Chapter 422

Layla's resolute, trusting gaze shook Samuel to his core, her eyes like a potent force breaching his defenses time and again.

For a few seconds, Samuel just looked at Layla without saying a word. Finally, using all his strength, he hardened his heart and replied in the coldest voice he could muster, "I have things to do; I don't have time to spend with you."

"That's just an excuse. You never seemed so busy before..." Layla mumbled softly.

So she was relying on the fact that Samuel had always been good to her, fully understanding him, just like how she found those other men, knowing he couldn't do anything about it. Thinking of this, Samuel's heart hardened even more, and he said heartlessly, "I don't have time to deal with you."

Layla's little heart felt a bit sour. What did he mean by not having time to deal with her? She wasn't his burden. Did Samuel really not want to see her?

Layla pouted a bit, feeling wronged. "Didn't I come to find you? Why are you still angry?"

Samuel thought, just because Layla came to find him, he should forgive her immediately? Was he so insignificant in front of her?

But Samuel had to admit, it had been like this for a long time. He never got angry with her, always careful, pampering her endlessly, with no bottom line, spoiling Layla to the bone, to the extreme. Pride and dignity meant nothing in front of her.

Layla might think his pampering was a given, but she couldn't rely on it to act recklessly and repeatedly touch his bottom line.

"I don't have time to be angry with you either," Samuel said against his will, maintaining a cold expression, "This is the office."

"Then... let's talk somewhere else. I haven't eaten yet." Layla touched her stomach, her voice muffled, playing the role of the wronged to the extreme. "I'm not hungry, but the baby is."

The baby. The secretary secretly showed a look of shock. The CEO not only had a girlfriend but she was also pregnant. Oh my! If this news was sold to the media, it would be worth at least a million dollars. But even if she got the money, she wouldn't live to spend it; so she didn't dare spread it. She could only silently envy in her heart.

Although the CEO's face didn't look good and his tone was even worse, the fact that he was spending so much time with Layla meant he must really like her.

It seemed she had just offended the future CEO's wife! She was doomed!

Samuel stared at the woman in front of him, clearly feeling wronged yet very cunning. Pretending to be pitiful was one thing, but now she was using his child as an excuse cunningly playing weak.

Samuel said, "If you're hungry, go eat something."

"I was waiting for you," Layla said cautiously, her big eyes blinking, looking pitiful.

Samuel said coldly, "James, take her to eat something and then send her home."

Layla refused. "I don't want to. How about we go home and cook? I want to eat the noodles you make."

Samuel uttered, "Didn't I just say? I'm working, I have a meeting to attend."

"Then I'll go with you, and we can eat after the meeting," Layla said, determined to follow him.

"I don't want anyone following me." Unable to bear Layla's pitiful eyes, Samuel turned and walked away.

"Wait for me; don't walk so fast," Layla complained softly.

Layla ran to catch up and got into the elevator.

Samuel frowned. Running while pregnant.

He really wanted to give her a good scolding.

"Are you gum?" he spat out through clenched teeth.

Ignoring his contempt, Layla retorted, "I'm not gum, I'm glue-stickier than gum. You can't shake me off." With that, she pressed the lobby button.

James hesitated at the door. Samuel shot him a cold glance. James quickly stepped into the elevator, silently standing in the corner.

James thought to himself, 'Boss, even I, an inexperienced single guy, know that making your girlfriend angry can have serious consequences. Why are you still doing this? Just let it go, or else...'

"Going home to cook pasta? It's been a while since we had that," Layla said, looking hopeful and smiling.

Samuel emphasized. "I said, I have a meeting. Don't you understand?"

Layla asked, "But I want to eat meat today. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce?"

A vein throbbed faintly on Samuel's forehead.

Anyone else would have been scared by Samuel's cold demeanor, but Layla didn't care at all. Samuel was right; she knew him too well.

This time, Samuel couldn't let Layla have her way.

Samuel said, "I'm not going back."

"Where will you stay then? On the street? Oh no, sleeping on the street is so pitiful. I'll take you in," Layla said with a kind face.

Samuel had over a hundred properties in A City alone. Sleep on the street? Was she joking?

James tried hard to hold back his laughter.

"Not necessary." Samuel coldly refused with two words.

Layla mumbled, "You insisted on staying at my place before, even got drunk in the midnight begging to be taken in. Now you say it's not necessary. Come and go as you please, treating my place like a hotel..."

Samuel wanted to scold Layla even more. Did she think he couldn't hear her?

Layla said again, "Then let's not have pasta. How about grabbing some sandwichfrom a convenience store? It won't take long, and it won't delay your meeting."

"You've already delayed it," Samuel said sternly.

"Well, since it's already delayed, a little more won't matter," Layla said with a grin.

Samuel remained silent.

"Why the look? I waited three hours for you. Noodles take three minutes," Layla mumbled, her neck shrinking, sporting a pitiful expression as if facing the world's biggest bully.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Samuel strode out. Layla followed, grabbing his sleeve. He shook her off. She grabbed again. He shook her off again. She grabbed once more. She didn't give up.

After several attempts...

Samuel finally stopped, unable to bear it any longer. "What do you want?"

Layla, still holding his sleeve like a clingy and cute little tail, blinked her big eyes and said sweetly, "I'm trying to reconcile."

Samuel didn't say anything.

"Don't be mad at me, okay? I've really, really tried hard to make it up to you," Layla said, using all her charm, her voice so sweet she couldn't believe it was her own.

"You don't need you to make it up to me," Samuel said.

Layla said, "You may not need it, but I want ."

Samuel's mouth twitched as he sneered, "Do you believe a simple gesture erases everything? That I should forgive and forget? In your world, I'm just a boundaryless figure, huh?"

"It's not like that. I'm apologizing to you. I promise it won't happen again," Layla said earnestly, raising her hand to make a promise.

Samuel wanted to believe Layla, but this was the third time. It had happened many times before. Because he had easily forgiven her before, it led to this. He had to teach her a lesson this time. Besides, he wasn't someone without emotions; he was still angry.

Layla asked, "You don't believe me?"

Samuel didn't answer.

His gaze made Layla feel disappointed, her heart growing cold.