Tristan's cheeks flushed crimson as his friends gathered around, their laughter ringing out in the room. "Oh, come on, Max, give it a rest," he protested, though a small smile played at the corners of his lips. Ignoring Tristan's protests, Max began to read the note aloud, his voice filled with exaggerated drama as he recounted the contents. "This $500,000 is in exchange for the night you spent to relieve me," he read, his tone bordering on theatrical. "Consider this my token of appreciation for your hard work!"
The room erupted into laughter as Tristan buried his face in his hands, his embarrassment palpable. "I can't believe this," he muttered, his voice muffled by his hands.
But Max wasn't finished yet. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he turned his attention to the handwriting on the note, his brow furrowing in concentration as he studied it intently."Hmm, this handwriting looks familiar," he mused, his voice barely above a whisper as he lost himself in thought. "I wonder who our mysterious lady could be…"
Tristan's heart skipped a beat as Max's words sank in. Could it be possible that Max was onto something? Could the mysterious woman who had left the note be someone they knew?
But before he could dwell on the thought further, Max shook his head, dismissing the idea with a laugh. "Nah, couldn't be," he said, his tone light and casual as he tossed the note aside. "Just my imagination playing tricks on me."
And with that, the group's attention returned to their playful banter, the mystery of the note momentarily forgotten as they enjoyed each other's company in the comfort of their friendship.
As Max continued to tease Tristan about the note, he couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire with a sly grin. "Well, well, looks like our dear Tristan has finally lost his virginity at the ripe old age of 26," he quipped, his words punctuated by the laughter of his friends. "And to think, he even got paid for it!"
Tristan's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red as his friends erupted into laughter once again, the playful banter lightening the mood in the room.
But amidst the laughter, Stephen's voice cut through the noise, his eyebrows raised inquisitively as he fixed Tristan with a knowing look. "So, why exactly did you keep the note?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity. "Couldn't bear to part with your little memento of the night, hmm?"
Tristan's cheeks burned with embarrassment as he struggled to find a response, his mind racing to come up with a suitable answer. "I, uh, I just...forgot to throw it away," he stammered, his words sounding feeble even to his own ears.
But Stephen wasn't convinced. With a knowing smile, he leaned in closer, his eyes locking with Tristan's in a silent exchange of understanding. "Sure, Tristan, whatever you say," he replied, his tone teasing yet gentle. "But just remember, sometimes the things we hold onto the tightest are the ones that reveal the most about us."
Tristan's heart skipped a beat at Stephen's words, a flicker of uncertainty flashing in his eyes before he quickly masked it with a nonchalant shrug. "Yeah, well, I guess you could be right," he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.
And with that, the conversation moved on, the mystery of the note lingering in the air like a silent question waiting to be answered. But for now, Tristan pushed the thought to the back of his mind, content to bask in the warmth of his friends' laughter and camaraderie.
The atmosphere in Tristan's office shifted dramatically as Alex burst in with a sense of urgency, his expression mirroring the gravity of the situation. Tristan's friends, who had been teasing him moments earlier, now wore expressions of concern as they listened to Alex's news.
"Mr. Stark, you won't believe what just happened," Alex exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic. "Summer Carter has launched a counterattack. She's monopolizing the hardware industry, making it nearly impossible for us to proceed with the White's Corp project."
Tristan's jaw clenched at the news, his mind already racing to formulate a response. His friends, too, shared his frustration, their previously jovial mood replaced by one of grim determination.
"I can't believe she would stoop this low," Charles fumed, his usually easygoing demeanor replaced by a simmering anger.
Max, however, remained silent, his thoughts conflicted as he struggled to reconcile his loyalty to Tristan with his admiration for Summer's strategic prowess. Finally, unable to stay quiet any longer, he spoke up in her defense.
"Mr. Tristan, let's not forget that Summer is no ordinary adversary," Max interjected, his voice calm yet firm. "She's just as smart and ruthless as you when it comes to business. And let's not overlook the clause she included in the contract. That shows she's not just out for herself, but she's also looking out for the interests of the hardware suppliers."
Tristan's gaze flickered to Max, a mixture of surprise and gratitude in his eyes. Despite their differences, Max's words struck a chord with him, reminding him of the complexity of their rivalry.
As the conversation continued, Stephen offered his help to Tristan, but Tristan, true to his principles, declined, determined to win the contract on his own merits. Charles, however, remained incensed, his anger directed squarely at Summer.
"Why did things have to turn out like this?" Max mused aloud, breaking the tense silence that had settled over the room. "You two used to be good friends. What happened?"
The question hung in the air, a reminder of the tangled history between Tristan and Summer, and the unresolved tensions that fueled their rivalry. As the men pondered Max's words, the weight of their shared past loomed large, casting a shadow over the uncertain future that lay ahead.
Their emotions were raw and palpable, each man grappling with his own feelings of frustration, anger, and perhaps, a hint of nostalgia for the simpler times when their friendship had been uncomplicated by the complexities of adulthood and ambition.
Sensing their friend's sour mood and gloomy expression, the other three men decided to give him space so they left his office after offering some comforting words to elevate his mood.