Chapter 11
When Sean escorted Xena back to the Xander residence, the family immediately swarmned around them with questions.
“Sean, is everything they’re saying online true?”
“What’s going on with your company? Are you really giving Layla her shares?”
“Enough!” Xena interrupted, frustration evident in her voice. “Sean’s already dealing with enough. Stop adding to the stress.”
It was only then that Mrs. Xander noticed Xena clutching her arm. “What happened to your arm?”
“It’s nothing, just a little bruise,” Xena replied awkwardly trying to hide it..
But Sean grabbed her arm gently and pulled it closer, rolling up her sleeve to reveal a sizable bruise on her fair
skin.
His brows furrowed. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”
“It’s fine,” Xena reassured him with a faint smile. “As long as the injury didn’t land on you, I’m happy.
Sean’s grip tightened as guilt flickered in his eyes, his focus remaining on her arm.
“What happened?” Mr. Xander asked, his tone sharp.
“It’s my fault,” Sean admitted, still staring at the bruise. “My grandfather was furious about the situation with Layla, and Xena stepped in to take the blame for me.”
“No, it’s partly my fault too,” Xena said softly, her lips trembling. “If I hadn’t suggested Sean only give Layla the startup capital, things wouldn’t have escalated like this. I thought she’d back down, at least for the sake of the two families‘ reputations. I never imagined she’d take things this far.”
Her voice quivered, as though on the verge of tears. “Maybe… maybe she guessed I was the one who suggested it when she saw me in Sean’s office that day. That’s why she.“”
“It has to be!” Shane clapped his hands as if piecing everything together. “Layla deliberately escalated the situation to make it look like Xena’s idea ruined everything and then pinned the blame on her!”
“Layla is absolutely ruthless!” he concluded, his tone seething with anger.
The rest of the family listened to Shane’s speculation, nodding in agreement as it started to sound increasingly plausible.
“Regardless of the reasoning, Layla’s behavior this time has gone too far,” Mr. Xander said, his expression dark with displeasure. “We need to bring her here and teach hera proper lesson!”
Xena spoke hesitantly. “Grandpa Perry mentioned earlier that he’s invited Layla to the Perry estate in two days. He suggested that we also come and try to talk some sense into her.”
“Talk sense into her?” Mr. Xander frowned deeply. “Is the old man losing it? Layla’s caused all this trouble, and now we’re supposed to placate her?”
“Dad, don’t put it that way. Layla…” Xena began, but Shane quickly cut her off.
“Xena, you’re too soft on her. That’s exactly why she’s been acting out for so long,” Shane said sharply. “All these years, we’ve seen how she uses her position as the Xander family’s true heiress to lord over you. She’s petty and vindictive capable of anything.”
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Chapter 11
Shane grew more animated as he spoke. “Mark my words, this whole charade of cutting ties with Sean is just a ploy to push you out!”
Hearing this, Sean frowned deeply. The possibility struck a herve. Layla had loved him for years. It didn’t make sense for her to give up so easily. If she was still being so relentless, maybe she hadn’t yet achieved her real goal
Why couldn’t Layla accept someone as kind–hearted as Xena?
Sean’s heart ached for Xena, and at the same time, his resentment toward Layla only deepened.
“I’ll handle it,” Sean said firmly, his gaze softening as he turned to Xena. “And I’ll protect you. I won’t let her hurt you.”
Xena’s eyes filled with gratitude, her heart fluttering with sweet and subtle thrill. “Thank you, Sean.”
“Achoo!” Layla sneezed, rubbing her nose.
Seeing this, Carter asked with concern, “Are you catching a cold, Sis? You’ve been sneezing all day.”
Layla shook her head. “I don’t think so. My guess is there are quite a few people talking about me behind my back
“Hmm?” Carter raised an eyebrow, curious. “Could it be that loser Sean?”
Layla blinked in surprise. “You know about him?”
“Of course!” Carter grinned smugly, raising an eyebrow. “I keep up with the latest gossip, you know. And, not gonna lie, I even used a burner account to roast him on your behalf!”
Layla chuckled softly.
“I brought you out to have fun, so let’s not talk about that loser anymore.” Carter’s bright smile practically lit up the space as they stood in front of North City’s largest arcade, the neon lights making his youthful, vibrant face even more dazzling.
Layla couldn’t help but marvel at his boundless energy. Youth truly was a gift.
Originally, she had planned to waste the day lounging in her ridiculously expensive ten–grand–a–month room, but Carter’s unexpected visit changed everything. Upon hearing her plans, he immediately insisted on taking her out for a day of fun.
And so, with little resistance, she eventually gave in. After all, in her current situation, wasting time seemed like a
crime.
“Layla, Uncle William let you move into the villa, which is basically his way of saying he’s got your back. Don’t overthink it,” Carter said, chatting away as he played a basketball arcade game. “And hey, if you ever need my help, just ask. I may not have much, but I’ve got plenty of energy. If you want to beat up that scumbag Sean, count me in!”
As Carter rambled on endlessly, Layla lost three rounds of the basketball arcade game, failing to make it past the second level every time.
“I only have one request for you: stop…” distracting me.
Layla caught sight of the “Level Complete!” notification on Carter’s screen just as the remaining words formed in her head. She swallowed them back down.
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Chapter 11
If he could talk nonstop and still ace the game while she kept losing just by listening, she had no excuse, Blaming him would only highlight her own lack of skill.
“Come on, Layla! Let’s try the racing games!” Carter said enthusiastically, dragging her toward another section of the arcade.
The arcade was alive with dazzling lights and booming music. Neither of them noticed a man lurking nearby, his phone camera trained on them as he snapped dozens of photos of their backs.
Later that night, the hashtag “Carter Lucas Dating Scandal trended at the top of social media.
Carter, currently competing in a popular talent show, was one of the most anticipated rising stars. For a rookie to be caught in a dating scandal before even debuting was career suicide.
The controversy spiraled out of control, despite PR efforts to suppress it.
“Dating at a time like this? Carter clearly doesn’t care about his career!”
“Please, his last name is Lucas. He doesn’t need a career–this is just a hobby for him. It’s the fans who were dumb enough to believe otherwise.”
“If he wants to date, fine, but don’t profit off your fans. Have some integrity!!
The backlash was relentless.
Sean scrolled through the comments briefly before focusing on the photos. Despite the blurry, obscured profile of the woman in question, he immediately recognized her.
It was Layla.
She caused so much trouble, making everyone else clean up her mess, and now here she was–casually enjoying a date with some boy.
