I stared at Sebastian Hawthorne, struggling to hide my shock. This man—the sa arrogant patriarch who had once looked at like I was dirt beneath his polished shoes—was now offering an apology? Every instinct told this was a trap.
"An apology," I repeated slowly, keeping my expression neutral. "That's quite the change in attitude, Sebastian."
William Vance cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should all sit down and discuss this over dinner. The chef has prepared sothing special tonight."
I took my seat but kept my guard up. Sebastian's face looked haggard, with dark circles under his eyes that hadn't been there before. Whatever had brought him to this point had clearly taken a toll.
"Let's not waste ti on pleasantries," I said, folding my hands on the table. "What exactly are you apologizing for, Sebastian? The attempts to sabotage my business? The hired thugs? Or perhaps the multiple attempts to destroy my reputation?"
Sebastian winced. "All of it. I was... shortsighted."
"Shortsighted," I echoed with a humorless laugh. "That's one way to put it."
William intervened. "Liam, I know there's bad blood between you two, but we're here to find common ground. Both of you are influential figures in Havenwood City. This constant conflict benefits neither of you."
I leaned back in my chair. "And what exactly is this common ground you envision?"
Sebastian straightened his posture. "A partnership. The Hawthorne Group's resources combined with your... unique abilities. Together, we could dominate the market."
So there it was. Not a genuine apology but a business proposal dressed up as contrition. I felt a flash of anger but kept it contained. Instead, I let a slow smile spread across my face.
"You know, Sebastian, a month ago I might have considered it. But things have changed. I now have the exclusive rights to produce and distribute the Soul Nourishnt Pill. My position with the Celestial Apothecary Guild grows stronger every day." I paused, watching his expression carefully. "Tell , why should I share my success with soone who once called —what was it again?—'a nobody with delusions of grandeur'?"
Sebastian's jaw tightened, but to his credit, he didn't rise to the bait. "The market is large enough for multiple players. Our companies could complent each other rather than compete."
William nodded. "Think about it logically, Liam. With the Hawthorne Group's distribution network and your dical innovations, you could reach markets you haven't even considered yet. International expansion becos much more feasible."
I took a sip of water, considering my next words carefully. "And what happens when our interests inevitably diverge again? When Sebastian here decides I've outlived my usefulness?"
"That won't happen," Sebastian insisted, but the slight tremor in his voice told there was sothing more at stake here.
I finally understood. "This isn't about a partnership at all, is it? This is about your son."
Sebastian's face went pale. William looked surprised at my directness.
"How did you—"
"Your son's condition has been worsening," I continued, the pieces falling into place. "The treatnts aren't working anymore. The Soul Nourishnt Pill is probably his last hope."
Sebastian's composed facade cracked. "Yes," he admitted quietly. "The doctors say he has months, maybe weeks. Nothing they're doing is helping."
I leaned forward. "And now you're desperate enough to co to —the 'nobody' you once dismissed—because I might be the only one who can save him."
"I'll give you shares in the company," Sebastian said, his voice taking on an edge of desperation. "Twenty percent."
"Thirty," I countered imdiately.
"Twenty-five," he shot back.
William watched our negotiation with wide eyes. This wasn't the civilized discussion he had planned.
I shook my head. "You misunderstand , Sebastian. I'm not negotiating. I'm simply pointing out that I don't need your company. I don't need your resources. I could have helped your son out of compassion, but your past behavior has exhausted my goodwill."
Sebastian's face drained of color. "Please," he whispered, and the raw emotion in his voice surprised . "He's my son. He's just a child. He shouldn't suffer for my mistakes."
For a mont, I saw not the powerful business mogul but simply a father terrified of losing his child. Despite everything, that struck a chord within .
"Liam," William interjected softly. "I understand your position, but surely there's so arrangent that could work for both of you."
I studied Sebastian's face for a long mont. "Here's my offer. I'll treat your son—"
Hope flashed in Sebastian's eyes.
"—but you won't be my partner. You'll work for ."
The silence that followed was deafening.
"What exactly do you an?" Sebastian finally asked, his voice tight.
"It ans I don't trust you as a partner. It ans you'll follow my directives regarding the distribution and pricing of my dical products. It ans you answer to ." I held his gaze steadily. "Your resources beco my resources. Your connections beco my connections."
William stared at with newfound respect and perhaps a hint of fear. This was not the negotiation he expected when he arranged this eting.
Sebastian's hands clenched into fists on the table. I could see him wrestling with his pride, his jaw working as he contemplated my terms.
"And if I refuse?" he asked, though we both knew he wouldn't.
"Then seek treatnt elsewhere," I replied simply. "I wish you luck."
The seconds ticked by. Then, to my shock, Sebastian Hawthorne—the proud, powerful head of the Hawthorne Group—slowly rose from his chair and sank to his knees beside the table.
"Please," he said, his voice breaking. "Save my son. I'll do whatever you ask."
William looked away, giving Sebastian privacy in his mont of complete surrender.
I stood up and walked around the table. "Get up," I told him quietly. "We have a deal."
As Sebastian rose, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, I felt no triumph—only a strange mix of pity and resolve. This was business, nothing more. And in business, leverage was everything.
"I'll co to see your son tomorrow," I said as Sebastian composed himself. "Bring all his dical records."
Sebastian nodded, relief washing over his features. "Thank you. I—"
My phone rang, cutting him off. I glanced at the screen—an unknown number. Usually, I'd ignore such calls, but sothing made answer.
"Liam Knight," I said.
"Mr. Knight." The voice was unfamiliar, tense. "I'm calling about Isabelle Ashworth." Visit My Virtual Library Empire (*) for more.
My blood ran cold. "What about her?"
"She's been taken," the voice said. "Kidnapped from outside her family's estate less than an hour ago. Mr. Michael Ashworth asked to inform you imdiately."
The room around seed to fade away. All I could hear was the pounding of my own heart.
"Who?" I managed to ask, my voice deadly calm despite the rage building within .
"We don't know yet. The security footage shows ard n in black. They were professionals."
I ended the call without another word and turned to William. "I need your car."
To his credit, William didn't ask questions. He simply handed his keys. "The black Bentley outside. What's happened?"
"Isabelle's been kidnapped," I said, already moving toward the door. The murderous rage inside was threatening to explode. Whoever had taken her had just made the last mistake of their lives.
"Liam," Sebastian called after , concern in his voice. "You'll need help. My security team—"
"I'll handle this myself," I cut him off, my voice like ice. Then I was gone, racing through the restaurant and out into the night.
As I slid into William's car and fired up the engine, only one thought consud : I would tear this city apart brick by brick until I found her.
Behind in the restaurant, William Vance looked at Sebastian Hawthorne with grave concern.
"Havenwood City..." William murmured, watching my car speed away through the window. "I'm afraid things are about to change."
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