Chapter 865

This was the man he had been warring against for years-someone younger, more handsome, fiercely independent, and holding absolute control over his own destiny. Seeing him, James felt a nauseating cocktail of terror and intense jealousy.

He was terrified because he knew he could never measure up to Hawthorne. James was, at his core, a small-timer who couldn't handle the big leagues. Hawthorne was different―a natural-born apex predator, gifted with terrifying business acumen and strategic brilliance.

He had fought his way out of adversity, engineered a flawless comeback, and dragged his family's nearly bankrupt empire straight to the top of the industry.

Meanwhile, James had leached off the absolute best resources Greenvale had to offer, only to end up bankrupt, divorced, and staring down a prison sentence.

"Long time no see, Mr. Mercer."

James's usual arrogance had been completely shattered by his ex-wife. Facing Hawthorne now, he didn't even have the energy to bark.

"You're here to laugh at me. Well, you've seen it. Get the hell out!"

Hawthorne stared at James with a predatory gaze that could cut glass.

"I'm not here to laugh at you. I'm here to settle our final score. Do you remember what you've done, or do you need a reminder?"

He placed the audio recording of Patti Yale's confession squarely on the table. The moment Patti's voice filled the room, James's face contorted, his lips twitching erratically as if he were having a stroke.

When the clip ended, James still tried to play dumb.

"Hawthorne, you're the mighty CEO of Greenvale. How can you believe the words of a bitch like that? Hasn't she screwed you over enough already? You just swallow whatever she says?

She's slept with countless men. She claims the kid in her belly is mine-where's the proof? Where's the evidence? She says I conspired with her to ruin you-how is that even possible?

I've been drowning in my company's IPO and finalizing the contract with Mr. Pierce. When would I possibly have the time to come after you? If I really had that kind of power, I wouldn't be rotting in this chair right now."

James knew his empire had crumbled. If Hawthorne delivered the final blow, it would be the nail in his coffin.

Life in prison at least meant he was breathing; a bullet meant next year would mark his death anniversary.

"You certainly don't have that power now, but you used to. Finding someone to tamper with my car... If I hadn't gotten lucky, I'd be pushing up daisies by now."

James didn't have the energy to deny it anymore. He was a lamb waiting for the slaughter, completely devoid of a future. He decided to lay all his cards on the table.

"You didn't come all the way here just to gloat or kick me while I'm down. My ex-wife abandoned me. I have nowhere left to run. Everyone is taking their turn beating a dead horse. Crushing me now won't prove how capable you are."

Hawthorne idly spun the ring on his finger. It was part of the matching set he shared with Gwyneth Langford. He treated it like his most prized possession, refusing to ever take it off.

"Of course I'm not here to kick you while you're down. Quite the opposite-I'm here to save you."

James didn't believe a word of it. Hawthorne slid a pen and a piece of paper across the table.

"Only you know the full extent of Silas Yeager's operations. I want every single piece of evidence regarding his criminal activities. You can manage that, right?"

James was stunned. He hadn't expected Hawthorne to be so ruthless.

He instinctively glanced nervously around the room. The two police officers who had been guarding him were gone. It was just the two of them in the cramped interrogation room.

"You don't need to panic. No one is listening. It's just you and me."

James shook his head, refusing adamantly.

"Silas is my father-in-law. I can't do that. If I cross him, I'm a dead man."

Hawthorne kept twisting his ring.

Pare

"You're still trying to protect him, yet he's already investigating you. Every asset in your name is frozen. The shareholders in your company are actively gathering evidence of your. embezzlement.

Sallie forced you to sign divorce papers. As of right now, you have absolutely zero ties to the Yeager family Work with me t cant

promise you'll walk free, but Pa ensure you won't get life sentence.

You might get out in twenty years. Think very carefully about my offer. You don't have to give me an answer right this second, but let me remind your the longer you stall, the worse your odds get."

Having delivered his ultimatum, Hawthorne stood up. Seeing him head for the door,

James frantically called out to him.

"Fine! I'll do whatever you say!"

Hawthorne offered him a cool, dismissive glance.

"There's paper right there. Write it down yourself. I'll send someone to collect it."

Hans picked Hawthorne up, and as they drove back, Hawthorne spotted a bakery selling Gwyneth's favorite cake and bought a slice for her.

Gwyneth had already moved back home to focus on her health. Having his wife back by his side made Hawthorne feel as if he had been reborn into a new life.

The moment his car pulled into the driveway, Gwyneth hurried out onto the second- floor balcony. Spotting his vehicle, she carefully made her way downstairs.

As Hawthorne stepped into the living room, he found his little wife waiting at the bottom of the stairs to welcome him.

Except now, she was heavily pregnant and couldn't just launch herself into his arms like she used to.

"I got your favorite cake. If you're craving anything else, just tell me and I'll go buy

it."