Chapter 415

The CEO's office was also shrouded in a tense atmosphere.

The deputy manager stood across the desk, head slightly bowed, back bent, trembling with fear.

Behind the desk, Brian had been gripping the document tightly for a long time, his brows furrowed in deep frustration. His eyes were fixed on the document, but his mind was elsewhere.

A familiar figure emerged from the break room, catching Brian's attention. Even though he knew he shouldn't, his eyes seemed to have a mind of their own, following Layla wherever she went.

Layla returned to her desk with an indifferent expression, not even glancing at him. Brian couldn't help but grip the document even tighter.

Layla seemed so unconcerned, not even sparing him a look.

The deputy manager, summoning his courage, softly reminded, "Mr. Evans, you're about to crush the document."

Brian reluctantly pulled his gaze back, coldly fixing it on the deputy manager's face. "The company pays you a high salary, and this is the result you deliver?"

This result?

The deputy manager was taken aback, stunned for a few seconds. "Mr. Evans... this is the best performance the company has seen in recent years."

He had expected praise, maybe even a promotion and a raise, but Mr. Evans was still dissatisfied. To be fair, the numbers were impressive, with profits hitting a new high.

Was the CEO unhappy with the performance, or had he just come at a bad time when Mr. Evans was in a bad mood?

Brian waved the document in his hand. "You think this result is worth being proud of? Are you feeling smug?"

The deputy manager quickly lowered his head, repeatedly denying, "No, no, Mr. Evans, I'm not proud. I know I can do better. You're right to call me out; I was being narrow-minded.

"The company doesn't keep people who lack ambition," Brian said, tossing the document back in front of him.

"Mr. Evans, I'm sorry. I'll go reflect on this immediately," the deputy manager said, quickly grabbing the document and getting out. Once outside, his face showed a look of frustration.

Was this performance not up to par? What were the CEO's expectations?

It was obvious his mood was affecting things.

The deputy manager shook his head in resignation. What bad luck!

Brian leaned back in his chair, feeling irritable.

Scolding his subordinate had only made Brian feel worse. He knew the performance was outstanding; it was his bad mood that had caused him to take it out on his subordinate.

Bringing personal emotions into work was a major taboo. Brian excelled at keeping them distinct, almost robotic in his ability to remain unaffected by others.

Brian irritably ran his hand through his hair, while the figure that had caused his unusual emotional turmoil kept moving in and out of his peripheral vision, acting as if nothing was wrong, with a calm demeanor.

Layla looked up, her gaze unintentionally meeting Brian's for a brief second before she looked away indifferently.

Layla treated him like any ordinary boss. No emotion at all!

But just a few days ago, Layla had been chatting with him so animatedly, so happily, her eyes sparkling.

The saying about women being the most ruthless creatures seemed accurate, proven by Layla. Just two days earlier, they had connected joyfully, but now she treated him casually. Brian chuckled cynically.

Brian found it most ironic that Layla's indifference was what infuriated him the most, almost driving him crazy. Layla's nonchalance wasn't an act; she genuinely didn't care!

Watching her move around as if nothing had happened, right under Brian's nose, made him distracted.

Had he been deluding himself all along, thinking too highly of his own feelings?

The day dragged on painfully. Brian was restless whether he sat or stood; everything irritated him.

At 6 p.m., when it was time to clock out, colleagues started to depart. Brian sat at his desk, fingers poised on the keyboard, eyes fixed on his laptop, yet his attention wandered to the empty desks around him.

Unlike the others, Layla didn't rush to leave. She didn't talk to anyone, just quietly packed her things and left with her bag.

Brian wanted to call out to her, but the words got stuck in his throat.

Frustration.

Why did he want to call Layla?

Night fell.

Half the lights in the office were turned off, and it was eerily quiet.

Brian sat in his chair, lost in thought for a long time.

"Mr. Evans... aren't you leaving?" The secretary poked her head in.

Brian stared blankly at her, having been lost in thought. It took him a moment to realize he had called her in. He almost scolded her for not knocking. A fish's memory lasts three seconds, and Brian's memory was even shorter at that moment.

The secretary bit her lip, looking troubled.

Brian saw her discomfort. "You can go home."

He didn't want anyone to stay with him.

"Then, I'll head out... You should leave soon too. See you tomorrow." The secretary left quietly, relieved.

So, he was the only one on the entire floor.

Brian looked again at Layla's desk, but all he saw was his own lonely reflection in the floor-to-ceiling glass.

This couldn't go on. Brian told himself he needed to get a grip. If he didn't control his emotions, he wouldn't be able to get any work done.

Tonight, he had to resolve this.

Brian's eyes darkened with determination.

The bathroom door opened, and a cloud of steam wafted out.

Layla came out, drying her hair, and immediately picked up her phone from the bed to check it.

There were no messages and calls.

Layla hated this feeling.

Samuel rarely stayed mad at Layla for this long. Yes, two days felt like an eternity to her.

Layla had been reflecting on herself for the past two days, and the more she thought about it, the more she realized how overboard her words had been. If only she had controlled her temper a bit, things wouldn't have escalated to this point.

Biting her lip, she made up her mind.

Apologize.

'Samuel had always been the one to apologize. What harm was there in me lowering my head for once? Especially since it was my fault to begin with.'

Once she made the decision, Layla couldn't wait to call him. But before she could press the call button, her phone rang.

Mr. Evans?

Brian rarely called her, so Layla's first thought was: Is there a problem with the design?

She quickly answered.

"I need to see you." Brian's commanding voice came through.

"What's wrong? Is there an issue with the design?" Layla asked urgently.

Brian said, "No."

Layla asked, "Is it work-related?"

"I need to see you." Brian just repeated the same sentence.

Layla hated this kind of ambiguity and felt a bit nervous. "What's it about? Can you tell me over the phone?"

Brian said, "No. I'm downstairs."

Layla said, "What?"

Brian uttered, "It's urgent. It has to be now, immediately, in person."

As soon as he finished speaking, the call ended.

Layla didn't have time to think. She threw on a coat and headed downstairs.