MAXIMUS: System Of The Underdog

Chapter fourteen– The Offer

Max stepped out of the sleek black car, his right wrist wrapped in white bandages that still stung every time he moved it. His eyes widened at the sheer size of the Conor estate — a fortress-like mansion surrounded by tall iron gates and more bodyguards than he’d ever seen in one place.

Grimm’s dry voice echoed in his mind. “If a robber tried to sneak in here, they’d be dead before they even decided what to steal.”

Max smirked slightly. “Comforting.”

Two bodyguards approached, their expressions cold and unreadable, and escorted him inside. The marble floors gleamed under the chandelier light. He spotted Lois standing in the main hall, her brows furrowed with worry the moment she noticed his wrist.

“What happened to you?” she asked.

Max grinned. “Oh, you know… thought I’d try arm-wrestling a truck.”

Lois rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward. Before she could reply, a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped into the room — Mr. Hank Conor, the man who practically owned half the city.

“So, you’re Max,” Hank said, his voice carrying the weight of authority. “I’ve heard much about you… though I admit, when Lois first told me, I was doubtful. We looked into you, found out where you live, which school you attend. Then Lois said she wanted to meet you in person.”

Max scratched the back of his head. “Uh… guess I made an impression?”

Hank chuckled. “I told her I’d test her faith in you. No bodyguards, just you to protect her. And you did. A boy no older than fifteen… protecting my daughter.”

He opened a drawer, pulled out a check, and slid it across the table toward Max. There were a lot of zeros. Max’s eyes widened, but he slowly pushed it back.

“Why?” Hank asked.

“I didn’t save her for the money,” Max said, glancing at the faint shimmer of his system interface. “I saved her because she was in danger.”

Grimm groaned in his head. “If you took the money, your broke life problems would be solved.”

Max’s eyes went wide. “…Oh.”

Hank laughed deeply. “Impressive, kid.” Then his expression turned thoughtful. “How about this — work as Lois’s bodyguard?”

Max blinked. Lois blinked.

“I… don’t know,” Max said honestly.

“You have time to think about it,” Hank replied, pressing the same check into Max’s hand anyway. “Bodyguard, take him home.”

As Max walked toward the exit, Lois caught up to him. “Thanks… for saving me. Twice.”

Max smirked. “Careful. If you thank me three times, I might start charging.”

The next morning, Max’s wrist was completely healed, courtesy of one of his skills. But Lois was nowhere in sight at school.

That was when a student burst into the classroom, panting. “Is there anyone here named Max?”

Max raised his hand slowly. “That’s me.”

The boy’s eyes lit up. “I found him!”

In seconds, a crowd of students from other schools flooded into the room.

“Are you the representative of Bloomfield High?” one of them asked.

Max stared. “…Wait. What?”