Suddenly There Are Three (Bailey and Artemis) novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Out of curiosity, Artemis drew out the leave application and took a glance at it.

It was unusual for employees to submit their leave applications to the CEO's office. Even department directors would only need to submit their leave applications to Dwayne instead of obtaining the CEO's approval.

The applicant was Susan Jefferson, seven years old, and her stage name was Barbara.

Artemis thought the stage name sounded familiar. Barbara? I feel like I've heard this name somewhere before.

The reason stated in the leave application: Mommy wants me to clean up Granny's graveyard.

The corners of Artemis' lips twitched when he came across the reason.

Dwayne could tell something was amiss with his expression and was about to snatch the form back. Oh, Barbara. You could have just called me instead of submitting a leave application. I don't know how the tyrant would react now that he has seen this application.

Artemis arched his brows and quipped, “Why are you so nervous? Is she your illegitimate child?”

“Don't utter nonsense, please.” Dwayne mustered up his courage and stared at the man. Gritting his teeth, he continued, “I've yet to touch a woman, so don't make stories to tarnish my reputation.”

Artemis did not believe a word he said. Scrutinizing Dwayne's lower torso, he teased, “You've been pursuing Victoria for a couple of years now, haven't you? So how's your progress? You should sleep with her, get her pregnant, and seal the deal.”

His remark rendered Dwayne speechless.

Artemis then turned his attention to the leave application and muttered, “Barbara. If I'm not mistaken, Tempest Entertainment under Luther Group spent three hundred million to brand and market Barbara as the international child star, right? She was even a nominee for Oscars' Best Child Actor Award this year.”

Somehow, Artemis still thought the name rang a bell. Susan Jefferson. Susan Jefferson? I'm sure I must have heard this name before.

“Wow. I'm surprised Mr. Busy Man still remembers my goddaughter. What an honor! We'll definitely need your support to help her win the Oscars' Best Child Actor Award.”

“Goddaughter?” Artemis arched his brows. “I never knew you have a goddaughter. Whose daughter? The men we know are either still single or have only sons. None of them has a daughter.”

Dwayne massaged his temples and sighed. “She's Victoria's goddaughter, and the girl is her best friend's daughter. Since I'll be marrying Victoria soon, I consider the girl my daughter now.”

Artemis responded with a faint smile. I see.

However, in just seconds, his smile vanished when he glanced at the reason for taking leave. She must be a mischievous little girl.

Artemis preferred to have a daughter over a son. He thought daughters, generally, were more well-mannered, and he had a soft spot for them. Too bad. I don't think I'll ever have a daughter.

“Bring her to Luther Group's headquarters. I want to meet her when she returns to Hallsbay. As for the Oscars' Best Child Actor Award, don't worry about it. All I need to do is make a call. I'm doing this for you and Victoria.”

Upon recalling something his mother mentioned earlier, Artemis said to Dwayne, “Caridee's coming-of-age ceremony is around the corner. Have you contacted that designer? You must get the designer to come up with a unique evening gown. The ceremony marks a milestone in a girl's life, and Caridee is my one and only sister. I want to give her the best.”

“Don't worry. The designer Xavier recommended is the lead designer in Archulea, and I heard she's quite an influential figure. I'm sure Ms. Caridee will be impressed with the gown.”

Artemis kept mum for a moment before replying, “Cancel all my schedules from three to four in the afternoon. Call her to come and meet me here. I want to talk to her personally.”

Since Dwayne knew Artemis cared about Caridee, he was not surprised that Artemis took charge of Caridee's coming-of-age ceremony. Dwayne then nodded in response to his request. “All right. I'll call her. She was supposed to report duty at the headquarters yesterday, but something caught up. She should be able to make it today.”

Meanwhile, at Shelbert Condominium, Bailey's voice emerged from the bathroom when she heard a doorbell ringing. “Open the door, Zayron.”

Zayron, who was watching a television program, rolled his eyes. Hopping down from the couch, he walked to the foyer and looked through the peephole.

He was stunned by the person standing outside the door. What is she doing here?

After darting his eyes from side to side, he smirked, turned around, and waved at Hado. “Hey, come here!”

Hado wagged its tail and went up to Zayron.

The kid put a finger to his lips to order the dog to keep quiet. “I want you to prance on the woman when I open the door, but don't bite her because I don't want to pay for her jab. You can lick her all over and make her feel as disgusting as possible. I'll reward you with a nice meal later.”

Hado responded by barking twice in a suppressed voice.

When the doorbell rang, Zayron snapped his finger and opened the door.

Rhonda had envisioned how she would act when Bailey opened the door. If need be, I'll even apologize to that b*tch.

Yet, something unexpected happened.

Woof! Woof!

“Ah!” Her shriek resonated through the narrow walkway alongside Hado's barking noise.

When the dog leaped forward, Rhonda fell to the ground. The color drained from her face when she thought the canine would bite her. “Get off of me, you stupid dog! Go away!”

Hado was an adult dog with rare pedigrees and looked like a Tibetan Mastiff. The canine had exceptional physical strength and would be at least half a human's height when it stood on its hind legs.

Even a mature man would have a tough time wrestling with the dog, let alone someone as vulnerable as Rhonda.

Rhonda could only lie helplessly on the ground while the hyper-salivating dog licked all over her body. Not only did her entire body become sticky because of its saliva, but a foul smell also came with it.

Zayron thought Rhonda would at least put up a fight, but to his surprise, the woman started throwing up after Hado licked her neck for the third time.

A corner of his lips quirked up as he watched the prank unfold while leaning against the door frame and crossing his arms. This is just the beginning of my revenge. This woman has to pay the price for indirectly causing the deaths of my Great-granny and brother. I have to live up to my reputation by letting her get a taste of her own medicine.

The commotion by the door instantly caught Bailey's attention.

Leaving the bathroom, she walked to the living room with a frown. Her eyes twitched when she saw Hado pinning a woman to the ground. What the hell is going on?

She was stunned, as she never knew Hado could be so ferocious. It's acting like a perverted hooligan!

Bailey knew his son would not have done this to any stranger, even though he was quite a rogue, so it only took her a while to figure out who the woman was.

In Hallsbay, only one woman could trigger Zayron to take such extreme action—Rhonda.