The boardroom at MAX Holdings had been designed to intimidate—forty feet of smoked glass, a view that made cities look obedient, and a conference table so glossy it could indict you with your own reflection. Marcus rarely noticed the theater of it. Today he did.Cameron set a glass of water by his elbow like a prayer offering. “Everyone’s here,” he murmured. “Your mother is in the anteroom. She said she’ll come in if needed.”“Let her wait,” Marcus said, straightening his cuff. “If I need backup, I’ll call the cavalry.”He stepped into the room to a choreography of coughs, tablet taps, and the soft hiss of old money preserving itself. At the far end, the interim chair, Leonard Pike—hair silvered, smile starched—offered a courteous nod.“Marcus,” Pike said. “We appreciate your time.”“You already have it,” Marcus replied, taking his seat. “Let’s not waste it.”Natasha sat three chairs down, immaculate in charcoal, a red legal folder aligned precisely with the table’s seam. She didn’t l
Last Updated : 2025-11-22 Read more