Chapter 171
Layla stood with her head bowed, an image of humility and submission. Her hands twisted the strap of her bag nervously, slick with the cold sweat of fear.
Never before had she felt such humiliation.
A prickling sensation stung her eyes as she fought back tears, her breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps.
"Under the law, a nineteen-year-old is fully accountable for his actions. If he's still ignorant, then I wouldn't mind teaching him a lesson he won't forget," Samuel's voice sliced through the tension, each word falling like shards of ice. His brows were drawn together in a fierce frown, his eyes devoid of warmth.
Layla's heart plummeted, her lips pressing into a tight line.
While Owen's actions were inexcusable, and Samuel was justified in his refusal to forgive, Owen was her brother. She couldn't abandon him.
"I'll make sure to set him straight, Mr. Holland. He won't be this rash again. Please, sir, if you could find it in your heart to forgive him just this once... I implore you..." Layla bowed deeply, her body nearly touching the ground. She stared at the tips of her shoes, struggling to keep her tears at bay.
Samuel could no longer see her face.
She was bent low before him, her posture humbled to the point of touching the dust.
No one wants to be so abject before someone they admire, but for Layla, the alternative - Owen going to prison - was unthinkable. She'd trample her own pride if it could save Owen.
Samuel thought he would feel some sort of satisfaction. Instead, he felt more troubled.
This wasn't what he wanted!
A fire raged in his chest, so fierce it left him breathless.
"Please, Mr. Holland..." Layla's choked voice reached him. Was she crying?
His heart was softening, just on the brink of giving in, when suddenly...
"Layla, shut up! Don't beg him! Have some spine, will you?" Owen's voice came roaring through, the police barely keeping him at bay.
"I've done nothing wrong. I'd rather do time than have you grovel for me."
"Mr. Holland, what kind of man bullies a woman? You're a real piece of work, Justin!"
"Owen..." Layla's voice was riddled with panic.
Samuel's jaw tightened as he stood up, his voice icy. "It seems the young gentleman has no desire to reconcile. Very well, let him have his wish."
Without another word, Samuel turned and walked away, his entourage of guards, lawyers, and police officers trailing respectfully behind him.
Layla hesitated for a few seconds, rooted to the spot.
"Mr. Holland! Please, wait..." She tried to follow but was blocked by the bodyguards. Her slight frame was no match for their blockade.
The chauffeur held the door open as Samuel slid into the back of the sleek sedan, leaving Layla with nothing but his cold profile, as if a glacier stood between them. He was unreachable, detached from the emotions that swirled around them.
"Mr. Holland, please forgive my brother..."
"Mr. Holland, I beg of you..." Layla could no longer hold back her tears, her voice breaking like that of a child lost and desperate. "Mr. Holland..."
"Scum?" Samuel suddenly let out a cold snort, adjusted his tie with a huff, and gave Layla a disdainful glance. He hadn't intended to give her the time of day, but couldn't help the sarcasm dripping from every word. "What's the matter? Didn't you tell him who really caused this mess? Who betrayed whom?"
Layla was left speechless.
"Why would you do something like that if it shames you?" Samuel pressed on.
He'd always wanted to ask her - how could she? How dared she?
He had trusted her completely!
For such a guarded man like him to have trusted her wholeheartedly, without reservation, was a testament to his faith in her. Yet, she had shattered that trust.
He wanted nothing more than to tear her apart with his bare hands!
"I'm sorry..." Layla sobbed, shaking her head. She didn't know what else she could say. Guilt frothed up in her heart like bitter bile, leaving her in agony.
"I was the one who made the mistake. Please, let my brother go. I'll take his place in jail."
Was she trying to threaten him?
"Do you think I wouldn't dare?" Samuel scoffed coldly.
"He can't go to jail, Mr. Holland..."
"Oh, he will," Samuel said with finality, his eyes cold and merciless, "As for how long... a day, a month, ten years, it's all possible. Whenever I feel like it, that's when he'll be free."
"Drive."
"Mr. Holland, Mr. Holland... please... let Owen go..." Layla pleaded desperately as she watched the car door close and the convoy pull away.
"Mr. Holland..." Layla collapsed to the ground, sobbing until she nearly passed out.
By the time her tears had dried and she returned to the station, Owen was already locked in the interrogation room, due for transfer to the prison in the morning.
"Owen! Are you trying to ruin yourself?" Layla glared at him, her eyes red and angry.
"I'm seeking justice for you," Owen said defiantly, kicking the metal door with rage in his eyes, "That bastard played with your emotions, and you're apologizing to him? I just regret that knife didn't end up in him."
"How many times have I told you, he didn't wrong me, it was I who betrayed him, I'm the guilty one!"
"Why are you still defending him? He clearly toyed with your heart and dumped you, refusing to take responsibility," Owen roared. "Layla, it's because you're so passive, so willing to accept being played that he dares to treat you this way."
Angered, Layla retorted, "And you think using violence is right? We came here looking for Dad, and now with his whereabouts unknown, you're locked up again. What do you expect me to do? I still have to figure out a way to save you."
"I don't need you to save me; I'll just do the time," Owen snapped back bitterly. "It's not like I haven't been in jail before."
"Still no remorse? You think it'll be like before, just pay and you're out? Wake up! That's Samuel; he could have you rot in jail for life with just one word."
A flicker of anxiety passed through Owen's eyes, but he postured toughly, "Good. Let him try to keep me for life because the first thing I'll do when I'm out is take him down."
"You're still so deluded..." Overwhelmed by emotion, Layla felt a wave of dizziness and staggered back, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Layla..." Owen's tone shifted to one of concern, "Are you okay?"
Layla felt completely drained, leaning against the iron gate, barely steadying herself as she looked at him in agony. "If you don't want me dead, stop making my life difficult."
"I..."
"I'll figure out a way to get you out. Until then, stay put and quit causing trouble." With those words, Layla turned and walked away. She collapsed at the entrance of the police station, tears flowing once again.
...
The next day.
After a full day of meetings, Nora Eilish followed Samuel out of the subsidiary office of the Holland Group.
Being with this man, even after a hectic day, she never felt tired. Yet she couldn't help but hope he would speak to her, even just a word, but he remained silent. Even during the meetings, he sat with furrowed brows and a tight jaw, his level of engagement uncertain.
"Busy day, huh? How about we grab a drink tonight?" Nora's tone was upbeat as she invited him.
She had developed a resilience to his indifference, undeterred by repeated disappointments, seizing every opportunity.
"Mr. Holland?"
"I have plans," Samuel replied curtly.
"But aren't you here in the city mainly for the resort project? What other plans do you have?" Nora couldn't help asking cautiously. Could he have plans with Layla?
The thought made her a bit anxious.
In his mind, Samuel scoffed. His plans involved getting blindly drunk at the hotel, then waking up the next morning to continue working like a robot.
Suddenly, he stopped walking.
Nora followed Samuel's gaze to see Layla standing awkwardly a few meters away, looking at them.