Chapter 2

Samuel thought, 'She suggested we act like strangers, but that's not gonna happen.'

Samuel took out his phone and followed the woman who just left.

Layla found the nearest pharmacy to the hotel and went inside, pretending to browse.

"Can I help you with anything?" A stern-faced pharmacist approached her.

"I need to buy... birth control pills." Layla's face turned red as she whispered.

The pharmacist handed her the pills.

"Thank you." Layla paid and rushed out, immediately opening the box and swallowing a pill dry.

'It' s so bitter. Do they always taste like this?' Layla thought.

Inside the pharmacy, the pharmacist took off his medical uniform, revealing a suit underneath. He took out his phone and replied, "Mr. Holland, she has taken the pill."

On the top floor of the hotel, Samuel gazed out the window, smoking a cigarette, his eyes inscrutable. He thought, 'Vitamin B isn't too bad, right?'

After taking the pill, Layla caught a bus back to school. She had a part-time job as a teaching assistant in the afternoon.

At the school gate, she felt a heavy heart. Yesterday, right at this gate, her boyfriend Vincent Sivan's mother had found her.

In the Mercedes, Vincent's aristocratic mother looked at her with disdain. She said, "Take one million dollars and leave my son."

She then added, "Do you think you're a good match for Vincent? Don't dream of marrying into the Sivan family. Vincent is just playing with you. When he dumps you, you won't get a penny."

Layla foolishly pleaded with her, insisting Vincent was sincere. However, that very night, she caught Vincent and Emilia Brown having sex in the dorm.

Layla had angrily thrown a bucket of water on them before fleeing.

A panicked Vincent looked utterly pathetic. By the time he realized and ran downstairs, Layla had gone.

Snapping out of her memories, Layla saw Vincent, who hadn't slept all night, his eyes bloodshot and far from his usual self. He rushed over and grabbed her shoulders, anxiously saying, "Layla, I'll explain."

"Let go of me." Layla felt disgusted; those hands had touched Emilia.

She continued, "Vincent, if you don't let go, I'll let everyone in school know about your dirty secret!"

Although Vincent finally let go, he blocked her path, refusing to let her leave.

Vincent pleaded, "Layla, forgive my moment of weakness."

"Was it a moment of weakness? Was it the first time you and Emilia had sex? Is it always a moment of weakness?" Layla questioned.

Vincent hurriedly defended himself, "I made a mistake all men make, but I love you."

"Enough! You're shameless. Don't make all men bear the consequences of your actions! You're no different from an animal in heat," Layla shouted.

"Go back and tell your mother to take a good look at you. She'll see you're not worthy of me." She pushed Vincent forcefully to the ground.

"Layla, please don't hit Vincent." Emilia rushed out, crying, and pushed Layla away, standing in front of Vincent. "I like Vincent; it's all my fault. Hit me instead."

Emilia remarked, "I'm sorry, but Vincent is a normal man. You refused to make love to him, so he accepted me. You can't blame him."

Layla was so enraged by this absurd logic that she laughed. Layla thought, 'Well, you can't pull off something shameless without being shameless yourself. Nice try at justifying yourself.'

Layla questioned, "So, as my dear friend, you had you sex with him for me? Do you enjoy ruining other people's relationships? Should I wish you a speedy marriage to the Sivan family? Unfortunately, your wish is destined to remain unfulfilled!"

She then added, "If Vincent can cheat once, he can cheat a second and third time. I hope you can still defend him when other women come knocking."

A flash of hatred crossed Emilia's eyes, but she continued to cry pitifully. She retorted, "While you're blaming Vincent, have you looked at the kiss mark on your neck? Were you with another man last night?"

"Layla..." Vincent's bloodshot eyes stared at her neck, his face pale as he shouted. "What's going on?" He had waited four years, faced countless rejections, and now she had slept with another man.

Layla retorted, "I'm single. Who are you to question me?"

"So, you're a loose woman. I misjudged you!" Vincent stormed off in anger.

Emilia wiped away her tears, looking at Layla with contempt, and said, "Were you happy with the 'service' last night?"

Layla suddenly looked up, realizing she had been set up by Emilia, and clenched her fists.

Meanwhile, in the President's Office of the Holland Group, assistant James Vandella reported, "Mr. Samuel Holland, the person who drugged your drink last night, was indeed sent by Mr. Jovan Holland, aiming to ruin your reputation."

Samuel's eyes turned cold as he stubbed out his cigarette. It was time to settle the score between them.

Samuel asked, "Have you found out about the woman from last night?"

"Yes, her name is Layla Adkins, a 21-year-old ordinary college student. She has good grades and is a well-behaved girl. She went to the bar because she found out her boyfriend was cheating. And..." James hesitated.

"Go on," Samuel ordered.

James replied, "Her boyfriend is Mr. Sivan."

Samuel remarked, "Keep an eye on her."

Samuel revealed a meaningful smile. So, the little girl was his useless nephew's girlfriend. Things were getting more interesting. The more his father pushed for his marriage to the Eilish family, the more he resisted.