Chapter Two

“Cut his fingers” he said and the voice of the guy covered in blood at the dark part of the basement rose so high. Remy Hawthorne walked into the light, he was 6’4ft tall,his hazel eyes glaring in the darkness as he pushed his hair back. Remy was in a free buttoned suit but though he has a pretty face, one could sense the ruthlessness behind his calm.

    “Now, I will ask you again, Lucas. Who stopped the goods?” Remy asked and Lucas looked up at him, fear in his eyes.

   “ Don, I… I'm not saying anything. They will kill my family if I say anything” he said,his blood oozing out of his chopped fingers

   “Your family you say?” Remy leaned down,his hand pulling out a serrated knife. “ Would you like to speak with them?” He asked and Lucas stiffened 

  “ Don please, I don't know him.. he's new to the city and he has a mask on ,his name is…” 

Remy's phone started ringing at that moment, and Ryan, his personal guard, came to him.

  “ It's the Chairman” Ryan said and Remy turned to collect the phone.

  “ Hey Mr man” he said and the chairman chuckled through the phone.

 “ When are you getting back home, tomorrow is my birthday and you ain't in town already” 

 “ I have some business to deal with, Man. I will make it up to you” he said.

  “ Well, the only way to make it up to me is coming with a great grandchild. I'll be 75 tomorrow and my grandson choose to remain childless”

 “You nag, just letting you know. I will get back to you later “he passed the phone to Ryan and turned back to Lucas.

  “ I am listening” he said 

“Don,please don't hurt my family…”

“ What is his name?”

“they called him blackie” Lucas said and Remy furrowed, turning to Ryan.

  “ Isn't that the same name of the person that attacked the McDonald's ship?”he asked

  “Yes boss”Ryan said and Remy nodded standing tall then swiftly picked the gun and shot Lucas dead.

   “ Call the Fred belt down and I want every single information on blackie, he dare touch what is under my care.” Remy said walking out of the basement then stopped, “ His family, take them out of the country safely” he said. 

~¥~

Lyra was thirsty and hungry, she had stayed in her room all day. She had taken her bath and dumped the dresses in the laundry. She walked sluggishly out of her room in her oversized gown, ignoring the maid’s greeting as she descended the stairs into the living room. Ramona was glued to her favorite TV show while their father paced the parlor, disturbed and muttering to himself. Lyra passed by him, acting as if they didn’t exist, and they, in turn, ignored her.

“What can I get for a man who has everything?” she caught her father muttering under his breath. A simple wristwatch and a pen. I mean, time is power, and the pen closes every deal, she thought, pulling open the fridge.

“He has all the watches in the world,” Taylor suddenly said. She turned to him,had she spoken her thoughts out loud? He was looking at her, and Ramona also turned to see the exchange. Lyra grabbed her water, shut the fridge door, and, while glancing repeatedly at her father as if he were insane, walked to the kitchen.

“I think you’re right. A wristwatch will do,” he said over her shoulder before turning to his wife.

“Are you going to buy a wristwatch for a man like the Chairman of the Hawthorne Empire? A wristwatch, and you actually take the words of that dumb daughter of yours?” she said, disgust evident in her voice. “What happened to a wine collection, a yacht, anything aside from something simple? We aren’t simple. We are the Jensons. We won’t go there bearing gifts as if we’re poor.”

Ramona turned back to her show, still simmering with anger. “I mean, who buys a wristwatch and a pen? Of everything in the world, a pen!” she scoffed. “She’s so slow.”

“You’re right. We aren’t simple,” Taylor said, nodding, then glanced back at her. “But a yacht?”

The music in the hall flowed like a river of wealth and power. Crystal chandeliers cast light on the city’s most influential families, their conversations drifting between shipping, markets, and favors, while waiters moved silently among them with glasses of champagne. Taylor Jenson adjusted his tie for the hundredth time that night, glancing at his wife for reassurance.

“You look good,” Ramona said, rolling her eyes when her husband wasn’t watching. She was tired of the constant compliments, but that was Taylor,nervous about anything.

Sylvia remained silent throughout the drive to the party. Her mood had soured since Dorian had threatened her the night before. He had returned to the country, paid her and orchestrated Lyra’s twenty-first birthday. They had planned to drug her and repeat the events from seven years ago, unless this time, after taking the drugged drink, her mistake would be going out to call Dorian because when she returned, Lyra had vanished,nowhere at the party, nowhere in the building. Dorian believed she had outsmarted him and told her she was going to get punished for it. 

As they stepped down from the car, their butler followed with Taylor’s gift. Unlike other parties, no paparazzi waited,much to Ramona’s disappointment, as she loved the red carpet. She was satisfied however, when she entered the hall and was surprised by the numbers of celebrities and notable personalities. Taylor forced a polite smile, greeting familiar faces while his daughter and wife followed. His eyes scanned the room for the celebrant.

Ramona wanted small talk and to flaunt her designers. Sylvia wanted only to escape, afraid Dorian might be present. The Bowers were millionaires,reserved and calculated. Everyone saw Dorian Bowers as calm and measured, but Sylvia knew better. He had been ruthless since their teenage years.

“Honey, I just saw my friend around the corner. I’ll take a minute to say hi,” Ramona said. Taylor nodded, picked up a glass from a waiter and joined a familiar group discussing a project while his eyes remained lookout for Mr. Sebastian Hawthorne, the Chairman and celebrant.

Soon after, Sebastian Hawthorne descended the stairs, flanked by guards and family,except the rumored heir of the Hawthorne Empire, Remy Hawthorne. Taylor watched Sebastian answer wishes and greetings with a flick of his finger. After a brief address and asking everyone to enjoy the night, Sebastian seated himself in a corner, surrounded by his close personnel. Gifts were being dropped off, but Taylor signaled his butler to hold his.

After several business cards exchanged and deals discussed, Taylor noticed Sebastian delegating people to his personal assistant while casually flipping through a newspaper, as if he weren’t the center of attention. Taylor saw his opportunity and approached Sebastian, clutching his gift.

Up close, Sebastian’s presence was intimidating, but Taylor try not to falter. “Chairman Hawthorne,” he called carefully. Sebastian’s sharp, observing eyes met his. He didn’t respond immediately, studying Taylor as if searching for something.

“Yes,” Sebastian finally said. Taylor straightened.

“My name is Taylor Jenson. I own Jenson Corporation. I came to wish you a happy birthday,” he said, trying to maintain composure. Sebastian simply replied, “Thank you,” and returned to his newspaper. Taylor realized he had forgotten everything he had rehearsed.

“I… I also brought a gift,” he added, fumbling slightly. He extended a small, elegantly wrapped box. “A wristwatch and an antique pen set, sir. I hope you will accept them.”

Sebastian’s gaze lingered on the box before flicking back to Taylor. He didn’t take it immediately, only observed him.

“You went to some effort,” he said quietly.

“I… I wanted to show my respect, sir,” Taylor replied, wondering how many people had noticed his clumsiness.

Sebastian finally accepted the gift with deliberate calmness, opening the box carefully and examining its contents with the same precision he applied to everything. Without a word, he set it aside. Taylor felt as though he had passed some silent, unspoken test.

“You were invited by whom?” Sebastian asked after a pause.

“Mr. Carlton from the trade board,” Taylor answered. Another pause followed, and he shifted uncomfortably.

“I have admired the Hawthorne Empire for many years,” he said, words spilling faster than intended. “Your expansion into maritime logistics is remarkable. Few companies have managed such strategic growth.”

Sebastian tilted his head, closing the newspaper. “You follow business closely.”

“I try to learn from the best,” Taylor admitted. Sebastian nodded slowly while twitching his lips up observantly

 “You are not trying to sell me anything,” Sebastian said,with his tone leaving Taylor uncertain if it was a question or a statement.

“No, sir,” Taylor replied instantly.

“And you are not asking for a favor,” Sebastian continued.

“Not at all,” Taylor lied. He needed Sebastian to take an interest in his company.

“Interesting.” Taylor blinked, unsure whether that was approval or a challenge. Sebastian leaned back, studying him and for the first time since the conversation began, Sebastian gestured to the empty chair across from him. “Sit.”

Taylor hesitated for half a second before obeying. Up close, Sebastian’s presence was even heavier. He was calm , yet there was something in him that can make people choose their words carefully.

“So, Mr. Jenson,” Sebastian said calmly, picking a glass of whiskey from table and swirling it “tell me about this corporation of yours.”

Taylor spoke briefly of his company, its early successes, and the recent market struggles. He was honest, knowing Sebastian would see through any attempt to impress him. Sebastian listened without interrupting.

When Taylor finished, the older man nodded slowly. “I like the humility in your voice. I used to have that when I was younger.”

Taylor didn’t know how to respond. “Thank you, sir.”

Sebastian watched him quietly. “Are you married, Mr. Jenson?”

“Yes. My wife is chatting with her ladies.”

“And children?”

“Yes, two daughters,” he said before he could stop himself. Sebastian raised a brow.

“Two?”

“Yes, sir. Two daughters,” Taylor confirmed.

Sebastian took a slow sip of his drink. “And how old are they?”

Taylor smiled. “One turned twenty-one a few days ago, the other is twenty.”

“They are grown up,” Sebastian paused. “I have a son.”

Taylor stiffened, unsure if it was excitement or fear.

“He doesn’t want to get married.”

“Oh,” Taylor said, uncertain whether to feel relief or disappointment.“Many men believe that until the right woman appears,” he added immediately 

“Perhaps,”Sebastian said in slight agreement , setting his glass down. “And your daughters? Tell me about them.”

“They are well-raised,” Taylor said quickly. “Educated, respectful, beautiful young women.” He glanced toward the party, searching for Sylvia.

“Did you come with them?” Sebastian asked, noticing the look.

“Oh, yes. I came with one, and I can’t find her, she must be enjoying the party,” Taylor said, smiling awkwardly.

“And the other?”

“She doesn’t like parties. She prefers staying indoors,” Taylor replied defensively, surprised by the question.

“I like her. Remy will like a woman like that,” Sebastian said. “I’ve been looking for a quiet woman from a humble home for Remy, and it seems there’s none like that in City A.”

“What do you think about marriage, Taylor?”

Taylor’s heart raced, joy spilling over. Was he really calling me Taylor? Informally?

“Sure… sure, it would be an honor,” he said, hurriedly, excitement showing on his face.

Sebastian stood slowly, adjusting his cuff. “Bring your daughter

to the villa by the weekend. Come, let me introduce you to some people,” he said.