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Chapter 22
22 Taking Back My Personal I
22 Taking Back My Personal Power
(Winona)
I know exactly what to say. I've gone over this conversation a million times in my head.
"Are you sure? If Jayden knows about his daughter, then maybe he wants me and his first born heir back. in his life. That's if she is his daughter, which she isn't.)
Phillip pipes up again, "And I must say, I do love Winona and I'll always be there for Abby as her father, but I wouldn't stand in the way of Jayden being with his own flesh and blood. What kind of monster would do that? Jayden would be sure to hate anyone if he found but they did that to him."
"You are both playing a dangerous game!" She clearly knows she's painted herself into a corner and I now have the upper hand. "So you're saying if Jayden has another child, you won't be claiming any of the billions for your daughter as the rightful heir, if she was?"
Interesting. Jayden having more kids hasn't come up before. What are they up to? I bet Judy has been trying to make Ashlyn get pregnant with Jayden as fast as she can.
"No. If she was Jayden's daughter, I'd be keeping her as far away from all that as possible. You people make me sick. I'd rather she has a proper life as a child not one where she's groomed to do what you want."
"Whatever. You sound so self-righteous: But you aren't Miss Perfect, are you?"
I shrug and take Phillip's hand and choose to ignore that comment. "And if you don't withdraw whatever threat you made to Johnstone Academy, I'll tell him Abby is his daughter and that you've known all along. Then you can spend your time and money proving she isn't." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You're smart, I can give you that, you and your little puppet here. But none of this is over. Not by a long shot. I'll see you permanently out of Jayden's life one way or another."
"Oops now, Judy. Careful what you say."
Phillip walks to the shelves behind me and picks up his phone that was standing between the artworks. I never noticed that there. Reminds me to not talk about personal stuff here. I wouldn't put it past Judy to bug the room.
He taps on the screen and waves it in front of her face. "You never know when you're being recorded these days. Cameras are everywhere."
Judy's face goes red and her frown deepens. "Don't get too cocky."
"It's already saved to my cloud and if you continue to harass my family or me, I will send it out to the media. Then we'll see just what Jayden really thinks of you controlling his life," Phillip finishes up by placing his cell phone in his pocket. "Don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you, Judy. I have a lot of work to do I grin at her.
She looks between us both and shakes her head. "You think you've won but you haven't. Now you've just made me pissed," she snarls before she leaves, slamming the door as she goes.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
1 high-fived Phillip. "Wow! I mean, how did you know to set up your phone like that?"
22 Taking Back My Personal Põer
"I heard she was back in town. Some of the board members were discussing her privately when they didn't know I was listening this morning. Pays to come in early." He winks at me. "I had a feeling one of her first stops would be here. Doesn't hurt to be prepared." "Jesus, remind me to never piss you off. Stealthy as." laugh. "I really appreciate what you said and did there. At least she knows I have allies as well,"
"Apparently some of the newer board members resent how she's still pulling strings with the older members. When Jayden took his leave of absence to get well, Judy stepped up as CEO. She tried everything to get them to oust Jayden because of his mental capacity." "She really is a piece of work!"
"Not only is she now on the board of directors here but she has many of them as close personal friends and she makes some very hefty donations to things they support."
"Just like with the school. Money means power for her and she has plenty of it."
"But we have something she can never have. Jayden's first born."
"I don't want to use Abby as a pawn. None of this is her fault and it's exactly why I was protecting her."
"I know. But you will let Jayden know when the time is right and I believe he will also protect his daughter. So this is temporary. It gives you an edge that you need right now." "True."
"I meant what I said. I'll do anything for you and Abby but I won't stand in the way of your happiness or Abby knowing her real father."
"I don't want to stand in the way of your happiness either. You can't give up your whole life pretending for us. I'd hate that. I want to see you blissfully happy with a houseful of kids."
"I think this will all sort itself out eventually. If I feel an attraction to anyone else, I promise I'll let you know and we'll work it out."
"You better. Anything you need from me, you just say."
"Being here, learning from the best, having millions in my bank account is something I could never have dreamed of. You are the best friend a guy could have. Trust me. You've done enough."
I give him a hug. "This is the last time I want anything like this discussed at work. Not just in my office. Be careful what you say to anyone about me, Abby, anything."
"You think Judy will have eyes and ears everywhere?"
"Damn right I do. No one can be trusted."
That afternoon, I got a phone call that the earlier refusal was a mistake, they are happy to have Abby enrolled this fall.
Making myself even more Judy's enemy is risky, but it's the only way to get her to drop the matters about the DNA test... Then maybe in a few weeks she will see I'm not here to get between Jayden and Ashlyn. 22 Taking Hack My Personal Pi
Although Ashlyn seems to be doing a great job of that herself.
All I want is for them to finally leave me alone. Let me get on with my life. Let Jayden get on with his. I think after Lisa's outburst at the club, he can see there is nothing left for him and I from our past.
Perhaps we really can simply be business colleagues and find our own happiness. Then later, when things have settled, I'll decide what's best for Abby as for as paternity goes.
Someone knocks on my door, and I recognize her as Jayden's secretary.
"Mr. Brennan wants to see you in his office."