Chapter 38: A United Front
For the first time in their tumultuous relationship, Mila Morgan and Drake Hawthorne found themselves on the same side of the battlefield. After months of rivalry, betrayal, and strategic backstabbing, they had a shared enemy in Marcus Sinclair, and their survival—both personal and corporate—now depended on working together.
The tension that had once defined their interactions had morphed into something else, something deeper. As they sat together in Mila's opulent penthouse, the sleek modern décor gleaming around them, they laid out the final details of the plan to take down Marcus. The city lights glittered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a quiet energy over the room, as if New York itself was watching, waiting for the next move.
Mila leaned back in her chair, reviewing the documents on the table in front of them—contracts, legal briefs, false deal memos, all perfectly crafted to lure Marcus into a trap of his own making. She had to admit that working alongside Drake was surprisingly seamless. The man who had once been her greatest adversary was now proving himself to be an essential ally, adapting quickly and offering insights that showed just how sharp his mind really was. They were, for once, perfectly in sync.
Drake sat across from her, the fire of competition still visible in his eyes, but now that fire wasn't directed at her—it was aimed squarely at Marcus. He held up one of the mock merger documents, smirking as he flipped through the details. "You really know how to play dirty, don't you?"
Mila couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. "I learned from the best," she replied, her tone teasing but appreciative.
Their plan was simple yet devastating in its brilliance: they would present Marcus with a phony merger deal so perfect, so tantalizing, that he wouldn't be able to resist. It would offer him everything he wanted—the appearance of complete control over Morgan Enterprises and Hawthorne Industries, the illusion of victory without the hassle of opposition. But beneath the surface, the deal was riddled with traps. All the while, they would ensure that the right people—key investors, board members, and, most importantly, regulators—were watching when Marcus took the bait.
He wouldn't just walk into their trap—he would expose himself.
Mila leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with the kind of determination she hadn't felt in weeks. "Once he signs that contract, it'll be over. We'll have enough to expose his entire scheme, not just to the board but to the Securities and Exchange Commission. By the time we're done, Marcus will be facing criminal charges, not just a hostile takeover."
Drake nodded, his voice serious. "And we'll make sure everyone sees it happen. We can't just destroy him privately—this has to be public. His reputation, his entire career, has to go down in flames."
For a moment, there was silence between them, the weight of their words hanging heavy in the air. This wasn't just business anymore. This was personal. Marcus Sinclair had played them both, and now it was time to end his ambitions for good.
But something else lingered beneath their shared focus—a growing connection that had slowly been building between them ever since Drake's decision to step down. The banter that had once been laced with animosity now held a different kind of tension—one fueled by mutual respect, but also by something neither of them wanted to admit. As much as they had fought against it, the chemistry between them was undeniable.
Drake's grin faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "You know, this could change everything. Once we take him down... there's no going back."
Mila's heart tightened. She met his gaze, fully aware of what he meant. Drake wasn't just talking about the business world, or about Marcus. He was talking about them—about the way they had been circling each other for months, trying to ignore the pull that was growing stronger with each passing moment.
"I know," she said quietly, her voice soft but resolute.
Drake leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers. "You've spent your whole life building walls, keeping everyone out. But that can't last forever, Mila. Not if you want something real."
Mila looked away, her mind racing. She had always relied on those walls—they were what kept her safe, what allowed her to rise to the top without the vulnerability that came with trust. But now, sitting across from Drake, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to let them down. To let him in.
She shook her head, pushing the thought away. This was still business. It had to be. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there," she said, her tone clipped, though she couldn't deny the flicker of doubt in her heart.
Drake studied her for a moment longer before leaning back, a knowing smile creeping back onto his face. "Whatever you say."
The tension in the room shifted, but they both knew the truth. They were on the verge of something bigger than just a corporate takedown. And as they finalized their plan to take down Marcus, they both understood that this partnership—this alliance—was more than temporary.
The plan was set. They would present the fake merger deal at a private meeting, orchestrating every detail to ensure that Marcus Sinclair believed he had finally won. The deal would be so perfect, so easy, that Marcus wouldn't be able to resist. But hidden within the fine print were clauses that would expose his illegal maneuvers. Once the contracts were signed, Mila and Drake would make sure the board and the regulators saw every misstep Marcus had made.
"We'll make sure all the right people are watching when he takes the bait," Mila continued, her voice strong. "By the time we're done, Marcus will have no choice but to expose himself."
Drake's grin widened, but his eyes were serious. "It's risky. But you know what they say—high risk, high reward."
"And this time, the reward is watching Marcus burn," Mila said, her voice icy with resolve.
As they sat together, their strategy laid out and their minds sharp, Mila felt something stir inside her—a sense of trust she hadn't expected. Despite everything, she trusted Drake. And she knew that when the time came, they would face Marcus together, as partners.
For the first time, Mila allowed herself to think about what came after the takedown. What came after the war. And in that moment, she realized that Drake wasn't just an ally—he was becoming something more.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone