Chapter 12

MAX POV

I ran a hand through my hair, muttering under my breath. “Those little pests just ruined everything. Everything! And that stupid servant…ugh!”

My phone was useless now, and I didn’t have the patience or means to fix it tonight. My plans were crumbling, and I felt powerless to stop it.

As I turned to head back into the ballroom, a movement on the balcony caught my eye. My steps faltered, and I squinted to get a better look.

There they were. Jacob and Kenneth Johnson, standing together, deep in conversation. Their faces were tense, their gestures sharp and deliberate. Something about their body language set off alarm bells in my mind.

“What are they talking about?” I muttered, creeping closer to get a better view.

That’s when I saw it.

A small red dot, barely noticeable at first, dancing on Kenneth’s chest. My heart stopped as realization dawned.

A laser.

My eyes darted upward, following the source of the light. There, on the rooftop across the courtyard, was a figure. They were barely visible in the shadows, but the silhouette of a rifle was unmistakable.

A sniper.

My breath caught, and my hands clenched into fists.

“What the hell is going on?” I whispered, my pulse hammering in my ears.

Kenneth remained unaware of what was going on, gesturing and explaining whatever he was saying to his brother as Jacob nodded in response. I wanted to shout, to warn them, but my voice failed me.

Instead, I stood frozen, watching the red dot dance on Kenneth’s chest as the thought of what was about to happen and the moment crushed down on me.

The red laser dot on Kenneth Johnson’s chest still danced, and I could feel the tension in my body like a vice grip. My eyes darted between the sniper on the rooftop and the two brothers on the balcony, deep in conversation. For a moment, I froze, unsure of my next move. Should I intervene? Should I stay silent? The choice gnawed at me.

Jacob was speaking to Kenneth, his tone calm but laced with urgency.

"Kenneth, listen," Jacob said, his hand gesturing for emphasis. "I’ve been part of this company from the start. It’s only fair that I have a proper share of it."

Kenneth straightened his posture, his face stern. "You’re already compensated handsomely, Jacob," he replied coldly. "That’s enough."

“But you’re the younger brother,” Jacob snapped, frustration creeping into his voice. "How does it make sense that you control everything? The company is a legacy…our legacy…and you know I’ve worked just as hard as you to build it."

I watched as Jacob’s face twisted in anger, his brows furrowing and his mouth pressing into a thin line. He was visibly upset, almost pleading with his younger brother.

In my head, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why would Jacob, the elder sibling, will be begging for a share of the company? Shouldn’t he already have a stake in it? It didn’t make sense, and the imbalance between the two brothers intrigued me.

"I’ve told you before," Kenneth said sharply. "The company is mine to manage, and my decision is final. Tamara will inherit it through her marriage to Richard. It’s all been arranged."

I saw Jacob stiffen at that statement. His jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists. "You’re handing over the company to that son-in-law of yours? Just like that?"

"It’s the best decision for the family and the business," Kenneth said, his tone clipped. "Tamara will marry Richard, and together they’ll continue the legacy. There’s no place for negotiation here."

The air between them grew colder, and Jacob’s anger was practically radiating off of him. I watched from the shadows, my heart was beating so fast as I pieced together bits of their dynamic. Kenneth clearly had control of the wealth, while Jacob…the older sibling…was left scrambling for scraps.

But now I have a dilemma.

Do I step forward and warn them about the sniper? Or do I stay hidden and let the situation play out?

My mind raced as I weighed my options. On one hand, I could stop a potential murder and get on Kenneth’s good side…maybe even worm my way into his circle of trust. On the other hand, I could let the sniper take his shot.

With Kenneth out of the picture, the company might fall into chaos, creating an opportunity for me to swoop in and exploit the situation and more money on my own gain.

A part of me thought about simply walking away, letting fate take its course.

Why should I care? I thought bitterly. This isn’t my problem. And honestly, Kenneth’s wealth and arrogance could use a little humbling.

But then an idea struck me…a wicked, opportunistic idea. What if I intervened just at the right moment? I could play the hero, save Kenneth’s life, and use the situation to my advantage.

I smirked to myself, the plan forming quickly. But as I looked up again, my confidence faltered.

The sniper was adjusting his aim, his scope trained perfectly on Kenneth’s chest. My breath hitched, and for a moment, I felt paralyzed. The time to act was now…or never.

I clenched my fists and took a deep breath. “Alright, Max,” I muttered to myself. “Time to make your move.”

Kenneth and Jacob were still arguing, oblivious to the danger.

"Stop being so selfish, Kenneth," Jacob was saying, his voice rising. "You can’t just dictate everything because you’re in charge now. You need to think about the bigger picture."

"And you need to accept that I’m the one calling the shots," Kenneth shot back.

The tension between them was electric, but it didn’t matter anymore. My eyes were locked on the sniper as he steadied his rifle.

"No…" I whispered, my heartbeat was pounding in my ears.

The laser dot on Kenneth’s chest as its light was steady for a moment,as the sniper adjusted his aim.

I knew the sniper was about to take his shot.