Ongoing Plan

"Do I know you?" Alex asks the young woman on the ground.

Just now, she tried to grab the young gentleman's arms, faking a fall and ending up on the ground by herself. But Maxwell's cold treatment had little effect on the young lady, calmly standing back up and shrugging any embarrassment.

She immediately resumes her seductive approach.

Alex stays indifferent, but the two beauties on his sides were not amused at the woman's manner. From the moment she tried to hold on to Maxwell, Eliana Carter and Lily Lambert raised their guards instinctively, slowly closing Alex Maxwell's flank as if marking their territory.

Ivy Lambert, on the other hand, hides timidly behind her older sister. Still not back to her bright personality.

Alex Maxwell and Eliana Carter wonder why an energetic girl becomes so hesitant. But for now, they are facing an unpredictable individual.

"Young master Maxwell. I am Anna Mcbell", She introduces herself. Anna is beautiful with long brunette hair, swept on one side. She has chestnut eyes and plump pink lips. She is tall and slender, ideal for a model. Though, her outspoken and haughty character illustrated her cherished but spoiled upbringing.

"Mcbell? You must be Noland Mcbell's daughter," Alex recalls, slightly interested.

"Papa? Yes, that's right. From now, we are going to be partners," Anna gives a flirty smile, irking the other girls more.

"I guess you are right. Who knew miss Mcbell was TRENDY empire's heir." Alex nonchalantly utters, referring to the young lady's identity. She is the daughter of the current head of the youth fashion brand, Noland Mcbell.

Anna smiles proudly before shifting her attitude. "I saw what happened," She notes with a serious face, "I'll talk with papa, so that fat geezer could never get a job in the industry." She puffs her cheeks angrily, peeking at Ivy Lambert.

"No need to go that far, Miss Mcbell," Alex politely shrugs her suggestions.

"You sure? If you say so," She answers, pouting a little.

Anna quickly changes her attitude again and turns toward the blonde and the dark-haired ladies. "You must be Lily Lambert and you Eliana Carter," Anna playfully remarks, smiling mischievously to the girls and advancing close to Maxwell.

"Young master, I hope we can see each other more often." Anna suggestively says in Maxwell's ear, putting her hand on the young man's chest, then leaves. Alex stays pensive while Eliana and Lily quietly protest the coquettish behavior.

Maxwell's group watches the brunette leaving before the blonde beauty sarcastically remarks, "Womanizer," She murmurs and leaves.

The blue-eyed girl, Lily, silently stares at Alex with an aloof expression before following Eliana with her little sister.

"What? Come on," Alex objects to the unfair treatment but is still amused by the ladies' cute reaction.

____

At the time Maxwell and company hit the road, the sky was already dark. The youngest one was already sleeping soundly, leaning on her older sister's shoulder.

Eliana Carter turns around and peeks at the passenger seats, "Must have been a busy day," She notes after endearingly looking at the sleeping young girl.

"Hm!" Lily Lambert nods, gently stroking her little sister's hair.

"Earlier, she must have been terribly upset. I have never seen little Vy in that state." The blonde remarks with a concerned face, remembering the young girl's reserved attitude, different from her habitual energetic self.

"Hm," Lily briefly answers again.

A long pause follows before she resumes. "Ivy always was shy from the beginning. Most of the time, she is only putting a strong and lively front. But sometimes she could become catatonic, like before, when exposed to stressful situations." Lily becomes more distressed, reminiscing.

Alex and Eliana were surprised at this unexpected revelation.

"Ivy was…" Lily hesitates for a bit. "...Ivy did not get along well with her classmates." She reformulates, but the other two comprehend her implication.

Carter halted her curiosity after her friend's confession and didn't pry further. Maxwell neither didn't dare to inquire, understanding the complicated story.

Exhausted but also concerned about Ivy Lambert, the group did not exchange much during their trip. Throughout the ride to the Lambert estate, an awkward silence filled the vehicle.

When the group arrives at their destination, Lily Lambert lingers a little, waiting for her slumbering sibling to wake.

She looks at Alex Maxwell and says, "Thank you for everything." Lily smiles softly. She notices that today alone, Alex has seen many aspects of herself. From her embarrassing past with Julie Morel to the tragic story about her sister.

And she felt bad Alex, somehow became involved every time, fearing his annoyance.

"Don't mention it," Alex warmly smiles, looking at both sisters.

"Yawn! We are home?" Ivy lazily strokes her sleepy eyes.

"Yes. Let's go, Ivy," the older sister gently puts her sister straight and exits the car. The little sister follows behind.

"Later, Alex," Eliana Carter, already outside, waves at the gentleman left in the vehicle.

"Good night, Alex. Thank you again for today," Lily says, looking at the young man.

"Goodbye, big bro!" The young sister follows with her usual bright smile back.

Alex salutes and smiles at the ladies. "Good night, girls," He answers.

____

Alex Maxwell's day didn't end yet after sending the girls home. Tonight, he still has a plan for dinner with Alex Entertainment employees.

Alex cruises leisurely around the animated city night streets, connecting a call from Kayla Mathias on his car speaker.

"Young master?" Kayla Mathias's beautiful voice echoes inside.

"Kayla? I just finished my business. I may arrive a little late. Sorry about that," Alex announces.

"Don't worry, young master. The team has just arrived, and nothing has started yet." Kayla reassures Maxwell.

"For now, we are around thirty people, so we reserved a small restaurant for tonight's event. I sent you the location's address, and we will be waiting for your arrival to begin the festivity." She continues.

"Thank you, Kayla. You are as wonderful as always," Alex praises Mathias, impressed by her efficiency.

"Do not mention it, young master. I am just doing my job." She responds calmly.

"Alright, I will meet you later then."

"Please, drive safely, young master," Kayla says politely before cutting the call.

Alex registers the location's address on his vehicle navigation system and heads toward the meeting place. A cozy family restaurant downtown, in the middle of the urban jungle.

Maxwell parks his vehicle, and after a short walk, enters the wooden front door. Inside, he sees the tables rearranged close to each other to accommodate the company's crowd.

The company booked the entire restaurant, and the only people present inside were Alex Entertainment members and the restaurant staff.

Maxwell was the last one to arrive. The other already started with small collations but waited for the company's head to officially start the occasion.

"Welcome, young master." The red-haired beauty stands and greets Maxwell in an elegant white shirt dress. The other employees do the same and stand to pay respect and welcome the company's chairman.

They reserved a seat for Maxwell, close to Kayla. And she swiftly pulls the chair for him. "Thank you, Kayla," He smiles courteously.

Before settling down, Alex turns to face the whole table and addresses the groups. "Please, everyone, sit down." He gestures, keeping his smile.

The attention is on him, so he continues. "Alex Entertainment has just been born. But already, I heard a lot of great news. That is thank to you all." He proudly states

"Today, we are formally meeting each other for the first time. So let me introduce myself again. I am Alex Maxwell, founder, chairman, and executive of our Alex Entertainment company." Alex says with confidence.

"Today should be the celebration for Alex Entertainment's creation. But I want it to be the celebration for our future collaboration. Let's enjoy ourselves," Alex concludes and raises his glass.

The cheers and applause of those present follow the short speech. They were impressed. A high school student spoke like an experienced leader.

Kayla couldn't stop staring at Alex. When he senses her stare, he looks at the emerald green eyes of the red-haired beauty and gives a flirty smile. Kayla did not know how to answer and quickly avoided her gaze.

____

Most of the employees of the new company are still not well acquainted. As the night progresses, they share drinks, laugh, eat, and chat among themselves. The ambiance becomes more relaxed.

"Let me pour you another glass, Mr chairman," One of the men tells Maxwell with a bottle of wine in his hand.

"It is enough for me tonight. Thank you." He stops the man, putting his hand on top of his glass.

"Come on, Mr chairman. One more wouldn't hurt," The man insists. "Besides, miss general manager would accompany you home." The man utters before the others discreetly rebuke his manner.

"Gentlemen, I'm weak against alcohol, so I'm going to take my leave. Please don't worry and go on without me." Alex stands and greets the group of men.

"Let me accompany you, young Master," Kayla suggests, also standing from her chair. She didn't drink an ounce during tonight and stayed sober.

"Oh, I appreciate it, Kayla." Alex eagerly accepts and leaves his employees to continue their get-together.

On the way back to the Maxwell property, Kayla Mathias is driving Alex Maxwell's car. The latter lays on his chair in the passenger seat, feeling tipsy by the wine.

Kayla thinks Alex was asleep and did not want to disturb his rest. However, Maxwell was thinking about all the exciting development that happened around him.

First:

Maxwell created Alex Entertainment for his scheme against the Ryan Doyle and Andy Norton coalition.

At the moment, the company counts thirty employees with three main divisions.

A talent management division with five contracted talents, including the famous Eliana Carter.

A filmography and cinematographic division, where they plan to produce a short film, to be the introduction of the company to the world and a means to promote their business.

A division of Entrepreneurial advertising, where they have partnered with several fashion brands and are in charge of their advertisement campaigns.

Alex wants to make West Castle Highschool the production site for his company's short film. And put the aspiring actress Ivy Lambert as the lead, hence winning the favor of the Lambert sisters.

Second:

Maxwell wanted to sway Lily's good friend, Eliana Carter, in helping him seduce the blue-eyed beauty. He planned to convince Carter, by proposing a better career opportunity within his new enterprise. Unexpectedly, after saving the blonde from mysterious goons, Carter became his lover. Nonetheless, she remains willing to cooperate in his seduction scheme.

And third:

Alex learned the story of Lily Lambert, her past with Julie Morel. Despite a possible connection to his nemesis, Richmond, the knowledge gives him an advantage compared to Doyle.

From here, Alex Maxwell could follow many roads. The pieces are put together. Now, it's time to play.

____ End of Chapter 15 ____