Chapter 27: Chapter 27: You’ve Been Named to Apologize in Person
### Chapter 27: He Specifically Requested You Apologize in Person
Ethan Hawthorne gazed at her flushed cheeks, his eyes darkening.
He wanted to kiss her.
To pull her into his arms.
To unbutton her blouse.
To hear her scream his name in bed, over and over.
But... now was not the time.
Ethan Hawthorne knew when to quit while he was ahead. He straightened up, resuming his noble and composed demeanor, though the lingering smile in his eyes betrayed his thoughts.
"I haven’t decided yet." His tone was light, like a cat that had successfully stolen a fish. "You can owe me for now."
He turned and walked toward the study. He paused at the door, looked back at her, and added, "But I’ll be collecting interest."
With that, he disappeared behind the study door.
Maxine Rhodes stood alone in the living room, the heat on her cheeks refusing to fade. The crisp scent of cedar from his body seemed to linger in the air, along with his suggestive promise, ’I’ll be collecting interest.’
「The next morning, at a coffee shop near Willow Creek Resort.」
Maxine Rhodes placed a file in front of Finn Finch, her tone sincere. "Finn, this is my formal apology for yesterday’s fiasco, and it’s also my way of answering to Apex."
Finn Finch immediately waved his hand dismissively. "You can’t be blamed for this. Benjamin Sterling was the one who was out of line."
He paused, then added, "And to be honest, it didn’t really cause much of an impact. Someone gave me a heads-up before it happened yesterday."
A flicker of doubt crossed Maxine’s eyes. ’Could it have been Ethan Hawthorne?’
She nonchalantly continued, "It’s generous of you not to blame me, Finn. But someone has to clean up the mess that idiot Benjamin Sterling made."
She pushed the proposal forward. "It’s true you hold a high position at Apex, Finn, but there are more eyes watching from above. This business proposal for the brand commercialization of Apex’s smart retail project is both a sign of our good faith to make up for our mistake and the perfect explanation for you to give the board of directors."
Finn Finch nodded and flipped through the proposal, a look of amazement gradually appearing in his eyes.
"This proposal is far beyond my expectations. Turning our collaboration into a replicable business model... that’s a truly impressive vision."
"And that’s not all," Maxine Rhodes leaned forward slightly. "I’ll also arrange for Benjamin Sterling to come and apologize to you in person today. I want him to understand clearly that the only reason he’s keeping this project is because of my value. And for you, Finn—"
"You get to show your magnanimity, and you can use this excellent proposal to prove to the group that your decision was correct. It’s killing two birds with one stone, isn’t it?"
Finn Finch couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head. "You’re just like you were in school. You always look the calmest, but your plans are the most thorough. You’ve even considered my situation."
"So..." Maxine Rhodes raised her glass. "Are you willing to play your part in this little show, Finn?"
Finn Finch lightly clinked his glass against hers. "With a script this good, how could I possibly miss it?"
「The Sterlings’ President’s Office.」
Benjamin Sterling was like an ant on a hot pan. He hadn’t slept all night, and his eyes were bloodshot. He had picked up his phone countless times to call Maxine Rhodes, only to put it down, afraid of hearing even worse news.
When Maxine Rhodes’s figure finally appeared in the doorway, he practically shot up from his chair. "How did it go?! What about President Young...?"
Maxine Rhodes walked to the desk with a blank expression, placed the file folder in her hand on the table with a soft but deliberate thud, a sound that made Benjamin Sterling’s heart sink to the floor.
"President Young is furious." She got straight to the point, her tone cold and hard. "Apex’s legal department has already drafted a contract termination letter and a compensation agreement. I was the one who stopped them."
Benjamin Sterling’s legs gave out, and he collapsed back into his chair, his voice trembling. "T-Termination? And compensation?!"
"What did you expect?" Maxine Rhodes raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp. "Did you think storming into a client executive’s private room with a group of people was a small matter? President Young and his wife were severely frightened. This could escalate to a legal issue! It’s perfectly reasonable and legal for them to pursue this now!"
"Then... then what do we do?" Benjamin Sterling was in a complete panic. The company was counting on this major project to save it. "Maxine, you have to help me! Go talk to President Young, plead with him, apologize nicely. Aren’t you two from the same school? He’ll definitely give you face!"
Hearing this, Maxine Rhodes looked as if she’d heard the world’s biggest joke. The corner of her lip curled into an icy sneer. "Benjamin Sterling, you’re the one who caused this mess. On what grounds should I be the one to bow my head? Your pride is so important, but mine is worthless? Or do you think I, Maxine Rhodes, was born to follow you around and clean up your messes?"
She took a step closer, looking down on him. "Let me make this perfectly clear. President Young specifically requested that you, Benjamin Sterling, President of the Sterlings, personally and privately go to him to apologize. Otherwise, all bets are off."
Benjamin Sterling’s face alternated between shades of green and white. For him, losing face to apologize to Finn Finch was a fate worse than death.
He looked pained. "Is... is there no other choice?"
"Benjamin Sterling, do you still not understand the situation?" Maxine Rhodes’s voice was as cold as ice. "Do you think Apex needs The Sterlings for this project? Let me tell you, Universe Group, Broadreach Group... countless eyes are staring at this juicy piece of meat that is Apex! They’re just hoping we screw up so they can immediately swoop in and take over!"
With every competitor’s name she mentioned, Benjamin Sterling’s face grew a shade paler. He knew perfectly well that these were all formidable rivals.
"And here you are, still putting on your ridiculous presidential airs," Maxine Rhodes mercilessly shattered his illusions. "In the next second, President Young could be on the phone with one of our competitors! When that happens, forget about saving the project—The Sterlings will become the biggest joke in the industry! The joke of a company that lost its core project because its president couldn’t separate his personal and professional life and threw a baseless tantrum!"
Benjamin Sterling was left speechless. Cold sweat trickled down his temple. He slumped back into his chair, his mind rapidly weighing the pros and cons.
In the end, the fear of losing everything overwhelmed his pathetic pride. As if all his strength had been drained away, his voice came out dry and hoarse. "Fine... I’ll go. I’ll apologize in person."
He practically agreed through gritted teeth, then immediately asked with urgency, "What about the compensation? How much?"
Maxine Rhodes sneered inwardly but showed a troubled expression. "The compensation... President Young’s opening demand was this much."
She named a figure far exceeding the actual amount.
Seeing Benjamin Sterling’s instantly ashen face, she changed her tune, as if looking out for him. "But, I argued my case, said you were just momentarily confused. In the end, President Young relented and agreed to lower it to this amount."
"That... that’s still so much?" Benjamin Sterling was visibly pained by the cost.
"So much?" Maxine’s gaze swept over him, her tone hardening. "Benjamin Sterling, get it straight! This is the result after they already cut it in half for my sake! This isn’t just compensation, it’s hush money! If word of this gets out, how are you supposed to survive in this circle? Does The Sterlings ever want to land another project again?"
She picked up the file folder and made a show of leaving. "If you think it’s not worth it, I’ll go get the termination letter and the original compensation agreement right now. The choice is yours."
"No! Don’t!" Benjamin Sterling hastily stopped her, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "I’ll pay! I’ll pay that amount! Maxine, this time... I really owe you for this."
Maxine Rhodes looked at his cowardly, pained expression without a ripple of emotion in her heart, only the cold satisfaction of a successful plan.
"The money. Wire it to this designated account by the end of today."
She handed him a slip of paper. On it was an overseas account she had prepared, one completely under her control. "This is the dedicated account for emotional distress damages that President Young’s side requested. It has to be a private transfer, not through the company books, to avoid leaving a paper trail. Consider it a way of letting you save one last shred of dignity."
Benjamin Sterling, suspecting nothing, nodded repeatedly. "Understood, understood. President Young is very thoughtful. I’ll have the finance department handle it right away."
"Remember," Maxine Rhodes warned him one last time, her gaze like a knife, "be at Willow Creek Resort at ten o’clock sharp tomorrow morning. Be sincere. Don’t try to pull your ’President Sterling’ act, or not even the gods will be able to save you."
Benjamin Sterling nodded hastily. "Yes, yes, I know what’s important."
Not long after the office door closed, it was gently pushed open again. Rose Joyce stood in the doorway, her eyes red and rimmed with tears, her voice choked with sobs. "Benjamin..."
