Chapter 21: Blink of Bankruptcy

Sophia left the hotel and upon reaching the exit, she found a driver waiting. When he saw her, he got out of the car and motioned for her to get in. "Mrs Evans, please get in."

"Thank you." She thanked him hopping into the car before adding. "I'm going to visit my mom."

The driver nodded and started the car towards the Vision Care hospital. 40 minutes later the car pulled off at the gate of the hospital.

She got out and thanked the driver before rushing inside.

She walked into her mother's room and saw her at the edge of the bed, looking healthier than she'd seen her in weeks.

Sophia was filled with warmth and relief as she observed her. The usual pallor on her face was replaced with a healthier hue, and her eyes sparkled with a strength that hadn't been there before.

"Mom, you're looking amazing!" Sophia beamed as she leaned down to hug her mother, who squeezed her tightly.

"That's what I've been saying to these doctors. I'm perfectly fine now, and it's high time they let me go home," her mother said with a playful smile, crossing her arms. "Honestly, dear, I feel trapped here. I prefer going home."

Sophia chuckled, sitting beside her on the hospital bed. "Come on, Mom. You know they're just making sure you're well before you leave. It's only four more days. You can do it," she coaxed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her mother's forehead. "Besides, I need to know you're well."

Her mother sighed, giving in with a slight smile. "Okay… fine. But only because you asked so nicely."

Sophia was amused by her mother. She laughed as she took an apple from the fruit basket to peel for her, comforting her, "Don't worry I'll keep you company until Ethan comes."

She continued chatting with her mother unaware of the crisis in the Hawthorne group headquarters.

***

Across town, inside the Hawthorne headquarters, Pablo, Marcus, and Raphael sat hunched over their desks. None of them had gotten to rest; the weight of the crisis seemed to suffocate them.

Raphael looked as if he had aged ten years in hours, his shoulders slumped, and his expression drained. They barely had a moment to breathe between the phone calls from investors and partners, each one cutting ties, pushing them closer to a collapse.

"How are we supposed to stay afloat with everyone pulling out like this?" Marcus muttered, his usual arrogance replaced by a hint of fear.

Pablo was about to respond when there was a knock at the door. His assistant entered, looking uneasy.

"Mr. Hawthorne, there's… someone here from Highgate Bank," she announced carefully.

The three men exchanged a wary glance.

"Why would someone from the bank come in person?" Raphael asked, his voice low with suspicion.

Pablo took a deep breath. "Show him in."

A tall, stoic man in a dark suit entered, adjusting his tie before speaking. "Good afternoon. I'm Paul Aldridge from Highgate Bank," he began, his voice formal and cool. "I'm here on behalf of the bank to discuss the outstanding loan the Hawthorne group owes us."

Pablo rose from his seat, forcing a polite smile. "Yes, Mr. Aldridge. But I believe we still have time before that payment is due. Isn't that correct?"

Aldridge met his gaze without blinking. "Under normal circumstances, yes. However, given recent events, the bank has decided to accelerate the repayment schedule. We require full repayment immediately."

"Immediately?" Raphael's voice quivered with barely contained frustration. "We've been loyal clients for years. Surely there must be some flexibility?"

Aldridge's expression remained unchanged. "I'm afraid not, Mr. Hawthorne. The bank's decision is final."

The Hawthorne men exchanged a tense look. After a brief, tense silence, Raphael gave a resigned nod. "Fine." Then he turned to Marcus, "Have the finance department process the payment." He said solemnly and Marcus left to relay the order.

As soon as Marcus came back after sorting Aldridge out, another knock followed. The assistant reappeared, her face visibly tense. "There's… another visitor, Mr. Hawthorne. From Sovereign Bank."

Pablo's jaw tightened as he motioned for the new visitor to enter. A middle-aged man stepped in, extending a hand. "Good afternoon. My name is Mr. Carlisle, representing Sovereign Bank."

"Let me guess," Marcus interjected bitterly. "You're here for the loan repayment as well?"

Carlisle gave a brief nod. "Correct. The bank is seeking an immediate settlement of your outstanding balance."

Raphael leaned forward, hands clasped tightly. "We still have time on that loan. You can't just demand it without any warning."

Carlisle's gaze didn't waver. "The decision comes from the top. The bank has its orders."

After a heated debate, the Hawthornes gave in, draining another chunk of their cash reserves. They watched helplessly as Carlisle left, their frustration mounting.

Moments later, yet another knock interrupted them. This time, it was a woman from Paramount Bank. "It's a shame," she began smoothly, "but the board has decided to call in the loan as well."

Pablo clenched his fists. "We've worked with Paramount Bank for years. You want to pull this now as well?"

The woman raised an eyebrow. "We don't have a choice, Mr. Hawthorne. The orders are strict."

Raphael sighed, looking as though the weight of the world had settled on his shoulders. Pablo leaned over, whispering to him. "If we pay this… there'll be nothing left to keep us going."

Raphael's face was lined with defeat. "We don't have a choice. We'll pay, then figure out our options later."

As the final bank representative left, Pablo, Raphael, and Marcus sat in silence, the tension in the room thick. "We're running out of options," Raphael said wearily. "If we don't find a potential investor, we'll be done for."

They sank into a somber discussion, their voices low and grim, as they tried to come up with any strategy that could save them from the brink of bankruptcy.

***

Meanwhile, back at Alexander's office, his assistant Mark knocked on the door, stepping inside carefully. "Boss, the Hawthornes… they've been dealt with. They're practically on the brink of bankruptcy. Should we keep up the pressure?"

Alexander didn't look up from his paperwork, his expression as calm as ever. "No. That's enough. They should have learned the lesson lesson."

Mark nodded. "Understood, boss. Oh, also," he added, "the shortlisted candidates from Allure Fashion are set to receive notifications today."

Alexander's gaze flickered with interest. "Is she on the list?"

Mark nodded again, a slight smile. "Yes, boss. She made it to the shortlist."

"Good. Don't interfere. Let her do it on her own," Alexander replied, his tone carrying a hint of satisfaction.

After Mark left, Alexander leaned back in his chair, an unusual softness crossing his expression. Sophia didn't ask for my help with the job, he thought. She wants to handle it on her own. A rare smile appeared on his lips. I might have underestimated her.

***

Back at the hospital, Sophia sat with her mother, chatting as she waited for her brother. She checked her watch and saw it was almost time to start preparing dinner for Alexander.

"Mom, I need to leave, Ethan is taking too long." She said as a smile appeared on her face as Alexander's figure appeared on her head.

Catherine, who was watching her closely, leaned forward, lowering her voice, "Why are you smiling alone, dear? Are you in love?"

Sophia felt her cheeks flush, and she quickly looked away, smiling despite herself. "Mom, what are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't even try, sweetheart. I can see it all over your face. Is it that friend you mentioned before?" Her mother's eyes sparkled with curiosity, leaning in closer to catch every hint of Sophia's reaction.

Sophia couldn't hold back her smile, even as she tried to downplay it. "Mom, he's… he's just a friend. And besides, I don't want to bore you with all that right now."