Chapter 252

At the end of a long day, Layla finally finished work. As soon as it was time to clock out, Alice immediately invited her to dinner.

"Let's have dinner together tonight," Alice said warmly.

Layla shook her head. "Why? Is Owen coming to pick you up again?"

"He's busy tonight and won't be able to make it," Alice replied.

"Perfect, then you can join me for dinner. You owe me a meal, so you must have dinner with me tonight. Otherwise, I'll end our friendship," Alice said sternly.

Layla knew that Alice didn't want her to be sad alone. But she was like a snail. She just wanted to hide in her shell and lick her wounds.

"Next time. I didn't sleep well last night, so I want to go home early."

"It's perfect to sleep after a full meal." Alice linked her arm with Layla's. "Come sleep at my place tonight. I have a lot to talk to you about."

"Alice, thank you." Layla looked at her gratefully. "I just want to be alone tonight."

Alice looked at her worriedly. "But..."

"Don't worry, I'm fine."

After thinking for a moment, Alice said, "Okay, rest well. I won't turn off my phone, call me if you need anything."

"Okay."

Layla walked out of the company, and the passers-by were all watching the live broadcast of the 'Wedding of the Century'. They all envied Samuel and Nora.

Layla looked up, and the giant screen on the opposite building was also broadcasting the wedding.

There was still an hour before the wedding starts. The entrance of the Hilton Hotel was covered with a long red carpet, and various luxury cars arrived at the scene. The gentlemen attending the wedding wore suits, and the ladies wore sparkling jewelry.

Many pedestrians stopped and watched the giant screen. They exclaimed, "All the celebrities of Avalenia have gone to attend the wedding. The political and business circles also attach great importance to this wedding."

"Indeed, even crown princes from various countries have come, as well as oil tycoons."

"Isn't that Princess Amy? Wasn't she pursuing Mr. Holland?"

"Yes, but she can't compare to Miss Eilish."

"Miss Eilish is the only woman who can match Mr. Holland. This wedding is so grand, it is the pride of Avalenia."

"This wedding will be remembered."

At first, Layla's heart would still ache. Now it felt like a piece of paper crumpled into a ball and thrown into the trash bin.

She realized that when the pain reached its extreme, it became numb.

Layla tried to force a smile, but she found that she didn't even have the strength to smile. It seemed like she had lost her soul.

She looked away from the big screen and walked into a restaurant on the side of the street.

She decided to eat well, take care of her child, and not listen to any news about the wedding.

The restaurant was crowded, and everyone was looking at their phones.

The boss's wife was focused on watching the wedding live broadcast. The chubby boss walked over and said to her, "Dear, stop watching. That's not your wedding."

"If Mr. Holland marries me, how could I marry you?

"When will Mr. Holland appear?" The boss's wife was very excited.

"There are quite a few guests arriving; let's go and greet them," the boss gently urged his wife, guiding her away from the television and toward the kitchen. With a quick glance around, he approached Layla with a warm smile. "Hello there, what can we get for you to eat?"

"A plate of spaghetti."

"A plate of spaghetti. Anything else?"

"No, thank you."

"Alright, wait a moment."

Layla lowered her head and ignored the TV. However, the voices of discussions still overwhelmed her like a tidal wave, almost drowning her. The smiling faces of the people around her suddenly transformed into constantly rotating demon faces, tormenting her like madness.

The world suddenly seemed ominous, casting a shadow over everything.

Layla's complexion drained of color, her face going pale.

"Your spaghetti," the boss mentioned, but his concern shifted swiftly as he noticed Layla's distress. "Are you alright? You look really pale. Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, genuine worry etched on his face.

Layla hesitated, intending to reassure him that she was fine. However, before she could speak, tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down her face uncontrollably.

"What's wrong with you? Did you break up with someone?"

Layla suddenly couldn't speak. She shook her head while choking up. The people around her continued to discuss the wedding, oblivious to her sorrow.

The boss didn't know what to do. He thought for a moment and said, "Let me get you a beer. Don't get drunk. Maybe you'll feel a bit better after a drink."

Layla shook her head.

"Don't you drink?"

"Alright, forget it. Don't be sad. You're young, and there's nothing that can't be resolved. You're so beautiful, you'll meet a good man." the boss was about to attend to other customers when his coattail was pulled.

Layla was already in tears. With a trembling voice, she said, "Please give me a beer..."

Layla blushed when her phone rang.

"Your phone is ringing."

"Put down the drink and answer the call. You've had plenty," the boss urged, his concern evident in his tone. Despite his offer of a beer, Layla insisted on ordering another. The boss watched with growing worry, fearing that Layla might encounter difficulties if she continued drinking.

"Owen..." Layla picked up her phone.

"What are you doing?"

"Eating dinner." Layla tried hard to keep her voice from trembling. "Aren't you on a date?"

"We had plans at seven, but it's only six-thirty, so I called to ask what you're doing. Your voice sounds off, are you okay?"

"I'm fine..." Layla forcibly restrained herself from crying out. She wiped away her tears.

"Your voice sounds strange. Did you cry again? Where are you? I'll come find you."

"Don't come!" Layla quickly said, "You have something important tonight, I don't want to interrupt you."

"I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine."

Just as Layla finished speaking...

"You can't hold your liquor. Don't drink anymore. Two beers are already enough."

"Layla, did you drink? Are you crazy? You're pregnant. Don't you want that child anymore?"

"I'm sorry. I don't know what to do. I'm so upset." Layla sobbed. She covered her stomach, feeling deeply regretful.

She thought, 'I must be crazy to drink alcohol right now. I'm sorry, baby...'

However, she was in so much pain earlier that she couldn't wait to grasp onto any lifeline, even though she knew that lifeline would only drag her further into the abyss.

"Where are you?" Owen's voice trembled with concern.

"I'm fine. Just go find that girl. Don't worry about me," Layla replied, her voice strained.

"How can I trust you, Layla? Please, tell me where you are!" Owen's desperation was palpable in his tone as he shouted anxiously.

Layla hesitated, her fingers poised to end the call, but before she could act, the boss intervened, snatching the phone from her grasp. "This is Mein Pasta. Get over here right away!" he instructed urgently.