“When was the last time you summoned me to your office, Liam or should I say, Boss”Max uttered with a sarcastic tone as he strolled with pocketed hands into Liam’s office.
Liam ignored his sarcasm and waited patiently for him to take his seat. He wasn’t going to act desperately.
“Do you have anything to say about your little date with my fiancee?” Liam questioned with a threatening tone in his hoarse voice.
Max chuckled lightly before replying,” Nothing bro, just a little chitchat with my future sister-in-law or isn’t that allowed?” Max refuted with a playful smirk on his lips. He had suspected the little scandal was the reason he was called.
Max had no intentions of heeding his cousin’s call but he had to, after all, the company was their family’s heritage. He couldn’t let it go down like that, not when he coveted it. He was going to help Liam but the latter was going to have to ask for help himself.
“Good!” Liam remarked with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s exactly what you’re going to say to the media”. He had a threatening tone beneath his voice.
“What??… Why do you need me to speak to the press?.. can’t you settle it yourself” Max queried with a mocking glint in his eyes.
“It’s an order, Max or do you want to be fired for misconduct?” Liam berated him with a raised brow. He wasn’t going to bend to his cousin’s will. He held more power than he did so that power was going to be of good use today.
Max realized that he had been cornered and couldn’t stop himself from gritting his teeth. “Fine, what do you want me to tell them?”
“I don’t have to teach you how to do the right thing. Choose your words carefully” Liam replied with his words portraying a warning signal.
Max clenched his teeth in anger as he and Liam were on their way to meet with the media team. Part of the reason for his hatred towards his cousin was because the former had never beaten the latter in any battle of confrontational, be it wits or words, since their childhood days. Max was good to compromise today and do the needful for the company.
The camera lights almost blinded their eyes as they got to the meeting room. The reporters all ran to both of them and instantly threw their questions at them.
“Mr. Callahan, what are plans towards your cheating fiancee, do you plan on breaking off the engagement?”
“Mr. Cahallan, what about the company on the verge of bankruptcy, how do you intend to solve that?”
“Mr. Max, what excuse do you have for flirting with your future sister-in-law?”
“Mr. Max, are you fully aware that your company’s predicament is due to misconduct on your part?”
The constant accusations from the reporters were beginning to get on Liam’s nerves. Their safety was already guaranteed by the huge bodyguards protecting but the repeated insults directed at Isabelle was his main problem. He wasn’t taking it anymore.
“Enough” his thunderous voice echoed loudly across the room causing a tremor that silenced the whole gaggle of reporters.
Max couldn’t help but sigh in frustration, his cousin was always the male lead who attracted everyone’s attention while he was just the supporting character. Another reason why he despised him.
“Anyone who raises a voice without permission would be sued for improper behavior and misconduct” Liam declared with his tone laced with obvious threats that sent shivers down their spines. When he got the reaction that he wanted, he smirked in satisfaction while giving a signal to Max to take the stage.
“I want to address the recent rumors regarding my interaction with my cousin’s fiancee. I understand how my actions must have been misinterpreted and I apologize for any confusion caused” Max’s voice resonated through the room. He paused to think of the next words to say and finally decided.
“Our chitchat which was misunderstood as a flirt was just a lighthearted exchange between in-laws. I had no intention of disrespecting my cousin and his fiancee. I hope you can maintain a respectful and accurate narrative after this”Max concluded with a tone of severity and gave way for Liam who had come to take over.
“Now, let this be known to you that my beloved fiancee was never involved in any scandal and those photos were just another way to spite me and as for the company’s chances of bankruptcy, the issues are being resolved….. Now, you can asked whatever questions you have in mind, I’m fully ready to attend to them”
The whole room was as silent as a graveyard. The threat Liam had issued was still fresh in their memories. No one wanted to take the chance of losing their freedom in exchange for gossip. They quietly filed out of the room, giving space for peace and serenity to reign in the company’s environment.
“So, what next?” Max questioned his cousin who was staring blankly at a space.
“All that’s left is to stay away from Isabelle for good” Liam replied as a dangerous glint flashed through his eyes before averting his gaze to his secretary who had been in the meeting room since the beginning. “Prepare a board meeting. We have a lot of problems to rectify before it escalates”
“Right away, boss” Sarah responded before leaving to carry out the task.
“What makes you think I would let her go?” Max berated Liam who was walking away, causing him to halt in his tracks.
“You wouldn’t dare” Liam half yelled as he swiftly turned to land a blow on Max who wasn’t prepared. He was already bleeding through the teeth. He hadn’t had time to gather himself when another blow landed on his face again causing him to slump to the floor weakly.
“You should never be seen with her ever in your life” Liam warned as he cleaned his knuckles with the handkerchief that was kept in his breast pocket
Liam walked away in anger to avoid beating his cousin to the point of no return. He was being nice enough.