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Chapter 418
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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
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 423
Mrs. Jackson reached out her hand with a warm smile. “It’s truly been a pleasure working with you, Miss Xander. I hope we’ll have the chance to collaborate again.”Layla shook her hand but didn’t let go right away.“Would you mind passing along a message for me?” Layla said calmly. “Please thank whoever it was that gave me such a huge honor tonight.”She paused, her voice steady. “But I don’t like taking credit for something I didn’t do. I don’t want to owe anyone, and I definitely don’t want to benefit from someone else’s generosity. When the donation goes through, please make sure my name isn’t mentioned.”Layla hadn’t brought it up earlier because she didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere of the charity event. But in private, she wasn’t about to let things stay unclear.Mrs. Jackson was slightly surprised. “Miss Xander, there’s really no need to—”Layla cut her off politely but firmly. “Please, Mrs. Jackson.”Finally, she let go of Mrs. Jackson’s hand and turned to leave. “It’s
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 424
Mrs. Xander turned to look at Mr. Xander, her voice full of worry. “Felix was clearly upset tonight. Do you think he’s going to come after our family again?”“He won’t,” Mr. Xander replied, his expression dark and grim. “If he was willing to come crawling back and make peace before, that means someone behind the scenes must have warned him. Right now isn’t the time for him to burn bridges with the Xander family.”As he spoke, Mr. Xander turned to Xena. “You’d better watch yourself these days. Keep him happy. Don’t give him any reason to lose his temper again. We don’t need any more trouble.”“Dad!” Xena stared at him in disbelief. “It’s not even my fault he’s mad. Why should I be the one to put up with this and take the blame?”“Xena, that’s not what your father meant,” Mrs. Xander quickly stepped in, pulling her daughter’s hand gently. “He just wants you and Felix to get along. If you can marry into the Perry family, it’ll be a huge advantage for us.”Mr. Xander’s tone hardened.
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 425
Mr. Lucas Sr. didn’t even look up from the chessboard as he barked at Carter. “What, nobody taught you to knock before coming in? What, your mom never taught you manners?”Carter slumped in defeat. “I’ll remember next time.”“Sit.”Carter dragged himself over and dropped into a chair, eyeing the chessboard like it might bite him. He muttered under his breath, “But Grandpa, I don’t even know how to play chess. What am I supposed to be sitting here for?”“Then learn.”Mr. Lucas Sr. shot him a sharp glare. “You spend all your time out fooling around. What good is that gonna do you? You should take advantage of the time your uncle is staying here and learn something from him.”Carter could not have felt more wronged. “I’m not out playing, I’m working.”“What kind of job keeps you out this late, huh? Don’t try to fool me.” Mr. Lucas Sr. picked up a chess piece and knocked it against Carter’s head. “Your dad’s overseas, so it’s up to me to keep an eye on you. I’m only nagging you so
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 426
The next morning dawned bright and clear, with perfect weather for a day out.In high spirits, Mr. Lucas Sr. decided to bring the whole family out to their countryside villa for an overnight trip. It wasn’t often he suggested something like this, so naturally, no one dared say no.And just like that, several luxury cars pulled out of the Lucas estate, one after another.William shared a car with Scarlett and Mr. Lucas Sr., and from the rearview mirror, he could clearly see the cars trailing behind them.“William, ever since you’ve been home, your dad’s mood has been so much better,” Scarlett said happily. “Honestly, he looks like he’s ten years younger.“You know, now that your father and I are getting older, what we love most is seeing the whole family together like this. Days like today, all of us going somewhere together — that’s real happiness.“Oh, and I invited Gwen to meet us at the villa later. Your arm still isn’t fully healed. You’ll need help fishing, and she’s perfect
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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
