Chapter 98

"Whoa, what's going on?" Alice stumbled, nearly tripping over Layla's sudden tug. "What are you hiding from?"

"Me? I'm not hiding," Layla stammered, peering out from behind a marble pillar.

"Isn't that the boss with Miss Eilish? Don't tell me you're dodging them," Alice eyed her suspiciously. "Layla, you're making me think you've got a thing with the boss."

"That's ridiculous. You're overthinking it," Layla forced a smile, glancing at the floor-a telltale sign of her lying.

"Miss Eilish is a smart woman. Trust me, you wouldn't want to be on her bad side as a love rival-or you wouldn't even know what hit you."

"Miss Eilish is friendly," Layla couldn't help but defend.

"I'm not saying she isn't. But ladies of her stature-they've got a steely side. She's all smiles with you now, but if you cross her and take her man..." Alice scoffed, her expression serious yet not given to hyperbole. "She'd tear you apart without batting an eyelid."

Layla fell silent. Perhaps that was true. When Emilia had gone after Vincent, the urge to tear her apart crossed her mind constantly. But eventually, she saw through his true colors and couldn't be bothered with revenge.

Not everyone could be as passive as her, after all.

"It's none of my business. Let's go."

They walked away, and a moment later, Layla stepped out from behind the pillar.

"Hmm. They're a perfect match, made in heaven, like characters from a storybook fairy tale. You wouldn't find a better match for our CEO in the whole of A City."

Layla didn't respond. Given Samuel's perfect fiancée, it was perplexing why he would ever notice her..

...

The moment Samuel stepped out of the office with Nora, a swarm of reporters appeared out of nowhere, buzzing around them.

"Mr. Holland, with you and Miss Eilish making such public appearances, is the big day on the horizon?"

"We heard the wedding is set for the end of this month at the Hilton Hotel."

"Mr. Holland, there's a lot of interest in this marriage. Can you give us a hint?"

Cameras flashed incessantly around them.

Samuel frowned. There was a lot he disliked, and paparazzi were definitely on that list.

His expression darkened.

"Married? At the end of this month? I'm the last to know, and you're telling me?"

His deep voice, laced with accusation, sent chills down the spines of those present.

"It's not at the end of this month? Then when? Will it be this year?"

"When did I ever say I was getting married?" Samuel retorted.

The journalists were stunned.

Nora looked visibly uncomfortable.

"Isn't this common knowledge?" one reporter muttered, confused.

" Isn't this matrimonial news just a rumor started by you journalists? Unfounded, preposterous, baseless," Samuel snapped back, hitting them with a triple blow.

The reporter looked from Nora to Samuel. "You mean to say, the wedding is off? You and Miss Eilish won't be getting married?"

"Use your brain, and think for yourself. And beware, spreading rumors carries consequences!" With that, Samuel got into his Rolls-Royce.

Inside the car.

Nora gripped her purse tightly, silent for a moment. "By saying that, do you mean to deny our engagement?"

"It is false, should I have let them continue with their fabrications?"

Nora furrowed her brows and cast a glance at him, clearly upset. "Are you that eager to disassociate yourself from me?"

Samuel remained silent.

"Is it because of her?" Nora sneered. "I've been wondering these past few days, what kind of woman could capture your heart, and how she could be better than me. Is she prettier, more accomplished? But no answers come to me. It's not blind confidence, but I, Nora, don't lose to any woman."

"I don't pick women based on credentials." He had never compared Layla to any other woman, nor had he ever scored her.

For him, the woman he liked was always perfect.

Nora laughed bitterly. The words stung because she didn't even have a fighting chance; she didn't even know where she had lost.

At least in a competition, she could catch up. But there was no competition here.

"You're not just anybody; you're the heir to the Holland Group," Nora reminded him. "Marriages like these are never straightforward."

"To me, it's quite simple." There was just one rule for Samuel: he did what he liked.

"Holland, in my eyes, you've always been mature and responsible. How can you be so...?" Capricious, selfish. Nora bit her tongue before the words could escape.

"I don't think we're close enough to be having this conversation," Samuel cut her off, unwilling to continue, "Looks like you've lost your appetite. Mr. Vandella, please escort Miss Eilish back to Eilish Group."

Nora's face turned an even uglier shade. She had thought him cold, but he was proving to be even more callous than she'd imagined.

A thick barrier had formed between them.

But she wasn't about to give up.

...

"Ding-dong-" The doorbell rang.

"Coming." Layla had just called for a water delivery, assuming it was the delivery person at the door, but it turned out to be Jennie.

"Are you cooking? Smells delicious."

"Yeah, making spaghetti."

"I am so over salads. Mind if I crash your place for dinner tonight?" Jennie didn't wait for an answer and walked in.

Layla couldn't help thinking how Jennie made herself right at home.

"I thought you were cutting down on carbs?" Layla questioned. Jennie had been the one teaching her all about sugar resistance and reducing carb intake.

"Holland and Nora are practically married. What's the point of losing weight or resisting sugar now? I might as well fatten up to death..." Jennie lamented.

Layla, at a loss for words, decided to focus on cooking, "I'll get the spaghetti going."

Soon after, the doorbell chimed again, and she called out, "Water delivery, could you get the door, please?"

"Mr. Holland?" Jennie's voice was full of surprise.

Samuel? Layla's hand shook, and her chopsticks dropped into the pot. She quickly fished them out and hurried to the door.

Samuel's indifferent gaze fixed on her. "I came to discuss the design drafts with her."

Jennie's eyes darted back and forth between them, curious but cautious not to pry too much, "Oh, right I guess I'll head out then. Mr. Holland, feel free to knock on my door if you need anything."

"Why are you here again? Don't play me for a fool, okay?" Layla said with a sigh.

He lived right next door, yet he had the audacity to show up looking for her. Luckily, Jennie was oblivious; otherwise, she would've started asking questions by now.

"Am I supposed to tell her that you're carrying my child, that I came to see my future wife and son?" Samuel snorted, his raspy voice tinged with a tantalizing edge.

Layla felt like spitting in his face. "You dare say that and I'll cut you down."

"You wouldn't do that. Then you'd have no husband and your child would have no father. You couldn't handle that."

They were suddenly so close, it caught Layla off-guard. " Lean in and we'll see if I can handle it or not."

"Alright." Samuel leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Samuel, you..." Layla's hand flew to the spot he had kissed, her face flushed as she glared at him with wide, clear eyes.