Chapter 109

A month ago, Samuel would never have imagined he'd ask such a hopelessly silly question.

A thirty-year-old man asking a twenty-year-old woman if she liked him? Wasn't that a bit embarrassing?

But he needed to know the answer.

Trapped in his strong embrace, Layla's breathing was heavy, her eyes wide and panicked like a deer in headlights, her gaze fixed on the man above her. Her lips parted, no sound escaping.

She never anticipated such a question from Samuel.

He didn't seem like the type to care about her feelings-a man who would keep her by his side because of a pregnancy should be decisive and assertive, right?

A desire to conquer?

That was the only reason Layla could think of.

"Answer me." Growing impatient for a response, Samuel pinched her chin to urge her, his gaze intensifying.

"How old are you, asking such questions?" Layla retorted defensively.

Was she avoiding the question?

Samuel took her evasion as a denial. His heart sank.

The women who flocked to him were always eager to please, never playing hard to get, but she... she had never even considered chasing him.

What did she take him for?

"Heh, are you with me just to save your brother? Including kissing me, letting me kiss your entire body-is that all just compromise?" Samuel couldn't grasp the extremity of his own thoughts.

Just yesterday, he could feel her resistance melting away, even a possible affection for him, and now all that was overturned by the belief that she was enduring in silence.

Layla was at a loss for words.

She hadn't thought that far ahead.

At first, driven to a corner, she despised him. But over the days, some feelings had begun to change... she wasn't even sure herself anymore.

"I..."

Before she could finish, Samuel cut her off.

"I get it. There's no need to say it." Samuel's edges suddenly became cold, as frigid as when Layla first met him, shielding himself in frosty indifference.

Only upon this stark contrast did she realize that even though he maintained his aloof demeanor during their time together, his eyes always held a faint warmth.

Her heart was in turmoil - a jumbled mess of emotions that she couldn't quite discern.

"Samuel..."

Samuel withdrew, leaning against the seat with a chill in his expression that seemed to create miles of distance between them. Despite being so close, it felt like an iceberg stood between them.

"There's no need to explain. I wouldn't stoop so low as to do something to your brother," he said with a snort, "not that degraded, at least."

But there was a misunderstanding; Layla had made no such assumption.

She wanted to clear the air, but meeting his icy profile drained her courage, the words stuck in her throat.

"I should... I should go now..." She hesitated, giving him a cautious look. Layla carefully opened the car door, stepping out with extra gentleness, and closed it softly behind her.

Samuel's face remained cold throughout.

A sarcastic, self-derisive smirk crossed his lips. "How dramatic."

Upon arriving at the airport.

"Go back and keep an eye on her. Don't let the Hollands get anywhere near her," Samuel instructed before striding into the airport.

"Yes, boss," Mr. Vandella replied with reverence, watching until Samuel disappeared from view.

The boss's feelings for Miss Adkins were deepening. Even the toughest man could be vulnerable when it came to love.

It was a rocky road ahead.

...

The Holland Mansion.

"Samuel has taken Layla back to the company and we've got people watching her," the bodyguard reported.

Hearing the update, Mr. Holland let out a cold laugh, puffing on his cigar voraciously. " He's really protective of that woman. Tough luck for her, being saved by that Marley boy's sacrifice."

Across from him, Jovan sat with his leg propped up, an air of reckless abandon about him, not hiding the schadenfreude in his eyes. "Now, I'm genuinely curious about what kind of charming lady she is."

"Just some penniless lass," Holland scoffed. When it came to looks and grace, she was nowhere close to Nora.

"Dad, seeing how he's so besotted with her, why not just let them be? You've been wanting grandchildren, right?" Jovan teased on purpose.

"Nonsense! Only Nora is worthy of carrying on our lineage, not some destitute girl. She might have been lucky this time, but the future is long; I refuse to believe we can't take care of her." A ruthless glint flashed in Mr. Holland's eyes. After all, wasn't his path paved with bones and stained with blood? Taking out one more girl would be no trouble at all.

Jovan downed a glass of whiskey and stood up. "Enjoy your cigar. I've got things to do and no time for your grumbling."

"You little punk, where do you think you're going?"

Jovan paused, turned around with a cocky half-grin. "To see a potential sister-in-law," he said.

"What do you intend to do?"

"Stay where you are!"

"Don't mess with my plans, dammit!" Holland's fury hit him square in the chest. One by one, these folks were testing his patience, practically itching for him to kick the bucket so they could divvy up the inheritance, weren't they?

"Lewis, get the meds."

...

By the time Layla got to the office, Alice was giving her that sly, knowing smile that made Layla's skin crawl. "Could you not smile at me like that? It's creepy."

"This isn't a creepy smile, honey. This is pure envy. Who would've thought that the stoic boss could turn into such a wild animal in bed? Not even a sick person escapes his clutches. Show a little restraint, will ya?"

"Keep it down," Layla hissed, fearing they might be overheard.

"The big shot is cold to everyone else. But with a girl he likes, he can't bear to let her out of bed-not even for three days. Romance novels are way too close to reality!"

Layla felt a mix of annoyance and amusement. "Maybe you should read less romance and you might escape the single life sooner."

"I think being single is quite fabulous, free as a bird. Of course, if a hotshot like him was after me, I wouldn't say no."

As they were playfully shoving each other, Lynn walked by and her gaze lingered on Layla's face for a second. "You got a boyfriend?"

"No," Layla replied, a nervous twitch in her voice.

"Oh, please. It's not like I'm blind," Lynn pointed to her own lips.

Layla turned red. That man insisted on biting her lip, was that intentional?

"He's pretty wild, your boyfriend, huh?"

"You bet," Alice chimed in. "Cool exterior, fiery heart."

"Have you met him? Come on, Layla, you have share with the group. When are you gonna bring him around?"

"Soon enough," Layla quickly changed the subject. "Did you need something?"

"Oh, there's this new interior design project for a villa, and they've specifically asked for you to take charge. It's pretty urgent, they want you to check out the place this afternoon."

Layla frowned, a couple of questions on her mind.

"Who's the client? Why did they ask for me?" She wasn't famous or anything.

"Since when do we do residential projects? I thought we only did commercial work."

Even villa interiors were a small fry for the Holland Group, and they usually didn't bother.

"Don't ask me, I'm clueless too. Maybe you've been making waves lately. Or it could be some exec's relative, who knows? You'll find out when you get there."

Alice was visibly excited. "A big villa, could be a prince!"

Layla shot her a wry look. "Princes are in short supply. I bet it's more likely a beast."