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Chapter 154
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The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 155
After saying that, Layla pulled out her phone and snapped several pictures of the snowball from different angles. “The more I look at it, the more it really does look like a rabbit.” She picked her favorite shot and uploaded it to social media with a simple caption: “A precious gift, fleeting but unforgettable.” It had been a long time since she last logged into her social accounts. She didn’t know why, but tonight, she felt a strong urge to capture the moment. After posting, she looked up at William and smiled warmly. “Thank you, Mr. Lucas.” A strange ripple passed through William’s chest. He quickly looked away, a little uneasy. “Let’s get you back inside.” *While Layla was enjoying the quiet beauty of the night, chaos had erupted in the Xander estate. From the moment Xena stepped through the door, she hadn’t stopped crying. Meanwhile, Chris had already filled their father in on everything he had learned. After hearing the full story, Mr. Xander slammed his
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 156
Chris stepped forward, placing both hands on Xena’s shoulders, his tone serious. “I’ve already told you the best way out of this.“After everything that happened tonight, there’s no way Sean will see you again.“And I also heard that Mr. Perry Sr. was furious. He’s sending Sean to the old manor tonight. He won’t even be allowed back home for Thanksgiving.“You’re smart. Don’t you see what that means?” Chris let out a sigh. “If I had to guess, Sean’s company will be handed over to Felix.” Xena froze. “But… that company is Sean’s blood, sweat, and tears…” “So what? His last name is Perry. Even if he built it from the ground up, to outsiders, it still belongs to the Perry family. Mr. Perry Sr. has every right to take control.“By the time Sean returns, the Perry family will already have moved on without him.” Chris patted her shoulder. “Think about it. After the mess you made tonight, do you really think Sean will ever forgive you?” Without waiting for a reply, he wa
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 157
There was a sliver of hope—but not much. William’s mood didn’t improve. If anything, he felt even more frustrated, and the tension around him was impossible to ignore. Carter sensed it right away. Without wasting another second, he shot to his feet. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll get going. Uncle William, take good care of Sis.” With that, he bolted out the door like he was running for his life. As the sound of the door clicking shut echoed through the room, Layla finally spoke up. “Mr. Lucas, if you were going to give such an expensive gift, you should have told me first. I—” “I never planned on making you cover half the cost.” William cut her off effortlessly, his tone calm and indifferent. “You have to use bait if you want to catch a big fish.” Layla paused, then quickly caught on. “You’re trying to force Xena to turn to her backers for help again?” “Mm.” William lowered his gaze slightly, a hint of cold amusement flickering in his eyes. “Stay out of th
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 158
“I didn’t go see her.” Scarlett lowered her head, bracing herself for the storm she knew was coming. “I just… I feel bad for her. The Xander family doesn’t even treat her like one of their own. If she goes back, she’s as good as dead…” Her voice grew quieter. “Last time they took her away, they nearly killed her. I had a part in that, so I… I just felt responsible.” “Are you getting soft?” Mr. Lucas Sr.’s voice cut through the room like a blade. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, making Scarlett jump. “Oh, come on!” She clutched her chest, exasperated. “Can’t we just talk like normal people? Do you have to scare me half to death?” “If I don’t make myself clear, you’ll think I’m joking.” His glare darkened. “You pity Layla—what about William? Are you really going to stand by and let him waste his time on a dying woman?” The frustration in his voice grew. “Your so-called kindness is going to destroy him.”“You’re being too dramatic,” S
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 159
“No, you—” “Go back and tell Dad I haven’t changed my mind. If he wants to take away my position, he can have it. But he needs to stay out of my business.” “You—” Scarlett panicked as William turned away. Her frustration boiled over, and she snapped, “It’s just a woman! How can she possibly compare to your position as head of the Lucas family?“William, you’ve lost your mind! You’re throwing away your future for Layla! Do you have any idea how much your father and I have sacrificed to get you here? Is this how you repay us?” William’s gaze turned icy. His patience had clearly run thin. “Don’t use your standards to judge my choices.” His voice was calm but firm. “Since you’re here, I might as well tell you—I won’t be coming home for Thanksgiving. You and Dad can enjoy your perfect family gathering without me.” Scarlett froze. She watched in disbelief as William walked away, only snapping back to her senses when he was almost out of sight. “You’re not even com
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 160
“Layla, can’t you do this one last favor for the family?” Hearing Mr. Xander’s voice, Layla gestured for Mike to step aside. She then lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes head-on. “If I remember correctly, you said I had nothing to do with the Xander family anymore.” Mr. Xander faltered. “I… I did say that. But blood ties aren’t something you can just sever with a few angry words.” “Well, in my world, they’ve been severed.” Layla didn’t even bother asking what he wanted. The whole thing was laughable. “Coming to beg a woman in a wheelchair for help? You people really have no shame.” “Miss Xander has made herself very clear,” William said coldly. “Step aside.” “Mr. Lucas, you’ve been meddling in our family affairs for long enough. Out of respect for the Lucas family, I’ve tolerated it, but don’t forget—I’m still your elder.” “You don’t get to pull rank on me.” William’s patience had run out. He shot Mike a look, and Mike immediately stepped forward, grabbing Mr.
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 161
Clicking heels echoed through the office building as Xena walked confidently toward the floor where Sean’s company was located. Now that Felix was in charge, the office had naturally fallen into his hands as well. The secretary led Xena to the office door and knocked. Once she received permission to enter, she stepped aside, allowing Xena to go in alone. As the door shut behind her, Xena looked toward Felix, who was lounging on the sofa. She hesitated for a moment before cautiously greeting him. “Felix…” To her surprise, he greeted her with warm enthusiasm, flashing a wide, almost dazzling smile. “Come on in, Xena! Have a seat!” Something about his attitude felt off, but she didn’t question it. Instead, she obediently sat down on the opposite couch. Felix handed her a cup of coffee. “Here, have some. We can talk after you’ve had a sip.” Xena accepted the cup but couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling creeping up her spine. Felix’s smile felt off. Almost calcula
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 162
As soon as Xena got into the car, Chris asked, “How did it go?” She shook her head. “Chris, I don’t want to see Felix again. I’ll wait for Sean to return from the old manor, and then I’ll ask him for help.” Chris frowned. “Why? You and Sean are impossible now. He—” “Chris, just drop it.” Xena buckled her seatbelt firmly. “I’m not going to Felix again. If the Perry family comes after us for the debt, I’ll take full responsibility.” Seeing how stubborn she was, Chris hesitated, then let out a silent sigh. His sister had always been spoiled. She acted recklessly, never thinking ahead. Maybe this time, after learning her lesson, she would finally grow up. After all, the Xander family couldn’t keep cleaning up her mess forever. With that thought, Chris shifted his gaze back to the road. “Forget it. I’ll take you home first.” *The moment William and Layla stepped into Luxe Villa, a rich scent of roses filled the air. Layla glanced up—the entire living room
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The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 514
During the celebration dinner, Layla received a call from Jenny.Since it was too noisy inside, Layla grabbed her phone and stepped out into the hallway, finding a quieter corner before answering. “Miss Jasper.”“Did you forget you even have a mentor?” Jenny half-scolded. “Something this big happens, and you didn’t even think to tell me? I had to find out online!“If I don't mean anything to you anymore, then stop thinking of me as your mentor,” she huffed.“Don’t say that,” Layla said quickly, her voice warm and coaxing. “I just didn’t want you to worry. And honestly, it’s a complicated situation. I didn’t want you getting dragged into it.“Besides, it’s not that serious. I’ve been handling it fine. If I ever hit a wall, you’d be the first person I’d call.“You’re not just my mentor. You’re my safety net. You’re my strength.”“Alright, enough,” Jenny said, laughing despite herself. “That silver tongue of yours—how am I supposed to stay mad at you?”She had stormed into the con
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Fabian muttered under his breath, “Weren't you crushing on Mr. Lucas before?”“Nope! I’m all about Miss Xander now!” Diana declared, purposely raising her voice so Layla could hear her loud and clear. “Smart, capable women are the real deal! Who wouldn’t be smitten?”Layla chuckled. “I’ll gladly accept your admiration.”“Aaah! She accepted it! Did you hear that? I knew it! Women really are the best!” Diana squealed in excitement, practically bouncing in place. Fabian could only shake his head and gently push her away, then hurried to wrap up the call with Layla.*As the promotional video’s popularity exploded, the calls started pouring in that very afternoon.Most of them came from the mentors, artists, and family friends that Jenny had once introduced to her. They had only just found out about the troubles Layla’s studio had been facing, after seeing the video hit the trending charts.Normally, those artists lived in their own world, blissfully detached from outside news.
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 512
Scarlett was curled up on the sofa, scrolling through her phone. She had just finished watching the entire promotional video when she muttered, “Looks like a great place to walk around.”“Not bad,” William replied without even looking up.Scarlett shot him a look and said, a little sharply, “Your dad ended up in the hospital because you ran off with Layla to the south.“I’m not saying you can’t go travel and clear your head, but you can’t be following a woman around like that. It doesn't sound good if people start talking, you know?”William furrowed his brows and was about to respond when Scarlett added, “How about this? Next time you want to follow her somewhere, bring me along. If people see a mother and son traveling together, it’ll look a whole lot better than making it seem like you're chasing after her.”Feeling quite pleased with her own cleverness, Scarlett nodded in satisfaction. “I usually only travel abroad, but clearly, there are plenty of beautiful places right here
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 511
“Who exactly was hiding something?” Kiera only muttered the words in her heart. On the surface, she kept her tone casual and said, “I was watching a promotional video Miss Xander produced. I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea if you saw it.“If you don’t believe me, take a look for yourself.”As she spoke, Kiera handed her phone to Sean, her expression calm and composed.Sean frowned slightly. “Layla Xander? Isn’t her studio the one Mr. Lucas Sr. basically shut down?”“You seem pretty up to date on her situation,” Kiera said with a half-smile. “Here I thought you didn’t know anything.”“I just... heard about it. Everyone in the circle has,” Sean said, clearly uncomfortable, avoiding her gaze. “She crossed the Lucas family. Of course she was going to end up like this. When she first came back, everyone was talking about her, but in the end, all it took was one word from Mr. Lucas Sr. and her studio couldn’t land a single project.”“Is that so?” Kiera tightened her grip on
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 510
Kiera had always played the part of the gentle, obedient wife.But right now, the cold sarcasm in her eyes made Sean feel like he was looking at a stranger.Sean sobered up a little in an instant. “What the hell are you talking about?” he snapped. “All I did was ask you to play the harp. Do you really have to twist it into something so ugly?”He huffed and continued, “Mr. Zimmer has sent us quite a few projects over the years. I know he’s into classical music, so I thought bringing you tonight might give you two something to talk about.“How was I supposed to know that asking you to play one song would feel like pulling teeth? You refused to drink, which was fine, but then you just sat there with that sour face. Who would even dare start a conversation with you like that? Anyone watching would have thought I treat you like garbage at home.”Grumbling, Sean let go of her arm and leaned back against the car door, putting distance between them.To his surprise, Kiera didn’t move clo
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 509
“I’ve heard Mrs. Perry plays the harp,” someone across the round table suddenly said. It was Mr. Zimmer, one of the business partners. “There happens to be one here tonight. Mrs. Perry, would you mind playing a piece for us?”“This…” Kiera hesitated, but before she could reply, Sean jumped in with a smile, “Of course not. My wife plays beautifully. Tonight’s the perfect chance for everyone to enjoy it.”Hearing that, Kiera’s heart sank.It was rare for Sean to ask her to attend a business dinner. In all their time married, this was the first time he had willingly brought her into one of his work events.If she didn’t already know better, she might have been flattered, maybe even excited to join him.But she knew too much. She could see right through him. When something felt this out of the ordinary, there was always a hidden reason. Still, she smiled and nodded. “Sure, I’d be happy to.”A few minutes later, the restaurant staff wheeled in a harp and set it up in the private di
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 508
From the moment Mr. Xander stepped through the door, his face was clouded with anger. He didn’t even bother putting on a friendly face for Felix like he normally would.It wasn’t until Felix left after dinner that Xena finally approached her father. “Dad, did you go see my sister today?”“She’s no sister of yours! There’s no place in this family for someone as heartless as her!”Furious, Mr. Xander slammed his hand against the table, the loud thud making Xena flinch.Mrs. Xander rushed over to shield her daughter. “Easy, don’t scare her. She’s pregnant, remember?”“I’m fine, Mom.” Xena lowered her gaze, looking guilty. “Dad only lost his temper because of me. Maybe we should just drop it. I’ll talk to Felix myself. I’ll keep the baby, and we’ll figure the rest out later.”“What are you saying? You can’t have that baby now!”Mrs. Xander immediately objected. “Even if you two get married afterward, people will still talk! If the baby comes before the wedding, everyone will trea
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 507
“If you don’t like it here,” William said coolly, “the elevator’s just to the right.”Scarlett was fuming. Just a few words in and she was already being shown the door? Was she not even allowed to speak?And she hadn’t even said anything bad about Layla. She was just feeling protective of her precious son. Was that so wrong?For the rest of the time, Scarlett sat stiffly on the couch, clutching her glass of water and sipping from it every now and then. William sat across from her on another sofa, silently scrolling through his phone.Neither of them spoke. The only sound in the apartment came from the kitchen, where the soft clatter of cooking echoed faintly.Soon, the scent of food filled the air.Scarlett couldn’t help glancing toward the kitchen. Through the frosted glass, she could only make out the blur of Layla’s figure. Doubts crept into her mind. “Could Layla’s cooking actually be edible?” she wondered.After all, she was still a woman who had grown up with a silver sp
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 506
Layla braced herself as she welcomed William and Scarlett into her apartment. After a quick round of small talk, she headed into the kitchen with the groceries.She had just started unpacking when she heard William call from behind, “Need a hand with anything?”“No, I—”She was about to turn him down, but then thought of Mr. Xander and hesitated. Instead, she handed him a bag of snap peas. “Help me trim these.”“Sure.”William stepped up beside her without hesitation. As he got to work, she lowered her voice. “How’s Grandpa Perry doing?”“He’s fine,” William replied, eyeing her curiously. “Why are you suddenly asking about him?”“Gerald Xander came to see me today. He wants to meet with Grandpa Perry.”Layla said her father’s name without a trace of emotion, as if she were talking about a stranger.William glanced over at her. “Did he give you any trouble?”“Not really. He can barely walk straight, can’t argue, and definitely can’t catch up to me. What else is he going to do
