"Layla!"
"Ruby!"
As Ruby rushed toward Layla, Layla stood up from her seat and embraced her warmly. She cast a brief glance at Roger, who offered a small, reassuring smile before stepping away from the door.
After pulling away from the hug, Ruby looked at Layla with a bright smile. "That handso bodyguard told that his Master wants to join you. I hurried over to have a heartfelt chat," she said.
Layla’s concern was evident. "What about your shop? You ntioned the sales haven’t been great this month."
Ruby responded with a cheerful smile, "Oh, I received a large order this morning. I need to supply storybooks to a school."
Layla’s thoughts briefly drifted. *Could it be Lucius?*
Ruby’s attention shifted to the TV, where the news was playing. "Is that Orabela?" she exclaid. "She cursed you on national TV! But look at her—her true colors are finally being shown!" Ruby laughed as she read the headlines about Orabela.
Turning back to Layla, Ruby added, "I noticed the articles about you were pretty harsh. Don’t let them get to you, okay?"
Layla nodded, giving a reassuring smile. "Co on, have a seat. I’ll get us so snacks," she said as she turned off the TV.
Ruby’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I’ll help you. I’d love to see where you live."
"Sure," Layla agreed.
As they descended the stairs, Ruby asked, "Is Lucius treating you well? I tried asking that bodyguard if Lucius is involved in anything illegal, like dealing with weapons, but he wouldn’t tell ."
Layla shrugged, "Lucius says he doesn’t do anything illegal. I don’t know much about him—he’s quite secretive. He mostly just teases ."
Ruby’s eyes widened with delight. "Oh, so he teases you! That’s a good sign. It sounds like your husband is treating you well. You deserve all this happiness, Layla. I rember how you used to do everything around the house before you got married. Everyone fears Lucius, but he’s good to you, and that’s the best part."
Layla’s gaze softened as she spoke. "I’m surprised by his behavior too. He’s protective, and I do feel safe with him." In just two days, her initial reservations about Lucius had given way to respect.
The two friends arrived in the kitchen, where Layla began to prepare so snacks and cold drinks for them.
~~~~~
"Orabela!" Miriam rushed to her daughter, enveloping her in a comforting embrace as Orabela arrived ho with Darius. Miriam gently stroked her back while Orabela broke down in tears.
"You’re ho now," Miriam whispered soothingly. "We’ll make everything right."
Seraphina, who was also in the living room, watched with a heavy heart as Orabela wept uncontrollably.
"Mom, what am I supposed to do?" Orabela cried. "They’ve destroyed my reputation. The reporters surrounded , bombarding with questions. I don’t even rember what happened, but the articles are accusing of ruining Layla’s image. I didn’t bribe anyone," she said while sniffling.
Orabela turned to her father with pleading eyes. "Dad, please help clear this up. What if a police investigation is launched? I have no idea who is behind this, but it’s not just my reputation that’s at stake—it’s Layla’s too."
Before her father could respond, Seraphina spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. "It’s Layla," she declared firmly. "I can hardly believe it, but I’m convinced that Layla is behind this. When she was dismissed from the company for her mistakes, she wrongfully blad Orabela."
Orabela’s tears flowed more freely as she responded, her voice choked with emotion. "I don’t understand why she’s doing this to . She’s painted as the villain in everyone’s eyes. It feels like the whole world is against ."
Her voice trembled as she continued, "And to make matters worse, a reporter asked about the inheritance. Why would I even be interested in Dad’s property? I’m exhausted by all this. Last night, Dad slapped , and now, this nightmare with the dia."
Darius’s hands tightened into fists, his frustration was evident in his expression. He felt helpless, knowing that any attempt to confront Layla could provoke a response from Lucius. He was acutely aware of the power Lucius wielded and the potential repercussions for him and his family if he crossed any lines.
Without waiting for a response, Orabela said, "I’m going to my room. Please, don’t disturb ." She fled up the stairs, her distress evident as she sought solace in her room.
Miriam approached her husband with a determined look. "Honey, we need to take action. If you allow , I’ll go see Layla tomorrow. Orabela is suffering unjustly, and we need to make things right."
Darius sighed deeply in frustration. "What can we realistically do, Miriam? Layla is understandably upset with us. I know I didn’t give her the attention and support she deserved as a father, and now it’s affecting everything. If you go to see her and it angers Lucius, it could make things even worse. We need to let this situation settle for now."
Darius’s voice softened with fatigue. "Let handle it from here. I’ll see what I can do to address the issue. For now, I need so ti to rest." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Miriam to contemplate the difficult situation they faced.
Miriam’s frustration boiled over as she faced Seraphina. "Are you satisfied now? My Orabela is suffering because of your daughter. I warned you not to ruin my daughter’s life, but now it seems like you’re taking it out on her through Layla. If you hadn’t confronted Layla and slapped her, Orabela’s reputation wouldn’t be in shambles like this!" Miriam’s voice was sharp, and she spat the words at Seraphina with fury.
"Miriam, trust , I never thought it would happen. You’ve always seen scolding and disciplining Layla. All this started after she got married to Lucius. I think it was a wrong decision to marry her off like this," Seraphina said in a calm voice.
"Shut up! I’m done with your lies," Miriam sharply said and left the living room.
Seraphina fisted her palms, wondering what she should do to stop Layla acting in such a mad way.
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