章 23: Jonathan’s Cold Counsel
The vast expanse of Hawthorne Manor was steeped in history, wealth, and unyielding tradition. Its grandeur loomed as a monument to the Hawthorne legacy, built on generations of power and ruthless ambition. Every corner of the estate whispered reminders of what was expected of those who carried the name. And for Drake Hawthorne, those expectations had never been clearer than in his father's presence.
It was late evening, and the manor was quiet after a strained family dinner. The tension between Drake and his father, Jonathan Hawthorne, had been growing for weeks, fueled by unspoken expectations and a business strategy that was quickly becoming personal. Drake had always respected his father's ruthless approach to business, had even modeled much of his own life after Jonathan's cold precision. But their relationship had never been one of warmth or affection. It was defined by dominance, control, and the relentless pursuit of power. And now, as the merger between Hawthorne Industries and Morgan Enterprises neared its critical phase, that pressure had reached its boiling point.
After dinner, Drake found himself in the manor's study, an imposing room with walls lined by centuries-old leather-bound books and the rich scent of cigars hanging heavy in the air. The fire crackled softly in the grand hearth, casting flickering shadows across the dark oak paneling. It was a room that demanded seriousness, a place where the real decisions—the ones that mattered—were made.
Jonathan Hawthorne sat behind his massive oak desk, a glass of bourbon in hand, swirling the amber liquid lazily as he stared into the flames. He hadn't said much during dinner, but Drake knew what was coming. His father always preferred to let silence speak first, a tactic he used to make others squirm. But Drake wasn't like the others. He had learned to weather the silent storms long ago, though that didn't make the coming conversation any easier.
Finally, Jonathan broke the silence, his voice a low growl, as though each word was heavy with the weight of a lifetime of calculated decisions. "I've noticed a change in you, Drake." He didn't look up from his bourbon. "You're distracted."
Drake stiffened at the accusation but remained silent, choosing his words carefully. His father was never one for small talk. Every sentence had a purpose, a direction. And right now, Drake knew that Jonathan was circling the topic that had been gnawing at the edges of their strained relationship—Mila.
Jonathan didn't need to say her name for Drake to know what he meant. Mila Morgan had been a thorn in both of their sides, but for different reasons. For Jonathan, she was a piece of the puzzle—a necessary acquisition in the game of corporate chess they were playing. But for Drake, she was far more than that. She was an opponent, yes, but also a woman who challenged him, who provoked something in him that no one else ever had. The tension between them had ignited something dangerous, something real. Mila was not just another business deal anymore, and that complicated everything.
"You always taught me to think strategically," Drake said after a long pause, his voice measured, cautious. "To see every move two steps ahead. But this merger—it's not just about the companies anymore."
At this, Jonathan finally looked up, his cold blue eyes locking onto Drake's. There was no warmth there, no understanding, only calculation. "And that's where you've already made your first mistake," he said, his voice like ice. He leaned forward, placing the glass of bourbon on the desk with a deliberate thud. "You're allowing emotions to cloud your judgment. Mila Morgan is nothing more than a means to an end. If you're foolish enough to fall for her, she'll be the reason you lose everything."
The words hit Drake harder than he anticipated. He had always known that his father viewed emotions as weaknesses, things to be exploited in others but never indulged in oneself. But hearing it now, hearing Jonathan reduce Mila to a mere pawn in their game, ignited a quiet fury in Drake. He clenched his jaw, suppressing the anger rising inside him. His father was right in many ways—Mila was a threat. But she was more than that. She wasn't just another conquest, another piece on the board. She was his equal. And that was something Jonathan would never understand.
"I've got it under control," Drake insisted, his tone steady but edged with defiance. He refused to show weakness, not to his father. "The merger is still on track."
Jonathan stood, the slow, deliberate movement of a man who had never been rushed in his life. He crossed the room, his footsteps soft but echoing in the tense silence, and stopped in front of Drake, his towering presence as intimidating as ever. He looked down at his son, his expression one of cold disappointment.
"The Hawthorne name doesn't bend for anyone," Jonathan said, his voice a low, harsh whisper. "You need to decide if you want to be part of this family's legacy or if you're going to let some woman cloud your judgment. The merger is about power, nothing more. You don't let emotions dictate your decisions. You crush them, you control them. That's the only way we win."
Drake met his father's gaze, the weight of those words pressing down on him. The Hawthorne legacy had always been about domination. Jonathan had built his empire by never letting personal relationships interfere with business. And for most of his life, Drake had believed in that same principle. But Mila... Mila had changed something. She wasn't just another piece of the puzzle—she was a challenge, a force that pulled him in, no matter how hard he tried to resist.
Jonathan's eyes narrowed as he watched the conflict play out on Drake's face. "You can't have both," he continued, his voice hard. "You either control this merger, or it controls you. Make your choice, Drake. But if you lose sight of what's important, if you let her pull you off course, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
The words lingered in the room long after Jonathan turned and walked away, leaving Drake standing alone in the dim light of the study. The crackle of the fire was the only sound, the flames flickering shadows against the walls. Drake didn't move, his mind a storm of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
He had spent his entire life living by his father's code, mastering the art of manipulation, control, and dominance. But Mila had upended all of that. She had pushed him to his limits, made him question his own motives, his own desires. And now, standing alone in the study, with his father's cold counsel echoing in his mind, Drake found himself at a crossroads.
He had always known what winning meant—total control, absolute power. But now, for the first time, he wasn't sure if that was enough. Mila had gotten under his skin in a way no one ever had before, and as much as he hated to admit it, his father was right about one thing: she was a distraction. A distraction that could cost him everything.
But as Drake stared into the flames, the warmth of the fire a stark contrast to the coldness in his chest, he realized something else. If he pushed Mila away, if he treated her like just another piece in the game, he would lose something far more important than the merger.
For the first time in his life, Drake Hawthorne wondered if winning was worth the cost.
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット