"Is everything set?" Max asked his assistant as he stared down at the empty chairs in the boardroom. The silence in the room pressed on him, making him feel worried. They really had dared to take a step against him by calling this board eting.
He sighed, leaning back slightly. He had hoped-truly hoped-that Adam would not be so foolish as to go against him. But maybe he should have known better. Adam was nothing if not stubborn, and when it ca to betrayal, he clung to it like a dog refusing to let go of a bone.
Max rubbed his temple. The man should at least listen before making such a drastic move. Stubborn fool.
The problem was, Max himself could not back down from this fight. Not now. Backing down would not just an conceding the argunt or letting Adam have his way. It would an losing his one and only friend, the one person who had never judged him and given him his utmost loyalty. If he bent here, the bond between them would snap for good.
So, if Adam wanted to vent his anger, if he wanted to storm into the boardroom and challenge him head-on in front of everyone, Max was ready for it. He would stand his ground, let Adam throw his punches, figuratively, that is, let him speak until there was nothing left.
And once the heat had passed and the stubborn fool had cald down, then they would talk. Then Max would sit him down and make him listen.
"It is all set, sir," the assistant replied in a clipped voice. "If they really do make a stand against you, all the projects that have been brought in by you will be taken away. Especially the one from the city for the upcoming World Championships. Losing that will throw the company into imdiate jeopardy... just like you want it. There will be imdiate cash flow problems and supplier crisis."
Max scoffed, shaking his head. He did not want it. The man made it sound like he was planning destruction for the sake of destruction, as if this were so sche for revenge or power. That was far from the truth. Even though his assistant seed convinced that this was a foolproof plan, Max knew better.
On the surface, yes-it looked airtight. At a glance, Stordge without him would collapse into chaos. The contracts, the sponsors, the networks-they were all tied to him.
If he pulled back, the company would be cornered and left gasping. But Adam was no fool. He was stubborn, yes, but also resourceful. Given enough ti, he would find a way to fish things out of the rubble and rebuild.
That was the risk. That was the gamble. His biggest gamble ever.
Would Adam cling to his anger,? Or would he calm down, think past the rage, and reach for the olive branch Max was silently holding out?
Everything rested on that answer.
Before he could dismiss the assistant, the door to the conference room burst open and in walked the man himself.
Max raised an eyebrow. "You are early. The eting is not for another thirty minutes."
Adam sent him a look that mirrored his and slid into the chair on the opposite side. "I could say the sa about you."
Max nodded. "Touché. So — are you well prepared?"
Adam tapped the neat stack of files in front of him and gave a curt nod. "Hmm. Much more prepared than you, I would say. At least I didn’t have to go hunting for soone to explain their part to . I was free to do my work."
Max stilled. So lanie had indeed spoken to Adam about the matter. He studied his friend’s face, searching for signs that he had listened to the whole story.
The answer ca a heartbeat later. "I told lanie to stay out of it."
Max exhaled, a thin sound. It ant Adam had not listened to the explanation.
They held each other’s gaze for a few asured monts. Then Adam sighed and turned to the assistant. "You. Step out."
The assistant hesitated and glanced at Max. He looked unsure. In the past these two had always presented a united front; when one gave an order it was assud to be agreed by both. But this ti, they were on opposite sides. And he dared not take things lightly.
Max gave the assistant a small nod. "You may leave." The assistant bowed slightly, closed the door behind him, and the room felt smaller, more private.
Max leveled his attention on Adam. "What is it that you want to say?"
Adam watched the door click shut and then rose to his feet. "Say? I don’t want to say anything. What I want to do is punch you."
"And would that cool your anger enough to make you listen?" Max asked, keeping his voice steady.
Adam stared at Max. "You really would let punch you, wouldn’t you? Are you a fool Max?"
Max sighed. He was indeed a fool. But to him, Adam was more of a brother... "I don’t want to listen to anything you have to say." Adam snapped, his words sharp. He lifted the files and pushed them across the table as he walked toward Max. "Here. This is for you. I do not have the ti or the stomach for this circus. This is my win..."
Max frowned and watched as Adam walked back to his chair and took a seat. His win? Did Adam really intend to push him out of the board of directors? Max pulled the files to him with a heavy heart. Sothing like this... it would never be able to repair their friendship back to what it was.
"Adam. Do you have to do this?"
He looked at his friend and even before the man could nod, Max knew the answer. He was already decided. Whether he wanted a fight or not, Adam had declared that he would fight...
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