Chapter 375

Even though Layla had a strong man like Samuel who loved and pampered her, she had never lost herself and had never been content to be a wealthy lady.

Layla knew that life would be much easier that way. Her days were was filled with competition and scheming, everyone was vying for their own interests, and it was mentally and physically exhausting. Yet she was chasing her dreams, striving for herself and her baby.

Layla could proudly say that she could support herself, maintaining her independence in spirit, economy, and personality. She worked hard and valued her efforts.

"I'm not just saying this, I will work hard to do it. Although I may not be as young and beautiful as you anymore, I won't give up on myself. Just wait and see me change!" Ava made up her mind to prove herself to Layla, speaking as thought she was making a vow, before leaving.

Even though they were not close, at this moment, Layla hoped that Ava could become better too.

Layla returned to the office.

Everyone looked at her with resentment and dissatisfaction in their eyes.

She felt as if the air was filled with a strong smell of gunpowder.

Sometimes Layla couldn't believe it. She hadn't taken anything from any of them, yet they saw her as an enemy. It was clear that the company was like a battlefield. Even if you didn't want to make enemies, the others would still see you as one.

"Layla, how did you deceive Ava into signing the contract?"

"Say something!"

"Answer me!" Cassandra angrily demanded, her face turning red. "How did you do it?"

"Do you want to know?" Layla raised her eyes lightly. "Ask her by yourself."

"Are you trying to deceive me?"

"I'm not deceiving you. Ava wanted to sign the contract herself, so shouldn't you ask her about it? I'm not responsible for answering that question."

"You..." Cassandra gritted her teeth. "Why are you lying? I know that you're just relying on your benefactor, right? You pressured your benefactor to force Ava to sign the contract, didn't you?"

Layla just smiled meaningfully. Her smile was mysterious and inscrutable, and she didn't say any more, making Cassandra even more frustrated.

How did Layla do it?

What tricks did she use?

Cassandra wanted to know so badly, it was driving her crazy!

The less Layla said, the more Cassandra went mad wanting to know.

Layla was well aware of this, so she deliberately didn't say anything, frustrating Cassandra even more.

"You just said, if I managed to deal with Ava, you would chop off your head and kick it to me?" Layla asked slowly, her eyes firm yet gentle.

Cassandra's ears burned.

"So many people heard that, you're not going to deny it, are you?"

"I was talking about the deal for the bar. Since the bar will be closed, it doesn't count," Cassandra argued.

"You said it was about the deal with Ava! A person who lacks basic integrity has lost their humanity."

"Are you calling me inhuman?" Cassandra almost jumped up.

"You said it yourself."

"Layla! Don't get too arrogant!"

"I sealed the three biggest deals for the company this year. I have a reason to be arrogant. Do you?" Layla countered, leaving Cassandra speechless.

"I..." Cassandra hadn't sealed a single deal this year. Her performance was terrible, which was why she had to flatter Fanny and maintain a good relationship with her. She was likely to be fired since she hadn't been doing a good job.

"You're just relying on your appearance to seduce men!"

"So what? Being beautiful is also a form of capital. I have it, you don't. What can you do about it?" Layla was in a good mood, so she spoke her mind. people like Cassandra were just asking for it!

If you didn't stand up to her, she would see you as an easy target.

"Bitch!" Cassandra cursed angrily. "Seducing men will eventually lead to trouble. Sooner or later, someone will throw sulfuric acid on your face. When your face is ruined, let's see how arrogant you'll be."

"Even if I didn't have this face, I would still outshine you with my design skills. If you can't handle it, just hold it in!"

Cassandra was almost bursting with anger.

Fanny came out of the office.

Layla's gaze shifted to Fanny's displeased face. "When will you give me triple my salary?"

Fanny paused, secretly annoyed. 'Damn it! She's acting arrogant so soon!'

But Fanny smiled instead of getting angry as she thought about the plan she had just come up with in the office. "Why the rush? As the CEO of such a big company, would I haggle over such a small amount of money with you?"

"I signed the Quantum Crescendo Ltd project was before and you didn't pay me for that. If you don't give me my salary this time, I won't give up. I'll go to the labor department to get my salary back legally." Every word Layla said was clear and loud, resonating throughout the office.

"Go ahead and sue!" Cassandra said arrogantly. "The company is now Miss Eilish's, so suing won't help. Right, Ms. Taylor?"

"Layla, don't try to threaten me." Fanny squinted. "I don't care about that money. Don't act like a debt collector. How disagreeable. I didn't say I wouldn't pay. It's only the beginning of the month now, there's still some time before payday. Besides, Ava's contract hasn't arrived yet, so why the rush? Wait another half a month and see if you can get it."

Fanny changed the topic. "This weekend, the company is going on a team-building trip to a resort. Make sure to make time for that."

"Team-building?"

"This weekend?"

Everyone was surprised.

It was already Thursday, and they hadn't heard anything about this before.

Cassandra was the quickest to react, leading the way. "Thank you, Ms. Taylor."

"We can go out again, that's great."

Layla could tell that things weren't that simple. And she didn't want to stay with these people. Work was already tough enough, why should she make life harder for herself by spending time with them?

"I'm not going."

"It's a company activity, everyone has to go," Fanny ordered.

"Why are you being so antisocial?"

"Yeah, what's with the lone wolf act? You're always drawing attention to yourself." Cassandra rolled her eyes.

"I said everyone has to go, so everyone must go." Fanny said firmly. "Anyone who doesn't go will be considered absent, and don't expect to get paid."

Fanny assumed her CEO stance, then went back to the office.

The so-called team-building trip was probably not that simple, Layla thought. But that was a problem for the weekend. Right now, she was in a good mood and didn't want them to ruin it.

She took out her phone and found Samuel had sent her a message. It was a photo of him in a meeting.

Layla couldn't help but chuckle. If the others found out their serious CEO was taking photos with his phone during a meeting, their jaws would drop. She couldn't help but chuckle again as she thought about their surprised expressions.

Cassandra snidely remarked, "Flirting with men again? You seem happy."

Cassandra thought to herself that men only cared about appearances, so they had all been bewitched by that bitch. Why didn't she didn't have any admirers?

Layla was about to reply when Samuel messaged first.

[What do you want to eat tonight, my queen?]

'That's a nice title,' Layla thought as she smiled.

[Let's eat outside tonight, it'll be my treat,] she texted.

[Okay, it's your treat, but I'll pay,] Samuel replied instantly.

Layla picked a restaurant and sent it over, looking at her face on the computer screen with a slight smile.

It was truly a blessing to have someone to share her good mood with.

At six o'clock, Layla left work on time, only to realize she had forgotten her phone and had to turn back.