Chapter 420

Playing.

What a serious accusation.

Layla's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately replied, "That's a baseless accusation."

"Baseless? Are you saying you didn't intentionally mislead me?" Brian stubbornly asked.

"I didn't." Layla said the words clearly and loudly, without a hint of hesitation, firmly stating, "As I said earlier, I never intended for you to like me, so I never thought you would. I've always treated you as a friend."

"Friend? So, it's just me being delusional, right?" Brian's eyes flashed with a spark, his words becoming sharper. "I don't interact with friends like that. Maybe it's just our different ways of dealing with things. You interact with every man like that, so you're used to it, thinking you're doing nothing wrong. It's just them being wishful and delusional."

Brian's words were getting more and more excessive.

Layla considered herself to have a good temper, and since they were in a superior-subordinate relationship, she didn't want to argue. But as a woman, being spoken to like that, she couldn't help but get angry.

"Whatever you think." Layla wanted to end the argument. She had her worries and didn't have the energy to explain everything to him. If Brian wanted to believe her, he would; if he didn't, no amount of explanation would help.

Brian said, "Of course, you can't do anything because it's the truth."

That sentence completely ended the conversation.

Layla felt a surge of anger but didn't like to argue. "I don't think we need to continue this conversation. I'm going to revise the drawings."

Saying that, Layla took the drawings and turned to leave.

Back at her desk, she put the drawings aside without revising them. Since the problem wasn't with the drawings, revising them wouldn't help. Brian wouldn't be satisfied anyway, so she didn't waste her time.

Others cast wary glances toward the CEO's office. Brian's face had darkened significantly, almost black.

Brian was extremely agitated.

After venting, Brian didn't feel any better. Instead, he felt a strong sense of self-loathing.

From childhood to adulthood, Brian had never felt like such a sore loser. After being rejected, he lashed out at a woman, blaming Layla for everything, and humiliating her to the extreme.

This wasn't typical of Brian. He wasn't petty or close-minded. His hurtful words weren't intentional; they were a product of his overwhelming anger. Brian was engulfed in self-hatred, unable to find peace.

By the 30th time Layla checked her phone, it was already time to leave work.

"Here's a box of headache medicine for you. Take it if you feel unwell." Luna placed the medicine on her desk, her tone cautious and appeasing.

Layla said, "Thanks." She did have a headache, thinking about how to mend her relationship with Samuel.

"I'm heading out. You should leave early too and avoid Mr. Evans." Luna nodded towards the CEO's office.

Layla didn't even look. She was still angry with Brian.

Her gaze lingered on the screen for a long time. When the screen went dark, Layla made a decision, quickly packed her bag, and left in a hurry.

In the office, Brian's eyes followed Layla. Her steps were hurried; she must be going to see that man.

Brian couldn't help but sneer at himself. What did he count for?

The Holland Group.

Layla bumped into Susan at the elevator.

Layla said, "Ms. Susan."

"Why are you back?" Susan was surprised to see Layla.

Layla replied, "To find someone."

Susan didn't ask further, but inquired about her job, "Is everything going well? How are you getting along with your colleagues?"

"Everything's fine; thank you for recommending this job to me. I'll treat you to a meal sometime." Layla pressed the button for the top floor in the elevator and waved goodbye to Susan.

Susan returned a faint smile and turned to leave.

Everyone had their secrets.

The elevator ascended floor by floor, the numbers changing quickly; but Layla still felt it wasn't fast enough. She wished she could teleport to the top floor in an instant.

At the same time, Layla was anxious, worried that Samuel would treat her with that cold attitude again.

But even so, she was eager to see him.

The elevator reached the top floor.

It was already past office hours, and there weren't many people left on the entire floor.

Layla walked straight to the secretary's desk, where a new, pretty face greeted her.

Layla uttered, "Hello, I'm here to see Mr. Holland."

The secretary looked up from her busy work and glanced at her. "Do you have an appointment?"

Layla shook her head. "No, but could you please inform him?"

The secretary replied, "The CEO is very busy. No appointment, no meeting."

Layla said, "But I... Please tell him my name is Layla Adkins."

The secretary said, "Miss Adkins, if everyone pulled what you're doing, thinking they can waltz in to see the CEO and expecting me to give the heads-up, I'd be out on my rear before sunset. our boss isn't a drop-in kind of guy. Get a grip, would you?"

Layla said, "I really have an urgent matter. He will see me."

"If you keep this up, you'll only be seeing security." The secretary glared at her.

Layla said, "Then I'll wait here."

"No, you can't." The secretary immediately refused. "This is the top floor of the Holland Group, the highest-level core area of the company. Do you think this is a mall where you can just sit wherever you want? You'll be affecting others' work."

Layla said, "I promise I won't make a sound."

"That's still not acceptable. If you don't leave, I'll call security... Security!" the secretary shouted.

"What's going on?" A tall man stepped out of the elevator.

The female secretary immediately put on a bright smile and approached him. "Mr. Vandella, she..."

"Miss Adkins, are you here to see boss?" James ignored the secretary and walked straight to Layla.

His respectful attitude surprised the secretary greatly.

James was the highest-ranking person on the floor besides the CEO, and he was showing such respect to an ordinary woman? Could she be the CEO's...

The secretary's mind went blank, and she stood there with a pale face. She was in big trouble.

Layla nodded. "Is he in his office?"

"Yes. Please wait a moment, I'll inform him." Mr. Vandella walked briskly towards the office, silently hoping that Layla's arrival would improve the boss's mood. Otherwise, his own days would be tough too.

Layla looked at the CEO's office door, waiting quietly.

"Miss Adkins... I messed up earlier. I'm new here, never been a secretary before. I was out of line. Hope you can forgive me." The secretary offered a sheepish smile. "Take a seat, I'll whip up some coffee for you."

"No need." Layla wasn't in the mood for coffee. She was anxious to see Samuel, her anticipation growing by the second.

Would Samuel see her?