Chapter 72
Although Layla had spoken with conviction yesterday, the final decision still lay in Samuel's hands. Her situation was extremely difficult. If there was one thing Samuel had driven home for her, it was the preciousness of freedom.
At eight o'clock, her phone still hadn't rung. Layla left the company and walked for ten minutes to reach the Rhine Apartments. The building she lived in housed many managers and above from Holland Group, so the environment was much better, classified as a high-end apartment.
1502.
Layla opened the door to her apartment and was taken aback. The place was new, small but fully furnished, and the window offered a panoramic river view. Her small bedroom even had a bay window she adored, perfect for enjoying the river view.
Layla opened the balcony door, and a gentle river breeze blew in, incredibly pleasant. She took deep breaths of the free air. This wasn't her home yet, but having a small space of her own was already a blessing, something she needed most at this stage. For the first time in a long while, a relaxed smile spread across her face.
Layla went downstairs to buy some daily necessities, returning with two bags of items. At the building's entrance, she ran into Mr. Vandella. Layla looked at him warily, "I won't go back."
"You misunderstand, the boss sent me to deliver some clothes," Mr. Vandella said, holding two paper bags.
Layla had only bought daily necessities and didn't have clothes for the next day, but that didn't mean she would accept Samuel's "kindness." Everything he gave her now was to "buy" the child in her womb.
"I don't want them!"
"Miss Adkins, please don't make this difficult for me."
"But you're making it difficult for me," Layla responded.
"I must complete the tasks the boss has given me. If you really don't need them, please tell the boss yourself."
Layla looked past Mr. Vandella to the black Rolls-Royce parked behind him. A man's silhouette was faintly visible in the back seat, sitting there with an imposing and cold aura. Even from a distance, he was intimidating.
Layla wasn't about to throw herself into the lion's den. Once she got into that car, she wouldn't be able to get out.
"Give them to me." She could just choose not to wear them.
Mr. Vandella breathed a sigh of relief, "Do you need help carrying them up?"
"No need." Layla took the items and went upstairs without looking back.
The black Rolls-Royce stayed parked downstairs for several hours until the light in apartment 1502 went out. Samuel then tossed away his cigarette butt, "Drive."
"Yes, boss," Mr. Vandella mused. A boss who silently guards for three hours, could that be considered lovesick? But the only person in the world who could receive such treatment from him was Miss Adkins.
...
"Mom, don't go, don't leave me..."
"Don't go..."
Layla woke up from a nightmare sobbing, covered in cold sweat. Once again, she had dreamed of a little girl clinging to her mother's legs, crying and pleading for her to stay. The mother, with her back to her, suitcase in hand, was a blurry figure. Her body trembled but ultimately, she pushed the little girl away and disappeared into the darkness.
No matter how much the little girl cried or pleaded, she never looked back. It was a nightmare Layla often had as a child, but in recent years, it had become rare. That is, until she met Ms. Eilish, and for two consecutive nights, she had the same dream.
After drinking a sip of cold water, Layla's emotions gradually calmed, and she stopped sweating. Looking at her reflection in the bay window, hugging her knees, she looked so lonely.
Everyone she loved would leave her, leaving her all alone, including the child in her womb...
She was destined to be alone.
...
The next night.
Regal Grandeur Hotel.
Samuel had drunk a bit too much tonight, his stomach burning. But tonight, there was no one at home to prepare soup for him. The thought made him take another swig of whiskey. The spicy liquor burned down his throat.
The business partner was a Southeast Asian businessman named Mr. Smith. Seeing Samuel was almost drunk, he revealed a sinister smile, "Besides good wine, I've also prepared a 'beautiful gift' especially for Mr. Holland."
Mr. Smith signaled, and his assistant opened the door. A seductive Eurasian beauty walked in.
"Mr. Holland..." The beauty swayed her hips, reeking of strong perfume, and leaned towards Samuel. But before her fingers could touch the man's black suit, Samuel stood up and avoided her.
The beauty stumbled and fell, looking incredulously at the proud man before her: "Mr. Holland..."
She was the number one actress in South Asia, and yet a man had rejected her, even made her look foolish? But he was so handsome, and she was entranced...
"All cooperation, canceled," Samuel said, leaving the room with a look of disgust.
He hated these tactics the most!
...
After getting out of the car, Samuel still smelled the thick perfume, furrowing his brow and forming his lips into a deep frown.
Did that woman pour the entire bottle of perfume on herself?
Or was it the light floral scent of a certain careless girl that was more pleasant?
Unfortunately, that girl was heartless. He had been troubled for her for several days, while she was probably rejoicing at the thought of getting rid of him.
Samuel narrowed his eyes. Heh, if she thought she could escape him so easily, she was far too naive. The prey he set his sights on, how could he let her escape?
"Rhine Apartments," Samuel ordered with a cold, fierce look.
"Yes, boss."
...
During the day at work, Layla was teased by Alice for her dark circles.
She decided to go to bed at 10 p.m. tonight to catch up on some sleep.
After a bath, as she was about to turn off the living room lights, the doorbell rang urgently.
"Ding-dong ding-dong-"
Layla peeked through the peephole.
Samuel!
Her heart tightened suddenly.
Why was he here?
Her heart pounded rapidly. She held her breath, not daring to make a sound.
"Open the door!"
"Layla, I know you're in there!" The man ground his teeth and knocked on the door with his fist.
"Don't make me break down the door!"
Layla swallowed, still not daring to move.
"If you don't open the door, I'll make sure the whole building knows whose door I'm knocking on."
"Don't mess around." Layla hastily shouted, "I'm going to sleep, let's talk tomorrow."
Tomorrow? Heh. Just an excuse to stall, she would continue to avoid him tomorrow. Samuel was not a fool.
"I want to talk now."
"Then talk, I'm listening..."
"Damn it! I don't have the habit of talking to a door. Open it! I command you!"
This madman... Layla was both anxious and angry, but she had no choice. The planning manager of Holland Group lived right across from her, and if she found out...
Reluctantly, Layla had to open the door, but she only wanted to open a crack to talk. However, Samuel immediately pushed the door open and barged in, an overwhelming presence flooding in...
Such a strong smell of alcohol!
"Samuel, what drunken madness is this..." Layla's waist was gripped by a strong hand, and she was pressed between the wall and the man's sturdy chest. Her vision blurred, and her lips were fiercely bitten.