Chapter 35

MAX followed his assistant back to the office while reading a folder. He sat on his chair and leaned slightly, clearing his throat before asking, "How is Dolly? The old manager did nothing, right?"

"The compensation should be enough, your grace."

William's proposal captured his attention. The initial investment return was small and barely significant, but the long term and stability made Max nod his head in satisfaction. He gestured the telephone. His assistant hurriedly dialed Bailey's office.

"Mr. Williams, please. This call is from Maximilian Adenhart. Yes. We will wait." The man coughed lightly when he noticed Max' far away look. "Mr. William will be free within ten minutes. Do you wish to drink any refreshments, your grace?"

"Not necessary. Did you hear anything from Cedric?"

"It has been proven, your grace. The elder is now subjected to the coven's warrant. Peter Johansen initiated the capture of Elder Hathaway since Mr. Mallory is facing a problem from his former pack." He smiled a little. "You should be at ease now, your grace. No one will doubt you since the culprit is dead."

"I still need to inform my wife." Max mumbled in his mind, 'What are you being happy all about? I'm not yet acquited from it.' Not when he still hasn't explained thoroughly!

"This elder must be suffering from the fate's punishment, your grace."

"How can you say so?"

He winced. "Well, his actions doesn't make any sense. He killed his own brother in the process. That can't be any more crazy than it already is!"

"It's not crazy. He wants my position. He just used the most disgusting way to get it." Max also knew someone that can hurt their own siblings. But that's for another time. While he can't even dream about flicking Janette's forehead, some people can afford to kill their own family for the sake of personal gains.

"…Mr. Williams? Yes. Your grace, Mr. Bailey Williams is now on the line."

Max smack his lips. Right. Work. "Hello, Mr. Williams? I'd like to talk to you about the mail you sent me last week—"

"I thought I'd never hear your reply about it. I was about to forget that I ever sent the mail, it was good to know that you spent your precious time to read it now."

Max grimaced. This man never failed to show him due respect. It's terrific. "I was hoping to hear you address me as 'your highness' first before considering your proposal but you never initiated the call. How's that?"

"Don't ever list my name under those bunch of idjits you managed to trick over the years, Maximilian. If it isn't because of the news of your coven having gone through merry times this year, I wouldn't have accepted this call." Bailey Williams gruff tone reminded Max that this man is an uncultured, barbaric businessman. He can always be the better man between them. "When am I going to meet your cousin?"

'No. I can't be a good guy.' Max snorted. "I thought you'd never like my cousin? This deal was like giving two of your limbs in exchange for one of mine. Turns out, your sunken eyes had taken a liking for my precious cousin, Laura?"

"I'm not a sentimental fool. My mother has been pressuring me lately, and it's not like your company's power is poor. You want resources, I wanted connections. I don't care what you think, unless it's 'yes' or 'yes'."

Max gritted his teeth. His hand itching for violence. This man. It was like he's a more severe version of Cedric, minus the sexual appetite since Williams is rumoured to be impotent. Not that Max will gloat at him.

"I'm not a hard man to convince, Bailey. But my cousin should know about you and your... condition first. This may be work opportunity for you but for my cousin, this can change her life."

"I know." He cleared his throat. "That's why I'm asking you to set up a meeting for me and your cousin at the earliest disposal."

Max glanced at his assistant, feigning fatigue. "Fine. I'll talk to her. Check your mails for my response."

Williams ended the call before Max can. He squinted. Maybe he should ask Laura to give this man a difficult time. Not that she would likely to accept him.

He can be impotent. Max won't make Laura the subject of ridicule again now that she's finally free of Max.

"Look, I'm tired. I didn't feed last night and I... am not in the right state of mind. Can I skip for the day?" Max delivered his speech with the perfection of timing, acting and small smile, as if he's pitiful.

His assistant acted as if he heard nothing.

"Look, stop pretending. I know you can hear me."

The guy frowned and murmured to himself, "Ah, right. The coffee..."

"Hey! Call Laura and have her meet me at De Silva's!"

His eyebrows formed two waves. Max should... remember holding back his assistant's bonuses this month. He doesn't know how to bend for his favor. He's always strict. Maybe he should play matchmaker for his little assistant.

Though the last time he did some matchmaking, Janette and Cedric almost killed him.




__________



"THE COVEN... doesn't want to protect me anymore, is that it?" Laura worriedly asked, "That's why they want to arrange my marriage with that... that Williams?"

"Not exactly." Max reach for her hand and consoled her for a bit. "That's not true. But you will be implicated once the past gets uncovered. You need to shelter yourself under Bailey's wings. What happened to Milani... it will reflect on my image. And your sudden engagement with me back then will be another case so that they can throw me off for the reason of incest, murder and grave misconduct."

"It was them who signed our engagement! Why would they bring it up?"

"To manipulate the common people. They didn't know the specifics. They can always tell the people wrong information." Max smiled wanly. "If they knew that you're with Bailey, it will be easy to explain why that paper exists in the first place. That I'm just a temporary niche, before you can decide who are you going to end up with."

"It's not like that's possible." Laura lowered her eyes. "Look where am I now. Did that Bailey agree?"

"Yes." Max frowned. "In fact, he suggested it to happen."

Laura shuffled her feet. She swallowed loudly. "That... that's because something happened between us."

Max should've said 'wow, a surprise, nice' but he can't really get the happiness from knowing that. Just where in Bailey's hateful appearance is considered 'handsome' for Laura?

"Tell me it's forced, and I'll order his head sliced."

Laura bent her back to reach for his forehead. "Stupid."

"Ouch." Max feigned. "So what now? You're... like, pregnant with his child?"

"I..." She winced. "I'm getting older, you know. And since Dolly came, you never talked to me about settling down again. I thought, living alone is not bad. That is peaceful actually. But... I decided I should have at least a child before I go somewhere and... hide. Raise them alone. Then... Bailey and I met at a club. End of the discussion."

Max heave a breath. He exhaled. "Damn, I'm really sorry. I neglected you."

"Well, the coven is a bit... of a mess right now. I don't blame you." Laura smiled. "But I agree. If it works out between us, great. If it doesn't, I'll ask for his sperm and hide somewhere and live like an old woman."

Max nodded repeatedly. His eyes widening a fraction. 'So there's a great chance he's not impotent... tsk. With his character, he should be.'