Chapter 7
The moment was over in seconds-so quick Mikayla half-wondered if she'd imagined it. She caught a glimpse of
Carlos cracking a rare blush across his usually cool face, and she couldn't help but think, 'Is this his first kiss?"
"Sealed with a kiss. Carlos blurted out and then bolted from the room. He rubbed his lips, the lingering soft and
sweet sensation nearly made him lose his composure just now,
Mikayla lightly touched her still-warm lips and couldn't contain her joy. Could he really be... He's only in his late
twenties. Hasn't been with anyone before? Is it even possible to be that uninvolved while in the military?"
Then Mikayla and Josiah headed back to the Salvatore manor. On the way, she mulled over how she'd break the
news of her new shadow to her folks. But right before she could step inside, a shrill voice caught her attention.
She instantly recognized it and quickened her pace.
"Jorge, you can't keep shutting Huxley out of Salvatore Group: argued Mikayla's aunt, Mildred Salvatore, whose
temperament clashed with her gentle name.
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Mikayla's father, Jorge Salvatore, had an older brother named Logan-also Winona's father. By tradition, the eldest
son would run the family business, but this time, Jorge got the nod. Of course, Logan and his clan objected, and
they attempted to challenge it several times but were thwarted by Alaric Salvatore, Mikayla's grandfather.
Furious, Logan moved with his family out of the Salvatore manor, but Alaric stood his ground.
Since then, although Logan never joined the business, Alaric had been giving him half the profits yearly. In recent
times, Logan's visits were mostly cash grabs or attempts to land his son, Huxley Salvatore, to secure a high-
ranking position in the company. They sought a managerial or higher role for him, despite Huxley being arrogant
and still a student. Naturally. Jorge objected to this.
Recently, with Huxley starting his internship, his family had been visiting more frequently than ever. Mikayla
instructed Josiah to stay at the entrance and walked inside, greeting. "Hi, Uncle Logan, Aunt Mildred!"
"Oh, look who's there! Mildred, seated on the couch, smiled meaningfully. Beside her sat Logan, who always
carried himself as if he were in charge. Winona and Huxley were also present. Mikayla glanced around the room
before sitting down with her parents
"Jorge, Huxley's the only man in the younger generation. Only he can inherit the family business. Don't tell me
you're going. to pass it on to Mikayla, Mildred said. "We're not young anymore," Logan added, backing his wife
up. "Better Huxley helps out than soutside hire.
Mikayla's parents had always backed down out of respect for their older brother and sister-in-law, who, however,
just pushed harder each time. "Dad, why not let Huxley join the company?" Mikayla suggested, well aware of
what her folks wanted.
Logan and Mildred were taken aback that Mikayla was speaking up for them, but gratitude was far from their
reaction. "See, even Mikayla sees it my way! If you don't let Huxley into the business, | swear I'll lose it!" said
Logan, his voice carrying a sharp edge of warning.
Mikayla patted Sylvia's hand to soothe her before giving Jorge a look and said, "Uncle Logan, Aunt Mildred, | see
no issue with Huxley joining the company. But, let's be real about his role, right? As the future heir, he's got to
follow rules like everyone else."
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"Dad-Mom, the title doesn't matter. I'll follow Uncle Jorge's instructions," Huxley spoke up, ignoring Winona's
attempts at caution. Little did he know what his future held-if he had, he'd bever have played along. For now,
though, everyone, including Logan and Mildred, seemed to buy into Mikayla's terms.
"| didn't expect your daughter to be much more mature than you!" Logan sneered. That was the first time
Mikayla heard Logan indirectly praise her. Jorge and Sylvia only had one child because Jorge didn't want to put
his wife through too much pain. However, everyone looked down on Jorge simply because the child turned out to
be a daughter. After Huxley was born, Logan's family had an excuse to bully Sylvia, leaving Jorge no choice but
to surrender the company he had worked so
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Chapars 7
hard Row
Ka Legan stood up to one, Jorge offered a hospitable geviere. Tegan, Mildred, do way for dinner."
"Appreciate it, but we've got plans, Logan said, declining. "The Lesbirrom Earily has us over for dinner tonight."
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