~MAX'S POV~
My car came to a halt, right in front of the company's building, Dickson Enterprises, with Steve sitting next to me inside my car.
I was cross-checking a document, then I suddenly asked, "Any word on the bid, Steve? Have you received any calls from engineer Bob yet?"
With a confident smile on Steve's face, he replied, "Yes, boss, we got the project! Mason construction firm got the bid!"
I widened my brows, closing the open documents in my hands. "You mean Dickson Enterprises lost the bid?"
"Yes, boss, they lost! We won!" Steve said with a smile on his face.
A smirk formed on my face with a sense of satisfaction. Since my imitative brother was made CEO of Dickson Enterprises in my stead, I was forced to secretly build my own company, Mason Construction Firm, which thrived in the past three years.
The most significant income generator for Dickson Enterprises was construction. So I created my firm on purpose to compete with my family's business. Giving them a hard time with getting business deals. I make sure to sabotage and take away any major deals that come their way.
You must be wondering why I had to do all of that, knowing very well it's my family business. And whatever belongs to my family also belongs to me. But my father and the board of directors voted against me as the CEO, which was disappointing. So I vowed, till I get back my rightful position as the CEO I won't render my brains and business skills to Dickson Enterprises.
I had many plans in mind, one of which was to show them I'm good and the better person for the position. Then I will use my grandfather's shares to take control of Dickson Enterprises.
I mused as memories of my accident in the past came flashing back in my head.
### FLASHBACK ###
Seven years ago in the Maldives
It was my 24th birthday, instead of throwing a lavish party like every other year, I chose to spend the time with my grandfather, David Dickson, on a vacation trip to the Maldives.
I loved skiing, swimming, and playing basketball. We had a swimming pool and a basketball court in our compound, but my grandpa bought the vacation home specifically because of my love for skiing.
The vacation home is a 3-story brick mansion located on a hilltop. My family and I visit the vacation home at least once every year.
My grandfather and I went skiing, so I checked the skiing trails for detritus and when I was done looked at grandpa, who was standing on the rooftop. I gestured my hands towards him, "Are you ready for some performance, grandpa?"
Grandpa was standing, looking into his video camera screen. He signalled at me, showing he was ready. My grandfather has been a huge support to me and takes pride in watching me ski.
"Let's go, Max, I'm ready," Grandpa said out loud
I put on my ski helmet and googles, with a confident smile on my face, I hopped in place and made sure it was working fine, I was ready to move. I turned and signalled grandpa a thumbs up. After that, I glided into the snow.
"Yee-haa!" The pulsating energy in me forced a scream out of my mouth. The wind plastered against my face, and echoes of my skis cutting into the powder with practiced ease. I felt invincible gliding down the slope, gracefully and fast. Grandpa filmed every move I made.
At first, I seemed in control. Each turn was sharp and precise, I didn't need anyone to tell me how good I was because I know I'm very good at skiing. But then, in a split second, everything disintegrated.
A gleam of ice on the slope was invincible, hidden under a thin sheet of powder. My right ski snagged, jerking violently. My body twists and loses balance. I crashed against the slope and screamed, "Aaahh!". My head struck the snow with a sickening thud. I tumbled multiple times before I finally slid to a lifeless halt at the bottom of the incline. My skis were damaged, one pole snapped into two.
### END OF FLASHBACK ###
Back to the present.
At Dickson Enterprises headquarters.
Beads of sweat formed on my forehead as I walked the corridors leading to the conference room, and I wiped my forehead immediately. I halted, took a deep breath and looked down at my legs. "The incident might have changed the course of my future, but it doesn't mean I have been defeated," I muttered silently.
I kept a straight face as I walked into the conference room. I noticed there was an ongoing disruption. I was aware of the cause of this disruption, but I acted like it was none of my business as I sat in my seat and Steve settled in beside me.
"I can't believe this is the fourth consecutive project the Mason construction firm has taken away from us," Max's father, Charles Dickson, said. "From my investigation so far, the Mason construction firm claimed there was a fault in the Megacity Mall's initial design, so they offered to redesign it."
"They have been able to beat us to most major deals because they think outside the box!" Charles continued, "What is going on in this company? I thought we hired the best and most qualified engineers? I hope you all are aware this is over a hundred-billion-dollar project washed down the drain?"
"Ryder, Josh? Answer me!" Charles thundered