Chapter 339

Then, Samuel stopped making any more response, his attempts at reconciliation ceasing after the grand gesture of balloons and an apology on the big screen. Layla's tense heart finally relaxed. She couldn't stand such a high-profile apology.

Throughout the day, the female colleagues buzzed with excitement, their endless speculations grating on Layla's nerves.

It made sense-people were always fond of gossip. The more people, the worse it would be..

Layla finally made it to the end of the workday, only to find herself roped into plans for dinner by her curious colleagues.

"The restaurant at the intersection ahead is amazing. You must try it."

"It seemed quite expensive. Cassandra, are you treating again?"

"I treated yesterday. Today, you guys have to pay for yourselves. I'll treat Layla only. Layla, I'm good to you, right?"

"I'll pay for myself."

"No need. I brought you to try something new; my treat," Cassandra generously said, linking arms with Layla and refusing to let go despite Layla's several attempts to pull away.

"After dinner, let's go to the bar. We missed out yesterday."

"Shopping is more fun."

"Layla, what do you think?"

Just as Layla was about to decline, a black Rolls-Royce stopped in front of her. The back door opened, waiting for her to get in.

Her heart skipped a beat. It was Samuel's car.

"Look! A Rolls-Royce Phantom!"

"So cool!" Cassandra quickly took out her phone to take pictures. "It's a global limited edition, and I'm so curious about what the rich guy inside looks like."

"Let's check it out. Hurry before he leaves."

Feeling anxious, Layla said, "Let's meet another day," and then rushed into the back seat.

As others approached to see what was happening, she quickly closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief.

Samuel looked at her approvingly, teasing, "Quick reflexes."

Layla gave him an annoyed look. "Just drive."

Mr. Vandella started the car.

"I told you not to show up where my colleagues could see you." Layla said, her tone frustrated.

" I didn't. Only the car did, which isn't against the rules."

"You're twisting the facts." Layla gritted her teeth. " You're taking advantage of my worries. Why are you so cunning?"

"This isn't being cunning. It's called using methods," Samuel said seriously.

Layla couldn't argue with him, though she wanted to.

"What do you want?"

"I just want to be with you."

His affectionate gaze was like adrenaline, making Layla's heart flutter again, though she tried hard to resist the man's charm.

"Don't pull off such stunts in the future, which will cause me a lot of trouble."

"If I did something wrong, I'll apologize. It's only fair," Samuel said casually, then pondered. "Although I I'm not sure what I did wrong, making you angry is my fault."

"I'm not angry with you."

"Yes, you are." There was clearly a strong sense of anger in that sentence. Samuel continued, "You rejected me last night."

"I rejected you because you insisted on staying overnight at my place. We're not ready for that."

"What about the night before? And yesterday morning?" Samuel suddenly pinched her chin, his gaze intense, with a hint of coaxing and hidden dominance. "Layla, we are closer now than before. You can't deny that."

Feeling guilty, Layla lowered her eyelashes, avoiding his gaze.

"Tell me. Why are you angry?"

Layla's mind was in chaos, and she blurted out, "You know the reason, and don't treat me like a fool."

"I don't get it. I know a lot of things, but I can't figure out your mind, and it's driving me crazy."

"Where were you last night?"

"I went to find you, didn't I?"

"I mean, before that, who were you drinking with?"

"A friend," Samuel replied.

"A friend? Male or female?"

"Female."

Layla smiled knowingly. "So, Mr. 'I don't get close to women' actually has female friends."

"Just this one."

"Just this one?"

To Layla, that meant "only".

The idea of the "only female friend" made sense to her. No wonder he treated her so warmly.

The image of his smiling face last night replayed in Layla's mind, fueling her anger.

"We just had a meal."

"It's not just a meal, right?"

"What else?" Samuel was puzzled, then it hit him. "You saw me last night? Why didn't you say hello?"

"I didn't want to ruin your good time." Layla smiled bitterly.

"Good time? Not seeing you would've made it a good time."

Layla wanted to slap him in the face. He was caught by her, yet he was still smiling.

'Does he think he could get away with it by saying that? I'm not that easy to deceive,' she thought.

"Are you jealous?" Samuel observed her angrily flushed face and teased.

"Who's jealous? Don't flatter yourself." Layla rolled her eyes.

Samuel chuckled. "So you are really jealous."

Mr. Vandella's lips curved into a smile. 'Miss Adkins, you are definitely jealous. Even a novice in love affairs like me could see that.

"I'm not," Layla denied urgently. "I'm not jealous. I just can't stand you treating me like a fool. Samuel, given our current relationship, even if you have another woman in your life, it has nothing to do with me. You can be honest. There's nothing to hide."

Samuel sat up straight, turned toward her, and said seriously, "Okay, I'll be honest."

"In my heart, there were, are, and will only be you."

"Samuel, you liar." Layla was annoyed. "Do you lie without batting an eye? I heard that woman on the phone. She said you slept together, that you both like each other and that you'll be engaged within this year."

"Yeah, she's indeed getting engaged."

Layla's heart skipped a beat, but then she heard Samuel calmly say, "But not with me. It's with her boyfriend."

"So it's not you?"

"It really isn't. She is the daughter of my college professor. When I was in college, she was just an eight-year-old kid."

"Isn't that just your type?" Layla sarcastically asked. He was eleven years older than her.

Samuel laughed, shaking his head. "Women are unreasonable when they get fixated on something."

"You're calling me unreasonable?" Layla looked like she was about to get angry again.

"When it comes to you, you are my type. I have no feelings for her, neither physically nor emotionally."

"Since she is not here now, you can say anything you want." Layla turned her head to look out the window, muttering, "Men are just full of lies."

"Shall I call her now, so you can ask her yourself?" Samuel said, taking out his phone.