Always make you mine

Episode Nine

The days had slipped away faster than any of them wanted to admit. Only seven days remained before the bank would begin aggressive foreclosure proceedings on Hayes Construction. The once-comfortable family home in Brooklyn now felt suffocating, every conversation heavy with fear and uncertainty.

Richard Hayes sat at the dining table again, the Blackwood Group acquisition draft spread out before him like a sentencing document. The kitchen light cast harsh shadows across his face, making him look older and more exhausted than his fifty-two years. Maria sat across from him, a cold cup of tea forgotten between her hands.

“I don’t know what else to do, Maria,” Richard said quietly, rubbing his temples. “Seven days. That’s all we have left. The last investor pulled out yesterday. Another supplier is threatening to stop deliveries by the end of the week. This offer from Blackwood… it’s not fair, but it would clear the debts immediately. We’d have enough cash to pay everyone what we owe and even keep a few key employees for a transition period.”

Maria’s eyes filled with worry as she stared at the papers. “But it’s not really an offer, Richard. It’s a takeover. They’re lowballing the value of the company by almost forty percent. The land parcels are what they really want. Once they have those, they’ll probably dismantle the rest. Everything you built from the ground up — your name, your reputation, twenty-five years of honest work — it would all disappear under the Blackwood banner.”

Richard leaned back in his chair, shoulders slumped. “I know. God, I know. Hayes Construction isn’t just a business to me. It’s my life’s work. It put food on our table, paid for Evelyn’s college, gave us stability. But if we lose it to the bank, we lose everything anyway — the house, our savings, our future. At least with Blackwood’s cash injection, we wouldn’t go bankrupt. We could start over somehow. Smaller, maybe. I hate it, but I’m running out of options.”

Maria reached across the table and took his hand. “We still have seven days. Maybe we can negotiate better terms. Or find one last miracle. I don’t want you making this decision out of pure desperation.”

Upstairs, Evelyn stood frozen in the hallway, listening to every word. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest. Seven days. The number felt like a death sentence. She couldn’t just sit by and watch her father’s dream — their family’s foundation — be swallowed by a man who saw people like them as nothing more than numbers on a spreadsheet.

That night, sleep evaded her completely. By morning, a reckless determination had taken root. She knew it was foolish, but she had to try. Damien Blackwood had noticed her four times already. Maybe, just maybe, he would listen if she spoke to him directly.

After a quick breakfast where she said nothing about her plan, Evelyn dressed in her most professional outfit — a simple white blouse, black pencil skirt, and modest heels. She told her parents she was going to the gallery for an extra shift, then took the subway into Manhattan.

Blackwood Tower rose like a dark monolith in the heart of the financial district, all glass and steel that screamed power and wealth. Evelyn’s stomach twisted with nerves as she approached the grand entrance. She had no appointment. No connections. Nothing but desperate hope.

At the security desk in the massive marble lobby, she tried to sound confident. “I’m here to see Mr. Damien Blackwood. It’s regarding Hayes Construction.”

The guard checked his screen and shook his head. “No appointment listed. Mr. Blackwood doesn’t see anyone without prior scheduling through his office.”

“I understand, but it’s urgent. Please, can you at least call up?”

The guard gave her a sympathetic look but remained firm. “I’m sorry, miss. Without an appointment, I can’t let you past the lobby. You can leave a message if you’d like.”

Evelyn refused to leave. She found a seat on one of the sleek benches near the entrance, determined to wait as long as necessary. Hours passed. She watched executives in tailored suits come and go, assistants carrying tablets and important-looking folders. Her feet began to ache in her heels. Hunger gnawed at her stomach, but she didn’t dare leave her spot in case she missed him.

By late afternoon, the sky had turned overcast, and Evelyn’s hope was beginning to fade. Her phone showed multiple missed calls from Zara and one worried text from her mother. Still, she stayed.

Finally, just after six o’clock, the private elevator doors opened and Damien Blackwood stepped out, flanked by his assistant, Martin Kane. He looked exactly as imposing as every previous encounter — tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a flawless black suit, his sharp gray eyes focused straight ahead with cool detachment.

Evelyn’s heart leaped into her throat. She stood quickly, smoothing her skirt with trembling hands, and moved toward him before she could lose her nerve.

“Mr. Blackwood!” she called out, her voice clearer than she expected.

Martin Kane immediately stepped forward, blocking her path with professional efficiency. “Miss, this is a private exit. Mr. Blackwood doesn’t take unsolicited meetings. Please step back.”

Evelyn refused to be moved. She looked past the assistant, her eyes locking onto Damien’s cold gray ones. “Please. I only need a minute. My name is Evelyn Hayes. My father owns Hayes Construction. I know about your acquisition offer. I came to tell you that we won’t accept it. Not like this.”

Damien paused, his gaze finally settling fully on her. Recognition flickered across his face — the girl from the gala, the restaurant, the café. Four times before. Now this. He said nothing at first, simply studying her with that same indifferent detachment.

Martin tried again. “Sir, I can handle this—”

Damien raised a hand slightly, silencing his assistant. He took one step closer, towering over Evelyn. His voice was low, cold, and carried absolute authority. “This is business, Miss Hayes. Leave it for the adults. Your father and I will handle the negotiations — if there are any.”

Evelyn felt heat rise to her cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and anger. She lifted her chin, refusing to back down even as her legs felt weak. “Business? You’re hitting us when we’re already on the ground. My father built Hayes Construction with his bare hands over twenty-five years. It’s not just numbers and land parcels to him — it’s his entire life. Our family’s stability. You can’t just come in and take everything because we’re struggling right now.”

Damien’s expression didn’t change. Those sharp gray eyes remained cool and unreadable. “Struggling businesses are acquired every day. That’s how the world works. Emotions don’t change financial reality.”

Evelyn’s voice cracked slightly but she pushed forward. “Then is there another way? Please. There must be something else we can do. A loan, a partnership — anything that doesn’t destroy what my father spent his life building. Business is his legacy. It’s who he is. I’m begging you to at least consider giving us a real chance instead of this… this takeover.”

For a long moment, Damien simply stared at her. The bustling lobby noise seemed to fade into the background. He noted the determination in her eyes, the slight tremble in her hands, the way she refused to look away despite clearly being terrified. Most people crumbled under his gaze. She hadn’t. Not completely.

Finally, he spoke again, his tone still icy but with the slightest shift. “Fine. Meet me at my office tomorrow morning. Ten o’clock sharp. My assistant will add you to the schedule. We’ll discuss whether there is… another way.”

Evelyn blinked, surprised by the sudden concession. “Tomorrow? Ten o’clock?”

“Yes.” Damien glanced at Martin. “Make the arrangements.”

Martin nodded stiffly, already pulling out his tablet. “Of course, sir.”

Without another word or backward glance, Damien turned and walked toward the waiting black town car at the curb. Martin followed closely behind.

Evelyn stood frozen in the entrance for several seconds, her pulse still racing. She had done it. She had spoken to him. And somehow, against all odds, he had agreed to meet her properly.

The reality of what she had just done began to sink in as she made her way back to the subway. Her hands shook the entire ride home. What had she been thinking, confronting one of the most powerful and ruthless men in New York? Yet a small spark of hope flickered in her chest. Maybe tomorrow she could find a way to save her father’s company without losing everything.

When she finally pushed open the front door of the Brooklyn brownstone, the house was quiet. Her parents were in the living room, speaking in low voices. Evelyn slipped inside and went straight upstairs to her room before they could ask where she had been.

She closed her door softly and sank onto her bed, staring at the ceiling cracks that had become so familiar over the past few weeks. Tomorrow she would step into Damien Blackwood’s world — his office, his territory..

Seven days remained.

And for the first time since this nightmare began, Evelyn felt like she was no longer just waiting for the end. She had taken a step — however small and dangerous — toward fighting back.

Downstairs, her father continued weighing the Blackwood offer, unaware that his daughter had just confronted the man behind it.

Evelyn closed her eyes, whispering a silent prayer that tomorrow wouldn’t make everything worse.