Chapter 97
LAYLA~
“You’ll handle Chicago like a pro,” Axel said firmly as we stood on the private airstrip, the jet idling behind me with its engines humming softly. His hand rested on my arm. “I’ll call every chance I get p>
I looked up, catching the concern flickering in his eyes despite his confident words. “When are you leaving p>
He glanced at the helicopter nearby, its blades already beginning their slow rotation. “Soon. Heading to London for the contract meeting. Had to make sure my wife was set first p>
I smiled, warmth spreading through my chest despite the nerves coiling in my stomach. “I’ll be fine, Axel. Really p>
“I know you will. But that doesn’t stop me from worrying.” He squeezed my hand, his thumb tracing circles on my skin. “If anything feels off, anything at all, you call me immediately p>
“I will p>
“Promise me, Layla p>
“I promise p>
He stepped back reluctantly as Henry and Helena approached, bags in tow and ready to board. “Take care of her,” he said to them, his tone making it clear it wasn’t a request.
“Always,” Henry replied with a slight smile.
“Yes, sir p>
Axel’s eyes found mine one last time. “I’ll see you in a few days p>
“Safe flight p>
He nodded, then turned toward the helicopter. I watched him go, fighting the urge to call him back, and tell him I didn’t want to do this without him beside me.
But I couldn’t. This was business; this was Eclipse Beauty’s future.
I boarded the jet, settling into the plush leather seat by the window. Henry sat across from me, his tie slightly askew, already pulling out his tablet.
“You and Axel seem solid,” he said, grinning as the jet began taxiing down the runway. “I mean, despite the whole scandal and public scrutiny? That’s impressive p>
I rolled my eyes. “Were you expecting something else?” I asked with raised eyebrows.
He shook his head in the negative. “No, I mean p>
“Focus, Henry. Brief me on the distributor p>
He laughed but obliged, launching into details about Chicago’s retail chain, their market share, and our pitch for Eclipse Beauty. “They control over three hundred stores across the Midwest. Getting Eclipse Beauty into their locations would triple our physical retail presence overnight p>
“What’s their concern p>
“Saturation. They’re worried about competing with the brands they already carry. We need to position Eclipse as complementary, not competitive p>
“Actually, I think we can be complementary, supplementary, and even compete effectively in their market. It shouldn’t be too difficult, right? After all, they showed interest in us first p>
“True, but we still need to convince them their interest was well-placed,” Henry replied. “They’re tough negotiators, Layla. But you’re tougher p>
I nodded, absorbing the information, hating the feeling of walking in partially blind. “What about pricing structure p>
“That’s where it gets tricky. They want competitive wholesale rates, which means lower margins for us initially p>
“How much lower p>
“Fifteen per cent less than our current distribution deals p>
I frowned. “That’s significant p>
“It is. But the volume makes up for it. We’re talking potential sales of half a million units in the first quarter alone p>
“Alright. We position it as a strategic partnership for market penetration, not just a distribution deal p>
“Exactly.” Henry grinned. “See? You’ve got this p>
After he excused himself to review notes in the back cabin, Helena slid into the seat beside me. Her expression was softer and more contemplative than Henry’s business focus.
“How’s home?” I asked, grateful for the shift in conversation.
She sighed, her fingers playing with the hem of her sleeve. “Henry and I are still at odds. He keeps sending expensive gifts: jewellery, designer bags, all dropped off at our house like he’s trying to court me and our siblings p>
“Is it working p>
“Last week, he showed up unannounced, saying he bought a new apartment. Three bedrooms, near a good school district. He wants us to move in p>
I raised an eyebrow. “That’s bold. What did you say p>
“I said I needed time to think.” She looked out the window at the clouds passing below. “Feels like a bribe, you know? He’s always been more concerned with control than with family. Now suddenly he wants to play house p>
I squeezed her hand, understanding too well the complexity of broken family relationships trying to mend. “Maybe he’s genuinely trying, Helena. People can change p>
“Can they? Or do they just get better at hiding who they really are p>
“I don’t know. You’ve known him more than I do, so I can only judge from the present. He started as an asshole, but recently… he’s been doing okay p>
She nodded slowly, but doubt still lingered in her eyes. “I want to believe that. For Ryan’s sake, if nothing else. But I’m scared, Layla. Scared that he came back for one unknown reason, scared of letting Jason and Ryan get attached just to have their elder brother disappear p>
“Then tell him that. Make him prove he’s serious p>
“How p>
“Actions, not gifts. Consistency, not grand gestures. If he really wants his siblings back, he’ll do the work p>
She smiled slightly. “I never knew you were this good with advice, ma’am p>
“I’m not. I’m just figuring it out as I go, same as you p>
My phone buzzed on the armrest between us. A news alert flashed across the screen: ” Cassandra Hart Released on Bail; Rumours Have It The Case Is Going to Court p>
My stomach sank as I clicked on the article.
Helena must have noticed my expression as she turned to face me. “Everything okay, ma?” she asked.
“Yeah… just… it’s nothing..” I closed the article, but the unease remained, settling in my chest like a stone.
I quickly texted Axel: Cassandra’s out on bail.
His response came minutes later: Just forget about her for now. Focus on Chicago. I’ll handle anything that comes up from here.
I wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that everything would be fine. But something felt off, like a storm building just beyond the horizon.
As we began our descent into Chicago, the city sprawling below us in a grid of lights and steel, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was from an unknown number.
I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the message. Something told me I didn’t want to read it, but I opened it anyway.
Enjoy your trip. You won’t see us coming.