Chapter 292
"Good evening, Joseph," Levi greeted with a smile. "The Christmas banquet is truly magnificent, a testament to your personal touch."
"Who are you?" Joseph, exuding an air of arrogance, his hand casually in his pocket, seemed to look down on Levi.
"I'm the owner of Brightness Design Company." Levi quickly presented his business card.
Joseph didn't take it, chuckling. "Your first time here, I assume?"
"Yes," Levi replied.
Joseph's fiancée, by his side, rolled her eyes in disdain. "Darling, how could you let just anyone into the banquet? Is this some third-rate event? Handing out business cards, really?"
Levi, feeling out of place, put the card back in his pocket. "My apologies, Joseph. I came to say hello as our companies are collaborating. I meant no offense."
"I'm aware of the collaboration. She's your designer, isn't she?" Joseph glanced at Layla, his tone dismissive. "She's nothing special."
"Layla is incredibly talented. She was the head designer at the Holland Group," Levi defended.
"She's well aware of how she got into the Holland Group," Joseph remarked, taking a sip of champagne.
Layla simply smiled, unfazed by Joseph's words.
"What's so funny?" Joseph asked.
"Nothing much. I'm just getting a taste of high society's hospitality," Layla replied nonchalantly.
"You..."
"Layla." Levi quickly intervened, not wanting Layla to offend Joseph.
At that moment, the guests stirred.
"The Eilish family has arrived."
"It's Miss Eilish's first public appearance since the wedding. She looks stunning as if nothing happened."
"How can she not be affected after being publicly humiliated at the wedding? But she has to pretend as if everything is fine, or else the Eilish family would lose face."
"Mr. Holland is ruthless. What grudge does he have against the Eilish family to embarrass them like this?"
"Miss Eilish is the top socialite. Isn't that enough for him?"
"But after this incident, it might be difficult for Miss Eilish to remarry."
Layla remained calm, her gaze fixed on the Eilish family.
Anthony, Nora, and Brenda had arrived. The three of them stood together, resembling a painting of an aristocratic family, each exuding elegance and beauty.
Brenda's heart skipped a beat. Why was Layla here? Could it be for Anthony?
Nora narrowed her eyes, but she remained composed, showing even more grace and nobility.
"Layla." Anthony walked toward her.
"Anthony," Brenda called out, but it was too late.
Anthony stood in front of Layla. "Good evening."
"Good evening," Layla replied. Feeling Brenda's displeased gaze, she still nodded gracefully.
"Mr. Eilish," Levi greeted Anthony warmly.
Joseph, an experienced man, immediately noticed Anthony's affection for Layla. Damn! Was Layla using some kind of magic? How else could she captivate two men? She was not that pretty.
Or maybe his own judgment was flawed?
Impossible.
He had been with countless women, and he couldn't be wrong.
"May I have this dance?" Anthony asked a gentlemanly invitation.
Layla, with a clear mind, agreed and placed her hand gently in Anthony's.
Anthony held her hand with a smile.
Joseph was furious. Could this woman have moved on so quickly? No, it couldn't be. What about Samuel?
Layla danced with Anthony, attracting the attention of many female guests. After all, the Christmas banquet was a great opportunity for them, and many of them were here for Anthony.
A hint of jealousy filled the air.
"Who is that woman?"
"I don't know. I've never seen her before."
"Isn't Antony getting close to Miss Gabriel recently? Why is he dancing with her?"
"Look at his eyes. He seems to really like this woman."
"Yeah, I think so too. Although Antony is gentle, his eyes toward her are different. I'm so jealous."
Layla was not affected by the glances and comments around her. She had been through a lot, and she no longer cared about such things. If she had to consider how others saw her at every turn, she would live a very tiring life.
"Thank you for the music box you gave me. I didn't expect you to remember."
"I remember every detail between us," Anthony said gently.
His gaze was so tender that it could drown Layla.
Being loved by such a man must be very happy. Unfortunately, the place in her heart was already occupied, and there was no room for another person.
The order of appearance in life is very important. If she had met Anthony first, perhaps the situation would be completely different now.
"We will always be good friends."
This was a refusal. Anthony was a little disappointed and sad, but he still smiled gently.
He would give her time. He believed that one day she would accept him, and he could wait. For now, he just wanted to finish this dance.
Unfortunately, happy time passed by quickly. The music ended soon, and Anthony lowered his head to kiss Layla's cheek, whispering in her ear, "Merry Christmas, Layla."
Layla's heart skipped a beat. "Merry Christmas."
Reluctantly, Anthony let go of her hand.
As Layla turned around, Joseph bumped into her. She stumbled back a few steps, almost falling.
Layla held her stomach and looked up at him with anger.
If she hadn't steadied herself just now, she might have fallen and had a miscarriage.
"What are you looking at? I'll gouge your eyes out!" Joseph's voice was full of malice.
"Joseph, we have no grievances. Why do you keep targeting me?"
"Who says there's no grudge? You hurt my best friend, which means you have a feud with me."
Such a ridiculously arrogant person.
Layla let out a cold laugh. "You have no idea about what's between him and me, so you have no right to accuse me of hurting him."
"I don't need to understand. I only know that because of you, he gave up a marriage that could bring him tremendous benefits. Because of you, a man as rational as he got drunk to numb his pain. Because of you, he had several episodes of gastric bleeding. Yesterday, he worked overtime until he had a gastric bleed and was sent to the hospital."
Layla's heart trembled violently, unable to suppress her worry.
"And you? You even had the audacity to dance with other men at the dinner party, flirting and hooking up. I said you were heartless and lungless before. It seems that you're also shameless."
Joseph's words were very harsh, but Layla didn't get angry. Instead, she laughed and retorted, looking into his eyes, "The President of the Sheeran Group, the young master of the Sheeran family, is acting like a shrew, which really impressed me."
"I scold you because you deserve it. Dare to leave?"
Layla shook off Joseph's hand. "I have no obligation to stand here and be scolded by you. Get out of my way!"
Joseph turned livid.
Layla hadn't walked two steps when Brenda stopped her again.
She felt annoyed.
She knew that attending this kind of dinner party would bring nothing good, and it was endless.
Why wouldn't these "upper-class" people leave her alone?