Chapter16
The next second, Samantha’s wrist was seized in a firm grip, yanking her owed with undible force
She was already sitting on Leardo’s lap, but now, with the sudden pull, the thin fabric between them was the only thing keeping their skin from touching
The closeness unsettled her. Instinctively, she pressed a hand against his chest, trying to put some space between them.
Leonardo wore a faint smile, though his voice was low, almost as if he were holding back irritation. “You’ve got some nerve, turning me down.
Samantha shrank back slightly. Her heart pounded, but she refused to back down. “I’m not rejecting you. I just think marriage isn’t something to rush into, and it’s not just about
Both of us have to agree. You can’t just force me
“That’s true. I don’t like forcing people Lead chuckled as he released her hand. Hecasually pushed her off, creating just the right amount of distance between them.
It was like a switch had flipped, turning intimacy into indifference in an instant.
“Sooner or later, you’ll need someone in your comer. Those who are smart know how to choose an ally who benefits them.”
Samantha had to admit that he had a point. Having the right connections.could make all the difference.
But how could she be sure Leonardo was someone she could muly rely on? She never kon what to expect with him. One moment, he was all charm. The next, he was seething.
She didn’t really know him, and she certainly didn’t believe he would develop feelings for someone like her. She was just an ordinary woman with no power or influence. It was probably just a passing fascination, or maybe he just found her amusing at that moment
When she didn’t respond, Leonardo pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “Call me if you ever need anything”
Samantha took the card and glanced at it.
Leonardo Garrett, Founder of Evergreen Corporation”
Evergreen was the fashion brand Leonardo had built from the ground up five years ago. it had skyrocketed to success, cementing itself among the top luxury brands. Young people passed me it, and as its vahur soared, so did Leonardo’s wealth. He was now a regular on the Forbes t
Suddenly, Leeando said, “Of course, you can also add me on WhatsApp”
That was no small offer because not just anyone could get the personal contact of someone like him.
“Okay,” she replied
won’t bother you again until you’ve made up your mind.”
“Is “play” the only word you know how to say?
Leonardo had always considered himself a man of few words. Yet somehow, in front of Samantha, he found himself talking more than usuall
She pursed her lips, hesitating before finally speaking. “I got it I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.”
Leonardo dell silent. Well, at least she knew how in provide some emotional validation.
Aher that, silence settled between them. There was nothing left to say, and neither of them seemed eager to start a new conversation.
“Alright, you can go now,” Leonardo finally said.
“Are you sure? I can really leave??
Everything had gone a Ente too smoothly. More importantly, she had made it through without a starch. It was almost suspicious. For a split second, she wondered if she was Imagining things, or if some hidden masochistic side of her was acting up.
“you don’t want to leave, you’re welcome to stay.”
“Il leave right way she quickly said.
w second.
Samantha bolted without bestaan, moving so fast she didn’t even lock bark. It was ay if she learned Leunardo might change his mind at any
Leonardo was speechless. Was he really that terrifying
“Samantha’s probably not coming o
“No way she is Look at how pissed Mr. Garrett was. He nearly killed Layla. You really think he would let Samantha walk out of there unharmed? She’s as good as dead.”
“1 kept saying it, didn’t I? A young woman her age should know better. Pursuing men like that always leads to trouble, and look, I was right”
“She was literally sending a few days ago about all the money she made. Now? She won’t even get the chance to cry”
“Of all people to mess with, shu chase Mr. Garrett? She night as well have signed her own death warrant. Honestly, it’s better this way. Lesa trouble for the club. Iwas scanal int of my mind just now, worried I would get dragged into it too.
Layla’s Lace–drained of color, yet her expression remained full of concem as she stared at the private
Beside her, Xenia wouldn’t stop talking. “This is all Samantha’s fant. She stirred up this whole mess, and now in the one who got tired. I didn’t even get my two million. How the hell am I supposed to go back to my boyfriend like this? She’s nothing but a walking disaster.
Slur’s done for. You better stop hoping since she pissed off Mr. Garet Goodrider, if you ask me. Allt everything she put me through, she deserves all that sh
Layla shot her a sharpe “shut the fuck up!”
*Who do you think you are, yelling at me like that?” Kenia retorted. “You’re no better than ham. Your best friend screwed us all over, and you’re still defending her?”
Just then, the plate room door swung op
Xenia curled her lips into a smirk, poking her head inside with a tace full of glee “I can’t wait to see what happens to that batch. She probably have to be carried out.”
The other waitstaff pretended to mind their own business, buying themselves with random tasks. However, the estner of their eyes were fixed on the doorway, ager to see how
Chapter 16
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things would unfold.
They couldn’t believe the sight before them. Samantha was actually standing at the door completely unharmed. There were no broken limbs, no bruises on her face, and not even
ascratch.
In fact, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she looked… perfectly fine
Xenia, with her swollen, battered face, looked far worse in comparison
The hallway fell into stunned silence.
“This this can’t be real”
“She’s totally fine?!
Everyone had been convinced Samantha was done for. Yet here she was, standing tall like nothing had happened.
Xenia’s eyes widened in shock. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “No way! How could Mr.Garrett let her off so easily? Things got completely out of hand, and how the hell did she walk away just like that?”
Layla rushed to Samantha’s side without hesitation, scanning her from head to toe as she asked anxiously, “Did he hit you? Are you hurt?H–He didn’t do anything to you, did he?
Samantha shook her head and replied, “No”
She didn’t have time to explain further before the private coom door swung open again. As they saw Leonardo standing at the entrance, Layla immediately palled Samantha aside,
The people crowding the hallway quickly stopped back without needing to be told, instinctively clearing a path.
Then, Samantha looked toward the doorway, Leonardo had already regained his usual cold and distant demeanor. He was flanked by his bodyguards as he strode away.
-Layla reached out and pressed a hand over Samantha’s head, forcing her to look away,
“Don’t look. It’s a miracle he didn’t come after you. Don’t mess with him again, otherwise, that man will kill you.”
“Okay.“Samantha replied obediently.
It wasn’t until Leonardo and his men had left that everyone at the club finally let out a breath of relle
The incident that night had nearly scared the life out of everyone. Even Joliet, their ever–composed supervisor, had turned ghostly pale.
If Leonardo had lost his temper, he could have torn the place apart. If that happened, they would all be out on the streets before sunrise.
“Xenia, Layla, you two are no longer employees bere. Get the hell out she ordered.
Xenia stormed off, cursing under her breath. Meanwhile, Layla cast a worried glance at Samanth. But in the end, she left too
Juliet glanced at Samantha and said impatiently, “You all got lucky tonight. If anyone stirs up trouble like this again, they’re out. Seriously, how does this nonsense even happen?
