Chapter 99
Layla nodded. “Yes, I couldn’t get used to it at first, and it was hard to swallow my pride. But after pushing through and holding up till today, I realized it’s no big deal.”
Her friends, who were used to living the lives of pampered socialites, asked her, “Do you have to hand out flyers on the streets? We can help you distribute them”
Another friend chimed in, “Yeah, Layla, give us the flyers. We’ll each take some and distribute them for you so you can rest early.”
Layla laughed. “No need for that. Others handle the advertising, and I just need to stay here.
“You’ve s
me now, so hurry up and go. And don’t even think about buying a place here, I won’t process it for you.
seen me
A friend offered, “By the way, how are you eating? Can your delicate stomach handle it? Shall we buy you food every day?”
“No need, just go. I have to work to be the sales champion, and you’re wasting my time here.”
The chauffeur had been waiting in the car, and Layla escorted her friends to it, watching them drive off with a warm smile on her face. The knot that had been tightening in her heart for days finally loosened.
Back at work, Layla felt even better. Her good mood translated into more smiles during her interactions, bringing her more good luck and signed contracts. When she got home that evening, Layla excitedly ran over to Stephen. “My circle of friends doesn’t need filtering, they’re all worth keeping close.”
Stephen recalled their previous conversation and smiled, “Congratulations, then.”
Layla’s eyes curved into happy crescents as she smiled. “Stephen, from now on, you can’t keep thinking you’re a bad influence on me.”
Stephen looked at Layla clinging to his side, reminding him of when she was little and would snuggle up to him, trying to persuade him to do her homework.” Steph, please do my homework for me. Pretty please.”
He leaned back on the couch and gazed at the beautiful Layla sitting beside him, her hands pressing on one of his legs as she smiled at him. “I’ll just say this. If they lead you astray again, I’ll still wam them.”
“You’re annoying “Layla’s good mood was instan
was instantly ruined. Her bright smile vanished, replaced by a pouty frown.
“I’m not sharing with you anymore. I’m going to call Grandpa.”
Stephen watched her storm off, a smile lingering on his face despite her anger.
Regina once told him that he was asking for a beating from Layla, He replied, “That’s my pleasure.”
Regina had asked, “What other qualities does Layla have other than being pretty? I honestly can’t see any.”
Stephen responded, “She has plenty, but you just don’t know about them.”
Robert had planned to return home, but after receiving a call from Alfred in the morning about Layla receiving flowers, he changed his mind. “Great! Stephen is doing a very good job. I won’t come back and play the third wheel”
Since he hadn’t packed his luggage, Robert decided to stay put.
When Layla found out about his change of plans, she angrily argued with him over the phone in the courtyard. Her voice was so loud that the maids in the living room and Stephen watching the news could hear her.
After a while, the shouting stopped. A faming Layla stormed back into the living room, slamming the door behind her. “If I ever voluntarily call him again, 1’11 change my last name.”
.π
The house was always lively like this. Without Layla’s usual antics, the cold, empty Murray Estate would be eerily quiet.
When Stephen was first adopted by the Murray family, with the large, frigid lobby, the stem Oxbber, and the vast estate, it felt lonely. He and the old man were just the only ones around.
But when a baby’s cries started echoing through the house, it suddenly came alive.
From the time Layla was a baby, the house was always bustling with her cries, laughs, and tantrums. She was the reason the house had warmth.
Even later when she and Stephen were at odds, he couldn’t bring himself to leave the house that was filled with her presence.
He had often wondered what it would be like without Layla in the house. Robert would still be the stem old man, and he himself would just be a robot with ne warmth Murray Estate would be empty and lonely.
It was like a luxatious villa, where Layla was the lamp inside.
Without her, the villa would be pitch dark, cold and eerie when they came home at night. But with her around, both he and Robert had something to look forward to, tomrone walling for them at home.
barn from a distance, they could see the bright, wand light welcoming them home, making the lamp awam sonce of comfort
