Chapter 421

The CEO's office.

A stack of papers lay before Samuel, but he clutched his phone, fixating on six messages as if his stare could pierce through the screen.

Samuel couldn't control his hands; he wanted to reply again and again, his fingers almost leaving marks on the screen.

In his memory, this was the coldest he had ever been during their arguments. He kept reminding himself not to reply, not to give in easily... otherwise, there would be a next time.

Samuel spoiled Layla endlessly; but he would never allow her to be entangled with those men around her. This was his bottom line, his Achilles' heel.

James pushed the door open and entered, holding back a bit of excitement. "Boss, Miss Adkins is outside."

Samuel instantly looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, his gaze turning cold again.

James asked, "Should I invite Miss Adkins in?"

"Did I say that?" Samuel looked at him coldly. "Mind your own business."

James quickly lowered his head to apologize, but in his heart, he thought, 'Clearly, you want to see Miss Adkins, but you have to act all proud. Is this really okay?'

James asked, "Then... should I ask Miss Adkins to leave?"

Samuel remained silent, pursing his lips, looking at him coldly without saying a word.

James couldn't figure out Samuel's thoughts and didn't dare to make decisions on his own. "Then... I'll just leave for now."

He attempted to blend into the background, inching back discreetly. Just as he slipped out of the tense atmosphere, he pivoted and locked eyes with Layla, her gaze brimming with anticipation.

Layla asked, "Can I go in?"

"Well... the boss is busy right now..." James felt a bit of a headache.

Layla looked disappointed. "He doesn't want to see me, right?"

It was the expected reply, but Layla still felt disappointed and hurt.

James didn't know how to comfort her. Miss Adkins was petite, with delicate features that still had a bit of girlish charm. Her big, watery eyes looked particularly pitiful when she was dejected. If the boss saw Miss Adkins with such an expression, his heart would surely break.

Even James, who usually had low emotional intelligence, couldn't help but say gently, "The boss is just too busy..."

Layla shook her head with a bitter smile. "No, I know he's still mad at me. He hasn't replied to my messages all day." But she quickly perked up. "But I won't give up so easily. If he doesn't want to see me now, I'll wait until he does."

James offered, "The boss is tied up. I'll sort a ride for you back home."

"No, I'll wait here. I want to be with him." Layla made up her mind and sat on the sofa. "Mr. Vandella, you go ahead with your work. Don't worry about me; I'll take care of myself."

James said, "...Alright then."

James had no choice but to go back to his work; he had a lot to handle.

Two hours later.

It was 9 PM.

Samuel finished signing the documents, his collar open, his brows furrowed, looking restless.

James knew what was bothering Samuel but didn't dare to say anything. It wasn't until he was at the door with the signed documents that he was called back.

Samuel frowned, silent for a long time before finally asking, "Where is she?"

James smirked inwardly. He was just waiting for the boss to ask this, knowing he couldn't hold back.

James replied, "Miss Adkins is still on the sofa outside. She's fallen asleep."

Falling asleep while waiting, not much sincerity there. It seemed like she didn't care much. Samuel was thinking this when, in the next second, his thoughts shifted. 'Waiting outside in such cold weather. Did she want to freeze herself? Did she forget she was pregnant? This foolish woman.'

Samuel immediately dropped the documents in his hand, got up, and walked out of the office.

"Mr. Holland, Miss Adkins, she..." The secretary looked uneasy.

Samuel glanced over and saw a small figure curled up on the sofa, sleeping with her hands and feet tucked in. Probably because of the cold, her brows were tightly furrowed.

"I warned Miss Adkins, but she wouldn't budge, insisted on staying put..." The secretary fretted over potential blame.

Samuel strode over, took a deep breath to control his anger, and said, "Wake up."

"Layla ," he called her name through gritted teeth, "Layla Adkins?"

"Samuel..." Layla murmured his name uneasily in her sleep, "Samuel..."

Samuel frowned even tighter.

"Miss Adkins." James bent over and gently pushed her.

He pushed several times before Layla woke up from her dream, groggily opening her eyes to look at him. "Samuel? Am I still dreaming?"

Layla rubbed her eyes, looking pitiful. "Why are you frowning? You look so fierce."

Was Layla acting pitiful on purpose to make him feel sorry for her? Samuel took a deep breath, holding back his anger. "Layla , who told you to sleep here?"

"I... you wouldn't see me, so I waited here for you..." Layla looked innocent and helpless.

Samuel said, "This is not a place for you to sleep."

"I'm sorry..." Layla's little face scrunched up even more.

Samuel said, "I didn't say I wanted to see you."

"So I wait until you did." Layla tried to stand up but found her legs had gone numb from lying down. She stumbled, and Samuel rushed over to catch her.

"You!" Samuel's heart almost stopped from the scare, looking at Layla with a pale face.

Was she deliberately torturing him? Did she even know how to take care of herself?

Layla let out a small breath. That was close... She looked up and gave Samuel a grateful smile. "I knew you'd protect me."

"Are you gambling?" Samuel's temple throbbed.

Layla shook her head. "I wasn't gambling. I was sure you'd protect me."

Samuel looked like he didn't want to care about Layla, but he only let go after making sure she was steady, then sternly lectured, "Is this the time to take chances?"

Layla apologized, "I'm sorry."

James couldn't hold back and murmured, "Boss, I don't think Miss Adkins meant any harm."

"Didn't mean it? She did it deliberately!" Samuel snapped. "Layla Adkins, playing the victim won't sway me. It's a failed strategy. Leave now."

Layla looked at Samuel with bright eyes. "Will you take me?"

Samuel said, "You go by yourself."

Layla shook her head unwillingly. "It's so late, it's dangerous for me to go alone."

"You have such a big courage. Are you afraid of danger?" Samuel let out a cold laugh.

"I'm only brave when you're around. When you're not, I'm very timid." Layla pouted, looking completely innocent, but Samuel saw through her act. She was just pretending!

Layla could be annoyingly cunning sometimes.

Samuel said, "Your acting is terrible!"

Layla said pitifully, "I'm not acting. It's minus five degrees outside. If I go out, I'll definitely freeze."

"There's a car!" Samuel would never let Layla go home alone. At the very least, he would arrange for a car to take her home safely. If he could really ignore her, he wouldn't be standing here arguing with her now.

Layla, still hoping Samuel would accompany her, stuttered, "I-I don't feel safe even with a car..."

Samuel inquired, "And what would make you feel safe then?"

"Only safe when you're by my side," Layla replied promptly.