Cutting Ties

The day Harris had been waiting for has come. He got an official invitation from George and Anna Hudson for a meeting. Harris had prepared for the worst when he entered the meeting with the Hudsons. He knew that the relationship between the two families had become strained, especially after the press conference where he had revealed his commitment to Mallory and Harriet. However, he was determined to protect his family's empire and make the best of the situation. Harris didn't know his mom would be present as well but didn't make any side comment about it. After all, his engagement to Nicole was arranged by her and Anna Hudson, her close friend, which was later agreed by George. "Harris, I must say I'm deeply disappointed with how things have unfolded," George Hudson said sternly. He was clearly unhappy with the way things had transpired and felt that they had received nothing in return for their help to the Thompson Group. Harris remained resolute. "Mr. Hudson, I understand your disappointment, and I apologize for any inconvenience this situation has caused." "I shouldn't have trusted you in this merger. You were nothing like your father, Harris. Harrison was a man of his word." "You are right, Mr. Hudson, my father was a man of his word. But you have to remember that my engagement to Nicole was an agreement between your spouse and my mother which was agreed later on by you and my father. From the very beginning, you all knew I was against it." George's words were hurtful, and Harris didn't let the man in front of him treat him like garbage. George gritted his teeth in disbelief. The young Thompson has the nerve to humiliate him in front of his own family. "After everything I've done for the Thompson Group, this is what I get in return? You will pay for this. You didn't agree to the engagement but you are ripping the benefits of our merger. For what? To save your father's legacy? You are selfish." Marian and Anna are merely listening to George and Harris's exchange of words. Nicole, on the other hand, didn't hide her disagreement with her Dad. She was anxious after hearing the exchange of conversation. "Dad, please, can't we find a way to salvage this merger? I believe Harris can still make it work." George instantly felt irritated by his daughter. He couldn't let her beg when in fact they are the ones helping the Thompsons' empire to survive. "Nicole, enough! We've done enough for the Thompson Group, and what have we received in return? It's time to protect our own interests." George's anger flared. Nicole's attempts to plead with her father only seemed to make matters worse. It was a tense and uncomfortable moment for everyone in the room. "I'm truly sorry, George, for the way things have turned out. We never meant for it to come to this," Marian said apologetically. She expressed her regret for not being able to keep her promise of marrying Harris to Nicole. "Marian, I can't believe you couldn't keep your word. We were counting on this union for our families," Anna Hudson said. Marian's longtime friend couldn't hide her disappointment at the turn of events. "Enough!" George interrupted. "Clearly, the merger and the engagement have ended. Don't think I will take this lightly, Marian. You know me," he added. Marian nodded, understanding the weight of the matter. "George, please let this pass for old times' sake. After all, our families have a long history of friendship." "I thought so, Marian. But that ends today," George said, eyeing Harris. Harris's behavior during the meeting changed everything. He was supposed to let it pass, but he changed his mind after hearing an insult from Harris. He is the well-known George Hudson with a multi-billion dollar empire. He wouldn't bow to anyone. "Mr. Hudson, you think highly of yourself. You forget that your family also benefited from my engagement to your daughter." George narrowed his eyes. "What the hell are you talking about? You're delusional," he said, gritting his teeth. "If you think you can save yourself by lying, you're highly mistaken. The downfall of the Thompson Group is near," he said, sternly. Harris scoffed. "First, I wondered why a woman like Nicole would agree to be engaged with me? She is successful in her own company, and looks like she could get any man she wants." "That's because she loves you, Harris," George interrupted. "But you're a fool. My daughter suffered during your 5 years of engagement. She gave everything she had without a return from you. I was against your engagement for the first 2 years but eventually gave in for my daughter's sake." "I know all of that, but that's not it. There is something deeper than that. You know Nicole has a history of men leaving her because she couldn't bear a child. When Nicole found out she was infertile, you suddenly were in favor of our engagement. You pretend that the merger is all about helping us and for the union of our family." "Harris," Marian held Harris's hand arm in an attempt to stop him. "Harris, no," Nicole pleaded. "You shut down all the rumors about Nicole's infertility to save your name and legacy," Harris continued. "You are a gross old man, Mr. Hudson. You are embarrassed to have an infertile daughter." George was fuming in anger as he looked at Harris. "How dare you say that in front of me. You don't understand our pain." "Your pain? Or Nicole's pain? She has to live up to your expectations all the time and she did. Yet you are still ashamed to know she is infertile and couldn't bear another heir for your legacy." There was a long silence in the room. "Is that all you have to say? You two may leave now," George commanded. "Before we leave, I want you to know that I appreciate all the help for the Thompson Group despite everything that happened," Harris said sincerely. He shifted to Nicole. "Nicole, I know what you and my mother did to me in the hope of getting pregnant. And I am not ready to forgive you." Nicole was in awe of how Harris found out about her little secret with Marian. Even Marian was shocked as well. They thought their secrets had been buried forever. "Harris, I'm sorry," Nicole cried. Harris had a trusted nanny, the one who took care of him since birth. She has retired but got a letter from her a week before their meeting telling him about how Nicole and Marian plan to put some drugs on his drinks. It was the time Nicole was desperate to get pregnant until she learned she was infertile. His nanny's letter had some evidence like a photo, voice record, and even the name of the specific drug used. It was easier for her to gather all the evidence since Marian and Nicole trusted her. "Harris, what do you mean?" Anna asked curiously. "You should ask your daughter," he said as he stood to leave. After leaving the Hudson Group's meeting room, Marian was furious. "Harris, how could you let it come to this? Do you realize what you've done?" She couldn't comprehend how her son had let things escalate to this point. She was worried about the future of their family's empire and how they would recover from this setback. However, Harris remained surprisingly calm. "Mother, please, I have a plan. I couldn't let them manipulate us any longer." "Harris, you've jeopardized everything! How are you going to save our empire?" "Mother, trust me. I have a plan. We won't let our legacy crumble." Harris assured his mother that he had a plan in place and was confident that they could navigate these turbulent waters. He was determined to protect his family's legacy and ensure the well-being of Mallory and Harriet. With the support of his trusted allies, he was ready to face the challenges that lay ahead. Marian heaved a deep breath out of frustration. "I hope you know what you're doing, Harris." "Of course," he said, determined. A silence passed between them, thinking about the awkward revelation inside the meeting room. "I want you to know that I find it hard to forgive you for what you and Nicole did to me." "Harris, about that. I ..." "Save your breath, mother. I have to go," Harris said as he turned to leave his mother in the hallway. Bearing too much weight from all his business and family obligations.