It was as clear as day to Karen who the man was that walked in. Whenever she met him, he would always dress the same, and wear the strange robotic mask that could change expressions and faces.
When speaking, it often just displayed bars that went up and down reacting to the person’s voice. So she had noticed it was the Billion Bloodline Chairman.
The mask had always unsettled her. It never showed a true emotion, only artificial reactions, as if the real person beneath it was forever hidden from the world. Even now, as he stepped further into the room, the digital lines on the mask pulsed calmly, almost rhythmically, as if nothing in the world could disturb him.
At first seeing him, she felt a sense of relief. After all, this person was one of the ones she was relying on, but then she started to realise. Didn’t the Billion Bloodline group already refuse to help her?
They weren’t going to get involved and yet they were here right now, which could only mean one thing, that the Billion Blood group were here to buy the company.
’Was that your plan all along, to just help me and then take over what I built up!’ Karen thought as she continued to grind her teeth in anger, and now she didn’t know how to feel about the whole situation.
Her heart felt twisted. She had called for help, and now it felt as if help had arrived only to take advantage of her weakness. The store, the building, the years she had poured into it — everything was on the line.
Here were two people that she now didn’t want to sell the building to. The issue was she knew why Rum wanted to buy the building but she didn’t understand what the Billion Bloodline group would do with it.
"Who are you?" Rum said as he stood up, and almost stood in front of Max to try and intimidate him, but almost immediately Max placed his hand on his shoulder and then forcefully pushed him back down in his seat.
The movement had been quick. There was no exaggerated effort, no visible strain. It was simple, controlled, and overwhelming.
"I’m the Chairman of the Billion Bloodline group, and I wouldn’t try to do anything stupid." Max said. "Remember, despite everything that is happening I have still decided to come here, so think about that."
Max said as he walked over and decided to sit on the opposite side of where Rum was. So he too was away from all of others.
He crossed one leg over the other, leaning back slightly, the mask once again showing those steady bars that reacted to his voice. His posture was relaxed, almost casual, as if this entire confrontation meant very little to him.
’What the heck!’ Rum thought as he stared at the weird intruder. ’That strength he just had, he pushed me down like I was a child, but he looks barely any bigger than me!’
Rum also was thinking about what he said. According to the Gilt Rats they had informed every single group that had been contacted about this sale, that if they were to come that it wouldn’t be good news for them.
Rum didn’t really know how the Gilt Rats had persuaded the others to not get involved, but the fact there was one person here, meant they felt like their group could go against them.
That thought alone made his palms begin to sweat. If this man had truly come despite the warnings, then either he was foolish... or he wasn’t afraid at all.
"So, what did I miss was there a bid made on the property?" Max asked.
"So you really are here, to just buy the building, after taking a large fee for protecting the place, I guess you decided to have your eyes on it as well." Karen said as she sat back down in her seat.
There was bitterness in her voice. She no longer cared to hide it.
"Fine, then do as you wish, I have to sell the building either way, but I won’t be playing any favourites, the one that offers the most money can have it." Karen claimed.
She wanted to at least make the most out of the situation, and maybe she would get enough just to try everything over again, although she doubted it at least not creating one at this large of a scale.
Her fingers tightened on the armrest of her chair. Starting again would not be easy. It would never be the same.
"I’ve put in an offer for three hundred million." Rum said. "So that’s at least a starting point."
Rum was nervous for more reasons than one. They didn’t have a lot of cash flow in the first place, and were only able to do this because of their agreement with the Gilt Rats.
He didn’t have much budget to move at all, and he had no idea about this group. Since the Billion Bloodline group was only infamous within certain circles.
"Alright, then how about 320 million." Max stated. "And, the Billion Bloodline group will be happy to make sure there are no further troubles, but I guess you can guarantee the same thing right?
"Maybe because it’s going to be a considerably low cost for you to sort out the issues, so you should have some more wiggle room right?" Max declared.
The words were calm, but the meaning behind them was sharp. It wasn’t just about money. It was about capability.
"330." Rum said.
His jaw clenched as he forced the number out. Every increase felt like it was pulling at something that wasn’t his to give.
"350." Max answered, and didn’t look too bothered if the amount continued to go up.
There was no hesitation. No pause. The number came out smoothly, as if it was nothing more than a casual adjustment.
For a moment Rum brought out his phone and considered contacting the Gilt Rats to ask them for more, but he was afraid of even contacting them.
If he asked for more support, it would show weakness. If he didn’t, he risked losing everything. The weight of that decision pressed down on him.
Instead he decided to stand up.
"You can take your dying shopping mall." Rum claimed. "The problems will continue regardless of who the owner is, so I hope you’re ready."
His words were meant to sting, but even he could hear the lack of conviction behind them.
With that, it didn’t take long for Rum to leave the room and now Max was the only one left in the room.
The door closed with a dull sound, and silence filled the space.
"Well Miss Stern, it looks like we have a deal right?" Max asked, with a smile hidden underneath his mask.