Accident Prone

Max decided to ignore his father"s skepticism. No matter what he says, it will not change his opinion and Max knows that the only way is to prove himself.

Max took a printout from the folder he is holding, placed it on Nathan"s desk and pointed at it while talking: "Your next meeting is in eighteen minutes about expanding our contract with SPM. Out of five points on the agenda, the first three look promising, but the other two show an unsteady growth rate…"

Nathan leaned deeper into his chair and listened to his son. Nathan wishes that he can take this Max who is right here, speaking wisely and eloquently, and freeze him to prevent him from reverting to his fickle ways. Oh, how he wishes that this brilliant Max is here to stay.

"What do you suggest?", Nathan asked when Max finished speaking.

"In order to limit risks for Alpha group, don"t commit to the ones with the unsteady growth rate. Give SPM a notice that we are watching them, and if they improve steadily in three and then in six months, we will be back to the negotiating table. Here, I made notes about what they should fix and by how much in order for us to accept this deal. Also, our part should be adjusted accordingly…"

Nathan nodded in agreement. He was thinking on the similar lines as well, but not in so many details which are provided in Max"s notes. Nathan sighed while thinking that Max could be such a good businessman and a leader, only if he decides to focus. But… the fact that Max came here with this a.n.a.lysis and recommendations tells Nathan that Max did his homework. That should be a good thing, right?

Max looked at his father and saw in his expression that he approves of his idea. That is a good start.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

"Will you join me for the meeting?", Nathan asked.

"If you wish."

Nathan responded with a nod. As much as he told himself to stay reserved and not to show excitement, he can"t deny that he likes this reliable Max who offers insights and is willing to work. "Let"s go. It"s not polite to let the guests wait."

Max followed after Nathan. He can see that Nathan is maintaining his stern expression, and it will take time to thaw the ice wall in-between them, but Max will take what he can. In time, he will show his father that he is not playing, and Nathan will soften up. Actually, Max is happy that his father didn"t scold him as soon as he saw him. In a way, this cold treatment is better than what Max expected.

Through the day, Max accompanied his father and they had meaningful discussions.

Nathan is happy that Max is back, and he really hopes that it will last. More than once he reminded himself not to relax, because it will only make it worse when Max leaves.

Neither of them missed their employees nudging each other at the sight of Max.

Every time Max glanced toward the group of ladies whose gazes could scorch him alive, the women would spontaneously blush and giggle. Ah, he is awesome that way even without his killer smile.

Max thought how he should bring Liz here as soon as possible, so that all of these women get the idea that he is taken and stop their futile daydreaming.

"Focus…", Nathan told Max in a low growl. He saw Max glance at those women and getting lost in thoughts. Did the rascal show up here to work, or to hunt for women? What happened with the girlfriend? Nathan was afraid to ask.

…

Max and Nathan had a business meeting over lunch in a restaurant which offers great ocean view and exquisite food. That was their fifth meeting for the day (not counting two hallway conversations with directors), and Max accompanied Nathan to each and every one of them.

Max was prepared for every meeting, and other than sharing his insights before the meetings, Max had meaningful discussions with business partners and directors who were in the attendance. And after each meeting Max provided his thoughts on where this might lead both short and long term.

Nathan was impressed, he never saw Max so focused. He only hopes that it lasts.

"What caused you to come to work?", Nathan asked Max when they were in the back of the black Lincoln, heading back to the Alpha group HQ after lunch.

"Is the reason important?"

Nathan had enough of Max"s games. He decided to openly address the pressing topic. "Of course, it is. Maximilian… son, you know that there is nothing more I want than for you to be responsible and take over what belongs to you. But I am reluctant to celebrate your impeccable performance because I wonder, is this only for today? Or will it last a week? Or it has no time limit, but you are waiting to gain some benefit? If you are here to b.u.t.ter me up in order to get another Porsche, that means you will stop coming to work as soon as you get it."

Max knew that his father will suspect him but hearing all this was more difficult than Max expected. "I don"t need a car."

"What do you need?"

"From you? A chance."

Nathan likes Max"s response. But Max was always good with words and also…"That does not answer my first question."

Max had hundreds of answers ready for this. He knew that his father will be curious about this sudden change, and Max decided not to lie: "I want to be someone who can make the woman by my side proud."

Nathan snorted. "So… a woman."

"Not any woman. I realized that if I want to be worthy of an amazing woman, I need to work for it. And that is not only in the office, but in every area. I mean it. I want her to be proud of me."

Nathan is aware that Max is talking about Elizabeth, the young lady he met in the hospital. "What if she leaves you?"

"That will not happen. But if it does, it only means that I need to work harder to win her back."

Nathan had a complex expression. He turned his gaze toward the window. "I don"t wish you a breakup, but in case it happens, I hope that you will remember that thought."

Nathan is proud of his son. He is a smart and good looking young man with endless possibilities ahead of him. But, Max is too emotional. Even though they did their best to hide from him what caused the change in Max"s behavior in his last year of college, Nathan is aware that Max"s meltdown was caused by a woman. Nathan never looked up who that woman is and what exactly happened, but he knows that because of her Max wasted six years of his life on cheap and short lasting pleasures.

Nathan is happy that Max has a girlfriend who is motivating him to get back on track, but he fears that it is not stable. What will happen if they have a fight? If she leaves him? Will Max revert to his fickle ways and throw his future away? 

"How are you getting along with… Elizabeth?", Nathan asked after a long silence.

Max smiled. "We are doing great."

"How great are we talking about?", Nathan persisted.

"You will see over the weekend. She will come as well.", Max announced proudly. Only he knows how Liz agreed to accompany him. And at that time, it was still as a pretend-girlfriend and it was part of the deal to teach her to have fun. But now it"s real, no more pretending… and they will have fun or his name is not Maximilian Anderson.

Nathan saw Max"s smile which was growing by the second and nodded in approval. Max bringing his girlfriend to Hunter"s birthday means that the woman is willing to spend her time with them (Max"s family). It"s not that Nathan wants to mingle with Liz, but he wants his chance to a.s.sess the woman who got Max"s attention and made him wish to straighten up and act responsibly.

Nathan sighed when he remembered their first encounter in the hospital. He was agitated and rude and he a.s.sumed that Liz is one of Max"s numerous flings. Ah, how will he face Liz and improve her opinion of him? The woman probably thinks that he is a horrible man.

Max saw his father"s expression getting worse with each pa.s.sing moment. He a.s.sumed that Nathan does not approve of Liz.

"Elizabeth is a wonderful woman. I don"t expect you to like her, but I hope that you can at least be civil."

Nathan looked at his son who is standing up for his girlfriend and wondered, what is that comment about? Does he really look like a father who will chase away girls? Nathan realized that from Max"s perspective he is a grumpy father who mostly scolds him, so… yeah, his son probably thinks that he will scare Liz away.

"I will do my best.", Nathan responded stiffly. What else was he supposed to say? He turned toward the window and got lost in his thoughts.

Max felt his phone vibrating. He grinned when he read the text from "My wonderful girlfriend":

"I miss you. I look forward seeing you in the evening."

Max read it at least a dozen of times, making sure he didn"t miss a letter. He was surprised that Liz used such lovey-dovey words. Amazing! When he got out of his daze, he sent a response: "I miss you more."

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