FOUR Ruthless Maximus

Maximus POV.

Brent and Maximus drove for almost an hour to the biggest casino in New York—not for gambling but to talk to someone important. He got out of his Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire-Droptail—it’s just one of the most expensive cars that he had in his collection. The valet quickly run to greet him and to get the key. Brent also got out and handed the key to the valet and they enter the casino together.

“Are you playing?” Brent asked while roaming his sight around.

“No, we are here to talk to Mr. Jones,” he answered without looking at him. Wherever they look there are slots machines and people grinning because they won and some who almost cried because they lost. Maximus can’t understand why people went to this kind of place for leisure. They won’t even be fulfilled because they are spending money for nothing.

“Where should we look for him?” Brent wondered.

“Mr. Jones, loves card games,” he answered briefly while resting his hands on his back.

“Then we should go straight to the second floor,” he suggested and they headed to the elevator. In just a few minutes they found him sitting across the room. He looks problematic. He kept on pulling his gray hair while holding a chip on his other hand.

“It looks like someone’s losing,” Brent smirk.

“Just the right moment to talk to him,” Maximus smiled. He put his hand in his front pocket and walk towards the old guy.

“It looks like luck is not on your side tonight, Kevin,” Maximus said to get the old man’s attention.

Mr. Jones looked at him. “Oh, I bet you’re looking for me. That’s why you came here, right? You came all the way from the business conference,” he said sarcastically.

Brent’s face hardened because of the smug look that the old guy was showing them. But Maximus just kept a straight face. He confidently put both hands in both pockets and faced him.

“You’re absolutely right, Kevin. In fact, I also brought the contract that you’re going to sign right now,” he stated.

Mr. Jones chuckled. “You still won’t give up, do you, young man? I already told you my answer and it’s a NO. Just talk to me again if you already decided to give what I want,”

Maximus laughed that made the people on that table to look at them. He bowed down to whisper something in his ear. Mr. Jones eye widened.

“I’m sure you don’t want anyone to know that secret of yours, right?” Maximus mocked, a sneer in his tone.

Mr. Jones, suddenly lose his cool and slowly reached for the envelope Brent was holding and pulled out the paper with his trembling hands. Right there and then, he signed the contract without uttering a word. Maximus smiled victoriously and grabbed the paper from his hand.

“That’s so nice of you to finally agree with my offers, Mr. Jones. Rest assured that the land is in great hands,” he stated. “—and by the way, you can continue wasting your money. Goodbye, Kevin. It’s a pleasure doing business with you.” He extended his palm for a shake hands but he immediately withdrew it—with a smirk and turned away from him.

“What did you tell him?” Brent asked when they got in the car.

“It doesn’t matter what I told him. The important thing is that we already signed the contract and we can start the hotel construction immediately,” he heaved a sigh of relief. He defeated an enemy once more.

Winona’s POV.

“Where did you get that expensive toy? Don’t tell me you bought it for him?” Wanda asked while looking at her son playing in the living room. They are in the kitchen eating cereals.

“Someone in the hotel gave it to him. I don’t know who,” he replied without looking at her. They just woke up.

“You should find whoever gave it to him and flirt with him, Winona. It’s your chance to find some rich guy and leave this filthy place,” she said with a frown.

“I don’t know if it’s a man or woman so, how would I do that? Also, it’s a big place it’s hard to look for whoever it was, now,” she didn’t know why she kept on answering her nonsense questions.

“Yeah, it’s a big place and yet you didn’t look for a rich guy to flirt with. It’s your chance to get rich and you waste it. Stupid!” she hissed. “Will you stop talking to me like that, mom? I went there to work and not to be a slut. I did what I need to do to bring food to this table,” she snapped at her. It was too late to realize because she already said it.

“You, ingrate!” She slapped her. Winona rubbed her cheeks and a tear fell out of her eyes. “What are you trying to say? That I’m a burden to you?” Wanda was about to hit her again when Marti stopped her.

“Don’t you dare hurt Winona again, Wanda! I’ve had enough of you. You are the ungrateful one, you bitch!” Marti yelled at her and drastically let go of her hand.

“You don’t have the right to meddle in our family problem! Leave us alone, you spinster.” Wanda furiously pointed at Marti.

“Shut up, you brat! Act your age and stop being a burden to Winona. Why don’t you look for a job so, you can support your addiction,” Marti replied with a smug.

“Is this what you really want, Winona?” Wanda asked. Winona didn’t even flinch and just looked down on her feet. She’s just glad that Mason is not hearing their fight because of the loud volume of the television. She doesn’t want him to see them fighting.

Wanda fixed her composure and put on a straight face. “If you want me to leave then I’ll leave. I despise living in this filth anyway,” she tossed her head contemptuously and walked away.

“W-wait, mom…” Winona was about to follow her mom through the door when Marti stopped her.

“Don’t stop her, Win. I’m sure she will come back when she needs money again. But for now, let her learn to live on her own,” she muttered and help her sit down on the kitchen stool. She went to the fridge to get some ice pack and gave it to her.