Chapter 42

"Can't you see? I'm trying to be nice to you," Layla replied openly.

Samuel's face turned cool. "Empty flattery usually has an ulterior motive."

"Why are you saying such harsh things? I put in a lot of effort," Layla muttered softly. "Can we call a truce? Yesterday, I admit I was wrong. Can you... give the job back to Louis?"

Of course, it's for that man. Even though he had already guessed it, Samuel couldn't help but feel a wave of disappointment and irony.

Disappointment? Disappointment implies having hope.

Does he still expect this woman to simply reconcile with him and avoid making him angry?

She had never considered his feelings before. In the past, she had annoyed him several times, not even apologizing, and now making this breakfast for him.

Samuel grew increasingly uncomfortable.

Layla cautiously observed his expression. Why did his face look even worse than before? Did she say something wrong?

Samuel's face turned colder. "If I refuse, will you throw all these in the trash?"

"Not necessarily; it would be wasteful since I've worked so hard on them. Louis knows he was wrong, and he promises not to repeat it. Can't you give him another chance? After all, it's just a matter of your word."

"It may just be a matter of my word, but it depends on whether I'm willing to give it."

"Then consider it for the sake of this breakfast."

"Was this made for me?" Samuel stared straight into her eyes and asked, his sharp gaze penetrating Layla's heart and making her inexplicably guilty.

She muttered in a voice lacking confidence, "In the end, it's always you who eats it. Does it really matter who it's made for?"

"It does matter!" For Samuel, this was the crucial point. "If it weren't to get his job back, would you have prepared this breakfast to please me?"

Layla fell silent for a moment. "Last night, Louis called me and said his mother was hospitalized. He has to pay the hospital fees every week. If he loses his job, they won't be able to afford it."

Samuel didn't seem concerned. He even found it somewhat amusing. "There's more than one restaurant here."

"That's true, but Rose Garden offers the highest salary. And Louis is a long-time employee, so he won't have such good benefits elsewhere. Everyone goes through difficult times, and you can consider it an act of kindness."

"I'm a businessman, not a philanthropist. If I don't address his failure this time, how can I manage other employees in the future?"

Setting aside the reason behind it, Samuel was a principled person. He had clear rewards and punishments, which was also why the Holland Group's performance skyrocketed after he took over.

"But..."

"Miss Adkins, let's have breakfast first." To prevent the conflict from escalating further, Mr. Morris quickly interjected.

Layla felt extremely frustrated and didn't know what else to say. She felt completely powerless.

After an unpleasant breakfast, the two of them headed to the office.

Not a word was exchanged in the car.

Layla looked at her ballet flats on her feet, feeling a mix of emotions.

This man could be so cruel at times, but also very considerate. Was he good or bad to her?

As soon as she arrived at the office, Layla received a text message from Louis, asking about the situation.

Layla's fingers hovered over the keyboard, feeling heavy-hearted and unsure of how to reply.

"Why are you still here? The CEO is about to arrive. Everyone is waiting at the elevator." Alice rushed over, her makeup looking flawless.

"The CEO?" Layla quickly put down her phone and followed her.

As they walked, she asked curiously, "What kind of person is our supervisor? They seem so mysterious."

"You'll find out soon enough. I guarantee you'll be surprised. Let's go!"

At the elevator, everyone from the design department gathered. The male employees were wearing suits and ties, while the female employees were dressed in skirts, wearing delicate makeup as if attending a banquet or a blind date.

"How's my lipstick color?"

"How would I know? Do I look like a makeup expert?"

"Take a look at me; is my dress too extravagant?"

The women were all excited, including Molly, who had put effort into her appearance. She held foundation in her hand, busy with touch-ups, her face full of excitement.

"That's too exaggerated." Layla couldn't help but mutter softly.

"Not at all! The supervisor only visits the company once every two weeks. If he takes notice of any of us... though the chances are low, he's very serious and keeps his distance from female designers. But all of us female employees want to catch his eye."

After Alice said that, Layla became even more curious. How handsome could he be to have all her female colleagues try to catch his attention?

"Ding!" The elevator doors opened, and out stepped a man in a gray suit, wearing black-framed glasses. His facial features were sharp, but he exuded an introverted temperament.

"Good morning, Sir."

"Nathan?!" Layla screamed amidst the uniform voices.

Heavens! She never would have imagined that their supervisor would be Nathan! She was completely taken aback!

Everyone turned to look at her. Was she crazy?

"Oh my! I'm sorry." Layla hurriedly covered her mouth and lowered her head. She felt so embarrassed, she just wanted to bury her head in the ground.

The sound of footsteps grew closer, and a pair of long legs stopped in front of Layla.

She swallowed hard, her heart pounding like thunder.

"Are you the design assistant here?" The man's magnetic voice sounded, devoid of any emotions.

The eyes that had previously looked at her like she was crazy now turned to jealousy.

Molly's jealous gaze was more venomous than a sting.

"Um..." Layla clenched her skirt tightly.

"What's your name?"

"I... I'm Layla Adkins."

"Um," Nathan, accompanied by his assistant and manager, walked away in big strides.

"Layla, I didn't know you were so cunning. You deliberately shouted Mr. Marley's name earlier to get his attention."

"I didn't. I was just so surprised," Layla tried to explain.

"Don't pretend. How could you not have known he was the supervisor?"

"That's right! The supervisor specifically asked for your name. You must be proud of yourself."

Layla couldn't explain. It was just that she hadn't controlled her emotions well earlier.

"Let's start the meeting." Molly glared at her, crossed her arms, and turned away.

Layla was part of a small group consisting of five people - two men and three women - and she was responsible for taking the minutes of the meeting.

After Molly finished introducing the design plans for the Lifestyle Pavilion, her gaze fell on Layla's face. "What? Do you have any objections?"

"I have no objections." Layla shook her head.

"I see you frowning, which doesn't seem like having no objections. If you have any opinions, just say them, so you won't blame me for not involving you and burying your talent."

"I really have no objections. The design looks great." Layla was new to the workplace but understood the basic rules. It was purely because she didn't want to make trouble that she didn't voice her opposing opinions on her boss's design during the meeting.

However, Molly was relentless, forcing the issue with a domineering tone, "Just great? So, it's just mediocre? It has flaws? No worries, I'm all about equality. You must voice your opinions today."

"Yeah, Molly wants you to speak up."

"Aren't you the outstanding graduate from City University? Let us see what you're made of; don't pretend to be something you're not."

"Hurry up and speak, don't waste everyone's time!"