[ This chapter is what is happening in the background. For story development.]
Third POV
Leith sat in his office chair, going over the reports. Max had brought in the company high profits, and from what the reports were saying it was projected to get even better. The stories that Max had made were about to bring double what the smiling critters show was expected to bring in when it had first launched. All in all Max was helping the company and making Leith a very happy person.
He had stressed about the financial crisis facing the company all last year, but now…now he didn't need to stress so much about it. He could afford to spend more money on 'Bigger Bodies', increased security and other such things. It was a dream come true for him.
The TV talk show, had brought in even more good news. People had forgotten about the Incident that occurred, and Playtime was becoming what it had been before. Playtime was reaching its prime and maybe even going to surpass it with the help of one person named Max. There was a knock at the door.
'Knock'
"Come in"
The door opened to relieve one of the major stockholders for Playtime. Mr.Carter was an older man in his late seventy, who had gray hair, with wriggles on his face and a cane to help him walk. Mr.Carter had owned 40% of the company, and had helped them with taking care of the aftermath of the incident…among other things.
Leith didn't too much like Mr.Carter, but couldn't deny that the man had helped them in more ways than one.
"Mr.Carter Sir. What brings you here. The next quarter meeting isn't in a few months. If its about sched-
"Sit down Pierre, this isn't about any of that nonsense. I came because an old man like me wanted to visit and see how the company was doing."
"Visiting sir?"
Leith didn't believe that for one moment. This old man, if someone had told Leith that this man was the devil then he would believe them. Mr.Carter was not a man to 'visit' anyone, but even his dying wife or his son.
The man care little for anything but his family`s legacy. Leith couldn't understand why this man was here. Was he here about the 'Bigger Bodies' report or was this another 'Get this done or you won`t like what happens next'. Leith tried to think of everything but couldn't come up with an answer.
"Yes, an old man like me likes to reminisce about the old times you see. I believe I already told you, but I knew Elliot before he was so renowned for his toy making skills. Did you know I was the first one to fund his projects and…well I could be considered a Co-founder of this company."
"I am glad that you-" Leith tried to say, but was stopped by Mr.Carter as he continued to speak.
"You know my son has been a handful for me, and I fear for his future."
Leith almost laughed at that. Mr.Carter`s son Bennett was a 'handful' he said, more like a menace to society. Bennett Carter had more scandals to his name than anyone in history, as far as Leith was concerned. Bennett had gotten into something every day, either it was cheating on his 'wife', doing drugs, DUIs, getting caught with questionable things. The list goes on and on, Leith couldn't imagine the amount of money that needed to be spent handling those problems.
Leith had to guess that Mr.Carter spent about a quarter of a few hundred million dollars to keep Bennett`s name off the press, out of jail and everything else about him to be as clean as possible. So, when Mr.Carter said his son was a 'handful' was laughable, and fearing the future. Yes, Leith would fear the future too with a son like that. Leith thought to himself that he would have made his own son 'disappear' if he had a son like that.
"Well, you know children can be a handful at the best of times and fearing for the future. Well, that is just one of man's many concerns."
Mr. Carter chuckled and spoke.
"Your right Pierre absolutely. Oh it is a shame really, that boy he is a few years away from going on forty years old now and can you believe it not a single grandchild to my name. I am getting old and would like to see a few grandchildren here and there to make me feel at ease about my family`s future."
Leith knew for sure that Bennett had many bastard children, that man slept around with more people than President Kennedy himself. That man just never had any 'official' children with his wife, whom Leith knew was sleeping around just as much as he was.
"I am sure tha-"
"I thought about adopting, Pierre. That boy Max, he reminds me so much of Elliot Ludwig that I could almost swear that he was his child. I hear that no one wants to adopt him, and I figure an old man like me could help the next generation."
SHIT, FUCK. Leith didn't think someone like Carter would want a kid like Max, but it made sense. The amount of money that Max had made this company in the last year was close to a hundred million, and that number was expected to grow further. Leith didn't want to lose that, and he doubted anyone would.
"Max, does remind me of Mr.Ludwig, but unfortunately he loves his home here and we did sign a contract"
"Well..young like him always change their minds about things. As for the contract, well there are always ways around them. You understand Mr. Pierre"
"I do but like I said-"
Mr.Carter stared directly at Leith, his smile gone from his face.
"Mr.Pierre, your company is doing well, and I hear news that it is on the rise. I don't want any news about your little projects getting out to the public. But I am a reasonable man Mr.Pierre and heard that you could be receiving a big donation from one of my organizations. How does…200 million sound to you?"
"That is very generous of you Mr.Carter but, I just cant accept."
"Sigh…the young. Mr. Pierre I will be frank with you. I want that boy, so how much."
"Mr. Carter you understand that you are not the only one that has wanted to adopt Max, since his time here. Not only that but like I said before he has a current contract with us."
"We can discuss the overview of the contract later. Right now, I want to know how much he is worth to you and your company. When I first invested in Mr.Ludwig I didn't expect to make much money off his products or his idea. I gave that man 50 thousand dollars back then, and he turned that money into a multimillion-dollar company. How much did you invest in Max, and how much has he made you? I am no fool Mr. Pierre, I know how truly worthless my son is. I want Max to be my replacement; I don't want my family`s legacy to end with that arrogant child of mine."
"I-I…Mr.Carter to be honest with you, Max hasn't accept-"
"Let`s make a deal Mr. Pierre, regardless of what Max wants or does I will give you 200 million dollars. The only thing I want you to do, is let me have time with the boy. Do we have a deal."
Leith knew he couldn't say 'no' what Mr.Carter wanted he usu…no he ALWAYS got.
"Deal"