Chapter 7

When Jules started dating Layla, it was quite controversial.

It was to the point where Layla’s father held a press conference to announce that he was disowning Layla.

He was convinced that it would get Layla to have second thoughts about the relationship, but she did not yield.

Just like that, their relationship was publicized to the world and at the same time, Layla gained an unexpected reputation as someone who was completely devoted to Jules.

Fast forward five years later, the same fervent devotion had redirected to another man.

Jules closed his eyes to suppress the turmoil inside him. He decided it was time to shut out all the noise and opted to fall into a deep sleep instead.

The next morning, he headed straight to the office.

Layla announced boldly, “From today onward, Roland Presley is our company’s new marketing campaign planner. I don’t want anyone to cause him any trouble.”

One of the employees commented, “Miss Turner, if he’s going to be our new campaign planner, he needs to have a portfolio, but he doesn’t even have one!”

“What do you mean he doesn’t have one? Here it is!”

With that, Layla presented a couple of campaign posters authored by Jules in the past. They were a collection of works he had spent countless sleepless nights designing.

Jules was crushed to see the lengths she was willing to go to just to defend Roland.

She was a CEO, and yet, she had stooped low enough to appropriate his work for her own agenda.

“Oh my, Roland did this?”

"It’s quite impressive, I must say!”

“It’s every bit as good as Mr. Fanon’s work!”

While everyone was clamoring over the portfolio, Roland grinned proudly. “I’m excited to work with everyone and am counting on all of your advice.”

Suddenly, Jules scoffed and asked a pointed question, “Is this really your work, Roland?”

The room fell silent, and everyone directed their attention toward him.

Upon noting his reaction, Layla narrowed her eyes and confronted him. “Jules, do you have any objections? Have you forgotten about what happened yesterday? Speaking of which, how’s your sick mother doing? I heard she wasn’t doing so well last night…”

Jules could sense the uncaring cadence in her voice, and when he scrutinized her remorseless expression, he chuckled to himself.

Was she trying to threaten him with his mother’s life?

Layla, of all people, should know that the person who mattered most to him in the entire world was his mother.

His lips quivered, and his voice came out parched when he answered, “Me? Objections? Of course not.”

Layla scoffed, then announced, “One more thing. Roland tends to get sick easily and needs at least three hours of sunlight every day. Since your office has good sunlight exposure, he’ll be using your office.”

Everyone exchanged glances, but nobody said a word.

Given what they knew of Jules, they expected him to object.

To their surprise, he relented. “Alright. He can have my office.”

Roland was elated and thanked Layla by brushing his muscular arms against her. “Thank you very much, CEO! And you, too, Jules.”

Jules chuckled cynically when he noticed the adoration spilling out of Layla’s eyes when she looked at Roland.

If Roland wanted the position, he could have it.

If he wanted the office, he could have it.

If he wanted Layla, he could have her too.

He could have it all, since Jules was over all of it.

Upon returning to his office, Jules started to pack up his belongings.

Soon, Roland entered with a box which he slammed onto the desk while swiping everything Jules had just packed up off the table and onto the floor.

It was clearly a gesture meant to taunt Jules and signal his triumph.

Jules looked at him icily. “What are you doing?”

Roland answered disinterestedly, “Nothing. I just feel bad for you, that’s all.”

The insult was plain to see when he drew closer and continued, “Say, how much longer do you think you can stay on as the head of marketing? It’s only a matter of time before I claim your position for myself too, and who knows? I could go even further than that.”

Jules laughed mockingly. “An idiot like you? Head of marketing?”

Roland became furious. “What did you say? Say that again!”

Jules took the challenge. “I’ll say it as many times as you want! I’ve never seen anyone make as many mistakes as you’ve made in just three months! Honestly, I’ve never met anyone as stupid as you!”