Suddenly There Are Three (Bailey and Artemis) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

“Get Hado to calm down. Make sure it doesn't bite her, or we'd have to pay for her to get vaccinated.”

Pfft!

As expected, the mother and son shared the same thoughts.

“B-Bailey, haven't you always wanted to find out the truth behind your mother's death? Get this dog away from me, and I'll tell you!”

Bailey's gaze turned cold instantly.

When she was three, her mother was burned until no remains could be found. The case was then dropped as there was no substantial evidence that it was a homicide.

However, Bailey knew the fire was no accident. Someone had to be behind it, but to date, her years of investigation still led to nothing.

“Hado, go back to the living room.”

Fine!

Huffing, the dog left another mouthful of drool on Rhonda's face once more before leaving.

With a stagger, Rhonda got back up on her feet and glared at the mother-and-son duo, unable to conceal the hatred and murderous intent she felt toward them.

I'm going to kill this b*tch. I swear I will!

Bailey took a step forward and grabbed the other woman's wrist. “Tell me everything you know, or don't even think about leaving this place,” she demanded frostily.

“You want to know the truth? Sure. Dad's birthday is in seven days. Come to the Jefferson residence, and my mom will tell you everything personally,” Rhonda replied with her fists clenched, suppressing the rage within her.

Hang in there for just a few more days, dear self. You can finally destroy her life to no point of return at Dad's birthday party.

Narrowing her eyes, Bailey stared at the other woman in a way that looked as if she could see through her intentions.

Rhonda began to feel intimidated that she wanted to step back, but with her ego on the line, she could only force herself to return the gaze.

“Fine,” Bailey ultimately responded. “As the eldest daughter, it's only natural that I show up for my father's birthday. I hope you and your mother can give me a proper explanation. If you don't, we'll settle our old scores there and then.”

Having achieved her goal of dropping by, Rhonda shot both the mother and son a vicious glance before fleeing.

After watching the disheveled-looking woman leave, Zayron turned to his mother. “It's obvious what she's up to. Are you going to walk right into her trap? Aren't you worried about making a fool out of yourself?”

Bailey shrugged. “It doesn't matter what she does. She could drug me or slander me, and I'd have no choice but to go along with it. I first thought of letting her off, but now that she's messing with me, I can't be blamed for what's about to happen. She'll find out what it means to bring something upon herself.”

The woman's phone rang as soon as her words fell, and she reached for it, only to realize the call came from an unknown number. It took her a moment of hesitation to answer it.

“Hello, is this Ms. Jefferson speaking?”

“Yeah, Bailey Jefferson here. And you are?”

“I'm Dwayne Derning, the assistant of Luther Group's CEO.”

“Can I help you?”

“Mr. Artemis Luther would like to see you. Do you happen to be available at two this afternoon?”

Bailey fell silent briefly.

He wants to see me? We hardly even know each other.

“I'm available, but I won't meet Mr. Luther. I'm not well-acquainted with him, so we have nothing to talk about. I'll be hanging up if that is all you'd like to tell me.”

Dwayne was clearly bewildered. It's already rare for Mr. Luther to ask to see someone, but this is his first time getting turned down. This woman really is something.

“Are you expressing your intentions to stop designing Luther Group's clothes, Ms. Jefferson?”

The woman stilled momentarily just as she was about to end the call. “Is Mr. Luther asking to see me so we can discuss the clothing designs?” she asked with a frown.

“That's right. Sorry for not being clear with my words and causing a misunderstanding. Yes, Mr. Luther wants to see you over the clothing designs. Are you free to drop by at two?”

Bailey's eyes narrowed as they dimmed slightly. “I can speak directly to the design department. There's no need for me to see Mr. Luther himself.”

Did she just... reject him? It's his first time approaching a girl, and he's been turned down already? Wow, Mr. Luther, you've failed as a guy.

“Uh...”

“It's decided, then. I'll have Victoria Saunders contact your company's design department. I'm sure Mr. Luther has lots of work to do, so I'd rather not bother him. Bye.”

With that, the woman hung up immediately.

Zayron raised an eyebrow as he stood next to her. “You only stole three billion from him. Are you that scared of him that you don't want to meet him?”

A bleak look flashed in Bailey's eyes for a split second. She had not forgotten how that man had just stood there watching things unfold at the Luther residence yesterday.

I have to avoid him. I can't afford to cross such an influential guy like him. Besides, he's also Rhonda's man, so all the more reason for me to be extra careful. If I don't watch out, people might accuse me of stealing my own sister's partner.

“Don't try to pick a fight with a dangerous guy like him, Zayron. He's a lot more complicated than we think he is. It took him only eight years to become the top five wealthiest people in the world and gain hundreds of billions in assets. We know nothing about what he does behind the scenes.”

The boy pursed his lips. “Okay. I won't start a fight with him as long as he doesn't find out about the three billion you took from him. If you like Daddy Eddy, I'll support you and treat him as my own father.”

Bailey's expression softened at the mention of Edmund. If it were not for his help seven years ago, she and her two children would have died along with the stillborn child.

The woman did not know what to think of him; she did not like him in a romantic way, but she was not repulsed by him either. Perhaps even if they were to get married, life would be akin to still waters⁠—peaceful but with zero emotion.

Meanwhile, Dwayne brushed his nose while walking into the CEO's office of Luther Group.

“Uh... Mr. Luther, I just gave the designer from Archulea a call, but she doesn't wish to see you. She said she can just discuss matters with the director of the design department.”

Artemis' hand quivered slightly as he held onto a pen.

“Get another designer, then. There are so many other options out there. Surely there's someone else who's just as capable for the job, no?”

Ugh...

Dwayne scratched his head in frustration. “But she's Victoria's best friend,” he began meekly. “It'd be a slap in Victoria's face if we work with another designer. I've gone through so much trying to win her heart, so think about my situation, please.”

Artemis paused for a moment before leaning back into his chair and gazing at the other man icily. “I don't see how that's my problem.”

So that's how it is, huh? Fine! You're the boss!

“I heard Hector's gotten his hands on some state-of-the-art toys with real solid levers in Zaewora. How about I give him a call and have him send you a couple to play with?”