Chapter Thirteen: Was it You?

"Miss Hammond, I couldn't help but notice how you've been eyeing me since you got into the car. Are you quite interested in me?" Tristan remarked with a grin.

Upon hearing Tristan's unexpected comment, Layla quickly snapped out of it and averted her gaze. Feeling nervous under his playful stare, she chuckled awkwardly and said, "Well, Mr. Frucht, you certainly know how to crack a joke. Here I am. I'm getting off now. Thanks for giving me a ride home today."

With that, she practically bolted out of the car.

However, to her surprise, she had only taken a few steps when she noticed Tristan getting out of the car as well and following behind her.

She hadn't anticipated this.

She was completely captivated by his handsome face just now, so she couldn't help but sneak a few more glances.

However, she found it strange that he reacted so strongly because his being stared at for a little wouldn't cost him a thing.

Coming to a halt, Layla turned to Tristan and said, "Mr. Frucht, I appreciate the ride home. You don't have to walk me all the way."

Tristan simply flashed a faint smile, said nothing, and strolled past her, leaving a subtle trace of cologne scent in his wake.

As she watched him stride towards the villa next to her own, it suddenly dawned on her that he was indeed the elusive neighbor she never had a chance to meet.

A fleeting sense of awkwardness descended upon her.

Upon realizing her mistake, Layla awkwardly brushed her nose and attempted to play it off with a casual comment, "So, you're my next-door neighbor, huh?"

Tristan gazed at her intently, his eyes piercing, "You might not have noticed, but I've been living next to you even before your divorce."

Layla chuckled awkwardly, reminiscing on how absorbed she was in work and monitoring Ashton for signs of infidelity. She was seemingly oblivious to any other men, especially someone as distinguished and attractive as Tristan.

"We could be great neighbors from now on," he mentioned before turning away.

Observing his departure, Layla cast her gaze downward to conceal the emotions swirling in her eyes.

As Tristan stepped into his home, he received a call from Ashton inviting him for drinks at the Lunar Lounge. Initially uninterested, hearing Ashton mention Layla's name prompted Tristan to change his mind.

After contemplating for a moment, Tristan retraced his steps back to his car and instructed the driver to head to the Lunar Lounge.

About thirty minutes later, Tristan pushed the door of the private room slightly open, revealing Ashton sitting on the sofa with an escort.

Raising an almost imperceptible eyebrow, Tristan maintained a neutral expression as he entered the scene, asking, "What's the reason for calling me here?"

Upon noticing Tristan's arrival through his blurred eyes, Ashton quickly distanced himself from the woman and invited Tristan to join him on the sofa. "You're finally here! Have a seat!"

Tristan remained composed. He skillfully unbuttoned his shirt and surveyed the room's uncomfortably chilly atmosphere. His composure faltered before he heard Ashton's cry, "Why is this happening to me? I just found out that Layla wants to have children with other guys. Let's just drink until we can't anymore tonight."

Reaching for a bottle of liquor on the coffee table, Ashton proceeded to uncork it and pour some into a glass before extending it towards Tristan, insisting, "Here, have a drink!"

Tristan's expression remained unchanged. He took out his phone to text Layla to let her know that he couldn't accompany her tonight.

As a high-level CEO, he had never had the experience of requesting time off before, so he had no idea what to say. He then decided to search for a formal template for a leave request on Google.

Just then, a hand quickly grabbed his phone from the side. Smirking mischievously, Mike commented on what he saw, "Well, well, what's this, Tristan? Googling how to ask for time off? Something's fishy, buddy. Are you seeing someone?"

Before Tristan could retort, Ashton immediately perked up and appeared much more alert. "Seriously? You? Who's the lucky lady?"

Irritated by their chatter, Tristan moved to the other end of the couch and sent his leave request to Layla. Almost instantly, Layla replied with a “sure” and acute emoji.

Seeing that emoji made Tristan envision her with a slight frown as she checked her phone. It brought a smile to his face effortlessly.

Mike playfully twirled his glass and said, "Check out Mr. Lovesick over there glueing to his phone. But you, Ashton, you’re now a lone wolf."

Ashton shot up from his seat, eyes blazing with anger. "She's sneaking around with someone else behind my back! Who could possibly treat her better than me?"

"Yeah. You were her hero before, and ever since, she's only had eyes for you. She wouldn't bother with anyone else," said Mike.

Tristan fixed Ashton with a piercing gaze full of questioning intensity and asked, "But was it really you who saved her back then?"

"What do you mean?"

In a frosty tone, Tristan asserted, "You two were never a good fit. Maybe you two breaking up is the best for everyone involved."

Before Ashton could respond, Tristan quickly grabbed his jacket and made a quick exit from the room.

Watching Tristan leave, Mike looked pensive before shifting his gaze to the slightly tipsy and bewildered Ashton. He finally chose to keep his thoughts to himself.