Chapter 218

With his back turned to Layla, Samuel stood rigid, a faint tremor betraying his otherwise stoic demeanor. A fleeting crack in his icy facade quickly sealed itself as he spoke with a chilling indifference. "Of course, we're getting rid of it."

A wave of anguish washed over Layla, her heart feeling as if it were being ruthlessly torn apart.

"Samuel, it's a life," she protested, her voice a mere whisper. "You were once so excited for its arrival."

"That was before," he retorted, his tone devoid of any emotion. He turned his face slightly, revealing half of it to her in a display of utter detachment. "With the baby, finding a new boyfriend will be quite a challenge for you, won't it, Layla?"

"Samuel," Layla's voice rang out, anger flaring within her. She refused to be belittled in such a manner.

She was not an object, not a discarded plaything he had grown weary of!

Yet, Samuel didn't so much as glance back as he walked away, leaving her standing alone.

"Anthony, let me go," Nora demanded, wrenching her hand free after being dragged away. She attempted to return, but Anthony stepped in her path, effectively blocking her.

"Give them some time to talk things through."

"Samuel has already ended things with her. They have nothing left to discuss."

"Nora, if you lack even that much confidence, if you're so afraid of them being in contact, is Samuel really worth marrying?" Anthony questioned, his tone stern.

Nora clenched the fabric of her dress, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Of course I'm confident. I wasn't afraid when they were together; why should I be scared now that they've parted ways? I'm just repulsed by Layla clinging to Samuel like a fly."

"Anthony, did you ever consider my feelings when you brought an outsider right under my nose?" Nora asked, her voice laced with accusation.

"Layla's not an outsider."

"She is!" Nora hissed under her breath. "If she hadn't suddenly appeared, Samuel and I might already be married. Now, Layla keeps clinging to Samuel, and you're actually aiding her. Do you want us siblings to become estranged?"

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"But you are hurting me. Layla is trying to steal Samuel from me, and now she's trying to take you from me too. They've just broken up, and she comes looking for you. Can't you see? Layla is using you, and you're not thinking clearly."

"The one who needs to be clear-headed is you, Nora. Samuel isn't the best choice for you. I can't just stand by and watch you jump into hell." Despite knowing his words might fall on deaf ears, Anthony couldn't just stand by and do nothing. After all, Nora was his beloved sister.

"You're the one heading for hell by liking that woman. If you don't cut ties with Layla, I'll tell Dad," Nora threatened, her voice shaking slightly.

"It won't change a thing."

"Are you really willing to turn against your own family for her? Anthony, have you lost your mind?" Nora's voice wavered, a hint of panic seeping through. Anthony was the most logical and family-oriented person she knew; she couldn't comprehend that he would forsake his own family for a woman.

Layla was nothing but trouble, a devil in disguise! Men fell under her spell one after another. Layla brought nothing but disaster to their lives.

Anthony remained silent, offering no response to Nora's accusations.

"If you go through with this, Anthony, I'll be very disappointed in you." A shiver ran down Nora's spine, her gaze growing icy as she turned and caught up with Samuel, taking his arm.

Anthony returned to Layla's side. "How'd it go with Samuel?"

Layla shook her head, her eyes welling up with unshed tears.

"I'll drive you home."

"I'm not leaving; I haven't made myself clear yet." In Layla's teary eyes, Samuel was the only one in focus; everyone else blurred into insignificance.

The more vividly Samuel's indifferent figure loomed in her mind, the greater the pain she felt, each breath she took feeling like a thousand needles piercing her heart.

"Maybe Samuel has made himself clear already, just not in the way you wanted. Stop obsessing, okay? He's not worth it."

Inhaling deeply, Layla merged with the throng of people as they made their way into the grand auction hall.

Once the dance had concluded, the formal auction took center stage. The proceeds from this event were earmarked for the construction of a new community school.

Samuel and Nora occupied the front row, Nora's body leaning into Samuel's. She would whisper into his ear occasionally, casting a frosty glance in Layla's direction after each whisper. Her eyes were filled with a silent warning.

However, Layla remained indifferent to Nora's icy stare. Her gaze was fixed solely on Samuel, which only served to stoke the flames of Nora's fury. The audacity of Layla to blatantly stare at Samuel as if Nora was invisible!

The auction proceeded, with items being sold off one after the other.

"Next on the list, the highlight of our evening, the beloved necklace of Queen Elizabeth III, the 'Pink Heart', starting at seven million dollars..."

The centerpiece was a magnificent Burmese pink gemstone, weighing 40 carats and encircled by diamonds. It was dazzling in its brilliance.

The women in attendance were captivated, their eyes gleaming with desire. Even Nora's eyes were not immune to the sparkle.

The allure of diamonds was a temptation few women could resist.

"Seven million."

"Seven million five hundred thousand."

"Eight million..."

The bids escalated.

"Twenty million."

A collective gasp echoed through the crowd as all eyes turned to Samuel. His bold bid was a testament to his status as the president of the Holland Group. Wealthy and audacious!

No one dared to challenge him, and few could match such an astronomical sum.

"Mr. Holland bids twenty million."

"Twenty million going once!"

"Twenty million going twice!"

"Sold for twenty million!" The auctioneer's gavel came down with a resounding thud.

The spotlight shifted to Nora as Samuel rose. She looped her arm through his, and they ascended to the podium amidst the admiring glances of the crowd. Her face was a picture of sweetness.

Samuel stood behind her, carefully fastening the necklace around Nora's delicate neck.

"Thank you, darling," Nora said, her smile a blend of sweetness and dignity. Her icy gaze locked with Layla's in a defiant challenge: See this? I am the one worthy of standing by Samuel's side, the one deserving of wearing "The Heart of Blush." You, Layla, are nothing more than a rat lurking in the shadows, forever envying my radiance.

Anthony's gaze shifted to Layla, who looked as pale as if all the blood had been drained from her body. Her faint blue veins were even visible. He could feel Layla's heartache, her suppressed pain.

Layla's heartbreak was silent, yet it was agonizing to witness.

Her heart felt like a frozen tundra.

She had never envisioned a day when she would watch Samuel, who had once lavished her with affection, now adorning another woman with a necklace right before her eyes.

Perhaps she shouldn't have come to witness this scene.

They looked so well-suited, like a prince and a princess, seemingly destined to be together by birth.

Around them, people were offering their blessings.

"What a perfect match."

"I never expected Samuel to be so romantic."

"Looks like we'll be attending their wedding soon. That will be the highlight of the season."

Layla's heart ached, yet she had to admit that she wasn't from old money.

Suddenly, Layla's resolve seemed foolish. Maybe the reason was as simple as Samuel had stated, and she just couldn't accept it.

Anthony reached out and took Layla's hand; it was as cold as ice. His dry palm enveloped her hand, hoping to share his warmth with her, and to thaw Layla's frozen heart.

If Layla ever chose him, he vowed to cherish her, to never let such sadness touch her face again.

Samuel's gaze landed on their intertwined hands. Anthony was holding her hand.

His brow furrowed deeply, a surge of anger making him wish he could stride over and sever Anthony's hand.

Layla was his woman!