Chapter 60: Chapter 60: The Croft Family Owes Sebastian Hawthorne Something
In her daze, a man’s detached voice came from above.
"If you’re having second thoughts, know when to stop. Don’t make a big scene only to turn around and want to go back. That would be utterly disgraceful."
Cecilia Croft snapped back to her senses.
She had no regrets.
Having come this far, she had left herself no room for regret.
"Mistaking disgrace for bravery isn’t courage, it’s just plain idiocy."
The low voice of the man beside her sounded again. Cecilia Croft looked up to see the corners of his eyes tinged with a smile, yet they also seemed to hold some emotion she couldn’t comprehend.
For a moment, she couldn’t tell if his deep, inscrutable eyes held laughter or hidden anger.
Cecilia Croft’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt an inexplicable pang of guilt.
"I’m not."
Sebastian Hawthorne glanced at her. "It’s best that you’re not."
"Being blind once is forgivable. But if your brain stops working, then you’re truly beyond saving."
Cecilia Croft was speechless.
When they reached the car, Sebastian Hawthorne opened the door for her. His movements were elegant, his bearing gentlemanly, as if he weren’t the same man who had just verbally attacked her moments ago.
"The plane doesn’t take off for another three hours. Have dinner with me first, then we’ll go to the airport."
Cecilia Croft obediently followed.
They arrived at a Western-style restaurant.
Cecilia Croft sat across from Sebastian Hawthorne. He handed her the menu that the waiter had brought over.
Without hesitation, she ordered her favorite steak.
Sebastian Hawthorne didn’t look at the menu. He ordered directly, then asked the waiter to bring a bottle of red wine.
Cecilia Croft thought about having to get on a plane later, a hint of hesitation in her eyes, but in the end, she didn’t stop him.
’A day like today is certainly worth celebrating with some red wine.’
Although her tolerance for alcohol wasn’t great, she wouldn’t get drunk from just a little.
The waiter began bringing out the dishes.
Sebastian Hawthorne’s red wine had also been decanted.
The man had asked her to join him, yet he didn’t pour her any wine. He leisurely ate his steak while sipping from his glass, as if she wasn’t even there.
Cecilia Croft couldn’t figure him out, nor could she think of anything to say.
’I can’t exactly ask him to pour me a drink, can I?’
She could only lower her head and silently eat the food on her plate.
After some time had passed, the man across from her finally spoke in a low voice.
"Finished?"
Cecilia Croft looked at the nearly empty plate and nodded.
"Yes, I’m done."
In truth, she was too full to eat another bite. But since Sebastian Hawthorne wasn’t talking to her, she didn’t know what else to do besides eat. She couldn’t very well be rude and play on her phone in front of him.
She lifted her gaze to the man opposite her and saw that the wine bottle in front of him was empty.
His handsome face was flushed with drunkenness. With an elbow propped on the armrest, he rested his head lightly against his hand, exuding an indescribable, languid charm.
Cecilia Croft was stunned for a few seconds.
"Why did you drink so much?"
Sebastian Hawthorne narrowed his deep eyes, a smile playing on his lips. The look he gave her was impossibly gentle, and his voice was low and husky.
"Happy."
That was his only reason—a single word.
Cecilia Croft didn’t understand where his "happiness" was coming from. Seeing the smile in his eyes, she found him strangely "approachable."
It gave her the false impression that he’d be easy to fool right now.
On impulse, she leaned closer across the table.
"Mr. Hawthorne, I’ve analyzed the situations of both the Croft and Hawthorne Groups and written a proposal. I sincerely invite the Hawthorne Group to partner with the Croft Group and invest in this project together."
Sebastian Hawthorne leaned in as well.
As he drew near, his handsome face filled her vision.
The proximity was too much, making Cecilia Croft’s heart clench. She instinctively pulled back a little.
Sebastian Hawthorne’s deep, dark eyes watched her quietly as he spoke, his voice low.
"The Hawthorne Group has never been short of partners, nor of projects."
With that, he leaned back lazily in his chair, looking at her from the corner of his eye. His whole demeanor exuded a relaxed, elegant roguishness.
Seeing he wasn’t as easy to fool as she’d imagined, Cecilia Croft grew anxious and leaned forward slightly.
"I’m sure Mr. Hawthorne is aware that in today’s fiercely competitive market, strategic partnerships are a powerful tool for breaking through growth ceilings. A collaboration between the Croft Group and the Hawthorne Group would undoubtedly bring immense benefits to both companies. Our families’ elders have always cooperated this way in the past."
A smile played in Sebastian Hawthorne’s eyes as he adjusted his posture slightly.
"Times have changed. The Croft family can no longer keep up with the Hawthorne family."
Hearing this, Cecilia Croft instantly deflated.
He was telling the truth.
The Croft family had been drained by years of internal conflict; they had long since fallen behind the Hawthorne family.
Although she had prepared herself for Sebastian Hawthorne’s rejection, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.
But she had no intention of giving up just yet.
"Throughout the Hawthorne Group’s development, at every critical stage, the Croft Group has always been a key ally. Doesn’t Mr. Hawthorne want to see what brilliant sparks the Hawthorne and Croft Families could create by collaborating again after ten years?"
A low chuckle escaped Sebastian Hawthorne’s throat. He leaned in again, and as if fearing she would retreat, he reached out and cupped the back of her head.
"Do you know why the Croft Group has always held such an important position among the Hawthorne Group’s allies?"
His warm breath, mingled with the rich aroma of red wine, washed over Cecilia Croft’s face. The familiar, intimate mix made her so tense she could barely breathe.
"Because the Croft Group has always understood the Hawthorne Group’s needs perfectly."
The smile on Sebastian Hawthorne’s lips deepened. His voice became even lower, yet softer than before.
"That’s right."
"Patriarch Croft certainly understood what the Hawthorne family needed. That’s why he so meticulously raised you and your sister."
Hearing this, Cecilia Croft caught a key piece of information in his tone that she had previously overlooked.
’Why was Sebastian Hawthorne so "happy" today?’
’It was probably because in all these years, her sister had never once called him for help.’
’This time, her sister called him, insisting he bring me back. It broke the years-long cold war between them, and that’s why he was so happy.’
’That’s why he was overcome with emotion and drank so much.’
Connecting these pieces of information, Cecilia Croft’s eyes brightened considerably.
"So, what reason does Mr. Hawthorne have not to continue cooperating with the Croft Group?"
’If the relationship between our two families thaws, the stalemate between him and my sister will finally end.’
’It’s the best of both worlds.’
Sebastian Hawthorne withdrew his hand and leaned back slightly, putting distance between them.
"Until the Croft family returns what they owe me, I will never cooperate with the Croft Group."
Cecilia Croft stared at the hand he had suddenly pulled away, stunned for a moment. Her eyes filled with confusion.
"What does the Croft family owe you?"
’From his serious expression, it seems to be something very valuable.’
She had been away from the Croft family for many years and had never heard anyone mention that they owed Sebastian Hawthorne something so valuable.
Sebastian Hawthorne simply gave her a casual, leisurely glance and didn’t answer.
