Keaton opened his mouth, clearly eager to redeem himself with a few self-serving words, but Layla was in no mood to indulge his usual scrambling. Without even looking at him, she raised her hand, palm out, stopping him mid-sentence with a single sharp gesture.
"Let's not hear more from you," she said coolly, her gaze fixed straight ahead. "Unless, of course, it's about the board meeting scheduled for four days from now."
Her words were sharp, authoritative, and final, leaving no room for negotiation.
Keaton closed his mouth instantly, the words he'd prepared retreating down his throat as he gave a stiff nod. His throat moved visibly as he swallowed the humiliation, reminding himself for the hundredth time that it wasn't worth testing Layla's patience.
