CHAPTER 31: SAWYER GAMES

"Maximus Prime? The man that bought up my mansion in nature side of Central City?" Valerie’s eyes sparkled.

"Ohh really..." Maximus’s eyes seem to sparkle even more. "You were the owner... I had no idea, I was only met with an agent."

Valerie smiled faintly, locking eyes with him again.

"Well, we don’t really do real estate in my family and I just wanted to get that property off my radar..." She started.

"How is it that you knew my name?" She asked, tilting her head to the side inquisitivly.

Maximus but his lower lips, "I have my ways..."

There was no way she would believe if he told her that he swallowed a pill that gave him an Investment System that allows him to level up continuously.

"Hmmm..." Valerie smiled while taking a shot at his entire appearance. "You intrigue me Mister Maximus Prime..."

"Is that so..." Maximus raised a confident eyebrow.

"This meeting has to be fate, I would like you to work with or for me. Are you free tonight? If you are, come with me— I’d like to take you up on a offer for that horse carving..."

Another business proposal...

Maximus wasn’t sure if he was going to be better off trusting someone he had just met. But for good measure he did confirm her identity and she was a Multimillionaire heiress, so he didn’t see any need to doubt her actions.

She didn’t even let him answer, she smiled seductively and brushed past him, exiting the shop. Without hesitation, Maximus followed, sliding into her gleaming luxury car and they sped away.

»»»«««

That evening, the Sawyer family’s mansion hosted a grand dinner ball. The event celebrated the matriarchs 80th birthday.

The Sawyer family was one of the elite pillars of Central City, and this lavish Victorian style castle was a testament to their status — stained glass windows, towering stone turrets and sprawling gardens covering fifty acres, complete with a man made lake.

A black luxury car pulled up to the grand entrance. Maximus and Valerie stepped out and entered the ballroom.

Instantly, dozens of eyes fixed in them. They were seemingly late and the young elites from various families were presenting gifts to the matriarch.

"This should be interesting..." Maximus muttered to himself.

"Why are you late, Valerie? The celebration has started. Do you not have your grandmother in you heart?" A stern voice greeted them.

Valerie’s Uncle, stood before them. A middle aged man dressed in a sharp black suit adorned with medals and pins, his salt and pepper hair marking his authority.

"Hey Uncle Victor, you didn’t understand how hard it was!" Valerie replied, sounding frustrating. "I was searching for the perfect gift, but the vendor was stubborn and greedy..."

She shot a sly glance at Maximus, which he noticed immediately.

Victor’s eyes narrowed. "Even so, punctuality is crucial. How can we trust you with the Sawyer Group if you can’t be on time for a family event?"

Maximus watched, intrigued by the family dynamics. He was getting used this the wealthy side of life but had never witnessed such a public display of power and expectation.

Before he could process it all, Maximus found himself facing the matriarch.

The grand old lady seated regally on a golden throne, radiating the presence of an ancient heavenly angel.

"Mother, don’t you think Valerie needs someone to keep her in line? She’s nineteen now, a perfect age for marriage and children to continue the Sawyer legacy..."

Victor continued, "isn’t my adopted son Vikram the perfect candidate?"

The matriarch nodded thoughtfully.

"Valerie, I’m old. I don’t have much time left. My greatest wish is to hold my great grandchildren. Are you seeing anyone? If not, I order you to consider Vikram."

" Grandmother, please don’t force Valerie into something she doesn’t want, " a bespectacled man in his early thirties stepped forward, pleading.

A small crowd had gathered, watching the exchange tense up.

Valerie’s face darkened as the man spoke.

"Vikram, tell me... Do you like Valerie?" Victor asked with a demanding tone.

"I... I like her. But I won’t force her feelings," Vikram replied shaking, his eyes cast downward.

Maximus rolled his eyes in disgust, "And I thought my family was shitty..." He murmured to himself.

Leaning towards Valerie, Maximus whispered with amusement, "What a performance.. I wonder how you’ll get out of this scene."

Just as expected, after Vikram’s words, the matriarch spoke again.

"Valerie, can you do this for me? For the family?"

Valerie spoke immediately after, like a dog let loose. "Grandmother, I already have a fiancee I love."

The room froze.

"Who? Who is he?" The matriarch asked, eyes wide.

"Right here," Valerie grinned devilishly, linking her arm through Maximus’s and pointing at him.

Maximus’s eyes widened in shock.

"What? Vikram and Victor exclaimed, staring at Maximus’s simple outfit that was in no way suitable for the occasion.

Maximus wore a black hunter jacket that hugged his athletic frame, a plain white undershirt, tactical black pants and matte black boots — nothing like the cooperate, flashy elites surrounding him.

"What?" The crowd stunned, murmured and gasped in shock as Valerie boldly claimed Maximus as her fiancee.

"What is the meaning of this?" Maximus stepped close to Valerie and whispered into her ear. He had no intention of joining the Sawyer family’s mess but considering that they were one of the top elite 1% in society, being affiliated with them would be connection he would rip sometime in the future.

But, this wasn’t the connection he had in mind.

"Do me a favour, help me out on this one..." Valerie pleaded as she turned around and hugged Maximus, pressing her voluptuous breast against his chest.

Her action gave Maximus a great shock. In addition, before Maximus could react, she kissed him on the cheek, denying him a chance to refuse her.

’Oh she is one sly bit...’ Maximus thought to himself.

"Grandmother, let me introduce you to Millionaire Investor Maximus Prime!"

Following Valerie’s introduction, Maximus could only grit him teeth and step forward.

’Ah fuck it! What’s the worst that could happen? I end up marrying her?" He thought to himself.

And like he had expected, the entire ballroom turned completely silent when they took a closer look at him.

Everyone in the ballroom had dropped what they were doing and could only stare at him, including Valerie’s grandmother.

"Ha!"

A booming laughter burst out into the air.

"Miss Valerie, there is no way that this man is your fiance!" The same mocking voice penetrated the silent atmosphere which prompted everyone in the ballroom to look towards the direction of the voice.

"Everyone! Don’t be fooled by this man! He is merely a good for nothing man, he was accused and found guilty of a fraudulent scandal and also assaulted his coworker... Isn’t that right Maximus Prime!"

A huge gasp of surprise rippled through everyone that was present witnessing.

"For Christ sakes..." Maximus cursed under his breath.