Chapter 25
Stephen nodded. “You may go.”
Tyler had only just left Stephen’s office when he saw Layla storming down the corridor in his direction. His eyes nearly bugged out of his head. He quickly turned back to the CEO’s office and entered without knocking.
“Mr. Yates, Ms. Murray is
Before Tyler could finish waming Stephen, Layla stormed past him and snapped, “Get out and close the door.”
Stephen glanced at Tyler and nodded, silently telling the latter to do as Layla asked. Without another word, Tyler left and closed the door behind him.
Layla snapped, “You told Austin’s dad to send him abroad?”
Stephen frowned.
So because your friends are all successful, cultured, and have refined intellects, you think the unserious and fun–loving company I choose to keep is a pain in the ass?” she accused scathingly.
Herrage was unbridled as she snapped, “Why don’t you just send me abroad then? I scored above average on my foreign language test, so I’d fare pretty well. I can go with Austin and get out of your hair
Stephen finally spoke. “Layla, have you ever considered doing self–reflection?”
“Oh, I’ve reflected plenty! And I concluded that I never should have met you in the first place. Without you, I might have made more meaningful friendships, and people wouldn’t think of Murray Group as a shell corporation that should change its name to ‘Yates Group‘,
“Without you, Grandpa would still love me, and I would be able to matry someone I truly love! Without you, I wouldn’t end up in this miserable state!”
Layla’s voice rose to a sharp pitch toward the end. She felt better after she was done shrieking. Her breathing was labored as she stared at Stephen and said slowly, ” Stephen, we come from two different worlds. I have Grandpa, and you’re just an orphan.”
“That’s enough!” Stephen barked. Layla jumped at the sheer command in his voice. “You’ll turn 25 in two years. If we still can’t get along after that, we’ll get a
divorce.
“I’ll back out of the family without demanding a single penny from you. Murray Group will still be yours.”
Stephen knew she tended to be sharp–tongued, but she went too far and the cut went too deep.
Layla blinked as she took in the anger on his face. She rarely saw this side of him, and she was admittedly startled. He kept emphasizing her 25th birthday, and she wondered why he wanted to wait until then to decide if they should get a divorce.
Before she could ask, Stephen’s phone rang on the table.
She glanced at it and frowned when she saw “Regina Islington” flashing on the screen. She immediately swiped the phone from the desk. If she could prove that he was cheating on her, she would make him divorce her and back out of the family penniless immediately.
Stephen pinched the space between his brows tiredly as he watched Layla answer the call.
As soon as the call was put through, Regina’s voice sounded on the other line.
Her voice was melodious and lacked the hoarseness that was customary of the female general she portrayed on screen. “Stephen, what are you getting up to? You wanted me to abandon my work and fly into Lasville, but all you’ve done is put me up in a hotel
Layla snorted. “Goodness, is it a trend to have one’s mistress stay in the same city as one’s wife?”
Regina’s brows furrowed at the sound of Layla’s voice. “Layla?” She then scoffed as she drawled, “I’m so glad you picked up. A skincare endorsement deal that I’d been sure I was going to get fell through last night. I wondered if you could explain that to me.”
“come over here, and I’ll explain it to you in person,” Layla said. “The endorsement deal is just the beginning. After this, you won’t be attending any more fashion weeks, red carpet events, or movie premiers.”
Having said this, she pinned Stephen with a hard stare. “Your connections might be as shitty as you, but they have backers as well.”
Last night, Layla had put out a message in her group text with her friends to boycott Regina. She didn’t think the anti–Regina campaign would take effect so quickly.
“Great. Let’s meet when we have the time. I’ve been curious about Stephen’s newlywed wife,” Regina said.
The phone call ended on a venomous note,
Stephen said, “I can keep Austin from being sent abroad, but only if you have dinner with me tonight.” His voice was cold and hard as he added, “You’ve seen the news on the internet. The footage of you and Austin is still up, and it’s affecting Murray Group’s intemal operations.
“Some of the shareholders have expressed their concerns and are thinking negatively of us. You’ll have to come to dinner with me tonight, and we’ll pretend to be madly in love, as newlyweds should be. If not, Murray Group’s reputation will be at stake because of you.”
