Everyone headed to Bobo’s main office, which was placed on the middle floor of the research facility. It wasn’t on the very top floor, as the building was quite low in the first place, but what it did offer was a sweeping view of the outside fields of the entire complex. It was a large piece of land that the facility was built on, that was for sure, and Max was beginning to understand where the bulk of the initial investment money had been spent: on real estate and construction.
Inside Bobo’s office, Max could also see her various academic accolades and diplomas proudly displayed on the wall, hung up just like a private doctor’s office would have.
Finally, the negotiations were ready to begin. Max and Warma sat on one side of a sleek modern table, while Karen and Bobo sat opposite them. Na didn’t stand right beside Max because it would feel awkward and overly aggressive in a business setting, so instead, he stood near the door, a massive, silent sentinel. Na didn’t think these two women in particular would give him any physical trouble, but he remained focused.
"So, first I have to ask with everything that you’ve seen here, do you still want to invest in the company?" Bobo began, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "If not, is there anything we can improve on, or if there are any specific terms that you want to go over?"
Even Max could immediately tell that Bobo was desperate for this deal. She might have been a brilliant scientist, but she certainly didn’t have any business sense, a trait that made her an easy target.
Still, Max and Warma had talked about this beforehand, and they didn’t want to seem too hard to deal with or too suspicious. In fact, the first set of terms Max was offering were quite generous for what Bobo was agreeing to give up. The core idea was that with this initial, lax offer, they would quickly build trust until the rest of Max’s long-term corporate maneuvers could fall into place.
"Let’s go ahead with the deal," Max said, his voice decisive. "I saw a lot that I liked, particularly the dedication of your lead researchers." He leaned forward slightly. "The only non-negotiable term I would ask is if you don’t mind me dropping by unannounced from time to time to observe progress. Although I will always have this mask on, so you’ll certainly notice me when I arrive."
Bobo placed her hands together on the table and was visibly overjoyed. With the few legitimate products they had that were soon to launch, the investment money would at least allow them to continue operations until that point. There was still a risk that those products wouldn’t get regulatory approval, but then she could at least ask for more seed money to fund further progress, rather than having to rely solely on her own quickly depleting fortune. A heavy weight was visibly lifted from her shoulders.
After Max signed the papers, it didn’t take long for Warma to send the money transfer notification. Max didn’t need any external confirmation, or for the others to tell him that the funds had arrived. He could feel a sudden, large pain strike right through his heart. The money was instantly gone, and he felt slightly weaker, his internal, bloodline-linked wealth having been immediately depleted. He nearly stumbled over, his hand hitting the edge of the desk.
"Are you okay?" Bobo asked, her eyes widened in concern.
"Yes, just... excited that our deal went through," Max lied smoothly, pushing himself back up and trying to look excited rather than financially gutted. He made a mental note: he really needed to go to those Black Hound events soon to recoup some of the losses before his strength completely bottomed out.
With the first phase of the investment done, things were smooth sailing, at least from a corporate perspective. However, he couldn’t get the burning question out of his head: Why are the Gilt Rats currently here? Which was precisely why he insisted on dropping by for unexpected visits.
It might be good to get Aron to check out this place when he can as well, Max thought, devising his security plan. He might be able to find something that I can’t, given his background. And I’ll get Warma to double-check all of the finances now that we own a part of the company, that should be much easier to do.
Just as Max was ready to get up from his seat and shake Bobo’s hand to seal the finality of the deal, the woman next to her suddenly perked up to say something.
"Actually, while you are here, Mr. Black, I wanted to talk to you as well," Karen said, her voice dropping into a serious, conspiratorial tone. "I have a suggestion to make, as I have been researching your company."
Max was instantly suspicious.
"I believe the Billion Bloodline also have your own merchandise, your own fashion brand that has been doing quite well, correct?" Karen asked.
He was surprised to hear Karen had done such a thing, but he knew her research couldn’t have been deep enough to know that the fashion brand was directly connected to a well-known gang that he was once the leader of.
"I don’t know if you know, but I am a member of the Stern family that owns quite a number of shopping malls," Karen continued, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "And on top of that, I own my own, high-end fashion brand. So I, too, want to propose a deal to you, Mr. Black, and if it sounds good, I hope you can accept it."
In that moment, Max saw his two worlds colliding, the legitimate corporate money he was trying to build, and the criminal fashion empire that was his source of power. Faced with the prospect of having to deal with the highly demanding and manipulative Karen Stern on a project that touched his most crucial venture, a thought slipped out, bypassing his mask’s moderator.
"God, please no." Max said, the words cutting through the air.
The room went completely silent. He hadn’t realized he had just said those words out loud.