Chapter 230: A Debt Too Deep
Chad Stern was the last person Max expected to see today, especially after school, on what was supposed to be a normal day.
He had been doing his best to keep his current life separated from the twisted affairs of the Stern family. Even if their paths were forever tangled, Max had tried to draw a line. A clear line. One that was mostly made difficult because of Chad Stern in the first place.
Up until now, Max had only ever encountered Chad at family-related social events, his grandfather’s extravagant birthday parties or the over-the-top charity galas hosted by the Curts family. Those brief encounters had always been staged, dressed in forced smiles and luxury suits.
This, however, was different.
This was the first time Max was meeting Chad outside of a curated public setting. And more importantly, it was the first time since he had learned the truth from Dipter, that Chad Stern had lost everything. Every cent. Gone.
There are two reasons why I might’ve been brought here, Max thought as he cautiously stepped further into the room, scanning his surroundings, trying to analyze the situation.
What surprised him the most was that the room was empty, aside from the three of them. Just him, Chad, and one other. Max had expected more people. After all, either scenario he’d imagined would have likely required backup. Some leverage. Some muscle.
Either Chad, having failed to get what he wanted through Dipter, had arranged this meeting himself as a desperate final play...
Or the people Chad owed had finally run out of patience and were now making their move.
"It’d be best if the two family members sat next to each other, wouldn’t it?" the woman said with a cheerful smile.
Max gave her a nod. He didn’t like the idea, not one bit. But for now, it was better to cooperate. At least he was allowed to sit on the same side of the room, not directly beside the man he despised.
As he slid into the seat, Max stole a glance at Chad. The difference from before was stark.