Chapter 12 Layla Has Changed.
Logan’s expression darkened. Layla could feel his body stiffen as she edged her way inside.
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When she saw a candlelit dinner set up in the dimly lit living room, her expression changed. She then realized it was all Keena had planned. Layla finally understood why Keena had insisted her grandson drive her home after they left the mall. This had been Keena’s intention all along.
“Layla, you’ve really outdone yourself this time.
“It wasn’t me.” She tried to explain, but Logan threw what he was holding to the ground and stormed out of the house without looking back.
Then, he noticed the chauffeur had already left.
Layla understood Keena’s intent. She knew Keena would persist unless she and Logan spent the night together.
“Don’t get worked up,” Layla said. “You’ll sleep in the living room, and I’ll take the bedroom.”
He glared at her. “Don’t try anything funny,” he said before heading into the house.
Seeing the disdain in his eyes, she smiled bitterly. She thought to herself, This is what you get for liking him. No matter how much you used to like him, you’re nothing but a schemer in his eyes. She didn’t realize just how low he thought of her.
Layla approached the dinner table and looked at the food. Despite Logan’s apparent lack of appetite, she was exhausted from a day of shopping with Keena. So, she asked, “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’m not hungry.” He sat on the couch and read the newspaper,
She had only asked out of courtesy and then began eating.
When he saw that she was ignoring him and had started eating, he glanced up. He couldn’t help but feel that something about her was different, though he couldn’t figure out what it was,
She noticed he was looking at her and asked, “Do you want some?
“No
Then, why are you staring at me?”
He said nothing and averted his gaze. He wondered, Yep. She’s even more annoying now.
Layla glanced at her phone to check the time. She had plans to meet Zane, but with everything that had happened with Keena, she couldn’t make it
Layla hoped Logan would leave soon so she could explain everything to Zane. Besides, she also had other things she needed to discuss with him, such as Kaleb and that piece of land.
Just then, Logan’s phone rang. She briefly glimpsed the caller ID and saw it was Harper.
“Hello?” His tone softened considerably.
Layla held her breath and listened closely
“Mr. Robinson, I think I need to go to the hospital
“The hospital? Is your ankle getting worse!”
“Yeal.. it’s starting to ache. Harper’s voice was gentle.
Logan caught Layla’s gaze as she glanced his way. He took a deep breath and said, “I’m on my way. After ending the call, Layla swiftly feigned interest in her meal. “I have to go, he said.
“Is that Harper?” she asked.
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Chapter 12 Layla Has Changed
“Yes, her ankle is injured. I’m taking her to the hospital”
Layla nodded. “Of course, you should go.
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Logan frowned at her response. He pondered whether Layla was relinquishing an opportunity to spend time alone. He knew she would typically throw a fit if she knew he was seeing Harper
“Aren’t you going to take Harper to the hospital? Why are you still here?” She was impatient for his departure. Plus, she feared that Zane might have gone to bed and was uncertain what Keena might have in store for her tomorrow.
“Enjoy your meal,” he said. He observed the nearly empty table and his frustration mounting. She goes through all this trouble to keep me at home, and her attention is solely on her meal.
Upon seeing the dejected Logan leaving. Layla immediately pulled out her phone and dialed Zane’s number. “Hey! I got held up today, but I’m on my way now.”
“No problem,” he replied.
“See you soon,” she said.
At Arthur Corporation, Zane ended the call while gazing out the office’s floor–to–ceiling window.
Fedrick rolled over on the couch and woke up groggily. “Where’s Layla? It’s pretty late, and she’s still not here?”
“She got held up, Zane explained.
“All day?” Fedrick stretched and then, with a sudden realization, asked, “Wait, have you been standing here all day waiting for her!”
From his vantage point, Zane had a clear view of the company entrance, and he smiled faintly.
Fedrick took a sharp breath. “Man, I’ve seen it all today. Are you tired of playing the tough guy? And now you’re aiming to be a romantic hero?”
Zane replied, “It’s not impossible.”
Fedrick had never seen this look on Zane’s face before. He had always thought love at first sight was a myth, but now it seemed to be happening to his close friend.
At that moment, Layla arrived at the entrance of Arthur Corporation. The security guard glanced at her and confirmed her identity. “Are you Miss Kennedy?”
“Yes” She nodded.
“Please come this way.” The guard offered to carry her bag and escorted her to the elevator.
As Layla looked around, she expected the building to be empty, but it was still brightly lit. She thought to herself, Wow, Mr. Arthur sure has money to burn.
In the CEO’s office, Fedrick gazed at the brightly lit building and exclaimed, “Do you have any idea how much it costs to keep the lights on for your sake? You’re such a beast…
“Beast? Layla entered the room and looked puzzled
“I meant that I had a dream about a beast standing next to me all day,” he quickly said.
She looked even more confused.
Zane asked calmly, “Aren’t you here to see me?”
11 wanted to know if Kaleb purchased that piece of land for you.”
He sat in the chair and asked, “What makes you think that?”
Layla collected her thoughts, Kalels, a mid–sized entrepreneur, had the means to raise a few billion, but risking his entire 2/4
Chapter 12 Layla Has Changed
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fortune on polluted land was a career–ending move. The only reason she could think of for Kaleb to take such a risk was that Zane wanted the land.
“The polluted land requires a massive cleanup for commercial use, which would cost a fortune. I figured you wanted it as an additional way to launder money and to facilitate moving your offshore assets,” she explained.
“But that land is in your hands. This was the aspect Zane found perplexing. Investing a few billion in the land was logical. but losing a hundred billion was a completely different matter.
To be honest, the Kennedy Group isn’t what it used to be when my father was in charge. Now, it’s just an empty shell, and I need funds to keep things running. That’s why I need that piece of land. Layla stated earnestly,
There was some truth in her words. Her company had indeed fallen from its former glory, which clarified Logan’s growing detachment from her in her previous life. To him, their marriage was all about mutual benefits. Once she lost her value, she meant nothing to him. In her previous life, her family went bankrupt, and he discarded her like trash.
“Are you planning to take over the company? Don’t be ridiculous.”
Before Fedrick could finish, Zane silenced him with a look
Fedrick quickly changed his approach and said, “Miss Kennedy, it’s not that I doubt you, but your background isn’t in finance. and you’ve never managed a company before. Even if your company is just an empty shell, it’s still a massive operation. Convincing the board elders won’t be easy for you.”
“I know that,” Layla replied.
“Then, why-
Zane shot Fedrick another warning look, and Fedrick reluctantly continued, “It seems impractical for you to run the
company.
“My grandpa lef this company to me, and I’m obligated to safeguard it. I might not have formal training, but I have my
ways.
“What do you mean?” he asked skeptically.
“I can always enroll in the university, right?” she said confidently.
“Enroll in the university? He found her reasoning perplexing.
“I see no reason why I wouldn’t be able to pass the entrance exam at the university that Logan has invested in.”
“Are you sure about that?
“I am,” Layla said casually, though she knew it wouldn’t be easy,
The university was an elite international institution filled with financial prodigies, and getting accepted was no easy feat. Over the years, only one student, Harper, from a humble background, had been admitted due to her outstanding scores and Logan’s recommendation. However, Layla didn’t have a background in finance, so it was hard for her to get admitted.
Fedrick couldn’t resist asking, “Are you planning to use some backdoor to gain admission?”
“Even if I could, it’s not a sustainable solution.
Layla wasn’t that naive. Her confidence stemmed from her previous life when she wanted to impress Logan by learning finance. She had even sought advice from many industry experts to bolster her knowledge in the field.
Eventually, her financial expertise and practical know–how reached an impressive level. Regrettably, she never had the opportunity to showcase her abilities to Logan due to her family’s turmoil.
Trust me, I know what I’m doing,” she said. “Aside from asking about Kaleb, I came here for that polluted land. If Mr. Thomson is interested, I’d like to collaborate with you on my first project”
Fedrick’s urgent headshake pleaded with Zane and silently cautioned against proceeding Internally, Fedrick warned against repeating past costly mistakes and emphasized the disastrous outcome of a previous lesson.
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Zane smiled as he disregarded Fedrick’s frantic warnings. “If you’re interested, Miss Kennedy, I’d be happy to work with you.”
Thank you. I’ll be off now.” Layla smiled at him.
Fedrick seethed with anger after her departure. “You agreed again! Have you lost sight of whose funds you’re dispensing in Hastin? You’re flinging it about carelessly!”
“Do you know why I agreed?” Zane asked calmly.
“Why?”
“Because she earned her master’s degree at seventeen,” Zane replied.
