"Sidney Price."
Charles Hawk leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly against the tablee as he watched the man take a seat opposite him. His lips curled into a smirk at the distaste on the man’s face. He knew Sidney hated being late or walking upto someone. It was why he’d timed himself so that when the man did arrive on time, he would find Charles already seated.
"What a surprise to receive an invitation from you," Charles remarked, his voice carrying a casual, almost dismissive tone as he crossed his legs and stared at the younger man.
Sidney raised an eyebrow, "Is it really a surprise, Charles Hawk? Or is this something you’ve been waiting for all along?"
Charles feigned indifference, waving a hand dismissively. "Why on earth would I be waiting for your invitation?"
Sidney’s smile widened, but there was something cold and calculated behind it as he stared at Charles. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his gaze unwavering. "Really? Then you have no use for my help, I assume?"
Charles scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. "Help? I think you misunderstand me, Sidney. I don’t need help from you or anyone else."
Sidney studied him for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. He leaned back in his chair, giving the impression of someone losing interest. "I see. Then it seems I’ve made a mistake by inviting you here. I thought you had need for me when you accepted the invitation so promptly. My time is valuable, after all, and I don’t care to waste it where it’s not appreciated, so I guess if you truly have no need for me, I’ll be on my way."
Sidney rose from his seat slowly, smoothing down the front of his jacket as though preparing to leave.
"Now, wait just a minute," Charles blurted out, his voice sharper, betraying a hint of the urgency bubbling beneath his calm façade. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Sidney paused, one eyebrow arching as he glanced back at Charles. " Well, you and I are not related in any way, Mr Hawk. So, why would I sit here when there is nothing between us?
Charles cleared his throat, softening his tone as an easy smile slipped into place. "Look, let’s not be hasty. Of course, I don’t need your help. But that’s not what this is about."
"Oh?" Sidney responded, amusement playing in his eyes as he saw the man’s performance. Charles Hawk truly was a performer who actually believed that he was charming and people did not see him for the snake he was.
Charles chuckled softly, shaking his head as if Sidney had missed the point entirely. "What I hope for, Sidney, is a pleasant cooperation between us. Mutual benefit. Partners." His voice was smooth, coaxing, each word carefully chosen. "That’s what this meeting is really about."
Sidney’s gaze never left Charles, though now his expression shifted, showing a glint of curiosity. He sat back down, slowly, deliberately, as though weighing his options. He rested his hands on the table, fingers interlocking, leaning in just enough to let Charles know he had his attention.
"Partners, you say?" Sidney echoed, his voice low, thoughtful, though there was an edge of skepticism. "I see. Well, then, Charles, why don’t you tell me exactly what it is you’re proposing?"
Charles straightened in his chair, feeling as though the conversation was back under his control. His smile widened as he leaned in, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I have some information that might interest you. Very valuable information. And I’m willing to share it—for a price."
Sidney raised an eyebrow. "A price, you say? And what exactly do you want from me in return?"
"I want you to buy the shares of Hawk Investments... under my name, of course."
Sidney let out a low chuckle, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "That’s quite the price you’re asking for, Charles Hawk. What kind of information could you possibly provide that would convince me to pay such a steep price?"
Charles’s smile never faltered. "I promise you, Sidney, once you have this information, you’ll see its worth."
Sidney laughed then, loudly and without restraint, his laughter echoing around the room. "A promise from you? Charles, have you lost your mind? Or did you take the wrong medication this morning? Perhaps you’re hallucinating that I’m someone like Aiden—someone gullible enough to believe whatever lies spill out of your mouth?"
Charles stiffened, his smile slipping as anger flashed in his eyes. He opened his mouth to retort, but Sidney cut him off, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Ah, but it seems even Aiden has stopped believing you, hasn’t he? I hear he’s thrown you out of his house." Sidney leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Tell me, Charles, how does it feel to lose to your to your own son repeatedly? And then when he’d had enough, being thrown out of the house, left to the mercy of others?"
Charles’s jaw clenched, but he remained silent, his eyes burning with barely contained rage as Sidney smiled victoriously and continued," Just by pretending that you have important information, you think you would be able to get me to take revenge on your behalf. If you have something tangible, put it on the table. If you don’t then... I can still help you, Charles. All you have to do is... beg me."
Sidney watched the man carefully, knowing that this would be the perfect time for this man to crumble. Even though he wanted information about Serena, he could not let this opportunity pass by. He needed to watch Charles Hawk grovel. It would be so satisfying.
As he’d expected, the man was about to break when the shrill sound of a phone broke the silence. Sidney’s eyes narrowed as Charles Hawk stared at the caller id and answered the phone... In the next minute, the man’s entire demeanor changed and Sidney clenched his hands under the table! Dam* it! He knew he’d lost this opportunity. And as expected, soon after the call ended, Charles immediately threw him the same gloating smile that he hated and muttered," Maybe we can have a partnership in the future. This time it wasn’t meant to be.