Right now Max felt like he had placed himself in a very tough situation. He had deliberately left the dining room, fully aware that every member of the Stern family was still gathered around the long celebratory table. He hadn't been gone long enough to draw suspicion, so he doubted anyone would come looking for him immediately. In his mind, it had seemed like the perfect opportunity to slip away and search for answers on his own.
But now, standing inside Dennis Stern's private office, the reality of the risk pressed down on him like a weight.
If one of the staff members sees me in here, that's already a problem, Max thought, his eyes darting toward the door and then to the tall windows. It's obvious I'd be up to no good if I'm caught snooping around Dennis's office. And if it isn't staff, if it's one of the heirs? That would be even worse. That could end everything.
The question that clawed at him was simple: should he try to hide, or should he face it head-on?
