Max did his best to keep up the ruse, but as the applicant began talking about the items presented to him, he couldn’t help but steal a glance up.  He didn’t catch much, just a narrow frame with some lighter shade of brown hair.  There might’ve been facial hair going on, but the look was so quick Max wouldn’t swear to it.  To be honest, he wouldn’t have minded it.  A well-trimmed beard, a tailored suit, and that voice…  Sure, people would do business with that.  And Sylvester was opposed to the mistreatment of neko, so it was possible that he’d be fine working under one.  He definitely didn’t seem the type to stab one in the back, anyway.<br/><br/>What Max didn’t count on was just<i>how</i>opposed his latest applicant was.  After that impressive display of knowledge, Sylvester again pulled no punches with speaking his mind and putting whom he assumed was an entitled, racist asshole in his place.  The outpouring was so direct and so unexpected that it kept Max frozen, staring blankly at the plush indigo carpeting in front of him.  He’d expected some aversion to the situation, but never had Max anticipated coming across anyone as passionate about neko rights and equality as Stephan.  Was he so willing to give up a promising job because of this variance in social morality, or did Christy misstep and chose someone who wasn’t concerned about finding immediate employment?  No, he trusted his researcher.<br/><br/>Max looked up when he heard the retreating footsteps, then cast a glance at Jason, who looked about as stunned as the neko felt.<br/><br/>“Well?  Don’t let him walk out the door!” Max hissed.  When his secretary’s shocked face turned toward him, he rolled his eyes and sighed.  It seemed that their deception had run its course.  Now the move was his, and he reached up to unfasten the collar as he stood, swift legs closing the distance between him and his escaping applicant.  He couldn’t let Sylvester get away, not when he was the perfect candidate.<br/><br/>“Mr. Riddlehart!” he called, stopping just shy of the man and extending his hand.  “Maximillion Mandeville.”  He’d been little more than a stray with no family, so of course Stephan had given him his name.  It looked nice and clean on legal documents, too.  “Max,” he then amended.  He only ever used Maximillion when he was giving his full name, which was mostly when he was greeting potential clients or investors.