Reclaiming Her Heart

Layla, just a sophomore in college, had been living in dorms and didn't own much. She arrived with only a small suitcase.

Seeing the luxurious mansion, her eyes sparkled with awe, though she carefully concealed her excitement, standing demurely in the grand foyer.

When Raymond came downstairs, she greeted him softly, "Mr. Montague."

Raymond glanced at her suitcase, noting she had changed clothes.

Remarkably, her outfit was identical to what Selena had worn in high school-the Ridgefield High uniform: a simple white t-shirt with loose black pants featuring a red stripe along the side.

Looking at her, Raymond felt disoriented, as if the teenage Selena stood before him. "You're from Ridgefield?" Raymond asked.

Layla nodded, somewhat embarrassed. "Yes, I attended high school there."

Raymond thought, 'What a coincidence.'

He then lowered his gaze while Layla stood silently, not daring to ask which room would be hers.

"Which high school in Ridgefield?"

Layla answered honestly.

It was indeed the same school Selena had attended.

"And college?"

"Silver Bay University. I'm studying art."

Raymond froze completely. If he hadn't already investigated Layla's background, he would have sworn someone had deliberately created a Selena clone to approach him.

An art student at Silver Bay University, high school in Ridgefield, and looking so much like Selena.

A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes before he finally said hoarsely, "John, take her upstairs."

John hesitated, unsure whether to place her in the master bedroom or elsewhere. "Mr. Montague, which room?"

Raymond pulled out a cigarette and was about to light it when Layla stepped beside him. "Mr. Montague, you should smoke less. I noticed you had quite a few at the lounge tonight."

She gently took the cigarette from his hand.

Looking at her face, Raymond experienced a moment of disorientation.

He suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. Seeing this, John quickly grabbed Layla's luggage and headed upstairs.

Layla's face glowed with unexpected delight as she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist.

Raymond felt a surge of reckless abandon. Perhaps he should keep Layla by his side- he understood what she wanted.

She was simple, perhaps naive, but obedient. What she desired was precisely what he could provide, unlike Selena who refused to acknowledge his feelings, who thought he wasn't good enough.

Lowering his eyelashes, he buried his face in Layla's neck.noveldrama

Layla was nearly dizzy with happiness. Raymond Montague, the man from financial news interviews, was embracing her.

He held her so tightly, as if she were his greatest love.

Her heart raced wildly, suddenly feeling she would willingly die for him.

Just thirty minutes earlier, she had thought she only wanted the material benefits of his world.

But now, being close to him, those desires seemed insignificant compared to Raymond himself.

"Mr. Montague," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Raymond just held her, saying nothing.

After a while, she felt something drop onto her neck and froze.

Was he crying? Surely not-Raymond Montague wouldn't cry.

That night, Layla didn't sleep. Raymond held her until morning, then took her to the Montague Group.

Stepping out of the elevator, he immediately spotted Christopher's alter ego.

Despite losing the position of Montague Group CEO, Christopher's alter ego appeared quite pleased with himself.

Raymond ignored him, leading Layla into his office.

Layla stayed by his side like a faithful companion, never leaving.

When he grew tired, she massaged his shoulders.

Occasionally, she would sweetly prepare coffee for him.

The office door swung open as Christopher's alter ego entered. "Selena and I are getting engaged next month. You're welcome to attend, Raymond. And congratulations on finding true love."

Christopher's alter ego smiled, his gaze lingering on Layla. "I must say, she does look remarkably like Selena."

Layla lowered her eyes, pretending not to notice the mockery in his words. Raymond pushed a folder across the desk and then said coldly, "Layla is far better than Selena. She's not anyone's replacement. These are the plans targeting Lawrence. We execute in one hour."

As a Montague Group executive, Christopher's alter ego took the documents and glanced through them. He had to admit they were ruthless-designed to drive the Smith family's Silver Bay City operations to the brink of collapse.

As he was leaving the office, he photographed these documents for Lawrence.

Lawrence responded quickly: [Is Raymond dismissing me?]

The plan was riddled with obvious flaws, as if deliberately written to humiliate Lawrence.

Yet if successful, it would devastate the Smith family's presence in Silver Bay City. Christopher's alter ego couldn't fathom Raymond's true intentions.

An hour later, Christopher led the Montague Group's acquisition attempt against the Smith family's subsidiaries.

Lawrence had already prepared countermeasures, but at that moment, he received a text message: [I've had Tessa taken. She's currently on a private jet to Vistalia, where she'll be offered as a stake in my underground fighting ring.]

When Lawrence read this message, he thought he must be hallucinating.

How dare Raymond! He was completely unhinged.