Chapter 6

Marianne's brow furrowed slightly as she stretched out her words, speaking slowly. "Seth, I know you very well. I can see clearly whether you like someone or not, but Layla is a good girl. Don't let her down."

Whenever Seth heard his mother or his late grandfather praise Layla, it made him deeply uncomfortable. Sometimes he wondered what tricks Layla had used to make them like her so much.

So he dismissed the comment, "Mom, I've spent the most time with Layla. I know exactly what kind of person she is."

"What? In your heart, Layla is actually a terrible woman, right?" Marianne's eyes were full of scrutiny.

Seth remained silent, but his silence was as good as confirmation.

In the living room, Elizabeth sat on the sofa while Layla stood before her.

"Didn't I tell you that as Seth's wife, you must always pay attention to your appearance whenever you leave home? What are you doing now? Treating my words as background noise?" Elizabeth's voice dripped with disdain.

Layla pressed her lips together. "Grandmother, it was an emergency. I didn't have time."

"Then how did Seth manage it?"

"Because Seth had just gotten home and hadn't changed yet," Layla explained, unable to say they had been...

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows contemptuously. "Are you talking back to me now?"

Layla quickly clarified, "No, no, Grandmother. I'm just explaining."

In truth, one reason Elizabeth had summoned Layla was similar to Seth's thinking—she didn't want Layla getting too close to Marianne. After all, Marianne was still alive and maintained both status and influence in the Stanton family.

They looked down on Layla and naturally didn't want anyone in the Stanton family to like her.

Elizabeth even thought that after Marianne passed away, she would make sure Seth and Layla divorced.

"Don't go back to the room. Let Seth and Marianne have some time alone. Your hovering there looks inappropriate."

Layla nodded, her chest filled with an indescribable ache.

"I've seen the recent news and I've met Jennifer. She seems to have some medical condition, though I don't know exactly what it is. Seth won't say." Elizabeth studied Layla with undisguised contempt. "Jennifer is inferior to you in both figure and appearance, so why don't you think about why you can't capture Seth's heart, while Jennifer—a woman who's less than you—can?"

This accusation made Layla's already wounded heart deteriorate further.

Her eyes became empty and unfocused, and after a long moment, she said, "Perhaps Jennifer has something that Seth loves about her."

"Let me tell you, all men are lustful. Don't give me that nonsense about feelings. You need to look for the reason in yourself. Don't think it's all Seth's fault. Men like to play around, but the important thing is whether a wife can keep her husband in check. That's what takes skill." Elizabeth took a sip of tea, making no gesture to invite Layla to sit and share a cup.

Beneath her seemingly calm exterior, Layla's heart was overwhelmed by a heavy, deep sense of guilt. She even wondered: was it really her fault?

Was she unable to capture Seth's heart, and that was why things had turned out this way?

"Seth, Layla is a good person. Don't hurt her, or I will never rest in peace, even after death." Marianne clutched Seth's hand, imploring him.

Hearing the same words, Seth felt extremely annoyed, but in front of his sick mother, he couldn't show any of it.

So he could only say, "I understand. Don't worry."

"The news about you and Jennifer is everywhere. How can I not worry? Unless you quickly have a child with Layla. That way, when I'm gone, I won't have to fear you'll use my absence as an opportunity to drive Layla away." Marianne's mouth turned down slightly, as if dragged by the weight of her concerns.

When they left the Stanton Manor, it was already eleven at night. Marianne had originally asked them to stay, but Seth had refused.

Layla knew he was rushing to North Shore Heights to be with his lover.

In the car, neither spoke. The silence in the cabin was thick and oppressive, with only the faint sound of the engine breaking through.

Seth glanced sideways at Layla. Even in profile, she was beautiful—flowing contours, an elegant swan-like neck, all highlighted by the dim light, making her look exquisite.

Though he didn't love Layla, her face did captivate him. He had seen many beautiful women, but rarely one like Layla—fresh and pure yet not without allure. Though not very tall, her five-foot-five frame paired with perfectly proportioned features made her flawless.

After a while of silence, Layla suddenly spoke, "You can drop me off at the roadside. I'll take a taxi home."

Startled, Seth turned to look at her. "What?"

"You're going to North Shore Heights, right? Going to Oceanview Estate isn't on your way." Layla's tone was flat, devoid of any emotion.

Somehow, seeing Layla like this, Seth felt a slight pang of guilt, though it vanished almost instantly.

"I'm not going to North Shore Heights tonight. It's late, I'm heading back to Oceanview Estate."

In Layla's mind, Seth must be worried about disturbing his beloved's rest, which was why he chose to return to Oceanview Estate with her.

How considerate he was to Jennifer.

After about fifteen seconds, Seth spoke again, "I've already had Ryan take care of Brian Hawkins. He's been roughed up and warned. If he tries to contact you again, let me know immediately."

If Seth had said this a few days earlier, Layla would have been touched and continued her one-sided love for him. But now it was too late.

She didn't answer his question, instead saying, "Don't bother. After our divorce, I'll leave Haven City. Then neither Brian nor my mother will be able to find me."

In an instant, Seth's face darkened, his brow furrowed with impatience. He had initially dismissed Layla's talk of divorce as a passing tantrum that would blow over, but he hadn't expected her to bring it up again.

"Layla, my patience has limits. If you're unhappy, I'll give you a card with no spending limit. You can charge whatever you want, and you won't need to wait for Ryan to send you a check every month."

Layla almost laughed out loud. She was laughing at herself. In Seth's eyes, was she only after his money and the title of his wife?

"You can give as much money as you want. For property, I only want our current home. You and Jennifer probably wouldn't want to live there after you marry her anyway. That's all I'm asking for. Let's sign the papers now. No need to drag this out."

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