CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

The Claytons had a common trait. They never let go of the bone once they've bitten it.

Lara Clayton and her father were probably the only two who would give up an opportunity if it seemed too bothersome. Her mother wouldn't change her mind no matter what happened; her brother likewise.

As for the twins, it was clear enough which was Scarlet's standing with biting.

In such a family, it was useless to expect them to let go of Lara just because they were told to.

Lara had blocked all the numbers and avoided spreading information about her location. Still, they could guess she was in Norwich. It was where the base of the LY Corp was. And it also was where she attended a cocktail party with no shame nor worry.

«She's there,» Mrs Clayton said. «She went far from Sheton, indeed. How could she make that man accept her bastard, though? Does Nathaniel Woods even know about her pregnancy?»

«Don't be like this, dear,» Mr Clayton replied.

He was observing the budget of the company and the reports about the most recent incomes. They were on the right path to reach their goal, but a little help from CEO Woods would have been appreciated. It would have sped up their plans.

Still, it was not as necessary as his wife made it sound.

«Gracelyn, dear, you should focus more on our work than on looking for shorter paths,» he said. «We can do it without that man's help. Look at the profits! We're improving, and we'll soon be among the elite.»

«Don't be stupid. Being the elite isn't enough if we can be the best of the best! Why should we wait when we have such an opportunity?»

«Gracelyn...»

«Yes, Steve? Are you really going to let the chance go? That daughter of ours has finally learnt how to behave, and you don't want to intrude? Oh,» she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

«What are you planning?» he sighed.

«We should reconcile. Tell her we've come to accept that she made a mistake.»

«And then? Ask her to meet our grandchild? After we avoided her for years?»

«Grandchild? Uh... My only grandchildren will be those she has with Nathaniel Woods. If she's smart enough, she will know what to do.»

«Lara isn't like that,» Steven Clayton replied. He knew his daughter well enough. Oh, well, he knew how she was the last time they met.

«I know... That's why we should intervene. If someone doesn't guide her, she won't do the right thing at the right moment.»

«We can't guide her because she doesn't want to listen to us. And it's not like she has no reason to. You do realise it, don't you?»

«We are her parents. She owes us obedience. And she'll see the opportunity as well. Our business is rising, and she's after a man with a great background. Having a family with a good reputation will give her a chance to marry him for real. Like this, she can only hope to be his mistress for a while.»

«I think you're forgetting something, Gracelyn,» Steven blurted out. His forehead was covered in wrinkles, but he couldn't just fight with his wife.

«What am I forgetting?» she inquired.

«Lara won't want to have anything to do with us. And calling her ten times a day won't change that fact. Even David failed when he contacted her.»

«She's playing hard to get, that wench,» she murmured, tapping with her forefinger on her chin. «But what can we do? She's so annoying right now. She thinks that she's higher than us, now that she's clinging on to Nathaniel Woods.»

Steven Clayton gave up. Explaining to his wife how Lara must have felt was pointless. Once Gracelyn had set her mind on something, it was too late to discuss.

«I just need to find out... What happened to the baby?» Gracelyn wondered.

«If I were her, I would have got rid of it,» Steven pointed out.

He had given her money to make sure she went to a specialised hospital and not just any place. Even if she was not part of their family anymore, Lara had been his daughter for years. It broke his heart to let her go, but his wife would listen to no reason.

It was his way of protecting her, and he hadn't told his wife. It was better for everyone.

«Hmm... Has she? It doesn't change the fact that she got pregnant with an unknown man in a club. That kind of thing can't be hidden. Everyone in Sheton knows about it... She doesn't think she can hide it forever...»

«What are you implying, Grace...»

«Oh, she will have to listen to us,» she explained. «First, because we are her parents. And second, because we can protect her from the harsh world.»

«You're going to blackmail her!»

«Not really. I'll just remind her who she really is. Have you seen the pictures? She stands there, all proud and might, holding CEO Woods's arm and smiling at the press. It would be a pity if her happiness were to be destroyed by a scandal.»

«It would endanger us as well.»

«Will it? Not if we play it smart. She's too stupid to use the events in her favour. We can tear her to shreds if she doesn't collaborate. We don't need much, after all. Just a joint project to show the world we are close to the LY Corp. It would make our actions more valuable and our reputation stronger. It will be the stepping stone to success.»

«As you say, dear,» Mr Clayton sighed.

It was too late to stop her, regardless. He could just try containing the side effects and pray Lara didn't make things difficult. If his wife really wanted to ruin her, she knew how to do it.

«Just, don't do things that can't be undone,» he reminded her.

Revealing Lara's pregnancy to the press would have ruined any chance to be on good terms with Nathaniel Woods.. Mainly because he wouldn't have stayed with her any longer.