Clam
Chapter 9
Layla awkwardly replayed the scene in her mind. She recalled her accidental slip–up with the name she used, but she refused to admit it. “I didn’t say that.”
“Aunt Layla, you’re teaching kids bad habits,” Dylan said.
Layla responded childishly, “Emakid too!”
Just then, Dylan picked up his Commander Hampton toy, ready to take on Layla, But the “big bad” Layla swiftly snatched the toy away.
The hospital hallway echoed with the sound of Dylan’s cries. He stomped his feet in frustration while pleading, “dive Commander Hampton back He’s mine!”
Noticing that Lyla was unresponsive, Dylan grabbed Stephen’s hand with his ting fingers as he complained, “Daddy, Aunt Layla cook Commander Hampton. She’s a mean adult-
With Dylan’s cries discipting the hospital’s peace, Stephen called out to Layla, Layla, give Commander Hampton back to him. Don’t let him cry any longer.”
Layla turned away dismissively. With hands behind her back, she signaled her resolve. “No way. He wants Commander Hampton to defeat me. I’m not giving him
that chance.”
Stephen glanced at the still–Immature young lady and chucked softly. Meanwhile, Dylan’s crying only grew louder.
Stephen sighed and comforted him, “Let Layla play with Commander Hampton. Boys should be kind to girls. I’ll get you a new one when we get home.”
“put Daddy, Aunt Layla isn’t a girl she’s a grown–up,” Dylan protested.
Stephen conected him gently, “No, Layla will always beagirl.”
Layla shot a sidelong glance at Stephen and rolled her eyes internally. She knew very well that he was saying nice things to make her happy so that Dylan for him.
“If you keep crying, I’ll make sure Commander Hampton loses an armor a leg!” Layla’s stem glare made Dylan fall silent immediately.
e’d take care of
With tears clinging to his long lashes, he sat meeldy on the bench while looking pitiful and subdued. Yet, his eyes remained fixed on Commander Hampton in Layla’s hand
Layla, ever the free spirit, pulled out her phone, something every kid enied. She intentionally started playing Galactic Defenders.
When he heard the familiar theme song, Dylan couldn’t sit still anymore.
Η
Layla tilted her chin up proudly and said the one thing Dylan wanted to hear most, “Come over here if you want to watch with me.”
As soon as the woods left her mouth, Dylan rushed over. He propped himself upon a nearby chair and stood on his tiptoes as he watched Layla’s phone scre
Not long after, Stephen joined them. He took the phone from Layla to hold it for both of them so they could watch more comfortably.
When Dylan tried to sit on Layla’s lap, Stephen quickly scooped him up. “Layla’s skinny legs might break if you sit on them.”
Layla glanced at Stephen’s legs, then back at her own. Displeased, she snatched Dylan back from Stephen’s arms. “Who are you calling weak?”
Stephen was rendered speechless. Why did he even feel sorry for her?
Two hours later, Lucy was wheeled out of surgery. “Mr. Tates, the surgery was a suICIPAL.”
The three people waiting at the door all smiled in relief Layla’s legs were numb. still, she looked at Dylan and smiled too. “Looks like this little brat is going to be
Stephen’s gaze softened as it fell on Layla.
Only the excited Dylan went to Lucy’s bedside, enjoying the moment.
Seeing that Lucy was alright, Layla grabbed her handbag and started to leave.
For some reason, she felt a sudden burst of joy. When she was happy, there was only one thing to do–shopping.
But after just two steps, Layla froze. She suddenly remembered she was broke,
How could anyone believe it? The granddaughter of the richest tycoon was actually broke! What a joke!
Stephen sat on the couch at the foot of the bed with his legs crossed. His fingers drummed lightly on his mee as a small, amused smile played on his lips.
“Daddy, why are you smiling?”
“Because in a moment, Layla is going to come in here and pick a fight with me ”
Almost immediately after, the door to the room burst open with a bang and startled Dylan
Layla strode in and tossed her bag into the lap of the composed man in front of her “How long do you plan on keeping my cants frozen”
After picking up the handbag, Stephen stood up and approached her. He looked down at his petite wife. “It was Grandpa who froze them. If you want them unfrozen, talk to him.
“But since you’ve been so well–behaved lately, I suppose you could spend some money, as long as Lapprove of what you’re buying ”
“Stephen, don’t think just because I’ve been nice to you these past few days, you can take advantage of me.”
Dylan sensed the tension and scurred back to Lucy’s side. “Daddy was right.”
It was Larry’s weak voor that finally stopped the argument trou escalating
Stephen took Layla by the waist, bi
but she angrily pulled away. He glanced at her before saying, “Let’s go, Lovrcedsin ost.”
Yutside the hospital, Layla matched her bag from Stephen’s grasp, t
ade a show of calling one of her male friends. “Austin, come pick me up at the hospital, ”
Chapter 9
The winter sun was bright but carried a biting chill, much like the icy look in Stephen’s eyes. ”
“Who’s Austin?”
Layla glanced sideways at the man beside her, who was dressed in a sleek black sust, then turned her head away. “If you won’t unfreeze my cards, there are plenty of people willing to give me money.”
When she was younger, she loved men in suits. But seeing Stephen always dressed formally and maintaining his aloof demeanor made her dislike men in formal wear, especially him.
Because of Layla, Stephen had no friends among Lasville’s elite.
Stephen opened the car door, then shut it. He slipped his hands into his pockets and said, “I’d like to see who dares to take my wife away night in front of me.”
“Hmph!” Layla rolled her eyes at him “Don’t call me your wife. It’s disgusting.”
Before long, a Ferrari pulled up to the hospital entrance. A young man with bright red hair stepped out of the car. “What are you doing at the hospital all of a sudden, Ms. Murray? Where’s your car M–Mr. Yates?
Austin Gallagher had planned to simply pick up Layla, but seeing the man standing beside her made him stammer.
Stephen stood tall. His commanding presence as the head of Murray Group was evident in his posture. His gaze was sharp and authoritative. “Where are you taking my wife, Mr. Gallagher, scion of Galloway Pharmaceuticals?”
He knew all of Layla’s friends.
Layla walked over to the car and reached for the passenger door handle, but Austin blocked it. “Move, Austin. Let me in. Why are you so afraid of Stephen?”
Austin had previously faced Stephen’s wrath, who had pressured his family’s business. His father used a belt on him and ordered him to stay away from Layla
Caught red–handed this time, he stammered, “Mr. Yates, I–I’m not taking Layla anywhere. I was just out for a walk. Sorry, I’ll leave now.”
With that, he tried to make a quick escape, but Layla grabbed him. “Hey! Can’t you show some backbone? What are you afraid of Stephen for!–
Austin glanced at Stephen, who stood there, cold and aloof. “Throughout history, people with a backbone have all met tragic ends. I want to live. Please understand,
And with that, the car roared away. The sound of its engine echoed in the hospital’s foyer.
