My CEO 21
21 Fighting Back!
21 Fighting Back! (Winona)
| grip the official adoption papers in my hand. Finally. Phillip is now legally her father and listed on her birth
certificate. My heart is hammering. I'm so happy and relieved. Now, no one can make it any different without
lawyers and a courtroom. | don't have to hide my daughter anymore. When | feel Jayden is ready. | will tell him
the truth. But for now, | want to at least keep Judy off balance. Hopefully the good news will continue and Abby
will be accepted into the preschool. My cell phone rings and it's a local number. | answer, "Hello, Winona Nolan
speaking."
"Hi, Winona. This is Marion Gregory from Johnstone Academy calling.
"Oh, Hi Mrs. Gregory," | say cheerfully.
"I'm very sorry. But we've gone over Abby's information and I'm afraid she's not suited for our academy."
"Not suited? Is there any particular reason? | mean the fees are not a problem and we live in the area."
"I'm sorry ma'am. We don't discuss the exact details. But you understand we have many applications, so the
competition is very strong. The Parents and Friends committee has the deciding vote. | hope you have a nice
day." Then she disconnects the call.
Abby is very bright and artistic; she was accepted in the best preschool in our hometown. Also, in the interview
at Johnstone Academy they were talking as if we'd already been accepted. After that we'd even had a meet and
greet with Abby attending for a half day with Phillip and [ there.
| don't believe it's because the school has too many numbers. Wait, the Parents and Friends.. | get online and
search up the school and committee. No familiar names there. Then | see a list of the school's benefactors. Judy
Brennan. That cow!
She has influenced this decision somehow. | certainly intend to find out if she's back from this so-called vacation.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtI head off to work.
Of course, I'm not surprised to see Judy waiting at my office door. "Guess your vacation is over. Pity. | was
enjoying the peace."
"I know you have a daughter you've been hiding. Guilty conscience, is it?"
"Think what you want." I'm not letting her think she hasworried. "I know you're a major supporter of
Johnstone Academy as well," | glare at her.
She just scoffs it off and continues on her topic. "I think you know what | want to ask you about. Is she Jayden's?"
"No. Now leave. | have work to do." | swipe my entry card and walk into my desk.
Judy follows me. "You aren't coming here and wrecking Jayden's life with more of your lies."
+20 BONUS
21 Fighting Back!
"My daughter has nothing to do with Jayden. If | wanted to wreck his life, surely I'd be saying the opposite."
Judy just stands there and taps her foot.
Philip's office is just next door and he casually strolls
He walks up to Judy with his huge smile and holds out his hand. "You must be Mrs. Brennan. Hi, I'm Philip,
Winona's partner. I'm very pleased to meet you. I've heard a lot about how well you ran this company while
Jayden was on a leave of absence." Judy shakes his hand and gives a close-lipped smile. Please, calljudy."
Then Phillip turns to me. He's almost irresistible when he switches on the charm like that and | smile at the way
he's swooped in to attempt to stop Judy from her verbal attack.
| pick up on the line he's throwingimmediately. The official letter of the adoption was already opened, so he
must have read it before me. He often goes through the mail before | do as I fall into bed late most nights and
check my mail in the mornings.
It's been a real joy sharing our townhouse together with Anne. We function very well on a grassroots level.
Something Jayden and | never did. We often argued over the little things and the big things but that was just our
way. We never went to sleep angry with each other or anything.
Quite the contrary, our passion was always on fire and we'd fall asleep, sated, in each other's arms.
"Morning Darling. You left early this morning." | greet him. | told Abby you'd call her at lunchtas she was still
asleep when you went." | walk around the desk and give him a kiss on the cheek. "You know how she misses her
daddy in the mornings.
|
Now he knows that I've read the
adoption news. His aK eyes spatkle
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"I'll call her. | had a breakfast meeting, and | didn't want to wake her." He kissed my cheek back.
"You're the father?" Judy asks with a doubtful look on her face.
"You mean Abby? Yes, | am. Why? Who else would be?"
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Judy still looks unimpressed. "I think
our little Winona could be playing
tricks. Abby is I thyeeyeats bid.
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KoA ske {eft/here she could have
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may have gotten pregnant while she
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Phillip just smiles again. "You know,
|
maybe you'll never know, Judy. But
one thing | do Knows raya
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daughter in every way. Now, if you'll
excuse us, | need to discuss some
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business with Winona." The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Once again Phillip is there to protectand Abby.
But Judy's next words make my blood run cold.
"Then how about a DNA test?"