Merchant’s Son Humiliated an Apprentice — But Her Father Owned the Trading House
Chapter 12
Three years later, Hawthorne & Sons was one of the most respected trading houses on the coast.
Anna had become known for refusing dishonest contracts.
Elias had become known for treating sailors fairly.
Jonathan retired.
Samuel occasionally visited.
The two old men now sat together over tea and argued about ships as though twenty years of bitterness had never existed.
Then one winter morning, a letter arrived.
Lord Vale had escaped during a transfer.
The news spread quickly.
Anna read the letter twice.
Elias entered.
“You heard?”
“Yes.”
“He’s coming here.”
Anna looked toward the harbor.
“Why?”
“Revenge.”
They prepared.
But Vale did not attack the company.
He went after Anna.
One evening, as she returned home, a carriage blocked the road.
Two men stepped out.
Anna froze.
Then another carriage appeared behind them.
Elias jumped down.
The fight lasted less than a minute.
One attacker fled.
The other was captured.
Anna looked at Elias.
“You followed me.”
“I was worried.”
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
She shook her head.
Then noticed the fear in his face.
Not fear for himself.
For her.
She reached for his hand.
“I’m all right.”
He held it.
“I thought I was going to lose you.”
Anna looked at him.
“You haven’t.”
The words remained between them.
Then Elias said quietly:
“I don’t want to.”
Anna’s eyes softened.
Neither needed to say more.
