Chapter 270

Layla momentarily snapped back to reality. She glanced at the screen and answered the phone, "Dad."

"You're almost done with work, right? I'm waiting for you outside your company to have dinner together."

"Wait for me. I'm coming now." Layla hung up the phone. "My dad is here at my company. I have to leave first."

"Layla..." Samuel grabbed her hand. But when she looked at him, he quickly let go. He was afraid that she would despise him. He cautiously tried to please her. "I hope you seriously consider what I said."

Layla didn't respond to him and quickly returned to the company, taking Frank to the restaurant for dinner.

"Do you have something to discuss with me?" Layla asked.

"Nothing in particular. I just missed you and wanted to have a meal with you," Frank replied.

Layla noticed that the wrinkles on Frank's forehead were even deeper now, like those of an old man.

She felt guilty because she couldn't support him financially. Layla also wished to provide her family with a better life, but she had no money.

She couldn't even earn enough to support her baby now, so how could she afford future expenses?

Raising a child required a lot of money.

Samuel's words echoed in her ears, putting even greater pressure on her.

She always comforted herself, saying that everything would be fine. But would it really? Would hunger and poverty await her?

Without money, there was no sense of security, especially when she was already facing great pressure. Life was really difficult.

"Cindy has been discharged from the hospital, but her condition has worsened a lot. She's not doing well. I plan to take her back to Belham City," Frank suddenly stated.

Layla's brows furrowed. "Back to Belham City?"

"Yeah." Frank nodded solemnly. "Her parents and sister are all in Belham City. With them by her side, maybe her mood will improve. And Belham City has a good environment, by the sea, more suitable for living than Avalenia."

Layla nodded. Belham City was known as the most livable city. She had been there once and liked the sea over there.

"Are you going together?" Frank asked.

Layla was slightly moved. She had plans to leave Avalenia, but she hadn't thought about going with her family before. Hearing Frank's words, she thought this might be a good choice. With family by her side, she would have some help. She didn't have the courage to take care of the child alone right now.

"Sure," Layla replied.

"Really?" Frank didn't expect her to agree so quickly.

"Yeah. You guys go first, and I'll come in two months. I just took on a new project. I still have to work for a while," Layla reassured him.

But Brenda only gave Frank a one-month deadline. He then said, "Can't you hand the project over to another designer? You can also find a job in Belham City."

"My friend recommended me for this job. The salary is higher," Layla explained.

"Don't worry about money. I have money." Frank tried to convince her but Layla was doubtful about it. "My point is that I will go to work and earn money. I won't rely on you."

"You should take a rest. I've grown up and I should be supporting you," Layla said hesitantly. But honestly, Layla couldn't come up with $2,000 to rent a house for Frank in Belham City, not to mention anything else.

"You're only twenty-one years old. You're still a child. It's me who hasn't taken care of you properly." Frank felt guilty and heartbroken.

"Then let's take care of each other." Layla smiled. "We agreed to live a good life. Don't say pessimistic things."

"Yes, everything will be fine."

After dinner, Frank took the bus back home. Along the way, he called Brenda.

As Brenda heard the bus announcing the next stop, she sarcastically sneered, "Didn't I give you $200,000? Why are you still taking the bus? You're really stingy."

"I'm using my own money. If it weren't for medical expenses, I would never accept your money," Frank replied.

"Alright, stop pretending to be righteous. Did Layla agree?" Brenda prodded.

"Layla agreed to move to Belham City with me. But she asked me to go first. She can only come after two months," Frank explained.

Brenda wasn't satisfied with this answer. "Is Layla just stalling for time?" She didn't want to wait for another day.

"No, she won't. I know Layla very well. If she agrees, she will follow through. She just started working at a new company. She has a lot of work to do, and she said the salary is good."

"I gave you $200,000, right? Frank, you're not planning to keep it all for yourself, are you? Some of that money is to make up for my daughter. Don't think you can take it all," Brenda said, her tone sharp.

"Brenda, enough. If you really cared about your daughter, you wouldn't have ignored her for all these years, and now you want to drive her away," Frank replied, his frustration evident.

Brenda was speechless.

She was quite cruel.

But wasn't human nature inherently selfish? She was just trying to protect her current family.

"You're not a good person yourself. What right do you have to lecture me? I'm giving you one month, otherwise, don't blame me for not showing mercy," Brenda said and hung up the phone.

She didn't want to be so ruthless, but she had no choice. After all, she had given $200,000. Brenda reminded herself that she had done everything she could. Despite this tough decision, she reassured herself that she wasn't a heartless person.

"Mom, you're back," Anthony greeted as Brenda turned around. He seemed a bit lethargic.

"Son," Brenda greeted back.

Anthony nodded, and they entered the study.

"I want to talk to you," Brenda said as she followed him into the study. "Are you still in contact with Layla?"

Anthony didn't deny it.

"Since you already know about Layla and Samuel's relationship, you should understand her character and you won't be involved with her, right?" Brenda questioned.

"It's all Samuel's fault. It has nothing to do with Layla. She's the victim," Anthony defended.

"Relationships are between two people. Layla knew very well that Samuel was engaged to Nora and still chose to be with him. That proves she's not a good girl, why can't you understand that?

"Anthony, you've been abroad for many years. You rarely interact with girls and you have a simple mind. You don't understand their tricks. You're easily deceived," Brenda remarked.

"I know Layla's personality very well. She is a kind girl and deserves to be treated well. I want to protect her," argued Anthony.

"But have you considered Nora's feelings?"

Anthony responded, "One day, Nora will understand what kind of person Layla is. It's her own infatuation with Samuel that led to the current situation."

"How can you say that? Nora is your sister. You should support her instead of that stranger."

Brenda thought the same to herself. She and Layla were related by blood, but Nora and Anthony were her adopted children. They were her true children, and she prioritized them in everything, even if it meant being ruthless toward Layla.

She didn't think she was being excessive. From the start, Layla shouldn't have interfered in Nora's marriage. Brenda disliked people who meddled in others' relationships.

"For me, Layla is not a stranger. She is the woman I love," Anthony added with conviction.

Brenda's heart raced and her face turned pale.

He actually said the word "love."

He had fallen in love with Layla.

Brenda felt nervous. Anthony was a stubborn person. If he really brought Layla home, her past lies would eventually be exposed.

Ruben wouldn't forgive her deception. He would kick her out.