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Chapter 80
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The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 81
“Wait… isn’t that William Lucas? Damn! The financial magazine cover mogul is gracing us mere mortals with his presence?” “Even in these raw, unedited shots, Mr. Lucas’s long legs are killing it! I swear, I could lick the screen!” “Sean Perry? That guy trended before for being a useless scumbag. Does he even deserve to stand on the same stage as Mr. Lucas?” “Forget the two men—I’m more curious about the woman! She’s the real winner here. Two top-tier guys chasing her? She must be incredible!” *And just like that, public opinion online took a sharp turn. By the end of the night, it wasn’t the two men but Layla Xander who shot to the top of the trending charts. Netizens tried digging into her background.But to their surprise, the Xander family heiress had a resume so bland she could have been anyone off the street. In contrast, her sister, Xena Xander, was a classic high-society darling—studied abroad, hosted solo photography exhibitions, debuted as a popular star
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 82
William stood by the floor-to-ceiling window at Luxe Villa, listening to Carter’s endless chatter on the phone.“Uncle William, how could you let the news get out? What is the PR department even doing?“You don’t know—Grandpa nearly blew up when he saw the headlines! He’s demanding you return to the old house immediately to explain yourself.“If he finds out that I was the one who gave you those tickets, I am finished! He would never lay a finger on you, but me? I'd be dead meat!”Carter’s voice was filled with grievance. He had been ranting for a while without getting a single response. But he was used to it. After venting everything, he added seriously, “Uncle William, you have to cover for me.” “I know,” William finally replied. Carter sighed, feeling helpless but somewhat relieved to hear an answer at last. “How is Layla doing?” he asked. William glanced toward the bed. Under the blanket, the figure moved slightly. “She should be awake now,” he replied. He
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 83
“Let’s just pretend I never received the business card today,” Layla thought to herself.“What’s wrong?” Hearing William’s inquiry, Layla quickly wiped her tears and forced a smile. “Nothing. I’m just too happy. Ever heard of crying tears of joy?” Under the soft light, her tear-filled eyes carried a sadness so deep it was almost shattered. William frowned slightly and, after a brief silence, chose to respect her feelings without confronting her. For a moment, he felt an indescribable heaviness in his chest. He did not linger. After staying with her for a short while, he quietly left the room. *Once inside his study, William immediately made a phone call to Levi. “Offer more money,” he said. “As long as they agree to treat her, no matter the cost, I’ll pay it.” Levi hesitated for a moment. “Is she really worth all of this from you?” “She is,” William replied without a second thought. In that fleeting moment earlier, he felt a single, clear wish—he wanted
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 84
A middle-aged woman stood outside the door, dressed in an elegant silk dress with a white fur stole draped over her shoulders. She was adorned in jewelry from head to toe, exuding wealth and elegance. Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of Layla’s shaved head. The flawless makeup on her face seemed to crack, inch by inch. “You… you…” she stammered. Layla looked puzzled. “And you are…?” “I… I…” The woman clutched her chest as if she might faint at any moment. Layla was still confused when William suddenly appeared behind her. His voice rang out calmly but firmly. “Mom.” Layla froze. Her instincts kicked in, and she quickly covered her bald head with both hands. “Sorry, ma’am. Did I scare you?” she apologized awkwardly. “You… you two…” Scarlett Dixon’s gaze darted between them, her expression one of sheer disbelief. It felt like the sky was falling. Her precious son who she had raised so carefully, was standing next to a bald woman. The sight
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 85
Layla was at a loss for words.She felt awkward and hesitated before suggesting, “Mr. Lucas, isn’t it a bit harsh to leave your mother outside? Maybe you should let her in, and I can explain everything properly.” “No need,” William replied flatly. Releasing his grip, he turned away without looking back. “Let her shout for a while. She’ll leave on her own. There’s no point wasting your breath.” “But…” Layla hesitated. What kind of mess was this? She had only planned to use William as a temporary shield, never expecting to stir up the entire Lucas family. Her gaze followed his retreating figure, her expression thoughtful. No matter what, she couldn’t drag him into her troubles. “If you’re thinking about moving out, you’d better drop that idea now,” William said, his back still turned. It was as if he could read her mind without even looking. “With your current condition, living alone isn’t safe. If I let you leave, it’d be no different from murder—and I’m not intereste
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 86
Mrs. Xander stood behind Scarlett, her voice tentative and uneasy. “Layla, I made some chicken soup for you.” “No need,” Layla replied coldly, not even sparing the thermos a glance. “Layla, I…” Mrs. Xander’s voice trailed off as her eyes fell on Layla’s knitted hat, covering her bare scalp with not a strand of hair in sight. Her heart ached, and she found herself unable to continue. “Just go back,” Layla said flatly, her expression emotionless. Seeing Layla's cold and emotionless dismissal, Scarlett immediately stepped in, indignant on Mrs. Xander’s behalf.“How can you talk to your mother like that?” she snapped. “She went through all that trouble to make you chicken soup. Not only do you refuse to drink it, but you will not even let her through the door!”Layla frowned. “Mrs. Lucas, this is not your concern.”“Why shouldn’t it be?” Scarlett retorted, her tone sharp with irritation. “I am a mother too. No one understands a mother’s heart better than I do!”She co
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 87
“Mom, how did you manage to see Layla today? Didn’t Mr. Lucas order that we weren’t allowed inside?” Xena asked curiously.“I ran into William’s mother at the gate. She was the one who brought me in,” Mrs. Xander replied.Thinking of Scarlett’s demeanor, Mrs. Xander frowned. “That woman from the Lucas family is certainly a tough one.”In the social circle of wealthy wives, Scarlett was notorious.The youngest in her generation of the Dixon family, she had been spoiled from birth, growing up willful and arrogant.Years ago, she had fallen head over heels for Mr. Lucas Sr.—a man more than twenty years her senior. Ignoring her family’s objections, she pursued him with fiery passion and ultimately married into the Lucas family. Her story became something of a society legend.Despite the large age gap, Mr. Lucas Sr. adored his young wife. And once she gave birth to their brilliant son, who later became the head of the Lucas family, Scarlett’s status soared even higher.With her husba
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 88
When Sean awoke from the general anesthesia, it was already evening. Xena was by his bedside. The moment his eyes opened, she quickly stood up. “Sean, how are you feeling? Does your stomach still hurt?” A voice suddenly called out. “Sean!” Susan rushed over, her face filled with concern. “How did you end up in the hospital like this?” she cried, her heart aching at the sight of him. Sean furrowed his brows and tried to speak, but his throat felt like it was being slashed with razors. Xena stepped in to explain, “Aunt Susan, Sean just had an endoscopy. He probably can’t speak much right now…” But Susan cut her off, her voice sharp and cold. “Why are you here!” she snapped, her expression darkening. “This is all your fault! Get out!” Xena’s face fell in shock. “Aunt Susan, I rushed over as soon as I heard Sean was in the hospital. How can you say this is because of me?” “It is because of you!” Susan spat, her eyes burning with fury as she pointed st
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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
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 505
Inside the car, Layla caught a glimpse of Mr. Xander through the rearview mirror, hurling his cane several feet in a fit of rage. A cold smirk tugged at her lips.The Xander family really hadn’t changed one bit. They only showed kindness to people they could use. They acted like their condescension was generosity, then expected gratitude in return.But to her, this so-called “Xander bloodline” was nothing but bad luck.Shaking off the thought, she turned up the volume on the stereo, letting the music drown out the lingering irritation. If anything, she felt even more satisfied than before.Humming along to the tune, she swung by the market and picked up groceries before heading home.When she got off the elevator, she walked over and rang the doorbell to William’s apartment.Just as the door opened, a woman’s voice called from inside, “William, I ordered food from Stonebridge Bistro. Let’s have dinner together tonight!”William gave a quick explanation, “That’s my mom.”He glan
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 504
The internal review meeting wrapped up smoothly, and everyone left the conference room full of confidence.That afternoon, the finalized promo video was handed over to Fabian, who would submit it to the local publicity office for the final round of approval.With nothing left to do until feedback came in, Layla gave the whole team a well-deserved break.By the time the workday ended, the office had completely emptied out.Layla stayed behind to chat with Fabian after receiving a message from him, and as a result, she ended up being the last one to leave the studio.After locking the front door, she headed toward her car out of habit, thinking about stopping by the market on the way home. She was planning to cook dinner and invite William over.She didn’t notice the stern figure getting out of a nearby car—her father.“Layla Xander.”She turned at the sound of his voice and met his displeased gaze, her brow twitching slightly.With a cane in hand, Mr. Xander approached her, his
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 503
After thinking it over, William figured the whole thing felt more like a guilt-trip performance. It seemed like Scarlett was putting on an emotional act to pressure him into going back to the Lucas family. The only question was how long she planned to keep it up.Still, Scarlett had been pampered all her life. Living in his place, with no one to wait on her hand and foot, she probably wouldn’t last long. Sooner or later, she would give up and leave.With that in mind, William didn’t bother chasing her out. He simply gave her a cold warning. “You can stay. But don’t cause trouble for Layla.”“No problem at all!”Scarlett agreed far too quickly. “I already made up my mind before I came. I won’t interfere in your love life ever again. You can count on that.”William was rendered speechless and frowned. Now he was even more certain. Something about her behavior just wasn’t right.*Meanwhile, Layla had left early that morning. The roads were clear, and after a smooth half-hour drive
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 502
“No, thanks.”Layla gave a tired smile and gently turned down William’s offer. “I have an early meeting tomorrow, and eating late messes with my sleep.“Mr. Lucas, you should get some rest too. Good night.”With that, she walked past him and returned to her apartment, closing the door behind her without hesitation.The sound of the door clicking shut made William frown slightly. Something felt off.Meanwhile, Layla stood in the entryway, slipping off her shoes as her mind wandered.“Layla Xander, you ruined him. You ruined the Lucas family,” she thought to herself.Gwen’s harsh words echoed suddenly in her mind, stirring the emotions she had tried to bury.All this time, she had avoided thinking too deeply about William’s choices. She was afraid that if she read too much into them, she would just end up fooling herself.But after seeing Gwen today, it finally hit her.William had stepped down from his pedestal for her. And she was still pretending not to see it.If the dista
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 501
“You’re a perfectly decent young woman. Why do you have to go and steal someone else’s man?”“Hannah,” Layla gently tugged on Hannah’s sleeve, giving her a look to stop.As Gwen walked toward the lounge door, Layla spoke up calmly, “The matching engagement ring—the woman’s one. You don’t have it, do you?”Gwen paused for a second at the doorway but didn’t reply. Without looking back, she walked out.That was all the answer Layla needed.She had suspected for a while that Gwen didn’t have the ring.William had always worn the man’s band. And knowing how much Gwen loved him, there was no way she would have hidden the woman’s ring if it had truly been hers.Now it seemed clear that he had never given that ring to anyone. Not yet.“What was that question about?” Hannah asked, suspicious.Layla snapped out of her thoughts. “Oh… nothing. I was just curious.”Hannah rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. “Seriously? That’s all you had to say after everything Gwen just threw at you? Y
The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die Chapter 500
“I know William went south with you this past month. He stayed by your side the entire time. He’s shown, through his actions, that his heart and eyes are only on you.”Gwen stared straight at Layla, her voice dry and strained. “You told me yourself that you had feelings for him. And now that he’s gone this far for you, you must be proud of yourself, aren’t you?”But she didn’t give Layla a chance to respond. Instead, she pressed on.“Because of you, William was kicked out of the Lucas family. He was forced out of Lucas Corporation. His mom and Mr. Lucas Sr., a couple who’d been loving and devoted for decades, had their worst fight ever. She even moved back in with her family.“If Mr. Lucas Sr. hadn’t landed in the hospital from the stress, she still wouldn’t have forgiven him. The entire Lucas family is in chaos—all because of you.“The William I knew was always calm, reliable, never made his parents worry.“He’s the most capable man I’ve ever met. He was meant to lead Lucas Corp
