Lucius opened the file which carried the docunts related to the land he won in the bid while Roderick remained seated on the chair, his gaze focused on him, wondering what he had to offer to him.
"Rick, the offer is simple," Lucius began, "you need to give up on Spark Electronics," he added.
"Uncle, I can’t do that," Roderick said. It had the highest market cap in De Salvo Group. Losing it ans he would be in huge problem after getting into the chairman role.
"Rick, you need to learn how to make deals when you are in business. You were throwing quite a fit about it in front of your grandfather. Now, when I’m giving you an offer, you don’t want to accept it," Lucius taunted with a chuckle.
Roderick’s brows drew together at the subtle jab, but before he could respond, Lucius’s expression darkened slightly. "I know you see as the villain in your story, blaming for your father’s death. But compared to the cutthroat world out there, I’m a lesser evil. You know my thods, Rick. I have the power to take Spark Electronics from you by force, but I’m offering you a chance to fulfill your father’s dream instead," Lucius said, his voice hardening with each word.
Roderick flinched at the ntion of his father, the wound that ti hadn’t fully healed stinging anew. "I won’t give up Spark Electronics," he said, his voice low but resolute. "As for the land, I’ll speak to Grandpa and see if he can take it back from you." He pushed himself up from the chair, the determination in his eyes barely masking the fury simring beneath the surface.
Roger, who had been watching from the side, clenched his fists, barely restraining himself from leaping to his boss’s defense.
Lucius’s expression remained unreadable. "Very well. You’re free to go," he said, leaning back in his chair with an air of indifference.
Roderick turned and left without another word, the echo of his footsteps lingering after the door shut behind him.
"Boss, why did you let him walk away so easily? He insulted you!" Roger snapped, unable to hold back any longer.
Lucius chuckled, the sound deep and unfazed as he reclined further into his chair. "Patience, Roger. My brother trusted with this project for a reason. I felt I should give a chance to Roderick to fulfill his father’s dream. I’m betting he’ll make the wrong move soon enough. He has a talent for that," Lucius said, a smile playing on his lips as he glanced at the door where his nephew had just exited.
~~~~
Roderick entered his car and drove straight to see Layla. Since she was now in her own father’s company, eting her would be much easier. It didn’t take him long and he finally applied the brakes on the car in front of the rotating doors of the tall building.
Exiting the car, he showed the ID to the guard outside, who didn’t dare to stop him. Tucking his hand inside the pocket of his trousers, Roderick went inside.
"I would like to see the Director, Mrs. De Salvo. I am Roderick De Salvo," he introduced himself at the reception while showing his business card.
"Please wait for a mont, Sir. I’ll ask about the appointnt right away," the lady at the reception told him.
She hung up the call and said, "The Director has said she doesn’t wish to see you. I am sorry, Sir, I can’t allow you in."
Roderick gritted his teeth and the muscle in his jaw tightened. "I know the chairman. Why don’t you ask him if I am allowed to et the Director or not?" he suggested.
"Sorry, Sir but today the Chairman is absent from the work," the receptionist replied.
"Then, I should wait for Layla," Roderick said, taking a step back. He rested in the lounge area and decided to wait for Layla to co out. ’She won’t ignore in front of so many people,’ he thought.
Until the afternoon, Roderick didn’t see any sign of her. Finally, she erged out of the elevator as the passing employees greeted her. Roderick was quick to approach her and blocked her path.
"Don’t ignore ," Roderick said.
She crossed her arms over her tailored blazer, and her secretary, Aiden, stepped forward, sensing the tension.
"Should I call security, Director?" Aiden asked, his tone cold and prepared for confrontation.
Layla looked at the employees, who had slowly halted to check what was going on.
"Just spare five minutes. I won’t take your more ti," Roderick said.
"What do you want to say?" Layla’s glare intensified.
"I can’t speak about it here," Roderick said.
Layla felt if she would argue it could be taken as a topic of gossip. Already a lot was happening and people were aware of her family relationship with her. She didn’t wish to get in the news with Roderick.
"Follow ," Layla said and turned on her heel, telling Aiden he should stay behind.
Reaching the room just behind the reception, Roderick made sure to close it from behind.
"Will you stop chasing ? How can you even show your face to after what you’ve done to ?" Layla burst out her anger at him.
"And you forgot the love between us in just a day. I told you that I never gave that ring to Orabela. It was ant for you," Roderick said.
"Are you an idiot?" Layla frowned at him. "There was no love between us. I got fooled by your tactics. I never recieved the love from my family, so the attention you gave for two years made think that you loved . Roderick, stay like a nephew of Lucius. Don’t cross the line ever again. I won’t tolerate it," she warned him. She brushed past him to reach the door when heard his voice.
"Do you love my uncle then? The man who killed so many people?"
The questions made her stop and she curled her fingers.
"I suppose he must have told you how he never killed my father or his friend or the people who lost lives because of him. Why do you think he’s not the chairman of De Salvo Group? Why it was my father and now, I will take that charge? Not because of a promise, but the illegal activities he’s involved in. I was foolish to cheat on you but at least I don’t kill people."
Layla turned around to face him. "You are a jerk. If you think that can bring to you, then you are wrong. Yes, I love Lucius and until my last breath, you’ll see with him as his wife," she pronounced.
"In my eyes what you’ve done is beyond forgiveness. I hate you and you disgust . Next ti, we won’t talk. I’ll ask Lucius to give his gun so that I can shoot you." With a last fiery glance at him, Layla left the room.
Roderick snickered and ran his fingers through his hair. "She has beco bold," he muttered. "Layla, I’ve not chased any woman like this. You are going to regret it!" He muttered.
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