Semua Bab The CEO’s Obsession: Layla, You’re Not Allowed to Die: Bab 181 - Bab 190

“I’ll be there on time.” After sending the message to the event organizers, Layla set her phone down and stared blankly at the ceiling.For a moment, all she could see was the way William had looked at her. Without realizing it, her heartbeat quickened.Back on the deck, standing in front of him, she had already felt a little flustered. That was why she had made an excuse to leave early.She hadn’t expected that even now, in the quiet of her room, she still couldn’t shake the memory.Frowning, Layla forced herself to clear her mind.“What am I even thinking? William isn’t someone I should be getting caught up with,” she muttered to herself.But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that if she could keep spending time with William and still maintain her composure, her self-control must be extraordinary.Because William was like a spell—effortlessly captivating. Every glance, every movement had a way of stirring emotions, pulling people in before they even realized

The promotional event in Haven City kicked off right on schedule, set against the backdrop of the sea. A stage had been built along the waterfront, surrounded by dozens of small booths displaying traditional handicrafts, local delicacies, and interactive experiences. The event was spearheaded by the local government, with extensive media coverage ensuring maximum exposure. Thanks to the pre-event buzz, the venue was already packed with people, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere. As Layla arrived at the scene, she glanced at the overwhelming crowd. The thought of stepping onto the stage for her speech made her stomach tighten. The last time she had been on stage was at her engagement party—the night she called off the wedding. Back then, she had been in a nothing left to lose mindset, which was the only reason she had been able to face all those eyes without hesitation. But today was different. This time, she was stepping onto the stage with her own work, re

As soon as the call connected, Kiera’s cheerful voice came through the line. “Sean!” “What is it?” Sean asked, his tone indifferent. “I just… I missed you.” There was a hint of shyness in her voice. Hearing the noise in the background, she casually asked, “Where are you? It sounds so loud.” “I’m out with a client.” Sean’s eyes remained locked on the stage, his tone flat and emotionless. “I’m busy today.” Hearing that, Kiera immediately apologized. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I hope I’m not bothering you? I’ll wait for you to text me when you’re free.” “Alright.” Sean hung up just as Layla stepped off the stage. Slipping his phone into his pocket, he bypassed the crowd and headed straight toward the backstage area. From a distance, he saw Layla engaged in conversation with the event staff. Just as he was about to step forward, William blocked his path. “Don’t ruin Miss Xander’s moment.” William’s voice was calm but laced with clear irritation. “M

“After I’m gone, please help me contact Miss Jasper and give her all the photos I’ve left behind.” Layla trusted Jenny. She was the only one who truly understood her work, and leaving her photos with Jenny felt like giving them a proper home. It was better than having them buried with her. “I’m not agreeing to that.” William rejected her request without a second thought, his resistance clear. “If you really have what it takes, then stay alive. You’ll see Miss Jasper again, and when that time comes, you can give her the photos yourself.”With that, he strode forward, widening the distance between them, making it obvious that he had no intention of continuing this conversation. Layla let out a frustrated sigh, watching his tall figure ahead. The shift in his mood was obvious. His entire aura had turned cold. It seemed like she would have to find another time to bring it up. He was the only one she had trusted to handle this, and she hadn’t been about to change her mind

Layla took the iPad, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease. She tapped on the trending topic and started scrolling. Halfway through, her vision blurred with tears. The official Haven City tourism account had posted a video of her speech, dedicated solely to her. It had been shared over a million times, and the comment section was buzzing with activity. “Wow, who would’ve thought? These photos were actually taken by Layla Xander! She just proved to everyone that she’s far from worthless.” “From now on, I’m officially her online defender! If anyone dares to badmouth her, I’m grabbing my keyboard and charging in!” “Layla is seriously talented. How is she only getting noticed now? I feel like I vaguely remember… didn’t she hold a photography exhibition before?” “Ugh, get your facts straight. The one who held the exhibition was Xena Xander.” “Wait, both Xander sisters are photographers? That’s… quite the coincidence. Just curious—who’s actually better?” The comment