Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Now Also a Company Owner

### Chapter 96: A Company of Her Own

His words were like poison-tipped daggers, plunging deep into Rose Joyce’s heart.

She stared in shock at the savage-faced man before her, unable to believe this was the same Benjamin who had once whispered sweet nothings to her, calling her innocent and beautiful.

"Benjamin... how could you say that about me?" Tears streamed down Rose Joyce’s face. This time, they weren’t an act—she was truly and utterly heartbroken.

"I love you! Maxine Rhodes doesn’t love you at all! She only cares about what she can gain. Now that she’s found someone better, she’s kicked you to the curb! I’m the only one who would stay by your side, for richer or for poorer! I’m the one who loves you the most!"

"Love?"

Benjamin Sterling scoffed as if he’d just heard the joke of the century, his laughter dripping with desolation and sarcasm. "How much is your love worth? Can your love save my company? Can your love keep me from having to sign this humiliating acquisition contract? Your love, aside from causing me trouble, is fucking useless!"

"Get the hell out!" he snarled, pointing out of the car with a merciless glare. "I don’t want to see you right now! The sight of you just reminds me of how stupid I am, of what a failure I’ve become! Get out!"

Rose Joyce was utterly terrified by him. She gave him one last look—her eyes a storm of despair, resentment, and disbelief—then wrenched the car door open, covered her face, and stumbled away.

Benjamin Sterling leaned back in his seat, panting heavily, his chest rising and falling in violent heaves.

’Maxine, you’ll see...’ he murmured to himself, his voice hoarse. ’I’ll show you I can change. I will win you back... I swear it!’

The acquisition process—handled by Maxine Rhodes’s efficient professional team (which was, in reality, backed by top-tier resources provided by Ethan Hawthorne)—proceeded at an astonishing pace.

The very day after Benjamin Sterling signed the papers, the relevant legal documents, asset transfer checklists, and audit teams descended upon Sterling Enterprises.

The main transaction was structured as an absorption merger.

Sterling Enterprises would legally merge all its assets, liabilities, outstanding contracts, and even some of its certifications into Maxine Rhodes’s personal studio.

Once the merger was complete, the corporate entity known as Sterling Enterprises would be formally dissolved, ceasing to exist entirely.

The other minority shareholders would receive a cash buyout as stipulated in the agreement, severing all future ties with the company.

As for the company’s other key talent, nearly all of them received an olive branch from Maxine Rhodes’s studio shortly after the acquisition was announced.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Sterling’s assistant, Roy Miller, made an astute career move, successfully securing a position at the Hawthorne Group as one of Erza Sinclair’s subordinates.

On his first day, he brought Erza Sinclair a cup of coffee. "Sir, I’m looking forward to working with you. This is the ’Sterling Enterprises Thunder Protection Guide’ I’ve put together."

Erza Sinclair nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent. A wise man knows which way the wind blows."

For the next two weeks, Maxine Rhodes was so busy she barely had a moment’s rest.

She was busy absorbing the remaining assets from the Sterling merger, integrating new team members, fielding a constant stream of collaboration proposals from across the industry, and planning entirely new lines of business.

The initial framework of "Maxine Rhodes’s Personal Studio" was clearly no longer sufficient to handle such rapid expansion and the demand for a more professional corporate structure.

Two weeks later, Maxine Rhodes gathered her entire team. She stood at the head of a spacious, newly renovated conference room, the city skyline sprawling behind her through a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Her gaze swept over each determined face. There were Coco and Bubbles, who had been with her from the very beginning; the elite talent who had come over from Sterling Enterprises; and the professionals recommended from within the Hawthorne Group’s network.

"As of today," Maxine Rhodes’s voice, clear and steady, filled the silent conference room, "Maxine Rhodes’s Personal Studio is being officially renamed."

She pressed a button on the remote, and the large screen behind her lit up with a brand-new logo and name—

Stellar Tech Consulting.

"This will be our new beginning. We will build a more structured organization and take on a much wider scope of business."

She looked out at the countless pairs of eyes that suddenly shone with excitement and continued, "Stellar Tech, inspired by our very first project, Celestia. It also signifies that each of you is a shining star in your own field. In the future, we will bring our lights together and form our own galaxy!"

It wasn’t a long speech, but every word struck a chord.

This wasn’t just a name change; it was a solemn coronation—for herself, and for everyone who had chosen to believe in her.

"The Project Department is the bedrock of this company, our front line in dealing directly with clients."

Maxine Rhodes looked at Coco, her expression filled with the pride and expectation of a mentor for her star pupil. "Coco, as of today, you are the new Project Director. Over the past few years, you’ve grown from someone who simply executed tasks to a project lead who can manage things independently. Now, I need you to bring that same drive and sense of responsibility to the entire project team."

Coco’s eyes went wide, and her cheeks flushed with excitement.

She never imagined she would be entrusted with such a major responsibility. She shot to her feet, her voice trembling but surprisingly loud. "Ms. Rhodes! I’ll lead the team well! I won’t let you down! I won’t let Stellar Tech down!"

A hint of a smile touched Maxine Rhodes’s eyes. She gave a small nod, then turned her gaze to Bubbles.

"Bubbles, you will be our Technical Director. The security system and data migration plan you developed have already proven your strategic vision and meticulous nature. From now on, you will spearhead all of our company’s foundational technology and innovative architecture."

Bubbles, who was uncharacteristically wearing a formal suit today, shot to his feet.

"Roger that, Boss!"

His voice was crisp and clear. "I guarantee our tech fortress will be built high and mighty—and I’ll make sure it has pink lightning special effects!"

Maxine Rhodes nodded, satisfied, and went on to assign the remaining roles.

After the meeting, Erza Sinclair arrived with a congratulatory gift on behalf of Ethan Hawthorne. It was a long-term contract for a full suite of top-tier legal and financial advisory services, along with letters of intent for several of the Hawthorne Group’s smaller, but high-potential, derivative projects.

"Mr. Hawthorne says this is an opening gift for Stellar Tech," Erza Sinclair relayed. "Congratulations, Ms. Rhodes."

Maxine Rhodes accepted the weighty contract, her eyes filled with sincere gratitude. "Thank you for this, Special Assistant Sinclair. Please thank Mr. Hawthorne for me."

Erza Sinclair gave a slight nod, but as he straightened up, he lowered his voice and quickly added, in a tone only the two of them could hear, "Mr. Hawthorne specifically mentioned that he’d prefer you thank him at home."

Maxine Rhodes’s fingers paused on the edge of the contract, and the tips of her ears visibly flushed a faint pink.

His mission accomplished, Erza Sinclair departed with a discreet smile.

The office door had barely clicked shut when Coco’s excited voice came from the outer office. "Ms. Rhodes! The front desk just received several more personal gifts for you. Should I bring them in?"