HUSH

HUSH. Episode 7

The atmosphere inside the executive boardroom was suffocatingly tense.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city’s skyline, while a polished mahogany table stretched through the center of the room. Around it sat some of the nation’s most influential executives and shareholders, each dressed impeccably, yet none dared to speak out of turn.

At the head of the table sat the man everyone feared.

Raymond.

Silver-haired despite his age, he carried himself with an authority that had never diminished. His sharp eyes, lined with decades of experience, swept across the room with the cold precision of a hawk. Even seated, his presence commanded absolute silence.

The legendary businessman had built an empire from nothing, and countless competitors had fallen trying to challenge him. To many, a single word of approval from Raymond was worth more than a fortune.

Yet today…

His expression was darker than usual.

Standing beside the large digital screen, the company secretary adjusted his glasses before beginning his report.

“Chairman, I’d like to begin with the latest investment project initiated by Mr. Damian.”

A graph appeared on the screen.

“The acquisition exceeded all expectations. Within three months, profits increased by forty-three percent. Every projected target was surpassed, and several international partners have already expressed interest in expanding the partnership.”

He clicked to the next slide.

“The board unanimously considers it one of the company’s most successful investments this fiscal year.”

A few executives nodded quietly.

Others exchanged impressed glances.

No one questioned Damian’s brilliance.

The secretary offered a cautious smile.

“Congratulations are certainly in order. Mr. Damian has once again proven his remarkable business—”

“Enough.”

Raymond’s deep voice cut through the room like a blade.

The secretary stopped mid-sentence.

The room fell deathly silent.

Raymond slowly folded his hands on the table.

“I’ve seen the numbers.”

His voice remained calm, but every word carried unmistakable authority.

“I know the investment succeeded.”

His cold gaze swept across every face in the room.

“So tell me…”

He leaned back slightly.

“Where is my grandson?”

No one answered.

The executives lowered their eyes.

The secretary swallowed nervously before speaking.

“Chairman… Mr. Damian informed us he would be unavailable for today’s meeting due to… personal matters.”

Raymond’s expression hardened.

“Personal matters?”

The two words echoed through the room.

A director cleared his throat but quickly thought better of speaking.

Raymond let out a slow, disappointed sigh.

“This company can celebrate profits tomorrow.”

His eyes narrowed.

“But my grandson knows better than to leave an empty chair at my boardroom table.”

No one dared remind him that Damian had already secured the company’s success before leaving.

No one dared defend him.

Raymond rose slowly from his chair.

The movement alone caused every executive in the room to stand instinctively.

His cane tapped once against the marble floor.

“I did not spend decades building this empire merely to read reports about my heir.”

He looked toward Damian’s vacant seat.

“I expect him to stand before me.”

His voice dropped to a dangerous calm.

“Find Damian.”

The order was simple.

But everyone in the room understood its weight.

No one questioned Raymond.

No one delayed his commands.

Within seconds, phones were discreetly pulled from pockets as the search for Damian began, while Raymond remained standing at the head of the table, his stern gaze fixed on the empty chair that should have belonged to the only grandson he had ever trusted to inherit his empire.

Damian stood alone on the wooden porch outside the cottage, the cool afternoon breeze carrying the scent of pine trees and freshly cut grass. Beyond the white fence, the quiet town carried on as though nothing in the world could disturb its peace.

His phone vibrated in his pocket.

The caller ID displayed one familiar name.

Ethan.

His personal assistant.

Damian exhaled softly before answering.

“Talk.”

“Mr. Damian,” Ethan greeted respectfully. “I just left the board meeting.”

Damian leaned against one of the porch pillars, already knowing where the conversation was headed.

“How bad was it?”

There was a brief pause.

“The investment report was presented.”

“And?”

“It exceeded every projection, sir. The board praised your decision. The shareholders were impressed, and several foreign partners have already requested another meeting.”

Damian closed his eyes.

“And my grandfather?”

Another silence.

“Chairman Raymond wasn’t pleased.”

A bitter smile tugged at Damian’s lips.

“Of course he wasn’t.”

“He stopped the meeting the moment your report was finished.”

Damian lowered his head, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“What did he say?”

“He asked one question.”

Damian didn’t need to hear it.

“…Where is my grandson?”

Ethan sighed quietly.

“When we explained that you were away on personal business, he ordered everyone to find you immediately.”

Damian looked out toward the quiet road where Rebecca had disappeared moments earlier after taking a basket of vegetables to the old lady’s garden.

For a fleeting moment, the peaceful life here felt worlds away from the empire waiting for him.

“I thought…” he murmured, almost to himself.

Ethan remained silent.

“I honestly thought closing that contract would give him a reason to breathe.”

His grip tightened around the phone.

“It wasn’t just profitable.”

“It was one of the biggest deals we’ve made this year.”

“I know, sir.”

“But somehow…”

Damian let out a weary chuckle that held no amusement.

“…it’s still not enough.”

The frustration settled heavily in his chest.

No matter how many companies he rescued…

No matter how many contracts he secured…

No matter how high the profits climbed…

His grandfather always demanded more.

“Did he leave any other instructions?” Damian asked quietly.

“Only that you return as soon as possible.”

Damian gave a slow nod, though Ethan couldn’t see it.

“I’ll handle it.”

“Should I arrange the jet, sir?”

Damian’s eyes drifted toward the cottage window, where he caught a glimpse of Rebecca laughing with the old lady inside.

A softness flickered across his face before disappearing.

“…Not yet.”

“Very well, sir.”

“If Chairman Raymond asks again…”

Damian paused for a moment.

“Tell him I’m taking care of something important.”

“I understand.”

The call ended.

The afternoon sun hung gently above the little town, its warm rays bathing the neighborhood in a golden glow. A cool breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers, making the day perfect for gardening.

Behind the old lady’s cottage stretched a modest vegetable garden, enclosed by a low white picket fence. Rows of tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, carrots, and fragrant herbs flourished in the rich soil, while colorful flowers bloomed along the edges.

Rebecca knelt beside one of the flower beds, carefully loosening the soil around a row of lavender.

The old lady stood a few feet away, watering the tomatoes with a weathered green watering can.

Beyond the fence, several neighbors were tending to their own gardens. Some trimmed rose bushes, others harvested vegetables, while a few chatted cheerfully across their fences. Laughter drifted through the peaceful neighborhood, blending with the chirping birds and the occasional bark of a distant dog.

“It’s always lively around here,” Rebecca said with a smile as she brushed the dirt from her gardening gloves.

The old lady chuckled.

“In this town, everyone treats their garden like a prized possession.”

Rebecca looked around.

“I can tell.”

She admired the colorful yards lining the street.

“They’re all beautiful.”

“They’ve had years of practice,” the old lady replied proudly. “You should’ve seen mine when I first moved here. Half the flowers refused to bloom, and the tomatoes tasted like disappointment.”

Rebecca laughed.

“I don’t believe that.”

“Oh, it’s true,” the old lady said with a grin. “My poor neighbors suffered through many baskets of terrible tomatoes before I finally learned what I was doing.”

Rebecca giggled as she reached for a small hand trowel.

“So, what should I plant here?”

The old lady walked over and crouched beside her.

“Not too close together.”

She gently pointed to the freshly turned soil.

“Plants are a lot like people.”

Rebecca glanced up.

“They all need room to grow.”

Rebecca nodded thoughtfully.

“That makes sense.”

The old lady picked up a small rosemary seedling.

“Rosemary is strong. It doesn’t ask for much, but if you care for it properly, it’ll reward you for years.”

Rebecca accepted the tiny plant with both hands, studying its delicate green leaves.

“And these?”

She pointed toward another tray.

“Basil,” the old lady answered. “Wonderful in the kitchen, but it’s a little dramatic.”

“Dramatic?”

“Oh, yes.” The old lady laughed. “Too much water, it complains. Too little water, it complains. Too much sun…” she shrugged playfully. “…it complains.”

Rebecca burst into laughter.

“It sounds like someone I know.”

“Oh?”

Rebecca smiled mischievously.

“My best friend back home.”

The old lady laughed so heartily that a nearby neighbor glanced over with a smile.

“What are you two laughing about?” the neighbor called.

“The basil has quite the personality,” the old lady replied.

The neighbor chuckled knowingly.

“That’s the truth!”

The small exchange drew a ripple of laughter from the nearby gardeners before everyone returned to their work.

Rebecca carefully tucked the rosemary into the soil and patted the earth around its roots.

“There.”

The old lady smiled warmly.

“See? You’ve got a gentle touch.”

Rebecca looked down at the tiny plant, a quiet sense of accomplishment settling over her.

“I never imagined gardening could be this relaxing.”

“It has a way of slowing the world down,” the old lady said softly as she straightened up. “Out here, nothing blooms overnight. Everything takes patience.”

Rebecca looked around at the flourishing gardens, the smiling neighbors, and the peaceful little street.

For the first time in a long while…

She felt as though she had found a place where she could simply breathe.