” Maxie, Maxie, Maxie ” Christian said as he juggled an apple between his two hands and eyed every corner of Max’s face.

” You look as despicable as ever ” Max commented as Christian chuckled

” The scar suits you… makes you appear dangerous but handsome ” Christian complimented as he snapped his fingers twice.

Within five seconds trays of food were placed on the table in front of Max as the rebel commander chuckled.

” I’m not your date Christian, I won’t be impressed by your vanity” Max said as Christian threw his hands up in apology

After Max’s request for a meeting, Christian had specially booked out a high end restaurant for the day as he met Max in a secluded room with noise cancellation features.

Although he had no idea about the exact reason why Max requested to meet him, he could guess that it had something to do with the ongoing vampire war.

” So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit here today? ” Christian asked in a joking tone, however, his sharp eyes showed his true intentions which were not humorous at all.

” You owe the pleasure of my visit, for I have a business opportunity for you today” Max replied perfunctorily as he too raised his right hand and pretended to make a finger snapping motion.

” The difference between your business opportunity and mine, is that at the snap of your fingers a few servants rush to bring in food, at the snap of my fingers, this restaurant turns to rubble ” Max said as he coldly stared into Christians eyes, reminding the other party that he was in control of the discussion here.

For a moment, Christian was taken aback, the Max he remembered was clumsy and lacked self confidence, however, the Max he met today had already matured into quite a man.

” Tell me more about this business opportunity” Christian said as he took a bite of his food and pretended not to be intimidated by Max’s pressure tactics, although his back was drenched in sweat.

” I’m choking the trade route for all ships going to Dombivli City. Within 3 months their supply of essential items such as cooking oil, iron and honey will start to deteriorate and soon civil order will start to collapse.

The Kingsman will become desperate but not a single merchant would risk trading with them.

Not a single merchant but you….. ” Max said as he paused and judged Christian Grey’s reaction.

The man had no changes to his facial expression as he moved his head from side to side and gestured for Max to continue.

” We will let your merchant ships pass for the first few weeks and let you make a killing profit without taking any cut of the money. Instead, after a few weeks of gaining their trust, I want you to one day smuggle my soldiers into the city on a mass scale, as we bypass the air defences and launch a surprise attack ” Max said as Christian understood the gist of the plan.

It was a well thought out and lucrative offer for Christian, where by taking a large risk he could gain large amounts of profits, but since doing this mission would damage his reputation in the universal business association as a sellout of the Paratus clan, he needed additional assurances from Max if he took this mission.

” If I do this, I want to be made the exclusive trading firm for the new government and given priority on government contracts.

I want a free base of operations that the new government will provide for in every conquered planet for ten running years.

And I also want a banking licence to open a small finance Bank in Dombivli ” Christian said as he haggled over the price with Max.

He was not averse to helping his friend in a tight situation, however, being a businessman to his core, it needed to be profitable for himself as well.

Max thought about Christian’s proposal for a while and after finding all of his demands reasonable he signed a contract with Christian and exchanged drinks for a happy cooperation in the future.

**********

( Meanwhile at the Kingsman council )

” THEY ARE TARGETING OUR MERCHANT SHIPS, Not a single cargo ship can go out, not a single merchant ship can come in, WE HAVE BEEN ISOLATED” the council member responsible for economic stability shouted as he eyed Farid with malicious rage.

” My lord, they have choked all trade routes, they are not planning an attack on Dombivli anytime soon, their ploy from the start was to choke out trade and make the economy bleed.

We are truly in a dangerous situation now” Another council member said as he expressed his views before Roy Kingsman.

” Is there no merchant willing to supply us arms with? We were supposed to get parts for our air defence systems weren’t we?

How do we get them now? ” Roy asked as nobody in the council was able to look him in the eye and answer

” The merchants are scared shitless my lord, they don’t want to face political pressure and economic hardships.

For them, changing their destination of trade from Dombivli City to other vampire clans is much more profitable than risking their lives to work for us ” A council member eventually replied as Roy sulked into his seat.

Ever since he had came to power, there was not a single council meeting where they talked about positive news.

It was always more depressing than the last time, and 90% of it was because of Ravan and his friends.

Roy had never hated someone as much as he hated Asiva, Sebastian, Anna and Ravan.

Not only was the group his biggest headache in school, it was also the reason behind his constant troubles as one of these days he wanted to desperately flail them alive.

Only when those four were dead, would Roy ever be able to live a peaceful life.

——-

/// A/N – Chapter 12/40, that concludes day 3.

Thank You everyone who pushed me through today! ///