From Bullets To Billions Chapter 5 5: Meeting The Stern Family

Aron kept sneaking glances into the rearview mirror as he drove, still finding it hard to grasp how drastically a haircut could transform someone. Max’s locks were neatly trimmed, chopped shorter on the sides and styled with layers on top, lending him a polished and sophisticated air. A touch of grooming product ensured his hair looked far more vibrant than the dull, thinning mess he’d sported before. Even the slight grey had vanished. He was rapidly discovering that this new vessel offered far more benefits than drawbacks.

"Have you had a chance to go through the files I provided?" Aron inquired, shattering the silence.

"Yeah… I think I’ve got it," Max replied, staring down at the thick bundle of papers in his lap. The sheer density of information was somewhat daunting. He found himself wondering when Aron had managed to curate such detailed dossiers, or if he just carried this kind of intelligence everywhere he went. He began to speculate what else he could ask for and if Aron would be able to conjure it out of thin air.

"Good," Aron said, his tone steady. "We have some time before we reach our destination, so let's conduct a review. Start with your two uncles."

Max leafed through the pages to jog his memory. Aron had provided comprehensive profiles for all the pivotal kin he needed to monitor.

"Dave Stern," Max began, "the second oldest. He manages a chain of all-you-can-eat buffets. Looking at his picture, it's clear he enjoys his own cooking a bit too much." Max gave a brief smirk. "He also puts a lot into the restaurant industry. His wife rarely leaves the shadows; she seems incredibly reserved. It appears she’s an expert at pulling strings without catching anyone’s notice."

Max continued with a newfound confidence. "Then there is Randy Stern. He oversees several financial companies and mostly finances real estate ventures. He has an heir, a son." Max hesitated, seeing the name and remembering flashes from his previous life—whispers from the criminal underworld. Randy Stern was far from clean. His hands were stained by illicit operations and shady dealings that very few ever caught wind of.

"His son, Donto, is a university student and the captain of the soccer team. Athletic, charming, and well-liked," Max summarized smoothly. "He embodies the classic type who gains respect and attention with ease, which might make him quite influential among his circle."

Aron listened closely, clearly impressed by how quickly Max had ingested the data. "Excellent. Go on with the rest."

"One of my aunts, Masha Stern," Max mused, "is quiet and keeps to herself. She wears glasses, keeps her hair long, and runs HR at the Stern headquarters. It’s obvious she holds a great deal of the family's trust." He shot a mischievous look at Aron. "Though, her taste in men is questionable—she’s been divorced three times. That might point to a instability in her judgment."

Aron sighed, clearly annoyed. "Key facts only, please. Cut the side commentary."

"You don’t think three divorces is a vital detail? I feel sorry for whoever you eventually settle down with," Max quipped.

Aron rolled his eyes and sighed again. "Sometimes I worry that you were released from the hospital too soon."

Max grunted at the sharp retort, realizing that Aron's sarcasm possessed a sting that hit harder than any abuse he had endured from his former crew. Still, he kept his chin up, refusing to let the jab get under his skin.

"Next is Aunt Karen Stern," Max continued, refocusing. "She clearly loves cosmetic tweaks—specifically those lip fillers. Honestly, what is with people's taste these days? She is definitely someone obsessed with public appearances and status."

Aron cleared his throat pointedly, signaling for Max to stay on track.

"Right, Karen Stern—the eldest heir," Max stated, noting the scribbles in the margin. "She runs a major department store downtown. You’ve marked her name with a star."

"And why do you think that is?" Aron prompted.

"As the eldest, she wields the most power," Max answered confidently. "She’s likely the frontrunner for succession, which makes her a significant threat. She has the influence and the allies to back her ambitions."

Aron was impressed by the observation, though he merely gave a subtle nod of approval.

"Then there’s the younger generation," Max went on. "Karen’s kid, Chad Stern. He’s listed as an 'entrepreneur,' though it’s pretty vague—he’s likely unemployed. He does some minor acting, clearly riding the coattails of the family name. Blond hair, wearing sunglasses inside—he’s a walking cliche. He seems to rely entirely on status rather than actual talent."

Aron kept quiet, which acted as a tacit validation of Max’s assessment.

"Then there’s Karen’s daughter, Bobo Stern. She’s brilliant, attended top-tier universities, and is currently crushing it in biotech research. At least one of them has real value," Max admitted, impressed by her potential.

"Finally, we have Cici Stern," Max concluded. "Not much to say—she works a marketing job for a firm unrelated to the Sterns. Being the second youngest, she doesn’t appear threatening. She represents someone who prefers the sidelines over the family spotlight."

Having finished the roster of the eight family members, Max snapped the thick file shut and held it firmly on his lap.

"There you go," Max declared. "All reviewed and filed away in my head. This family is certainly loaded with all sorts of characters, each carrying their own set of agendas."

"Do I need to repeat myself?" Aron asked, his voice turning serious as he navigated the road.

In the distance, an imposing six-meter gate served as the gateway to their destination. Beyond the gate, Max observed lush, manicured gardens—precision-trimmed hedges, vibrant flowers, and a stunning fountain feature that dominated the frontage. The entire vista radiated immense wealth.

Then the primary residence came into view, a sprawling mansion that looked like it had been plucked from a fairy tale. Its scale was so vast that it could comfortably accommodate thousands; it was a home for royalty. This grand estate belonged to the Stern family, standing as a physical monument to their staggering authority.

"Need I remind you," Aron said firmly as they neared the entrance, "that you are a Stern as well."