Chapter 14 The Matriarch's Card

Vinnie moved to his knees. His voice trembled slightly, not from fear but from the heavy weight of the situation. “I’m sorry, sir,” he said, addressing the man who had slapped him. “My brother doesn’t know who you are. He didn’t mean any disrespect.”

The way Vinnie said “sir” carried a deeper meaning. It was not just respect — it was submission, an acknowledgment of authority. At that moment, it became clear to Kane: the man was Vinnie’s father-in-law, Elizabeth’s father.

Kane looked at Vinnie in disbelief. He could not believe his brother was apologizing after being humiliated in front of everyone.

Before he could stop himself, Kane’s fist slammed into the wall beside him. The impact created a loud crack, and a jagged split appeared in the plaster. Everyone in the room froze, their eyes darting between him and the damaged wall.

“Enough,” Kane said, his voice low but filled with authority. “I don’t care who he is — father-in-law, CEO, or king of the damn world. No one has the right to treat you like this.”

Elizabeth’s father took a step back, losing his confidence as he stared at the cracked wall. Even Margaret Hawthorne, the formidable matriarch, looked momentarily startled.

Kane turned his gaze directly to Richard Hawthorne. “Say it. Apologize to my brother,” he demanded.

Richard Hawthorne stared back at him, visibly scared. He was not used to being challenged like this, especially not by someone wearing a cleaner’s uniform.

“Do you have any idea who I am?” Richard asked. The confidence he had displayed earlier had now completely diminished.

“I don’t care who you are,” Kane replied as he stepped closer. “Right now, you’re just a man who disrespected my brother. Apologize to him.”

The entire room fell into complete silence. Even Margaret Hawthorne remained quiet. Elizabeth stood frozen in place. The lawyers shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to react.

Richard looked around the room as if searching for support, but all he found were wide eyes and stunned expressions. He stared once more at the crack in the wall.

Finally, he cleared his throat. “I’m… sorry,” he said, though he avoided looking Vinnie in the eyes.

Richard Hawthorne, the unshakable patriarch of the Hawthorne family, had just apologized — a sight no one in the room ever thought they would witness. The shock was evident on every face.

Vinnie looked stunned, his mouth opening slightly in disbelief. Kane stepped back, his hands relaxing at his sides.

“That’s better,” Kane said. He looked at Vinnie, who still seemed too shocked to speak. “You don’t owe anyone your dignity, Vinnie. Remember that.”

Elizabeth stepped forward. “Grandmother, he’s—”

Margaret Hawthorne raised her hand sharply, cutting Elizabeth off mid-sentence. The room fell completely silent as the old woman’s piercing eyes locked onto her granddaughter. “Not another word, Elizabeth,” she said coldly. “You have three days. Three days to secure the deal with Monroe Business Enterprises. If you fail, prepare to hand Everwood over to your second uncle.”

A man standing near the corner of the room stepped forward. He wore a polished gray suit. He was Thomas Hawthorne, Elizabeth’s second uncle.

“Rest assured, Mother,” Thomas said smoothly, addressing Margaret with a slight bow of his head. “If Elizabeth fails, I’ll ensure Everwood thrives under my leadership. In fact,” he added, “I’ve already spoken to an old friend at Monroe. I’ll secure the contract as a gift for your 80th birthday.”

Elizabeth’s father, Richard, stepped forward and raised his voice. “Why are you so eager to take over Everwood, Thomas? You’ve got your hands full with Hawthorne Logistics. What’s your real angle here?”

Thomas burst into a confident smile. “My angle? It’s simple, Richard. The family business deserves competent leadership. If Elizabeth can’t deliver, it’s only logical for someone else to step in. Someone with connections. Experience. Someone who knows how to get things done.”

Richard took another step forward, his face flushed with anger. “You’ve been scheming for years, Thomas. Don’t think I don’t see through you. Everwood isn’t just another asset to you — it’s your way of undermining Elizabeth and everything she’s built!”

The tension in the room skyrocketed as the two men closed the distance between them.

Then Margaret banged her hand on the table, and the sound cracked through the air like a gunshot.

Bang!

The entire room froze.

“That’s enough!” she said, her voice sharp and commanding. She looked across the room as if daring anyone to speak. “This is the final discussion for today. I will not tolerate any more bickering or power plays. Three days, Elizabeth. That’s all you have.”

Everyone stood in silence as the old woman rose from her seat with commanding dignity. Her entourage immediately followed her lead, gathering their belongings and preparing to leave.

Thomas threw Elizabeth one last mocking look before turning to follow Margaret out of the room. Elizabeth stood there, clearly unhappy but holding herself together with visible effort.

Kane looked at her for a moment. She was scared but still standing strong despite the immense pressure from her family.

As Margaret Hawthorne approached the door with her entourage trailing behind her, she suddenly stopped directly in front of Kane. Her eyes, fierce and sharp despite her advanced age, scanned him slowly from head to toe.

“Young people today are so bold,” she said finally. “Boldness has its place, and so does restraint. Learn to control your anger, young man. It can be your greatest strength or your undoing.”

She reached into the pocket of her coat and pulled out a sleek black business card.

“Take this,” she said, extending it toward him.

Kane hesitated for only a moment before accepting the card. It was simple yet elegant, with her name, Margaret Hawthorne, embossed in gold letters, followed by a private number and the name of an exclusive office.

“Call if you ever find yourself in need,” she told him directly.

With that, she turned and walked away, the sound of her cane clicking against the polished floor as her entourage followed her outside. Kane stood there for a moment, staring at the card in his hand.

Margaret Hawthorne was not a woman to be trifled with, and somehow he had caught her attention. Whether that was a good thing or a dangerous one, only time would tell.