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Chapter 414
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The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 415
Lately, Carter had made a habit of secretly snapping photos of William’s daily life and sending them to Layla.Even though Layla’s replies were always short and half-hearted, Carter didn’t mind one bit. In fact, he was starting to understand why paparazzi loved their jobs. There was just something about sneaking around snapping secret photos that felt dangerously exciting.“Why are you so invested in getting Layla and Uncle William together anyway?” Carly asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.Carter blinked, then answered without hesitation. “Isn’t it obvious? I just think they’re a perfect match.”Carly frowned, her gaze drifting toward William’s room, her expression complicated. “Shouldn’t Gwen be the better match? In terms of family background, education, she and Uncle William are on the same level.“She can offer him way more than Layla ever could.“Layla doesn’t even come close to Gwen. Her own family didn’t even want her. She—”“She’s the one who walked away from them
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 416
Not long after Gwen left the Lucas estate, Carter strolled right into William’s room.“Uncle William, what were you two talking about just now? Why did Gwen leave after barely twenty minutes?” Carter asked curiously.“Nothing at all,” William replied.Then, as if casually, he glanced over at Carter. “Did you send those photos to Layla?”Carter froze for half a second before immediately playing dumb. “Uh... what photos? What are you talking about?”William didn’t answer. He just looked at Carter, calm and steady, like he could see right through every bit of his terrible acting.Carter lasted all of three seconds before raising both hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, I admit it! I snuck some pictures. If you’re mad, go ahead — yell at me, ground me, take my phone.”“Let me see them.”“Huh?”When William extended his hand, Carter finally realized he wasn’t joking and reluctantly handed over his phone. “I sent them to her already but she didn’t reply.“That’s pretty normal for her.
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 417
“You’re already discouraged and the show hasn’t even aired yet? That’s so not like you.” As Layla spoke, something else occurred to her. “By the way, why didn’t you and the Best Actor shoot your promo photos together?”Carter’s expression darkened immediately at the mention of it. “He wanted to hire Eason Lopez.”Just saying the name had Carter grumbling under his breath. “His whole pitch was that this drama’s supposed to be a huge hit, so of course the promo photos had to be done by some big-shot photographer to set the tone right from the start.“Everyone knows I don’t get along with Eason, so of course I didn’t agree. After a few rounds of meetings, the producers finally compromised and let us shoot separately.”Layla nodded thoughtfully. “I see.”Carter frowned. “Sis, how are you not mad about this at all? They were basically looking down on your studio.”“Everyone has their own choices,” Layla replied calmly. “Maybe he just thinks Eason’s style suits him better.”She smil
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 418
Outside the studio, Carter climbed into the passenger seat of Layla’s car, only to realize there was already someone sitting in the back.He turned and immediately groaned. “Sis, why’d you bring her along?”Carly, sitting comfortably in the backseat, rolled her eyes at him. Without saying a word, she popped in her wireless earbuds and crossed her arms. She leaned back and promptly closed her eyes to nap.Seeing that only made Carter even more annoyed. “Hey, I’m still technically your older cousin, you know. Ever heard of basic manners?”“She’s been working all day. Let her rest for a bit,” Layla said casually as she started the car. “Besides, she’s coming with me to check out the photo display at the gala tonight. It’ll be a good learning experience for her.”Carter stared at the two of them, back and forth, looking deeply troubled. “Wait... you guys aren’t seriously planning to show up to the gala dressed like this, are you?”Layla didn’t answer. She just smiled faintly.Carter
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 419
For a brief moment, the air grew awkward and tense. No one at the scene had expected Layla to be this blunt.Carter, on the other hand, was absolutely loving it. “That’s how you shut down fake people,” he silently remarked. No way was he letting that little fake angel act of Xena’s get any screen time tonight.Layla couldn’t be bothered to waste another word on the Xander family. She turned back to Mrs. Jackson and asked calmly, “Would it be alright if I took another look at the photos?”Snapping out of her daze, Mrs. Jackson nodded quickly. “Of course! I’ll have someone take you over right now.”Layla gave a polite nod. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”As Layla and her group walked away, Mr. Xander fumed behind them.“Look at her attitude,” he muttered bitterly. “Are we really supposed to keep lowering ourselves just to talk to her?”“Dad, maybe she’s just in a bad mood…” Xena chimed in softly, playing the pitiful daughter role to perfection. “Now that the Lucas and Harris famil
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 420
Hearing that, both Mr. and Mrs. Xander's expressions turned a little stiff.Fortunately, the guest had only been making polite conversation and didn’t press further. Before long, he was pulled away by friends to talk about the auction items.Mrs. Xander stared at the photos still playing across the large screen, her voice low and thoughtful. “Honey, if Layla were still our daughter, don’t you think we’d be basking in her success tonight instead of standing here, hoping no one remembers we’re even related to her?”Now, here they were, standing awkwardly on the sidelines, doing everything they could to avoid attention. The last thing they wanted was for anyone to remember they were Layla’s family. Even worse was the fear that someone might recall just how foolishly they had cut ties with her in the first place.The more Mrs. Xander thought about it, the worse she felt. Eventually, all of that frustration and regret built up into a long, heavy sigh.Mr. Xander still had not said a wo
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 421
As the group laughed and joked among themselves, the first auction item was brought to the stage, officially kicking off the bidding. Naturally, all attention shifted to the front of the room.While the auctioneer began introducing the piece, Felix’s hand slowly slid to Xena’s waist, his fingers casually kneading her side. “Put on a prettier smile,” he murmured in her ear. “I’ll buy you something nice.”Xena’s entire body stiffened. Disgust and nausea rose in her throat, making her stomach churn. She clenched her teeth, fighting the urge to recoil.Without saying a word, she brushed his hand away and turned, heading straight toward the restroom.“Where are you going?” Felix called after her, frowning as she disappeared into the crowd without looking back.This little scene happened to catch Carter’s eye.Unable to resist, he leaned over to Layla, barely hiding his amusement. “Sis, looks like Xena and Felix just had a fight. She bolted out of there like her life depended on it.”
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 422
As the evening drew to a close, Mrs. Jackson took the stage to thank all the guests who had participated in the charity auction.“And before we wrap up,” she added with a warm smile, “there’s one more person I’d like to thank — Begonia.”The spotlight shifted, landing directly on Layla.She stood there in simple business attire, her hair loosely tied up in a messy bun. Even without elaborate makeup or fancy clothes, her understated elegance still stood out effortlessly. If anything, her casual look only added to her calm, artist’s charm.Bathed in the light, with all eyes on her, Layla looked calm and composed.“I was truly honored to have Miss Xander photograph my collection,” Mrs. Jackson continued. “Every photo she took was made with heart, and every single one is worth treasuring.“This charity gala turned out to be even more successful than I could have hoped, and it’s all thanks to Miss Xander’s incredible work. Her photos brought out the beauty of these pieces in a way tha
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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
