Marvel and Beyond

Max drove his car, his gaze wandering as he took in his surroundings. The Knight Mansion was nestled amidst lush greenery, and the view of the Hudson River was breathtaking.

He hadn't had a chance to appreciate the scenery the previous day, overwhelmed by the flurry of activity. 

But now, as he drove, he could marvel at the meticulously designed landscape and the mansion's strategic position facing the river.

For the first time in his life, Max was experiencing New York City firsthand.

While the memories in his mind were familiar with the city's layout, for the old Max, New York had been nothing more than a distant dream—a financial hub of the world and a bucket-list destination he never got to visit.

But now, he was here, not as a tourist but as a resident and native.

The grid system of streets impressed him as he navigated the city. The thoughtfulness of its design distracted him, making him momentarily forget he was driving a luxury car.

For a fleeting moment, he felt like a visitor, a tourist taking in the sights, and the experience was genuinely enjoyable.

The city pulsed with life as people went about their daily routines—commuters heading to offices, others bustling between appointments.

The chaos didn't overwhelm him; instead, it felt oddly familiar, as if it had always been a part of him.

Lost in thought, Max didn't realize he had unconsciously stopped the car in front of a tall building.

Snapping out of his reverie, he found himself gazing at the imposing structure with "Sky Tower" emblazoned across its floors in bold lettering.

He drove the car into the parking lot, left it in a designated spot, and headed toward the elevator. 

Each movement felt instinctive, guided by the memories that had seamlessly merged with his own.

Inside the elevator, Max pressed the button for the 46th floor, where the Knight Investment Firm was located.

A few more people joined the ride, and, curiously, some glanced at him more than once. A few even turned around again for another look.

At first, Max ignored the initial glances, assuming they were fleeting. But when it became obvious that people were repeatedly sneaking looks, he frowned.

Curiously, when Max tried to meet their gazes, they quickly looked away.

'Awkward and strange', Max thought, silently enduring the ride as tension crept in.

The elevator reached his destination, and he exited, leaving behind the lingering stares of the other passengers.

Walking through the bustling office corridors, he couldn't shake the feeling that people were watching him. 

This time, it was even more noticeable—dozens of employees seemed to glance his way, only to avert their eyes the moment he returned the look.

His eyes narrowed, genuinely puzzled. 'Why do they keep staring at me?' he wondered, filing the thought away as he approached the office of Anna, the head of the investment firm.

He knocked on the door before entering. Anna looked up after she gave permission, momentarily startled by his presence.

"Hello, Anna," Max said, smiling as he extended a hand.

Recovering quickly, Anna stood and shook his hand. "Hello, Max. How are you?"

"I'm fine," he replied, studying her briefly.

Anna was a woman in her late thirties, known for her professionalism and leadership. She had taken over the firm after the previous head resigned following the disastrous loss of funds during the dot-com bubble.

Max's father, Arthur, hadn't blamed the man, but the weight of guilt had been too much for him to bear.

His successor, Anna's dedication to the firm was admirable. She was not only a capable leader but also someone with a deep emotional connection to her work, a trait that fostered strong bonds within her team.

After taking over the job, Anna had managed to keep the firm afloat by avoiding risky ventures and carefully preserving the minimal funds available.

Her goal was simple: to ensure Arthur wouldn't have to shut down the now-small company.

She motioned for Max to take a seat, and they both sat across from each other, their minds racing with unspoken thoughts.

For Anna, Max's visit was completely unexpected and a signal for alarm. The firm was modest now, operating at a small scale without any ambitious projects or noteworthy achievements.

His presence felt ominous—she feared he might be here to shut it down, as he was now the rightful owner.

Anna had poured her heart and soul into keeping the company alive, forging trust among the team along the way.

The thought of it closing now was unbearable. However, as a professional, she kept her concerns to herself, her face betraying nothing. Still, Max could sense the tension simmering beneath her calm.

He chuckled softly, breaking the silence. "Don't worry. I'm not here to close the firm."

Anna froze, her tension easing as she let out an awkward chuckle, much like a child caught red-handed.

"So, what brings you here, Max?" she asked, carefully choosing her words. "If it's not about shutting us down, are you planning to change something?"

Max shook his head, his gaze steady. "No, you're doing a great job. I don't plan to change anything in how you manage things. But I do need the firm to start making some investments—ones that I'll direct. I want you to lead the effort, oversee everything, and provide your expertise."

Anna's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you sure? I mean, after what happened last time…"

"Anna, setbacks are part of investments. From now on, just follow my lead. I'll also ensure we have additional funds to support ventures you think are profitable."

Anna's excitement was unmistakable as her expression lit up.

"Of course! That's exactly what we do," she said, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

For so long, the Knight family's circumstances and the firm's diminished reputation—stemming from the last major blunder—had limited their ability to grow.

The fact that the new heir to the Knight family was ready to reenter the market gave her hope. For the first time in years, she felt the opportunity to expand not only the firm but also her role within it.

Leaning forward with newfound seriousness, she asked, "Where should we start?" Her tone was calm, but her curiosity was evident. She was eager to hear his plan.

Max locked eyes with her, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. A faint grin played on his lips as he dropped a bombshell on her.

"Let's start by selling my stakes in KTech."

…

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