"Mr Kant,this is Miss Abby's expenses statement for the month" Edwin said passing a document to Maxwell. "She spent a total of 1.24 million. All charged under your name"
Maxwell's stupid ex girlfriend who was somewhat like a family friend's daughter was always eating from Maxwell even though he had refused her,to be honest he didn't really knew if they had actually dated because that girl was very materialistic and Maxwell provided her with whatever she asked for on the condition that she stayed away from him and only show up when he wanted her to. Her demands were insatiable but Maxwell fulfilled them all and that was partly because he was soft at heart,he was easy to coax and he always felt the need to help others out even if it were his illegitimate siblings. That softness contributed to how Ricky fell for him. He glanced briefly at Edwin spotting something in his hand. "And what's this?"
"Oh, this is from Secretary Brown,he asked me to pass it to you" Edwin handed over the parcel to him.
Maxwell opened it up expectantly,he had actually expected a message from Ricky all morning and so he was thrilled to finally get one. What he saw were stashes of cash and a note.Reading the note Maxwell smirked. "He's really serious about paying huh?"
"He said he's very grateful for your help,he'll do everything he can to pay back soon" Edwin said.
"Who asked him to hurry " Maxwell said grumpily. "Who knows how much he had to scrimp and save to come up with this. Twenty thousand?" Maxwell chuckled. "That won't even cover the silverware on one of Abby's handbags. There are far easier ways to pay me,yet he insists on going the hardest route. Stubborn idiot" Maxwell muttered to himself.
"Mr Kant" Edwin called getting back to business.
"Yes?" Maxwell looked up.
"The research team has put together an updated proposal on the targeted drug development" Edwin handed him another document. "A few years ago,X holdings lab published a paper on their LYCAT technology which uses the lysosomal degradation pathway for protein targeting. Our direction has been trying to build on that to develop an autophagy-based targeted chimera degradation technology specifically for the pheromone glandular carcimona. Unfortunately we haven't had any breakthrough" Edwin completed his analysis.
Maxwell nodded. "X holdings leveraged autophagy pathways to develop AUTAC and even more advanced,ATTEC targeted degradation technologies. These two are considered their most critical and classified core technologies in their drug development pipeline for AAS gland cancer. Originally,X holdings is the original inventor of this technology. Trying catching up to them, we are facing a serious gap in both tech and talents" Maxwell said and Edwin nodded at him. "And KB group owns the exclusive license to X holdings' confidential technology. They're leveraging the foundation built by industry giants to gain broader vision"
"Mr Kant,should we consider poaching talents from KB group?" Edwin asked. "Throw enough money at a problem and risk takers will line up"
"Its difficult" Maxwell shook his head. "Peem Ronald treasures talent. KB's equity incentive system isn't any worse than ours here,even if we spend a fortune to poach people we'd likely just get some irrelevant staff and end up alerting them. Not worth the effort"
"Yes" Edwin added. "Should we consider starting with Ricky Brown"
Maxwell shot him a cold look.
"I heard that although he was just recruited Peem Ronald trusts him a lot" Edwin said avoiding the cold gaze.
Maxwell relaxed on his chair." Trust? How could he not even afford his sister's medical bills? Naive! Let's not get into risky business like recruiting spies"
Edwin nodded
Later at night that day, Ricky messaged Maxwell as he was preparing to get off work. He picked up his phone to read the message.
Mr Kant,did you receive the twenty thousand I repaid?
Maxwell put down the phone not willing to give a reply but Ricky called making his phone ring noisily. He picked it up and Ricky's whispers rang out.
"Mr Kant" He whispered.
"Yes. What are you doing? You sound like you are sneaking around" Maxwell cautioned.
"Waiting for Mr Ronald to finish a meeting" Ricky whispered again.
"This late? Humph. Peem Ronald sure knows how to make use of people. Pays you peanuts but works you to the bone" Maxwell smirked.
"Mr Kant,about the money I paid back did you receive it?" Ricky asked again.
"What money?" Maxwell feigned ignorance.
"I asked Secretary Nicolas to give it to you" Ricky was alarmed."The brown envelope"
"Oh,that one?" Maxwell said in pretense.
"Did you receive it?"
"Nope,you repaid me? I didn't even know"
"That can't be.Secretary Nicolas promised to pass it on" Ricky said sadly.
"Ricky, what time do you get off work?" Maxwell changed the topic.
"In half an hour"
Maxwell glanced at his wristwatch. "Its hard to explain over the phone. I'll swing by and pick you up. Then we'll talk physically"
"Okay" Ricky agreed.
********
Maxwell waited in his Ferrari in front of KB group waiting for Ricky to appear. He had driven himself there.Ricky suddenly rushed out panting, when he saw Maxwell he stood staring at him like an obedient dog.
Maxwell sighed looking at the puppy. "Why are you standing there? Get in"
Ricky quickly entered as he if was scared Maxwell would change his mind."Mr kant,about that money"
"Oh,that?" Maxwell said nonchalantly. "Edwin Nicolas just called not too long ago. He said he forgot to give it to me earlier. He'll pass it on tomorrow at work" Maxwell lied. He watched as Ricky heaved a sigh of relief a wicked smile playing at the corner of his lips.
"Thank God" Ricky said. "Oh right,next month,when I get paid,I'll send over the next repayment"
"No need. Once every six months is fine" Maxwell said. "How much you repay each time,its up to you" Maxwell smiled. Not that he was petty and would normally receive pay back when he helped someone. It was his interest in Ricky that made him succumb to that. He used that as an excuse to get close and communicate frequently with him.
"That amount means nothing to me" Maxwell continued.
"But-"
"But what? Doesn't your sister still need further treatment? You'll need money for all that. If you give it all back to me. How are you going to pay for her care?" He paused staring at the downcasted Ricky. He raised his eyebrow. "Then? Beg the doctor again to give you more time?"
Ricky forced a smile stared at Maxwell. "Thank you Mr Kant"
Maxwell returned the smile and was lost in the depth of Ricky's beautiful eyes. "Ricky" He called, his voice hoarse. He leaned closer to Ricky and for a split second Ricky thought he wanted to kiss him so he leaned backwards involuntary even though he wanted the kiss too. Ricky's face turned red from blushing but Maxwell only tugged at Ricky's seat belt.
"Are you hot?" Maxwell asked."Your face is red" Maxwell chuckled. He had made Ricky blush on purpose.
"I'm not hot" Ricky said, upset as he found Maxwell's teasing annoying. "By the Mr Kant"
"Hm?"
"May I add you on social media?"
"Mm,you can"
Ricky quickly brought out his phone and scanned Maxwell's QR code cheerfully. "Thank you Mr Kant"
"Mm" Maxwell answered. He does that when he had nothing to say. "Let's go,I'll take you home"
They drove into the night.