Chapter 356

A loud slap echoed throughout the room.

Everyone was caught off guard.

Fanny was seen covering her face as she fell to the ground, with fiery fingerprints on her face.

Fanny stared in disbelief, completely unable to react. Her mind was buzzing.

Layla was stunned.

The whole room fell into a brief silence.

A few seconds later, Fanny said, "Mr. Hawthorne, why did you hit me?" Fanny regained her senses, anger and embarrassment washing over her.

"Mr. Hawthorne, how could you lay a hand on our boss?"

"You've got the wrong person." The female staff hurried to help Fanny up.

"She deserves this." Leonard pointed at Fanny with his chubby fingers. "I clearly mentioned signing with Miss Adkins, praising her competence, and you spread rumors, claiming I cursed her and asked her to apologize to me. I'm being nice not tearing apart your nonsensical mouth!"

"Mr. Hawthorne, are you out of your mind? You clearly cursed her on the phone, saying she was impudent and she offended you. And you asked me to teach her a lesson to apologize to you. How come now?"

"I never said that. I said we were signing."

Everyone was puzzled.

'Was Fanny deliberately lying to strike back at Layla? But Layla never confirmed signing the contract either. What was really going on?' they thought.

"You did say it." Fanny's eyes reddened. "And now you're turning the tables on me."

"I think you're using me to make things difficult for Miss Adkins. Listen, I'm signing a long-term contract with Miss Adkins now. All projects of Quantum Crescendo Ltd will be handed over to Miss Adkins in the future. She's my good friend. If you still want to keep your company operating smoothly, you better not offend her! Got it?"

Leonard roared, causing Fanny and her entourage to tremble in fear.

"Miss Adkins, let's go to the meeting room." Leonard turned around and showed a flattering smile at Layla.

"Miss Adkins, please give me a chance, can you?"

"Please, this way." Leonard nodded and bowed, almost pleading.

Witnessing the scene, everyone widened their mouths in shock.

"Ms. Taylor, what's going on here?"

"Why is Mr. Hawthorne being so obsequious to Layla Adkins?"

"Ms. Taylor."

"Shut up! I have no idea about that too!" Fanny covered her fiery face, seething with anger after being slapped.

'Damn it!' she thought.

Fanny had been looking forward to seeing Layla apologize today, only to receive a slap in front of so many people. Leonard and Layla, one uncultured and the other despicable caused her dignity to be completely lost.

"Ms. Taylor, don't be angry. I think Mr. Hawthorne was misled by Layla Adkins."

"Yes, she's really good at seducing men."

"A gentleman never hits women! He's a scum!"

"Does it hurt? Let me get you some medicine."

"Get lost!" Fanny, embarrassed and angry, pushed them away and slammed the door into the office, throwing things around inside.

At that moment, Fanny's phone rang.

"Ms. Taylor, would you like to get..."

"No! Don't call me again!"

Just as Fanny hung up, her phone rang again. This time, Fanny cursed loudly, "Idiot, can't you understand human language, or are you deaf? Go back to your mother's womb and start over. Stop bothering me."

The other side fell silent for a second. "Fanny Taylor, have you lost your mind to dare to curse at me?"

"Miss Eilish?" Fanny's face changed, and she quickly jumped up from her chair.

"I'm sorry, I thought it was a sales call."

"Has Layla Adkins apologized?"

"No, Mr. Hawthorne arrived," Fanny exaggeratedly recounted the recent events. "He actually dared to hit me."

"You're so useless. You promised to make Layla Adkins embarrassed. And now? You can't even handle a small matter."

"Miss Eilish, I really tried my best. I don't believe that it's my fault in this matter. Who knew what Leonard Hawthorne, that bastard, was up to, suddenly turning against me? I even got slapped," Fanny lamented. "It must be that Layla Adkins seduced him and captivated him. That's why he changed his mind."

"That's not the reason."

"Then what is it?"

"Never mind. Can you handle it? If you can't, I'll find someone else."

"I can," Fanny hurriedly replied. She hadn't gotten her revenge yet. These days, as the CEO had been enjoyable for her, Fanny didn't want to be kicked out just yet. She hadn't reaped the benefits.

"No matter what means you resort to, just make sure Layla Adkins suffers. If it leads to casualties, I'll take the blame for you. Go ahead and do it."

Fanny felt like she had been injected with adrenaline, her eyes gleaming with fierce determination. "I've been too restrained before. With your words, I feel at ease now. Rest assured, I won't let her off the hook."

After hanging up the phone, Fanny was excited and ready to take action. Fanny didn't completely trust Nora, but she thought that dealing with a small fry like Layla should be manageable as long as she kept the evidence safe.

Most importantly, Fanny loathed Layla. She wanted to tear Layla apart, chew her up, and swallow her whole.

Fanny's eyes narrowed with hatred, determined to get back at Layla!

Layla was brought to the meeting room, and as soon as Mr. Hawthorne closed the door, he hurriedly knelt to her, tears and snot streaming down his face as he begged, "Miss Adkins, save me."

Layla was taken aback by his movement and stepped back. "What are you doing?"

Leonard knelt held Layla's leg and begged, "Miss Adkins, I was blind. I didn't know you were Mr. Holland's woman. How stupid I was! I'm hitting myself as punishment!" He then started slapping himself repeatedly, making Layla in a dilemma.

"I really didn't know about your relationship with Mr. Holland. Otherwise, I would never ever dare to provoke you."

"Now, ten of my villas have been seized, the wedding has been canceled, and I only have one company left. Please ask Mr. Holland to stop. I've realized my mistake, and I've paid the price. Please ask him to spare me. Miss Adkins, I'm begging you. I'll kowtow to you, please."

After slapping himself, Mr. Hawthorne began kowtowing.

"Please stop."

"Leonard Hawthorne."

"If you don't spare me, I won't stop."

"Miss Adkins, please. I beg you, please," Leonard cried.

Concerned about being overheard outside, Layla was extremely distressed. Leonard crawled over to hug Layla's leg again, and Layla had to say, "Alright, alright, I'll agree."

"Really?" Mr. Hawthorne looked at Layla with tears streaming down his face.

"I don't want you to die here."

They weren't mortal enemies. Leonard had already lost ten villas and his fiancée had left him, so this punishment was almost enough. Layla didn't want to push him too much.

"But if you ever harass other women again..."

"I won't." Leonard shook his head repeatedly, raising his finger. "I swear, if I ever harass another woman, I'll suffer punishments tenfold than this! Miss Adkins, is that okay?"

"Fine. Get up. Don't let anyone see."

"Yes, yes." Leonard, relieved to have saved his life, wiped away his tears and smiled. "Let's sign the contract now."