Chapter 26
It was a large transfer notification.
Layla squinted, carefully counting the digits in the amount
Not only did it cover her startup capital, but it also included funds from the sale of her shares, far exceeding what she had expected.
With this sum, she could now consider herself quite wealthy.
William glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “What’s making you so happy?”
Layla put her phone away. Compared to him, this was nothing but a drop in the ocean, so she chose not to brag,
“Nothing much. I just got what I wanted,” she said casually
“Sean transferred the money to you?” William asked.
“Yep.”
Layla held up her phone. “Tonight, dinner’s on me.”
“No need. Tonight, I’m taking you to a cocktail party,” William replied.
At first, Layla thought this was his polite way of declining, but then he added, “There’s a charity auction tomorrow evening. Once it’s over, we can go for dinner.”
Realizing he wasn’t dismissing her offer, Layla nodded. “That works too.”
“Let’s go.”
William naturally took her suitcase from her hand, walking ahead with his long strides, the faint chill in his gaze disappearing in an instant.
Now that the shares had been split, it was time to make his move against Sean’s company. Keeping his anger bottled up wasn’t good for his health. He needed to use Sean as a punching bag
That evening, William knocked on Layla’s door. She quickly opened it, and their eyes met, both momentarily surprised.
William wore a deep green suit that complemented his fair complexion. Gold–rimmed glasses rested elegantly on his tall, straight nose, giving him an air of refined sophistication.
Yet even the glasses couldn’t hide the striking beauty of his almond–shaped eyes. Though calm and composed, they held an undeniable allure that seemed to captivate anyone who met his gaze.
For a moment, Layla was spellbound. This man was almost unreal–he was the very definition of restrained and understated charm.
She snapped back to reality when he draped his suit jacket over her shoulders. Startled, she instinctively tried to refuse. “That’s not necessary.
THE
William pressed the jacket firmly onto her shoulders, his tone leaving no room for argument. “It’s cold outside. -Wear it.”
Layla blinked in confusion.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 26
Did he think she didn’t know it was cold?
She was wearing a red silk gown with spaghetti straps for reason to look good.
She didn’t have much time left, so she wanted to look her best while she still could. Besides, didn’t he realize red and green together looked a bit… off?
Layla had a million things to say but didn’t get the chance before William urged her in a low voice, “We’re short on time. Let’s go.”
Left with no choice, she reluctantly complied, slipping on her heels and following William downstairs to the car.
The venue was only a twenty–minute drive from the hotel.
Layla had attended countless events like this in the past. Back then, she went with a clear purpose–to build connections and secure projects. The moment she entered, he would begin scouting out potential targets, and after a few drinks, the conversations would flow easily, though she often ended up drinking too much. Whenever she got drunk and made a mess of herself, Sean would give her nothing but cold looks, accusing her of being reckless and attention–seeking.
But wasn’t it Sean, with his inflated sense of pride as a Perry, who refused to lower himself to network with others? She had only stepped up to help the company.
In the end, she was the one at fault, always having to apologize and promise she would be more careful next time. Looking back now, she could only scoff at herself. How pathetic she had been.
Layla pushed aside those thoughts, suppressing the bitterness that welled up inside her, and forced a self- deprecating smile.
After stepping out of the car, she slipped her arm through William’s without a second thought. Lost in her complicated emotions, she didn’t notice that he momentarily froze.
“Mr. Lucas, don’t worry,” she said lightly. “I’ll follow your lead. When I’m not needed, I’ll quietly excuse myself and won’t overhear a single word I shouldn’t.”
