Chapter 418

The air was so still; you could hear a pin drop.

Layla nervously looked up at the tall man in front of her, hesitant, her eyes cautious yet full of longing.

She desperately hoped Samuel would say, "I believe you."

Those four words would be enough to save her right now.

Time ticked by in silence, torturing her heart.

Samuel didn't speak.

His gaze was heavy.

He didn't believe her.

Layla's heart sank, trembling like a leaf.

"You don't believe me?" she asked with a trembling voice, deeply hurt, "Haven't we been through enough for you to..."

"Don't use the past as your excuse," Samuel interrupted Layla, "I'm looking at the present."

"So you think there's something between me and Brian ?" Layla asked, heartbroken.

Samuel lowered his eyes. He believed Layla wouldn't betray him. But any man, after working overtime for twenty hours and rushing back from a business trip, would find it hard to stay calm seeing that scene. He was just a man; he had a stronger sense of control compared to other men.

Samuel was using all his strength to restrain himself.

"If you want me to believe you, you should learn self-restraint. Don't do things that make me misunderstand and then accuse me of not trusting you," Samuel said, word by word.

"Samuel..." Layla was on the verge of tears.

Samuel didn't want to see Layla's eyes turn red and wet.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "I can't talk to you right now," and began to walk away.

Layla attempted to halt his departure. "Please, don't leave..."

"Samuel..." she implored, her voice filled with desperation. "Please stay..."

Her words gripped Samuel's heart, a mix of irritation and sorrow washing over him.

"Move," Samuel demanded.

"Begging you, please..." Layla pleaded, throwing herself into Samuel's arms, reaching for his waist.

"Don't do this!" Samuel pushed her away. "I said I can't talk to you right now."

"Please don't be mad at me. I'll apologize however you want..." Layla sobbed softly. She was terrified, afraid that once he walked out the door, he wouldn't want her anymore. "I don't want you to leave, Samuel..."

Samuel's heart was under fierce attack. He tightened his grip on her hand, battling with himself internally.

Closing his eyes, Samuel finally said, "I don't want to talk about this right now."

He decisively pushed Layla away.

"Samuel, Samuel, don't go..." Layla tried to grab him, calling his name anxiously, "Samuel..."

She chased him out the door, losing one of her shoes in the process.

"Don't..." Layla tried to stop him from pressing the elevator button, but Samuel brushed her hand away and pressed the button.

Layla stood anxiously to the side, tears welling up in her eyes, murmuring his name. She looked like an abandoned child, terrified of being left behind. "Samuel..."

Samuel stared at the red numbers above the elevator. He couldn't look at her; if he did, he feared his defenses would crumble, that he would soften.

The elevator doors opened.

"Samuel." Layla reached out more urgently to grab him, but as soon as her fingers touched his sleeve, he pulled away.

"Samuel..." Layla said.

Samuel said, "Don't come in."

He blocked her foot, leaving Layla standing there, helpless, eyes pleading, head shaking. "No, please stay... don't go..."

"Don't leave, Samuel... I'm begging you..." Her voice and pitiful gaze silenced by the elevator doors slowly closing.

Layla stood by the elevator for a long, long time, until her body grew colder and colder, the chill seeping into her bones, making the cold unbearable.

Only then did she return, devastated, collapsing onto the sofa. She took out her phone, stared at it for a long time, and finally dialed Samuel's number.

Layla nervously bit her finger.

No response.

A tear slipped from Layla's eye. She quickly wiped it away, but the tears only flowed more freely, streaming down her face. She finally couldn't hold back, crying like a child.

Outside the car, the city lights flickered, passing by the window and reflecting off Samuel's furrowed brow and dark eyes.

The phone screen flashed, and Samuel felt it vibrate.

He knew whose call it was, so he didn't answer.

A heavy weight pressed on his chest, making it hard to breathe.

His mind replayed the image of Layla's tearful eyes over and over, tugging painfully at his heart.

He couldn't help but wonder if he had been too harsh. In his memory, it was the first time she had apologized to him so anxiously, and he had lashed out at her. Even after she chased him to the elevator, he had still left her behind, resolutely walking away.

Samuel closed his eyes, trying not to think about that scene. But in the darkness, Layla's expression became even clearer, every pore on her face vividly etched in his mind.

How could he be so heartless...

"Turn back," Samuel growled.

"Yes, boss," James quickly hit the brakes, about to make a U-turn...

Samuel suddenly said, "Stop."

James slammed on the brakes again. He stayed still, holding his breath, waiting for further instructions, not daring to make a sound.

He stole a glance in the rearview mirror. Samuel's face was dark, his features tightly knit together, forming a silhouette that seemed to blend into the surrounding darkness.

After what felt like an eternity...

Samuel said, "Drive."

Layla had a terrifying nightmare. In it, Samuel was utterly disappointed in her, turning away and leaving her with nothing but a cold, indifferent back.

Layla desperately chased him in the darkness, but her legs were unable to move, driving her to panic.

Layla called out Samuel's name anxiously, waking up from the nightmare. She quickly grabbed her phone and made three consecutive calls, but still, no answer.

Layla's panic gradually subsided with the busy signal, but her heart continued to sink. She feared he would never speak to her again.

Dragging herself back to the office, Layla sat down and stared blankly.

"Layla, are you feeling unwell?" Luna approached her with a cup of water. "Is it because of what happened yesterday? I'm sorry; I was out of line. Please don't take it to heart. I promise I won't speak out of turn again."

Layla shook her head, her scalp tingling, making it hard to hear Luna's voice clearly.

Luna asked, "What's wrong with you? Headache? I have some headache medicine from abroad, no side effects, works quickly. Let me get it for you."

"No, thank you," Layla said, rubbing her temples.

"Alright, I won't ask anymore. If you need the headache medicine, just let me know. By the way, just a heads-up, Mr. Evans is in a particularly bad mood today. He already blew up this morning, and three colleagues have been scolded. Be careful not to provoke him."