"Where is Mr. Collins?"
The question ca from the end of the room as soon as the ’board’ of directors entered the office.
Max turned his head toward the doorway, watching as three older n entered the boardroom.
Max smiled faintly and shrugged. "With the way all of you have been ’visiting’ Adam last few days, I’d say that you guys would know better. But, have a seat... You’re right on ti."
The old n exchanged glanced and took their seats. Their smug smiles only deepened as their eyes t Max’s.
It wasn’t difficult to read their expressions, they were certain of the outco. The decision had already been made, the pieces set, and all that was left was to deliver the final blow.
Max leaned back slightly in his chair, masking his own expression. They really were here only to enjoy his annihiliation.
He looked down at the papers Adam had given to him and he sighed. Well, the agenda was clear. "Proposed Restructuring of the Board of Directors." followed by ’Review of Current Leadership and Company Performance under the directors, Proposal for Restructuring, Voting on Motion to Remove Current CEO.’
Max’s eyes lingered on the third line before lifting his gaze again. The others had begun settling into their seats, whispering quietly, passing looks between one another. Every face in the room was familiar-n he had worked with for years, n who had smiled at him, praised him, toasted his successes. And now, one by one, they were waiting to cast him out.
He inhaled slowly and clasped his hands together on the table. "Well then," he said evenly. "I suppose we’re all here now. Shall we begin?"
Mr. Jas gave a thin smile. "Of course, Mr. Grey. We appreciate your... punctuality. But Adam is not here yet..."
The tone of mockery wasn’t lost on Max and he smiled, "Let’s not waste ti," he said. "I believe the agenda speaks for itself. A proposal for restructuring the board, isn’t it? As for Adam, he has already sent a proxy for himself."
As Max said it, he moved aside the agenda sheet and pushed forward a closed file in the middle towards Mr Jas. He watched the man frown and move to take the file but without giving him a chance to continue, he said," Now, can we continue?"
"Yes. We’ve heard that Adam Collins is so done with you that he does not even want to see your face. So, if he has made Mr Jas his proxy, then that is a good thing,’ said Mr. Hanley as he gave Max a thin smile. Max returned the smile with a sharp one of his own and let the man continue, "Stordge has been under the sa leadership since its inception. While we have seen stability and profit, we believe the company is becoming... stagnant."
"Stagnant?" Max repeated,"Is that what we’re calling consistent profits and continuous expansion now?"
Hanley shifted uncomfortably, but Mr Jas leaned forward. "Max the company’s profits may look strong on paper, but expansion has slowed. We are not innovating fast enough. Our competitors are taking risks while we play it safe. Investors are restless. They want change-fresh ideas, fresh leadership."
Max looked at them all, eyes moving from face to face. "Fresh blood," he said quietly. "That’s what this is about, isn’t it? You think replacing will bring new ideas, new deals, maybe even new ways to fill your pockets faster?"
A low murmur ran across the table. Jas’ expression hardened. "Let’s not turn this into an accusation, Max."
"I’m not accusing anyone," Max said, though his tone suggested otherwise. "I’m simply pointing out that every so-called ’risk’ you’ve wanted to approve has been nothing more than a dressed-up shortcut for personal gain. Corrupt contracts, inflated invoices, backdoor commissions. And every ti, I’ve said no."
Jas cleared his throat, "You’ve done well for the company, Max. No one is denying that. But leadership also ans flexibility. Adaptability. Sotis one must make compromises."
"Compromises?" Max scoffed, "Is that what we’re calling bribery these days?"
Mr. Hanley spoke again, "The fact remains, Mr. Grey, that the board has lost confidence in your leadership. The projects you’ve brought in have been profitable, yes, but your unwillingness to... collaborate... has made growth difficult. Investors are wary. The public image of Stordge has beco too tied to one man- yourself! And that is not right!
Max laughed under his breath, and looked at the man,"So, just because I am recognisable, you want to resign?
Jas folded his hands. "You’ve built Stordge into a na worth rembering, Max. But no company should depend on one person. We must think of the future."
"Funny," Max said coldly. "You talk about the future as if you’ve earned the right to decide it."
He let the silence stretch, forcing them to look at him. "Do you even hear yourselves? You speak of stagnation, but you forget where we started. You forget that it was my projects that pulled this company out of debt when we were circling the drain. The sponsorships, the championship contracts, the foreign partnerships-all ca through my negotiations. I’ve given this company more than any of you ever dared to risk. And this is how you repay it?"
No one replied.
He pressed on, his voice sharper now. "You talk of bringing in ’new blood.’ But what you really want is soone easier to control. Soone who won’t question you when you dip into the company’s reserves or sign under-the-table deals. I refused to be that person-and that’s my cri, isn’t it?"
Jass leaned back with a thin smile. "You’re taking this too personally."
Max gave a short, humorless laugh. "Personally? Of course, I’m taking it personally. Stordge isn’t just a company to . It’s everything I’ve built, everything I’ve fought for. Every sleepless night, every deal, every failure I carried on my back so that none of you had to. And now you sit here, acting like I’m the problem because I won’t let you rot it from the inside out."
The room grew still.
But Jas didn’t waver. "Well, since everything is out in the open," he said slowly, "perhaps it’s best we move to the vote. We already know where Adam stands. And of course, since I will be voting on Adam’s behalf, I’ll make this easy and quick.
Jas turned his gaze to the others. "All those in favor of removing Mr. Maximilian Grey from the position of Chief Executive Officer , please raise your hands."
For a mont, no one moved. Then, one by one, hands began to rise with Jas, Hanley, two more directors, then another. Five, six, seven hands lifted into the air.
Max stared at them for a long, silent mont.
The room blurred for a heartbeat, but he forced his composure to hold. Slowly, he exhaled and nodded. "Well," he said quietly, "that’s that, then."
"You may leave, Max..."
Max smiled at that mont and while instead of getting up, leaned back in the chair.
Jas noticed the action and narrowed his eyes," If you don’t leave now, we will have to call security to have you thrown out."
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