Alexander's POV
For several moments, silence filled the office.
Slowly, I turned my attention toward Roland Pike whose smile remained considerably brighter than it had been several minutes earlier.
"Chairman Alexander," he laughed awkwardly, "thank you once again for your generosity. I assure you Miss Mara won't disappoint Birch Entertainment."
"I know."
"I've always said talented people deserve opportunities", he said as his smile widened slightly.
"I agree."
His smile became considerably brighter with every sentence I spoke.
I quietly folded my hands together before continuing.
"Which is precisely why I find it unfortunate that you've forgotten something rather important."
"...Excuse me?"
"The one hundred and sixty million Farqus."
Silence immediately descended upon the office once more.
"What?"
"The compensation fee."
His expression froze immediately.
"But..." he laughed nervously, "Chairman Alexander, I thought we had already resolved that misunderstanding."
"We haven't."
"..."
"The contract remains legally binding."
I gestured casually toward the document resting upon my desk.
"Miss Mara accepting employment at Birch Entertainment has absolutely nothing to do with the compensation you currently owe me."
The smile upon Roland Pike's face immediately disappeared.
"Chairman Alexander, surely we can discuss this further."
"We have."
"No, I mean..."
"We've also concluded that discussion."
He immediately swallowed nervously.
"Chairman Alexander, Pike House Pictures isn't a particularly large company. One hundred and sixty million Farqus would..."
"Bankrupt you?"
"..."
"I certainly hope not."
For the first time that afternoon, Roland Pike genuinely looked as though he might cry.
He immediately turned pleading eyes toward Sebastian who looked considerably more interested in the office curtains than assisting him.
"Chairman Alexander," he continued desperately, "I've already transferred Miss Mara's contract to Birch Entertainment. Surely that should count for something."
"It does."
His eyes immediately brightened.
"It demonstrates exceptionally poor business judgment on your part."
"..."
Sebastian quietly looked away to conceal his smile.
I turned slightly toward Sebastian.
"What time is it?"
"2:30PM, Master."
I nodded lightly.
"It appears I'm feeling rather generous today."
Roland Pike almost burst into tears of gratitude.
"I'll extend the deadline until 3:00PM."
His expression immediately froze once more.
"THAT'S ONLY THIRTY MINUTES MORE!"
"Generosity should never be underestimated, Mr. Pike."
"..."
For several moments, the office became unusually quiet.
Jada Vale, who had remained silent throughout most of our conversation, suddenly began speaking through her tears.
"Chairman Alexander, we're really sorry."
I slowly shifted my gaze toward her.
"I know."
"..."
"Which is precisely why I'm only requesting one hundred and sixty million Farqus."
Her jaw clenched tightly as fresh tears began rolling down her cheeks.
Roland Pike fell on his knees and bowed his head low.
"Chairman Alexander, please give us more time!"
"No."
"One week!"
"No."
"Five days!"
"No."
"Chairman…"
Before he could continue pleading, Sebastian finally stepped forward.
"Mr. Pike."
"Yes?"
"You've remained within My Master's office considerably longer than necessary."
"..."
"If you're unable to leave voluntarily, I'd be more than happy to request security assistance."
The smile upon Sebastian's face remained exceptionally polite.
"Alternatively, I could simply call the police and arrange for your next meeting with my Master to take place inside a courtroom."
Roland Pike immediately became silent. Realizing he had lost entirely, Roland Pike reluctantly grabbed Jada's arm before forcing an awkward smile onto his face.
"We'll be taking our leave now."
"Mm."
After taking several steps toward the door, he suddenly stopped before turning around once more.
"Chairman Alexander?"
"Yes?"
"Would it truly be impossible to negotiate further?"
"Certainly."
"..."
Without another word, he hurriedly dragged the still tearful Jada out of the office as though fearing I might suddenly increase the compensation fee.
The moment the office door finally closed behind them, silence quietly returned once more.
For several moments, neither Sebastian nor Adam Brooks spoke.
My vision blurred slightly before slowly returning to normal.
I quietly closed my eyes and leaned back against my chair.
"Master?", Sebastian said with unease.
"I'm fine", I said as I opened my eyes.
Unfortunately, no one within the room appeared remotely convinced by my answer.
Adam Brooks hesitated briefly before speaking cautiously.
"Chairman, perhaps you should return home and rest."
"I didn't realize you were now a doctor, Mr. Brooks."
"..."
Somehow, I was beginning to understand why Elena found conversations with me increasingly troublesome.
"Master, you've barely slept these past few days."
"I'm aware."
"You've also neglected breakfast."
"I'm aware."
"And lunch."
"SEBASTIAN."
My thoughts unconsciously drifted toward Elena once more. I wondered whether she was feeling better now.
Before I realized it, I found myself reaching for my phone.
Sebastian sighed helplessly.
"Master."
"Mm?"
"Miss Elena will be resting."
"..."
Slowly, I returned the phone to my pocket.
That was unfortunate.
"Master."
"What is it?"
"You don't look particularly well."
Unexpectedly, I laughed quietly.
"It would appear everyone has become remarkably concerned about my health lately."
For several moments, silence settled quietly throughout the office.
Then, without another word, I reached for the remaining files upon my desk.
"Mr. Brooks."
"Yes, Chairman?"
"Bring me the administrative reports."
His expression immediately became helpless.
"Chairman, I believe rest would presently be considerably more beneficial."
"And I believe the company requires competent leadership."
There were some things I could compromise on. Work, unfortunately, had never been one of them.