Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Like the villain

Layla and Lucius were finishing dinner at an elegant restaurant, preparing to leave, when a man approached them.

“Layla Rosenzweig,” he called out her name, causing both of them to turn in surprise.

“Ryan?” Layla uttered, her voice laced with shock.

“You’ve changed so much,” Ryan remarked, his gaze sweeping over her, taking in her appearance.

Lucius’s expression darkened at the stranger’s bold scrutiny. Stepping forward, he placed a possessive hand on Layla’s lower back. “Lucius De Salvo, Layla’s husband,” he introduced himself with a cool demeanor, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sized up the man before them.

Ryan extended a hand, seemingly unfazed. “Ryan Sinclair,” he said with a friendly smile. Having spent most of his time in the U.S., Ryan hadn’t recognized Lucius’s name. “I didn’t know Layla got married,” he added, shaking Lucius’s hand before stepping back.

“It was a bit of a hurry,” Layla responded, her tone casual as she glanced at Lucius. Sensing that this conversation required some privacy, she gently urged him, “Go ahead to the car, love. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Lucius hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave her alone with this man, but after a moment of her insistence, he nodded and walked away, though not without one final glance at Ryan.

Once Lucius was out of the sight, Ryan turned to Layla, his expression more serious. “Orabela told me you cheated on her,” he said bluntly.

Layla blinked in confusion. “What?”

“She claims Roderick broke up with her because you were secretly seeing him—said you tried to seduce him. Is there any truth to that?” Ryan’s voice was calm, but his eyes searched her face for answers.

“I never did that,” Layla snapped, her voice laced with anger.

Ryan raised his hands in a placating gesture. “Seems like your sister is at it again, spreading more rumors. I didn’t have your number, so I couldn’t reach out to check on you. I thought asking Orabela would be the next best thing.”

Layla’s expression hardened. “It’s the opposite. Orabela and Roderick cheated on me behind my back,” she confessed without hesitation, her voice tight with emotion. After a pause, she sighed, her voice lowering, “Sorry, it’s just… my emotions are all over the place.”

Ryan shook his head understandingly. “Anyone would have reacted the same way. But, honestly, why haven’t you shut her down yet? Even back in college, she caused you so much trouble. I still can’t believe you put up with her lies for so long. It’s good to stay quiet sometimes, but not forever,” he advised, his tone gentle but firm.

Layla gave a small nod, her thoughts visibly swirling. “Hmm.”

Ryan smiled warmly, trying to lighten the mood. “By the way, congratulations on your marriage. Lucius seems like a really good guy.”

“Thank you,” Layla said, meeting his eyes again. She allowed a small smile. “Yes, he is. I didn’t think you’d ever come back to Italy, though, with your whole family settled in the U.S.”

“Yeah, but I’m here to set up a business now,” Ryan explained. “I chose Italy for my studies because I’ve always had a soft spot for this place.”

“That’s great!” Layla’s mood lifted. “If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Ryan chuckled softly. “Well, for that, I’d need your number.”

“Oh, right,” Layla quickly recited her number, which Ryan saved into his phone.

“I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure your husband is waiting,” Ryan said, stepping back with a smile.

Layla nodded, offering a polite smile in return. “Take care, Ryan,” she said, before turning and heading out of the restaurant to join Lucius.

As soon as Layla settled into the car and clicked her seatbelt into place, Lucius’s voice broke the silence. “Who’s Ryan? Is he a male friend of yours?”

Layla turned slightly to face him. “Not exactly a friend,” she clarified. “He’s a senior from my college. His family lives in the States, but he’s come back here to set up a business.” She paused for a moment, her thoughts swirling, before she suddenly added, “I want to go to my family home.”

Lucius’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Why there?” he asked, his eyes narrowing with concern.

Layla’s jaw tightened as she answered, “Because Orabela is spreading false rumors about me again. I need to confront her. Take me there, please.”

Lucius immediately leaned forward and instructed the driver. “Take us to the Rosenzweig Family Mansion,” he commanded firmly before sitting back and turning his full attention to Layla. “What did she do this time?” His voice was calm, but a dark edge lingered underneath.

Layla’s temper flared. “She’s telling people that I cheated on her by secretly dating Roderick! Can you believe that? She’s spinning the story to make me look like the villain.”

Lucius’s expression hardened, his eyes darkening with anger. “Seems like the lesson I gave her last time wasn’t enough. This time, I’ll make sure she–”

Before he could finish, Layla interrupted him firmly. “No, Lucius. This is my fight,” she said, her voice resolute. “I appreciate your support, but I need to be the one who deals with her. I have to understand why she’s doing this to me. It’s my battle, and I’m going to face it myself.”

Lucius hesitated, his protective instincts battling against her wishes. He wanted nothing more than to shield her from this nonsense, but the determination in her voice made him pause.

Finally, he nodded, though his jaw remained clenched. “Alright. But if she tries to pull anything, you know I’m not going to just stand by.”

Layla gave a small nod of acknowledgment. “I know. But I need to be the one to confront her first. It’s time I put an end to this myself.”

She stared out of the window, her fingers anxiously fidgeting in her lap. The tension in her chest was building, but it eased slightly when she felt Lucius’s warm hand gently wrap around hers.

“You can definitely put her in her place. I know you can,” he said softy to sooth her nerves.