Chapter 107

"I know what I want," Nora said, her face void of expression but her tone saying she wasn't interested in revisiting the topic.

"I know you like Mr. Holland, but you've wasted enough time on him. Love can't be forced. Even if you're an exceptional person, it's no use if he's not into you," Brenda reasoned with her.

Before, Nora would've dismissed such talk with just a listen. She strongly believed that it was natural for one to always choose the better, especially the strong, who sought powerful alliances.

But now, Nora had Layla as a tangible point of comparison.

The more Nora weighed her own looks, circumstances, and abilities against Layla, the more she burned with resentment.

Losing and feeling defeated for the first time, especially to someone like Layla, who seemed so commonplace, was infuriating.

"How can I not be livid?" she thought.

"Nora, you've always been so competitive, but love isn't something you can force. A woman's true happiness isn't about landing the most impressive guy; it's about finding someone who truly cares for you," Brenda, a seasoned homemaker, said.

The Eilish family's son-in-law, of course, had to be an exceptional man, but he didn't necessarily have to be the strongest of them all.

No matter how impressive a man is, if he doesn't cherish the woman he's with, he's hardly the ideal husband. And Samuel's flagrant denial of their marriage to the media was simply too much.

"If I get married, it has to be to him, or I'd rather stay single," Nora declared firmly.

"Nora..."

"Enough said," Nora cut her off.

Brenda sighed. Emotions can cloud anyone's judgment - it's rare to stay completely rational. Honestly, Brenda didn't have much hope for this relationship. Even if they got married, happiness seemed elusive. Better to let go before making a mistake.

"Oh, do you still remember Layla?" Nora asked, feeling a twinge of irritation at the mention of her name.

"What's wrong?" Brenda tensed up, feeling unexpectedly anxious.

It wasn't for no reason. Ever since they met that day, Brenda occasionally felt uncomfortable, the girl's face haunting her thoughts.

"What's your impression of her?"

"She's, well, polite enough," Brenda managed to say.

Brenda found it ironic. Layla was indeed a master of disguise, fooling women as well as men.

"Have her handle the project at your company. I already finalized the arrangements with her and Nathan today."

"Finalized? Didn't I say we hadn't decided yet?" Brenda fretted. It wasn't dislike per se, but rather an unexplained aversion, an instinct to steer clear. It was as if an alarm went off in her mind, warning her against further contact.

"This recent project by Isabel turned out well under her lead, so let's just see how it goes. If you're unhappy, we can always make a change."

"Well, okay then..." Brenda conceded, worried that opposition might raise suspicion. She agreed for now, thinking she might later claim a mismatch in styles as an excuse for refusal.

Nora barely finished half her soup before setting down her spoon. "Is my brother coming back next Wednesday?" she asked.

"Uh-huh. Dad had him cutting his teeth in the German branch for the last few years. He did well, and now he's coming back to officially take over the reins of the Eilish Group."

Nora nodded, a faint smile finally gracing her features. "I'll pick him up from the airport when the time comes."

...

In the morning, after sorting out her discharge from the hospital, Layla went to find Nathan.

"You're lucky, getting discharged and all. Here I am stuck in this boring place for another two weeks," Nathan said with a resigned glance at his plaster-casted arm.

"I'll come to keep you company whenever I'm free."

"Really?"

"Of course, how could I leave you hanging?" Layla nodded earnestly. He had saved her life.

Idle words can hold significance for those who ponder them. Nathan's heart skipped a beat as he remembered Nora's suggestion that Layla had feelings for him.

That comment had sent him into a whirlwind of thoughts the night before, as if he were lovesick.

Romance was complicated, and while he disliked overthinking, he couldn't help feeling both troubled and elated.

Nora was the sharpest woman he knew, her intuition was spot on. Was he being too dense?

Perhaps it was because women usually fell for him easily, sparing him the hassle of guessing. Or, being too engrossed with those he truly cared about, Nathan found it hard to read Layla's mind.

But one thing was crystal clear: he had genuine feelings for Layla. His heart raced at her proximity. No, just the thought of her sent him into a flutter, like a teenager experiencing his first crush.

"You're so good to me. You sure you don't have a crush on me?" Nathan teased, a hint of hope lurking in his eyes.

"With so many crushing on Mr. Marley, you won't miss one more," Layla quipped.

"Who says? I'm missing just you. If you've got a crush, say it."

Nathan's poker-faced tone made Layla laugh. Aware of Nathan's playboy reputation, she didn't take it seriously and joked, "Sure, sure."

"Really?" Nathan's heart raced faster.

"..."

It was obviously not true, was there even a question?

Her response was clearly in jest. Layla hadn't expected Nathan to take her seriously, and she was about to clarify when...

"Miss Adkins, the boss sent me to escort you out," came a measured but authoritative voice.

"Mr. Vandella?" Nathan looked surprised at the man in the suit standing before him.

A trace of panic crossed Layla's face as she met Nathan's questioning gaze. Not adept at lying, she suddenly had a stroke of quick thinking, "The president... he assigned me to a project and wanted to discuss progress today. I completely forgot."

"How come you never mentioned it before?"

"Didn't I say something?" Layla feigned ignorance, her voice laced with anxiety as if the truth might pierce through her act any second. She quickly added, "You should rest up; I'll swing by after I finish my stuff."

Nathan reached for her hand urgently, "When will you be done?"

"Tomorrow, I guess," Layla stuttered, trying to pull her hand free, but Nathan's grip was determined. He gazed at her intently, demanding an exact answer.

"What time tomorrow?"

Layla felt on the verge of tears - she hadn't meant to lead him on. How could she know the exact time?

Hastily, she replied, "After work, I suppose."

"Alright, I'll wait for you."

"Yeah." Avoiding any more eye contact than necessary, Layla hurried to catch up with Mr. Vandella.

Once she was gone, Nathan frowned.

Was Mr. Holland being honest about summoning Mr. Vandella purely for business reasons?

Nathan knew that Mr. Vandella was Samuel's right-hand man, always at his side. Was a minor project really significant enough to warrant his personal involvement?

And recalling Samuel's previous behavior towards Layla, Nathan's suspicion grew.

But he clung to what Nora had mentioned - that Layla harbored a secret crush on him, seemingly confirmed by Layla's own playful admission. After all, isn't there a kernel of truth in every joke? So, she must have feelings for him.

Feeling resolute, Nathan discarded any thought of Layla being entangled with Samuel.

He was determined to pursue her, to make her his.

Full of confidence and anticipation, Nathan mused about the pursuit.

Ah, he had to wait until tomorrow to see her again, and he already missed her.