Chapter 74

"Miss Isabel," Layla greeted with a polite nod, yet the hostility from the other was palpable.

"To think you're a designer, with absolutely no taste. This tile is ugly," Isabel sneered, tossing it to the ground.

"You approved the design when I showed it to you," Layla reminded her.

Isabel rolled her eyes, arms crossed. Did she really have the gall to bring up the past? Back when she didn't know this little temptress had charmed her Nathan. She wouldn't let this vixen get away with it.

"I was satisfied then, doesn't mean I am now. Designs are meant to evolve with the client's desires. I want this one changed," Isabel demanded, pointing at another tile.

Layla frowned, "Miss Isabel, the matte tile you're interested in is too dark and prone to showing dirt. In contrast, the original semi-gloss tile avoids the glare of high-gloss ceramics and is less ostentatious, offering a refined ambiance that's perfect for the main palette of a lifestyle boutique."

"Don't give me that spiel. It's my boutique, and I'll do with it as I please. Just do as you're told!" Isabel commanded with an air of arrogance.

"You're the client, and I will follow your wishes. But as a designer, I must take responsibility for my projects and offer my best advice. I hope you won't let your personal bias against me affect the outcome of your project..."

"Save your sanctimonious excuses. Yes, I dislike you. You think having Nathan explain your side will make me believe you? I'm not that naive."

"My relationship with Mr. Marley is strictly professional."

"Like hell it is. You're just trying to seduce my Nathan," Isabel accused, pushing Layla.

Isabel wasn't strong, but Layla slipped on a stick and fell, her ankle grazed by a nail.

"Isabel!" Nathan rushed to help Layla up, "Are you alright?"

Layla glanced at the cut on her ankle, exasperated but calm, "I'm fine."

"Isabel, that was uncalled for!"

"I didn't push her hard, she's just acting," Isabel retorted, pointing at Layla.

"It was an accident, I wasn't careful," Layla tried to downplay the situation, but Isabel grew even more furious.

"Stop with the act! You're just playing the victim in front of Nathan." Isabel had seen through these manipulative tactics before.

"Nathan, don't believe her."

"That's enough, you're being unreasonable," Nathan chided sternly. "Layla is your designer, not a slave to be mistreated. If you're unsatisfied, find someone else."

With that, Nathan carried Layla away in his arms.

"Nathan..." Isabel's face flushed with anger, her fists clenched tightly, "You'll regret this."

...

At the hospital, the doctor treated Layla's wound and administered a tetanus shot.

As she received the shot, Layla couldn't help but worry about its effects on her unborn child.

"I'm sorry, this is my fault you got hurt," Nathan said with remorse. He had explained everything over the phone to Isabel, hoping she would not misunderstand Layla and make things difficult at work, but it only seemed to fuel Isabel's jealousy.

"I'm fine, and I want to continue with the project," Layla said firmly. "The whole team has put a lot of effort into this, and I don't want it to go to waste because of me."

"But Isabel might keep making things difficult for you, I'm worried you might get hurt again."

"That won't happen. Miss Isabel has a misunderstanding about me, that's why she's targeting me. She was satisfied with my design initially. I'll explain everything to her."

Nathan wasn't as optimistic, "With her temperament, she's unlikely to listen to you. The more you explain, the angrier she'll get. It would be a waste of time and effort."

"Where there's a will, there's a way. I don't believe in giving up halfway," Layla smiled.

In that moment, Nathan saw a light in her smile that made his heart flutter.

It was the first time he'd seen such a glow on a woman's face.

"Mr. Marley?" Layla waved her hand in front of his face.

Nathan snapped back to reality, touching his nose awkwardly. He was blushing in front of a young woman, which was unlike him, a seasoned charmer.

"I'll drive you home."

"No, it's only eleven. I need to get back to the office."

"You should rest after the shot."

"There's too much work to do, I can't afford to rest." Layla had been out of sorts at work for the past two days; she couldn't let it continue.

"Like you said, this is a critical time for me. If I let go of a good opportunity now, luck might not come my way again. I have to work hard."

Her earnest gaze was pure and endearing. Nathan couldn't resist and gently embraced her.

"Mr. Marley..." Layla stiffened, her hands hanging mid-air.

Nathan breathed in her subtle floral scent. He usually disliked close physical contact, but she was the exception.

After a few seconds, he let go, his eyes shining, a smile on his lips as he tousled her hair, "You got this."

...

Layla had a productive afternoon at work, staying late until seven before leaving the office.

In the apartment elevator, she ran into Jennie, the manager from the planning department who lived on the same floor.

Jennie, an American-born Chinese , 27, Ivy League-educated, was a combination of brains, height, and beauty, with plenty of admirers at the company.

The elevator buzzed with excitement.

"So handsome."

"Right? When did our building score such a hottie?"

A sharply dressed man entered the elevator, catching Layla off guard.

Her smile froze, her heartbeat skipped.

Samuel? What was he doing here again?

He stood at the forefront, glancing at her through the elevator doors, a knowing smirk crossing his deep-set eyes.

Layla quickly looked down. The confined space felt like a boiling pot, and she was the ant skittering on its edge.

"That's the CEO," Jennie whispered excitedly, squeezing Layla's arm.

Layla murmured a low "Hmm" in response, her gaze fixed on her toes.

As the elevator ascended, people left at their respective floors.

"Ding-" They reached the fifteenth floor.

Samuel stepped out of the elevator.

"Let's go," Jennie urged Layla out.

"Mr. Holland, I'm Jennie from the planning department," Jennie introduced herself, trying to exude charm.

Samuel nodded, his gaze cold and fixed on Layla. The little girl wouldn't lift her gaze from her toes. Was he supposed to be at her feet?

"Mr. Holland, what brings you to our floor?" Jennie inquired curiously.