Lawton couldn't believe that what was happening was actually happening. Was he really about to be thrown out of his own father's company?
And before he met Smithson?
He tried another route. “I'm simply asking, young lady, that you actually check Mr Smithsons schedule. You will see that he has an appointment with me truly. In fact, he asked me to come.”
Julie barked out a laugh. “You're a liar, a scammer and a thief. No way will I let you into Eden so that people's valuable documents and the company's secrets can get out. Please leave while
I'm still asking,” she said, the threat evident in her voice.
Lawton was still battling with disbelief. He almost wanted to snap at the girl, but this was a delicate situation. “Just check what I'm saying, is that so hard to do?”
“And who says that I haven't checked?! The girl snapped back at him so fast his own eyes widened.
“If you refuse to leave on your own, I'll have to call security now.”
Lawton threw up his hands in frustration. “Why on earth do you need to call security?” He was tired. He hadn't slept for a full day and a night now, and he was hungry as hell. Why wouldn't this prissy girl just do her job as a receptionist and just let him up?
“You have 5 seconds to leave or else I call security to remove you from the premises.”
Lawton planted his feet as he threw his hands up again In frustration. “If you won't let me go in then at least let me call him.”
Lawton had his phone on him, he dug it out and waited expectantly for the receptionist to give him Smithsons number.
“Oh, so this must have been your plan the entire time. To get me to release Mr Smithsons work contact information. Are you out of your mind?! Want to get me fired?!
The girl was really angry now and Lawton realized his mistake. He no longer had Smithsons number and knowing who he was, he had expected that the girl give him the number, but then Julie didn't know his real identity.
“You have proven yourself to be a scammer. You are here for some undercover theft or to scan the environment aren't you? Security!”
Lawton was feeling a tad desperate now. “Look, you call Mr Smithson yourself and find out. You don't need to give me his number, just do it yourself.”
“I am not a scammer.”
The girl pulled out the landline and started to dial a number on the phone pad. Lawton hoped it was Smithson she was calling, but he soon heard her words.
“Some riffraff thief is trying to get to the executive level, please hurry up, his behavior is very erratic and threatening…”
Lawton shook his head in utter disbelief as his mouth hung open. “I'm not threatening you—”
Suddenly Lawton was yanked up from the floor by two arms around his own and his legs flailed
uselessly in the air.
There were two big security men to either side of him with grim looking faces.
“Put me down. I said put. me. down!” Lawton yelled, embarrassment making him kick his feet as he got angrier and angrier.
People were openly staring now, looking him up and down and deciding that he deserved to be thrown out of Eden.
“Do you think any low life scumbag that enters here just gets to have an audience with Mr
Smithson?” Julie barked.
“Throw him outside. And don't ever let him into Eden!” she ordered, enjoying the little power that she had a little too much.
“You don't know if I'm really telling the truth. You realize that if I am, you will regret this?!” Lawton yelled at her.
She folded her arms across her front. “But you're not. You had the audacity to bring your stinky and dirty self in here. Take him away!”
The security men turned towards the revolving doors and Lawton's feet still weren't touching the floor, they held him so tightly locked with their arms that no matter what he tried, their hold on him wasn't even budging.
They yanked him towards the door. And Lawton was humiliated in front of the people in the lobby who openly gaped at the scene. He felt low to be treated like this.
Just then a voice came from behind them.
“What are you doing? Why are you manhandling a visitor in Eden that way?”
The security men turned back around and Lawton was so relieved to see Smithson, but
Smithson wasn't looking at him, he was looking at Julie.
Julie had the most brilliant of smiles on her face. “Sir, he's a thief and a scam artist. He came in here claiming that he had an appointment with you,”
Immediately, Smithson turned to get a look at the person and he saw it was Lawton, his face became drained of all color.
“Drop him this instant!” Smithsons voice thundered.
The security men stood frozen in shock and then they dropped Lawton, looking at each other with fear in their eyes. Julie scrambled to her feet behind the reception, looking at what was happening.
Smithson rushed to where Lawton was standing shakily on his feet and knelt before him, bowing his head.
“Oh, forgive me, Young Master. I have allowed you to be mistreated and humiliated.”
Julie could have died on the spot and the security men blanched. If one of the most highly placed men in the company was kneeling before Lawton, then they had royally fucked up.
Julie ran out on her heels from the desk and dropped to her knees a few paces behind Smithson, bowing her head until it touched the cold tiles.
“Please forgive me, Sir. I had no idea who you were.”
Lawton righted himself, furious as well as well shocked at how he had almost been removed from the place. Really, was this how low he looked?He straightened his now rumpled shirt and stared down at Smithsons head where he knelt. He hurried to him, exasperated now.Lawton grimaced. “Smithson what are you doing?” he bent to whisper in the man's ear. He really didn't want people seeing or even knowing.He glanced about wearily and saw that a few people had stopped to stare. But before, when he was about to be thrown out, everyone had gone about their business like nothing was wrong and no one was being manhandled.The receptionist quivered where she knelt. “Oh please, tender justice with mercy, Sir. I have done you a great wrong, but…but I didn't know!”Smithson got up and his eyes shot fire at her from where he stood. “You do this to visitors at thecompany? Is this how you've been presiding over your duties, young lady?!” he thundered. Smithson didn't wait for more, he did not want to
The secretary brought the food up and Lawton devoured it. He had something else that bothered him and it was the situation with his wife's family. But he would settle everything one by one, as time permitted him to.“Smithson. What exactly happened to father? Do you know?”“It was a fatal accident, young master. When the private security firm I contacted to investigatethe matter had investigated it, they reported to me that the cars had been tampered with. To kill whoever was in it. Thankfully, it had been just your father that day, as the rest of the family had missed the event.”The heavy feeling of wrath settled in Lawton. Someone had planned to get rid of his entire family, to wipe them out in one day. He couldn't allow it.“Your father knows you will handle everything once you've returned. He knows how you ended up with your in-laws. They are powerful enough people, young master.”Lawton nodded. They were, even though they didn't accept him and believed him to be useless.“They
The door opened again and this time a young nurse walked in, and along with her was a couple of security personnels.“Sir? Ma'am? We've been ordered to remove you from the hospital premises. You have not deposited the initial admission fees or even the treatment fees and the hospital cannot condone that.”Amanda groaned in a tired, torn breath and her head dropped into her hands.Lawton got up, approaching the nurse. “I don't understand, I'm sure it's been taken care of. Just check again.”The nurse arched an eyebrow. “Did you already make the payment yourself?”“No, not me. But the hospital fees have definitely been paid.”She scoffed. “Please, you can leave by yourself to avoid any complications. The hospital will not continue to give treatment to the patient as you have refused to be cordial in the arrangement.”Amanda got up. “I thought you said you would have the fees, Lawton?”Lawton nodded, digging out his phone from his pocket. He would call Smithson and ask if he had forgotte
“Lawton! You and better come to dinner tonight, or I will disown Amanda finally and forever. If she thinks firing her from the family company is the worst I can do, she doesn't know me yet.”“Inform my daughter, since she isn't responding to my calls, that I want the two of you at dinner tonight, I must announce the new changes that have occured in the family company to all of the family. And she is still part of it. For now, at least.”The call went off. It had been Lawton's mother in law and she had just left an imperial command. She had organized a dinner and Lawton guessed it was to cut them off completely in front of the entire family.Changes in the family company indeed.It was already the next day and Amanda was nervous, she had left the hospital after a brief visit to prepare for her pitch to Roxanne because Roxanne's manager had agreed to the meeting.Lawton wished he could tell her not to worry so much, that it was already set, but he wanted her to just go on her own. After
Hearing this Madame Williams stood surprised at what she had just heard with a smile on her face. She couldn't believe Amanda would be able to secure a deal and not just any random deal, A deal with Roxanne Duke. She stretches her hands towards Amanda and gives her a very big hug. “I am so proud of you, indeed you are incredible. I don't believe this” Madame Williams acknowledged her effort. Lawton was so excited seeing Amanda and her Mother actually smiling at each other after a very long time. He noticed how happy Amanda was as well, and he wondered “If I had not done something about this deal, my wife would have been disgraced and insulted.” he thought with food still in his mouth.Madame Williams held Amanda's hand, informing Amanda and everyone, “ Amanda you have made me so happy today, In fact, I want you to manage this project personally.” Amanda burst into laughter, she couldn't contain her Joy, she turned and signaled Lawton.Lawton walked up to her, “Congratulations my Lo
Stunned by what they had just heard, Amanda and Lawton looked at Madame Williams. Her mother was giving her brother the project after Amanda had worked so hard to close this agreement. The visitors started talking about this sudden shift with a murmur. Hurt and bewildered, Amanda turned to face Lawton. "Just what is happening? What would make her do this?" Raymond moved in before Lawton could answer. "Mother, I spoke with Charles, and I know this change seems abrupt. The Williams family name has always stood for honesty and integrity. We might lose our image if word gets out that Amanda got this meeting via... less than honest means." Talking, he glanced slyly at Lawton. Lawton's eyebrows furrowed as he understood that Raymond was suggesting he was involved. He wasn't entirely off. Still, for the time being, Lawton bit his tongue. To her mother, Amanda turned. "But this is what I worked so hard for. You assured me I could oversee the project." Madame Williams flinched. "I apologize,
Lawton felt sick to his stomach as he woke up. Though he knew that this day would come eventually, he had been dreading its coming. Amanda was in their small kitchen preparing an early breakfast. The refreshing smell of toast mixed with the aroma of fresh coffee. He stepped closer to her, forcing a smile. Trying to sound casual, he said, "Tessa's medical expenses have gotten quite steep, I'm hoping to negotiate a better payment plan this morning before the collectors come calling again." It pained him to use their fragile financial situation as an excuse, but it was a believable enough story to get Amanda to worry less.Amanda turned to him with a concerned look. "Oh Lawton, I wish we didn't have to struggle like this constantly." She placed the spatula on the counter and walked towards him, embracing him tightly. "I'll accompany you. Perhaps they will be more reasonable if we approach them as a couple."Lawton shook his head. "No need, I can handle this. You just focus on getting Rox
After Lawton's discussion with Smithson, he exited the room abruptly. As Lawton walked down the stairs of the grand luxurious house, he couldn't help but replay the conversation he just had with Smithson,“I need to get information on Raymond as soon as possible," he muttered.He reached the bottom stairs of the spacious mansion with high ceilings, exquisite artwork, and sculptures, he was evidently tired and was about to open the door to his room when he heard a voice,"Do you need anything, sir?" The voice inquired, Instantly he turned back to have a look at who it was.“No" he responded after discovering it was one of the workers in the mansion, then proceeded to shut the door."What a day!" he muttered and involuntarily opened his mouth to inhale air due to tiredness.Laying down on the bed, he couldn’t help thinking of what a long day he had just had and a stray thought of Amanda and his father crossed his mind thereafter. He shut his eyes, bothered about the long day the next da