The Rise of Mackin Jones

Chapter 15

Drake’s fists clenched at his sides as he stormed down the hallway, his mind racing with anger and frustration. Mackin’s return had thrown everything into chaos.

For years, Drake had been the heir apparent, the one who would take over the family’s empire once Bruno stepped down. But now, Mackin had waltzed back into the picture, and everything was in jeopardy.

He had worked too hard, sacrificed too much, to let Mackin take it all away from him.

Drake reached his private study, slamming the door shut behind him. His heart pounded in his chest, and he struggled to control the fury boiling inside him. Mackin had always been a thorn in his side, but he hadn’t expected him to return with this much power.

Mackin was no longer the weak, broken man they had cast out. He had built an empire, amassed unimaginable wealth, and now, he was threatening to take everything Drake had worked for.

Drake paced the room, his mind racing with plans and schemes. He needed to act quickly. If Mackin solidified his position in the family, it would be too late.

"Father," Drake growled as he reached for his phone, dialing Bruno’s number. "We need to talk."

Bruno’s voice crackled through the phone. "What is it, Drake?"

Drake’s grip tightened on the phone. "Mackin’s return is a problem. A big one. We can’t let him gain any more ground. If we don’t stop him now, he’ll take everything."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Bruno’s voice, when it came, was calm but laced with cold calculation. "I’m aware of the situation, Drake. But we need to be careful. Mackin’s not the same man he was before. He’s more dangerous now."

Drake’s frustration boiled over. "Dangerous? He’s just a man with money. We can take him down if we act fast."

Bruno sighed, his voice growing sharper. "Don’t be a fool, Drake. Mackin didn’t build an empire by being reckless. We need to be smart about this. We can’t let him see us coming."

Drake gritted his teeth, his mind working furiously. "Then what do you suggest?"

"We undermine him from the inside," Bruno said quietly. "Mackin may have power and wealth, but he doesn’t have the support of the family yet. We use that to our advantage. We sow doubt, make them question his motives. And when the time comes, we strike."

Drake’s lips curled into a smile, the beginnings of a plan forming in his mind. "I can do that."

Bruno’s voice softened, almost affectionate. "Good. Keep me updated."

Drake hung up the phone, his pulse quickening with the thrill of what was to come. He would stop Mackin—no matter what it took.

Later that evening, Drake convened a secret meeting with several key family members in one of the estate’s hidden chambers. The room was dimly lit, the flickering light from the fireplace casting shadows on the walls. Drake stood at the head of the table, his voice low and dangerous as he spoke.

"We have a problem," Drake began, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the family members assembled around the table. "Mackin’s return is a threat to everything we’ve built. If he gains control of the family, we’ll all be out in the cold."

There were murmurs of agreement, but a few of the older members of the family looked uneasy.

"Mackin’s done well for himself," one of the men said, his voice hesitant. "He’s built a fortune. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing if he takes a more active role in the family."

Drake’s eyes narrowed. "You’re a fool if you think Mackin’s going to share power. He’s not here to play nice.

"He’s here to take everything," Drake finished, his voice hard. His eyes swept across the room, daring anyone to challenge him. The dim light from the fireplace flickered over his sharp features, casting ominous shadows.

There was a murmur of dissent, but the fear in the room was palpable. The older members of the family exchanged glances, clearly torn between loyalty to tradition and the undeniable truth of Drake’s words. Mackin’s return had shaken the very foundations of the family, and Drake was determined to exploit that fear.

Drake leaned forward, placing his hands on the table, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "We all know what Mackin is capable of. He’s not here to ‘play a role’ in the family. He’s here to dismantle everything we’ve worked for. He wants control, and if we don’t act now, he’ll have it."

An older woman, her wrinkled face set in a deep frown, spoke up. "And what would you have us do, Drake? We cannot just cast him out again. He’s too powerful now."

Drake straightened, his eyes glittering with cold calculation. "We don’t need to cast him out. We need to undermine him. We need to make him look weak, like the man we threw out years ago. The rest of the family and our business partners are watching. If they see cracks in his armor, they’ll turn on him."

Another man, his voice shaky, asked, "How do you suggest we do that?"

Drake smiled, the kind of smile that never reached his eyes. "We start by cutting him off. We use his wealth against him. We freeze his assets within the family businesses, make it difficult for him to access the funds he thinks he controls. At the same time, we start planting doubts in the minds of our associates. Mackin’s rise came too fast. We make them question how legitimate it all is."

One of the younger men in the group shifted uncomfortably. "But what if it backfires? Mackin’s no fool. If he finds out we’re behind this…"

Drake slammed his fist on the table, silencing the room. "He won’t find out. We’ll do it quietly. Mackin may be rich, but he’s not invincible. Everyone has weaknesses, and we’re going to find his."

For a moment, the room was silent, the crackling of the fireplace the only sound. Then, one by one, the heads around the table nodded in agreement. Drake had them. He had stoked the flames of their fear and resentment, and now, they were willing to follow his lead.

Satisfied, Drake straightened up, his expression dark and victorious. "Good. We’ll move quickly. Mackin won’t see it coming."

As the meeting dispersed, Drake lingered by the fire, watching as his conspirators filed out of the room. His heart pounded with adrenaline.

He could feel the power shifting back into his hands, the tides turning in his favor. Mackin may have returned stronger than ever, but Drake would not let him take what he had worked so hard to secure.

Mackin’s empire would crumble. It was only a matter of time.