THE WAR GOD'S RECKONING

Chapter 6

Benjamin Smith’s cane struck the floor once in anger

“You,” he said, eyes sliding to Max with open disdain, “stay out of Smith family matters. This doesn’t concern you.”

Then his gaze snapped back to Fiona.

“Now answer,” Benjamin said coldly. “Which option do you choose?”

The room felt smaller.

Fiona inhaled slowly. She wasn’t stupid, she could see the trap clearly now and it was deliberate and designed to crush her without dirtying their hands.

“That option is absurd,” she said finally, voice steady despite the pressure. “You know it is.”

Benjamin’s brow twitched.

“Securing a cooperation with a top-tier company in three days isn’t negotiation,” Fiona continued. “It’s execution. Even getting an appointment alone takes weeks. Gyrix Group, Luricor Holdings, Atlas Consortium, Northwind Capital, these companies don’t even look at proposals from families on the verge of collapse.”

She met his gaze without flinching.

“You’re not giving me a chance,” she said quietly. “You’re giving me a sentence.”

Silence followed but Benjamin didn’t deny it.

“Those are your terms,” he replied flatly. “Take them or leave them.”

Fiona’s fingers curled slowly at her side. For the first time, uncertainty crept into her eyes. She had fought them with reason, with logic but this wasn’t a negotiation table.

This was a slaughterhouse.

Max stepped forward, he didn’t raise his voice or glare.

He simply placed a hand lightly on Fiona’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry,” he said calmly. “You’re not walking this alone.”

Fiona turned to him, startled.

“I’ll handle it,” Max continued, eyes steady. “You don’t need to bend for people who mistake cruelty for leverage.”

Morgan scoffed loudly. “Handle it? You?” she sneered. “Don’t make me laugh. You were useless back then, Max. A nobody who married into our family just to survive. What makes you think you can do anything now?”

Max looked at her and then smiled.

It wasn’t warm but amused, almost pitying.

“You talk a lot for someone whose greatest achievement was marrying above her intelligence,” Max said lazily.

Morgan’s mouth opened...

“And before you bark again,” he added mildly, “remember this, people who shout the loudest usually do it because they have nothing else.”

Morgan choked on her rage.

Max turned his attention back to Benjamin, eyes sharp now, voice calm,

“You want to give my wife ‘choices’?” he said. “Fine. We’ll take the second one.”

Benjamin’s eyes narrowed and Max smiled wider.

“And we won’t need three days,” he continued casually. “One day will do.”

The room stiffened.

Morgan burst into laughter, shrill and mocking. “One day?!” she cried. “You couldn’t do anything five years ago. You needed our money to survive. What makes you think you’re capable now?”

Her voice dropped venomous.

“You’re still the same poor piece of bad luck. Just better dressed and that's thanks to us.”

Max laughed out loud looking entertained.

“Five years ago,” he said calmly, “I needed money. Today, money needs permission to speak to me.”

He tilted his head slightly.

“But don’t worry,” he added. “You don’t need to understand. People like you never do, until it’s too late.”

Benjamin studied him for a long moment, suspicion creeping into his eyes.

“You’re arrogant,” the old man said.

Max nodded. “I’ve earned it.”

The Smiths muttered angrily, voices rising again, but Max lifted his gaze and spoke once more,

“Cause trouble if you want,” he said. “But remember this, every second you stand in this house insulting my wife is a second I’m allowing you to breathe. Don't forget where I have been for five years.”

The room went dead silent and Benjamin turned away first.

“We’ll see,” he said coldly. "I'll crush you soonest"

The Smiths filed out, Morgan still cursing under her breath, throwing one last hateful glance over her shoulder.

Max closed the door behind them and then he exhaled slowly and shook his head, more tired than angry.

“One day,” he murmured. “Plenty of time.”

Fiona exhaled sharply and turned on Max, her restraint cracked.

“Why did you do that?” she demanded, voice tight with anger and panic she had been holding back. “Why did you rebut them like that? Do you even understand what you just agreed to?”

Max leaned casually against the wall, unbothered, and watching her pace the small parlour like a trapped animal.

“A cooperation with a top-tier company isn’t something you promise,” Fiona continued, eyes burning. “It’s not something you bluff about. It takes months, connections, credibility, leverage. Even getting past a secretary is a miracle.”

She stopped in front of him.

“You gave me false hope,” she said, jaw trembling. “That’s not fair. Not to me. Not to Rose.”

Max studied her for a moment and then he chuckled lowly, calm and almost lazy.

“You’re right,” he said. “It’s hard.”

That only made her angrier.

“And yet you still..”

“but you’re wrong about one thing,” Max cut in smoothly. “I didn’t bluff.”

He straightened, reached into his wallet, and pulled something out.

A card.

He held it between two fingers and flicked it toward her.

Fiona caught it reflexively and her breath stopped.

The name printed on it wasn’t flashy but anyone in business would recognize it instantly. A top-tier corporation. One that didn’t advertise, didn’t negotiate with nobodies, didn’t hand out cards.

Her fingers tightened.

“This…” she whispered. “This isn’t something you just get.”

“I know,” Max said calmly.

Her eyes snapped up to him.

“During my time in service,” he continued, voice even, “I crossed paths with someone. Pulled the person out of a situation most people don’t survive. Didn’t ask for anything or even know who the person was back then.”

He shrugged lightly.

“Before we parted, that was handed and was told if I ever needed a favor, I should call.”

Max met her gaze.

“I don’t make empty promises, Fiona. I am not the Smiths.”

Fiona stared at the card again.

Her skepticism didn’t vanish but it cracked.

This wasn’t fake. She knew that much. This was the kind of card people guarded like their lives depended on it.

“You’re really going to call and you sure if i go, I'll get the contract?” she asked quietly.

“Yes,” Max said. “And we’ll see if he still remembers how debts work.”

They stood there for a moment, the weight of possibility settling into the small, worn room.

Then Fiona spoke again, her tone changed into something colder.

“Don’t misunderstand,” she said, stopping him just as he turned toward the inner room. “Just because you helped me doesn’t mean I’ve accepted you.”

Max paused.

“This is for Rose,” Fiona continued firmly. “For her happiness. Not because everything between us is suddenly fine.”

She expected anger, defensiveness or excuses but Max just shrugged.

“Fair enough.”

He turned and walked toward the door.

Fiona frowned. “Where are you going?”

“I’ll leave,” Max said casually.

Her heart skipped. “What?”

“You made your position clear,” he replied, already opening the door. “You don’t want me here. I don’t force myself where I’m not wanted.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Fiona said quickly, tension rising. “I just...”

Max stepped outside and didn’t look back or hesitate and the door closed.

Fiona stood frozen, staring at the door, her chest tight, and a strange panic creeping in but she hid it well.

As for Max, he got into his car with a smile and with the thought of coming to see Rose and Amelia tomorrow.