Chapter 35
Recalling the humiliation he had suffered at the auction, Sean felt a surge of fury rise within him. His expression darkened ominously.
Xena hesitated before speaking in a small voice, “Sean, after everything Layla has done… are you really going to forgive her? What if she’s already moved on?”
Sean suddenly slammed his palm against the bedside table making Xena jump.
“She wouldn’t.”
He knew Layla better than anyone. That woman had eyes only for him. There was no way she could just stop loving him.
Seeing the certainty in his gaze, Xena’s frustration simmered beneath the surface, “But she used your money to buy a gift for “I
“She knew I was there. They were putting on a show for me”
Sean clenched his fists, his voice laced with conviction. “I looked into it. Even though they’re together, they’re not living under the same roof. Layla and William are clean.
And earlier, she even spoke up for me.”
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that Layla hadn’t betrayed him. Deep down, she still cared. Everything she did was just to force him to surrender
Xena suddenly posed a question. “Sean, have you ever wondered why William is helping Layla so much?”
His brows furrowed as he turned to her. “What do you mean?”
“I just find it… odd.” Xena averted her gaze as if hesitant to voice her thoughts.
Sean grew impatient. “Xena, since when do you hold back with me? Just say it.”
“…” She bit her lip as if struggling with herself. “I’ve already caused you enough trouble by telling you things before. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt. I really shouldn’t interfere in your business with her anymore.”
She sniffled lightly, looking pitiful. “If I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have told you anything at all. I never imagined Mr. Lucas would go so far as to lay a hand on you over Layla.”
Under the soft glow of the bedside lamp, her watery eyes shimmered with unshed tears, tugging at one’s heartstrings.
Sean instinctively placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his voice softening. “None of this is your fault. You don’t have to blame yourself for everything.
“This whole mess between Layla and me? It’s always been her making things difficult. She just wants too much.”
Sean sighed deeply. “She wasn’t like this before.”
His thoughts grew increasingly tangled, and he didn’t want to talk about it anymore. Instead, he asked, “Earlier, you mentioned William. What were you trying to say? Do you have something in mind?”
Xena hesitated again, as if debating whether to continue. Finally, she spoke cautiously, “It’s just a guess. If you think it’s ridiculous, just forget I said anything.
“But I was wondering… someone like Mr. Lucas–why would he go out of his way to help Layla? They didn’t even cross paths before this. Even if he initially stepped in for his nephew’s sake, don’t you think he’s far too involved
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Chapter 35
now?
“He’s done so much for her. What’s he getting out of it?”
Her string of questions sent Sean into deep thought, his expression darkening. She wasn’t wrong–William’s actions didn’t make sense.
Sensing his unease, Xena pressed on, her tone growing more serious. “At the end of the day, Mr. Lucas is a businessman. He wouldn’t do something for nothing. What if Layla is really being used by him…?”
“No.” Sean cut her off without hesitation. “Layla is smart. She wouldn’t be that naive.”
As if she had expected this
response, Xena merely smiled faintly and dropped the subject. Instead, she murmured in a wistful tone, “She’s so lucky to have you trust her this much.”
Sean didn’t respond, his expression unreadable under the dim lighting
Meanwhile, Xena’s lips curled into a barely perceptible smirk.
Planting seeds of doubt was enough. Sooner or later, they would take root and grow into an unshakable truth.
There was no need to rush.
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