chapter 15

Asher had made absolutely no provisions to grace the charitable soiree this evening. Not tonight, nor on any other occasion for that matter. He had gracefully cultivated the art of dispatching nothing more than his name and a precisely composed check, indicating his preferred sum of generosity. Instead, he entrusted Max with the responsibility of representing him at these events, the surrogate philanthropist par excellence. This very evening, however, Max was determined to put an end to this convenient arrangement, relentlessly reminding Asher throughout the entire week of his personal availability.

Before the evening's drama unfolded, the sun kissed the sky, and the day commenced with an inquisitive query from Asher. "Max, what engagements occupy our schedule today?" he inquired, his fingers delicately flipping through a dossier strewn across his desk. Within that labyrinth of documents lay yet another labyrinth – a contractual agreement in dire need of revision.