Chapter 54

At nine o'clock in the evening, Samuel returned home.

"Sir, you're back. Miss Adkins is cooking soup for you in the kitchen." Mr. Morris informed him.

Samuel handed his jacket to Mr. Morris, feeling the exhaustion of the whole day dissipate. "Really?"

The feeling of someone waiting for him at home... it was exciting, a sensation that couldn't be described. There was an added sense of anticipation in his heart.

The concept of "home" seemed to become more tangible.

"Why do you always come back around mealtime?" Layla brought the soup over, a smile on her face.

Samuel rolled up his sleeves, revealing a tanned forearm. As he sipped the soup, he glanced at her with a slight uplift of his lips. "Are you in a good mood today?"

"I was waiting for you to ask!" Layla put down the spoon and enthusiastically said, "Didn't I tell you earlier that Mr. Marley assigned me a project? The one I've been working late nights on."

"Though I have confidence in my designs, who can predict the client's preferences? Today, I met the client, a female celebrity, and she seemed quite picky. As soon as she found out that I was an assistant, she immediately turned to walk away. But after seeing my design, guess what happened? She loved it and didn't suggest any changes." Layla proudly raised her chin, and her eyes turned into slits as she smiled.

"Hmm." Samuel felt that her way of speaking had become increasingly vibrant, with rich expressions.

"Seriously, I'm talking so excitedly, and you just say 'hmm'?" Layla was disappointed, pouting in protest.

"Then how should I respond?" Samuel calmly drank his mung bean soup.

"Of course, you should praise me for being amazing! Do you even understand the basics of human interaction? No wonder you have no friends! Luckily, I'm kind and won't hold it against you." Layla giggled again.

"Oh, by the way, have you heard of the Hill Group?"

"Hmm, the Holland Group's rival company, right?"

"Today, their Mr. Torres actually invited me to dinner, trying to recruit me, but I turned him down. Can you believe it? The director personally tried to poach me!" Layla boasted.

Samuel's hand paused. She wasn't amazing, she was naive. It was such an obvious scheme, and yet she was still happy as the target in the trap.

If Samuel wanted, he could prevent everything from happening. But he wanted to teach her a lesson and help clear her path.

His gaze hid deep intentions.

"I feel so lucky. Mr. Marley must be my lucky charm." Layla said with her face in her hands, feeling happy.

Samuel felt a hint of jealousy. "And what about me?"

"You, well, you're my landlord." Layla replied.

"Have you paid the rent?"

Layla swallowed nervously and shamelessly said, "I was just doing that... Isn't it being paid by using my labor?"

"I prefer you to repay with physical labor."

Layla couldn't help but cry out and laugh.

She was easily embarrassed. Before, she felt particularly awkward whenever he spoke like that. Has she really gotten used to it now? It seems like she's not easily embarrassed anymore. It's all because of him.

"But I'm innocent. Stop tormenting me."

"Are you sure you're innocent?"

Layla blushed. She knew he was hinting at that night. But just because she slept with him, does that mean she's not innocent anymore?

"Drink more soup and talk less." Layla glared at him irritably. "Can't delicious food keep your mouth shut?"

After finishing the remaining soup, she stood up and said, "Goodnight, see you tomorrow." and went upstairs.

Samuel watched her figure walking away and smiled.

Mr. Morris showed a pleased smile. Miss Adkins was such an adorable girl, definitely worth liking.

The next morning. The Maybach was parked at the back door of the company.

Layla smiled and enthusiastically said, "I'm going in, keep up the good work today!"

Samuel grabbed her wrist and looked at her meaningfully.

"What are you doing?" Layla blushed. "Don't talk about kissing me for good luck. I won't kiss you."

"Is that so? Then I'll have to kiss you." Samuel said, pulling her into his arms, his thin lips meeting hers.

Layla widened her eyes like a startled deer, her breath hitched, and she let out a soft moan, "Hmm."

Samuel had wanted to taste those lips last night. He had thought about it all night, causing him to lose sleep and smoke a few cigarettes. This teasing little rabbit!

If it wasn't for Mr. Vandella being present and fearing that she would be shy, he would have given her a deep, passionate kiss that would leave her breathless, begging for mercy.

A searing kiss that lasted for a few seconds, and Samuel finally released her, his gaze profound. "Today will be an exciting day."

Dizzy and flustered, Layla hurriedly got out of the car. It took her a while to recover, reprimanding herself for being so weak. She should have slapped him and sternly warned him not to force a kiss on her again. Why was she blushing instead? She was so useless.

Her lips felt numb and still hot, carrying the dominant and refreshing scent of a man. She vigorously wiped them a few times.

As she entered the office, the atmosphere felt off. Everyone had a serious expression.

Layla became nervous as well. "What's wrong?"

Molly gave her a smile filled with conspiracy, making Layla even more uneasy.

Mr. Brooks entered with several technicians, his face serious. "I believe everyone is aware of the confidential document leak from the design department to Hill Group. This has caused the company millions of dollars in losses and has had a severe impact."

"I believe this must have been done by an internal employee, and now we need to inspect your computers. Everyone, stay in your seats."

The technicians began systematically examining each computer.

"Mr. Brooks, there's no need to check. I know who leaked the information." Grace sneered, pointing at Layla. "It's her!"

Layla hurriedly denied, "It's not me!"

"Yeah, it couldn't be Layla. Grace, don't take this opportunity to retaliate and falsely accuse Layla." Alice quickly interjected.

"Accuse her falsely? Our group went out for dinner last night and saw Layla with Mr. Torres from Hill Group." Grace said.

"Yeah, we all saw it!" Julia hurriedly added, "They were sitting in a corner at Dream Diner, acting all secretively! So, it must be her!"

Countless pairs of eyes stared at Layla, convinced that she was the culprit. After all, Layla always stood out, and there were many people who didn't like her or were jealous of her.

"Layla, what's going on?" Mr. Brooks asked.

"Mr. Torres did approach me, but it was because I also applied to Hill Group with my resume a week ago. Graduates often send out multiple resumes, it's a normal thing. He contacted me to offer me a job at Hill Group, but I declined." Layla explained.

Grace rolled her eyes to the ceiling, "Ha! The director himself tries to recruit an intern? Layla, can you at least lie with some logic? Who do you think you are? A top designer? No one believes such an obvious lie."

"Yeah, it doesn't make any sense."

"It's too unbelievable."

"Do you take us all for fools?"

"I believe her!"

However, amidst the chorus of criticism, a firm and opposing voice emerged.