"Did you miss me?"

Jennie nodded eagerly

She wrapped her stubby arms around Austyn's neck and whispered loudly, 'Daddy, this lady is very fierce. I don't like her."

"Then we'll ask her to leave Austyn tousled her solt hair

He strade into the living rooms and put the gel down

He patted Joshua's head. "Take your sister into the bedroom. I'll come and get you when dinner's ready,"

Joshua took Jennie's hand. "Let's go

"But I don't want to leave!" jeanle whined.

"I let you play with my monster buck!

Astyn burned to kira do with the kids, please

"No." Kira remained where she was. "This is my house. Why should we?

she sat down on the armchair opposite the sofa, taking the position of the hostess. "Miss Taylor, Justy's here now. just say what you have to say? Austyn remained standing.

His eyes were cold

"Austy Gwen wanted to touch him but was afraid to do so."You've been here for almost a month. It's time to go back to Finton. Work is piling up."

Austyn was unmoved. "Thelle made myself perfectly clear during our last meeting at returning to inton. My home is right here in Stamford."

"Tot what about the company? den stepped up to him. You know Harrison and Jake are trying to take the company away from me. If you are not there to keep an eye on things, they might just succeed. You've worked so hard to save the Taylor Group. Surely, you are not going to stand by and watch it get destroyed by their incompetence?

Austyn gave a thin smile. "When you use the word "incompetence," are you calling about your brothers, or yourself?"

Gwen flinched

"Your father has three children, Austyn continued. "He wants the Taylor Group to go to whoever is the most capable. You are not

for you did it for four years I'd think that's enough time for you to grow and learn

"Not Harrison and Jake, you know they are not-

are not up to the task, so you got me fighting your battles

Austyn put up a hand no stop her. "Whatever they do is no longer my concern. You saved me. I'm grateful for that. But I've repaid my debt in full. It's time for me to live my own life. "But your life is in Rinton!"

"No, it's not." Austyn came to stand next to, who remained quiet and seated. "My life is right here, with her."

Gwen stared at Austin's hand on Kira's shoulder, ragesmouldering inside herchest

She took a long, unsteady breath. "Fine. If you want to give up the life of Jason Taylor, you'll have to give up everything associated with that name."

She looked straight at Austyn. 'Your position at the company, your apartment, your car, your shareholding."

Austyn showed no reaction

"Don't forget about the prenup." Gwen was forced to use the threat as a last resort. You won't get anything from the Taylor Group unless you marry me if you leave now, you love with nothing'

Austyn drew a seven-figure salary from the company in his position as vice president, not to mention the performance bonuses and stock options.

His apartment was owned in the name of the company, so was his car.

if he walked away from Gwen, he would be walking away from millions of dollars.

No num could give up that kind of money, not when it was theirs to take..

Gwen was sure she had him over a barrel

Shested her voice. "If you come back with me, you'll still have everything. The wedding can still go on. I'll forget any of this ever happened"

"That enough" Kira could take it no longer.

She shot to her feet and pointed a finger at Gwen. "Have you no shame? Austyn slaved away for four years to bring your family's company back from the brick of bankruptcy. He put in his blood, sweat, and tears. You didn't give him the position; he earned it. What makes you think you have the right to take it away from him?"

1 step back and lat

She grasped Austyn's hand "You saved bim, sure, but he has since repaid that debt in times over. If you don't have what it takes to run abig company, then s some do it. Stop trying to take advantage of Austyn's gratitude Amy smiled

He perched on the armrest and enjoyed the name feeling of having someone who stood up for him

Gwen Übered, shocked by Kira's sudden outburst.

took her awhile to find her voice again. "This is between him and me. You should-l

Standing Up For Him

"You can't talk about feelings to a businessperson.' Austyn patted Kara's hand, placating. 'See, she's not listening. Their language is profit" He turned to Gwen, his smile morphing into cold disdain. I don't care about any of that. Take away the apartment, the car, the stocks, all of it He didn't give her a chance to speak and said to Kira, "I'm broke now. All I have is what's in my wallet and the shirt off my back. I'll have to sleep on the street tonight if you won't let me stay here.

Kira rolled her eyes at him. "I never said you can't stay here."

"So I don't have to sleep on the sofa tonight?"

"Did you ever actually spend a night on the sofa? Kira pinched his arm. "You always

She swallowed the rest of her sentence, realising there was still an outsider present.

Owen listened to the two of them banter as if she wasn't there.

She swayed on her feet.

Austyn turned to her. 'I think it's time for you to leave. Leave this apartment and leave Stamford.'

The Adults Love In angheThis belongs to - ©.

The Adults' Love Triangle

"Austyn!" Owen's face was drained of all colour

'I'm not going back to Rinton with you. I'm not going back to the Taylor Group, either. Thereby resign from my position of vice president

Austyn niggered. "Without me, let's see if the company will still be around in a year."

Gwen staggered backwards. "But it's your company as well

"I'm giving it up,' Austyn said simply "Now, please leave. My tamdy and Lare about to have dinner!

He practically shaved Gwen out of the door and closed it firmly behind her.

Kira was still standing in the living room, arms on her hips, looking Indignant

"What are you thinking about? Austyn tapped her shoulder.

"What's going to happen to the company?

He shrugged. "Going downhill till it reaches the inevitable end!"

Are you sure it will go belly up? Kira had heard about the Taylor Group before.

It ran a national franchise of over five hundred superbikes.

Would it really collapse within a year without Austyn at the helm?

"When I took over, the company was deep in the red and couldn't afford to pay its employees, Austyn said. "I was the one who secured overseas suppliers for it. Loverhauled operations to cater to on-demand consumers, updated the payment systems, cut payroll and rent, reset the KPIs. I won't bore you with the details; but suffice to say, the company wouldn't be where it is today without me

"What about the two names she mentioned? Harrison and something?

bey are Gwen's older brothers. They hold management positions at the company,"

"Are they no good?"

wasty snored in decision "Incompetence is the least of their sins. They treat the company coffers as their personal ATL Misappropriation of funds, rampant cronyism, not to mention,siness acumen. A year is me being generous. Objectively, I'd give it is, seven months tops before the company folds."

"What?!

Kira looked up at him. Nothing just suddenly realised how capable you are."

Austyn stood straighter and pulled back his shoulders.

ed to think you were arrogant' Kirasaid. 'Now Trealise that it's confidence backed up