Chapter 614: Nora, She's Dead
Anthony blurted out, "Her death ain't gonna help you at all."
"How could it not? I'd be thrilled, that's the perk. Plus, if she kicks the bucket, Nora and her baby are safe. Instead of always watching my back, it's better to just get rid of her! No more wasted time."
"What do I gotta do to make you let her go?"
"Nothing you say will change my mind, so save your breath."
Anthony had to toughen up, "If you let her go, I'll give you 10% of the Eilish Group's shares."
"What am I gonna do with Eilish Group shares? I got plenty of cash."
"But you're a man with big dreams. 10% of Eilish Group shares could take the Holland Group to the next level."
That meant billions! It also meant expanding the Holland Group's empire!
Samuel chuckled darkly, stepping up to Anthony like a predator, "What if I said I want the whole Eilish Group?"
Anthony's whole body shook, his face going pale, "No way!"
"So, Nora ain't worth as much as the Eilish Group, huh? Family ties, my ass." Samuel sneered, "But let me tell you, for Layla, I'd give up the whole Holland Group. So tell me, how could I possibly let Nora go?"
Anthony felt a chill run down his spine. Samuel's words made it clear there was no room for forgiveness.
He had expected this trip to be a waste, but it still hit hard.
It seemed the only one who could save Nora now was Layla, but he couldn't reach her. Samuel was dead set on taking Nora out.
Anthony stared heavily at his retreating figure.
After hanging up the phone, Layla silently shed a few tears and quickly wiped them away. She was scared Samuel would notice her puffy eyes when he got home any minute now.
She put her phone back in the drawer.
Around three in the afternoon, Samuel came back while Layla was in the kitchen beating eggs.
"Why are you making a cake again? Didn't I tell you to rest?" Samuel walked up from behind.
"I've been lying down for days, and it's driving me nuts." Layla smiled faintly, "Getting up and moving around helps clear my head."
"Then take a walk in the yard, get some fresh air. You shouldn't be overdoing it right now."
Layla teased, "Are you worried about me overdoing it, or are you scared of eating cake?"
"Both," Samuel joked, "but mainly 'cause I care about you."
"I'm fine. I think I'm bouncing back well. If I keep lying down, I'll end up with more problems."
"Then I'll keep you company."
"Okay."
"What kind of cake are you whipping up today?" Samuel took off his suit jacket and handed it to the maid, loosening his tie with one hand.
"Just a simple matcha cake."
"Matcha's nice, I quite like it."
"Yeah." Layla lowered her eyes, looking a bit downcast.
Samuel lifted her chin, "Have you been crying?"
"No."
"Your eyes are all puffy, and you say you haven't."
Layla had even used a warm towel on her eyes, "Maybe I just slept too much and my eyes got swollen."
"You don't seem quite right, you look down."
"No, I'm just focusing on making the cake. Stop talking to me, you'll distract me."
"Alright, then I'll just watch from the side."
"Okay."
Late at night.
Layla tossed and turned, unable to escape Brenda's cries echoing in her ears.
She kept telling herself not to lose sleep over someone who didn't matter, but she just couldn't help it.
In the dark, her eyes kept drifting to the drawer. Finally, she couldn't resist. She got up quietly, glanced at the sleeping Samuel, and tiptoed over to gently open the drawer and grab her phone.
Layla quickly turned off the sound, glancing back to see Samuel still out cold.
She let out a small sigh of relief.
A flood of messages popped up, all from Brenda, confessing and begging her to spare Nora.
If it weren't for Nora, Brenda would never have confessed to her in this lifetime.
Layla let out a sarcastic laugh.
Brenda's words were filled with sorrow, saying that if anything happened to Nora, she wouldn't want to live either.
Was this a threat?
Despite thinking this, Layla still felt her heart ache a bit. 'Clearly, I'm not the cruel one, so why do I feel a bit guilty? Are kind-hearted and soft-hearted people born to be bullied?'
Her back trembled slightly.
Samuel watched her back in the darkness, frowning deeply.
Another day passed.
This morning, Layla woke up from a nightmare, dreaming that Nora had died a terrible death, and Brenda had also committed suicide.
Today was the 5th day.
She couldn't bear it after just 3 days, feeling like she was dying. Five days, if this continued, Nora would really be dead.
She didn't want to have blood on her hands.
"What are you daydreaming about so early in the morning?" Samuel touched her face.
She snapped back to reality, staring at him.
"What's wrong?" Samuel followed up.
"Nothing, nothing. Samuel..." As he got up, Layla couldn't help but call out to him, "I want to go to the hospital to see Brenda."
"Why see her?" Samuel was a bit puzzled. She had been acting strange since that night, was it related to Brenda?
"I'll tell you after I see her."
Samuel didn't ask further, "Alright, I'll take you there."
The Bentley stopped at the hospital entrance.
"I'll go up with you," Samuel said.
"No need, I'll go up by myself. You wait here."
He was worried but didn't want to pressure her, so he said, "Then I'll have a bodyguard go up with you."
"Okay."
Brenda looked like a living corpse, staring blankly out the window. Her eyes were dry from crying, leaving deep, hollow sockets, looking haggard and lifeless.
"Mrs. Brenda Eilish, you haven't eaten in three days. Please eat something, even just some porridge. Mr. Anthony Eilish has instructed us to make sure you eat every meal. We can't explain this to Mr. Anthony Eilish if you don't eat," The nurse pleaded anxiously.
"Mrs. Eilish?"
Brenda seemed not to hear them, just staring out the window in a daze.
When footsteps sounded outside, she seemed to realize something and immediately looked over.
Layla stood at the door.
"Layla, Layla..." Brenda anxiously fell off the bed.
"Mrs. Eilish, don't do that, you're still injured." The nurse called out in worry.
Seeing Brenda's aged and anxious appearance, Layla felt a twinge of pity, but she controlled her emotions perfectly, not showing a trace.
Brenda struggled like a dying fish, falling and getting up repeatedly, crawling to her feet, and falling again, "How is Nora? Please, let her go, Layla... I'm begging you." She cried bitterly.
"Take it out on me, don't hurt her. Please, have mercy, Layla." She cried bitterly.
Layla looked down at her coldly, uttering, "She's dead."