Chapter 196 Scandal
HavingEver since her middle school days, Layla had been the subjectcenter of gossip since middle school fordue to her striking beauty and smarts, Layla was hypersensitive to people's impressive intellect. She had developed a keen sensitivity to the whispers and stares. She knew instantly of others, and she could always tell when the discussion wasshe was the topic of conversation. More often than not, the discussions about her, and it was certainly not for good reasons.
were far from complimentary."There she is. She looks so innocent, doesn’t seem likeshe? Hardly the seductive type, right?"
," one voice murmured."You're clearly out of the loop. All thetouch. The manipulators always look like thatinnocent these days. Despite not having graduated yether youth, she's got tricks up her sleeve."
already quite cunning," another retorted."I heard she's had her fair share of flingsdalliances over at the Holland Group and even got caught upentangled in a messy situationscandal with the designer, Nathan. She's only been at the Eilish Group for a couple offew days and she's already causing a stir."
commotion.""Talk about making an entrance."
"Do women these days not care about their reputations anymore?"
"If they can forgoso easily discard their dignity, what’s a reputation to them?"
...
Unaffected by the surrounding murmurs...Despite the hushed conversations around her, Layla maintained a composed facefacade as she stepped into the elevator.
Upon entering the office, she could feel the odd glances from her colleagues.
weight of her colleagues' curious lances.Alice emerged from the breakroom, a steaming cup of coffee in her hand.
"Alice, I brought breakfast for you," Layla offered, holding outextending the meal.
towards her."No need, I've already eaten," Alice replied softly, avoiding eye contact and returningLayla's gaze as she retreated to her cubicle, leaving Layla with nothing but her back to talk to.
converse with.Layla felt helplessa pang of helplessness. Alice was still upset with her.
DejectedFeeling dejected, she went backreturned to her desk. Her phone chimed with a notification – a message from Alice containing a link.
With a quick flick of her thumb, Layla accessedopened the website. It was the Eilish Group forum, swampedoverrun with threads about her supposedalleged scandals involving Mr. Lee and Philip.
The topmost popular post exposedfeatured photos of Mr. Lee entering her room, touching her hair in the corridor, and her visiting Philip, all meticulously timestamped. The detailed narration accused her of dating two men at the same time.
simultaneously.The comments that followed were filled witha cesspool of vile insults and mockery. Layla clenched her jaw, her face growing increasingly pale.
Her fingers clutchedtightened around the phone with a white-knuckle grip as she stepped up toapproached Gioanna, “Delete that post.”
“What post? Oh, the one on the forum?” Gioanna's smile was one oflaced with spiteful glee. “What’s that got to do with me? How can you prove I posted it? Got any evidence?”
“We were the only ones on that corporate retreat; who else could it be but you?”
Gioanna scoffed, “Accusing me outright, huh? Maybe some hero couldn’t stand seeing you play the field and decided to expose your scandal. That’s got nothing to do with me.”
“Mr. Lee, Phillip, and I—we’re all innocent.”
“Innocent, ha!” Gioanna’s laughter escalated into a fit as she shot a glance at Jane, who was equally amused. “Well, those photos beg to differ.”
Jane chimed in with a wicked grin, “I was wrong about you not being capable enough to handle the project; you’ve got quite the capacity indeed. To think you’d hop from Mr. Chen’s bed straight to Phillip’s door—that’s some dedication. I’m impressed!"
“Maybe one man just isn’t enough for her,” Gioanna sneered.
The conversation descended into unsavory territory.
“Clean up your mouthsWatch your words!” Layla’s voice cut through sharply.
“Ha, our mouths might be dirtyyou may not like them, but they’re still purer than yourswe told no lies,” Gioanna jeered, placing down her coffee cup with a clang, her face contorted in a sneer, deepening her wrinkles. “I haven’t even started on how you’re tarnishing tThe Holland Group’s reputation. You’re a disgrace, dragging us and the whole company through the mud. You should just resign.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong. Why should I resign?” Layla countered.
“Denying it even after you’ve been caught?”
“Mr. Lee tried to enter my room; I couldn’t stop him.”
“And what about Phillip?” Gioanna taunted, “You visit him at 1 AM, supposedly to talk business? Seriously, Layla, do you think that excuse holds any water?”“So, tell us, what were you really doing with Phillip?” Jane pressed.Layla fell silent, her lack of response as loud as a shout.Alice’s head drooped even lower, her body trembling slightly.
“So, tell us, what were you really doing with Phillip?” "WithJane pressed.
Layla fell silent, her lack of response as loud as a shout.
Alice’s head drooped even lower, her body trembling slightly.
“I have a clear conscience,”, I stand before you," Layla finally declared.
“That’s because you’re proclaimed."Such conviction is only possible for the shameless.”
“And thick-faced.”
“," came the retort."And those with the thickest of skins.""I will not resign,” step down," Layla asserted, her determination unyielding."But who is this Layla stated, her resolve unwavering.
“Which one is ?""Layla?”
“Layla, you, the homewrecker, get out here!”show yourself!" A talltowering middle-aged woman stormed in, an Hermes bag onswinging from her arm. Despite the designer label, she exuded the radiated an intimidating aura of a fearsome brawler.
“seasoned fighter."And you are?”
“Me? I’mwho might you be?" "Who am I? I am Mrs. Smith.. Arabella Smith”
."The revelation caughtleft everyone off guard.
in a state of shock.Mr. Smith was always wentseen without a ring—, leading to the general assumption was that he was single.
a bachelor.Was she here to confront the other woman?
Giovanna's voice trembledwavered with excitementanticipation as she pointed at a woman near Layton City University and exclaimed, exclaiming, "That's her! She's the one who seducedensnared your husband."
"Oh, it's you," sneered Mrs. Arabella sneered, her heels clicking aggressively on the pavement as she approachedadvanced. She raised her hand, readypoised to slap the face ofstrike the accused woman.
Quick as a flash,H owever, Layla interceptedwas quick, intercepting the impending strikeblow. "I did not seduce your husband."
"You're in denial"You may deny it, but the pictures don't lie."
"You tell a different story.""Perhaps you should be askingquestioning your husband about where the blame truly lies," Layla retorted calmly.
"What, you'rewith a calm demeanor."Are you suggesting my husband seducedpursued you?" Mrs. Arabella fumedseethed. "He's a gGeneral mManager; does he lookseem like someone who needs towould chase after you? Take a long hardgood look at yourself; are you even worthy?"
worth it?""Whether I'm worth ity is not for you to judgedecide," Layla shotfired back, her voice laced with cool defiance.
"The audacity of a mistress…" Mrs. Arabella began.
Just thenSuddenly, Mr. Lee Smith hurriedrushed over, his face a mask of panic-stricken. "Honey, what. "Darling, why are you doing here? Let's talk aboutdiscuss this at home."
"No! I want answers right here, right and now. What is going on between you and this home-wrecker?"
"HMr. Smith, have you grown too boldbecome so audacious, Lee?" Mrs. Arabella challenged. "FeelingDo you feel free to find someone younger and prettier?, more attractive? Don't forget who gothelped you toreach where you are today. If you're messing aroundplaying games, my father will make sureensure you pay for it."
Thesethe price."Her words sent a shiver of fear throughchill down Mr. SmithSmith's spine, and he stammered, "HoneyDarling, this is all a mistake.misunderstanding. I've been faithfulloyal – I would never dare betray you. Please don't say such thingsmention this to your father."
"Then explain! What's really going on with the truth about you and this woman?"
"It was her!" Mr. Smith blurted out desperately.in desperation. "She seduced me!"
Chapter 197Layla had seenwitnessed her fair share of shameless lies, but this was a new low. With narrowed eyes and a voice sharp with indignation, she declared, "Mr. Smith, stop spreading liesfalsehoods about me!"
"I was goinghad intended to spare you some dignity, but you've crossed the line. On thatoverstepped. That night, it was you who insisted on entering my room and boldly suggested a quid pro quo, andwhich I turned you downrejected. If you don't believe me, check the security footage. You were in my room for less than ten minutes before I kicked you out."
With a look of feignedFeigning innocence, Mr. Smith retorted, "Why would you accuse me of such a thing?"
"Every word I've said is truethe truth. I swear it. Can you do the same?" Layla challenged him.
"Why would I need to swear? If anything, I've been the one sparingpreserving your reputation. SinceFrom the first day at the company, you've been sending me flirtysuggestive texts non-stop, inviting me to your room that night. I told you I had a family and asked you to stop. I rejected you, not the other way around."
"You're spreading rumors," Layla countered.
"But I have proofevidence," Mr. Smith said as he fumbled with his phone. "Look, here are the screenshots. She was the one coming onto me; you can see my responses were all rejections." He handed the phone to his wife with shakytrembling hands.
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