Max arrived dressed far more sharply than he usually liked. The suit he wore was tailored, smooth, and perfectly pressed, one of the gifts Warma had insisted he take for formal appearances. It wasn’t the same dark suit he had worn for funerals or for blending into the background; this one was made to stand out, to make a statement when entering a room.
Max already had a general idea of what he was walking into tonight. From the whispers passed along to him, this dinner was meant to be a celebration for the Curts family, something to honor their recent deal. That meant Anton was bound to be present, and Max had even looked forward to seeing him again. After all, the memory of Anton being declined at the Bloodline offices and later pummeled by Darno at the reception desk was still fresh in his mind. Max had replayed the security footage more than once, watching Anton’s face twist in pain and indignation.
But when his eyes swept the room, Max’s expectations were quickly overturned. Not only was Anton here, just as predicted, but Darno himself was seated comfortably, and, more shocking still, Bobo of the Stern family sat among them as well.
So that’s how it is, Max thought, masking his surprise with a calm smile. Bobo mentioned back at the graduation dinner that she was looking into investment opportunities, possibly even with the Billion Bloodline group. This must be Sanna’s doing, trying to weave her family closer to the Sterns while securing favor with us. This is already more complicated than I wanted it to be.
He shook his head faintly, preparing himself.
"Max," Sanna gasped, her eyes wide, her body stiffening as if she had seen a ghost. "What are you doing here? I don’t remember sending an invitation to you. Why... why are you here? Sheri, did you invite him?"
Sheri blinked and shook her head quickly. "No, I didn’t."
Darno tilted his head, confusion plain on his face. Why were they so shocked? Why did they sound like Max was intruding, as if he had no right to be here?
"Calm down, calm down." Max raised his hands in a casual gesture, his voice steady and unhurried. "I’m not here to cause trouble. I was sent on behalf of the Billion Bloodline group. Tonight, I’m acting as their representative. You remember the other man you met before? Well, I’m working with them now, stationed at their offices. Think of me as their intern."
Sanna nearly choked on her own breath. "An... intern?" she repeated in disbelief, as though the word itself were an insult.
She watched Max casually move past them without offering the expected greetings or deference. He simply pulled out a chair and sat himself down in the empty seat, perfectly at ease. To Sanna, it felt like a humiliation. She had convinced herself that the Billion Bloodline would send someone higher up, a seasoned negotiator, a manager with authority, someone who could speak directly to the Chairman on their behalf. Instead, they sent Max.
Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. She thought of Bobo sitting just a few seats away, the jewel of the Stern family, here to meet someone important. And what she got was Max, just an intern.
Glancing across the table, she saw the same disapproval reflected in Bobo’s face. The young woman’s brow furrowed ever so slightly, her lips pressing into a faint line. Sanna’s heart sank.
Anton, meanwhile, could hardly contain his delight. His lips curled into a smug grin as he studied Max from across the table.
Ha! What a fool, Anton thought viciously. At that party, he strutted around like he was untouchable, boasting as if he were someone great. And here he is, admitting he’s just an intern. Compared to someone like Bobo Stern, he’s nothing. Less than nothing. Completely useless.
But not everyone at the table was convinced by Max’s humble explanation. Darno’s eyes narrowed as he leaned back, his mind racing.
An intern? No way. Not a chance.
His thoughts grew louder, more insistent.
Anyone with eyes can see it. The way he speaks, the confidence he carries, this isn’t some kid doing clerical work. He talks and acts like someone who makes decisions. They even gave him my damned room back at Fortis. They wouldn’t hand that kind of authority to a brand-new recruit. Why is he lying to them? And if he’s really part of the Bloodline, the same group everyone here is desperate to appease, then why are they all staring at him like he’s a nuisance? Something doesn’t add up.
The tension in the room was palpable, almost visible in the way shoulders stiffened and eyes flicked from one face to another.
Then, breaking through the discomfort, Sheri offered a warm smile. "Well, I’m glad to see you again, Max. I didn’t think we’d run into each other so soon after the graduation party. It’s a pleasant surprise."
Her tone softened the edge in the air, and she continued with sincerity. "You know, my mother wanted me to work as an intern at the Billion Bloodline group as well. It’s a shame we didn’t cross paths when I visited the offices the other day. Who knows? Maybe in the future, the two of us will even work side by side."
Anton burst into laughter, raising his glass with mocking cheer before taking a long swig. "Ha! Sheri, you don’t actually think that would be a good idea, do you?"
Sheri’s brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Anton leaned forward, his grin cruel. "They say you’re shaped by the company you keep. Spend too much time with him, and he’ll drag you down with him. That’s the truth. Don’t forget who he is. He’s nothing more than the deadbeat of the Stern family."
The words hung in the air like venom, and for a heartbeat, the entire table went still.
Darno’s eyes widened slightly as the name registered. His lips moved almost on their own, muttering under his breath. "Stern... family."
Slowly, he turned to look at Max again, truly seeing him for the first time.
That kid... he’s part of the Stern family too? What the hell is going on here?