Chapter 432
The burly bodyguards moved to grab Layla, but Samuel's icy glare stopped them .
Who dared to touch his woman?
Just one look from Samuel had the board members uneasy and shocked.
Given Mr. Holland's temper, it was surprising he wasn't angry but instead protecting this young girl. Were they in that kind of relationship? They must have been blind.
Samuel's gaze returned to Layla, cold and emotionless. "Let go."
"Why did you hang up on me?" Layla asked.
"Let go," he repeated, more sternly.
"Are you still mad at me?" Layla's voice grew urgent, her breath quickening.
"Let go!" Samuel snapped.
"Can we talk? I have something to say," Layla almost pleaded.
"There's nothing to say," Samuel replied.
"Everything was fine that day, wasn't it? Why are you mad again?" Layla pressed.
Was she pretending nothing had happened? Did she think he was a fool?
Samuel's temple throbbed, anger finally showing. "You know exactly what you did."
"What did I do?" Layla asked, her innocent look only infuriating him more.
"Tell me, what did I do?" Layla's panic grew under Samuel's accusing gaze, as if she had committed an unforgivable crime.
Without answering, Samuel pried her fingers off.
"Samuel," Layla almost got caught by the closing door.
"Samuel," she pounded on the car window.
"Miss Adkins, please don't provoke him right now. Let him cool down first," James gently reminded her.
"What did I do wrong? Why is he mad?" Layla turned to him for answers.
James opened his mouth but was silenced by Samuel's stern voice. "Get in the car!"
Helpless, James didn't look at her again and got into the driver's seat.
"Samuel! Mr. Vandella!" Layla was frantic, circling the car door. But in the end, she could only watch as the car drove away.
"Samuel!" Layla called out.
The board members thought, 'So she's just a woman who got dumped.'
Despite Mr. Holland appearing disinterested in women, his power and status attracted many. Being a vibrant man, it was hard to believe he truly lacked interest. The woman before them was merely a toy he had used and discarded.
"Don't cling on. That's Mr. Holland. There are plenty of women for him. You're definitely not the first to be dumped. Move on."
"Being with Mr. Holland was already a privilege. Many women want to be with him but don't get the chance. You're already lucky."
After satisfying their curiosity, the board members left.
Layla stood there alone, feeling very dejected.
Samuel's cold face lingered in her mind.
A light drizzle began to fall. It suddenly turned cold.
Layla stood at the company entrance, raindrops landing on her face and body, making her feel even colder.
She lowered her head, staring at her toes.
Suddenly, an umbrella appeared over her head.
"Samuel?" Layla looked up in surprise, but her joy quickly turned to disappointment.
The person standing beside her, holding a black umbrella for her, was not Samuel but Brian.
Layla's heart sank, the feeling of disappointment like a free fall.
"I'll take you home," Brian said gently.
"Leave me alone. I want to be by myself," Layla refused.
Brian said, "You're going to catch a cold."
"That's my business," Layla shot back, rejecting his kindness.
"If you want to keep standing here, I'll stay with you," Brian insisted.
Layla lowered her head again.
A jacket was draped over her shoulders, and she immediately pushed it away. "I don't need it."
"If you don't wear it, I'll have to forcefully take you back," Brian warned.
"Brian , who asked you to meddle?" Layla snapped, venting her anger on him.
"If not wanting to see you get soaked in the rain is meddling, then so be it. If you don't wear the jacket, you'll catch a cold in ten minutes, and then you'll feel terrible. How will you work if you're sick?" Brian reasoned.
"I've already quit. Leave me alone," Layla said.
"Sorry, I can't do that. Just pretend I'm not here," Brian replied.
Layla felt even more frustrated and dejected. He wasn't the person she needed, not him!
The light rain drizzled on the car window.
Samuel's cold eyes were now clouded, darker and more somber than before.
It wasraining. Would Layla still be waiting there?
A surge of urgency overcame all other thoughts, and he blurted out, "Turn around, go back!"
The rain fell harder. Layla felt even colder.
She stood there like a statue, knowing there was no hope, yet not sure what she was waiting for, just staring longingly.
"You won't be able to wait for him. Let me take you home," Brian said softly, trying not to upset her, "Your health is important. You're only hurting yourself."
Layla's gaze slowly moved from the ground to her belly. She couldn't ignore the baby; she couldn't let the baby get sick with her.
Thinking of this, when Brian took her arm, she didn't resist and let him lead her away.
However, after just a few steps, a fierce wind suddenly hit from behind. Before Layla could react, Brian was already punched to the ground.
Layla wasn't scared by Brian being suddenly knocked down but by Samuel's terrifying face.
He kicked Brian hard in the stomach.
"Stop it." Layla quickly reacted, spreading her arms to block him.
"Move," Samuel commanded, his face a frightening mask of anger capable of shattering worlds.
"Don't, don't hit him." Layla panted anxiously.
Great, Layla was protecting another man again! She just wanted to infuriate him.
Anger surged, swirling in Samuel's mind and eyes. He furiously grabbed Layla's arm and dragged her away. "Deal with him!"
Three words, a death order.
Deal with him? How? Layla's face turned pale with panic, struggling desperately. "Samuel..." But she had no chance to say more as Samuel roughly shoved her into the passenger seat.
The driver's door slammed shut.
Before she could speak, Samuel floored the gas pedal and sped off.
Inside the car, Layla looked like a trapped animal, her expression frantic. "Deal with him? What are you going to do to Brian ? Don't do anything rash."
"Are you that worried about him?" Samuel asked.
Even in her own dire situation, she was still concerned about that man's well-being!
Samuel's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, veins bulging.
"It's not what you think. I came to find you, I didn't expect..." Layla tried to explain.
"Never expecting, always the same old excuse. You didn't see it coming; they just happen to flock to you; you never provoke a thing; you're just clueless; always the innocent one; never your fault, right?" Samuel vented in anger.