Chapter 60

There was a deeper meaning behind these words.

Layla raised her gaze, "What do you mean?"

"Mr. Holland is engaged, don't you know? They say it's with Miss Eilish from the Eilish Group. Although it hasn't been officially announced yet, rumors like this usually have some basis. Most of the women around the president are after money, willing to be mistresses. But you're not that kind of person, so I'm saying it may not be a good thing." Alice spoke earnestly.

Engaged? At his age and status, having an engagement was nothing out of the ordinary.

Layla's mood only fluctuated momentarily, without any feeling of jealousy.

She hadn't developed feelings for Samuel yet, but if they continued to get entangled, who knows what might happen.

As a man already charismatic on his own, with a little effort, which woman could resist him?

"And... Mr. Holland is a dangerous man." Alice whispered in Layla's ear, her eyes filled with mystery and fear.

Her heart trembled.

"Don't you know? The Holland Group has had frequent changes in presidents these past few years. Samuel is the third one, and he happens to be the illegitimate child of our old president."

Layla's eyes widened in surprise. Illegitimate child...

No wonder he once mentioned the hardships he went through, not many people could endure them. How could a young master born with a silver spoon ever experience hardship?

The term "illegitimate child" itself contained many imaginable sufferings. His journey must have been filled with various difficulties and dangers, leading to his current indifferent personality.

There are rumors that the first heir of the Holland family was killed by Mr. Holland. And his brother, two years ago, made a major mistake that led to his resignation and almost imprisonment, which was also orchestrated by him. I'm not sure about the specifics, but think about it, the struggle within prominent families can be so brutal. Can a bastard child take over the Holland family without being ruthless? He's a good boss, but being his woman... that's dangerous."

A cold feeling crept up from the depths of Layla's heart.

She had known that Samuel was cunning, but she had no idea there was so much conflict behind him.

He and a simple girl like her were not from the same world.

She became even more determined to distance herself from him.

I wonder if it's for the best.

She was scared, and her stomach suddenly felt nauseous. Layla ran to the bathroom, but couldn't vomit anything.

That night, Samuel returned home with a faint smell of alcohol on his breath. Before getting out of the car, he glanced at his phone and saw an empty chat screen. The girl still hadn't accepted his friend request. Was she not planning to add him, or was she pretending not to see it? He would have to find out later.

On the third floor, Layla packed a few cheap work outfits into her backpack, pulled the drawstring, and slung it over her shoulders ready to leave.

"Miss Adkins, it would be better to wait for Sir to come back before you leave. If you go like this, it will be difficult for me to explain." Mr. Morris looked troubled.

"I am responsible for my own actions, regardless of what needs to be explained." Layla replied sternly.

"Are you able to handle it?" a displeased voice coldly interjected.

Layla hesitated for a moment as Samuel, with a dark expression, walked in with a menacing aura. Leaving while he was not at home, was she asking for trouble?

Layla was a little afraid of him, especially with his current grim expression.

"Mr. Holland, thank you for taking care of me these past few days. I won't bother you any longer." she politely said, quickening her pace.

She lowered her head and walked past him.

Suddenly, Samuel's hand, like that of a raptor, grabbed her wrist with a strong grip. "Come and go as you please, is this place just a hotel to you?"

Layla felt a chill down her spine.

"Mr. Morris, please leave." she implored him.

Mr. Morris, unable to do anything, closed the room door and left.

The room felt suffocating.

"Mr. Holland, it's inconvenient for me to continue living here given our relationship." Layla stated.

"As I've said, my attitude towards you won't change because of your position." Samuel's words were precise.

But while he might not change, Layla felt that she couldn't be as carefree as before. Alice's words also had a big impact on her. Men like him were better off avoided, and they should have never crossed paths to begin with. She had no intention of provoking him and even less desire to get involved with the Holland family behind him.

"It's the end of the work day now, and you're not my boss. I don't have to follow your orders. Please let go." Layla struggled to pull her wrist free, growing anxious.

She struggled fiercely, trying to break free. Why did she seem so desperate to get away from him? Samuel's expression grew even darker, to the point where it seemed water could drip from the raging storm brewing on it. He gritted his teeth, "You were the one who said you wanted to stay for a month. Now that you want to leave, do I have to agree?"

"I don't need it anymore. I've already applied for employee dorms with Mr. Marley, and I'll be able to move in soon."

For Samuel, mentioning Nathan at this critical moment was like adding fuel to the fire.

What? Did she just find out that he is the CEO and turned to Nathan for help again?

Perhaps he had coddled her too much, which allowed her to act so impulsively.

"Please let go, I must leave today."

"Well, let's see what you can do if I refuse."

"Let go..." Layla urgently pulled her wrist back and pushed him away.

The two of them stumbled and fell onto the sofa together.

Layla's head spun as her powerless body was trapped by his strong chest. She felt dizzy and unable to resist.

A domineering aura belonging to a man pressed down on her, covering Layla's lips. The strong scent of tobacco and alcohol robbed her of breath.

"Mmm... No..." Layla forcefully pushed against his chest, but couldn't budge him. Her feeble strength was almost negligible in front of him.

Samuel grabbed both of her hands, separated them, and pinned them against either side of her head, repeating almost trance-like, "I won't let you go..."

Since she scorned his tenderness, he didn't mind disciplining this woman, who didn't know her place, in the crudest of ways.

Kisses descended down her neck, with his palm tugging at her clothes.

"Samuel..." Layla cried out anxiously, tears streaming down her face, pleading, "Please don't..."

Tasting the saltiness of her tears, Samuel paused his actions and stared at her with heavy breathing.

Her tearful supplication reminded him of that night when she bit his shoulder and cried out in pain, stirring a tenderness he never knew he had.

He shouldn't touch her, but once he did, he became addicted and savored every bit of it. Yet, she was so delicate, unlike any other woman he had encountered, otherwise, he wouldn't have stopped.

Samuel stopped and released her wrist, breathing heavily and with a disheveled expression.

Layla continued to sob, her tear-stained face looking pitiful, her hair in disarray, and her neck covered in kissed marks.

Samuel felt some regret for losing control, but he didn't know how to comfort a woman, he lacked experience in this regard.

Suppressing the anger in his eyes, he spoke in a restrained voice, "I'll be away on a business trip for a week. Stay here for now, and we'll talk when I come back."

He walked to the door, casting a deep and warning gaze at her, "Don't even think about running away. Even if you escape to the ends of the earth, I'll still find a way to bring you back."

Dear readers, we wish to inform you that the latest installment of our cherished narrative will resume its regular schedule within a week. Your patience is immensely appreciated, and we are devoted to ensuring that the forthcoming