Chapter 230 Earning Her Keep
"I never intended to ruin you, but if you persist in pestering me, you may find yourself tripping over an unforeseen obstacle," Susan retorted with ruthless precision.The notion of stumbling upon an unexpected obstacle sent a shudder through Caleb's heart. In the past, he had viewed Susan as a calamity in his life. Now, it seemed that the idea of her being a stumbling block was more fitting. Four years prior, Caleb had believed he had found a safe haven in Susan, a place to rest. Instead, he had found himself embroiled in an unexpected mess. Now, the same sense of impending trouble was creeping back into his consciousness. Was Susan not just a pitfall waiting to ensnare him?His primary identity now was that of a father. He cherished his daughter and would never betray his family. An affair, especially one with Susan, was out of the question for Caleb. Caleb himself was uncertain about his feelings towards Susan. However, her betrayal from years ago had left him seething. Every time he saw Susan, an urge to provoke her, to make her experience the pain he had felt, surged within him. Susan was the demon that haunted Caleb's psyche. Whenever he crossed paths with her, he would lose all sense of rationality, despite his usual level-headed demeanor. "I don't believe you're capable of that," he challenged. "Whether I am or not, the wise course of action would be not to test me," Susan responded with a cool, unfamiliar rationality. "You have things you hold dear, and I have things I wish to protect." "Are you not just trying to earn money to support some boy?" Caleb scoffed dismissively. Had she really fallen so far from the days when suitors flocked around her? Could this be karma at work?"That's none of your concern.""I couldn't care less," Caleb retorted, shaking off Susan's hand. "Let me be clear, Susan, I have no interest in having an affair with a woman like you. However..."Susan's heart plummeted, her nerves on edge as she listened to Caleb's impending proclamation, as if bracing herself for a sentence of doom. "I also don't want you to have it easy," Caleb declared, his voice sharp. "If you're pushing this project onto me just to make my life difficult, then you truly have too much time on your hands," Susan couldn't help but retort. "And what of it? You can't refuse it, can you?" He knew that Susan needed the money. She might reject the offer verbally, but she was reluctant to let go of the potential million. To him, a million was merely a drop in the ocean. "Hmph. If you're so desperate to earn money, don't hold your head so high," he taunted. Susan's brows furrowed in defiance. "I won't degrade myself to earn money," she gritted out through clenched teeth. "Oh, but you will."Susan had a vulnerability, and he had a myriad of ways to exploit it. Susan gritted her teeth in silent fury. "Work hard. I look forward to seeing your design," Caleb said, reaching out to pat her shoulder. Susan swiftly sidestepped his attempt. Caleb retracted his hand nonchalantly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Don't disappoint me."He strode away without a backward glance at Layla. Layla cast a glance at the second floor, hesitating for a moment before quietly ascending the stairs. She had never seen Susan so disarrayed before, standing forlornly amidst the unfinished house. The bare structure, with its dull gray hue, cast a pallor over Susan, making her appear as lifeless as a prey ensnared by fate. Later that night, at a local bar. Two men. Caleb sat at the bar, downing whiskey after whiskey, rebuffing the advances of numerous attractive women. Meanwhile, in a partially secluded booth, Samuel was also nursing his drinks. His friend, Joseph Sheeran, was growing increasingly disgruntled. "Damn, I thought we were going to have some fun when you invited me here, but all you want to do is drink?" Joseph had hoped that Samuel had finally come to his senses. After all, Samuel had never shown much interest in such places. It usually took a barrage of phone calls to coax him into coming. "Watching a man drink is so dull," Joseph grumbled, stretching out his long legs. "So, what's the problem? Is the Holland Group going under?"Is it a marriage arranged by your old man?"Or...did you get dumped?"In the dimly lit room, Samuel's brow furrowed in response.
Joseph sprung from the comfort of the couch, closing the distance between them. "Damn, you really got dumped? Who's the lucky one? My goddess!" he exclaimed, a smirk playing on his lips."Shut up!" Samuel retorted, his expression sour.Joseph's laughter echoed in the room. Despite Samuel's apparent displeasure, Joseph reveled in his friend's misfortune. If not for the fear of a swift punch, he would have immortalized the moment in a video.Life, in its unpredictable beauty, always held surprises.Samuel, of all people, had been dumped! It was almost too good to believe."It's alright, buddy. I promise to make you happy," Joseph declared, his voice full of faux gallantry. He gestured towards a group of tall, beautiful women. "Here, the world is full of beautiful women. Mixed race, sexy, schoolgirls, pick whatever you like."Samuel, however, remained disinterested, his attention solely focused on the drink in his hand. He didn't even bother to lift his gaze."Then...how about me?" Joseph fluttered his eyelashes playfully."Get lost!" Samuel snapped."You really don't want them? Then they are all mine," Joseph stated, wrapping his arms around two of the women. "I wanted to make you happy, but it seems like only I am happy," he added, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Layla, you go to booth number 2."Layla?Samuel's gaze lifted at the mention of the name, landing on a girl dressed in a white camisole. Her makeup was light, making her look pale under the lights. Her long, straight black hair framed her face, giving her a gentle and obedient look. She reminded him so much of the woman he loved."Layla," Samuel called out."Damn, I knew you were being sulky. Is she your type? Why don't you come and serve Mr. Holland?" Joseph suggested, a knowing grin on his face.The girl blushed and obediently sat next to Samuel, her smile shy yet full of admiration."Holland, Mr. Holland...you're drinking...""Your name is Layla.""Yes, Layla."Layla...The name triggered a memory in Samuel's mind: the scene when he first saw Layla.His Layla.The girl's movements were a bit awkward, her hand trembling as she held the glass.Joseph remembered and said, "Do you remember the last time we went to the bar and met that bunny lady? When she poured you a drink, she accidentally spilled it all over you, just when you were trying to be a hero for her. Weren't you interested in her? Did anything happen between you two afterwards?""That bunny was quite cute, I wonder if she still works there. This girl here looks quite similar, do you remember?""She had a great figure, I bet she must be amazing in bed... ah!"Joseph's sentence was cut short as a hard punch sent him sprawling to the ground."Clang, clang, clang" the sound of a bottle shattering echoed in the room."What the hell are you doing?" Joseph questioned, his face swollen and throbbing with pain."Shut up, don't insult her again in front of me," Samuel warned, rising to his feet. His tall figure seemed unsteady, but his aura was as dangerous as an angry lion. Joseph didn't dare to say anything after being punched and looked bewildered."Hey, where are you going?""Holland?""What the hell are you talking about?""Are you alright, Joseph?""Get lost," Joseph pushed away the beautiful woman, his eyes widening in realization.‘Damn it! Isn't the girl who dumped Samuel that bunny?’His own words echoed in his mind.Meanwhile, a slender figure slouched in front of a table, her expression pitiful and heartbroken.The light from the desk lamp illuminated her face, but it couldn't warm her heart."Drip" a tear fell on the drawing, blurring it.Layla took a deep breath and quickly wiped away her tears.Hadn't she promised herself she wouldn't cry anymore? Why wouldn't her tears listen?It was already eleven o'clock, time to sleep.‘Sleeping early is good for the baby.’Layla reminded herself. With no one to love and care for her, she had to take care of herself."Ding dong, ding dong"The sudden doorbell broke the silence of the night, startling her."Layla! Open the door!"Layla!"‘Samuel? What is he doing here?’
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