Chapter 643 If you want me to leave him, you'll have to kill me first.
Brian glanced at the bank card Layla handed over, momentarily stunned.
"I heard from Richard about what happened between you two," Layla said bluntly, echoing Richard's words. "I really don't understand where you got the courage to think you could get back together with him."
"What happens between him and me is none of your business," Brian said, rubbing the bank card, his calm demeanor gradually showing.
Layla said directly, "I could say the same to you."
A slight smile curved Brian's lips, and he seemed to regain his composure.
"Why are you smiling?" Layla asked, puzzled.
"I know you and Richard are just pretending to be a couple," Brian said confidently, exuding a gentle aura. "No matter what he told you, you should understand one thing."
Layla furrowed her brow.
Brian continued, "The relationship between two people are not for others to interfere with."
"We're not pretending," Layla insisted.
"Really?" Brian asked calmly.
"Yes," Layla replied firmly.
"Then can I ask you to step aside?" Brian's gaze fell on her. "I did some things in the past that hurt him because I had no choice. I'm trying to make amends now, and I hope I can finish making amends."
"Leaving him is the best way to make amends," Layla rejected him outright.
Brian's fingers released the bank card, and he said slowly, "I'll leave him only if I'm dead."
Layla froze, momentarily unsure how to react.
"If I'm not mistaken, you don't like men, do you?" Brian asked calmly, his gaze falling on her neatly trimmed nails. "How did you meet Richard?"
Layla looked up slightly, caught off guard by his directness. "How did you know?"
"Just a guess," Brian said without further explanation.
Layla's eyes showed a hint of curiosity.
Brian continued, "Can you leave now?"
"Why should I leave?" Layla asked, confused. "Just because I didn't like men before doesn't mean I don't like them now."
"Stop pretending. I can't see any affection for Richard in your words or actions," Brian said, paying attention to details. "All I see is you mechanically emphasizing that I should leave."
Layla's palms began to sweat, surprised by Brian's sharpness.
"Or should I have someone investigate your identity?" Brian leaned back on the sofa, exuding the confidence of a winner. "Even though I'm no longer part of the Harris family, it's not hard to investigate someone."
Layla immediately stood up and went upstairs with the bank card. She neither admitted nor denied it.
Based on Layla's reaction, Brian was even more certain of his guess.
No one knew that most of what Brian had said was deliberately aimed at Layla to gauge her reaction and see if his guess was correct.
It seemed he had bet right.
Brian maintained his calm demeanor, not revealing any real emotions. He knew there were cameras in the living room, knowing that if Richard was watching, he would adjust his decisions based on Brian's behavior.
Brian knew Richard very well.
At that moment, Richard was in his study, watching the living room surveillance. After hearing their conversation, he knew the plan had failed.
Layla entered the room, her brow furrowed with worry. "He figured it out. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," Richard said politely, though he remained distant. "I didn't lay enough groundwork from the start."
But laying the groundwork would take at least two to three months. That process was too long.
"He seems to care about you a lot," Layla said, having formed a decent impression of Brian from their conversation.
"He does care," Richard said, looking at Brian on the monitor. "But right now, I don't want that."
Richard clearly felt that he was getting too involved because of Brian's actions over the past while.
If this continued, Richard feared he would be caught in a conflict of resenting Brian for past transgressions while not wanting to lose him due to his present kindness.
That would be truly disastrous.
Richard didn't want Brian to waste his life on him.
"So..." Layla hesitated, unsure what to say.
"You should go home. Thanks for today," Richard said. "I'll treat you to dinner another day."
"It's no trouble," Layla said, pursing her lips. She had her own reasons for helping Richard. "But thank you for your help with Haven."
"You help me, and I help you. It's no trouble," Richard clarified, finally looking away from the monitor. "I'll let you know once we come up with the safest surgical plan in a few days."
Layla agreed.
As she was leaving, Layla said, "If you care about Brian, you should talk to him about why you don't want to be with him. Honesty is key to a good relationship."
Richard nodded and saw her out.
As Richard closed the door, Brian stood up with a smile and walked toward him.
Richard's eyes were cold as he said, "Feeling smug?"
"Kind of," Brian said happily, making no effort to conceal his glee. "I didn't expect that just a little probing would reveal your fake relationship."
Richard paused, looking at Brian with a sudden suspicion. "Were you acting just now?"
"How else would I know you two were faking it?" Brian admitted honestly.
Richard glanced at him emotionlessly and started walking upstairs. Why had he thought Brian was confident in his conversation with Layla?
"Did I act well?" Brian, no longer calm and warm, followed Richard cheerfully. "Can you tell me why you'd rather stage a fake relationship to drive me away than be with me?"
A terminal illness? Impossible. Someone threatening Richard? Even more unlikely.
"Want to know?" Richard suddenly stopped on the spiral staircase.
Brian hadn't expected an answer. "Yes."
"Because I'm sick of your clinginess," Richard said, his hands trembling slightly, his eyes frighteningly calm. "Tired of your constant joking."
Brian's smile faltered.
"You think kindness every day makes up for the past?" Richard continued, his words intended to wound Brian deeply. "I can tell you clearly, your actions only keep reminding me how foolish I was."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
