Chapter 12
The next morning, Layla finally noticed the buzz online.
Lost in thought, she didn’t realize her other hand was still holding the kettle, pouring water until a firm hand gripped her wrist.
Startled, she looked up to meet William’s calm, steady gaze.
“What’s got you so distracted?” he asked.
Snapping out of it, Layla quickly pulled her hand back and placed the kettle on the counter, “I was just checking my phone…” she said, hesitating for a moment before turning the screen toward him. “I went out with Carter yesterday and didn’t expect someone to take pictures. It seems like it’s causing a lot of trouble for him. Should I talk to him and help clear things up?”
Layla wasn’t familiar with entertainment news and had no idea Carter was preparing to debut as a celebrity. If she had known,
she would have been more cautious.
“No need,” William replied just as his phone buzzed with a call from Carter.
As soon as he answered, Carter’s anxious voice came through. “Uncle William, is Layla there? Keep an eye on her, okay? Don’t let
her see what’s online, or she might not want to go out with me next time!”
William stayed silent, handing the phone to Layla instead
“Uncle William, why aren’t you saying anything? Seriously, you’ve got to work on that habit. Layla’s living with you now. If you
don’t talk, won’t she be bored out of her mind…”
“Thanks for being so considerate,” Layla said, laughing. “I’ve caused such a mess for your career, and yet you’re more worried
about me.”
Carter froze for a moment before hurriedly replying, “What mess? Don’t overthink it, Layla! I only joined that talent show
because a friend dragged me along for moral support. I’m just playing around, but somehow, I ended up with all these fans. I’ll clear up the misunderstanding later. I’m just worried you’ll stop hanging out with me, and then I’d be heartbroken.”
His tone carried the same hurt as a puppy left out in the rain, tugging at Layla’s heart.
Her smile widened, “All you did was rear–end my taxi. Why are you so good to me?”
“I just think you deserve to be happy.”
Even if her time was short, she should still be happy.
Carter tightened his grip on the phone, more resolute after spending time with her the day before. Layla’s smile was so beautiful and he was determined to see it as often as possible.
Layla froze at his words. No one had ever said something like that to her before.
Growing up, her family taught her how to be graceful, how to be patient, how to yield to others. But they never taught her how to
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be happy or love herself.
Instead, the Xander family had molded her into a “worthless” person who paved roads for everyone else.
When she was younger, she paved the way for Xena. As an adult, she paved the way for Sean.
But what about her? Where was the path meant for herself?
“Sis, my friends saw the news online and now they all think I’m in a relationship. They’re insisting on a get–together tomorro night. Can you come along and help clear things up?”
“This…” Layla hesitated.
“Come on, Sis! If the rumor spreads and people really think I have a girlfriend, how am I ever going to find someone for real? You’re not planning to hog the spotlight and leave me stuck, are you?”
Layla was rendered speechless. His words were blunt, but he wasn’t wrong.
With a resigned sigh, Layla gave in. “Alright, fine. I’ll go with you tomorrow. You can pick me up.”
“Great!” Carter hung up the call, sounding elated.
Layla handed William’s phone back to him, offering an awkward smile, worried he might think she was leading his nephew
astray.
“I’ll help explain everything tomorrow and try not to
cause you guys any trouble,” she explained.
“He’s the one causing trouble.” William pocketed his phone and replied evenly, “I told him not to make a spectacle of himself, to focus on his studies and avoid public attention. But he wouldn’t listen.
“With his personality, being in the public eye would only drag the Lucas family into the spotlight as a topic for idle gossip,” William said flatly, his tone unusually stern, giving off a distinct air of authority–remarkably so for someone not even thirty..
Layla opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the phone in her pocket buzzed.
Seeing the caller ID showing the Perry family estate, she hesitated briefly. She had a good idea of why Mr. Perry Sr. was calling. From the moment she decided to make a public scene, she had known it would reach his ears.
Taking a deep breath, she answered, keeping her tone respectful “Hello, Grandpa Perry.”
“Layla…” Mr. Perry Sr.’s voice was heavy with regret. “Our family owes you an apology. That rascal Sean has already gotten a good scolding from me..
“Please, for my sake, come to the estate tomorrow afternoon so we can talk things through in person. Will you?”
Layla stayed silent for a moment, prompting Mr. Perry Sr. to grow anxious. He quickly added, “If it’s too much trouble, I’ll come personally to invite you over-”
“No, no, that’s not necessary!” Layla quickly declined, feeling uneasy. “I’d feel terrible if you went out of your way.”
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Though Sean had wronged her, Mr. Perry Sr. had always treated her kindly, almost like a granddaughter. She couldn’t bring herself to refuse him outright.
“Alright,” Layla agreed eventually. “I’ll come by tomorrow afternoon.”
After hanging up, she turned to find William looking at her with a thoughtful expression.
“Do you need me to go with you?” he asked.
Layla shook her head immediately. “No need.”
The mess with the Perry family was already complicated enough. She couldn’t drag someone like William into it.
He didn’t insist, but as he walked away, he casually remarked, “If you need anything, just let me know.”
That afternoon, Layla arrived at the Perry family estate.
The moment she stepped through the door, the sound of sobbing greeted her ears. It was Susan Jasper, Sean’s mother, crying
dramatically.
“Dad, you can’t blame Sean for everything,” Susan walled. “Layla acted purely out of selfishness, trampling on the dignity of both families! How can such an arrogant and unruly woman ever be allowed to marry into the Perry family?”
“Enough!” Mr. Perry Sr.’s sharp voice silenced the room. He turned to see Layla at the entrance, and his expression softened. “Layla, just in time.”
In the center of the living room, Sean was kneeling on the floor. The Xander family was also present, adding to the already
chaotic scene.
Layla didn’t acknowledge anyone. Without so much as a glance at the others, she walked straight toward Mr. Perry Sr. “Hi,
Grandpa Perry.”
He raised a hand, gesturing for her to take a seat beside him. “Come, sit here.”
She complied, taking the seat calmly, now directly facing Sean, who remained kneeling. Her demeanor was poised as she sat, unbothered by the tension in the room or the fact that Sean was giving her such an apparent “apology.”
The Xanders looked as though they had just bitten into something sour. Not only had Layla failed to acknowledge them, but she was also completely indifferent to Sean’s kneeling
Sean’s hands tightened on his knees, his knuckles whitening as frustration flickered across his face. He hadn’t expected Layla to
show him not even a shred of mercy.
“It’s my fault for not teaching Sean properly.”
Mr. Perry Sr. stood, leaning on his cane. With a wave, he took a rattan cane handed to him by the butler. “Today, in front of
everyone, I’ll teach him a proper lesson. Layla, let me help you vent your anger.”
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With that, he raised the cane high and brought it down hard on Sean’s back.
Layla didn’t say a word. And so, Mr. Perry Sr. didn’t stop.
Strike after strike echoed in the room, the force behind each swing growing heavier. The sharp crack of cane against flesh reverberated, sending chills through the onlookers.
Layla’s expression remained impassive as she took a deliberate sip of the hot tea a servant had brought her.
Sean, for his part, gritted his teeth, refusing to utter a sound despite the searing pain. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails
bit into his palms, drawing blood.
He was gambling–gambling that Layla would soften and stop the punishment.
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