A powerful full drama movie filled with love, secrets, and unexpected twists.
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
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AmusantTranscription
00:00Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
00:30Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
01:01A cold laugh came from the front drive. A girl leans against a car.
01:05Uncle Richard, are you sure you expect me to get engaged to him?
01:11I matched her to the name in my head at once. Serena Blackwell, the girl who was supposed to be
01:15my fiance.
01:16My family needs a man who can stand beside me, not someone who looks like he still smells of hay.
01:21My sister, Vivian Mercer, stood at the edge of the living room with her arms folded. She made no move
01:25to defend me.
01:26It's not kind, but she's right. Cole, if you're coming back to the Mercer family, the first thing you need
01:31to learn is how to behave. Don't embarrass us.
01:33Vivian, Serena, don't start. Cole just got here. Of course, he needs time to adjust. I can help him get
01:40used to things around here.
01:41I dropped my canvas stuff on the floor and picked up the old loafers.
01:44Sure is lively in here. I just walked through the door. Is this the welcome party you planned for me?
01:48Ethan brought you shoes out of kindness. What kind of attitude is that?
01:51Kindness? I toss the shoes off, then kick them farther across the floor.
01:55A mansion this big, three floors, two wings, a ballroom, a full staff, and nobody could find me a new
02:00pair of shoes?
02:01I wore those before. I thought our sizes were close. I'm sorry, I was only trying to help.
02:05Close? You wear new shoes and hand me your old ones? Is that what passes for kindness in Harbor City?
02:12Even if Ethan made a mistake, he didn't mean to. And you couldn't even say thank you?
02:16And you are? I'm your fiancé.
02:19Oh. You say I have no manners, but you just insulted me from head to toe in front of a
02:23room full of people.
02:24What kind of manners are those? Or is that the best the Blackwell family can teach?
02:28The living room went dead silent. Vivian's expression soured.
02:30Cole, watch yourself.
02:33I looked at her. You're my biological sister, right?
02:36She paused, then nodded.
02:38I spent more than ten hours in a car to get here. You didn't ask once if I was tired.
02:43All you've talked about is rules and embarrassing the family.
02:46You lost me for eighteen years.
02:49Who was supposed to teach me Mercer rules?
02:53Cole, no one's trying to make things hard for you.
02:56We all just need time to adjust. You just got back. I'll help you.
02:59Then he lowered his head, looking hurt.
03:01The people around us looked at me differently at once.
03:04Just then, a woman hurried out from inside and grabbed my hand.
03:07Cole, you must be exhausted after that drive. Don't hold this against them.
03:11And pulled open her car door.
03:12I'll have my father reconsider this engagement. Goodbye.
03:15The car door slammed shut. Vivian's face went cold.
03:17She looked at me like I'd caused a disaster.
03:19I ignored her. Pulling out my phone, I opened my pinned chat with Hank Hayes and typed,
03:23Dad, I made it. This family is... something.
03:26Less than three seconds later, his reply came through in all caps and exclamation marks.
03:30Who gave you a hard time?
03:31Woo it was. I'm driving over there right now to set them straight.
03:34I couldn't help smiling. Don't bother. I can handle it.
03:37I slipped my phone back into my pocket, picked up my canvas duffel, and swept my gaze over the Mercers.
03:42Fine. Where's my room? Show me.
03:46The butler led me to a room in the second floor.
03:48The second he pushed open the door,
03:51the roar of machinery and a blast of hot air hit me.
03:54The room itself wasn't small, but its window faced the kitchen exhaust vents.
03:58I walked over to take a closer look.
04:00The curtains were old, with loose threads hanging from the edges.
04:03The sheets had been folded neatly, but the pillowcases and comforter didn't match.
04:07The closet was empty, not even a hanger inside.
04:10The butler had already left, so I pulled out my phone and took pictures of every corner of the room.
04:20Then I shut the door, sat on the bed, and checked my phone.
04:23Hank had just sent me a message.
04:26Son, I don't know a damn thing about all that rich people nonsense, but remember this.
04:32Anyone tells you to kneel, you stand up.
04:35Make them see how tall you are when you do.
04:39The next morning, Eleanor knocked on my door.
04:44The family's having a small get-together today.
04:47Your relatives would like to meet you.
04:48She handed me two shopping bags.
04:50One held a gray linen shirt, the other had a loose, casual outfit.
04:53The tags had been cut off both, and neither was even close to my size.
04:57From down the hall, Ethan's excited voice drifted out of his room.
05:00These are from the new collection.
05:01They fit perfectly.
05:03I tossed the two outfits back into the closet and pulled on a white t-shirt and jeans.
05:08By the time I went downstairs, the living room was packed.
05:11Ethan chatting with one of the older relatives.
05:13The moment I walked in, the room fell quiet.
05:15Every eye dropped to my jeans and old boots.
05:17So this is the son who grew up away from the family.
05:20He's good-looking enough, I suppose.
05:23But those clothes...
05:24Auntie, please don't say that.
05:26It's our fault.
05:26We haven't had time to get Cole any clothes yet.
05:29I offered to help pick some out, but he said he didn't need them.
05:35I did say no, because the two outfits you picked out could fit two of me.
05:39Ethan's expression stalled for a second before smoothing over.
05:42I was just afraid they'd be too small.
05:43I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable.
05:47I laughed, loud enough for everyone to hear.
05:52You wear a large, and you bought me XXXL.
05:56Were you afraid I'd be uncomfortable, or were you trying to make sure I looked like a joke?
06:02Just then, the click of high heels sounded from the entryway.
06:05Serena walked in.
06:06Without even looking at me, she went straight to Ethan.
06:09You mentioned that pen you wanted was discontinued.
06:12I had someone get it at a private auction.
06:15Thank you.
06:17But you are engaged to Cole.
06:19This might not be appropriate.
06:20Only then did Serena turn to me.
06:22Since you're still here, I'll make this clear.
06:24Our parents arranged this engagement.
06:26That doesn't mean I agree to it.
06:27If you have any sense, you'll ask your family to call it off yourself.
06:30Don't make this ugly for everyone.
06:33Put your mind at ease, Serena.
06:35I'm not interested in you.
06:36This engagement is over as far as I'm concerned.
06:38If you really want out, have your father talk to mine today.
06:41Don't stand here acting like you're above me.
06:43You're not.
06:47A week later, the Mercer Foundation will be holding its winter charity gala in the glass hall.
06:52A lot of business partners will be there.
06:54It'll also be our chance to introduce you to everyone properly.
06:57Mother had a suit made for you.
06:59You'll look so sharp in it.
07:00For the first time since coming to the Mercers, I felt a little warmth.
07:03On the night of the gala, I opened my walk-in closet and found the suit was gone.
07:07At the top of the stairs, I saw Ethan coming down in an ice blue suit.
07:11My suit.
07:12I went back upstairs, changed into my own white shirt and black pants, then headed down.
07:17Vivian had her arm looped through Ethan's.
07:20They looked perfectly at ease, drawing praise from everyone around them.
07:28This is a gala.
07:29You're really wearing that?
07:34Someone took my suit.
07:36Why don't you ask him how he got the one he's wearing?
07:40Eleanor, please don't think I want to call off this match.
07:43But look at your son.
07:45At an event like this, honestly.
07:47At an event like this, he doesn't have half of Ethan's poise.
07:51I think we should call off the engagement.
07:55Eleanor went rigid, nearly dropping the glass in her hand.
07:58Serena rose from her seat and walked over.
08:00Cole Hayes, I'll say this one last time.
08:02I will not accept this engagement.
08:04Tell your parents as soon as possible.
08:05Don't waste everyone's time.
08:06The whole glass hall fell silent.
08:08Every eye turned to me.
08:09I stood in the middle of the ballroom and looked around.
08:12No one was going to say a word for me.
08:13I called Hank and put him on speaker.
08:15Cole, what's got you calling your old man?
08:17Someone giving you trouble?
08:19Only my voice carried.
08:20Dad, it's nothing major.
08:22Just some people here saying I'm not fit to be a mercer.
08:25They don't think much of me.
08:26And someone says she won't marry me.
08:28But that works for me.
08:30I don't like her either.
08:31Tell Uncle Gideard that if he still wants to talk about the Northern Corridor freight deal
08:34and those energy lesses, I'll come back and talk business with him.
08:37He's been waiting on you.
08:38The permits for the Northern Corridor are expected to be re-approved next week.
08:41And the energy lease contracts are on my desk.
08:44Ethan couldn't stop himself from blurting out.
08:46Gideon Bennett?
08:48The freight telecoon?
08:50A sharp breath ran through the glass hall.
08:53Everyone there knew the Mercer Group's most important project right now
08:56was the harbor expansion.
08:57And what it lacked was access to the Northern Corridor
09:00and reliable energy support.
09:02Did Hank Hayes control that route?
09:04Richard snapped his head up.
09:06Mrs. Blackwell's smile froze.
09:09If you don't want to stay there, come home.
09:12Not yet.
09:13I've got something to finish.
09:15After ending the call, I slipped my phone into my pocket and looked at Serena.
09:20You were right.
09:21I don't understand all the rules and games you people have in Harbor City.
09:25But get one thing straight about this engagement.
09:28The Blacknells aren't rejecting me.
09:30I'm rejecting you.
09:32Ethan's face changed completely.
09:34He had clearly heard the names Hank Hayes and Gideon Bennett before.
09:37Vivian gripped the back of a chair, her knuckles white.
09:41Serena stood frozen, her lips parting.
09:44But no words came out.
09:46Mrs. Blackwell tried to save face.
09:49Young man, whoever your adoptive father knows has nothing to do with this engagement.
09:54You think dropping a few names will...
09:56Hank called again.
09:59Oh, right.
10:00Gideon said his daughter Ava's coming over to take you to dinner.
10:03You two used to play together all the time, remember?
10:05She just got back after college.
10:07You'll have plenty to talk about.
10:08I hung up, pulled out a chair, took an orange from the table, and peeled it slowly.
10:14The gala ended in awkward silence.
10:16Guests left in small groups.
10:18Serena rushed out.
10:20Ethan followed Vivian upstairs.
10:22I stood in the manor courtyard, looking up at the Harbor City night sky.
10:26My phone buzzed.
10:28Hank still couldn't stand the thought of me being there alone.
10:31He'd sent a voice message to check on me.
10:33I replied,
10:35Dad, I'll finish what I need to do here, then I'll come home.
10:37I don't care about their love, but if they humiliate me, they're going to pay for it.
10:43Three days after the charity gala, the mood at the Mercer house had visibly changed.
10:48At breakfast, someone actually asked what I wanted to eat.
10:51Eleanor knocked on my door two days in a row to check on me.
10:54Every word she said carried the same message.
10:57She wanted to make it up to me.
10:59At dinner that night, Ethan acted like nothing had happened.
11:02He kept asking me questions.
11:04Cole, do you like this?
11:06If you do, I'll have the kitchen make more.
11:09Ethan, cut the act.
11:10We aren't close.
11:12I looked up, our eyes meeting across the table.
11:16I haven't even told Eleanor you wore my suit.
11:18You really want to keep giving me ammunition?
11:21The clink of cutlery stopped all at once.
11:23Ethan's voice began to shake immediately.
11:27Cole,
11:29The staff mixed them up that day.
11:31I really didn't know it was yours.
11:33It was one suit.
11:34How much longer are you going to drag this out?
11:37I didn't answer.
11:38Once I was done eating, I got up and left.
11:40That afternoon, I received a friend request from an unknown number.
11:44Ava Bennett.
11:47Once I accepted, she sent me a message.
11:50I'm Ava, the girl you used to steal corn with and grill behind the silos in Grayfield.
11:55My dad told me to take you to dinner.
11:57Your location, please.
11:58I replied,
11:59Your call.
12:00Five minutes later, Ava sent me the address of an exclusive, reservation-only restaurant in Harbor City.
12:06When I arrived, two bodyguards stood outside the private dining room.
12:10Ava was already inside.
12:12She looked casual in a white shirt, jeans, and old leather boots.
12:16But the watch on her wrist and the coat draped over her chair were anything but ordinary.
12:21The first thing she said when she saw me was,
12:24Long time no see.
12:26I remember you could put away three bowls of ranch beans in one sitting.
12:31I still can.
12:32Want a demonstration?
12:33We went our separate ways after dinner.
12:35But someone had taken pictures of us.
12:37By the next day, they'd made their way to Vivian.
12:42That's Ava Bennett, isn't it?
12:44What's your relationship with her?
12:46I glanced at the photo.
12:49Dinner.
12:50Vivian frowned at once.
12:51How can you go to dinner alone with another woman when you're still engaged?
12:56The engagement is over.
12:57Your best friend Serena said so herself in front of half the city at the glass hall.
13:02Did you forget?
13:02Even so, you can't humiliate Serena.
13:04The engagement could still be-
13:05Vivian, I just looked into it.
13:06The Bennetts have far more assets and control far more land than the Black Lace.
13:10The second the words left his mouth, he seemed to realize he shouldn't have said them.
13:16You want to dig into my background?
13:18Go ahead.
13:18I wasn't planning to hide it.
13:20Hank isn't the ordinary farmer you take him for.
13:23You lost me when I was a baby and never once blamed yourselves.
13:26But now you're angry because I didn't grow into the person you expected.
13:30I turned and headed upstairs.
13:32At the staircase, I paused.
13:34I didn't come back to compete for your affection or take what belongs to you.
13:38But if you keep treating me like dirt under your boots, I'll show you what dirt can do.
13:48You broke off an engagement with Hank Hayes' son?
13:51That family is not one you can afford to cross.
13:54Do you understand me?
13:55For the first time, Serena stood before her father's desk with her head down, not daring to argue.
14:00Mr. Blackwell threw a dossier onto the desk.
14:02It listed the holdings of Hayes Land and Freight.
14:05Land.
14:06Grain silos.
14:07Cold chain logistics.
14:08Northern Corridor Freight.
14:10Energy leases.
14:11The numbers ran onto a second page.
14:12The next day, Serena called me.
14:14I looked at her name on my screen and let it ring for a few extra seconds before answering.
14:21Say what you called for.
14:23When she spoke, she sounded like she was forcing herself past her pride.
14:27Cole, the way I treated you that day was out of line.
14:30Yeah.
14:31And?
14:34I want to take you to dinner.
14:36We can talk face to face.
14:41Serena, did you decide to invite me to dinner or did your father send you?
14:44The line went silent.
14:45I thought so.
14:47Forget dinner.
14:47You pointed in my face and told me I wasn't good enough.
14:50I'll never forget that.
14:51If you're really sorry, have your father come apologize to me in person.
14:57Ava texted me.
14:59Uncle Hank wants you home this weekend.
15:01He says the stew's already on.
15:03After Ethan found out Serena had called me, he stayed in his room and scrolled through her social media 20
15:08times.
15:08I've made a terrible mistake.
15:10Her latest post was a photo of her study.
15:12He locked his phone, his nails digging into his palms.
15:15The next day, Ethan asked Serena to meet him at a coffee shop.
15:18He wore a dark coat, his hair neatly combed.
15:21He stirred his coffee calmly.
15:23Serena, I'm not trying to speak badly about Cole, but have you really looked into all the businesses his adoptive
15:28father owns?
15:33Someone doesn't build a business that big on luck alone.
15:36I doubt his hands are clean.
15:39What are you saying, Ethan?
15:42I'm just reminding you not to forget the risks because of one dossier your father showed you.
15:46Ethan, what exactly do you have against Cole?
15:48Ever since you met him, you've put him down every chance you got.
15:50His face cooled.
15:52I haven't.
15:54You have.
15:56I did look down on him at first, but we're not idiots.
16:00I know what you've been doing.
16:01Ethan's fingers tightened around his cup.
16:03His eyes darkened.
16:04So now you believe him instead of me?
16:07I only believe facts.
16:09Don't contact me again.
16:10I need to handle things with Cole carefully, not sit here listening to you make up dirt about him.
16:19After Serena left, Ethan sat alone in the coffee shop for 40 minutes.
16:23He called Vivian three times.
16:25She didn't answer once.
16:27Finally, he called Eleanor.
16:29Ethan, I know about you taking Cole's suit.
16:32Come home.
16:33We need to talk.
16:34When Ethan returned to Mercer Manor, Eleanor was already seated in the living room.
16:38The ice blue suit lay beside her.
16:41I had that suit made for Cole.
16:42Why were you wearing it that night?
16:44Ethan didn't explain right away.
16:45He took off his coat and draped it over his arm.
16:48I wore it.
16:49Eleanor looked at him.
16:50Why?
16:52He was silent for a moment.
16:54I thought you had it made for me.
16:55Don't lie to me.
16:57Cole's name was inside the collar and it was his size.
16:59How could you possibly mistake it?
17:01We were running late.
17:02By the time I realized I had the wrong suit on, it was too late.
17:05Vivian had just come home from work.
17:07She stood in the doorway without going in.
17:09Eleanor glanced at her.
17:11You too.
17:11Come in.
17:12There's no way you knew nothing about what your brother did.
17:15Vivian's face changed.
17:16Mom, Ethan didn't do it on purpose.
17:19Don't you dare tell me he didn't mean to one more time.
17:23I came down the stairs, took one look at the scene in the living room,
17:27and headed straight for the dining room.
17:29As I passed, Eleanor called out.
17:31Cole, come sit with us.
17:32I stopped and leaned against the doorframe.
17:34You handle your business, I can handle mine.
17:36Her eyes filled with things she didn't know how to say.
17:39Then Ethan spoke, his voice low.
17:40Ever since Cole came back, I've been scared.
17:42The room went quiet.
17:43He stood there with his shoulders pulled tight,
17:45like he'd been wound too tight for too long.
17:48And had finally hit his limit.
17:49He looked at Eleanor, then toward Richard's study.
17:51I lived in this house for 18 years before I found out I wasn't a Mercer by blood.
17:56But I thought if I was good enough, if I did everything right,
17:59if I was Mercer enough, then I wouldn't be thrown away.
18:02Vivian's expression changed.
18:03But the second he came back, everything changed.
18:07You should see the way you all look at him.
18:09The way people outside this family look at him.
18:11Even Serena has started to see him differently.
18:13I never wanted to hurt him.
18:14I just...
18:16I was scared of losing everything.
18:18It was a pretty speech.
18:19If Eleanor softened now, Ethan would be the one who needed comforting.
18:23You said you were scared of being thrown away.
18:26Scared of losing everything.
18:28When you handed me those old shoes, were you scared?
18:31When you put me in a room facing the kitchen exhaust vents, were you scared?
18:35When you bought me clothes two sizes too big and let me show up in front of your relatives
18:39looking like I was wearing a sack, were you scared?
18:42When you wore my suit and let everyone humiliate me, were you scared?
18:46You only remembered to be scared after people finally saw you for who you are.
18:50Pretty calculating, aren't you?
18:54Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed, but he said nothing.
18:56Eleanor slowly lowered the hand she'd started to reach for him.
18:59Ethan, I need to rethink everything.
19:02I closed my bedroom door.
19:05Son, I made stew today.
19:07They're just waiting for you to come home.
19:09The Mercer house stayed quiet for three days.
19:11Ethan said he wasn't feeling well, and didn't come downstairs for meals.
19:16Eleanor had the staff send porridge up to him, but she never went herself.
19:20Vivian stopped picking fights with me.
19:22I heard Richard had called her into his study for an hour.
19:25When she came out, she looked awful.
19:28I ate my meals, read my books, and video called Hank, like usual.
19:32On the fourth day, Richard knocked on my door for the first time.
19:36I opened it.
19:37My biological father, the man who had barely said a word to me
19:41in more than ten days, stood in the hallway.
19:45Cole, I'd like to talk.
19:48I stepped aside and let him in.
19:51Richard took one look around the room and went silent for a long moment.
19:55Who assigned you this room?
19:57How would I know?
19:58This is how it was from the day I walked through the door.
20:00Richard closed his eyes.
20:02He'd spent more than 20 years building his business
20:04and overseeing thousands of employees.
20:06And only now was he realizing how much his own son had been put through
20:11while he'd known nothing.
20:13His mouth opened.
20:14Maybe he meant to apologize, but in the end, he only said,
20:17Come to the mall with me this afternoon.
20:20Clothes, toiletries, whatever you need, we'll get it.
20:23We're changing rooms, too.
20:26I'll have the south-facing room cleared out.
20:28Fine.
20:29But I have one condition.
20:30Don't let Ethan help pick anything out for me.
20:33Fine.
20:34When Ethan heard Cole was moving rooms,
20:36he was in his room playing video games.
20:38With a sharp bang, he threw the controller onto the desk.
20:41Then he stood and looked at himself in the mirror.
20:44Eighteen years.
20:44He had lived at the Mercer house for eighteen years.
20:47The brightest room in the house had always been his.
20:49That night, Vivian knocked on my door.
20:52Cole, Dad told me to apologize to you.
20:59Keep your forced apology.
21:01If you don't mean it, I don't want it.
21:02Vivian swallowed her anger,
21:04her fists tightening and loosening at her sides.
21:06I'm not here to fight.
21:08But you have to understand,
21:10Ethan's been part of this family for eight years.
21:12We can't just...
21:13Can't just what?
21:15Treat me the same way you treat him?
21:18I never expected you to.
21:20Just be honest with yourself about that.
21:23The next day, I moved into my new room.
21:25It faced south, with big windows overlooking the garden.
21:28Cole, if there's anything else you need, tell me.
21:31I'll get it for you.
21:32This is enough.
21:33Thanks.
21:34Eleanor had hung six new outfits in the closet.
21:36Every one was my size.
21:37After Eleanor left, I sat on the window seat and sent Hank a photo.
21:41A white flowering tree stood outside.
21:43Well, look at that tree.
21:44It gives the one in our yard a run for its money.
21:46Not even close.
21:47The one at home, you planted it yourself.
21:49Then I stared out the window for a while.
21:51It was time to leave.
21:53The day my college counselor and I finalized my application list,
21:57I didn't choose to stay in Harbor City.
21:59With your grades and everything the Mercer family can offer,
22:03you'd have no trouble staying at one of Harbor City's top colleges.
22:08Why head north?
22:11I want to go back to Greyfield.
22:14When the news reached the Mercers, Eleanor panicked.
22:17Richard was quiet for a long time.
22:20Let him go.
22:22Ethan lowered his head to cut a piece of bread.
22:24The corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.
22:28Eleanor followed me to my room.
22:29Cole, I know we've hurt you these past few months.
22:34She took my hand.
22:36But if you leave, I'm afraid that one day...
22:40I sat across from her and didn't interrupt.
22:43When she finally finished, I said,
22:45I've only lived here for three months.
22:47Whether this has ever truly been my home, you know.
22:49And I know.
22:50Tears slipped down Eleanor's face.
22:52I didn't pull my hand away.
22:54But I didn't comfort her either.
22:58Before I left, Serena came to see me once.
23:01For once, she wasn't dressed up.
23:03Cole, I owe you an apology.
23:08For the things I said before.
23:11You said them easily enough at the time.
23:14Serena, you don't owe me an apology.
23:17You just found out I'm not the person you thought I was,
23:20and now you want to make up for it.
23:22I don't need that.
23:23You never saw me for me.
23:25All you ever saw was who stood behind me.
23:28Serena didn't move.
23:29I walked past her and got into my car.
23:32Live your life.
23:32I'll live mine.
23:33Don't feel like you owe me anything.
23:35And don't think there was something to regret.
23:36We're on different paths.
23:37There's nothing to regret.
23:45The window rolled up.
23:47I didn't look back to see the red marks the keys had left in Serena's palm.
23:51The day I left, I took the same suitcase I'd arrived with.
23:55Eleanor slipped an envelope inside.
23:57It held a card and a handwritten letter.
23:59Richard stood downstairs and only said one thing.
24:03If you need anything, call home.
24:06As I carried my suitcase across the front porch,
24:08I caught a glimpse of the second floor.
24:10Ethan stood behind the curtains, watching me.
24:13Our eyes met through the glass for one second.
24:15He didn't hide.
24:16He just looked at me, his expression heavy.
24:19In the end, he was the first to turn away from the window.
24:22At the station, I cleared security and sat in the waiting area when my phone rang.
24:27Ava had texted.
24:28You left?
24:28Let me know when you get there.
24:30My dad's camped out at your farm with a trunk full of groceries.
24:33Okay.
24:33Then I opened Hank's chat.
24:35His name was always pinned at the top.
24:39Dad, I'm on the train.
24:41Save me some stew.
24:45As the train pulled out of Harbor City,
24:47the towers outside my window slowly gave way to open land.
24:51The sky stretched wider and wider.
24:53My phone lit up.
24:55Eleanor had sent me a message.
24:57Cole, there are things in that letter your mom was too ashamed to say to your face.
25:01Just read it when you can.
25:03You don't have to reply.
25:05I set my phone on the tray table and watched the fields roll past.
25:09A few hours later, the train pulled into the station.
25:11I dragged my suitcase through the exit and spotted Hank right away.
25:16He stood at the front of the pickup area in that old jacket of his, holding a cardboard sign.
25:21In thick, crooked marker, it read,
25:24Welcome home, kid.
25:25Gideon Bennett stood beside him, holding a box of groceries and grinning at me.
25:30I picked up my pace.
25:32Hank grabbed my suitcase with one hand and slung the other around my shoulders.
25:36Come on, let's go home.
25:37I've had stew going all afternoon.
25:40Been waiting on you.
25:41He tugged me along, and I couldn't help smiling.
25:44I didn't look back.
25:47Three months after coming back to Greyfield, I was finally sleeping in my own old bed again,
25:52hard enough to leave my back aching.
25:54At the loading area, a black quarter horse broke through the temporary corral
25:58and tore down the frozen road behind the grain bins.
26:01Thunder!
26:02I vaulted the fence and chased him through the snow.
26:05He had a temper and ran like a black streak, but he stopped beside the old windmill.
26:10I walked up slowly and stroked his damp mane.
26:13That old rascal's busted through two fences in three months!
26:17Beef pot pie's in the kitchen.
26:19Ava brought it over this morning.
26:20I smiled.
26:22Where is she?
26:23In town, on a video call with the Port Authority.
26:25One more thing.
26:27I looked up.
26:29People from Harbor City are here.
26:30My hand tightened around the mug.
26:32The warehouse manager's voice crackled over the radio.
26:35Boss!
26:36Someone got past the west gate and went straight into the rail dispatch yard.
26:42Hank's face darkened.
26:44Who let them in?
26:46They said they were here to talk business.
26:48They even brought lawyers and security.
26:50Save me some pot pie, Dad.
26:52Like hell I will.
26:55Let's see which fool thinks he can come onto my land and start trouble.
27:00The rail dispatch yard sat north of Grayfield.
27:03There were only two freight lines heading north.
27:05Rows of grain silos, cold storage warehouses, and trains loading in the distance.
27:09When I pushed open the dispatch office's steel door, five people stood inside.
27:14Richard was at the front.
27:15He still wore that perfectly tailored dark coat.
27:18Eleanor stood beside him, looking even paler than before.
27:21Vivian had her arms folded, her heeled ankle boots spotless.
27:24Ethan stood at the back in a light gray cashmere coat, staring out at the freight tracks being switched outside.
27:29Cole.
27:32You damaged the warning barrier on the west side.
27:35I need an appointment to see my own son.
27:37This isn't Mercer Hanel.
27:39Anyone entering the dispatch yard needs prior clearance.
27:42We're here to discuss the East Harbor Freight Hub project.
27:45I glanced at the cover.
27:46It was Harbor City's redevelopment plan for the old East Harbor Industrial District.
27:51Thirty years ago, the area had been a major link between the port and rail network.
27:55Then shipping routes changed.
27:57Large sections of the district were abandoned.
27:59A month ago, Ava and I, through Grayfield Freight Hub,
28:02secured the mandate to conduct the freight and logistics feasibility study for the old industrial district.
28:06Whoever controlled that study would determine the project's future.
28:10Mercer Group is prepared to provide funding, municipal resources, and a development team.
28:16So, we want in on Grayfield Freight Hub.
28:19I smiled.
28:20You already have the port, hotels, and real estate.
28:23What, that's still not enough?
28:26East Harbor is a massive project.
28:28You don't have enough urban development experience or financing capacity.
28:31Same old argument.
28:33I walked over and opened the file.
28:35Mercer Group was offering a generous-looking investment
28:37in exchange for a 25% stake in Grayfield Freight Hub.
28:40They were also offering me a specially created vice president position.
28:45This isn't some ordinary position.
28:46You'd be directly involved in planning ETH Harbor's development over the next 10 years.
28:51I skimmed two pages and closed the file.
28:53Sounds like a lot of work.
28:55Cole.
28:58Not everyone gets the chance to step back into a company this big.
29:02Who said I wanted to go back?
29:03The dispatch room fell silent.
29:06Eleanor finally spoke.
29:07Cole, we're worried about you.
29:09We're not trying to control you.
29:11I nodded.
29:12You came here with a contract that takes a quarter of my company
29:15then told me I can't hold on to what's mine.
29:18That's what you call being worried about me?
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