章節 34: Julia’s Manipulation
The soft glow of candles and the quiet hum of chatter filled the private dining room of one of New York's most exclusive restaurants, but Mila Morgan barely noticed. Her mind was still tangled in the decision looming over her, her emotions in turmoil after Drake's shocking decision to step down as CEO. She hadn't expected this move from him, and the complexity of her own feelings left her uneasy. But tonight, she had been summoned—not by a business rival or a boardroom challenge, but by someone far more personal: her estranged mother, Julia Morgan.
As soon as Mila entered the restaurant and spotted Julia, seated with her impeccable posture and flawless makeup, an unsettling feeling crept into her gut. Julia had a way of appearing at the worst possible times, always swooping in when Mila was at a crossroads, her motives never as simple as they seemed.
Julia greeted her with a practiced smile, rising slightly from her chair as Mila approached. "Mila, darling," she purred, her hands resting lightly on the stem of a crystal wine glass. "It's been too long."
Mila slid into the seat opposite her, her expression unreadable but her guard firmly up. She knew this wasn't a casual reunion. Julia Morgan never acted without a purpose.
The waiter came by with wine, but Mila waved him off. She wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. "Let's get to the point," she said coolly, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Why am I here?"
Julia leaned back in her chair, her eyes flickering with amusement. "You've always been so direct. Fine, let's not waste time. I hear Drake Hawthorne is stepping down. That's quite the development, wouldn't you say? The man you've been battling for months, out of the picture, just like that." She took a slow sip of her wine, her gaze never leaving Mila's. "This could be your moment, darling."
Mila's jaw tightened. She had expected this. Julia had always been able to sense shifts in power dynamics, and she never missed an opportunity to exploit them. The fact that she knew about Drake's decision—and the significance of it—only reinforced Mila's suspicion that her mother had been keeping closer tabs on her life than she let on.
"What are you getting at?" Mila's voice was sharp, her eyes narrowing as she studied her mother's calculated expression.
Julia smiled, but it was the kind of smile that never reached her eyes. "Drake's vulnerable. You've weakened his company, and now he's stepping aside. You could use this to your advantage—to finally claim everything. Morgan Enterprises and the merger, all of it. You could own the entire playing field, Mila. But you have to be smart about it. Let him think this is about love, about partnership, and when the time is right... take it all."
Mila's blood ran cold. The suggestion, while predictable coming from her mother, cut through her like ice. Julia had always operated this way, using people, manipulating their emotions to gain power. Mila had watched it her whole life—how her mother had charmed her way through elite circles, using anyone who could further her agenda, and discarding them when they were no longer useful.
It was the very thing that had driven Julia away from their family. And now, here she was, suggesting that Mila use Drake in the same way.
Mila's eyes darkened, her voice turning icy. "Stop."
The word cut through the air like a whip, and for the first time, Julia faltered, her smile flickering with surprise.
"You think I need your advice?" Mila's voice dripped with contempt. "You think I'm going to manipulate Drake the way you've manipulated everyone in your life? You walked away from this family for your own selfish reasons, and now you think you can just waltz back in and tell me how to live my life?"
For a moment, Julia's mask slipped. The perfectly poised, carefully curated exterior faltered as Mila's words struck a nerve. But she quickly recovered, her expression smoothing back into one of calm indifference. "I'm just trying to help you, Mila. You've always been so focused on the endgame. I'm offering you a way to win."
But Mila's anger burned hotter now. She had spent her entire life trying to distance herself from her mother's way of thinking, building her empire without relying on anyone—least of all the manipulative woman who had abandoned her father and left Mila to navigate the world alone. The idea that Julia thought she could swoop in and offer guidance, as if nothing had happened between them, was an insult Mila refused to tolerate.
"No," Mila said sharply, her voice cold as steel. "You're not trying to help me. You're trying to manipulate me, just like you always have. And I'm not interested."
Julia's face hardened, but she didn't retreat. "Mila, don't be naïve. This is an opportunity. Drake is vulnerable. You could take everything, have everything you've ever wanted—without any of the risks."
Mila stood, pushing her chair back with more force than necessary. The fury in her chest was palpable, but it wasn't just anger at Julia—it was anger at herself, for almost allowing her mother's words to seep into her mind. For even a second, she had considered the ruthless path Julia was laying out. And that disgusted her.
"I don't need your help, and I certainly don't need your advice," Mila said, her voice clipped and final. "I've built everything I have without you, and I'll continue to do so."
Without waiting for a response, Mila tossed her napkin onto the table and walked out of the restaurant, leaving her mother behind. Julia sat there, her carefully constructed facade cracking as she realized she had overplayed her hand.
As Mila stepped out into the cool night air, her emotions were still a storm inside her, but one thing had become clear: this wasn't about manipulation or power anymore. Her mother had misread her entirely. Mila's feelings for Drake—whatever they were—weren't part of some calculated game. And she would never use him the way Julia had used the people in her life.
If Mila was going to be with Drake, it would be on her terms. Not her mother's. Not the board's. Not anyone else's.
And for the first time, Mila realized that her heart was in this as much as her mind. What that meant for her future—and for her relationship with Drake—was still uncertain. But one thing was for sure: she was no longer the same woman her mother had raised.
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