Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 148

Chapter 148: Stop eyeing on your aunt Chapter 148: Stop eyeing on your aunt Layla paused at the door of her office.

She turned to Aiden, her sharp gaze meeting his as she gave her next instruction.

“Call Roderick and let him know I’d like to collaborate on a project with him,” she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.

As she pushed the door open to step inside, Aiden hesitated before speaking.

“Pardon me, but wouldn’t that give Roderick an opportunity to…” He trailed off, uncertain if he should finish the sentence.

Layla turned her head slightly, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

“I have something in mind,” she replied cryptically.

Understanding that she wasn’t ready to share her full intentions, Aiden gave a short nod.

“Understood, Madam Layla.

I’ll handle it immediately,” he assured her.

“Thank you,” Layla said, her voice softer now, before stepping into the office.

She closed the door behind her.

Dropping into the swivel chair behind her desk, she leaned back and closed her eyes for a moment, letting the stillness wash over her.

The meeting had stretched on far longer than she’d anticipated, but she didn’t mind.

She felt a quiet sense of satisfaction knowing her ideas had been heard and respected.

Slowly but surely, she was earning the recognition she could never before, her presence no longer dismissed or underestimated.

Yet, amidst the satisfaction, a nagging thought lingered.

Her father-her powerful, influential father-had yet to publicly acknowledge her as his legitimate daughter.

The Real Heiress.

She was the one meant to lead, the rightful heir to everything her father had built.

Layla opened the drawer of her desk and retrieved her phone, unlocking it to reveal her chat with Lucius.

Her lips curved into a smile as she saw his messages-a series of adorable stickers of flying kisses.

The small, thoughtful gesture made her heart flutter.

Unable to resist, she took a quick selfie and sent it to him.

Resting her phone back on the desk, she barely had a moment before it buzzed again.

Picking it up, she saw an incoming video call from Lucius.

She sat up straighter, smoothing her hair before answering.

“Why are you video calling me?

You see me every day,” she teased, though the warmth in her tone betrayed her delight.

“Who sent me the photo first?” Lucius countered with a smirk.

“I started missing you, so I thought, why not call you instead?” His deep voice carried a mix of playfulness and sincerity.

“I’ll be free in a little while, so I’ll come to see you,” he added firmly.

Layla gazed at him through the screen, her expression softening.

“You could have rested at home today.

You came back so late last night,” she said, her concern evident.

“I had a good sleep,” Lucius reassured her, his tone gentle.

“Don’t worry about me.” Layla didn’t respond immediately, simply studying his face on the screen.

She could tell there was something weighing on him-something he hadn’t shared with her yet.

She wondered if it had to do with the mysterious envelope she’d received from an anonymous sender.

The memory of his tense expression when he saw its contents still lingered in her mind.

Before she could say anything more, the sound of approaching footsteps outside her office door caught her attention.

“Someone’s coming.

I’ll see you later,” she said softly, her voice tinged with reluctance.

“Love you,” she added, blowing him a flying kiss.

Lucius caught the imaginary kiss with his hand and dramatically placed it over his heart, his playful gesture making Layla blush.

She ended the call quickly, her cheeks flushed, while Lucius leaned back in his chair, his smile lingering as a warmth spread through his chest.

~~~~~ “Layla called me?” Roderick repeated, his tone laced with disbelief as he stared at his secretary, Brian.

For a moment, he was confused.

It had been days since they last communicated directly when she humiliated him.

Yet now, out of the blue, she wanted to meet?

Brian nodded.

“Yes, Sir.

Her secretary reached out earlier today to arrange a meeting.” Roderick leaned back in his chair, a cryptic smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

‘What could she possibly want?

I thought she wanted nothing to do with me after everything.’ His thoughts spiraled as old memories resurfaced, but he quickly shoved them aside.

He wasn’t one to dwell on the past.

“Sir, what’s your response?” Brian asked, breaking his train of thought.

Roderick’s gaze hardened, masking the storm within him.

“Tell her secretary to meet me at KSK Italian Restaurant.

I have no interest in stepping into her domain,” he stated firmly.

“Understood, Sir,” Brian replied, bowing lightly before exiting the office to relay the message.

Once alone, Roderick stood from his chair, walking toward the window.

He stared out at the bustling city below, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

‘Why do you want to see me, Layla?’ he wondered.

Taking a step back, he went to the desk, picked his phone, wore his blazer and left to see Layla.

Not long after, Roderick reached KSK Italian.

As he walked in, he was told Layla was waiting for him in a VIP lounge.

“I thought I would have to wait for you,” Roderick said.

“And I didn’t expect seeing you again like this,” he asserted as he took the seat.

He glanced at the waiter, and asked Layla if she already ordered.

“Yes, a plain glass of water,” Layla said.

“It is almost lunch time,” Roderick opined.

“My husband is waiting for me for the lunch,” Layla remarked.

“Ahh.

Then, I have to stay empty stomach too,” Roderick affirmed.

The waiter placed a glass of water on the table and left the lounge.

“I want to do a project with you,” Layla came straight to the point.

“A project?” Roderick arched his eyebrow.

“Yes.

It’s a construction project,” Layla pronounced.

“You hold the construction company in De Salvo Group, so I thought to contact you,” she explained.

“Why didn’t uncle approach me for this?” Roderick inquired.

“Lucius doesn’t know.

It was my sole decision to work with you.

It seems you are not interested.

Then, I should say this meeting went null.

I’ll search for another business partner for this project,” Layla pronounced and carried her handbag.

“Let’s do it together.

I’m all in,” Roderick affirmed with a smile.

“That’s great.

Then, my secretary will send the next meeting schedule to you,” Layla replied.

As she stood up, Roderick said, “I wish we were together.” “And I’m happy that we aren’t together.

Stop eyeing on your aunt, Roderick,” Layla remarked and walked ahead.