The Wealth Swap: Reclaiming His Legacy

Chapter 12

"Of course, thank you for everything Pablo. You've been most helpful to me.”

Maxwell stood up from the seat and went over to shake hands with Pablo before bidding him farewell.

As the latter made his way to the door, he bumped into Collins Greenwood outside the door.

“He's waiting for you inside." Pablo gave the man permission to enter the office while Diana went back to her office space.

The man, who was a little nervous, walked into the office and was about to greet Maxwell when a phone began to ring.

It was Maxwell's and the number was not saved on his phone.

Maxwell took up the phone from the table while pointing to the seat opposite him.

“Please, have a seat." He said calmly and stared at the ringing phone for a while before making up his mind to answer the call.

“Hello, this is Maxwell Hunt. Who am I speaking with?" 

“Max, it's me, Angel. I'm calling to let you know that I'll be coming over to pick you up so we can go to lunch together.”

"But I can cook for you if you don't want to eat out. All you have to do is to let me into your home." Angel sounded casual on the phone like she was already acquainted with Maxwell.

Well, she believed that they were acquaintances already. It was just Maxwell who was still thinking otherwise.

Angel was never backing down in making a kind gesture towards Maxwell no matter how many times she was pushed away.

In fact, rejections were not new to her as she's met with worse plights.

Being a street girl who had no one to care and ask after her, Angel had gotten used to rejections and all the unfortunate things life had been throwing at her.

She always had to rely on herself and take up any job available just to survive, either legal or illegal.

“What! Are you insane? No, you must be mad." Maxwell muttered on the phone in response to Angel's statement.

She's really got some audacity.

“When did we get so close that you're promising to cook for me. Someone who does not even want to see your face.”

Maxwell shot a glance at the man waiting for him and saw that he was minding his business. He was looking away.

Even though he was there and could not help but listen to Maxwell's conversation, it was not his place to pry.

“Look Angel or whatever you call yourself, don't you ever call this number again and I don't ever want to see you in my house.” 

“Well, I've already given the instruction and my security won't let you in." Maxwell ended the call after that. He didn't know how to react in such a situation.

Angel was offering to come and cook for him.

When did that overfamiliarity begin?

Tossing his phone aside, Maxwell glanced briefly at the file before him and then lifted his face to glance at the man with a warm smile.

“I'm sorry for taking much of your time. It's just that I called you here for something very important." 

The man replied with a nod and added. “It's fine, Sir. I understand." 

Because Collins listened to Maxwell's conversation, he believed that the latter was having girl problems.

It was obvious from his conversations that the person on the other end of the line was a lady.

Maybe they were having a problem and the young lady was trying to get back with her lover through his stomach.

Maxwell stared at the man for a while. He understood the context of his response but didn't dwell on it.

“Ok, so from your file. You've worked for this great firm for twenty six years." Maxwell inquired and the man nodded.

“That is accurate, Sir." 

“Hmph." Maxwell chuckled while nodding his head.

Indeed, the man had been there for more than two decades. Maxwell was just a baby when the man began to work there.

For someone who had worked at that firm for that long without any bad records, he was long overdue to be promoted.

“That is really impressive and commendable.” Maxwell added while still going through the man's file before him.

"Thank you, Sir.”

After a moment of silence, Maxwell covered the file and stared intently at the man's face before asking.

"How well do you know my Dad?”

Collins swallowed hard before he opened his mouth and responded. "Well, I'd say that our relationship is that of a Boss and his employee. However, you must know that Mr. Hunt treated everyone fairly and equally no matter the person's status.”

"He was not demeaning or judgmental. In fact, he was a humble leader and his demise really hit us hard and most of the employees left after that.”

"They believed that his replacement would never be anything like him.”

"So why did you stay back all these while?” Maxwell inquired further and got Collins smiling for a few seconds after which he replied.

“Hope. I had hope that someone better than Victor Morgan would one day emerge and lead this great firm.”

"Someone with an empathetic heart who was going to reward everyone who had worked really hard.”

Maxwell was speechless after he heard Collins work.

It was rare to see such a dedicated and committed worker who only hoped for the best of the establishment where he worked.

“Wow, I'm really so impressed and I must confess that I'm speechless as well.”

Maxwell paused for a while before letting out a sigh.

“Tell me, can you handle a big responsibility? If you're not ready for the ups and downs that come with it, then I'm afraid that you won't be considered.”

"I can handle a bigger responsibility if I'm given the chance." Collins replied.

“Very well, then. You'll be filling in the vacant role of the CEO of Keystone builders." 

“I hope you're equal to the task?" Maxwell responded while standing up to shake Collins hands.