Chapter 353

Layla had previously stopped Cassandra from buying lunch, and had also expressed her intention to repay her, but she had been eager to flatter her at that time and insisted on treating her. Now, she was making it seem like Layla had been the one benefiting from their meals.

She thought it was ironic, and they were making fools of themselves.

"You had a meal for one hundred dollars at the restaurant last time, plus five dollars for beef brisket and seven dollars for spaghetti." Cassandra counted every item without missing a beat. "How much in total?"

"112 dollars," someone shouted.

Layla took out her phone to transfer the money, but a red exclamation mark appeared, which meant that Cassandra had deleted her from contact list.

"I can't transfer the money," Layla said.

"Then pay me in cash," Cassandra said.

"I don't have cash. I'll scan the code to pay."

Cassandra crossed her arms. "I want cash."

"I don't have any on me."

"Then go get some," Cassandra said.

Layla frowned. Cassandra was deliberately making things difficult for her.

"Cassandra, is this fun for you?" Layla said.

"What's wrong? It's only right to repay your debts," Cassandra said.

"Exactly. It's fair and reasonable for her to ask you to repay her in cash," said a colleague.

"I'll get it for you tomorrow," Layla said.

"I want it now." Cassandra made a gesture asking for money. "Give it to me."

Layla couldn't be bothered with someone like that. "I don't have cash, either scan the code to pay or forget it."

"Are you planning on running out on me?"

"I just don't want to waste time." It would take over ten minutes to walk to the nearest ATM.

"Is your time so precious? You can't even close a deal with Leonard. Why are you acting like you're so important? I bet you don't have money," Cassandra said.

"I bet that's it. Look at her clothes, they're probably not worth more than thirty dollars combined. She must be really poor. What? Your sugar daddy isn't willing to buy you clothes? Maybe you're the one paying?"

"Leonard was probably scared off by your cheap outfit."

"Give me the money! Cash!" Several people surrounded her demanding payment.

Layla was getting a bit annoyed.

Just then, she heard a voice.

"Here's 113 dollars." Mr. Vandella walked in.

Several women looked at the handsome man in surprise. They thought he was Layla's boyfriend, since he was handsome and young, which caused them to be jealous again.

"Miss Adkins." Mr. Vandella nodded.

Layla nodded back, her expression softening.

"The boss asked me to bring you food." Mr. Vandella held up a thermos.

Obviously, it was homemade food, more thoughtful than any expensive takeout. That man really doted on her.

The female colleagues were very jealous. 'Who's the boss he mentioned? He's so good to Layla. Even the assistant is so handsome. The boss must be very wealthy,' they thought.

"Here's 113 dollars. Take it." Mr. Vandella waved the cash in his hand.

Cassandra involuntarily reached out, but as soon as her fingers touched the money, Mr. Vandella let go. The money fell to the ground with a rustle, scattering in all directions.

Layla smiled. 'Well done,' she thought.

"You did that on purpose," Cassandra fumed.

Mr. Vandella coldly said, "I gave you the money back. The extra dollar is a reward from Miss Adkins.

"Miss Adkins, let's go eat over there."

"Okay," Layla said.

Cassandra could hardly bear to glare at their backs.

That damn man was actually helping Layla humiliate her!

"I knew Layla was being kept by someone. She was in a Rolls-Royce last time."

"Damn, are the rich blind? Why don't I have her luck?"

"He must be a terrible father."

"Yeah. Only a terrible father would like a gold digger."

"I bet she's sleeping with that handsome assistant too, and that's why he's helping her."

"Yeah, definitely."

"Cassandra, do you want the money?"

Cassandra gritted her teeth. "Help me pick it up."

The female colleagues glanced at each other. They didn't want to do that.

"Well, we're going to eat first."

"Yeah, there might not be any seats left."

"We'll save you a seat, hurry over." They slipped away.

"You guys!" Cassandra was getting angrier. They were a bunch of freeloaders. They always made her pay for meals and wouldn't even help her pick up the money.

She wouldn't refuse 113 dollars, of course.

Cassandra had to squat down with her chubby body and pick up the bills one by one.

"The female colleagues in your company are not easy to get along with," Mr. Vandella remarked in the pantry.

"Yeah. Where there are people, there are conflicts. Where there are women, there is a battlefield. I'm used to it." Layla didn't mind, smiling. "Thanks for helping me out."

"You're welcome."

"That move you just made was particularly well done." Layla gave him a thumbs up. "I'll give you a raise."

"Thank you, boss lady."

Layla looked at him with a mix of anger and amusement.

As Mr. Vandella unscrewed the thermos, a strong fragrance wafted out.

Layla suddenly felt hungry. Her mouth watered. "There's so much food. How am I going to finish it all?"

"I believe in you. You can do it." Mr. Vandella seemed confident in her eating abilities. Layla wondered if she really ate that much on a regular basis in front of them.

"If you can't finish it, you can save it. No need to force yourself."

"Yeah. Have you eaten?"

"Not yet. I'll wait for you to finish before I eat," Mr. Vandella said.

"Oh, thank you, you're working hard. Why didn't you accompany him on the business trip to France?" Layla asked.

"Because I had to bring you food," Mr. Vandella said.

Samuel had specially assigned a senior assistant to bring her food. It had to be said that Samuel was really good to her. He was willing to cook for her, taking care of her meals and daily life. Everything was well arranged, even when he was away on a business trip, which touched Layla a lot.

Layla's heart wasn't made of stone. It had just been covered with a layer of ice before, and now it was slowly melting as it warmed up.

"What's he doing in France?"

"He's having a meeting. He'll be back the day after tomorrow," Mr. Vandella replied. "If you're concerned about him, you can call the boss yourself. He'd be very happy to hear from you."

Layla muttered softly, "Who cares about him? I don't care."

Mr. Vandella smiled. "You're still as proud as ever."

Layla said, "Don't you want a salary increase?"

"Sorry. I was wrong."

Layla was speechless. Mr. Vandella had been with Samuel for a long time, and he seemed to have a serious demeanor. But privately he was quite mischievous, in a cute way.

"How old are you?" Layla asked.

"I'm 28 years old."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

Mr. Vandella hesitated. "Miss Adkins, are you gossiping?"

"Yes." She was a warrior in the office every day since she had to keep a grim face and argue with everyone else. It was rare for Mr. Vandella to come see her, so she finally had the chance to joke around with him.

"No, I'm single," Mr. Vandella said.

"So you had a girlfriend before?" Layla asked.

"I had one in college."

"Which means you've been single since becoming Samuel's assistant?"

"Yeah. I've had no time to date."

Layla felt sorry for Mr. Vandella. As an assistant, he might be busier than the boss.

"How about I introduce someone to you?" Of course, it would be her good friend Alice.

"Thank you, Miss Adkins, but even if you do, I won't be able to spend any time with her, so there is no need to do so. I'm very satisfied with my life right now. I love my work and work is my girlfriend," Mr. Vandella said seriously, which amused Layla.

"I'm not Samuel. You don't have to be like this in front of me."

"Those are my true feelings," Mr. Vandella said.

"Alright, I'll definitely increase your salary," Layla said.

"Please have some more food," Mr. Vandella said

That day, Layla contacted Quantum Crescendo Ltd twice in the morning and afternoon, but Leonard's secretary said he was busy and couldn't answer her call.

As the end of the workday approached, Layla received a call from an unknown number.