“Even though Uncle William rarely plays the good guy, isn’t this level of concern a bit over the top?” Carter wondered.…By evening, Layla woke up. The first thing she saw was an unfamiliar face, which startled her. “Who are you?” “Allow me to introduce myself,” the man said with a polite smile. “I’m Levi, William’s friend and his family doctor.” He handed Layla a business card. “I also work at St. North Hospital. If you ever need help, feel free to reach out to me.” Layla didn’t take the card. Instead, she responded softly, “I don’t need it.” “There’s no need to avoid medical care, Miss Xander,” Levi said as he placed the card on the bedside table. “Life is precious—every day counts. You’re still young. Don’t give up so easily.” Layla froze. “How do you know?” “I’ve seen your medical report,” Levi said matter-of-factly. Before Layla could react, Carter burst into the room, scratching his head and looking guilty. “Sis, about the car accident… when you were un
Xena froze in shock as Sean lunged at her, grabbing at her dress like a madman, muttering over and over, “This belongs to Layla… it’s Layla’s…” “Sean!” Panicked, Xena tried to hold down his hands, but it was no use. With a loud ripping sound, the dress tore apart. Sean wasn’t done. He grabbed the straps, clearly intent on stripping her completely. Terrified, Xena burst into tears. “Sean, what’s wrong with you? It’s me—Xena!” She had hoped her voice would snap him out of it, but Sean’s expression darkened instead. He suddenly struck her across the face. Caught off guard, Xena stumbled and fell to the floor, clutching her cheek in disbelief. “What… what’s gotten into you?” He had been perfectly fine when he left that morning. Why was he acting like a completely different person now? “It’s all because of you…” Sean pointed at Xena, his bloodshot eyes burning with rage. “If it weren’t for you, Layla and I wouldn’t have split up! She wouldn’t hate me so much th
“I want chicken ravioli soup.”Sean’s lips were pale, and one hand pressed against his stomach. Mrs. Lincoln immediately recognized the symptoms of his recurring stomach problems.“Mr. Perry, I can’t make that,” Mrs. Lincoln replied, her tone indifferent, still holding onto her resentment. “The flavor you like was something Miss Xander poured her heart into. Even the ravioli filling was carefully chosen by her.“To be honest, I could never match her level of thoughtfulness.”She did what she was paid to do—nothing more, nothing less. At her age, Mrs. Lincoln wasn’t about to go the extra mile without a good reason. She didn’t feel the need to explain herself. Just looking at Sean annoyed her, so she turned away and headed outside to busy herself in the yard. Sean sat there, staring blankly at the untouched breakfast on the table. Memories of the meals Layla had lovingly prepared for him flashed through his mind, and before he realized it, his vision blurred with tears.…At
Autumn had arrived, bringing cooler weather with it.Layla curled up on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the trees by the lake sway gently in the breeze, their falling leaves fluttering like delicate butterflies.After a rare few days of peace and quiet, she felt noticeably more rejuvenated.A knock at the door drew her attention. Turning her head, she offered a soft smile. “Mr. Lucas, not working today?”“It’s the weekend.” William walked over and handed her a cup of hot latte. “I just made this. Try it.” “Thank you.” Layla took the cup, cradling it in both hands. The warmth brought a sense of comfort and contentment. William didn’t leave immediately but stood there quietly, watching her. Although they had been living under the same roof for a while, this was their first time alone together. William stood tall before her, his usual formal suit replaced with a casual khaki outfit that added a relaxed air to his otherwise polished demeanor. The
A sharp glint appeared in William’s eyes. “Are you planning to take her from me by force? You’d better think carefully about whether the Xander family has what it takes to challenge me.” Hearing the threat in his words, Mr. Xander’s heart sank. Layla refused to leave, and William wouldn’t let her go—this was a deadlock. “Layla…” Tears welled up in Xena’s eyes as she knelt on the ground. “I know I was wrong. Please forgive me. Please don’t be mad at Mom and Dad anymore, okay?” Shane immediately stepped forward to pull her up. “What are you doing? Get up!” “Xena, stop begging her,” Mrs. Xander said, her voice thick with disappointment as she turned to Layla. “If I had known back then that this is the kind of daughter I’d give birth to after fighting to keep the pregnancy, I should’ve let her die.” Those words were like a knife stabbing into Layla’s heart. Even though she had mentally prepared herself for this fallout, the pain was still suffocating. Nothing was more
Shane was the first to react, frowning as he questioned, “Sean, what are you talking about? Layla’s perfectly fine. You…” “Do you think I’d joke about something like this?” Sean gave a bitter smile. “If I could, I’d wish it was all just a bad joke, so I could turn back time and still have a chance to make things right with her.” Sean’s seriousness sent a wave of panic through Mrs. Xander. She rushed forward, grabbing Sean’s arm, and asked anxiously, “Tell me—what’s wrong with Layla?” “She has a tumor in her brain,” Sean said grimly. “It’s in a dangerous spot, and the chances of a successful surgery are very slim.” His words hit the Xander family like a bolt of lightning. They stood frozen, their faces full of disbelief. Mrs. Xander thought back to the cruel words she had said earlier. Guilt and heartbreak overwhelmed her, and tears streamed down her face. “How… how could I say something so horrible to her?” she muttered, her voice breaking. Overcome with regret,
Mrs. Xander hesitated, then let out a heavy sigh. “If Layla really dared to joke about something like this, I would never forgive her for the rest of my life.” Sean fell silent. If this whole situation was orchestrated with Mr. Perry Sr.’s help, then Layla’s position in his heart must be far too important.If Sean were to marry her, wouldn’t he be overshadowed by Layla forever, with Mr. Perry Sr. constantly supporting her and keeping him in check? The more he thought about it, the heavier Sean’s heart grew. …Inside the villa, William stood outside Layla’s bedroom door, hesitating to knock. He wanted to comfort her but couldn’t find the right words, afraid he would only make things worse. The mighty head of the Lucas family, undefeated in the business world, was at a complete loss when it came to consoling a woman. Just as he was caught in indecision, the door suddenly opened. Both of them froze. Layla forced a smile and handed him her empty cup. “The coffe
It was a large transfer notification. Layla squinted, carefully counting the digits in the amount. Not only did it cover her startup capital, but it also included funds from the sale of her shares, far exceeding what she had expected. With this sum, she could now consider herself quite wealthy. William glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “What’s making you so happy?” Layla put her phone away. Compared to him, this was nothing but a drop in the ocean, so she chose not to brag. “Nothing much. I just got what I wanted,” she said casually. “Sean transferred the money to you?” William asked. “Yep.” Layla held up her phone. “Tonight, dinner’s on me.” “No need. Tonight, I’m taking you to a cocktail party,” William replied. At first, Layla thought this was his polite way of declining, but then he added, “There’s a charity auction tomorrow evening. Once it’s over, we can go for dinner.” Realizing he wasn’t dismissing her offer, Layla nodded. “That wo
“Mr. and Mrs. Watson have a great relationship. Word is, they’ve been together since their college days, and Mr. Watson is known to be a doting husband who listens to his wife,” Layla replied.Layla had looked into Mr. Watson when she sought to collaborate with him, tailoring her approach to his personality. Seeing the couple together in person today stirred an unexpected wave of envy in her. She had once been obsessed with the idea of finding a pure and genuine love like theirs. She had loved Sean for so many years, believing they would become a couple others admired. But in the end, it was all a joke, one that anyone could laugh at her expense. She must have been born under an unlucky star. All these years, she had experienced neither sweet love nor the warmth of family. To leave the world like this felt like a bitter regret. Noticing the hint of sorrow in her eyes, William said softly, “You could try living a little longer. Who knows? You might find the right person.”
Mr. Lawrence quickly picked up the jacket. “I... I’ll buy an identical replacement and have it sent to you, Mr. Lucas.” “That won’t be necessary.” William cast a cold glance at the model, making her shiver. Understanding the unspoken message, Mr. Lawrence thumped his chest in assurance. “I’ll make sure she disappears.” The model froze, stunned. Just last night, this man had been glued to her side, promising to marry her. Now, in an instant, he had abandoned her completely? Watching the color drain from the model’s face, Layla felt no satisfaction, only indifference. “Let’s go.” She turned and walked away, with William following close behind. The commotion ended, leaving the model standing amidst judgmental stares. Her mind reeled. When had Layla become like this? In her memory, Layla had always carried herself with the poise of a lady from the Xander family—composed, restrained, and never stepping out of line. Even if someone criticized her to her face, sh
“Cough, cough…” Mrs. Watson cleared her throat, shooting a warning glance at the young woman, silently telling her to watch her words. But the woman deliberately ignored her, smirking as her lips curved into a mocking smile. “Miss Xander, why don’t you teach me a thing or two? I’d love to land a rich man like you.” The others exchanged awkward glances, unsure of the situation and too nervous to speak up. Amid the uneasy silence, Layla slowly glanced at the model, her expression calm and measured. “With just you?” The model froze for a moment before springing to her feet. “What about me? I’ve got the looks, the body, and I’m young!“And you, an old woman who’s been played out, still think you’re better than me?” Her harsh words rang clear through the soft strains of the violin music, startling everyone. Mrs. Watson’s expression immediately darkened. “That’s enough! Do you even know where you are?” The young model, full of bravado, crossed her arms and shot a defian
Events that someone like William attended were usually gatherings for high-profile deals, often involving some level of business confidentiality. Layla knew her role well. As a simple date, she was merely there to add a decorative touch, like an ornament. William noticed her composed demeanor and didn’t offer further explanation. His gaze flicked briefly to her hand resting on his arm. “Let’s go.” Together, they stepped into the venue, instantly drawing the attention of nearly every guest. A middle-aged man quickly approached them, beaming with excitement. “Mr. Lucas! Well, this is a rare sight! You actually brought a date with you today!” As he spoke, his eyes swept over Layla, nodding repeatedly in approval. “Not bad, not bad at all. Someone as stunning as her is exactly what one would expect for Mr. Lucas’s companion!” Hearing such direct praise, Layla couldn’t help but feel a bit flustered. “You flatter me,” she replied politely. “He’s just telling the truth
It was a large transfer notification. Layla squinted, carefully counting the digits in the amount. Not only did it cover her startup capital, but it also included funds from the sale of her shares, far exceeding what she had expected. With this sum, she could now consider herself quite wealthy. William glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “What’s making you so happy?” Layla put her phone away. Compared to him, this was nothing but a drop in the ocean, so she chose not to brag. “Nothing much. I just got what I wanted,” she said casually. “Sean transferred the money to you?” William asked. “Yep.” Layla held up her phone. “Tonight, dinner’s on me.” “No need. Tonight, I’m taking you to a cocktail party,” William replied. At first, Layla thought this was his polite way of declining, but then he added, “There’s a charity auction tomorrow evening. Once it’s over, we can go for dinner.” Realizing he wasn’t dismissing her offer, Layla nodded. “That wo
Mrs. Xander hesitated, then let out a heavy sigh. “If Layla really dared to joke about something like this, I would never forgive her for the rest of my life.” Sean fell silent. If this whole situation was orchestrated with Mr. Perry Sr.’s help, then Layla’s position in his heart must be far too important.If Sean were to marry her, wouldn’t he be overshadowed by Layla forever, with Mr. Perry Sr. constantly supporting her and keeping him in check? The more he thought about it, the heavier Sean’s heart grew. …Inside the villa, William stood outside Layla’s bedroom door, hesitating to knock. He wanted to comfort her but couldn’t find the right words, afraid he would only make things worse. The mighty head of the Lucas family, undefeated in the business world, was at a complete loss when it came to consoling a woman. Just as he was caught in indecision, the door suddenly opened. Both of them froze. Layla forced a smile and handed him her empty cup. “The coffe
Shane was the first to react, frowning as he questioned, “Sean, what are you talking about? Layla’s perfectly fine. You…” “Do you think I’d joke about something like this?” Sean gave a bitter smile. “If I could, I’d wish it was all just a bad joke, so I could turn back time and still have a chance to make things right with her.” Sean’s seriousness sent a wave of panic through Mrs. Xander. She rushed forward, grabbing Sean’s arm, and asked anxiously, “Tell me—what’s wrong with Layla?” “She has a tumor in her brain,” Sean said grimly. “It’s in a dangerous spot, and the chances of a successful surgery are very slim.” His words hit the Xander family like a bolt of lightning. They stood frozen, their faces full of disbelief. Mrs. Xander thought back to the cruel words she had said earlier. Guilt and heartbreak overwhelmed her, and tears streamed down her face. “How… how could I say something so horrible to her?” she muttered, her voice breaking. Overcome with regret,
A sharp glint appeared in William’s eyes. “Are you planning to take her from me by force? You’d better think carefully about whether the Xander family has what it takes to challenge me.” Hearing the threat in his words, Mr. Xander’s heart sank. Layla refused to leave, and William wouldn’t let her go—this was a deadlock. “Layla…” Tears welled up in Xena’s eyes as she knelt on the ground. “I know I was wrong. Please forgive me. Please don’t be mad at Mom and Dad anymore, okay?” Shane immediately stepped forward to pull her up. “What are you doing? Get up!” “Xena, stop begging her,” Mrs. Xander said, her voice thick with disappointment as she turned to Layla. “If I had known back then that this is the kind of daughter I’d give birth to after fighting to keep the pregnancy, I should’ve let her die.” Those words were like a knife stabbing into Layla’s heart. Even though she had mentally prepared herself for this fallout, the pain was still suffocating. Nothing was more
Autumn had arrived, bringing cooler weather with it.Layla curled up on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the trees by the lake sway gently in the breeze, their falling leaves fluttering like delicate butterflies.After a rare few days of peace and quiet, she felt noticeably more rejuvenated.A knock at the door drew her attention. Turning her head, she offered a soft smile. “Mr. Lucas, not working today?”“It’s the weekend.” William walked over and handed her a cup of hot latte. “I just made this. Try it.” “Thank you.” Layla took the cup, cradling it in both hands. The warmth brought a sense of comfort and contentment. William didn’t leave immediately but stood there quietly, watching her. Although they had been living under the same roof for a while, this was their first time alone together. William stood tall before her, his usual formal suit replaced with a casual khaki outfit that added a relaxed air to his otherwise polished demeanor. The