Layla's eyes widened in shock the moment Lucius did that. How could he do such a thing before his father and sister-in-law? Did he not fear anyone?
Ah, well, Lucius had no fear. He would scare others.
Roderick almost lost his balance, yelling at his uncle to stop that.
"Your son hasn't been disciplined in a long time, Fiona. As an ideal mother, you should teach him some manners. He can't talk back with me," Lucius said while smirking.
"Father, tell Lucius to stop. Is this the way he should treat the heir of this family?" Fiona urged her father-in-law.
"Lucius, you should stop. You can't act like a child before your wife," Alekis finally intervened, but Lucius didn't let go of Roderick's neck. His gaze was on Layla as if he wanted her silent confirmation.
When their eyes met, he got the response and he let go of Roderick's neck. Fiona rushed to her son, patting his back while yelling at Lucius to treat her son like that.
"Father, you should at least scold him. He always treats us like that," Fiona complained.
"Are we going to create a drama before our daughter-in-law? What will she think about all of us!?" Alekis raised his voice and beamed at Lucius. But as usual, Lucius was unperturbed by that.
Layla, on the other hand, kept staring at Lucius in disbelief. He did what she couldn't. A rush of happiness ran through her heart. He did what she couldn't do after knowing how Roderick cheated on her with Orabela.
"Fiona, that was the love I showed towards my dear nephew. You need not to take it to your heart," Lucius said with a solemn expression. "Everyone is aware of my anger too. I just kill those who annoy me," he muttered.
"I'll come later," Roderick said and walked away, followed by his mother.
Lucius settled back on his seat and apologized to his father for the commotion.
"You can't treat your elder brother's son like that. Keep in mind how precious he is to me," Alekis warned him.
"I was disciplining him. He's known for breaking hearts," Lucius said, settling on the sofa chair.
Alekis chuckled softly. "I believe you've broken more hearts than anyone else. I'm still amazed that Layla managed to capture my son's attention. Getting him to agree to marriage seemed impossible," he remarked, turning his gaze back to Layla.
'Even I don't know how,' Layla mused inwardly.
"I've admired her for quite some time," Lucius unexpectedly confessed. "I just needed time before I was ready to marry her," he added firmly.
Layla's brow furrowed in confusion. He liked her? But why? She had barely known him until yesterday, when she found herself she had to marry this dangerous man.
"Sam, bring me the file," Alekis ordered. "I am entrusting you to this company and I want you to work with ethics. Stop threatening people. Do you get it?" He glared at Lucius.
"Of course, Dad," Lucius replied.
"Whenever you smile like that it is a clear indication that you are lying to me," Alekis stated.
"That's what our family is famous for, Dad. I'm just taking its legacy forward," Lucius said.
Layla was still in confusion, wondering what exactly was going on between them.
At that moment, Sam returned with a file and pen in his hand. Alakis took it from him and signed on the papers before handing it over to Lucius. He thanked his father and told him he would definitely bring the company to newer heights.
"Of course, you will. I don't doubt your abilities. But you won't become the chairman since that right belongs to my grandson," Alekis cleared to him.
Lucius' jaw tightened, but he remained indifferent toward it. "But I love snatching things, Dad, when I am the deserving one," he pronounced with a smirk. "It's where we will take our leave. It's truly a lovely conversation with you," Lucius said, standing up from his seat.
"I would like to talk to my daughter-in-law. So, you can wait for her outside," Alekis told his son. He didn't argue on that and walked away, giving them privacy.
Layla, now, felt nervous and clasped her fingers together tightly.
"I wanted a woman who would bring some benefits to my son. However, it seems he is in love with you. So, I want you to be a devoted wife to him," Alekis stated.
"I understand, Sir," Layla replied.
"You can call me Father," Alekis said and then left the living hall. Layla left the seat too and turned to leave. While walking through the corridor for her way out, Roderick appeared before her out of nowhere and dragged her into a room.
"Ahh!" Layla's back hurt when Roderick forcefully pushed her to the wall.
"Did you cheat on me and seduced my uncle?" Roderick grasped her arms tightly, his eyes burning with a rage.
"I'm not like you, Roderick. Now, leave me. I'm not someone whom you can touch," Layla said. "I'm your uncle's wife!" She stated while glaring at him.
"Oh, really? You were mine to begin with, Layla," Roderick remarked. She couldn't hold her anger back and slapped him hard after pushing him away.
"I wasn't yours and never will be. You cheated on me with Orabela. Do you think I'm a fool?" Layla confronted him.
"How dare you slap me?" Roderick reached out his hand to strangle her when Lucius held his wrist tightly.
"U-uncle!" Roderick stuttered when Lucius twisted his arm, causing him to wince in pain.
"Ah, leave me!" Roderick begged.
"I think I will cut your hand off, Rick. You have been getting on my nerves for a long time," Lucius pronounced as he pressed Roderick to the wall.
"Grandpa won't forgive you. I will complain to him!" Roderick threatened him.
"Go and tell whomever you want to!" With that Lucius broke his wrist, letting Roderick writhe in pain.
Layla left astounded the way Lucius didn't even hesitate to hurt Roderick before she was being dragged out of the room.