Chapter 399

Brian gestured towards the time on his watch. "Looks like you're still punctual as always."

Layla started to explain, "No, today I was a bit..."

"Let's go, the signing ceremony starts at eight," he interrupted.

Struggling to keep up with Brian's brisk pace, Layla repeated a thought in her muddled mind, 'Hang in there, I must endure. Even if I feel faint, I must hold on until the signing is over. I can't afford to delay work.'

Before the signing, there was a brief meeting where Layla was responsible for taking notes. Her vision became increasingly blurry, the screen turning into a white mist. She had to shake her head frequently to stay alert.

Her hand paused on the keyboard, always suddenly blank.

Layla felt like she was about to faint.

"Your CEO is calling for you," Mr. Brooks whispered softly beside her.

Weakly, Layla raised her gaze, seeing Brian looking at her disapprovingly.

Right, she almost forgot the documents.

Dazed and nervous, Layla fumbled for the documents. Just as she walked up to him to hand them over, she fainted.

When Layla opened her eyes again, she found herself in the hospital, staring at the snow-white walls. Brian was standing by the window, making a phone call.

Brian, with his back to Layla, spoke in a deep voice, "Alright, I understand. I'll make arrangements."

"Mr. Evans..." Layla's voice was weak. Her head felt heavy, her body weak.

Brian turned to look at her, his eyes devoid of any concern, treating her like a stranger.

"Mr. Evans... Have we signed the contract?" Layla immediately thought of this.

"What do you think?" Brian replied.

Layla remained silent.

"In your eyes, am I the kind of person who would leave you behind and still proceed with the signing?" Brian spoke without any emotion.

"That's not what I meant," she explained.

"No need to deny it. I am that kind of person in your eyes." Brian's attitude was indifferent, he didn't care about others' opinions. "I will take care of the signing."

"Sorry for the delay in work," she apologized.

"Your work capacity didn't surprise me, but your physical endurance did," Brian said calmly.

Was he mocking her lack of physical strength?

Initially feeling guilty about the signing, Layla's dissatisfaction grew upon hearing his words. "Is it that I have poor physical stamina or that the workload is too intense? I'm not the first assistant you've exhausted in the hospital, am I?"

"But you don't see me hospitalized," he added.

"You're different, you're a robot," Layla muttered.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"If you have something to say, go ahead. I don't like being talked about behind my back," he said.

"I'm hungry," she replied.

"Alright."

'Is Brian truly clueless or just pretending? Has his emotional intelligence plummeted to this level?' Layla pondered.

Layla had no choice but to be direct. "What I mean is if it's convenient for you, could you please buy me some lunch?"

Brian looked at her.

"My being in the hospital is somewhat related to you. Don't you feel even a tiny bit responsible?" Layla pleaded.

"I don't."

"I'll work even harder for you in the future," she said.

"You're not working for me, you're working for yourself," Brian said, emotionless, like a robot, and left the ward.

'Is he going to buy her lunch?' Layla wasn't sure.

Glancing at the time, Layla decided that if he didn't return in half an hour, she would order takeout herself.

When one was sick, both the body and heart were particularly fragile. Layla closed her eyes and thought, 'If only Samuel were here now, I could lean on him in his embrace.' Every second, she missed that man who cared for her so much.

As Brian left the ward, his phone rang.

Brian glanced at it, seeing the same number.

A young, delicate face flashed before his eyes. Memories intertwined for a moment, then vanished into darkness.

Brian's pupils flickered with annoyance and conflict for a moment, but quickly settled into indifference as he hung up.

Within the twenty minutes it took to buy lunch, his phone rang twice more, and he still hung up each time.

Brian returned to the ward.

"You're back." Layla, pale with weak lips, but bright-eyed, stared at the lunch in his hands.

Brian silently placed the lunch on the bedside table.

"Thank you," she said.

"Could you help me open that? I don't have the strength. Please." Layla looked at Brian pitifully, with a hint of a pleasing smile.

Brian frowned slightly but didn't refuse her, silently opening the takeout box and handing her a spoon.

"Thank you." Layla took the spoon, but before she could take a bite...

"Is it because of her? Is it because of her that you didn't answer my calls?" A hoarse sobbing voice came.

Standing at the door was a beautiful but weary woman, around twenty-eight years old. Her light-colored eyes filled with pain as she stared at Brian, a mix of blame, resentment, and anger in her gaze.

Layla's spoon was still at her lips.She was staring blankly at the scene.

'What iis going on? Is she Brian's girlfriend?' Layla thought. 'Could someone so lacking in emotional intelligence actually have a girlfriend?!'

A look of surprise flashed through Brian's eyes, but he quickly reacted, walking directly towards her.

Brian didn't ask why she was there. Evidently, this situation wasn't new.

"Come with me," he said.

"I won't!" As Brian's fingers touched her arm, the woman screamed and pushed him away. "Who is she? Explain it to me."

"She has nothing to do with you."

"What do you mean, has it nothing to do with me? You're mine. Brian Evans, you can only love me," she shouted loudly.

Although Layla didn't know the history between them, from this statement, the woman gave Layla a paranoid impression.

No one could only love one person. Feelings were the most unpredictable.

"Come with me," he said.

"I'm not going out! Is she your girlfriend? Have you been together these past few days?" The woman pointed angrily at Layla.

Brian narrowed his eyes. "She is my girlfriend."

The woman's heart shattered, tears shimmering in her eyes, a mix of anger and pity. "You once said you only love me, but you betrayed me. Brian, you can't treat me like this."

"Stop this argument," he interrupted.

"What? Are you scared now? Are you afraid I'll tell your new girlfriend how cruel you are? Afraid I'll tell her how you hurt me? I've become like this because of you. You've destroyed my life. You betrayed our love and heartlessly abandoned me. You're not a man!"

She continued to curse and provoke. Brian's gaze darkened.He finally firmly grabbed her wrist, ignoring her struggles, and forcibly dragged her out of the ward.

Layla heard the woman still cursing at Brian, but she never heard Brian say a word throughout.

The voices faded away in the corridor.

When Layla woke up again, it was dusk, and the room was still dark. Bathed in the light of the setting sun, she saw Brian standing by the window. He frowned as he stared outside, his face filled with an unbreakable gloom.

'Is Brian thinking about the woman from earlier in the day?' At that moment, Layla couldn't help but wonder, 'Does he still love her?'