a book, and she enjoyed those few minutes between meetings that Max gave her.

Her right shoulder was still in a brace, but her mobility increased gradually with every checkup. If things continue at this pace, in one-to-two weeks, the brace will be off and then Liz can start rehabilitation.

It was a Thursday afternoon. Max was catching up on his email while Liz sat on the sofa and read a book while stealing glances at him.

Usually, Max would be serious when he focused on his work, but now Max had a slight frown, and his mood was not good.

Liz kept her book down when she heard Max rapping his fingers on his desk.

"Is something wrong?", Liz asked.

"I don't know.", Max murmured. He lifted his gaze and saw that she is looking at him curiously with her brows furrowed in worry.

Max rubbed his forehead and leaned back in his chair while exhaling a long breath.

"I see that some of my deals are falling through before they even start.", Max explained.

"Isn't it normal that some deals don't go through?", Liz asked.

"Yes. But lately, it happens more than normal. I did research on these companies and I was confident they will work with us…", Max gestured toward his monitor dejectedly. "But today I got a refusal of collaboration with an explanation that they got a similar deal only a few days ago from my competition. The previous one was rejected because of the possibility that they get negative marketing for working with a company from the US."

"You don't think these are coincidences.", Liz concluded. She knows that if Max thinks these are normal, he would not bring this up. "Do you think someone is messing up with your deals on purpose?"

"It's early to tell," Max said and waved his hand. "It's probably nothing. I am used to being ahead of everyone and now that things are slowing down, I see it as a red flag."

"That does not sound like you, Max.", Liz said as she made her way toward Max.

She sat in his lap and put her left hand behind his neck, her fingers played with his hair as she spoke: "You are an amazing CEO, and the Alpha group is doing so well because you have the capacity of being ahead of everyone. If you think that something is not right, I suggest you investigate and don't let it escalate to the point of hurting your stock value."

Max smiled. "You have a high opinion of me, Miss Williams."

Liz's flattery worked and Max's mood improved. But it was more than flattery. She reminded him that Nathan gave him the position of the CEO because Nathan believes that Max will do a good job.

"What do you suggest?", Max asked.

"Can you get information on all the deals that failed recently? Let's see if we can find anything in common…"

About one hour later…

Hunter and Foxy were with Max and Liz in Max's office, and they went through documents.

It was not too many, four failed deals in the last week, but as Max said, he does his research in advance and when he reaches out to someone for collaboration, it is because it will be mutually beneficial. Max is always ready to give them the incentive that will entice them to accept the deal, and the Alpha group has a good reputation, so these rejections are not common.

They came up with a list that contained for each of the four deals information on the type of the deal, locations, amount of investment from each party, and any other thing that might appear relevant.

"These are random.", Hunter concluded.

"Can we get the information on why they refused to work with the Alpha group?", Liz asked. "Not the official reasons they provided, but the real ones."

"No matter what their reasons are, these failed with timing like someone knew that I am coming. If this is not coincidental, it means that it's an insider's job.", Max said while running his hand through his hair.

Liz agreed. "True, but the insider needs help from the outside to make this happen. If we find out why they refused to collaborate with the Alpha group, we might find out who is pulling the strings from the outside."

"How do we find out who is sabotaging us from the inside?", Foxy asked. She was not comfortable knowing that people from their own company are working behind their backs. "As much as these deals were not publicized, many employees had access to them and we can't go around pointing fingers because it will cause chaos."

"Let's set a bait.", Hunter suggested. "We can release different information to various departments and see from where the leak comes."

Max looked at Liz, Hunter, and Foxy and he was grateful to have them in this room, brainstorming the problem and possible solutions without calling him paranoid. They are all aware that failed deals are not uncommon, and many companies face more rejections than successes, however, the three people gathered with Max believe in his capabilities enough to suspect that these four failures are not coincidental.

"Sounds like we are getting somewhere.", Max said. "Let's make a list of departments and decide which one will find out about what information. And I will get Ian to dig out what he can about the other side and see if we can find out with whom we are dealing with and why they rejected us. If they left any trails, Ian will find them."

…

While driving home from work, Irene got a call from Mr. Bolton.

"You are doing well.", Mr. Bolton praised Irene. "I need more data."

Irene snorted. "How brave of you to ask for more when that woman is still around."

Every day at work Irene hears stories about how CEO Anderson is allowing his girlfriend to camp in his office, how they are having lunches together, how he gets her flowers, how he is extra caring… and Irene is sick of it. That should be her, damnit, and not some nobody Elizabeth!

"I will deal with her when the value of the Alpha group falls by 5%.", Mr. Bolton said.

"You are kidding!", Irene hissed. "That is not what we agreed on."

"Miss Brooks, 5% is not much because our goal is to ruin the Alpha group, and 5% will barely scratch the surface. What is to guarantee that you will continue providing me with useful information if I take care of the woman right away, hmm?"

"It will take a while until the value of their stocks falls 5%."

"You can shorten the time if you give me information on bigger deals, Miss Brooks. The more you give me, the faster they will fall, and you will get what you want." He heard Irene snort in displeasure, and he had to ask: "Why do you care about that woman? Are you in love with Maximilian?"

"It's none of your business why I hate that woman.", Irene snapped. "You didn't tell me your reasons, don't ask for mine. I will be in touch with more information."

Irene ended the call and flicked her phone on the front passenger's seat.

What does he know about why Irene cares? He will not understand even if Irene tells him.

Not so long ago, Max was hers, and Irene still remembers how he hovered around her. Yet now she is being ignored, treated like air, that never happened before!

And the incident still burns Irene's mind, when Liz proudly showcased how she has full access to every part of the Alpha group, and to Max as well, while treating Irene as any other employee. Irene was never so humiliated, and if Liz thought that Irene will just let it go, she is gravely mistaken.

Irene knows that Liz would not be so full of herself if Max is not enabling her, so Irene's plan is simple. She will remove Liz from Max's life and then she will enjoy seeing Max suffer when he loses the one he loves.

Will Max seek comfort in Irene's arms? That is highly possible.

Will Irene comfort him? She is not sure.

Maybe she rejects him right away, or maybe she plays a bit with him before pushing him away. But no matter how she deals with Max, Liz needs to go.

Irene clutched the steering wheel and smiled at the thought that her vengeance is coming close.

…

On the other side of the town, Mr. Brooks was in the lounge of a hotel with Mr. Stone.

"Will she do it?", Mr. Stone asked.

"Of course, she will.", Mr. Brooks responded with a smile. "From the first file she provided, Miss Brooks dirtied her hands, and she has no way back. Her choices are to work with us, or to be exposed. I am sure that Andersons will show no mercy if they find out that she is the mole, and she is smart enough to know that."

"Good…", Mr. Stone murmured and lifted his glass of bourbon before downing it.

Mr. Stone can't wait for Nathan and his whole family to suffer the same humiliation he is experiencing in the last six months. Ever since his daughter, Rita, tried pushing Liz in the swimming pool during the party Andersons hosted, his so-called friends are avoiding him and that impacted not only his social life but financial as well.

Mr. Stone looks forward to seeing the Alpha group falling, and when the Andersons lose their financial power, then they will get a taste of their own medicine.

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