Consequences of Dumping the Obsessive Boss: Stuck with Him Forever-Chapter 262: Maxim Sinclair Tests Summer Lowell
Maxim Sinclair smiled to himself sarcastically, for the first time not initiating conversation with Summer Lowell, and quietly focused on eating his own meal.
After spending a whole day at home, Summer, who rarely got a chance to chat with anyone, was already itching for conversation and started talking to him without a topic: "I watched the news this afternoon, the Sinclair Group’s stock price has gone up again, congratulations to you."
"It’s quite normal, given that I’m the one in charge of the Sinclair Group. If it were someone else, they couldn’t achieve this level."
Maxim noticed Summer’s attempt to improve their relationship and went along with her in the conversation.
"Is staying at home boring?"
Usually, such topics would end in an unpleasant spat between the two.
But today, with Summer preoccupied about Justin Huxley inviting her out, she felt a bit uneasy inside and refrained from making any sarcastic remarks: "It’s indeed a bit boring, considering the weather is quite cool lately, I want to go out for a walk, do you have any free time?"
He absolutely didn’t have time. Based on her own observations and given Justin Huxley’s urgent attitude, Summer could easily guess that Maxim was likely occupied with some big business recently.
If she guessed it right, this business... both the Huxley Family and the Sinclair Family were definitely vying for it.
"If you want to go for a walk, take some bodyguards and maybe invite your friend, Dr. Sullivan. Stellarion is huge, there’s so much interesting stuff for you to explore." Maxim replied easily, which surprised Summer a bit due to how straightforward he was.
Throughout their recent interactions, Summer vaguely discovered that Maxim is excessively obsessive, with a strong sense of possessiveness.
Logically, he wouldn’t agree to her going out for a walk so easily, what’s exactly amiss?
Before she could clarify her thoughts, Maxim spoke again: "I’m fine with anything else, but you must take bodyguards. I’m negotiating a very important business now, dealing with several tricky rivals, and I probably won’t have time to accompany you."
Summer remained silent for a while, then nodded in agreement: "Okay, I’ll do as you say."
Seeing Summer being obedient in front of him, Maxim looked at her with interest several times before saying: "I’m not worried about other things, but some competitors, realizing their shortcomings compared to me, are resorting to underhanded tactics, and I’m just concerned they might harm you."
He said this while looking directly at Summer.
Summer felt the scorching gaze beside her, gripping the chopsticks without raising her head for a long time.
"Why are you suddenly dazing off?" Maxim asked knowingly, reaching out to pull her hand, "Is the food too bad?"
"Of course not," Summer put away those complex emotions, avoided his gaze, "Seeing you so readily let me go out and be so considerate is hard for me to adapt."
"That’s easy to manage. Stay with me longer, and I will show you more of my considerate side." Maxim smiled gently, serving Summer a bowl of sweet soup, "Have some soup. I’ll be discussing work with the company people tonight, if you stay in the study it might be a bit noisy."
"Then I won’t go to the study," Summer, feeling guilty, instinctively shifted the topic, "Your work is surely confidential; I won’t disturb you."
"That’s all right, you can come," Maxim’s eyes glinted slyly, "When I’m tired of working and look up to see you, it’s quite relieving."
"Better not, amidst you handling important business and with tricky competitors, let’s keep things clean, and I won’t crowd around you." As Summer said this, she spooned the soup relentlessly into her mouth.
Maxim could tell right away, she was trying to cover her inner unease.
With such weak psychological strength, if he hadn’t once been blinded by love, she wouldn’t have gotten that file.
Watching her focus solely on drinking the soup, Maxim found it amusing, while his loathing for Justin intensified some more.
If not for that troublemaker Justin, would Summer have started to try accepting him?
Maxim gazed at Summer, lost in thought, pondering these questions over the recent period.
Sometimes, the way Summer looked at him, really didn’t seem devoid of feelings.
Between the sheets, Maxim repeatedly wondered whether Summer had feelings for him at all, given her reactions didn’t seem purely resentful.
Perhaps it was a mix of love and hate.
"Why are you just staring at me blankly?" Summer tried to remain calm, recalling the incident where Maxim eavesdropped on her calls before.
Though she had replaced her phone, personally selecting it herself.
For someone of Maxim’s abilities, making some tweaks to continue eavesdropping isn’t impossible.
"I was thinking... where would be most suitable for our wedding?" Maxim deliberately teased her, causing her to choke as expected.
Maxim stood up with a laugh, patting Summer’s back.
Summer took quite a while to catch her breath, pushing Maxim aside: "Finish your meal and get busy with work, don’t tease me here intentionally."
Recalling today’s recording heard at the company, Maxim patted Summer’s back, hinting, "Don’t worry, our wedding will definitely be unique, I’ve already started preparations, you just need to be ready as a bride." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Knowing arguing was futile, Summer couldn’t be bothered to say more, picked up the chopsticks and continued eating quietly.
Fearing to be discovered by Summer about monitoring her calls, Maxim knew when to stop, instructed Summer to eat well, and left downstairs.
Summer listened cautiously, ears alert, soon hearing the door to the upstairs study closing, she exhaled relievingly, set down the chopsticks, leaned back in the chair, blankly staring at the mural on the opposite wall.
Being pressured by both sides, neither allowed her any ease.
Summer lost her appetite to eat further, got up and wandered outside in the garden.
...
The next day.
Adhering to the arranged time, Summer arrived at the restaurant mentioned by Justin Huxley, confessed her name, and the courteous waiter led her to the previous booth.
Justin didn’t keep her waiting long, mere moments after Summer finished a cup of tea, he walked in through the door: "Sorry, Summer, have you been waiting long?"
Summer shook her head: "I just sat down, this cup of tea is just finished."
Clearly arriving in a hurry, Justin removed his coat, handed the menu to Summer: "Just at mealtime, order what you like, let’s eat while we talk."
"No need, let’s get straight to it," Summer glanced at her wristwatch, "My time outside is limited, if delayed Maxim will nag again, let’s finish quickly, then I can leave promptly."
Justin paused, then smiled: "Your coming out, really is quite an ordeal."
