Chapter 354

"Have you figured it out?" Leonard's slimy voice came through.

"Brightness Design Company sincerely wants to collaborate with your company, but it's just a business relationship," Layla replied plainly.

"Why should I cut you a deal? You don't respect me, thinking I can't do anything to you, right? Just wait and see."

Leonard let out some curses and hung up the phone.

Layla shrugged it off. Faced with such clients, she could only do her best but never force outcomes.

"If you don't complete the task, you're not leaving work. You have no sense of responsibility at all!"

"You only secured the Sheeran Group's deal before out of sheer luck, but this streak of good luck won't last forever."

"Maybe the Sheeran Group's higher-ups are blind."

"Even with a benefactor, you still have to sell yourself for glory. It's truly shameless."

"Exactly."

Some sarcastic voices chimed in.

Fanny walked out of the office and headed straight for Layla. "Any progress on Mr. Hawthorne's task?"

Layla shook her head.

"Then why are you still in the company. I told you we don't keep slackers here. Let me guess. No one is helping you now, and your true colors show, huh? Why don't you show me your abilities?"

"If you think others are capable, you can assign it to them," Layla said coldly.

"You dare to pass on the task your superior gave you? Layla Adkins, who do you think you are?"

"How conceited."

They always called Layla by her full name, making Layla feel like they were insulting her name.

"Your only capability is loafing away and showing off wealth."

"When did I show off wealth?"

"Just today at lunch, that man came to deliver food for you. Ms. Taylor, Layla Adkins blatantly brought an outsider in, using company resources and bullying us."

"He's my friend."

"He even helped you bully me. It's more than just friendship between you." Cassandra rolled her eyes and kept complained, "Ms. Taylor, she brings all sorts of people in. Our safety is not guaranteed."

"Exactly. Who knows what kind of person he is? What if he's a creep?"

"Layla Adkins, you even flirted with men during work hours!" Fanny scolded sternly, taking on a domineering air. "Do you take our company a nightclub?"

Layla couldn't help but laugh. "This is the first time I've heard someone call the company a nightclub. Is that how you see it?"

"How dare you talk back! You must make up for the work time."

"That was my lunch break, not work time. I have the right to manage my own time."

"As long as you're in the company, your time belongs to me. You're not leaving until midnight today. No overtime, no leaving!" Fanny commanded.

"Then you can fire me," Layla uttered these words and walked away.

"Stop right there! Layla Adkins, come back here!" Fanny stomped her foot, itching to grab Layla by the hair and give her a beating.

"Ms. Taylor, she's getting too arrogant. Why haven't you fired her yet?" Cassandra continued to goad. "She doesn't even respect you as the president."

"More than that, she's stepping all over you. We can't let this slide."

"Exactly. Ms. Taylor, say the word, and I'll throw all her stuff out."

"Shut up!" Fanny shouted. "I don't need you to tell me how to handle this!"

"Ms. Taylor, we are just angry on your behalf. Layla Adkins is way out of line."

"Yeah! Are you just going to let this go, not hold her accountable?"

"Let it go? Impossible. I don't want to let her off easy." Fanny sneered a hint of malice in her narrowed eyes.

At the same time, a white Mercedes was parked across the street.

Mr. Vandella leaned out from the driver's seat and waved to Layla.

After getting into the passenger seat, Layla asked, "A Mercedes?"

"Yes. The president said to find the cheapest, most low-key car."

'Does Samuel need clarification about what's cheap? A Mercedes costing over three hundred thousand is indeed considered low-key for someone of Samuel's status,' she thought.

Layla couldn't help but chuckle. "Feels like a secret agent rendezvous."

"I have no choice, since you don't want to attract attention from colleagues." Mr. Vandella handed Layla a thermos. "Dinner for tonight."

Holding the heavy food container, she was moved, yet the food was too much for her. "I can handle dinner myself, so there is no need for you to trouble yourself with daily deliveries."

"It's okay. My current job is to deliver your meals on time three times a day and pick you up after work. I'm practically in vacation mode."

"Have you ever taken a vacation ?" Layla asked immediately.

Mr. Vandella paused for a second and replied, "No." He suddenly realized it was a bit pitiful.

"When he returns from France, I'll make sure he gives you a break."

"You're becoming more like a boss lady."

Layla was taken aback. It seemed like she really was.

"Working with Boss, I can learn a lot. I don't need a break." Mr. Vandella genuinely loved his boss, his work, and, of course, the handsome paycheck.

"Suit yourself." Layla shook her head. "Gosh, two workaholics."

Compared to them, Layla seemed so lazy.

Opening the food container, she saw roast chicken, grilled meat, cheeseburger, crab rolls, and apple pies.

After finishing the hearty meal, Layla rubbed her full belly. She swore to control herself tomorrow and not overeat.

But Layla knew she would eat the same way tomorrow. After all, unless Layla didn't feel like eating due to mood or health reasons, she'd have a good appetite, and her food intake wasn't less than a man's.

Just as Layla wiped her mouth, her phone vibrated.

The 'sugar daddy' for her meals was calling.

Layla's eyes softened, and she stood up to pace around.

"Have you finished dinner?"

"How did you know?" Layla looked around. 'Was the house bugged?' she thought.

"A gut feeling."

"Oh, please," replied Layla.

"I'm sincere. Really, I miss you." Samuel's voice was soft and husky.

Layla felt her heart melting at Samuel's sweet words.

Layla's cheeks blushed.

Samuel's sweet words melted Layla's heart.

"What about you? Do you miss me?"

As Samuel's words trailed off, a woman's voice came through.

"Mr. Holland, the dinner is about to start."

"Are you with a woman?" Layla blurted out.

"Jealous, huh?"

"Not at all," Layla awkwardly denied, twisting the plush toy's neck back and forth in her hand.

"She's the interpreter," Samuel replied.

"Don't you speak French?"

"We have clients from other countries."

Layla understood. Samuel could speak eight languages, but they still needed interpreters for some minor languages.

It was normal for Samuel to have a female secretary, a female interpreter, and female clients around. Layla reflected she was being too petty.

Thinking of that, Layla felt a bit embarrassed.

"I like you becoming jealous for me."

"I'm not jealous," Layla emphasized.

"You are, and it runs deep."

"Mr. Holland?" the female interpreter reminded again.

"I'll come after I finish my call with my wife."