Chapter 376 Trap
As Layla got back to the company entrance, she heard the female colleagues in the office gossiping about her again.
"Layla leaves work faster than anyone else, it's really astonishing."
"She's busy meeting sugar daddies, unlike us who have no one to date."
"Look at her frivolous appearance, she must have more than one sugar daddy. She’s fluttering around like a butterfly every day."
"I’m sure she has at least ten of them. When she was at work, she was texting and smiling like a slut."
"How could Fanny give her the salary so easily? I thought they would have a fierce argument again."
"Yeah, Ava embarrassed Fanny so much today, Fanny must be resentful. Why does she still want to have a team building trip?"
Cassandra was very cunning. She rolled her eyes and murmured meaningfully, "This is not just an ordinary team building trip."
"Are you saying it's a trap?"
"Yes."
"It sounds scary."
"What are you afraid of? Layla is the one Fanny’s trying to get revenge on, not you."
"I don’t care about their struggle, but I'm afraid it will affect us. Looking at the current situation, Layla has won several times in a row. It seems like Fanny is not her match."
"What do you mean? Are you thinking of switching sides to Layla now?"
"I'm just trying to protect myself. If Fanny falls, we..."
Cassandra denied it outright. "Impossible. Even if Fanny can't beat Layla, she's the CEO, she has a patron and real power. Layla is just a junior employee. Have you ever heard of a junior employee beating a CEO?"
"But Layla is not just an ordinary employee, she must have a bigger patron behind her, otherwise how could she be where she is now?"
"I’m sure she has a patron, but they can’t be stronger than Nora. She's a member one of the two greatest families in town, who could be more powerful than her? Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless Layla's sugar daddy is Samuel Holland," Cassandra mocked.
"How is that possible?"
"No way."
"If Layla's sugar daddy is Mr. Holland, then my husband is the richest man in the country."
"My boyfriend is the richest man in the world."
Layla just sneered in her heart as she listened to their mocking laughter. Let them laugh, when her man was revealed, all of them would be scared.
Layla planned to show off her boyfriend on the day she resigned just so she could see their jaws drop in surprise.
Layla looked forward to their reactions.
At the restaurant, a noble figure sat by the window. Samuel didn’t look at his phone and just quietly waited. His cold face surprised everyone, yet his eyes were so affectionate. Occasionally, a faint smile appeared on his face. He seemed immersed in his own sweet thoughts.
"A man in love is so gentle."
"Indeed. The woman he loves must be an angel."
"I’m so envious," The waitress sighed.
Soon, Samuel's eyes lit up.
Layla arrived breathlessly. "How did you get here before me again? I thought I would wait for you today, I didn't expect it to be the other way around." Layla pouted and complained.
The waitresses stared at Layla intently. She wasn't the rich girl they had imagined. She seemed like a very approachable girl. She had thick eyebrows, big eyes, and was lively and lovely. Her face was pretty and her skin was delicate.
Layla's outfit was also very ordinary. It was just common professional attire, a white shirt with a short skirt, full of youthful vitality.
She wasn't extraordinarily beautiful, but she looked very comfortable, like a vibrant girl.
This gave the waitresses more room for imagination. It turned out that the prince didn't necessarily like princesses. The Cinderella story was true.
"I prefer waiting for you. I’m happy to wait." Samuel pulled out a chair for Layla, lowering his head and kissing her earlobe. It was as pink and transparent as a lovely pink pearl.
Although Layla hadn't drunk, she felt a bit tipsy, sweetly complaining, "I want to be happy to wait for you, too."
"We have a lifetime ahead of us, there’s no rush."
"You’re too good at sweet talk, Mr. Holland," Layla teased, making a gesture. "Since you're so good at it, why don’t you publish a love story?"
"If you like it, I'll write it just for you." Samuel's gaze was sincere and passionate.
No woman could resist a heartfelt confession from a cold and proud man. Layla's heart melted like spring snow, raising the temperature in the restaurant by a few degrees.
Layla touched her flushed face. "I'm so hungry, what should we eat?"
Samuel smiled. What a lovely girl.
"Today's special recommendation..."
"What?"
"Is right in front of us." Samuel hinted.
Layla chuckled, a faint blush on her cheeks. "Is it inappropriate to fool around with me in public?"
"I’m not fooling around with you, I’m flirting. I could be more shameless ways, you know." Samuel threw her a flirtatious look.
He dealt another blow to Layla's heart. Samuel needed to be more serious. Her girlish heart couldn’t take so much.
"I still think food tastes better." Layla looked at the menu seriously, then ordered a cod.
"You invited me to dinner today, do you have good news to share?"
"Maybe. I signed a hotel renovation contract this afternoon. Most importantly, it’s the first time I didn't ask for your help. I solved the problem myself and negotiated a new project." Layla became more and more excited as she spoke, her face radiant.
This was what Layla had always pursued – independence. She wanted to complete a task solely based on her own abilities, since it would bring her unparalleled confidence and sense of achievement.
Layla could rely on Samuel, but she also had to be able to survive independently. She didn’t want to become someone who depended on others.
"Congratulations, I'm happy for you." Samuel raised his glass.
Layla picked up her orange juice, smiling. "Thank you, Mr. Holland, for trusting me and letting me handle it myself."
Samuel hadn't intervened, which was a prerequisite for her independence.
"I believe my woman is the best." Samuel's tone gradually became proud as he shared the glory with her.
"My man is the best, too." Layla smiled. "I have to do my best to keep up with you, right?"
"I will unconditionally support you at all times. And you can always rely on me. I’ll be your safe harbor," Samuel said.
"Thank you."
For Layla, Samuel's support was crucial.
Although one had to strive hard on their own, it was important to have support.
With Samuel behind her, Layla could charge forward without any worries. She knew that even if she stumbled and fell, he would be there with his strong arms.
Samuel took out an exquisite red velvet gift box. "Congratulations to my girl for signing the contract successfully and growing again."