Page 47 of Born a Billionaire

“One obvious question comes to mind.”

“Should I be nervous?”

He smiled. “Was Layton always late to set?”

She laughed and was about to answer when the door swung open.

“I’m here! Let the interviews begin!” Layton strolled in like he owned the place, latte in hand, and leaned down to place a kiss on Adelia’s cheek as he passed by. “Miss me, beautiful?”

She tried her best not to cringe and gave him her best fake smile. “We all did.” She motioned around the room.

“Traffic. What can ya do?” He plopped down in the chair next to her and flipped his head to one side to move his beach blond hair out of his eye.

Adelia fought against the urge to roll her eyes. She was one hundred percent sure he’d rolled out of bed late due to whatever partying he’d done the night before, left some woman behind in his bed, and stopped for that latte on the way, not thinking twice about whether he’d be on time.

Nevertheless, the interview commenced, and fifteen minutes later, the nice young man bid them farewell and was on his way before another was ushered into the room and the process repeated.

They took turns talking about how much fun they had working together—lies, all lies—and how much they loved the director—that part was true. A couple of people asked about their personal relationship and what it was like working together, and Layton made sure to lay it on thick that Adelia was the greatest girl he’d ever dated and that they were still great friends and always would be. Adelia simply plastered on a smile and agreed.

Not once did an interviewer ask about her parents’ situation, and she knew she had Iris to thank for that. She hadn’t realized the undercurrent of worry that had been running through her with each new person that entered the room, so when the final interviewer left, her entire body relaxed from extreme relief.

Adelia pulled out her phone and noticed a few messages and a text from Oliver. He’d sent her a picture of himself in front of the Hollywood sign with the caption “Ollywood.” She smiled so big, she thought her face might crack.

“Who’s that? Your latest conquest?” Layton stood behind her shoulder, leaning over to look at her screen.

She tilted her phone away and glared up at him. “You’re the one with the endless list of conquests. And I regret being one of them.”

He touched her chin. “You were more than that, and you know it.”

“Touch me again, and see what happens.”

Layton took his hand away, and she gathered her things and stood facing him.

“Hey, I heard about your parents,” he said. “That sucks.”

“Yeah.”

“I always thought if anyone would cheat, it would be your dad.”

His words made her stomach churn. “Excuse me?”

“He’s a good-looking man for his age. Always buff for those action movies he’s done. If I starred opposite all the sexy leading ladies he has, there’s no way I wouldn’t partake.”

Her eyes narrowed as the fury built up inside.

“Isn’t that how your mom and dad got together? On a movie set?”

“Stop talking,” she gritted out.

“Must be old habits die hard for your mom. But I don’t blame Bryce. Your mom’s hot. I’d hit that.”

She couldn’t help it. Her fist flew before she could stop herself and connected with the center of his face.

“Ah!” he cried out as he grabbed his nose. His eyes were wild with shock. “You … you punched me.”

“You are a disgusting excuse for a man.” She rubbed her knuckles, realizing what she’d done.

When he moved his hand away, blood was trickling down his lips onto his chin. “I could sue you for this.”

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