21.Victory
.
.
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⟡ Second Negotiation — "The Silent Pressure"
The next meeting began immediately.
This time with Varrow Tech, a powerful corporation known for arrogance.
But arrogance melted the moment Maximilian walked in.
He didn't sit right away.
He stood at the head of the table, scanning the room with slow, deadly calm.
Every executive straightened like terrified schoolchildren.
Their chairman tried to appear confident.
"President Brooks, we hope you'll consider our joint project—"
Maximilian:
"Your timeline is unrealistic.
Your budget is inaccurate.
And your confidence is misplaced."
Varrow team went silent.
He finally sat.
Then placed their contract on the table…
and slid it back across to them with one finger.
"Rewrite it.
Remove 30% of your self-benefiting clauses.
Triple your accountability.
And don't try to monopolize my technology again."
The chairman swallowed.
"S-Sir… there seems to be a misunderstanding—"
Maximilian leaned forward, voice low and lethal:
"The only misunderstanding is that you thought you could outsmart me."
Everyone froze.
Meeting two: victory. Effortless.
---
⟡ Third Negotiation — "Psychological Warfare"
This one was with Helix Corporation, the most cunning of the three.
They tried flattery.
"President Brooks, you look sharp today—"
Maximilian didn't even blink.
"Compliments won't save you."
Helix's CFO stuttered.
"W-We simply respect—"
"Respect?" Maximilian cut in.
"Then respect yourself enough not to come unprepared."
He tapped the file.
"Your market analysis is missing three critical variables.
Your projections are wrong by 42%.
And your licensing request is insulting."
Helix stared at him like he was magic.
One director whispered:
"How… how did he see everything…?"
Maximilian closed the folder.
"Do better.
Or the door is behind you."
They scrambled to correct everything.
Meeting three: Maximilian wins again.
---
⟡ Fourth Negotiation — "The Cold King"
Last one:
Stravos Global, known for aggression.
They tried to corner him.
Their CEO slammed his hand on the table.
"We demand a 50-50 partnership!"
Maximilian didn't even raise his eyes.
"You demand nothing."
The room froze.
He looked up slowly.
"I don't negotiate with people who behave like toddlers."
Stravos CEO:
"Y-You—! You can't talk to me like—"
Maximilian stood.
"This meeting is over."
Everyone panicked.
"No! Please— President Brooks, sit! We'll adjust—"
He fixed them with an icy stare.
"40-60.
My favor.
Final.
Because you wasted my time."
They bowed their heads instantly.
Meeting four: Maximilian crushes the field again.
---
⟡ All Meetings End — Maximilian Exhausted but Unbreakable
Finally, after hours of battle-level negotiations,
Maximilian stepped into his private office.
Kyron followed, eyes shining.
"Sir… you demolished every one of them today."
Maximilian loosened his tie.
"Good. They needed the lesson."
He sat…
closed his eyes for just a moment…
And then—
---
📞 His phone rang. — Chloe & Aiden
Maximilian opened one eye.
"…This better not be chaos."
He answered.
Maximilian: "What."
Chloe (dramatically): "COUSIN!!! AIDEN ATE MY PIZZA!!"
Aiden (offended): "It was my pizza! She stole my slice first!"
Chloe: "IT WAS SPIRITUAL SHARING!!"
Aiden: "YOU PICKED OFF THE TOPPINGS!"
Chloe: "BECAUSE I WAS CHECKING FOR POISON!"
Maximilian sighed.
Maximilian: "Why would your pizza be poisoned?"
Chloe: "Because Aiden cooked it."
Aiden: "Hey!"
Maximilian pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I handled four multinational negotiations today.
Why am I mediating a pizza war?"
Chloe: "You love us?"
Aiden: "We're your emotional support cousins."
Maximilian smirked despite himself.
"…Unfortunately."
Chloe: "YAYYYY HE LOVES US!! MARK THE CALENDAR—"
Aiden: "I'll record it!"
Maximilian: "If you two record anything, I'll cut your allowance."
Chloe & Aiden:
"NOOOOOOOO!"
He hung up.
But his expression was softer now.
The only warmth he ever allowed.
Because for them…
he wasn't the ruthless king of business.
He was family.
---