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Chapter 263
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The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 264
The next morning, Layla stirred awake, groggy and disoriented. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a small figure sitting at her bedside and nearly jumped in surprise.“Who are you?”“I’m the doctor Levi brought in for you. Just call me Yuna,” Yuna replied, closing the patient chart in her hands. She crossed one leg over the other and said bluntly, “Miss Xander, your condition’s not great. If we go through with the surgery, there’s a very real chance you could die on the table. You’re aware of that, right?”Layla said nothing.In the sunlight, the girl across from her looked no older than twenty—nothing like the expert Levi had spoken so highly of. But she definitely had a presence.She was pretty, with delicate features—yet she had gone and shaved her head into a close buzz cut.“What?” Yuna caught the flicker of doubt in Layla’s eyes and seemed completely unfazed. She reached up and rubbed her prickly scalp. “Let me guess—someone like me doesn’t look like a doct
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 265
“Shane!” Chris’s expression hardened. “What kind of brother wishes for his own sister to die?”Shane scoffed. “Come on, Chris. Xena’s the only sister I recognize. Layla caused everything that’s happened to this family. And in the end, it’s Xena who’s stepping up to clean up the mess. Can’t you see who actually cares about this family?”There was a sharp disdain in his voice. “Don’t tell me you saw William’s little public confession and suddenly think Layla’s your golden ticket into the Lucas family?“You’re forgetting something. She cut ties with the Xander family a long time ago. Layla has nothing to do with us anymore. Even if she somehow manages to latch onto William, it won’t bring us any benefits.”“I’m not thinking that far ahead,” Chris snapped. “All I’m saying is, we should have a basic sense of decency. Wishing death on someone—no matter who they are—is just wrong.”“How is it wishing death?” Shane rolled his eyes. “I’m just stating facts. Isn’t she term
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 266
The moment Chris saw Lucien, he froze.Lucien was already past fifty, but he hardly looked it. His impeccably tailored British-style suit exuded quiet luxury—an unmistakable old-money elegance. His jet-black hair was neatly combed, not a strand out of place.The Lucases had a natural air of nobility. Just being around them made the Xander family feel like they were hosting royalty.“You must be Mr. Xander’s eldest son, Chris, correct?” Lucien said with a warm smile.Snapping out of his daze, Chris quickly stepped forward. “Yes, that’s me. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lucas.”“You’re handsome and well-mannered. Not bad at all,” Lucien said, giving Chris a friendly pat on the shoulder. “You’ve got the makings of someone who can stand on his own someday.”Chris scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. “You flatter me. Someone like you—that’s what I’d call truly accomplished.”Lucien let out a light laugh. “I’m getting old. The future belongs to your generation.”He g
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 267
Lucien sounded completely sincere. “If your family ever needs anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. Consider it the Lucas family making things right.”Hearing his offer, Mr. Xander couldn’t help but grow a little excited.A promise like that from Lucien could take the Xander family’s business to a whole new level.Lucien noticed the gleam of greed in Mr. Xander’s eyes and smiled inwardly.Families like this were always the easiest to manage. A little generosity was all it took to win them over and keep them useful.After a few more minutes of polite conversation, Lucien decided it was enough and excused himself with a gracious farewell.Chris walked him downstairs.The moment they were gone, Shane rushed to Mr. Xander’s bedside, almost giddy. “Dad! Mr. Lucas practically treats you like an older brother!“The Xander family is saved!”His excitement bubbled over. “What a turnaround! Layla thought she could bring us down, but look at this—now the Lucases owe us a massiv
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 268
“I tried to visit Layla at the hospital before, but I wasn’t allowed in. I honestly don’t understand why Mr. Lucas is keeping her from her family. We’re all very worried about her.“We haven’t been able to contact Layla at all. Mr. Lucas had her discharged and moved without notifying anyone. Now, we don’t even know where she is.“We didn’t want to take it this far, but we had no choice. We’re reporting this to the police in hopes they can help us confirm Layla’s safety.”In the video, Chris appeared calm and sincere as he answered questions from reporters. Beside him, Mrs. Xander wiped at her tears, looking every bit the image of a heartbroken, concerned mother.As soon as the video hit the internet, it sparked a wave of public discussion:“Yeah, the Xanders were awful before, but at least they’re trying to make amends now. Can’t they all just sit down and talk this out like family?” “Imagine someone taking your daughter without saying a word. I get why they’re upset.” “Anyo
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 269
“Lucien, you’re the eldest. You’ll take the lead on implementing the executive rotation plan within the company. Work with your two brothers on the details, then submit the final proposal to me.“Once the holiday is over, I’ll personally return to the office to oversee the rollout.”As Mr. Lucas Sr. gave out orders, Scarlett’s heart twisted with regret. She never should have let William go. Lucien nodded respectfully. “Of course, Dad. I’ll follow your lead.”His face remained calm, his eyes lowered just enough to hide the flicker of satisfaction beneath. The Xander family turned out to be more useful than expected. Sharp enough to catch on, and quick to act. This had worked out perfectly.*Meanwhile, William hadn’t even finished watching the video before handing the phone back to Levi.Levi, on the other hand, was clearly panicked. “The Xanders have gone to the police. The internet’s blowing up. Everyone’s saying you kidnapped someone’s daughter and you seriously ha
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 270
“Miss Xander, right now nothing matters more than your surgery. I’m sure that’s exactly what William would say, too,” Levi said gently, meeting her eyes.“Even if he were standing here right now, he wouldn’t want you getting involved in this.”Layla’s voice was already choked with emotion.“Mr. Lucas has done so much for me. And now he’s under all this public pressure because of me. If I don’t do something, I won’t be able to go into surgery with a clear conscience.“If I die on that operating table, the Xanders will use it as an excuse to stir up more trouble. They’ll say it was Mr. Lucas’s fault. They’ll say he killed me.“Dr. Young… if I die and this isn’t cleared up, I won’t be able to rest in peace.”Still holding out her hand, Layla pressed on, her tone stubborn but calm. “Please give me the phone.”Levi watched a single tear roll down her cheek, and it tugged at him hard.“Miss Xander,” he pleaded, “please listen to me. Let it go. Trust that William can handle this.”
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 271
“So... you knew William had taken Layla away this whole time?”“Yeah.”Sean leaned into the crook of Kiera’s neck, breathing in her scent like he was trying to fill some empty space inside himself.But no matter how tightly he held her, he couldn’t shake the image of William sliding a ring onto Layla’s finger.And then, as if on cue, Layla’s voice echoed in his mind—clear as day.“Sean Perry, I don’t love you anymore. I haven’t loved you in a long time!”A sudden surge of rage and jealousy crashed over him, swallowing him whole. How could she say that so easily? How could she just turn around and promise herself to someone else?He couldn’t accept it. And for a brief, terrifying moment, an awful thought crossed his mind. Maybe it would be better if she died in William’s hands. If he couldn’t have her, no one should.Kiera felt his arms tightening around her and let out a soft gasp. “Sean… you’re holding me too tight.”Snapped out of it, Sean quickly let go. “
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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
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 513
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
