Chapter 426

Layla responded, "Everyone has a different concept of distance."

"That's just an excuse." Brian shook his head, still thinking Layla was making excuses.

"No matter my words, you won't trust me," Layla sighed, recognizing how people often only accepted what suited their beliefs. Perhaps she was just as resolute; convincing him seemed futile.

Brain said, "It's not that I don't believe you; it's that your actions make it hard for me to trust you. You might not know, but I feel so deceived, so ridiculous."

"Mr. Evans, I'm here to talk about my resignation." Layla skipped the topic, knowing it would never be resolved.

She brushed it off so lightly, already tired of the topic.

Brian had never felt so unwanted.

In her eyes, he must be very different from her boyfriend. So she was just playing with him, never taking it seriously.

If that was the case, why cared about her staying or leaving?

Brian thought this but couldn't help asking, "Is it you who wants to resign, or is he making you do it?"

Layla said, "Mr. Evans, I've already told you; this has nothing to do with him. It's my personal decision."

Brain asked, "Personal? Who was it that said design was her dream, the driving force of her life, and now she's giving it up?"

"I won't quit. Designing is my passion," Layla asserted. Each life phase carries its own purpose. Right now, her priority was nurturing a healthy baby, providing it with care and love.

After the baby turned three, Layla would return to the workforce. By then, she would be twenty-five, still young, and could continue to pursue her future.

Brain asked, "So you're planning to jump ship to another company? Just to get away from me?"

Layla suddenly felt exhausted from communicating with Brian. She took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Evans, I have my own plans. You don't need to worry."

At this point, saying more would only make Brian feel worse.

"If you want to leave, just go. No one's stopping you," Brian said angrily.

"Thank you, Mr. Evans, for your previous support. I will complete the handover within a week and won't delay the current projects," Layla said, nodding before turning to leave.

Her hand had just touched the door handle.

"I'm very disappointed in you," Brian's low voice came from behind. "Making such a sacrifice for a man, you will regret it."

Layla didn't look back and walked straight out of the office.

The one thing she would never regret in her life was meeting Samuel. No matter the outcome, the word regret was not in her dictionary.

Layla first found Luna and said, "I'll be leaving in a week. The projects I'm handling will be handed over to you."

"Resign?" Luna stood up in surprise. "You're doing so well, why resign? Layla, is it because of those rumors in the company? We're just curious, no malice intended. Don't take it to heart."

Layla said, "That's not the reason."

Luna said, "Then why? Did Mr. Evans... fire you? No way, is it that serious between you two? Talk to Mr. Evans, don't do this out of spite..."

Layla interrupted her, "A week isn't much time. Let's get started."

Luna said, "But..."

Layla uttered, "I'm sending you the files now. Please accept them."

Luna nodded. "Alright."

The news of Layla's resignation quickly spread throughout the company.

When Layla went to get some water, she could hear her colleagues discussing it, with various opinions flying around.

"Resign? Is that reliable news? It's so sudden."

"Luna is already taking over her work. It can't be fake."

"Why resign? She already outmaneuvered Fanny and the others. She's the queen of the company now, and she's resigning? That's so capricious. With her rivals gone, she could soon be promoted to director. Leaving now is a huge loss, isn't it?"

"Why else? It must be because of that thing with Mr. Evans. Everyone in the company knows about them now. How could she stay? Isn't she afraid of people talking behind her back?"

"Working in the same company, rumors are the worst, especially with the boss. It's so scandalous, and everyone knows she has a boyfriend. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to stay either."

"Layla doesn't seem like someone with such a weak mentality. If I had such a good salary and commission, I definitely wouldn't leave."

"How can you be so dumb? She's just leaving Brightness Design Company, not quitting work altogether. With Mr. Evans' connections, he could easily get her a better job. Then they wouldn't have to be under our watchful eyes, so inconvenient. Even if they continue seeing each other, we wouldn't know."

"Yeah, that makes sense. So Layla's resigning to separate and avoid suspicion, making it easier for them to meet privately?"

"Definitely. It's a smart move. She's not a loser. She's much smarter than us."

"Publicly avoiding suspicion while getting closer in private, doesn't that just confirm their relationship?"

"Didn't we catch them doing something in the office last time? It's already confirmed; we just don't talk about it openly."

"Her boyfriend probably doesn't know. I feel sorry for him, spending so much money on her and not knowing he's being cheated on."

"It might not be a boyfriend; it could be a lover. They both get what they need."

"Yeah, if it were a boyfriend, wouldn't it be strange not to see him for months? If it's a lover, it makes sense. Of course, he can't show up."

"One soulmate, one sugar daddy. Layla is really winning at life. So envious."

"What's the use of being envious? We don't have the looks or the skills to juggle multiple men. All we can do is be jealous."

"It's good she's leaving. We won't have to walk on eggshells around her anymore."

"True. We never knew when we'd set her off and get blown to pieces."

Layla had heard these kinds of comments so many times that she felt nothing but helplessness and amusement. People's imaginations were too wild. No matter what choice Layla made, they would find something to say, and it was never anything nice. No matter how well she did, these voices wouldn't disappear.

Despite her efforts to remain indifferent, the constant chatter had drained Layla. It was time for a hiatus, a break from these influences, to unwind, prioritize her well-being and pregnancy. The thought lifted a burden off her shoulders, bringing a sense of relief.

Would Samuel be happy that she resigned?

Should she tell him the good news?

Layla took out her phone.