Chapter 43

The situation was impossible to avoid.

Layla gently bit her lip and mustered up the courage to speak, "Then I'll share my personal opinion. I don't have much experience, so if I say something wrong..."

"...just say it."

"I think your design is great, but it's a bit conventional. It can be more daring, like incorporating new elements in the materials..."

Layla started speaking slowly, but as she continued, she became more fluent and expressed all of her opinions. Molly's face grew darker and she harshly interrupted, "Enough! You're just a mere assistant; what qualifications do you have to criticize my design? Where does your confidence come from?"

Layla was speechless. Wasn't she the one who insisted she speak up?

"I'm sorry."

Even though several other designers were amazed by Layla's apparent talent in design and felt that her design idea was indeed better than Molly's, they didn't dare to speak the truth. Instead, they joined Molly in criticizing her.

"Arrogant, ridiculous."

"How many years have you been designing? How many years has Molly been designing? She has even won international awards."

"What boldness? It's just empty talk and being pretentious, intentionally damaging the reputation of the Holland Group."

"Trash."

"I think her design is good." A different voice suddenly chimed in. It was a soft and deep male voice.

"Mr. Marley!"

How did he come here? Everyone was surprised.

Nathan stood at the door, and his beautiful phoenix eyes behind the lenses were fixed on Layla. "This project is assigned to you."

"Me?" Layla pointed at herself in shock. Did she hear it right?

"Mr. Marley." Molly's face turned extremely unpleasant, but she forced a smile. "I am an experienced designer, while she is only an assistant. Do you really think her design is better than mine?"

Molly was on the verge of asking, "Are you joking?"

"I judge based on talent, not seniority. From what I saw and heard just now, her design indeed surpasses yours."

"But..."

"If you insist on talking about qualifications and experience..." Nathan smirked, his eyes sharp and seemingly filled with amusement. "Do you really think your judgment is better than mine?"

"I..." Molly dared not speak; she could only glare at Layla in secret, her nails digging into her palms and turning purple.

Damn it, he actually said that an assistant's design is better than hers. Isn't this like slapping her face in front of everyone? How can she manage this team in the future?

But the other person has a higher position than her, so she can only endure it and keep her thoughts to herself. Layla, just you wait and see, I'll teach you a lesson.

Nathan turned and walked away.

"Mr. Marley..." Layla hurriedly caught up with him, her face flushed with anxiety. "I... I lack experience and may not be competent for this project. You should give it to Molly."

"Who is born knowing how to design? Experience is accumulated step by step. If you don't take the first step, where will your experience come from?"

"Although that's true, isn't this step too big?" Layla scratched her head. "I think taking it one step at a time and being steady would be better."

"Being steady can be boring, I like surprises." Nathan lifted her chin, his pitch-black eyes gleaming. "You can give me surprises, right?"

Layla's heartbeat quickened. Despite the unease and uncertainty, in the encouraging and expectant gaze of Nathan, she suddenly gained confidence.

"I will do my best." Layla nodded vigorously. Her idol trusted her, and she must not disappoint his expectations.

"Also, our secret, will you keep it for me?" Nathan's smile suddenly became as alluring as that night.

Layla's heart skipped a beat. That same person again, such a drastic change in demeanor, they seemed like two different people. She quickly nodded, "Yes, I will."

"I'm treating my department to dinner tonight; you should come."

"Yes, yes, I will definitely come."

Layla returned to the meeting room, facing several female designers led by Molly. They were practically dismembering her with their eyes, and her scalp was tingling. The two male designers also looked indignant.

"Come to my office." Molly's face had turned ashen and she gritted her teeth.

Layla quickly gathered her materials and followed her. When she entered the room, she nearly got her hand caught in the door by Molly.

She nervously clenched her fists, sensing a storm brewing.

"What is your relationship with Mr. Marley?" Molly stopped in front of her, turning to interrogate her.

"I have no relationship with Mr. Marley."

"No relationship? No relationship, and he would entrust such an important project to you instead of me? I am the designer, while you are just a lowly assistant, doing errands for me. Among our entire team, you are the least qualified to handle a project!"

Molly usually paid great attention to her image, but now she seemed like a shrew, spraying her words everywhere.

Layla had no response. Objectively speaking, that's how it is. Putting herself in Molly's shoes, if she were Molly today, she would also feel embarrassed and angry.

"I don't know why Mr. Marley..."

"Don't play dumb with me! From the day you came here, I knew you were not ordinary or as innocent as you like to act. Matching outfits with me, taking my projects - are you trying to force me out and take over my position?"

"I would never!" Layla shook her head. As an assistant, it would take at least three years for her to become a designer, and she was mentally prepared for it. She had always been stable, she had never thought of making a giant leap forward.

"Don't pretend!" Molly became even more angry, as if she wanted to tear a layer of skin off Layla.

Then, with a cold sneer, Molly spoke through gritted teeth, "Fine, since Mr. Marley thinks you are so capable, then you should be able to complete a project independently."

Layla turned pale. Given the scale of the Lifestyle Pavilion, it would take at least a team of five people to accomplish it. She couldn't possibly do it alone.

"I'll make sure that nobody helps you. Let's see how capable you really are!"

Upstairs, in the CEO's office.

After reporting his work, Mr. Vandella said, "Boss, Miss Adkins has gotten into trouble."

Samuel didn't care. It would be abnormal if that girl didn't cause trouble in a day. Besides, with the way she treated him, why should he clean up her mess for her?

Thinking this to himself, he couldn't control his mouth and asked, "What trouble did she cause this time?"

Mr. Vandella briefly explained the situation.

"Nathan?" Samuel frowned. He remembered the excited look on that girl's face when she mentioned Nathan, and how she said he couldn't compare to him. He felt a bit jealous at the time, so he didn't tell her that Nathan was the director of the Holland Group.

He didn't expect her to get so excited and scream uncontrollably. She hadn't even screamed when she saw him!

Nathan seemed to value her a lot, even directly assigning her the project. Could it be that he was interested in her?

Samuel, who understood the little girl's charm best, closed the documents in his hand heavily and his face turned ugly.