Chapter 106

Eyes locked.

Nora stood before me as she always had, her gentleness and refinement unchanged. Yet, as Layla, I couldn't shake the feeling that her soft exterior hid a steely core, perhaps amplified by my own sense of guilt.

I recalled Alice's warning: "You definitely don't want to be Nora's romantic rival."

Indeed, how could a lady like Nora, who embodied both intelligence and beauty, be an easy mark? Beneath her genteel surface, she must be dominant and resourceful.

I was no match for her.

"You're sweating, are you nervous?" Nora's gaze pinned on a drop of perspiration near my temple.

I scoffed inwardly: Just a newbie to the real world.

Is that the type of "innocence" Holland falls for?

I had to admit, sometimes men, driven by their protective instincts, preferred a deceptive damsel's allure over the support of a capable partner.

Was I losing because I came from a distinguished family, because I was too accomplished?

To lose to someone so far beneath me, I didn't know whether to feel elated or aggravated.

"I'm I'm just hot." Layla's body shivered while her heart burned with intensity.

"Miss Eilish, do you, do you need something? If not, I should probably..."

"The end is near for Isabel's salon, so you should be free to take over my mother's project now."

Was this why she sought me out? I thought Nora had seen through my connection with Samuel, ready to launch an accusation.

Or was it just a trap?

Nora's deep brown eyes were veiled in emotion, her smile impeccably poised. It was impossible for me to discern her true intentions.

Whereas I must have been utterly transparent to her, unable to even keep my cool.

I cleared my dry throat and said slowly, "I'm just an assistant, lacking in experience and ability..."

"Oh, insufficient ability? Miss Adkins is being too modest. I see you're quite capable." Was she capable enough to snatch a man from her clutches?

Were those words laced with sarcasm? My brow furrowed slightly. Was I feeling guilty, or was Nora mocking me?

"I have a keen eye for people. Since I've recommended you to my mother, I have faith in your competence. I'll finalize it with Nathan shortly, thank you for your effort."

"Mr. Marley is still recuperating, we shouldn't..."

"No bother, Nathan thinks highly of you." Nora cut off my excuses. Every word I uttered only added to her disdain.

Was she accusing me of winning big brother Holland over with lies and excuses?

It was daring for an ordinary girl, one who couldn't even reach the threshold of the Marley family, to play both ends against the middle. Nora, rarely mingling with society's underbelly, had heard rumors that the less people possessed, the more cunning they became. This was her first time seeing it up close. Did the destitute harbor grander ambitions to latch onto the coattails of the successful?

"Miss Eilish, I might really..."

"It's settled then. I'll touch base with you later to go over the details."

At Nora's gesture, Layla stepped back hastily.

What, scared of a slap across the face?

Nora snickered, lazily hooking a strand of hair behind her ear.

The expected reaction of an average woman caught in a love triangle would typically be more dramatic and emotional, but Nora was no average woman. Otherwise, she wouldn't keep her rival under such close watch.

She was also curious to see what skills Layla had-aside from a fairly young and pretty face-that could steal her fiancé.

"Miss Adkins, I'm looking forward to working with you," Nora said, her smile hinting at unspoken thoughts. She walked into the hospital room while Layla was still flustered.

Nathan, lost in a daydream, gazed absentmindedly at the carnations.

Nora looked down upon what she perceived as a misguided sense of devotion.

Throughout her life, she'd always been surrounded by exceptional men, and Samuel and Nathan were the cream of the crop. Yet, both apex predators had been played by a penniless woman. It just goes to show that often, the smarter they are, the lower their emotional intelligence can be.

"What's the matter? Can't bear to let her go? Want me to call her back for you?" Nora teased with a gentle tone.

Nathan snapped back to reality, "What were you two discussing?"

"A project at my mother's company. I'm considering handing it over to her."

"Yeah. Layla's got a real knack for design, she'll impress you."

Nora pulled up a chair and sat down, "Sounds like someone has a favorite. Congratulations on falling in love. Even a playboy meets his match, huh?"

"I haven't fallen for anyone," Nathan denied.

"If you didn't like Miss Adkins, would you have risked your life to save her?"

"I... it was just instinct, I guess." For the first time, Nathan seemed unsure of his own words.

He'd asked himself why he saved Layla that day. It happened in a split second, with no time to think. But it was this instinct that left him both stunned and puzzled, as if Layla's importance had somehow exceeded his own expectations, without him even realizing.

"Love blinds, my friend; don't make excuses for yourself. Miss Adkins is remarkable, and it's normal to be smitten with her. Girls like that are rare these days. If you're into her, go for it before someone else does, or you'll kick yourself for missing the chance."

Nathan's heartbeat skipped, he scratched his head, "You really think... I should pursue her?"

"Why not? A true gentleman appreciates a true lady."

Despite being intrigued, Nathan had his reservations. "But what if this is just a fleeting fancy on my part? I'd hate to hurt her. She's so innocent, and I don't want to break her heart. Plus, she's my apprentice-it wouldn't be right, would it?"

Had it been any of the women he used to mess around with, he wouldn't have given it a second thought. They all knew the drill; it was nothing more than a casual exchange, doomed to be short-lived.

But with Layla... For the first time, the idea of "dating" actually appealed to him-a notion he once found irritating.

Nora nodded. "Yeah, you're right. But if you keep this up, you'll just have to watch her become someone else's girlfriend."

"No way!" Nathan blurted out, his tone possessive.

"What's the use of saying 'no' if you're not going to pursue her? It's a shame. Miss Adkins is wasting her time on you," Nora said, shaking her head in sympathy.

"You're saying Layla likes me?" Nathan was taken aback by the excitement in his voice. "That can't be right. She doesn't seem to show that kind of interest in me."

"Girls often say one thing and mean another. Guys just don't get it. But I can see it clear as day-she's really into you. It's all up to you to make a move."

Nathan was torn. He had planned to squash whatever was budding for Layla, right from the root. But Nora's encouragement had him reconsidering.

His eyes lit up with determination. "I'm going to pursue her!"

"Go for it," Nora said with a sly smile.

...

The Eilish estate.

A staff member took Nora's GUCCI purse.

"Thank you," she said, always polite to the servants.

"Nora's back," Brenda directed the servant to bring out some soup with a warm smile.

"Have you been working hard lately? You look thinner," Brenda said, her concern evident as she gently touched Nora's hair.

"It's nothing, just dieting," Nora replied, hiding her worries behind a casual laugh.

She had always kept her troubles to herself, ever since she was a child, which just made Brenda all the more caring.

For years, there was only one person capable of shaking Nora's composure.

As a mother, Brenda had her own grievances about Samuel but kept them hidden, not wanting to upset her daughter.

"Nora, I've recently met some distinguished young men from well-to-do families who are also working hard. Would you like to meet them?"