CHAPTER 60: AUCTION EVENT ARC 4

The event hall was absolutely dazzling. A huge chandelier hung above everything, spilling golden glow across the polished surface of everything and casting long reflections that shimmered with every movement of the attendants.

They hadn’t taken no more than two steps before a wave of people swept toward them. Hands reached out, voices called Valerie’s name, and flashes from the press exploded from every angle, bathing them in a burst of while light.

Valerie was very much used to this and straightened up to be poissed and elegant, retuinign each greeting with her flawless social smile, the kind that looked warm, yet never gave too much away. Maximus on the other hand, stiffened uncomfortably. The bright camera lights felt invasive to him, probing deeper than he would like. His jaw clenched slightly as he gave a polite nod and quietly retreated his steps till he left the spotlight for Valerie.

A passing server in crisp black and white appeared at his side, offering a silver tray of gleaming glasses filled half way with red liquid. Maximus picked one and thanked the server with a nod, swirling the drink briefly before bringing it to his nose.

"Gawk!"

The sharp sting of alcohol hit instantly, making him recoil almost imperceptibly. His lips twisted into a brief line trying to mask the repulsion that lingered in his eyes.

Leaning slightly toward a dim, secluded corner, he tilted the glass just enough to let the liquid slip silently onto the marble floor. It vanished between the tiles without a sound. Straightening, he cast a quick glance over his shoulder to check if anyone had seen him.

He gaze shifted to a long server’s table draped in elegant white linen. Among the crystal and champagne flutes sat a simple jug of water. He filled his glass quickly, the transparent liquid catching the chandelier light as if mocking the wine it replaced. A small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips before he slipped back into the crowd, glass in hand.

He was just about to weave his way toward valerie, when a vooice stopped him cold.

"Maximus Prime."

He turned sharply, the voice ringing with familiarity. Standing a few steps away, dressed in an impeccably tailored navy suit, was Joe Hart.

His brain flicked, reeling in a wave of memories. But he didn’t let it affect his physical demeanor.

Maximus’s lips curved into a polite smile, though his eyes carried the weight of their histroy. "Joe Hart."

The two men closed the distance, clasping hands in a handshake that wasn’t a greeting but a silent test of physical strenght. Fingers tightened, their tendons flexed and niether man blinked as their gazes locked.

"How’s Keith Hall?" Maximus asked evenly, referring to Joe’s attorney and long time ally.

"He’s around here somewhere," Joe replied with a casual shrug.

"And the building which I sold to you?"

Joe’s smile faltered almost instantly. The muscles in his jaw twitched, and he stepped closer, close enough for Maximus to catch the faint scent of cologne laced with something sharper, which he assumed was iron.

Leaning in, Joe’s voice dropped to a whisper, his breath still very warm against Maximus’s ear.

"I know you’re as sharp as they come... but I didn’t think you’d be a slippery snake. How did you get past my recon men?"

Maximus’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second. He straightened, gently but firmly pushing Joe back to maintain space.

"So... you were the one who sent them?" his brows drew together in a deep furrow. "Why?"

Joes’s laugh was quiet, but it carried the arrogance of a man who believed the game was already his. He patted Maximus’s shoulder twice at an attempt of familiarity and gave a fake smile to people passing by to give the illusion that everything was okay.

"Why?"Joe’s smiled again, "Kid, you’re what...twenty one? Twenty two? I’m old enough to be your father. You think you can humiliate me like you did and just walk away?"

He leaned in again, "I’ll make sure you cripple. Economically and financially speaking that is, you won’t even be able to buy a storage unit. And I will make sure you wish you never left that little rickety apartment of yours."

Maximus’s eyes blazed, and his anger sharpened his features. "All that because you were greedy?" his voice dropped into something darker. "I’ve worked too hard to let you drag me down. I will fight back, Joe and I won’t lose."

Joe smirked, stepping past him as though brushing aside an insignificant obstacle. "We’ll see about that, punk. Even the Sawyers can’t save you from me."

Maximus stood still, his jaw tight, his reflection caught in the glass of his untouched water.

Somewhere across the hall, Valerie was smiling at another greeting, but her eyes kept searching for him.

Maximus watched Joe’s back disappear into the crowd, the older man’s polished shoes clicking againt the marble floor like a ticking clock counting down to something inevitable. His jaw tightened, but his expression smoothed over instantly, he couldn’t allow anyone to see the storm brewing within him.

He exhaled slowly, running a hand over his tuxedo as if adjusting it, but really just grounding himself. The hum of conversations swellled around him; champagne glasses clinked, cameraas flashed and the scent of expensive perfume mixed with the faint tang of wine and appetizers.

Across the room, Valerie stood in a small cluster of admirers, her laughter bright and effortless, the sparkle in her eyes catching the golden light spilling from the chandelier above. Her hand moved lightly as she spoke, gesturing with grace, but her gaze flickered toward him for just a heartbeat, reading him to the point she sensed the shift in his demeanor.

Maximus started toward her, weaving through the crowd. But his ees caught something else. Near the far end of the hall, Joe Hart was in a quiet conversation with two sharply dressed men, their body language closed, their hands bent just enough to keep prying eyes away. One of them, a tall and lean figure with steel gray hair glanced briefly in Maximus’s direction.

It wasn’t just a glance. It was the kind of look predators give before deciding whether to pounce.

Maximus forced himself to keep walking, slow and unbothered. As he approached Valerie, she tilted her head slightly, a subtle question her eyes. "Hey baby, what happened you look a bit wrecked."

Maximus smiled faintly, but his voice, low enough for only her to hear, carried a warning. "Stay close to me tonight."

Her smile didn’t falter for the crowd, but her fingers brushed against his briefly as a silent acknowledgement.

Just then, the attention and pleasantries Valerie was receiving drained instantly. Which would mean that she was no longer the most important person in the room.

They both turned towards the elevator to see higher ranked members of the Sawyer family step forward into the event room.