Chapter 47

It was Louis calling, and Layla hesitated for a moment.

The cold and oppressive aura of the person beside her weighed her down as her hand hovered over the hang-up button.

"What's wrong? Can't you answer while I'm here?" Samuel asked solemnly.

With his words, Layla found it necessary to answer, so she swiped to answer and Louis's cheerful voice came through, "Layla, I found a job!"

Layla's eyes lit up, and she responded with excitement, "At Rose Garden?"

"No. While I was waiting for your message these past few days, I also sent out my resume. I applied at a restaurant in a five-star hotel, thinking that there wasn't much hope. But this morning, the HR manager called me and told me to come in to work immediately, no need for an interview."

"The salary at that restaurant is comparable to Rose Garden, and the benefits are even better."

Layla looked at Samuel. She knew this was thanks to him.

"You don't have to go beg Mr. Holland anymore! Didn't you say he's as stubborn as a rock and won't change his mind? I don't want you to beg him either. He bullies people because he has power and influence." Louis's voice grew louder, and he must have heard.

"He's not that bad of a person." Layla hurriedly interrupted Louis, afraid he would say something wrong and jeopardize the job offer.

"The last time, he was terrible; he was clearly targeting me that day. You should stay away from people like him, or else..."

"I have something to do, let's talk later." Layla quickly hung up the phone, sweating on her forehead.

"Do I seem as stubborn as a rock?" Samuel's voice sounded low and dangerous.

Layla quickly defended herself, "That... that was what he said, not me."

"Oh, so I should hold him accountable?"

"No, no, it was me who said it." Layla sighed with frustration and forced a smile.

"Are you sure you want to take the blame for him? Can you handle it?" Samuel pinched her chin and gave a cold snort. Layla didn't dare to say anything, feeling uneasy in her heart.

"Do you think I won't do anything to you?" His deep gaze was chilling and full of danger.

"...I didn't say that," Layla said weakly.

"You may not have said it, but you think it. Do you think you have control over me?"

Where would Layla get that confidence? Control him? That's a joke, right? She was the one who had always been controlled by him!

"Thank you for giving Louis this job. I believe he won't disappoint you again."

"You should indeed thank me." Samuel's tone was lofty. "Normally, I wouldn't give someone a second chance."

Then why did you make an exception for me? The question was on Layla's tongue, but she held back and didn't ask.

"And be aware that there won't be a next time."

"I... I understand." Layla nodded. He was becoming domineering, intimidating again. Layla was somewhat afraid.

Could a male escort really have such an imposing aura?

After these few days of contact, she was increasingly skeptical of this identity.

"Is that five-star hotel also yours?"

Samuel nodded. It was just one of the tens of thousands of five-star hotels under the Holland Group, which encompassed real estate, hotels, construction, transportation, and various other industries worldwide. It was one of the top three multinational conglomerates in the world.

"Are you... really in that business?" Layla couldn't help but voice her doubts.

"You will find out soon enough. Just don't disappoint me." Samuel smiled mysteriously. It was time for her to know his true identity, and he was looking forward to her shocked reaction.

As soon as Layla entered the company, she was surrounded by various curious gazes. It seemed that her "relationship" with Nathan had spread throughout the office.

She didn't care much about those looks.

Because of her good grades and decent appearance, she had been the center of attention since middle school. After dating Vincent, her popularity only grew, and she had long been accustomed to all the gossip and rumors that came along with it.

She couldn't control what others said, so she could only strive to become better and truly deserving of her reputation.

She saw the opinions of others as motivation rather than pressure.

The atmosphere in the design department was even more unfriendly.

In just two minutes, Layla received dozens of contemptuous glances.

"I didn't expect Mr. Marley to be fond of this type."

"Men always like those in their early twenties."

"As soon as Mr. Marley left last night, she quickly followed. It's too obvious."

"Look at her smug expression, she must have just gotten out of Mr. Marley's bed this morning."

"What's wrong? Jealous? Why don't you go then!"

Ignoring these criticisms, Layla had a lot of work to do.

In three days, she had to bring the project proposal and design drawings to Isabel, and time was running out.

Approaching her colleague with a friendly smile, she said, "Grace, is the initial draft of the project proposal done?"

"I've started, the rest is up to you." Grace replied impolitely and threw it in front of her.

"Wasn't this your responsibility?"

"Mine? Didn't Mr. Marley assign it to you? It's all on you now. You're amazing, even as just an assistant, you can single-handedly handle the entire project. I'm not capable of that."

"This project is huge, I can't do it alone." Layla replied, still smiling.

"You show off in front of Mr. Marley, and tell us it's not doable. It seems like we have to do everything, but you get the credit."

"It's the team's effort."

"It's your own project, so you handle it yourself." Grace opened a drawing program on her computer and disregarded her.

Layla had no choice but to approach another female designer, Julia. "Julia, about the task..."

"Can't you see I'm busy? No time." Julia impatiently interrupted, engrossed in her phone and not sparing her a glance. "Hey Grace, your dress yesterday was pretty, so send me the link."

"Yeah, but don't buy the same one as me, I don't like matching outfits."

"Got it. Unlike some foolish people who wear knockoffs and dare to show up at the Holland Group with them. It's hilarious."

"Maybe it's not a knockoff. She's not foolish, she intentionally wants to stand out."

"Without standing out, she won't catch Mr. Marley's attention."

"That's true."

"Layla, it's not that I don't want to help you, but Molly warned that anyone who assists you will be fired. I don't want to lose my job. Layla, you're still too young, you think by getting close to Mr. Marley, you can step on Molly."

"After all, Molly is your direct boss. Unless Mr. Marley fires her for you, your future still lies in her hands. Offending her won't lead to a good life for you." The colleague finished speaking and put on her headphones.

The others were all snickering, and Layla felt helpless.

But she wouldn't waste her time sighing; she would do what she could.

Back at her desk, Alice sent her a text message.

"Ask Mr. Marley for help."