Chapter 95

"This is the contract Owen signed for the fight to the death, burdening him with a bet of a billion dollars," Arthur signaled, and one of his men laid the document in front of Samuel.

"A billion? I thought it was a hundred million just a moment ago! God damn it! Would I have signed if this sly fox hadn't trapped me?" Owen shouted, fuming: "Let me out and I'll take you one on one."

"Just mentioned a hundred million..." Layla murmured anxiously in Samuel's embrace.

To her, a hundred million was an astronomical sum, let alone a billion. But even if Samuel was wealthy, he shouldn't just throw around money like that!

Samuel's eyes narrowed. He knew Arthur was trying to fleece him, but making a scene now would scare the woman in his arms. He'd remember this and settle the score with Arthur later. Nobody got away with trying to gouge Samuel-those foolish enough to try typically didn't last long.

Arthur was indeed taking advantage, but he also gave Samuel respect-a wise move given Samuel's standing. Nobody in their right mind wanted to offend the power behind the Holland Group.

"Everyone on the street knows Arthur is a man of his word. I've never broken the rules of the ring, but since Mr. Holland himself is involved today, I'm willing to make an exception. With everyone watching, I need to explain myself. If I just break the rules without cause, how can Arthur continue to hold respect?"

Navigating the streets wasn't like the business world; not everything could be solved with money.

But Arthur was willing to make a deal, largely because of the respect he had for Samuel and the desire not to cross the Holland Group.

"A billion is just a drop in the ocean for Mr. Holland, right?" Arthur asked with a sly gleam in his eyes.

To the majority, a billion was unimaginable, but for Samuel, it was barely worth mentioning. Money wasn't an issue if it could solve a problem, and so he nonchalantly wrote out a billion-dollar check.

"Mr. Holland is truly generous," Arthur said rising to his feet, reaching for the check from the coffee table. But just as his fingers brushed the paper, Samuel pulled it back.

"What's this about, Mr. Holland?"

"Owen's debts-I'll cover them. But you've frightened my lady; how do you propose to settle that account?" Samuel asked coldly.

"This..." Arthur paused, glancing at his trusted henchmen. He didn't dare to brush off Samuel, so he steeled himself for the inevitable sacrifice.

"My men offended your lady. You decide the punishment," he said, knowing full well this could include the lives of those men.

"I'll take my leave with the lady then," Samuel stated, standing up with Layla in his arms. She clung to his neck, whispering like a timid bunny, "Remember Owen..."

"Don't worry, I won't leave him behind." Samuel assured her with a glance and strode away with her in his arms.

Even after they got into the car, Layla's mind was still racing with the gruesome images from the ring, her nerves on edge.

Samuel held her cold hand reassuringly. "It's over now, don't be afraid."

"How can people be so cruel," Layla sighed, her heart racing.

Life is treated as though it's worthless there, less than a stray dog's.

"There's a lot of darkness in this world," Samuel said calmly. "The boxing ring is nothing. I've seen places a thousand times darker." And because he had seen so much, he wanted to shield her from it all the more.

He wanted her to see only the world's light and goodness, not the shadows that lurk. He would be the one to block all the storms for her; she just had to stay behind him, ever the naive and innocent young girl.

Her innocence was priceless in his eyes.

"But with me here, you don't have to worry about anything," Samuel comforted her tenderly.

He never knew his cold-hearted self could care so much about someone else's feelings. Even a slight frown on her face was enough to make him ache.

Layla exhaled and curled up in his arms like a kitten, her grip tight on his shirt, soaked with sweat.

"Oh right, Owen...he..."

"I've already had someone take him to the hospital."

"That's good... And the billion dollars?"

"You planning on paying it back?"

Layla bit her lip, looking distressed. "I can't pay it back?"

She couldn't earn a billion dollars in this lifetime or the next.

"If you can't pay, don't stress about it. Close your eyes and rest; we'll be home soon."

"Okay. Oh, right, those guys... What are you going to do to them? You're not going to kill them, are you?" Layla knew deep down Samuel was a ruthless man, even though he rarely showed his temper around her.

"No," Samuel stroked her hair, his eyes flashing fiercely for a moment. He would make them wish they were dead. Whichever hand touched her, he would chop off.

And as for Arthur's empire, he would dismantle it within a month.

Those who crossed his woman would find themselves on a one-way path to destruction. He wouldn't spare any of them.

Samuel's gaze was icy, but he held Layla even closer, his touch gentle. "Don't worry, just sleep."

"Mhm." Layla closed her eyes, worn out from the night's ordeals, feeling like she had been through a battle. The comforting scent on his shirt quickly lulled her to sleep.

When she awoke, Layla found herself in a bed within an opulent villa.

He had carried her home, and she hadn't woken once throughout the journey, the sleep deep and solid.

In a haze, she saw two figures at the bedside. Samuel spoke to Mr. Morris in a low voice, "She can't eat anything too greasy; she likes corn soup. Prepare a bowl for her, and some light snacks."

"Yes," Mr. Morris sighed, "the male bodyguard. Hey, you seem so concerned about Miss Adkins, why don't you tell her? I'm sure she'd be touched if she knew."

"Dismissed." Samuel didn't say much else.

Layla felt drained and it took a moment before she could open her eyes.

"You're awake?"

"Mhm..." Layla looked at the man's weary face and a thought crossed her mind: could it be that he stayed up all night, watching over her without any sleep?

Despite disliking him, after last night's incident with Arthur, her feelings toward him had become inexplicably complex.

Wasn't it all just a transaction? Yet, when he appeared just in time, she was still filled with gratitude. In moments of desperate need, you grasp for whoever is there.

Samuel helped her sit up. "Breakfast is being prepared in the kitchen."

"Okay." Layla's head felt heavy with sleep. "How's Owen?"

"He's still in the hospital. I've informed your family to take care of him."

"Alright. That's good."

Decisive yet meticulous, he had managed everything flawlessly.

"Want to sleep some more?"

Layla shook her head. "I've already slept a lot. The more I sleep, the groggier I feel. I want to visit Owen at the hospital this afternoon."

"Okay."

He was being unexpectedly agreeable?

Due to the billion-dollar transaction, Layla felt indebted to him and couldn't afford to lose her temper as she once did. Was this what they mean by 'indebtedness making one weak at the knees'?

"Make sure you drink the soup later."

"I got it. My belly is worth a billion now, quite precious."

Samuel frowned. "I don't want to hear that."

"But it's the truth. You saved me and Owen, and I agreed to have a child. Essentially, it's a deal, something you businessmen excel at," Layla said with a bitter smile.

Lately, she struggled to voice her resistance, but an inner voice persisted: resistance is futile, leading only to compromise.

She hadn't anticipated it all ending as an ugly bargain.

"Samuel, would you have saved Owen if I hadn't agreed?"