Chapter 17
Layla shook her head while trying to clear her thoughts. A voice in her mind whispered, “No, I can’t let myself be brainwashed by everyone. I must remember that Stephen is a bad person, the worst. I’m the one who’s truly clear–headed here.”
Despite her resolve, she found herself drifting back into memories with Stephen.
She used to like him a lot when she was a child.
Whenever she cried, she would search for him in the crowd and reach out her arms, expecting him to hold her
Even though Stephen was just a kid himself, and though he struggled to carry her, she still loved being in his arms.
During elementary and middle school, she often teased Stephen, but it was all in good fun. After teasing him, she would laugh and run over to hug him. But somewhere along the way, things changed between them.
Layla recalled the time Stephen had carried her most disliked classmate, despite her protests. She law that girl was taking fainting.
It was the first time Layla had ever gotten so angry at Stephen.
Later, when she followed them to the infirmary and saw him giving the girl extra attention, Layla was so furious that she declared she would never speak to him – again.
Eventually, she heard that the girl had transferred schools, but no one lanew where she went.
Layla suspected that Robert had noticed her unhappiness and had pressured the family to make the girl disappear from Layla’s life.
But that was just the beginning. Later, before this could be resolved, Stephen broke their initial agreement and secretly pursued a degree in business.
When Layla was younger, rumors were already swirling that Stephen was ambitious and had his sights set on taking over Murray Group. He was barely an adult, but because of his talents, people started whispering behind his back
Layla heard these rumors from her classmates, and even her relatives would warm her to be cautious around Stephen
“Layla, I really mean well. You can’t ignore what people are saying out there. What if Stephen takes over your company one day? You’ll be left with nothing
At first, Layla didn’t react, but after hearing it repeatedly, she started to worry. She approached Stephen privately one day. “Stephen, can you not study business? I’ll study it instead. After all, I’m going to inherit the company. I’ll take care of you too.”
17–year–old Stephen, who was dressed in his crisp summer uniform, smiled at Layla from where he sat on the windowsill. “Then I’ll stay in Lasville and study education to teach stubborn kids like you.”
From then on, whenever someone tried to sow doubt in her mind about Stephen, Layla would confidently brush them off.
she was headstrong and never minced words, so eventually, people started talking behind her back instead.
But later on, Stephen broke his promise. He studied business in college and joined Murray Group after graduating
Moming arrived with a mock on Layla’s door. “Aunt Layla, brealdast is ready.”
Layla nodded off in Dylan’s room last night before heading back to her own bed. This morning, Dylan knocked on her door like a little rooster calling her to brealdast
The storm from last night had turned into a steady rain that continued until dawn. The sky was still overcast, which suggested that the rain would last for several more days
Due to the bad weather, Stephen was stuck out of town and couldn’t return home.
Layla constantly complained that no one was talding care of Dylan and that no one wanted him, yet she ended up being his guardian for the past few days. They were watching Galactic Defenders every day.
Eventually, the rain eased up, but Stephen still hadn’t returned. However, news of him did–via the newspaper.
Layla usually didn’t read newspapers. Stephen was the one who ordered them, so the newspapers had piled up. They were waiting for his return..
Strangely, the normally casual maids were unusually cautious today. They quietly gathered all the newspapers and exchanged furtive glances while dispose of them discreetly..
“Stop right there,” Layla commanded from the couch. Her voice was cold and authoritative. She halted the two guilty–looking maids behind her. The maids froze. “Yes, Ms. Murray,”
Layla held out her hand. “Give me the newspapers.”
