Chapter 367

"Why did I come to meet him?" Layla asked disdainfully. 'Was it worth it for me to sneak to see a man who relied on women? What a joke!' she thought.

"Don't pretend you know nothing. You know exactly why you're meeting him." Ava frowned.

Layla smirked, letting out a faint laugh.

Ava frowned. "What's so funny?"

"I'm not like you."

Ava retorted, "Stop talking in riddles and pretending to be profound."

Layla bluntly stated, "I mean you treat him like a treasure, but in the eyes of others, he's trash."

"Are you calling me trash?" Jacob countered, but a contemptuous look from Layla made him back down.

Although Ava supported Jacob, he often had women flirting with him. Jacob thought highly of himself, considering himself handsome and proud. But in front of Layla, he felt like trash.

Ava felt insulted when her man was called trash and couldn't bear it. "Do you think I'll believe there's nothing between you two just because you say so? I'm not that easily fooled."

"I have experience. I've seen through your tricks."

Ava's foul language was what Layla despised the most.

However, Layla wouldn't stoop to Ava's level of arguing back. Her attitude remained calm. "I didn't come here to talk about him today. I have a few bar design sketches. Take a look."

Ava found it amusing. "Layla Adkins, am I hearing correctly? You seduced my man, landed me in the hospital, and now you want me to give you the project? Are you dreaming? Are you crazy or just plain stupid? You're shameless."

"We originally had a business relationship."

"Nice words. Aren't you just trying to make money off me?" Ava rolled her eyes. "All this pretense, it's all about my money."

' Contemptible wretch!' she thought.

Ava knew she was fat and ugly, but her wealth spoke volumes. In this world, money was everything. Even someone as young and pretty as Layla had to beg her.

"If you want me to give you the project, you have to let me vent first. If you crawl under me, I won't hold you accountable for what happened before. How about that?" Ava wanted to humiliate her.

Layla remained unimpressed.

If Samuel were here now, Ava would have to crawl three circles under Layla. But Layla had no interest in such actions.

Calmly, Layla took out the design sketches and placed them on the table. "Take a look after you've calmed down." With that, she left.

"You're arrogant now, but you'll come back begging," Ava muttered. "Just throw it away."

"Okay." Jacob walked over, intending to throw them away, but he suddenly froze.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"

Jacob widened his eyes in surprise, then turned back. "Darling, these designs are amazing. Do you want to see?" They were a thousand times better than Jacob had imagined. With Layla at the helm of design, the bar would undoubtedly reign as the most superior in town.

"Are you bewitched by her? How dare you still defend her!"

"No, I'm serious. See for yourself." Jacob quickly handed them over.

Ava, with a disdainful air, glanced at them and was also amazed. Though she had no aesthetic sense, she couldn't help but be impressed. This bar, once built, would surely attract many customers.

"Not bad, right?"

"Showy but not practical." Ava scoffed, "Concept art is one thing. Who knows how it'll turn out in reality?"

"She's really talented."

'Beautiful and talented, even more charming,' he thought. Jacob couldn't help but be entranced.

Jealously, Ava remarked, "She must have copied or got help."

"Yes, dear, you're right." Jacob could only nod in agreement.

Ava snatched the designs and tore them to shreds in a few swift movements.

"Darling."

Ava glared at Jacob, crumpling the torn designs into a ball and tossing them into the trash.

"Layla Adkins, what are you up to? I asked you to handle a deal. How did Ava Claire end up in the hospital because of you?"

In the Brightness Design Company, only the sound of scolding and high heels could be heard as Fanny, in towering heels, stormed over to question Layla angrily.

Layla looked at the screen of drawings. "It had nothing to do with me."

"Still trying to wriggle out? You were there when it happened. Did you hit the client?"

Layla couldn't be bothered to answer these questions.

Fanny shut her laptop and crossed her arms, completely blocking Layla's view. "I'm talking to you. Are you deaf?"

"I'm not interested in hitting people."

"Still denying it? You've laid hands on me twice in the office," Fanny accused angrily. "You better go to the hospital right now and apologize to Ava Claire."

"Ms. Taylor, she just got back from the hospital," Cassandra smirked. "Probably kicked out by Ava Claire."

"Kneeling won't help. Ava Claire is a woman, not like Mr. Hawthorne, who could defend her."

"Even if she begs, it depends on whether the other party is a man or a woman. Using her old tricks on women will only make them hate her more."

"Exactly. Men are foolish. They forget everything when they see a pretty face. We are much more clear-headed."

"Have you ever thought why Ava Claire ended up in the hospital? Layla Adkins, did you seduce her boyfriend, get caught in the act, and then send her to the hospital?"

"The adulterer got violent! Impressive!"

Various sarcastic remarks filled the air.

In Layla's eyes, each face became demonized, as if wearing masks of monsters.

"Why are you staring at us without saying anything? What? Did we hit the nail on the head?" Cassandra gloated even more.

"You've said everything. Do I need to add anything?" Layla smirked.

"That's because we're speaking the truth. We all know you have your ways with men, but this time, you messed with the wrong person. Jacob Reed is just Ava Claire's kept man. You won't gain anything by pleasing him, which will only offend Ava Claire. You can't even close the deal now. Serves you right."

"You're so good at it. Why don't you do it yourself?" Layla retorted.

"We don't have your knack for showing off as you're acting like you're the best in the world every day. Dealing with men is nothing. Dealing with women is the real skill."

"If you're so capable, convince Ava Claire, then we'll respect you."

'I don't need your respect,' Layla thought to herself. 'What are you all? I don't care!'

"Do you not need it or can't do it? Liar."

"Admit your incapability, and stop making excuses."

"If you can't handle it, stop pretending to be tough. Where does your confidence come from?"

"She really thinks too highly of herself."

Fanny stood with her arms crossed, holding herself aloft. "Layla Adkins, I'll say it again. If you secure this deal, I'll settle your salary. Otherwise, I won't be lenient with you. Sort this out quickly for me. If you dare offend my client again, I'll make you regret it."