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Marcus finished his second cup of coffee under Greta’s stunned gaze. While he remained calm, she was visibly nervous. Mr. Palmer looked genuinely upset–very upset.
“Alright, Greta. Let’s go,” Marcus said, his tone steady and composed.
“Yes, sir!”
The two left his office, Marcus closing the door behind them. He had changed everything about this place, including restricting access to his office to authorized personnel only.
“May 17”
“Come in, Marcus,” said Maximus, glancing up from the documents he was reviewing.
“I came to see you. Greta said you were looking for me.”
“Yes, I wanted to discuss why you’ve canceled several budgets for contracts managed by the sales department,” Maximus said, raising his eyes to meet Marcus’s.
“That’s easy,” Marcus replied. “I reviewed them, and they’re overinflated. Too much money is being allocated to projects with no potential, while genuinely good opportunities are being dismissed without a second thought. What’s going on, Maximus?”
“Marcus, before rejecting anything, you need to consult with me. You can’t just cut budgets like that.”
“I’m sorry, Maximus, but just because your wife is the sales director doesn’t mean everything should go unchecked. I love and adore my wife, but in my businesses don’t let her touch the finances–not without first teaching her their true value and how to manage them. Here, it’s clear that your wife can do as she pleases without anyone setting limits,” Marcus said, his tone friendly yet sarcastic.
“Marcus, I think you’re forgetting who you’re talking to,” Maximus said, fixing him with a cold stare.
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten,” Marcus replied calmly. “I’m fully aware of who you are. You’re the CEO of this company, but I’m the true owner. I hold the majority of shares and have invested significant amounts of keep your company from going bankrupt. Tell me, Maximus, have you reviewed the company’s financial statements in detail? Do you realize you’re on the verge of disaster again?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Maximus demanded standing from his chair.
money t
“I requested the financial reports for the past few years, and it’s clear to me that far from recovering, this company is in decline. The Palmer Group is just a name now–it’s nothing like it was 20 years ago. Have you noticed that? What does your wife have to say about it?” Marcus replied, his tone sharpening with irritation,
“Alexia has been handling those matters. I don’t think I need to tell you that she’s been safeguarding the company’s interests for years,” Maximus said, attempting to defend her.
“From what I’ve seen, it’s clear her management has been anything but prudent. We need to take action if we don’t want to be in serious trouble within two years.”
“So you’re telling me my wife is misusing company resources?” Maximus asked, his tone growing more heated. “I wouldn’t say exactly that. But allocating $100 million to a skimpy advertising campaign for a juice brand? That’s ridiculous,” Marcus said, handing him a folder.
“She knows what she’s doing. You’ve barely set foot in Italy; you don’t understand this market.”
“I get it–you think my country is some third–world place with cheap labor and practically enslaved workers. But
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Chapter 0254
let me tell you, my country is a beautiful and thriving place. The people who work for me have run far bigger campaigns and spent a quarter of what you’re proposing. I won’t allow this reckless spending to continue as if you actually had cash to burn.”
“Bartz! I won’t let you undermine my decisions!”
“Fine,” Marcus said, leaning back. “Then I’ll have to withdraw my capital and demand payment for my shares. I won’t keep losing money with you. I’ve been more than lelent because you’re Caterina’s grandson.”
“If that’s what you want, then do it!”
“Do you even care about this company? Are you seriously this blind? Maximus, you used to be a sharp and powerful businessman. What happened to you? Where’s your hunger for success? Did your wife drain your spirit? If you want me to leave and take everything with me, that’s fine. But don’t blame me later when this company collapses,” Marcus said, standing up calmly.
Marcus could walk away and leave Maximus to face ruin, but that wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted to see Alexia fall, to see Frank suffer, to watch Alexia’s parents lose everything
“Marcus, you know exactly how much leverage you have. If you leave, this company is finished. We wouldn’t even be able to pay your share. My family would lose everything. Fine, we’ll do it your way. I’ll talk to Alexia, From now on, every budget will go through you, and if you don’t approve it, you’ll assign the projects we move forward with
“Good. I’m glad you understand your place in this company” Marcus said as he left the office.
