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Chapter 296
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The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 297
“That wasn’t excessive,” William said calmly. “It was self-defense.”He walked up to Layla, giving her a subtle once-over. “You’re not ready yet?”“Mm-hmm.” Layla glanced toward the exhibition hall. “I was just thinking... what’s the least dramatic way to show up without scaring the hell out of everyone? I mean, this is kind of a resurrection.”Hearing her joke about it, William felt reassured. Clearly, his worry had been unnecessary. Layla wasn’t the type to lose her cool.“No matter what, I’m back now.”As she spoke, a brighter smile lit up Layla’s face—soft, radiant, touched with the quiet relief of someone who had made it through the fire.“I survived. I came back alive.”*Inside the exhibit hall, buzz about Begonia was building with each passing minute.“I heard she’s pretty young—and from North City, too. That’s why she picked here as the final stop. Word is, she’s thinking of staying.”“Seriously? I’ve never heard of anyone like that coming out of North City.”“Well,
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 298
As the calls of excitement echoed through the hall, the sharp click of camera shutters followed in rapid succession.A woman in a sleek, pale floral dress made her way through the crowd, escorted by security. The soft, fitted fabric highlighted her graceful figure as she ascended the spiral staircase at the center of the gallery.In that moment, every pair of eyes turned to her.Then she turned around.Light makeup framed her delicate features, and a faint smile played on her lips—stunning, radiant, unforgettable.A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.“Isn’t that Layla Xander?” “I thought she was dead!” “Am I dreaming? This isn’t a ghost, right?”Among them, Scarlett and her group looked absolutely stunned.Scarlett went pale. “What in the world… am I seeing a ghost?”Carly blinked, still staring. “There’s no such thing as ghosts… but maybe she just looks really, really similar?”“Nope.” Carter crossed his arms, brow raised. “Begonia is Layla. She never died.”A b
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 299
“Let’s give her some respect. It’s a big day for Layla’s return. No need to drag that cursed family into it.”Bit by bit, social media lit up with support for Layla.At the same time, the buzz was spreading outside the art museum too.“Begonia is Layla Xander!”“I just saw it trending. This is insane! Who would’ve guessed?”“If I’d known this was going down today, I would’ve done anything for a ticket. Front-row seat to the biggest plot twist of the year!”Hearing the chatter, Xena quickly grabbed someone’s arm. “Wait—what are you talking about?”“Begonia is Layla Xander,” the person began, but was interrupted by a quiet whisper from a friend. “That’s her sister—the one who once passed off Layla’s work as her own at an exhibit.”The person froze, eyes narrowing at Xena. “So you’re the thief?”“Disgusting.”Others chimed in with sneers and scoffs, spitting on the ground near her.Seeing the situation, Mrs. Xander quickly pulled Xena away, afraid that if they stayed any longer
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 300
Inside the gallery, Layla was completely surrounded by media. Reporters packed around her in layers, so tightly that she could barely be seen at the center of the crowd.The space buzzed with movement and chatter.Standing among the onlookers, Sean looked like the life had drained out of him. His eyes were locked in the direction of Layla, lost in a daze.“That’s really her, isn’t it?” Kiera turned to look at him—only to catch the storm of emotions churning in his eyes. It was a look she had never seen before.They had been married for over two years now, and Kiera had always known that a part of Sean still belonged to Layla.But she had assumed Layla was gone for good. Dead. No longer a threat to their marriage, just a ghost in his past.Now everything had changed.Layla was alive and even more stunning, more magnetic than she had been three years ago.A wave of dread surged through Kiera’s chest. Her stomach sank.Meanwhile, Sean didn’t even notice her unease. His mind was f
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 301
Halfway through his sentence, Carter watched William stride off without warning.“Uncle William! I’m trying to break this down for you. Why are you just walking away?”“Boring.”William tossed the word over his shoulder and didn’t look back.Carter sighed and shook his head, watching William disappear down the corridor. “Looks like things are about to shift again in the Lucas family.”*Later that night, video clips of Layla’s interview were still trending at the top of social media.“Life gave me a second chance, and I intend to make the most of it—spending my time and energy on what I truly love.“You have to remember where you came from to know where you’re going. I’m grateful for everything I’ve been through. It’s made my path forward that much clearer.”Carter sat at an outdoor cafe booth, watching the video for the third time.“Now that’s how you throw shade with style,” he said to himself, chuckling. “If I were a Xander, I’d be fuming right now. ‘Remember where you cam
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 302
Hearing that, Kiera quickly responded, “Yes, Dad. But we didn’t stay long. Sean even took me shopping afterward.”“So that means you two didn’t know Begonia is actually Layla Xander?”Mr. Jenkins got straight to the point, his eyes locking onto Sean. “You know she’s still alive, right?”Sean’s hand paused mid-motion. He knew exactly what Mr. Jenkins was implying, and there was no point in dodging it.“I know,” Sean said evenly, meeting Mr. Jenkins’s gaze. “She’s alive and I’m genuinely happy for her. But that’s it. I have no other feelings for her.”He turned to Kiera, gently taking her hand. “Kiera and I are married. She’s the only one in my heart. I would never betray her. You have my word.”His expression was steady, his eyes full of warmth as he looked at her. But all Kiera could think about was the way he had looked at Layla during the exhibition—that look had been full of love. Real love. The kind she had never seen directed at herself.Still, she forced a smile. “I believ
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 303
“You know how I felt today?” Sean’s voice was low but sharp. “Like a criminal. One after another, people lining up to interrogate me. Threatening me.“Do I have to carve out my heart and lay it on the table before anyone stops doubting me?”Kiera flinched at the bitterness in his tone. “I didn’t mean to… Sean, I just—”“Let me ask you one thing,” he cut in, eyes still on the road. “Am I married to you, or to your parents?”“To me, of course.”“Good.”Sean pulled the car to a stop and turned toward her. His face was partly shadowed, his expression unreadable.“As we already agreed, we’re not forcing anything with the baby. Your health—your peace of mind—that’s what matters most. Don’t stress yourself out. When the time is right, we’ll have a child of our own.”“But…”Seeing the firm, unyielding look in Sean’s eyes, Kiera bit her lip. In the end, she said nothing more.*Later that night, Chris had just bailed Shane out of the police station, and the whole ride back, Shane wou
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 304
The photography exhibition had wrapped up successfully, but the buzz around Layla still hadn’t died down.Prominent photography bloggers compiled detailed threads of Begonia’s past work—awards, gallery appearances, even her celebrity shoots. Every post praised her eye, her talent, her unmistakable presence behind the camera.Three years ago, she was on the brink of death. Now, she had returned, radiant and confident, thriving in the career she loved. Anyone watching had to admit: she was a force.But to the Lucases, it was nothing more than a calculated show.“What’s all the fuss about? She’s just a damn photographer,” Mr. Lucas Sr. snapped. He had come across the news first thing that morning and, in a fit of irritation, tossed his iPad onto the table.Around the breakfast table, the rest of the family kept their heads down, quietly chewing their food, pretending they hadn’t heard him.“Where’s William?” he barked suddenly, turning to Scarlett. “Don’t tell me he ran off to see h
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The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 520
“The first time I watched the promotional video, I was blown away by the scenery. The second time, I realized there was a deeper meaning. Layla Xander filmed those children who had been left behind, showing their everyday lives. She clearly wanted to draw attention to their reality!” “I grew up as a left-behind kid myself. I know exactly how hard it is. Thank you, Miss Xander, for letting people see them! From now on, if anyone dares to bash her, I'll be the first to stand up and fight back!” “If it weren't for how beautifully she shot the promotional video, YT Corporation would never have noticed the town or the children. Layla truly did something incredible.” “Beauty, kindness, and talent—Layla Xander is the full package!” At the top of the trending page, an account called “LittleDianaHere” (who claimed to be a local) shared another piece of information:“Miss Xander is personally sponsoring every child who appeared in the promotional video, covering their education all
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 519
“Mr. Zion, Mr. Lucien is getting impatient...” the secretary reminded him quietly.Zion snapped back to attention, scowling. “Fine. Let’s go.”When they arrived outside the CEO’s office, Zion knocked lightly on the door. A sharp, furious voice came from inside.“Get in here!”Zion hurriedly pushed the door open. “Lucien, what happened? Who got you so worked up?”“You mean you still don't know?”Lucien’s temper flared even hotter. He slammed his palm against the desk several times, making the whole table shake.“I told you to get in touch with Xavier Taylor. Did you handle it?”Zion panicked. “I... I'm still working on it. His side keeps giving excuses, saying he's too busy lately. I didn’t want to bother him...”“Busy?”Lucien waved him closer with an icy smile. “Come here. Take a good look at what he’s so busy with.”Zion did as he was told and stepped closer.The next second, Lucien grabbed him by the back of the neck and forced him to bend over, his hands instinctively b
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 518
“I’m talking to you about something serious, and you’re still glued to your phone?” Zion’s voice was full of irritation.Only then did Carly finally put her phone away, looking at him with a hint of impatience.“You've repeated yourself three times already. I’m not stupid.”“I just don’t want you brushing it off,” Zion said, frowning. He then narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the pocket where Carly had stashed her phone. “Don't tell me you're still thinking about Layla Xander’s studio.” Carly's heart sank. “How did you know?” “Your mom told me.” Zion stepped closer, his expression serious. “Look, Carly, I'm willing to chalk up what you did before to immaturity. But if you even think about pulling something like that again—” “You’re spying on me?” Carly’s face turned cold. “I’m an adult. Can’t I even have a little privacy?” “You’re our daughter. As your parents, we have every right to know what you’re up to! It's a good thing you realized you were heading down
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 517
Everyone was both shocked and thrilled. They kept asking Layla over and over, needing to be sure it was really true.“Wow! Things are finally turning around! Who cares about those commercial gigs? A commission from a legendary artist is the real prize!”“Who would’ve thought? Just last month, we didn’t have a single job, and now we’ve been personally invited by Mr. Zeppelin Mason. Not even in our wildest dreams!”“It’s all thanks to Layla’s connections! Back when we first opened, so many big names showed up to support her. How did we not think to reach out to them last month?”The chatter kept going until Layla cleared her throat and spoke up firmly.“We didn’t get here because of connections. We got here through hard work. Step by step. There were no shortcuts. Every opportunity we have now, we earned.”She paused, her voice steady. “And for every project going forward, I want us to put in the same heart and effort we did with the small-town promotional video. Let’s aim to deliv
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 516
Thanks to the rising popularity of the small-town promotional video, the studio had been flooded with appointment requests over the past week. Although they still had not secured any major commercial contracts yet, the overall atmosphere in the studio had lifted significantly. Some team members even started dreaming big, vowing to create the best city promotional videos in the world and put every hidden gem on the global map.However, shooting city promotional videos meant a lot of traveling and a lot more manpower. After the previous wave of departures, the studio was seriously understaffed, and the HR department had to scramble to start emergency hiring.Seeing the studio slowly getting back on its feet, Layla found herself busier than ever, to the point where she wished she could clone herself just to keep up.In the middle of the chaos, she received a phone call.“Layla, have you had time to think about the offer I mentioned last time?” The voice on the other end wa
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 515
Before long, Mrs. Jenkins reached Kiera's side. Only then did she notice Layla standing at the end of the hall. Her expression immediately darkened.“What are you two doing here?” she demanded.“Nothing,” Kiera said quickly, grabbing her mother’s arm. “We just ran into each other and chatted for a bit.”“What could you possibly have to talk about?” Mrs. Jenkins shot Layla a look of pure disdain, but her warning was directed sharply at Kiera. “You stay away from her. That woman is nothing but shameless—”“Mom!” Kiera cut her off in a panic, rushing to say goodbye to Layla. “Miss Xander, sorry to bother you. We'll be going now.”Before Layla could even respond, Kiera tugged her mother away.As she watched the mother and daughter disappear down the hallway, Layla couldn't help but feel puzzled. “What was going on with Kiera?” Layla wondered.Outside the private dining room, Mrs. Jenkins yanked her hand free and turned on Kiera, her face thunderous.“Why didn’t you let
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
