Chapter 69

"You..." Layla clenched her fists, thinking he had no right to confine her. But facing his overwhelming power, such words were meaningless. He was influential and wouldn't bother with morality or legality.

She'd endure, wait to escape this hellish place.

Visibly displeased, Layla sat across from him, grabbed a piece of toast, and started to nibble loudly and deliberately, to vent her frustration.

"As long as you behave, I might allow you to go to work for the first three months," Samuel stated, believing himself to be quite generous, but this only fueled Layla's anger.

She needed his permission to work? She was a free person. To go where she wished, to work when she chose.

"Imprisonment is a crime!"

Samuel let out a contemptuous snort.

"Listen up, Samuel," she snapped, her voice laced with determination. "These legs are mine; I go where I please. And the child? Mine too. If I decide I don't want to bring a child into this world, you can't force me."

With a clatter, Samuel set down his silverware.

Layla jumped, a piece of bread lodging in her throat as his dark gaze pinned her. Her face couldn't hide the fear.

"Watch your mouth before I change my mind. Otherwise, you're never setting foot outside this villa for as long as you live."

...

The silence in the car on the way to the office was suffocating.

Layla glowered out the window, while Samuel, with furrowed brows, poured over paperwork. Neither spoke a word, but the tension felt more dangerous than any argument.

Mr. Vandella unconsciously loosened his tie as his breathing became more labored, almost suffocating him.

Finally arriving at the office, he parked the car roadside. As Layla reached for the door handle, Samuel's voice stopped her.

"I'll give you a few days to cool off, but make no mistake, I've got that child. If you dare to do anything, you won't be walking out of that hospital alive."

Layla bolted from the car. In the elevator, tears threatened again - but what good would they do? They'd only prove her weakness.

She stared at the elevator ceiling, fighting back the tears with all her might.

No crying!

She held back her tears, but her throat felt increasingly raw.

"Layla, good thing you're back from leave. A female client specifically asked for you. I was just about to call you."

A female client? It wasn't Isabel coming to cause trouble, was it? Concerned, Layla quickened her pace to the meeting room and pushed the door open to find an elegant woman seated on the sofa.

Their eyes met, and a jolt ran through Layla, fragmented images flashing through her mind. An indescribable feeling surged within her.

Brenda's friendly smile froze, her heart suddenly in turmoil.

Had she seen this girl before? She bore a resemblance to her younger self. Could she be the daughter she abandoned all those years ago?

Impossible! Brenda immediately dismissed the ludicrous thought.

Her daughter should be with her father in City B, and with a gambler dad, how could she become a designer? Her daughter might well be working in a factory or restaurant at this very moment.

It was probably just her guilty conscience, seeing a girl of similar age and being too sensitive.

Life couldn't be that coincidental.

"May I ask who you are?" Layla asked, sweeping aside her confusion with a smile.

"I'm Nora Eilish's mother."

Layla's smile froze. Did she know about her and Samuel? Was this trouble?

Brenda continued with a courteous tone. "You see, I've been mostly idling at home, a bit bored really. I thought of starting a few small businesses to pass the time. My daughter Mina mentioned you yesterday, and I happened to be in the area today, so I thought I'd drop by and meet you."

Layla breathed a sigh of relief, grateful the visitor wasn't there to cause trouble for her...

But a cringe-worthy secret weighed on her, making it hard to keep her smile genuine.

She couldn't afford any more contact with anyone from the Eilish family.

"Miss Eilish, you flatter me. I'm just an assistant, not yet a designer. Plus, I've just taken over Miss Layla's project, so my schedule's pretty tight."

"That's too bad..." Brenda sounded disappointed but secretly she was relieved, "I hope maybe next time..."

"No need for a next time, let's talk about this time." Nathan strode in, all smiles.

"Mr. Marley."

"Nathan?" Brenda's face brightened with a warm smile, "You know, I hardly see you once a year. Even when I come to the firm, you're nowhere to be found."

"Auntie, don't say that. If you miss me, just give me a call, and I'd come running. "I always remember the wonderful meals you prepare."

"You always had a way with words," Brenda chuckled, shaking her head in affection, "Isabel can't stop talking about you."

"She isn't speaking ill of me, is she?"

"She wouldn't dare! She only sings your praises, hopelessly pining for you all day long."

Nathan gently placed his hands on Layla's shoulders, nudging her forward, "Proudly presenting my most promising protégé."

"I thought you didn't take apprentices?" Brenda was surprised. To be Nathan's apprentice was no small feat, especially for such a young lady.

"I don't take on apprentices without talent." Nathan clarified, "Layla is very gifted, so I've taken on the project you mentioned on her behalf."

"Mr. Marley-" Layla panicked, she didn't want to take on more work, "Miss Layla's project just got started..."

"I'll assign extra help to you. It's not a rush for Auntie Brenda, right?"

"It's not urgent, but I don't want Miss Adkins to overwork herself. I was just in the neighborhood and thought to check in, it doesn't have to be..."

"Then it's settled!" Nathan decisively ended the discussion, leaving Layla and Brenda unable to object without seeming suspicious.

"Well, we'll talk later," Brenda nodded, planning to tactfully decline later on.

"Let me walk you out."

"Auntie Brenda, you look even more stunning. Last time I thought you were thirty, today you look barely over twenty..."

"Nice try, but flattery will get you nowhere." Brenda responded half-heartedly, her mind elsewhere. She turned to sneak another peek at Layla, her profile bearing an uncanny resemblance to her younger self.

Don't overthink it, she told herself. The world was full of strangers with familiar faces...

The moment she had resolved to leave that hellhole years ago, her daughter had died to her.

She had no daughter!

Layla sighed.

Why did she feel this peculiar connection to Ms. Eilish?

The absurd thought had flickered through her mind upon their first meeting: Could she be her mother?

But she couldn't even recall what her mother looked like, and besides, Ms. Eilish was the distinguished Ms. Eilish. How could there be any connection?

She should be grateful that Ms. Eilish wasn't here to expose an affair.

Layla had broken into a cold sweat when the other party had revealed her identity.

Truths can't be hidden forever; she needed to cut ties with Samuel quickly. And as for the baby, as heartbreaking as it was, she couldn't let her child share in the shame of her situation.

Nathan returned after seeing the guests out. "Why did you turn down Ms. Eilish? The Eilish Group has a ton of real estate projects. If Ms. Eilish liked your design, it could have been a great opportunity for you. With your smarts, you must've thought of that."