Lucius gently tugged on Layla’s nose before lowering himself to his knees, bringing his face level with hers.
"Sylvia has always been like that. I understand Matteo’s death affected her too, but it hasn’t changed her much. She doesn’t understand humility. I know you’re worried about her after what happened yesterday, but don’t expect to treat her gently," he said firmly.
Layla’s brows furrowed. "I think she’s scared after what she went through. Did you even ask her how she escaped Carlo’s mansion?" she questioned.
"I didn’t need to ask. I learned everything from you," Lucius replied, standing up straight. His tone hardened as he added, "Don’t trouble yourself over Sylvia. She is a trained woman to tackle all such situations. I’ve already decided—she can’t stay here. I’m thinking of sending her away."
Layla hesitated but didn’t argue, sensing that Lucius felt uneasy with Sylvia’s presence. "Alright. Do what you think is right," she whispered, stepping past him.
Before she could walk away, Lucius turned abruptly, catching her wrist and pulling her back toward him.
His intense gaze locked onto hers as he drew her closer, their faces just inches apart. "Say it with the bottom of your heart—that you won’t mind being harsh with Sylvia," he demanded.
"I won’t mind it," Layla replied.
Lucius smiled and pecked her lips in joy. "You are an understanding person. I am grateful for that," he whispered.
~~~~
Later in the morning, Roderick ca to the mansion to see Lucius.
"Uncle, I didn’t expect you to bring into this project," Roderick said as he pulled out a chair, settling himself at the table.
Lucius glanced at him with a serious expression on his face. "Layla put in a word for you. She convinced that, despite our differences, it was ti to set them aside for the sake of this project."
Roderick raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "Layla is the one who suggested I should consider working with you. But I’m curious—why did you hand over the land project to her? That particular land was sothing my father had his eye on years ago. Given the history, shouldn’t I have been considered for it, even if there were tensions between us?"
"I did offer it to you in exchange for Sparks Electronics, but you refused to hand over its leadership to ," Lucius explained in brief.
Roderick t his gaze. "I believed it was sothing that should remain under my control. But I’m open to seeking your guidance for its future progress," he replied.
Lucius gave a brief nod. "I’ll look forward to it," he said, a subtle hint of approval in his voice.
"I see that you and Layla have already finalized the proposal," Lucius said as his gaze remained fixed on his nephew. "Let’s arrange a eting with the construction engineer and architect next week. As for the project leader, I’ve decided to appoint you for it. However, Roderick, I expect your full dedication to this project."
Roderick straightened in his chair with a determined gaze. "I won’t take it lightly, Uncle. Whatever mistakes I’ve made in the past, I have no intention of repeating them."
"Good," Lucius replied, appreciating that his nephew was willing to make so changes.
"Uncle, is there sothing special happening here?" Roderick asked, recalling how Layla had been instructing the servants earlier in the living room.
"Yes," Lucius said. "Zayne is coming over with his girlfriend, so Layla is making so preparations."
"Zayne? The guy who’s a cop, right?" Roderick inquired, tilting his head slightly.
"Yes, and he’s older than you. Be respectful," Lucius said, narrowing his eyes at him.
Roderick smirked faintly. "I’ve never disrespected him. He seems like a sane guy to —much better than Aiden and Roger," he murmured under his breath.
Lucius let out a soft chuckle, a rare mont of amusent. Roderick frowned slightly, wondering if his comnt was genuinely amusing or if Lucius was mocking him.
"What about you and Ivy? Are you going out with her as per Dad’s instructions? He wants to see you getting married soon," Lucius said.
There was a pause in Roderick’s response, "It’s just going," which made Lucius a bit suspicious of his nephew.
"What’s going on? I know you love to play with the hearts of the won, but you should stop it now," Lucius advised him.
"I have learned my big lesson after losing Layla to you," Roderick said, leaning back on the chair and rolling his eyes in frustration.
"Care to share then?" Lucius probed.
Roderick gazed at his uncle for a few seconds, realising how he stopped such conversations with Lucius after his father passed away. But right at this mont, he felt like opening up.
"Well, I don’t like Ivy, and she doesn’t like either," Roderick admitted, leaning back in his chair. "She knows Layla and even knows about how I played with the hearts of two sisters—especially Layla."
Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you agree to Dad’s arrangent?"
Roderick exhaled, his expression softening slightly. "I didn’t want to hurt Grandpa. But I’m planning to tell him soon that I have no interest in Ivy," he stated firmly, choosing not to disclose Ivy’s personal struggles, out of respect for her privacy.
Lucius folded his arms, his tone reflective. "The Stone family is going through a tough ti. I thought Dad might have ntioned it to you, but it seems he didn’t."
"Ivy did," Roderick admitted. "She told her father’s company is struggling. At least she’s honest about it, and I respect that."
"Then that’s the woman you should stand by," Lucius said with quiet conviction. "Our family na always draws a flock of insincere won, but Ivy seems different. Still, I won’t excuse your past behavior—what you did was unjust and shaful. But don’t make the mistake of losing soone like Ivy," he asserted. "The Stone family is actually nice. You should consider pursuing her," Lucius advised with a small smile playing on his lips.
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