Chapter 0627
After Maximus left for the airport, Alden began showing Serenity around the various floors of Palmer Group. Though Serenity typically carried herself with poise and confidence, she found herself faltering every time Alden looked her way. There was something about his presence, his composed demeanor, that made her feel nervous in a way she couldn’t explain.
“Serenity, do you have any questions so far?” Alden asked, noticing she had fallen slightly behind in the hallway.
“Oh! No, no questions,” she replied quickly, snapping out of her thoughts. “Did you used to work here?”
“Yes, but for some reason, both Maximus and my father asked Marcus and me to step away. Apparently, there’s something going on here that’s not entirely right. Honestly, it’s a shame–it feels like they’re letting this place fall apart.”
“What do you mean?” Serenity asked, her curiosity piqued
“Come,” Alden said, opening the door to the CEO’s office. We can talk here without interruptions.”
Serenity stepped inside Maximus’s elegant office, which exuded authority and sophistication. Alden sat on a sleek leather couch in the sitting area and gestured for her to join him.
“It’s a shame,” Alden said, looking around the room.
“What is?” Serenity asked, intrigued.
“This place. Marcus, Matthew, and I worked hard to keep it from going bankrupt. But apparently, my father and Maximus know something they haven’t shared with us. From what I understand, it’s connected to your grandfather. Did you know Maximus and Peter aren’t brothers?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Well, I thought you knew. I only found out recently when my father told me. There are so many secrets buried in these walls. You know, when I first met you, I was really curious about you. At first, I thought you were my sister, which made me even more interested. Then I learned you weren’t my sister but my cousin. And now it turns out we don’t share any blood relation at all.”
“How can you be so sure of that?” Serenity asked, narrowing her eyes.
“My father had plenty of free time, and he dug into the histories of both the Palmer and Bartz families. He uncovered some truths–everything was there, just waiting to be found.”
“That explains why Maximus’s been so stressed lately…”
“Well, I’ll confess something to you, Serenity. Your father is an extraordinary man. I’ve been amazed by how he’s managed to keep this company afloat all these years. Palmer Group is a giant. If it falls, thousands of jobs will disappear. No one realizes how much this company drives the economy. Many have tried to emulate it, but after working here, I can see that it’s a cornerstone. And your father has carried that responsibility on his shoulders.”
“Wow. I didn’t realize that. I suppose that explains why Maxximus always looks so tired.”
“Your father had already stepped down, but your grandfather Leonardo–the man who kidnapped you–wants to rétake control of the company for some reason. Maximus plans to hand it over, though I still don’t understand why. What I do know is that he’s keeping it afloat so thousands of families won’t go without. Your father isn’t the monster people think he is.”
“I’ll admit, that surprises me. Maximus is a tough man, but I’ve always thought he looked out for us.”
“He does. Honestly, I admire my father, but having worked with your father, I’ve come to admire him too. He has
Chapter 0627
an incredible knack for business. That said, I can tell he’s happier now, even though returning here isn’t easy him, especially knowing he’s not a Palmer.”
“He is a Palmer!” Serenity said, defensive.
for
“As I said, the last I heard, he isn’t. Maximus isn’t Leonardo’s son. And yet, here he is, bearing the weight of this company. Leonardo, for all his manipulation, ensured Maximus could live peacefully–while leaving him with the burden of running this empire.”
“Leonardo is a monster. After what he did to me, I don’t doubt he’s capable of even worse,” Serenity said angrily.
“He probably underestimated your strength of character,” Alden said, standing and gently touching her cheek before walking to the coffee machine.
“What about you?” Serenity asked, redirecting the conversation. “You’ve talked a lot about my father, but what about you? What did you do here?”
Alden smiled warmly. “It’s funny. I started here because I wanted to help keep the company afloat. Marcus taught me a lot, and so did Matthew. Together, the three of us came up with a plan to save the company, though we didn’t anticipate what Maximus and my father would uncover.
“As for me, I’ve always loved the world of finance. I’m good at it. These days, I help Maximus with certain matters. He and my father have partnered on projects in the UAE. My father recently closed a lucrative deal there, buying a massive refinery. I handle the financial side from here, though I sometimes travel for a few days when needed.”
“Wow! Are you serious about what you just said
Serenity asked, wide–eyed.
“About what?”
“About buying a refinery?”
“One thing I’ll admit is that the three men around you, Serenity, are incredibly sharp. I guess it comes with age. can only hope that when I reach their age, I’ll be just as capable,”
Serenity froze for a moment. “The men around me?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Maximus, Peter, and Marcus. Whether you like it or not, they’re part of your life. I imagine you’ve inherited or learned some of their knowledge. You’re a diamond in the rough. Once you’ve been polished, you’ll be like them.”
“You just called me ‘unrefined‘!” she exclaimed, pretending to be offended.
Alden had just taken a sip of his coffee and almost choked in response.
“No! That’s not what I meant!”
“But you said it!”
“I said you’re a diamond in the rough that needs polishing
“There it is again. You called me ‘unrefined‘… twice now.”
“Damn it, girl! I didn’t mean that. I take it back.”
“And now you’re calling me ‘girl‘?” Serenity said, raising an eyebrow.
‘Okay, fine. Let’s change the subject,” Alden said, rolling his eyes in defeat.
“So, you’re basically avoiding an argument with me?” Serenity teased.
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Chapter 0627
“No, I’m just trying not to say more things you can twist and use against me.”
“Fine,” Serenity said, crossing her arms over her chest with mock indignation.
“Fine,” Alden replied, glancing at his wristwatch. “It’s 3:00 p.m. Time to eat. Are you coming?”
“There’s a cafeteria here, right?”
“There is… but I was planning on taking you out for lunch.”
“To call me ‘unrefined‘ again?” Serenity teased, narrowing her eyes.
“God, no! I didn’t mean to call you that. Let’s go eat, and I apologize for the comment you misunderstood.”
Serenity stared at Alden with the same piercing look Maximus often gave people, and Alden began to shift uncomfortably under her gaze.
“I was just joking! You should’ve seen your face,” Serenity said, grinning. “Let’s go eat.”
For the first time, Serenity had managed to unsettle Alden a man whose presence often left her feeling flustered. She relished that small victory, smiling to herself as they walked out together.
