Chapter 119
The other executives didn’t dare to make a peep in Max’s presence, knowing full well the weight of the shares he held in his iron grip. Cross him, and you’d be packing your bags faster than you could say “Pink slip.” Hadn’t Ryan been the perfect cautionary tale? If Max could cast aside his own flesh and blood without a second thought, the others stood no chance of mercy.
William, savvy as ever, didn’t bother to defend Ryan, instead smoothly changing the subject. “Max. I hear your trip abroad is about courting that company. Book?”
Brielle’s ears perked up instantly, curious as to how Max would respond.
Max casually flipped through the documents on the table, his expression unaltered. “Hmm, it’s under consideration.”
Patrick, standing beside him, almost reflexively glanced at Brielle, then with a businesslike demeanor, fired up the projector. “Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention here. This is all the intel on Book. It’s a wildly popular app overseas, currently valued at a cool billion dollars.”
Word on the street about Book had already seeped out over the last few days, and the media, which didn’t dare spill much ink on Max, had a field day dissecting Alivia’s side of the story.
Discovering that Alivia was a shareholder and that the company’s CEO was a senior colleague from her research institute had the public thinking Max was ready to throw down a fortune for his lady love. Thus, the executives in the meeting room, ever opportunistic, eagerly began to brown–nose.
“The CEO of Book is impressively young, and the user base they’ve built in less than six months is remarkable. If this momentum continues, it’s going to be a staple on everyone’s smartphone.”
“If they’re seeking funds, Dorsey International must be in the running.”
“With a market cap of a billion dollars, the investment figure will likely be in that ballpark. It’s a sure bet.”
Even if it tanked, what did it matter if Max spent a few billion to woo a woman? His happiness was paramount, and no one could fathom the depths of his wealth.
Besides, the rise of Book was nothing short of meteoric, almost impossible to duplicate. If Dorsey International could snag this project early on, the return could easily multiply tenfold, or even a hundredfold.
The room buzzed with chatter, but Brielle sat quietly to the side, her lashes lowered, absorbed in thought.
Patrick, ignoring the hubbub, dutifully displayed Book’s details on the large screen. “Several venture capital firms are already in talks with Book. By early next month, after the CEO meets with Ms. Alivia again, we’ll need to lock down the investment amount. I’ll circulate the details
Chapter 119
for everyone’s consideration. Until then, feel free to weigh in.”
Brielle glanced at the information on the screen, much of which she had compiled. The founder of Book was indeed formidable, backed by a mentor who was a titan in the academic world and supported by a lady of Alivia’s standing. Its potential seemed limitless.
Brielle’s gaze dropped as she noticed the room’s volume dip suddenly. Then silence fell, and she looked up to find Max’s gaze resting on her. Unsure of what had transpired, she stood, feeling awkward, “The founder is, indeed, remarkable.” With that half–hearted remark, she sat
back down.
The atmosphere grew subtly charged, and Brielle wondered if she’d misspoken.
As the meeting dispersed, she hoped to slip out unnoticed with the crowd of executives, but then Max’s quiet tap–tap on the table halted her. “Stay behind.” The voice was very soft, and only she, walking at the back, could hear it.
She lingered to close the door, then faced him. “Mr. Dorsey, I’ve compiled the Book information thoroughly. Is there something unsatisfactory?”
“Are you upset?”
A pang hit Brielle’s chest, a sour twist. It was rare for him to notice the mood swings of her, but what right did she have to be upset? Wasn’t she just a little canary he kept?
Max stood and as he passed her, he drew her gently into his embrace. “Come to my office.”
It’s brief embrace, followed by a release. Like a bee sting straight to the heart.
Brielle stood rooted, waiting until the room emptied before she collected herself. Did she like Max? She wasn’t sure, maybe it was just a woman’s instinctual response. She tried to suppress such instincts, knowing sometimes that wise surrender was better than blind persistence.
