Chapter 14
That evening, Carter arrived on time to pick up Layla.
When they reached their destination, Layla hesitated as she looked at the bright, flashy bar sign.
“Are you sure this is the right place? It doesn’t really seem like my scene.‘
“What’s not to like?” Carter didn’t give her a chance to back out, pulling her out of the car. “My friends are already inside waiting for us!”
Left with no choice, Layla followed him inside. The thumping bass of the music hit her like a wave, mingling with the overpowering scent of perfume.
They maneuvered through the bustling crowd until they reached a VIP booth. Before Layla could process her surroundings, Carter tugged her into a seat beside him and started introducing her to his friends.
The swirling lights made it hard for Layla to focus, and she could barely make out anyone’s face, Forcing a polite smile, she nodded along, trying to keep up.
“So, this is the girl you rear–ended? She’s gorgeous! Don’t tell me you did it on purpose just to meet her?” “Sounds exactly like something Carter would do!”
Their playful teasing made Carter groan in mock annoyance “Knock it off, guys! I seriously just see her as family) okay?”
Grabbing his beer, he turned to Layla with a serious expression. “Sis, will you officially take me in as your little brother?”
Layla felt awkward. How could she possibly agree to being anyone’s sister, especially someone with the last name Lucas?
But Carter wasn’t about to take no for an answer. Without waiting, he chugged his beer in one go. “That’s settled! From now on, you’re my big sis!”
The group cheered enthusiastically, “You’re our big sis now too!”
Layla: “?”
In the blink of an eye, she’d somehow gained a whole gang of little brothers.
Not wanting to dampen the mood, she smiled and played along.
Carter beamed and threw an arm around one of his buddies. “Tonight’s on me! Let’s pop a bottle of Ace of Spades to celebrate!”
The group cheered, “Carter, you’re the best!”
Before long, the first bottle of Ace of Spades arrived, complete with sparklers and a showy procession led by a bunny girl and staff. The entire club turned to watch as the bottle made its way to the VIP section, accompanied by a celebratory beat from the DJ.
Layla had only ever seen scenes like this on TV, and witnessing it in person felt almost surreal. She watched curiously as the bunny girl opened the bottle, but before she could fully take it in, a hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her out of the booth.
“What are you doing here?” Sean’s furious voice cut through the music, and the stench of alcohol hit her as he spoke.
Chapter 14
“NO
Layla frowned, raising her gaze to meet his livid expression of your dann business.”
Carter immediately stepped forward, shoving Sean back and shielding Layla, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Sean glanced between Carter and Layla, his lips curling into a cold, mocking smile. “When did it start between you
two?
“I couldn’t figure out why you were so determined to leave me. Turns out you’ve been cheating on me! And don’t tell me William stepped in to back you because of some ‘accident.”
Sean jabbed a finger toward Carter, his tone growing nasties. “It’s because you shamelessly got involved with his nephew, isn’t it? That’s why he’s helping you!”
Humiliated, furious, and emboldened by the alcohol coursing through his veins, Sean’s jealousy boiled over. His life was already in shambles thanks to Layla, his reputation ruined, and now this? Seeing her with another man was the final straw.
Ignoring Carter’s attempts to reason, Sean lunged forward and swung a punch.
Within seconds, chaos erupted as two sides clashed, fists flying
Forced to the sidelines, Layla raised her voice in frustration “Stop it! That’s enough!”
When her shouts failed to break through, she pulled out her phone and dialed 911..
Fifteen minutes later, under the harsh fluorescent lights at the police station, Layla noticed Carter had a nasty cut on his forehead, blood trickling down to his nose.
“What happened to you?” she asked, pulling out a pack of wet wipes from her bag. She carefully dabbed at the wound. “This looks bad. I’ll talk to the officers and see if I can get you out of here sooner.”
15
“I’m fine,” Carter said, though his wince betrayed him. “Just a scratch… Ow, okay, maybe not just a scratch.”
Layla let out a soft laugh. “You’re still trying to act tough?
Not far away, Sean glared at them with dark, brooding eyes, his anger barely contained. The police presence kept him from causing another scene, but his frustration was palpable. 1
One of his friends leaned closer, whispering, “Is she really done with you?”
“Looks like it,” another murmured. “Remember when Sean got a little cut? She’d be all over him, worried sick. Now? Nothing. She doesn’t even spare him a glance.”
The group’s collective gaze shifted to Sean’s battered, swollen face, which looked far worse than Carter’s injury. And yet, Layla’s attention was solely on Carter, fussing over his cut.
“Unreal,” one friend muttered under his breath.
“Shut up!” Sean growled lowly, silencing them instantly.
After hours of questioning and paperwork, everyone was finally released in the middle of the night.
Layla stopped by a pharmacy to pick up some first–aid supplies. On her way back, she spotted Sean heading toward her. Trying to avoid him, she turned to take another route, but Sean stepped forward and blocked her path.
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Chapter 14
“You’re coming back with me,” Sean demanded coldly.
“I’m not,” Layla replied, throwing him a sideways glance. His face, battered and bruised, only magnified the fury burning in his eyes.
She had never seen this side of Sean before.
He had always been self–assured and arrogant, acting like he had complete control over everything Losing composure wasn’t in his vocabulary.
But tonight, he resembled a rabid dog, on the verge of lashing out.
en
For a moment, Layla couldn’t help but question herself. Wat exactly had she even seen in him all these years?
“Sean!” Yenz
Xena’s panicked voice broke through the tension.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Layla didn’t hesitate. She stepped around Sean and kept walking
“Layla!” Sean spun on his heel, reaching out to grab her, but stopped in his tracks when he saw toward her.
Carter running
Xena rushed to Sean’s side, her eyes brimming with concern as she took in his battered state. “Sean, how did you end up like this? You’re hurt so badly.”
Sean didn’t respond. His eyes stayed locked on Layla and Carter’s retreating figures, his face dark with simmering
anger.
Xena followed his line of sight, her heart sinking. It’s her again–Layla.
“That…” Xena gasped, feigning surprise. “Isn’t that Carter? Sis was photographed with him on a date the other night. Could it be true? Are they really together? Well, that explains everything.”
Sean clenched his jaw so tightly it felt like his molars might shatter. “Layla, you’ve really outdone yourself this time!”
A gust of wind swept by, and Layla sneezed.
“Sis, are you-
Carter barely had time to express his concern before catching sight of William standing under à streetlamp in the distance.
He froze on the spot, his mind going blank except for two words: “I’m screwed.”
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