New And Unfinished Business

Maximus picked up his coffee absent mindedly before continuing to speak, "I'll look through the numbers, and then we'll talk ownership stakes. If it makes sense, we will move forward. If not, I might just start a resort of my own."

Zack whistled softly. "Damn, you really don't play around do you?"

Maximus dropped the cup of coffee back on the table. "Not when it comes to money, and time is money…"

Zack chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, I'll send you everything tonight. We'll talk again after you've gone through it."

Maximus nodded, standing up. "Sounds good Zaccheus…"

They shook hands, sealing the deal. As Maximus walked out of the club and toward his bike, he knew the Investment God System would have a thing or two to say about the deal he just agreed to. He didn't check it yet as he already knew what it was going to be about: Consequence of his decision.

But Maximus wasn't worried, he had a plan.

"I always do…" he mused as he reached into his pocket, pulling leather gloves from his pockets and wrapping it around his hands.

He swung his leg over his power bike, the cool evening air carrassing his face as he fired up the engine.

The city was plunged into the darkness of the night and the neon lights reflected off the polished surface of the bike, casting an eerie blue glow on the pavement.

His mind wasn't on the road, not completely. His thoughts were tangled in the conversation with Zack and the looming decision he had to make ahead.

A joint investment.

Not his usual modus operandi, but then again, he wasn't dealing with a small shop or a minor project.

This was something bigger, a resort, a massive business that could either become a goldmine or his biggest failure that could cripple him for years to come.

He muttered to himself, the words almost getting lost in the night air as the wind rushed paast him.

"First thing would be the location,"

That was the most critical, if not the most important factor.

A holiday resort wasn't just about luxury, it was about where it was built. Would it catch the eye of potential customers?, would it be close enough to access resources and enough to be reached by potential customers?

"A bad location would mean bad profits, no matter how extravagant the resort itself was… we simply cannot make a bad decision on that matter"

"Next marketing."

A holiday luxury resort needed hype and advertisement…

"...A way to reach our potential customers, let them know that we exist and offer the best experiencethere is…"

Even the most beautiful place in the world wouldn't bring in any revenue if no one knew anything about it. They'd need elite branding, top tier advertising and if Maximus played his cards right…

"...Celebrity endorsements would be a huge advantage…"

He smirked slightly, celebrities loved to flaunt their vacations, if he could get a few influencers or high profile people to visit early and post about it on social media, the place would practically market itself.

Maximus accelerated a little, weaving through the quiet city streets.

"Facilities, entertainment, services…" he muttered, listing off key aspects. "exclusive activities, VIP memberships, money management, hiring staff, marketing budget, operational cost.

The streetlights cast long shadows over the road as Maximus finally reached his neighborhood. He rolled his shoulders adjusting his posture.

The last piece of the plan was simple, but also the most crucial…

"...Connections…"

"A successful resort needs the right people, its not about running a business, it was about who you knew…"

This is where Zack Zimmerman comes in, he had access to real estate moguls who could help them secure premium land. Investors who might want a stake in the business, high profile clients who would bring in even wealthier guests.

"Heck… Zack has a picture of him shaking hands with the governor in his club for christ sakes…"

He smirked slightly as he pulled itno his mansions driveway. The two guards at the entrance nodded as he parked his bike in the garage.

The plan was solid, he knew how to make this work. The only question was:

"Would Zack accept my terms? And will his plan clash with my interest?"

He was about to hang his helmet on the handle of his power bike when a thought blasted into his mind like a freight train.

"That's right!"

He pulled out his phone and checked the recent credit alerts and didn't see one from the person he had in mind.

"It's long overdue now… are they trying to scam me?"

 He opened his call app and tapped on the renovations officer for the building he had sold to Keith Hall's client Joe Hart..

"Hello? Mr. Prime! I wasn't expecting you to call me again, especially after the building now has a new landlord who collecting rent already… how have you been?"

Maximus froze.

"Wait… what?"

"Yeah, didn't you get the memo… didn't you sign it out with him?"

Maximus clenched his jaw as his blood began to boil slowly.

"They've only paid the agreement fee. Two million dollars, the thirty million is still outstanding"

"Damn! I- I thought you were an upfront businessman, Joe…"

Click!

He hung up on the renovations officer and swiped to Joe Harts contact, dialing it— no answer.

Keith Hall's — same result, no response.

Maximus stands still for a moment, his helmet in hand as his brain went deep in thought. Then slowly, like a storm gathering, he slips the helmet back on and climbs onto his bike.

"That's sad," he muttered, staring at his reflection in the side mirror of the bike. "And I thought you were an upfront businessman…Joe"

"Tch! If I don't take care of this tonight…they'll get away with it."

His power bike screeched to stop at the metal gates of his mansion. The two towering bodyguards were still there standing in attention.

He stopped and glanced at them, then said calmly: "Protocol lotus flower, we are making a visit…"

The guards exchanged eye contact with eachother, then nodded in unison.

"Roger that, sir."