Chapter 6 - The Unraveling Titan
|
The boardroom of Jacobs Enterprises was usually a place where Pedro thrived. High atop a Chicago skyscraper, looking out over the city, he commanded his empire with ruthless precision.
But today, during a crucial merger negotiation, Pedro was hopelessly distracted.
His chief financial officer was detailing quarterly projections, but Pedro wasn't listening. His tablet was open on the polished mahogany table, hidden from view. He was watching the live security feed from Breakers Mansion.
On the screen, Abigail was in the massive industrial kitchen with Ben and Jerry. They were baking. It was an absolute disaster. Flour coated the dark granite countertops, and Jerry had somehow managed to get chocolate batter in his hair.
Yet, they were laughing.
Pedro watched as Abigail playfully dabbed a spot of flour onto Ben's nose. Ben giggled—a genuine, uninhibited sound that Pedro hadn't heard in years. Even through the silent video feed, the warmth of the scene was palpable.
"Mr. Jacobs? Do you agree with the valuation?"
Pedro snapped his head up, realizing the entire room of executives was staring at him, waiting for his command.
"Run the numbers again. I want a ten percent increase in our equity demand," Pedro barked instinctively, shutting the tablet off and sliding it away.
The meeting continued, but Pedro's mind remained back in Newport.
He had spent his life accumulating power, believing that success was measured by control and expansion. But looking at the flour-covered kitchen, he felt an agonizing emptiness. He was a spectator in his own family's life.
Abigail Hill was succeeding where he had miserably failed. She was breathing life back into his sons. And while part of him was overwhelmingly grateful, the darker, more possessive part of him—the part that demanded control—felt a burning, uncomfortable pang of jealousy.
May you like
He didn't just want his sons to be happy. He wanted to be the reason they were happy.
When the meeting finally adjourned, Pedro told his driver to cancel his evening appointments. For the first time in months, the billionaire CEO was going home early.
