"Miss Smith, Mr. Smith is acutely aware that he wronged you years ago."
"He's prepared to offer compensation in any way possible, as long as you're willing to come back."
"He just wants to see you one more time. Do you really have the heart to let him live with regret for the rest of his life?"
It's been two months. The attorney's incessant calls come one after another.
Layla Smith reclines in her sleek black office chair, narrowing her eyes.
"What does his life or death have to do with me? Moreover, my surname is not Smith. Tell him that if he wants to apologize, he should find my mother." She hangs up the phone, closing her eyes.
There's a knock at the door. A man in a suit strides in.
"Boss..."
Layla opens her eyes, a dangerous glint flashing in them.
The man quickly corrects himself. "Boss, there's a shipment at the dock tonight. Do we proceed or not?"
Layla's gaze fixes on his face, her eyes mesmerizing and enigmatic with no trace of emotion. "We're a legitimate enterprise, not some gangsters perpetually looking for a fight."
She yawns, rising from the chair. "Pass my words down. If anyone dares to make a move tonight, don't blame me for not considering him a brother."
A smile perpetually adorns her face as she speaks. Others might not know, but Ben undoubtedly does. Behind this woman's smile, there always lurks a knife.
Ben looks into her eyes, chuckling after a few seconds. "Really planning on turning over a new leaf?"
"What do you think?" Layla arches her eyebrows.
Ben steps closer. "Just don't forget how many eyes are watching. Moreover, our losses..."
"The loss is only temporary." Despite standing half a head taller than Layla, when her hand rests on his shoulder, her grip is unexpectedly strong.
"We've been together for so many years. Don't you understand this yet?"
"So, what's your next move?"
Of course, Ben knew. He has been with her for eight years. Back then, she was just sixteen, far from the decisive and ruthless person she is now. As a young girl, he never took her seriously, but two months later, she had him completely under her control.
Since then, he's been following her, watching her grow into the formidable woman she is today.
Layla releases him and returns to her seat. "I have my own plans"
Now is not the time for the company to make significant changes. One must stabilize the internal situation before confronting external threats. But as long as she's here, those who oppose her would not dare to expose themselves easily.
Ben was about to leave when she stopped him.
"Arrange this for me. I might be away for a while. Spread the message that I am seriously injured and bedridden."
Ben knitted his brows, instantly understanding her intentions. "But there are so many eyes on you now. Once they find out..."
"No one will know," she replied solemnly. "Only you and I. There won't be a third person."
"But if you leave here and your identity is revealed..."
"I know my limits." Her voice was quiet but filled with certainty. "Ben, in this world, you are the only one I can trust."
Ben didn't respond immediately, but eventually, he spoke up. "Where do you plan to go?"
Layla walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and smiled gently. "California."
Ben's eyes narrowed slightly. Layla's past was a secret to everyone except him.
"Do you still want to go back?"
Layla nodded. "Some things need to be done sooner or later."
In the past, that man had abandoned her and her mother, transferred all his assets, and driven her mother out with nothing.
At that time, her mother was pregnant but was pushed down the stairs by the daughter of his mistress. Layla witnessed all the blood spilling onto the floor. The child—almost four months old in the womb—was a boy, her unborn younger brother.
Later, the mistress tearfully apologized, claiming that her daughter was young and didn’t know any better.
Layla didn't know whether a nine-year-old should know better, but she clearly saw the malice in the girl's eyes when she pushed her mother.
But after all, she was also the daughter of her father. The father, feeling sorry for the mistress and the child, thought he hadn’t fulfilled his responsibilities as a father to them.
He turned tender-hearted and then blamed their mother for being overly pressing.
Their mother, feeling desolate and despondent, eventually agreed to the divorce.
However, the properties had been transferred long before. Her father, being a shrewd businessman, had connections everywhere.
Her mother couldn’t fight him and had no choice but to swallow her pride.
The miscarriage took a toll on her mother's health, causing long-term complications. When her mother passed away, Layla was only sixteen.
Now, it was his turn to face retribution. He had gone bankrupt, owed a mountain of debts, and finally remembered his former wife and daughter.
Twelve years. Layla thought it was time to settle the old scores.
When she alighted from the plane, she barely recognized the city. But after so many years, she had finally returned.
The Smiths' former villa was located by Sky Lake. It was said that the old Smith grandmother lived there now.
The old lady had always been dissatisfied with her mother, criticizing her for only giving birth to a girl.
Later, when her mother had a miscarriage, word got around that the mistress was pregnant, and with a son at that.
Everyone forced the pain and bitterness on her mother and her, making them swallow it all.
Once she had found a hotel, Layla finally called her lawyer. "Let's meet up. Pick a place and time!"
The lawyer was momentarily speechless, possibly fearing she would back out, but quickly arranged a meeting place and time. Eight in the evening was still hours away. Layla was in no rush. She decided to take a bath first and then take a nap.
Meanwhile, a plane had just landed at the main airport of California. A man took off his sunglasses as he descended, followed by a short-legged little boy, Leo.
The little Leo, imitating Ethan Stone, also removed his sunglasses, stumbling onto his backside while trying to strike a pose. Just as he was about to throw a tantrum, Ethan turned him around, hoisted him up in one hand, and descended the escalator.
Little Leo looked quite similar to Ethan Stone, sharing about sixty percent of his features. Though Ethan Stone had a rugged-looking face, Leo's features were slightly softer. Their eyes were different too—Ethan had light brown pupils, while Leo's were black and bright.
"Put me down, Ethan, or I'm really going to get angry."
Little Leo squirmed under his arm, nearly falling by accident, then clung tightly to him. Ethan appeared indifferent, clearly too lazy to deal with him.
Ethan finally set Leo down, who instantly became more spirited. "Ethan, where are we going to find Mommy?"
Ethan slightly squinted his eyes, grabbing Leo's ear. "Can you say 'Dad'?"
Leo managed to escape from his clutches with a grimace. "You're bullying me. I'm going to tell Grandma."
Ethan looked at him and handed him the small suitcase. "If you're a man, then carry it yourself." He said, then walked away with long strides.
Little Leo was frustrated. "Ethan, you can't treat kids like this."
Ethan didn't look back, so Little Leo had no choice but to follow along, pushing the suitcase with his short legs.
The hotel had been booked by Ethan's assistant in advance, which displeased Leo. "Ethan, I think it's time to change your assistant."
Ethan glanced at him and took off his jacket. "You've got quite the ambition. Why don't I give you my position as well?"
Leo pouted, opened his suitcase, and immediately took out his notebook. "Anyway, you’re going to give it to me eventually."
He opened his laptop, connected to the hotel's internet, and swiftly typed the name "Layla Smith."
Ethan had told him the name on the plane.
Ethan had already taken off his coat and was on his way to the bathroom when Leo suddenly lifted his head. "Ethan, will we really find Mommy this time?"
There was a rare sight of anticipation in those large eyes.
Ethan's footsteps stopped beside him. He bent down and ruffled the little boy's hair. "We will."
As long as she was still alive, even if he had to dig three feet into the ground, he would find her.
