From Trash to Titan

The wedding was grand. The kind of luxury Maxwell had grown up around but never been part of.Standing isolated in a room full of people, Maxwell's eyes wandered around the luxurious mansion: Chandeliers, expensive suits, tables filled with people who called themselves family but treated him like he was an outsider.No, they treated him worse than an outsider!At least an outsider was respected by everyone, but he didn't even have that here, he was simply a nobody in their eyes.He stood off to the side on his own, ignored as usual. His stepfather, Ramon, was laughing joyfully and loudly with the guests. Wealthy individuals, including CEO's and chairman's of some of the biggest companies in the city.He could see his 'mother' was holding a glass of champagne in her hands, looking every bit like the respected attorney that she was in the city.And his step brother? He was dressed in an expensive suit, just like the golden son he was. The perfect heir.Meanwhile, Maxwell might as well h

"Don't apologize. I wore this dress to be looked at," she chuckled, leaning against the wall next to him. "You looked like you needed a break from the circus in there."Maxwell sighed a little. "Is it that obvious?" But then he realized. Of course it's that obvious, everyone at this party saw his mother telling him to kneel and apologize to his half brother."Trust me, everyone needs a break from Debra's parties eventually," she said. "I'm Chloe, by the way. We actually went to college together, though I doubt you remember. I sat two rows behind you in Economics."Maxwell looked at her closely. "Chloe... right. I think I remember.""I'm actually your mother's new assistant," she added casually.Maxwell was taken aback by that. Debra's assistant and yet she was speaking with him."Oh." Maxwell tried to keep his expression neutral. More like, ‘shit. She works for Debra.’ Usually, anyone who got along with Debra adopted her hostility towards him."Don't worry," Chloe waved a hand dismiss

He wanted to dash at Armand. Wipe that smug grin off his face. Make him choke on his own words.But he couldn't.If Armand fired Elena, she'd be ruined. The Lexus family had connections all over the city. One word from them, and no one would hire her. She'd lose everything. Her kids would suffer. After everything she had done for him, Maxwell didn't want to be reason for her hardships, all because he couldn't kneel.He looked at Armand, then at the broken glass on the floor. His jaw clenched so hard it hurt.Slowly, Maxwell crouched down.The room went silent again, but this time it was different. This time, they were watching a man break. The sound of phone cameras clicked as some of the guests took out their phones to capture this moment."Finally," Gordon said, his voice loud enough to carry across the table. “This disgrace needs to learn his place."Vivian nodded, her smile returning. "Some people just need a firm hand, don't they?"Maxwell began picking up the shards, ignoring th

Maxwell's thumb hovered over the screen. "And?" Maxwell looked at Kieran. “You will have to ask your aunt about the details, " Kieran said. He had an Aunt? Maxwell simply nodded. Although deep down he was now wondering who his aunt was and what was she like? Naturally he had so many questions right now.He swiped to the next photo.His father, older now. Mid-thirties maybe. Standing in front of a massive building, all glass and steel reaching toward the sky. The logo on the building read "Sterling Industries." Maxwell's hand went still."That's the headquarters," Kieran said quietly. "Your father built that company from the ground up. It was worth over five billion when he died many years ago"Maxwell looked up from the tablet. "He's dead?" He asked. Kieran nodded. "Yes, fifteen years ago. It…. Was a car accident." His expression turned slightly different, “I'm sorry for your loss,”That long? Something cracked inside Maxwell's chest. He wasn't feeling lots of grief right now. Not

Kieran looked at him and pointed Natasha to him, “There, he is seated there.” Saying that, he disappeared through another door, leaving Maxwell alone with Diane and Natasha. Natasha had turned towards him and she was now looking at Maxwell with curiosity, her eyes taking him in with the same careful assessment everyone else had given him today. But unlike the dismissive glances from the people in the lobby, hers lingered with something closer to interest.She was younger than he'd expected from the voice on the phone last night. Late twenties, maybe. Professional in a way that seemed effortless. She put on a tailored blazer, hair pulled back neatly, minimal jewelry. She carried herself with the kind of confidence that came from working closely with someone powerful."Hi, good to meet you Maxwell, finally," she said, walking closer. Her voice was the same one from last night. Smooth, warm. "I'm Natasha. We spoke on the phone."Maxwell immediately remembered last night, that call, the