Maddox Bargain

Lex's Supra roared down the street with unassuming houses lining the block. He pulled up outside a modest brick house, the engine humming low before he shut it off.

He exhaled, adjusting his coat as he stepped out.

Margot Maddox.

Barnie's younger half-sister. A Maddox by name, but not in power. She had carved out her own life in queens—far from the family businesses, far from the boardrooms and wealth that never truly belonged to her.

Lex had always thought she was smart for staying out of it. But tonight?

She didn't have a choice.

The door opened before he even knocked.

Margot stood in the entryway, her sharp brown eyes narrowing as they flicked over him.

"Lexington Latham." Her accent was pure New York street, rough edges wrapped around a smooth center. "Damn. Didn't expect to see you on my doorstep. What, the Upper East Side too boring for you tonight?"

Lex smirked faintly. "Nice to see you too, Margot."

She didn't move. Just crossed her arms, waiting.

Lex sighed. "Can I come in?"

She let out a small huff, stepping aside. "Guess I can't stop you."

The inside of her place was warm, lived-in. A tiny living room packed with books and mismatched furniture, a few old photos on the walls. None of them were Maddox family pictures—just her own life, the one she had built without them.

She gestured to sit. "I know it ain't a social call."

Lex sat down and leaning forward slightly. "I'm offering $150,000 for your stake in the Maddox Gallery Trust."

Margot stilled, her lips parting just slightly before she schooled her expression. "That's a not lot."

Lex's gaze didn't waver. "It's a fair deal."

Margot folded her arms. "Yeah? And what exactly am I getting out of this? 'Cause I got a feeling you wouldn't be here unless there was something big happening."

Lex studied her, deciding just how much to lay out.

Then, he went for the direct hit.

"Barnie's been naughty," he said flatly. "He borrowed ten Warhols from the gallery, including pieces from the Marilyn Monroe series. And three original Picassos. Used them as collateral to cover his own debts."

Margot blinked, processing. Then—

"Wait, hold the hell up." She leaned forward, brows furrowed. "He borrowed them? Who the hell lets someone borrow a damn Picasso?"

Lex exhaled. "Technically, the gallery works within the Maddox Trust. Barnie has access, but not ownership. He wasn't supposed to move those pieces. He did, that breaks the terms of the trust."

Margot's expression shifted, a flicker of understanding cutting through the confusion.

"Shit."

"Exactly." Lex nodded. "Now, here's the problem. If you keep your stake, then you're part of the trust. And when this blows up—you'll be at the center. Think press, lawsuits drag out long."

Margot frowned, rubbing a hand over her face. "And if I sell?"

Lex leaned back slightly, voice smooth. "You take the money and walk away clean. No headlines. No lawsuits. Just a deposit in your account and a fresh start."

Margot let out a slow breath, her fingers tapping against her knee. "And if I don't sell?"

Lex didn't blink. "Then you're co-signing to press charges against Barnie. And trust me, the media's gonna eat that up. 'Barnie Maddox's sisters Turns Against Him over Picasso Art.'"

Margot's jaw tightened.

Lex let the silence stretch, watching as the reality sank in. She had two options: take the out or become part of the fallout.

Finally, she let out a bitter laugh. "So Barnie screws up, and now I get to pick between taking cash or setting him on fire."

Lex's smirk was cold. "I'd argue you're just deciding how fast he burns."

Margot shook her head, muttering under her breath. Then, after a long pause, she exhaled sharply.

"Fine. I'll take your damn money."

Lex reached into his coat, pulling out the paperwork. "Sign here, and you're out. No more ties."

Margot eyed the documents, lips pressing into a thin line.

Then, she grabbed the pen.

"You know, grandmother was right about you." She signed the first page with a flick of her wrist. "Always thinking ten moves ahead like a true Maddox."

Lex watched her sign, his expression unreadable.

"Vivian put this clause in the trust for a reason," he said simply. "She knew what kind of infighting was coming with Barnie. She wanted to give her grandchildren a way out before it got bloody."

Margot let out a small chuckle. "Smart lady." She flipped to the next page.

Lex didn't disagree.

She scrawled her name on the last signature line and snapped the pen shut. "There. Done."

Lex took the papers, sliding them back into his folder.

Margot exhaled as she took Lex check. "Damn. You really wanna take Barnie down that bad?"

Lex met her eyes, his smirk faint but sharp. "I want him to know what it feels like to lose."

Margot studied him for a long moment. Then, surprisingly, she grinned.

"Well, shit. Guess I'll be watching the show from the sidelines." She leaned back, crossing her arms. "And Lex?"

He paused, glancing at her.

"Don't just knock him down a peg. Wipe him off the damn board."

Lex's smirk deepened.

"That's the plan."

He slid the folder into his coat and stood, heading for the door.

Behind him, Margot chuckled to herself, shaking her head thinking Lex was taking the board.