Suddenly There Are Three (Bailey and Artemis)

Chapter 7

Bailey wanted nothing more than to stay away from Artemis, but since he had taken the initiative to pick

his son up, how could she stop him? “Of course! I'll get him out now,” she hastily replied. “After all, it's

better for kids to stay with their parents. My humble abode is hardly conducive to raising a boy of

Maxton's status.”

Artemis narrowed his eyes as a steely glint flashed across them.

Was that my imagination? Why does there seem to be a trace of disdain in her voice? It's as though

she's chasing us away!

With that in mind, his handsome face visibly darkened, and even his tone became terse. “Sorry to

trouble you.”

“Oh, don't mention it. You're my brother-in-law, which makes you family, so there's no need to stand on

ceremony,” Bailey said smilingly before turning around to walk away.

D*mn it, I feel so guilty! If he found out I hacked three billion from his account, I'd be left to rot in prison

for the rest of my life!

As it turned out, it was difficult for one to walk straight when weighed down by guilt because it wasn't

long before Bailey's shrill cry echoed through the house.

“Argh!”

Her left leg seemed to have a mind of its own as it tripped over the right, causing her to lose balance

and fall backward.

Sh*t, what if the back of my head hits the ground first? That'd be terrible!

To Bailey's surprise, however, the pain she had braced herself for never came. Instead, she felt herself

falling into someone's arms.

She was hit by a cold aura almost immediately as a masculine scent, mixed with hints of mint, seeped

into her pores.

It was such a fresh and intoxicating smell that a single whiff was enough to make one feel tipsy.

Artemis remained stoic as he stared at the woman in his embrace, his gaze intense and contemptuous.

I knew it! Women are all the same. They always play hard to get and would pull any tricks to catch a

man's attention.

When Bailey saw Artemis' ugly scowl, she quickly explained, “I'm so sorry, Mr. Luther. I tripped over my

own feet.”

Unfortunately, the latter wasn't buying that story. Convinced that Bailey was taking the opportunity to

seduce him, he couldn't help but scoff, “Well, well, well. I never thought Ms. Bailey from the Jefferson

family would be so wanton. Rumor has it that you slept with a man eight years ago for five million. What

are you up to this time?”

Needless to say, Bailey was furious.

What an idiotic sc*mbag! I'm not up to anything! Why the f*ck would he believe Rhonda's words,

anyway? He's one of the wealthiest men in the world, yet he's such a horrible judge of character.

“Oh, you must be joking, Mr. Luther. I hear the trend these days is of men eloping with their younger

sisters-in-law instead of hooking up with the older ones. You think too highly of yourself,” she quipped

before attempting to wriggle out of his embrace.

The next second, however, a hand shot out and grabbed her waist.

“Are you not admitting it? What's your explanation for falling into my arms, then?”

Bailey struggled to escape his clutches but to no avail. What the h*ll? I'd rather fall on the ground than

onto him!

“You're a prominent figure, Mr. Luther, so what are you playing at now?” she asked coldly. “Do you think

there isn't enough news about you on Twitter? Is that why you've come to flirt with me so you can

become a trending topic again?”

It was clear that Bailey was trying to goad Artemis, but alas, that had little to no effect on a calm and

composed man like him.

“I've always wondered why my son loves clinging to you, Ms. Bailey. It can't just be because you're his

aunt, can it? That would be too far-fetched. Therefore, I've decided to get to know you better and find

out what it is that attracts him to you.”

For a moment, Bailey was rendered speechless.

It's fine if he wants to be acquainted with me, but does he have to hold onto me so tightly?

“Let go of me first, and we can slowly talk this through.”

To Bailey's horror, Artemis raised his eyebrows and tightened his grip around her. “But I think the closer

we are, the better I'll get to know you. Tell me, are you using the kid to get close to me?”

Bailey's eyes instantly widened with incredulity.

F*ck! Why does this man have such a weird and illogical line of reasoning? He's utterly shameless! Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Unable to put up with Artemis' behavior any longer, Bailey suddenly whipped around in his arms, and

the next thing they knew, they were shuddering as a tingling sensation coursed through their bodies.

As it turned out, Bailey's soft, red lips had brushed against Artemis', sending waves of emotions

crashing over them.

A gasp swiftly rang out as two little heads poked out of the study. “Oh, my. Have they just kissed? Isn't

that how stories of sisters-in-law eloping with their younger brothers-in-law always start?”

The one who had just spoken up was none other than Zayron, and Maxton, too, quickly chimed in,

“They're a match made in heaven! Cue the applause!”

Having snapped out of her daze, Bailey mustered up all her strength and shoved the man away.

A loud thud soon followed as she slammed the door in his face.

With the sound still reverberating through Bailey's head, her heart began pounding even faster.

It also didn't help that Artemis' scent and cool touch made such an intoxicating combination.

No, I have to resist! I can't let him seduce me like this, not when I've stolen three billion from him! More

importantly, Rhonda has slept with him before!

“What are you boys looking at?” Bailey scolded. “Have you never seen a pervert flirting with an

innocent woman? Get back into your room this instant! Also, forget everything you've just seen. Do you

hear me?”

The two boys exchanged looks as they scratched their noses awkwardly.

“That was your father, wasn't it?” Zayron asked.

Maxton, on the other hand, was bubbling with excitement. He couldn't believe that his father was finally

finding him a stepmother, and it was Bailey whom he truly liked.

“Yes, that's right,” he replied. “Isn't it amazing that my father hugged your mother? It's sheer blind luck!”

Zayron, however, rolled his eyes. “Don't forget you have your biological mother, though. I never

understood why you'd fight with me over mine when you can spend time with yours. Are all rich kids as

willful as you?”

“She's not as nice as your mother!” Maxton retorted as he puffed his cheeks out in exasperation. “I like

Bailey. I wouldn't mind having her as my stepmother.”

Meanwhile, outside the condominium, Artemis stood at the entrance while glaring at the closed door in

front of him.

D*mn it! Did I just get thrown out of the house? Not only is she an uncultured woman, but she also

goes around seducing men. What a good-for-nothing! I thought leaving Maxton with her would be a

safe option, but who knew we had walked into a lion's den? It's even more frustrating that he likes her

so much, to the point where he's forgotten that he's my son. F*ck! If it weren't for my upbringing and the

fact that I have to watch my behavior, I'd have punished that little ingrate!

Ding!

Just then, an elevator opposite him opened, and two fashionably dressed young ladies walked out.

They chatted happily away and showed no signs of stopping even after exiting the elevator.

“Carol, I'm so upset. The latest rumor about Artemis is that he has an illegitimate child. He has slept

with so many women, so why hasn't he picked me yet? If we had a night together, I'm sure I'd be able

to give him a child. Who knows? That might even give me a boost on the social ladder!”

“Why would Artemis Luther want to be with a nobody like you? Do you know his net worth? He's worth

more than three hundred and fifty billion and is the fifth richest man in the world. Even the most eligible

women would have to bow in his presence and be at his beck and call. As for us, I think we ought to

back down and stop having such unrealistic expectations. Besides, it's nighttime. It's too late to be

daydreaming.”