Chapter 18
Layla’s POV
My head was spinning so fast I could barely feel my own feet touching the floor as I followed Mateo out of the chaotic conference hall.
I was completely, utterly stunned. He had just fired a woman on the spot for me. Because she called me fat and ugly. Or maybe not? Of course it is
My mind scrambled to find a logical corporate excuse for what he had just done.
He’s just protecting his family, I tried to tell myself fiercely, trying to caution my racing heart.
He just announced to the whole room that I’m his stepdaughter. He did it to save face for the family connection. It doesn’t mean anything else.
But deep down, in the hottest, most starved parts of my soul, I knew that was a lie.
The sheer, lethal protective rage in his eyes when he slammed his hand on
