Chapter 364

When Layla arrived at the bar, there was only Jacob inside, and the lighting was even dimmer than yesterday. The green light created an ambiguous and hazy atmosphere.

"Layla, you're here." Jacob greeted her happily, pretending naturally to want to hug her waist, but Layla avoided it, looking indifferent.

Getting straight to the point, she said, "Which walls need to be demolished."

"Just those two."

Even a fool would know that those two walls were load-bearing walls and couldn't be demolished. Jacob just found an excuse to bring her over.

"You can't demolish them," Layla said directly.

"Well, that's too bad," Jacob shook his head.

"Where's Ms. Claire?"

"She's on her way, probably stuck in traffic. She'll be here soon." Jacob pretended to check his watch. "Why don't you have a drink while you wait."

Layla pushed away the whiskey Jacob offered. "I'll wait for her outside."

"Wait." Jacob opened his arms, blocking her way. "Okay, I admit it's all an excuse. I just wanted to see you. Layla, I fell in love with you at first sight. I've fallen for you."

Layla felt disgusted.

Being loved by someone like Jacob was an insult to Layla. Just hearing it made her feel nauseous.

"Although there are many women who like me, I don't feel anything for them. Compared to you, they are all superficial. You are the most beautiful and talented woman I've ever seen. My mind was filled with thoughts of you last night. I can't forget you. Layla, I've never felt like this before."

Jacob eagerly reached for her hand, but Layla, feeling repulsed, warned, "Don't touch me!"

Jacob's attempt was met with a cold rejection. Layla's stern gaze made him a bit uneasy. "I'm sorry for my forwardness. I just really like you. I can't control myself."

Excited, Jacob expressed his desire to make love to Layla, his whole body burning with desire, eager to have her right then and there.

"Stay away from me," Layla warned.

"Do you hate me? Why? Because of Ava Claire? Layla, you misunderstand my relationship with her. I'm not her kept man. She likes me and clings to me," Jacob earnestly clarified. "I'm annoyed with her too."

Layla could only sneer.

Although Layla disliked Ava, she was even more disgusted by Jacob, who didn't know how to be grateful. What Ava had given and done for him was in vain.

"You're annoyed by her, yet you take her money?" Layla mocked.

Jacob blushed. "She insisted on giving it to me. I couldn't refuse, but we don't have the kind of relationship you think. In any case, she likes me but I don't like her."

Although Layla had long seen through Jacob, she couldn't help but sneer, "Would you dare say that in front of her?"

"There's no need for that. It would hurt her feelings." Jacob sulked. "She's about to hand over this bar to me. I'll be in charge from now on. I can make money on my own. I won't take advantage of you."

Layla responded with a look of disgust. "Move aside!"

"Layla, don't be so cold."

"Move!"

"Layla."

Layla forcefully pushed Jacob aside, but he persisted, shamelessly trying to hug her. "Layla, I really like you. Give me a chance."

"You're not worthy. Jacob Reed, if you don't let go of me, expect my wrath," Layla warned.

Shamelessly, Jacob chuckled, "Oh? I kinda expect it. I love your fiery personality, Layla. You smell so good. Let me kiss you, just one kiss."

Unable to bear it any longer, Layla decided she couldn't endure it just as she raised her hand to slap Jacob.

"What are you two doing?" Ava rushed over, her furious appearance reminiscent of an enraged cow.

Jacob's face paled in fear, and he quickly retracted his hand.

"Jacob Reed, are you fooling around with this slut?"

"No, no, I'm not." Jacob desperately waved his hands. "Darling, you've misunderstood."

"Misunderstood? You were hugging each other. Am I blind?"

"You really misunderstood. I was talking to her about renovating as I want to demolish those two walls."

"Jacob Reed, don't take me for a fool. If it's really about renovation, why sneak around behind my back?"

"Weren't you going for a beauty treatment? I didn't want to delay you, my dear." Jacob tried to explain.

"Shut up, you shameless jerk. Don't think you can fool me. Little slut, today I'm going to tear you apart." Ava rushed toward Layla, but Jacob blocked her.

"You've got it all wrong. Let me explain, dear. Don't beat her. Let's talk it out."

"Move! Are you still protecting her? And you say you have no relationship?" Ava grew even angrier, raising her hand to slap Jacob.

Jacob received a harsh slap, feeling dizzy. Previously, even when caught flirting with other women, Ava had never slapped him, but this time, she did it in front of Layla. Jacob, humiliated and angry, stomped his feet, pushing Ava away.

Ava's plump body stumbled back a few steps, falling onto the ground. She let out a cry of pain as a steel rod pierced her leg, blood gushing out.

Jacob's face turned pale with fear. "Are you okay, dear?"

Ava sat paralyzed on the ground, unable to move, holding her leg and wailing, sounding even more pitiful than a slaughtered pig. "My leg! Are you blind?"

"I didn't mean to. You didn't stand firm."

"I didn't use force," Jacob explained, afraid that Ava would blame him for this and not give him the bar.

"What do we do now? Can you stand up?"

"Darling." Jacob was anxious.

Layla couldn't bear it any longer. "Stop the nonsense. Call an ambulance."

Only then did Jacob react, fumbling to take out his phone.

Layla approached, crouching in front of Ava. As soon as her hand reached out, Ava reacted as if she was being attacked, screaming, "What are you doing?"

"Pull out the steel rod."

"Do you want to kill me? Don't touch me." Ava, in pain and fear, broke out in a cold sweat. "Quickly call an ambulance."

"If you don't pull it out, your leg will be ruined." Layla's expression was serious.

"If you pull it out, it will be ruined. Stop pretending to be a good person. I won't fall for it." Ava cried and cursed, "You two are teaming up to kill me. Dream on. Even if I die, the money won't fall into your hands. Give up."

"Slut, don't touch me."

"If you want to spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair, keep hiding. Stop crying. It won't help. It needs to be pulled out now!"

Given the critical nature of the situation and the urgency of time, any delay could be fatal.