Chapter 26
Only something that could threaten Murray Group’s reputation could snag Layla’s attention and make her take it seriously. As such, she accepted Stephen’s Imitation to dinner, though she emphasized, “Austin will not go abroad.”
“Agreed,” Stephen said.
“And you will not threaten any one of my friends, even future ones,” Layla added.
Stephen countered, “That will be discussed on a case–by–case basis.”
She asked, “Why do you want to wait until I’m 25 to file for a divorce?”
He saw the curiosity in her pretty eyes and explained, “I could hand over the CEO position to you right now if you could handle the responsibility of running Murray Group.” He picked up his phone and said, “Now, get out. 1 have to work”
Layla said emphatically, “Remember what you promised me.”
“Only if you remember what you promised me,” Stephen said. “Dress up tonight. Think of the dinner as a…date.”
She rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to tell me what to do.”
After she left his office, she headed into an elevator and leaned against the cool surface of the panel. She was exhausted from the fight.
At that moment, the elevator stopped at one of the office floors, When the doors opened, the employees waiting outside took one look at Layla and decided to wait for the next elevator. They dared not be in a confined space with her.
Layla hit the button to close the elevator doors and made her way to the first floo
Meanwhile, inside the CEO’s office, Stephen made calls to Regina and Martin.
floor.
Over at Galloway Pharmaceuticals, Austin and Martin were still arguing when the latter got a call from Stephen. He took a sip of water to calm himself before putting the call through. “Hello, Mr. Yates.”
One could not blame Martin for being so frightened of Stephen. The last time Austin and Layla went overboard during one of their hangouts, Stephen had demanded that Martin sign off on what was essentially a hostile takeover of Galloway Pharmaceuticals
Following that, the Gallaghers understood how formidable Stephen was and refused to let their son hang out with Layla.
Presently, Stephen asked, “I heard from Layla that you’re planning to send Austin abroad, is that true?”
“Mr. Yates, it’s the only way we can ensure he does not further corrupt Ms. Murray,” Martin explained nervously.
“Surely the punishment is too harsh for him,” Stephen pointed out. In all failmess, Layla had been the one who caused trouble yesterday. He added, “I was only trying to get to the bottom of the incident. Have Austin drop by Murray Group to see me.”
Martin was at a loss. “Mr. Yates, I don’t-”
“I’ll be waiting for him in my office,” was all Stephen said.
Martin glanced at his son. “Go on, then. Mr. Yates wants to see you at Murray
y Group,”
Austin’s eyes widened. “What does Layla’s husband want to see me for? She sent out a message in the group text telling us not to work with Regina, but our family business does not need celebrity endorsements.
“Stephen should look for Sean if you ask me. Their family just called off an endorsement deal with Regina this moming.
He should be the last person Stephen was Joolding for if Stephen was concerned with avenging Regina.
“Just go, I think Mr. Yates wants to speak with you,” Martin said.
Austin swallowed. He reluctantly left Galloway Pharmaceuticals and made his way
by over to Murray
Group
A moment later, the receptionist told him to head up to the CEO’s office to see Stephen, “Mr. Yates is already waiting for you in his office, Mr. Gallagher. You may
20 up now.”
into the elevator, and the chuming sensation continued until he saw Stephen in the
“Thank you,” Austin said. He could feel his stomach knotting as he went in latter’s office.
“It wasn’t my idea to send you abroad,” Stephen said. “I need you to explain that to Layla when you have the time.” Upon hearing Uss, Austin could tell immediately that the notorious Layla had given Stephen an ultimatum.
