Chapter 289

Layla was surrounded by eager faces, causing her a headache. "Thanks, but I can handle it," she said.

"What's the point of flattery? People are selfish. They won't let you interfere," someone remarked.

"That's right."

"Who's flattering? We're just trying to help. Don't be so mean." Layla's colleagues defended.

The argument disrupted Layla's workflow. Seeking refuge, she headed to the pantry. She missed Alice, the only one who genuinely cared for her.

Fanny followed, taunting, "Your success is built on favors. You're too selfish to share the spotlight."

Layla retorted, "I'm here to work, not to build an empire."

Fanny continued, "You're just pretending. You're not better than the rest of us."

Layla, tired of the conversation, advised, "We're not rivals. Let's focus on our work."

Provoked, Fanny lashed out, "You're new here. I've been through a lot."

"Then work hard. Don't get surpassed by a newcomer like me."

Layla attended a meeting at the Sheeran Group. Afterward, she was summoned by Mr. Sheeran.

Layla went to the office on the top floor.

Sitting in his leather office chair, he looked at her with a displeased expression. Scanning her from head to toe, his gaze was rather rude, as if she were an object.

"Joseph, speak up if you have something to say. I'm very busy."

Joseph was even more annoyed. "You're just a little designer. Can you be busier than me? I'm not Samuel. Don't put on airs in front of me. I've been watching you for a long time, and I can't see anything remarkable about you. Your face is just so-so, and your temper is even worse. I really don't know what Samuel sees in you. If it were me, I would have let you go a long time ago."

"If you want to talk about Samuel, then I'll excuse myself."

"Sit down! If it weren't for Samuel's intervention, could you have landed this project?"

"If I knew it was because of him, I wouldn't have signed," Layla told the truth.

Joseph rolled his eyes at her, "Don't burn your bridges. You're heartless. It's just that Samuel has poor taste."

"He canceled his wedding for you, became enemies with the Holland family, and completely offended the Eilish family. He made himself the enemy of the world for you. How can you bear to hurt him? Do you know what kind of life Samuel is living now?"

Layla was expressionless. "I don't know, and I don't want to know."

Joseph was almost angry to death, "You heartless woman. If Samuel died because of you, wouldn't you shed a tear?"

Layla remained silent. She didn't want him to die. Instead, she wanted him to live well.

In a world without her.

If they parted, the torment would end, and they would both have an easier time.

"Layla, you'll regret treating him this way."

"Whether I regret it or not, it has nothing to do with you. Goodbye." Layla stood up and left.

Joseph gritted his teeth. Someone should kill her, this ruthless woman.

As soon as Layla left the Sheeran Group, she received a call from Frank.

"Dad."

"Are you busy?"

"No, I just finished a meeting and am about to go for dinner."

"Well, eat more and eat something good. Don't save money. It's getting cold lately. Have you bought some more thick clothes to wear?"

Layla chuckled, "I'm in my twenties. I can take care of myself."

"In my eyes, you will always be a child. By the way, I'm moving to City B at the beginning of next month. I was thinking that you should quit your job early and come with me. You've been working for so long. Take a good rest before the New Year, and look for a job after the New Year."

"Let's talk about it in a couple of months."

"Why bother? The salary isn't much. I have money. I lent some money to old friends before, and now they have paid me back. I can support you."

Layla found it strange. Wasn't it always her dad who borrowed money from others? Where did he get the money to lend to people?

"I'm going to have dinner. Goodbye."

"Okay. Put on more clothes."

In the Brightness Design Company.

After work, the employees left one after another.

Levi gave the signed documents to Fanny.

"Why the long face? Are you still mad at me?" Fanny cooed, leaning over to Levi with a smile.

"Don't do that. The door isn't locked."

"They've all left. It's just us. You've been ignoring me for several days. You have a new love and don't like me anymore?" Fanny looked aggrieved.

"Don't talk nonsense. There's really nothing between me and Layla. Don't always target her. You know I hate office politics. Focus on your work." Levi was quite dissatisfied with her performance these days.

Fanny widened her eyes, looking wronged. "Am I the one who forms cliques? It's clearly her causing discord. Don't you know? Ever since she landed the Sheeran Group project, everyone's been trying to curry favor with her, where am I her match."

"Well, she does have the ability, and your jealousy is useless."

"Me being jealous? Do I need to be jealous of a newbie?" Fanny rolled her eyes, sarcastically saying, "Isn't she just relying on her face? If I was willing to sacrifice my looks, I would have landed it a long time ago. Even if I am jealous, it's not of her abilities, but of your favoritism toward her."

"I appreciate her abilities. She can make money for Brightness Design Company, of course, I have to treat her well."

"Alright, let's not talk about her, okay?" Fanny sat directly on his lap. "I've missed you. You? Have you missed me?"

Levi had no resistance to the beauty scheme, and Fanny has suffered a lot with him, he also had feelings for her. "Yes."

"Then will you take me to the Sheeran Group's Christmas dinner?"

Levi refused without thinking, "No. Layla landed that project, so I have to take her."

"She landed the project, but there's no rule saying she has to go, right? You've always taken me to the Christmas dinner in previous years."

"Weren't the previous projects landed by you? Be good, I'll give you a Christmas present."

"I don't want a Christmas present. I want to be your date."

"Don't make a fuss."

"I want to."

"Fanny!"

"Are you yelling at me?" Fanny jumped off his lap. "I knew it. You're a fickle heartbreaker. I have poor taste."

Fanny stormed out, furious, went straight to Layla's cubicle, messed up her files, and pulled up the small plant she was growing and threw it on the ground, but after making a mess, she was even angrier.

Staring at her computer, Fanny steeled her heart.