Chapter 66

Chapter 66

From Layla's perspective:

I had just finished tidying up my desk when my phone buzzed. It was a message from Ember.

Ember: [Layla, I just heard William went to Brighten Bar to deal with Philip and those guys. Scared them shitless and warned that anyone who dares bully you again will face the consequences.]

I stared at the phone screen, my finger pausing.

It felt a bit satisfying, since those three had been bullying me for a long time.

But more than that, I felt uncomfortable. I didn't want any more involvement with William, yet he kept showing up in my life.

[Got it.] I sent her a brief reply, turned off my phone, grabbed my bag and left work.

Walking out of the office building, the sky had already turned completely dark, the streetlights along the road dim and murky.

I leaned on my crutch, slowly moving forward. Just as I turned into a small alley, I saw three unfamiliar men blocking the way ahead, saying crude things.

"Hey, Miss? Walking alone?"

"Look at her limping leg, poor thing. How about we walk you home?"

My heart tightened. I instinctively stepped back and gripped my crutch tighter. I knew this area was pretty isolated, usually empty, and these guys clearly looked like trouble.

Just then, a black car suddenly rushed over and stopped at the alley entrance, its headlights blinding.

The three men jumped in surprise. They turned to see William getting out of the car, his figure tall and straight, his eyes cold as ice.

"Get lost," William said just one word, his voice not loud but carrying an intimidating force.

Those three men weren't stupid. Seeing William's clothes and presence, they knew he wasn't someone to mess with. They cursed under their breath and ran off.

I stood there stunned, looking at William's back, my feelings all mixed up.

I wanted to say something—thank you or tell him to leave—but the words stuck in my throat.

William didn't turn around either. He just stood at the alley entrance and said in a deep voice, "Go home quickly. Don't take this alley anymore."

After saying that, he turned back to his car, started the engine, and quickly disappeared into the night.

I stood there, gripping my crutch tightly.

The evening wind blew past, carrying a bit of chill, but my heart felt somehow warm.

I knew William had deliberately followed me, but I didn't want to accept this favor. Yet I couldn't help thinking about how he had just protected me.

Back at my apartment, I sat on the sofa, looking at the night scene outside the window, my mind full of William's image. I took out my phone, found William's contact, my finger hovering over it, unable to press down.

I didn't know what I felt about William now—hating him for his past betrayal, yet conflicted about his help now.

The next day, I limped into the office. The atmosphere felt strangely off.

People who would normally nod and greet me were either keeping their heads down pretending to be busy, or avoiding eye contact and walking around me. Even Ember had been pulled into the break room by several colleagues for whispered conversations. Looking over from afar, her face was full of worry.

My heart sank. I had just sat down at my desk and hadn't even opened my computer when Dione from HR rushed over, her face serious. "Layla, Mr. Wood wants to see you in his office right now. He didn't sound happy."

I wondered to myself—yesterday William dealt with Philip and the others, so logically no one should dare trouble me anymore. Why would Walter suddenly want to see me, and in a bad mood?

With questions in mind, I knocked on the CEO's office door with my crutch.

"Come in." Walter's voice carried obvious impatience, completely different from his usual cheerful manner.

I pushed the door open and saw Walter with furrowed brows, his fingers tapping heavily on the desk. On the desk was a document with Brighton Corporation's logo prominently displayed—the very project that had been taken from me.

"Mr. Wood, you wanted to see me?"

Walter looked up and said with disappointment, "Layla, what have you done?"

This left me completely confused. "Mr. Wood, what's wrong? I haven't done anything wrong."

Walter threw the document in front of me. "Brighton Corporation just sent notice terminating our cooperation, and said they'll never work with our company again. Tell me, what's going on?"

I picked up the document and quickly scanned it. The reason for termination was vague, only saying "partner's poor attitude, lack of cooperation sincerity."

"That's impossible, Mr. Wood. I only coordinated with Brighton Corporation once, and before I could communicate further, Mr. Mitchell transferred the project to Abigail. How could this be my problem?"

Walter said sharply, "If it's not your problem, whose is it? Scarlett just told me that you relied on being the Brown family's daughter-in-law to be difficult with Mr. Graves at the dinner, and even had Mr. Brown beat people up. You've completely offended them!"

I was stunned. Scarlett? How would she know what happened at the dinner? And she was twisting the facts!

"Mr. Wood, Scarlett is lying. That day Clifford deliberately tricked me into going to the dinner. Mr. Graves and the others tried to take advantage of me. Matthew only fought them to save me. I never made things difficult for anyone!"

"You still dare to make excuses?" Walter clearly didn't believe me. "Scarlett said she saw with her own eyes how you acted superior at the dinner. When Mr. Graves toasted you, you wouldn't drink, and you made sarcastic remarks. Otherwise, why would Mr. Brown get physical? Layla, do you think having the Brown family backing you means you can do whatever you want? The company isn't a place for you to throw tantrums!"

My eyes reddened with urgency. "Mr. Wood, you can investigate! The surveillance from that day, and what Clifford and the others did—it can all prove my innocence."

Walter waved his hand impatiently. "Investigate what? Brighton Corporation has made it clear this happened because of you! Now the company has lost a deal worth millions of dollars and an important partner. Who's going to take responsibility for this?"

Just then, the office door was pushed open. Scarlett poked her head in, her face showing fake concern. "Mr. Wood, Layla didn't mean it. She probably just hasn't experienced this kind of situation and didn't handle it well. How about having Layla apologize to Mr. Graves and ask Mr. Brown for help? Maybe we can still salvage the cooperation?"

Looking at Scarlett's smug expression, I instantly understood—Scarlett was behind all this!

She must be jealous of me and trying to please Abigail, so she deliberately went to Walter to tell tales with added embellishments.

"Scarlett, you're talking nonsense! You weren't even there that day. How would you know what happened?"

Scarlett's face paled, but she quickly composed herself. "I heard it from Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell was thinking of the company when he told me about the situation. Layla, now isn't the time to argue about who was there. We need to quickly find a way to salvage the deal."

I stared at Scarlett's fake face and questioned, "Heard it from Mr. Mitchell? Mr. Mitchell wasn't even at that dinner! You two are just making up lies to fool Mr. Wood!"

Scarlett's face turned pale. She tried to defend herself, "How would I know if Mr. Mitchell was there or not? When he told me, it was very detailed. He said you acted all high and mighty at the dinner. You wouldn't touch the wine Mr. Graves offered, and said their project proposal was terrible. Mr. Graves couldn't take it anymore. And then Mr. Brown even hit him!"

I couldn't help raising my voice. "I never said anything like that! That day Clifford tricked me into going. Mr. Graves and the others started forcing drinks on me and getting handsy. Matthew got into a conflict with them to save me. These are all facts. How did it all get twisted in your mouth?"