Chapter 443

Brian and Layla walked toward the car. Suddenly, Brian sped up, opened the back door for her, and said, "Please."

He was playing the gentleman, being all considerate.

But the more he acted like this, the more Layla resisted. Instead of getting in, she walked around to the other side, opened the door herself, and got in.

Brian chuckled as he got in. "Not a fan of chivalry?"

Layla ignored him and stared out the window.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Eastwind Company.

Layla got out of the car. Ben Stone, the president of Eastwind, was already waiting at the entrance.

"Mr. Evans, welcome." Ben stepped forward and shook Brian's hand. "And this is?"

"Our top designer, Layla Adkins."

Ben's eyes lit up. "So young and beautiful. Mr. Evans, you're a lucky man. I'm envious."

Brian smiled. "Yeah, I'm lucky to have her. Not letting her go anytime soon."

Ben caught the hint and smiled knowingly.

They'd been touring for less than half an hour when Brian suddenly stopped and turned to Layla. "Tired? Want to grab a bite and take a break?"

"Not tired."

"I remember you don't have much stamina. Walk a bit and you're hungry."

When did she ever?

Layla wondered if Brian had swapped souls with someone else. She'd rather he be the cold, unfeeling robot he used to be.

Seeing this, Ben quickly said, "I've arranged for afternoon tea. How about we take a break first?"

"Sure."

"No need," Layla quickly refused. "Let's keep going. I want to leave on time."

Ben was surprised. It was his first time to hear an employee assert leaving on time to their boss. This designer stood out, particularly in Mr. Evans' view. There were whispers that Mr. Evans prioritized work over all else and had no regard for women, yet he appeared to enjoy playing mind games with his female staff.

But this designer was indeed beautiful. If Ben were in his place, he probably couldn't resist either.

Brian didn't push it. "Alright."

Layla focused on her work, and before she knew it, it was six o'clock. After finishing up, she wanted to leave, but Ben insisted on taking them to dinner, so she had no choice but to go.

"Eat more." Brian handed her a plate of shrimp.

Feeling Ben's eyes on her, Layla didn't refuse outright but didn't touch it either.

"Mr. Evans really cares about his subordinates," Ben teased.

Brian replied slowly, "I don't care this much about my subordinates."

No room for misinterpretation there.

Layla nearly choked on her food.

She shot Brian a warning look, but he just smiled more indulgently.

"So, Mr. Evans and Miss Adkins..."

"I'm pursuing her."

"Brian," Layla warned in a low voice.

Ben was thrilled. "Miss Adkins is gentle and beautiful. Mr. Evans has good taste." He raised his glass. "Here's to your success."

"Thanks."

Layla held back her anger until they left the restaurant and Ben's car drove away. Only then did she let her face fall.

"Why the long face? Are you mad?" Brian asked with a grin.

"What do you think? Why did you say something so misleading on purpose?" Layla snapped.

"I was just being real. What's the big deal? When you're into someone, you want everyone to know and never hide it."

"We're here for work," Layla stressed.

"Did I mess up the work? So why are you so mad?"

Layla wanted to rip off his fake smile. "Stop making excuses. I know exactly what you're doing."

"Then give me a chance?"

Layla was exasperated. "You need to see a psychiatrist."

"Since when did persistently pursuing someone you like become a mental illness?"

"I've told you before, this is harassment. Give it up. No matter what you do, you can't come between me and my boyfriend. I won't like you."

Brian laughed instead of getting angry. "Where there's a will, there's a way. I won't give up until the last moment."

"You're obsessed. I can't talk to you." Layla turned to walk away.

"I'll take you home."

As soon as Brian grabbed her wrist, Layla shook him off in disgust. "Stay away from me."

Brian stood there, watching her walk away, his smile growing deeper.

After walking a block, Layla stopped and called Luna. "Are you still at the office?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I need a favor."

"Just say it, I'll help." Luna agreed immediately.

"Do you have time now? I want to continue the handover with you." That way, she could resign sooner.

"Well..."

"It's not for free. I'll pay you triple your overtime rate."

"It's not about the money. You're my friend, and I'm glad to assist. But Mr. Evans talked to me privately and said if you made this request, I must refuse, or I'd be fired. Please don't tell Mr. Evans, or I'll lose my job. He just wants to keep you, don't be mad."

How could Layla not be mad? She was furious. But she wouldn't take it out on an innocent person. She calmed down. "Okay, I understand. Thank you."

That night, while organizing her design drafts, Layla was still in a bad mood.

"What are you mumbling about? Talking bad about me?" Samuel gently touched her head from behind and handed her a glass of milk.

Seeing the milk, Layla remembered the incident in the break room earlier and felt a bit nauseous. "Just leave it there. I'll drink it later."

"Okay, don't let it get cold. What's wrong? You've been upset since you got back."

"Nothing, just find some people annoying." Layla couldn't hide her emotions.

"Brian?"

The flash of anger in Samuel's eyes made Layla not dare to complain more. "No, it's not him. Just tired from the handover all day."

"Then rest first, stop organizing." Samuel reached for the drafts in her hand.

Layla shook her head. "I'll have several months to rest soon, won't be busy even if I want to. Let me finish organizing these drafts first." She looked over each one before reluctantly putting them in the box. "The next time I open these, it will probably be at least two years later."

"Sorry."

At first, it was Samuel who decided her fate according to his plan. If she hadn't met him, she would be chasing her dreams now.

"What's there to be sorry about, silly? I never regret meeting you. On the contrary, if I hadn't met you, I would regret it." Layla's genuine smile was very sweet. Meeting and falling in love with him was the best thing in her life.

So she was sure she could handle the current troubles properly.

Just three more days, she had to hold in there. .