Chapter 324

Levi's words brought a brief silence to the office for a few seconds.

Layla thought to herself, 'Yes, I need the money. The future with Samuel is still uncertain, so I must stick to the original plan to earn more money to support the baby.

Fanny bit her lip, still looking reluctant. If the whole project was given to her, the money would definitely be more. No matter how good their relationship was, she would not be willing to share with the other party, especially since she hated Layla, she was even more unwilling.

"I" Fanny was about to refuse this decision.

"Let's have a one-week trial period." Layla interrupted Fanny. "Let me give it a try."

"Who said you could try? With your character, how can I get along with you?" Fanny shouted.

"Alright, let's step back. Fanny, stop talking. Layla, thank you for your understanding; you can leave now."

"Okay, Levi." Layla left, closing the door behind her.

"How could you treat me like this?" Fanny stomped her foot. "The project was originally mine; why should she get half of it?"

"Didn't she make it clear just now? The project belongs to her."

"Layla just signed a contract; she didn't put in much effort. I'm the one running around the construction site and dealing with the Sheeran Group every day with my team. My feet are covered in blisters from wearing high heels." Fanny complained.

"I told you to wear flat shoes; stop being so obsessed with beauty."

"Hey! Is it a shoe problem? Even if Layla negotiated the project, it's already signed, and there's no turning back. So, what if we change people? How could the Sheeran Group possibly pay millions for the breach of contract just for her? Don't be so timid."

"That's not necessarily true as she has a good relationship with Joseph; I don't need to take that risk; it's better to be safe. If the project is lost, you won't get a penny and all your previous efforts will be in vain." Levi said, letting Fanny sit on his lap. "Darling, I will definitely defend you; that's why I entrusted the project to you."

Fanny still grumbled unwillingly, "Layla bullies me; how can I work with her? You deliberately want me to suffer."

"Come on, I know your temper. If you don't bully others, that's already good enough. How can Layla even bully you?"

Fanny's face stiffened. "What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm mean, that I bully her? Last time she even hit me."

"Let's not talk about the past." Levi, feeling impatient, interrupted, "Forget about the past and focus on the money. Think about the hundreds of thousands in commission. Once it's done, I'll privately reward you with a big bonus."

"How much?"

"Only if you behave will I give you that."

Levi coaxed Fanny, who reluctantly agreed. "I'm doing this for you. If she provokes me again, I won't be polite."

She swayed out of the room.

Fanny accidentally bumped into Layla, causing water to splash as she hit her shoulder heavily.

Layla looked at her displeased, while Fanny raised her chin and snorted, "What are you staring at? It's your fault."

Suppressing her anger, Layla demanded, "Give me the recent data."

"Why should I give it to you?"

"We are working together now."

"Do I have to give it to you just because we're working together? As you're so capable, why don't you do it yourself? I worked hard for the results, and you want to take them. " Fanny walked away smugly.

"Fanny, are you both managing this project together? It's not fair. You work so hard," One colleague said.

"Well, I have no choice. I don't have a good relationship with the Sheeran Group's top management." Fanny deliberately raised her voice.

"That's true." The colleague nodded.

Since Fanny refused to provide the data, Layla worked overtime until 8 o'clock without finishing. Thinking of the baby, Layla turned off her computer and was the last to leave the company.

After having a simple meal near the office, Layla walked slowly along the street, breathing in the cold air and trying to clear her mind.

As she walked, Layla passed by a movie theater. A thought struck her. How long had it been since she last watched a movie? A year?

Back in college, she used to rush to see every new movie. Despite being poor and exhausted from part-time jobs, those times were happy and carefree. Does one's growth always come with pain? Like a phoenix rising from the ashes. But she wasn't sure if she could become a phoenix.

Layla entered the movie theater, where a romance movie was playing that day. She absentmindedly bought a ticket and realized she was the only audience member.

She sat in the middle.

As the theater lights dimmed and the movie played on the screen, Layla couldn't help but shed tears at certain touching moments. She wasn't sure if she cried for the characters in the movie who faced separation and death or for herself, but tears flowed uncontrollably.

At that moment, a tissue was handed to her from behind.

'When did this person arrive?' She thought.

Surprised, Layla quickly took the tissue to wipe her eyes, then turned to thank the person, only to find that it was Samuel sitting behind her.

'When did he get here?' She pondered.

"Let's watch the movie," Samuel spoke softly, his gaze fixed on the screen.

Layla took a deep breath and turned back toward the screen.

It occurred to her that this was their first time watching a movie together but under these circumstances.

After the movie ended, the two left the theater.

A gust of cold wind blew, making Layla shiver. The next moment, a warm cashmere scarf was wrapped around her neck.

Samuel stood before her in a beige coat, giving off a warmer vibe.

Layla's gaze fell on his chest. He wore a suit and a black shirt, looking very formal. He must have rushed over from the office.

His broad shoulders and comforting presence enveloped her, like being in a warm cabin in the snowy wilderness, with a fire burning. At that moment, it felt like there were only two of them in the world.

Tears welled up in Layla's eyes, blurring her vision.

She missed Samuel's embrace and his scent, which made her heart ache.

Samuel adjusted her scarf, then cupped her face with one hand, his slender fingers threading through her hair as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. His lips were warm, and the warmth spread through her heart endlessly.

"Let's go." he held her hand.

His palm was large and warm.

Surprisingly, Layla didn't even think of pulling his hand away, letting him hold it, and even interlocking their fingers involuntarily.

At the moment Layla's fingers slipped into the gaps between his, Samuel looked at her with surprise and was moved by the gesture.

Unable to bear his gaze, Layla quickly looked ahead.

Silently, the two of them walked along the snowy path. The streetlights cast a warm glow on them, wrapping them together. His tall, slender figure was next to her small shadow.

After walking for a while, Layla suddenly stopped.

A sense of panic surged in her heart, and she hurriedly tried to pull her hand away.