Chapter 81

The memory of that deep kiss from the morning flashed before Layla's eyes, causing her complexion to tighten.

"Scared? I'm just teasing," Nathan quickly said.

He was used to women who would play along with such jokes, women who would cling to him and offer up eager kisses. But Layla was different; she was innocent, and he shouldn't have joked like that. Yet, her innocence was exactly why he couldn't resist teasing her.

"It's nothing," Layla said, trying to push Samuel's annoying face out of her mind. She managed to escape him, so there was no need to torture herself by bringing him back to her thoughts.

"Alright, consider the expo invitation my apology, okay?"

"Thank you," Layla said with a beaming smile that made Nathan suspect he'd been played.

After a full day at the expo, Layla felt incredibly enriched and excited.

"The lecture we caught midway today will be the most beneficial for you. Were you paying attention?" Nathan asked.

"Of course!" Layla declared, holding up her phone, "I took notes."

"Good. You're handling a small-scale project now, but in the future, you'll deal with shopping malls, hotels, and even entire resorts. You need to be thoroughly prepared."

"Mhmm," Layla nodded in affirmation. She wasn't one to shy away from hard work or exhaustion; she relished the feeling of continuous self-improvement. But it also meant she had to make sacrifices...

She gently placed her hand on her lower abdomen.

No more delays.

"You're off the clock now-work worries should be the last thing on your mind. Tonight, I've got a treat for you," Nathan announced.

Considering Nathan's wealth, Layla didn't feel bad about him splurging. "Thanks. Oh, should we invite Miss Isabel too?"

Nathan couldn't help but chuckle. "What, you're going to ride on your teacher's coattails now?"

"Just asking," she shrugged off lightheartedly.

Soon, they arrived at M Restaurant.

Layla was perusing the menu with serious intent when two familiar figures strolled by.

She looked up.

Brenda Eilish, arm in arm with her daughter, Nora, was all smiles and chatter. Trailing them were two men, one in his sixties and the other in his fifties, both exuding an air of distinguished grace. The party of four headed into a private dining room.

"Looks like the wedding's drawing close," Nathan remarked.

"Wedding?"

"You've met Nora Eilish and her mother. The other two men are Nora's father and the patriarch of the Holland family. A formal meeting between the families usually means they're setting a date."

Layla was taken aback as a surge of complicated emotions flooded her heart. He had promised time and again, sworn on his honor, that he had no fiancée waiting in the wings, yet the reality was...

How foolish she must have been to take that man's word. He probably lied about not touching Jennie too. An utter scoundrel, fluent in deceit.

She'd never really trusted him, so why did she feel this burning rage? Why did she feel like a fool?

"Mr. Holland's here too."

Layla quickly ducked behind her menu, her eyes peeping over the top, watching as the tall and handsome figure disappeared into the dining room.

"Why hide?" Nathan asked with a hint of amusement.

"I-It'd just be awkward bumping into him here..." Layla replied lowly, with a reluctant chuckle, shrugging her shoulders as she refocused on the menu. "Ah, I'm starving . Everything looks amazing. What to eat?"

Nathan frowned, sensing something was off about her, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.

Samuel pushed open the door to the private room, everything was as expected.

Perfect, everyone gathered.

"Samuel!" Nora Eilish generally maintained her composure, but the anticipation of seeing the man she fancied after three months made her practically jump from her seat.

Ruben Eilish shot her a look.

She smiled timidly and sat back down.

"Why so late? It's not polite to keep your elders waiting," Holland reprimanded with a stern face.

Samuel's face was marked with sarcasm. "You didn't mention there'd be outsiders here."

The term "outsiders" cut Ruben Eilish like a knife. Hadn't Holland mentioned marriage talks? What was his attitude? Had Samuel been tricked into coming here?

"I told you, you must've forgotten," Holland stuttered, caught off guard by Samuel's blunt call-out. He cleared his throat and proceeded, "You'll take the seat next to Nora."

With only five chairs in total and the empty one beside Nora Eilish, it wasn't like he had much of a choice.

Holland beamed at Nora Eilish, lavishing her with praise. "Nora, you get more beautiful and brilliant by the day, a doctor no less-Ruben, you've raised her well."

"And Samuel, he's something else-so young yet running the show at the Holland Group. Strengthening the business every step of the way. He's truly outdone himself."

Compliments were exchanged, each flattering the other.

"Let's set the wedding date then. How about the fifteenth of next month? It's an auspicious day."

"Isn't that a bit rushed? That's less than twenty days away," Ruben fretted.

"No worries; we'll just hire extra wedding planners. I wouldn't neglect your precious daughter-I promise to make the wedding lavish and memorable," Holland reassured him.

Naturally, Nora Eilish couldn't wait. Her cheeks flushed as she stole a glance at Samuel. "It's fine by me, whatever Samuel prefers."

"And what would that be?" Samuel mused; his eyebrows arched as his fingers tapped the table-a look that skipped Nora's heartbeat.

"Well, the fifteenth is too soon. We'd need at least another twenty-three years, I'd say."

"Twenty-three years? What are you talking about?" Holland frowned.

"If you want her as your daughter-in-law, you're going to need to have another son."

As these words landed, everyone's face turned sour.

Infuriated, Holland slammed the table. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

"Nonsense? Ha, I've never once said I'd marry her. You're trying to force her on me as if I can't say no."

"You...!"

"Samuel..." Nora's eyes welled up with tears. His public dismissal was a slap in her face; it was utterly humiliating.

Taking advantage of the gathering, Samuel declared, "Let me make this clear once again-I have no intention of marrying Miss Eilish. Not in the past, not now, not ever. Enjoy your meal; I must be going."

"Stay right there!"

"Scoundrel!"

"Stop!"

Ignoring Holland's furious shouts, Samuel walked out without looking back.

"What does he mean by that? Is he looking down on us, the Eilish family? How arrogant! Does he think Nora can't live without him?" Ruben Eilish fumed, "She's my one and only daughter, the apple of my eye. How dare he trample over her like that? If it weren't for Nora taking a fancy to him, he wouldn't even meet my standards..."

Nora bit her lower lip as she hurried after him.

"Nora..."

"Samuel." After catching up with Samuel in the hallway, Nora, holding back tears and feigning strength, said, "I refuse to believe there's no chance for us. Feelings can be cultivated."

"That's not how it works for me. If I don't like someone, then I just don't like them."

Samuel realized something about himself: he relied heavily on his instincts. No spark on the first encounter meant no spark at all. Conversely, if there was a spark initially, his affection would only grow, like with Layla. No matter how much she acted up or how ungrateful she was, he still liked her. But Nora's merits meant nothing to him.

"But..."

"Miss Eilish, if the roles were reversed and your parents pressured you to marry a man you didn't like, would you agree to 'cultivate feelings'?"

"I..."

"Ha, if you can't do it yourself, don't expect it of others."

"Do you already have someone you like?" Nora probed.