Replaced by His First Love, I Found a Better Match

Chapter 6

Meanwhile, Layla stood beneath a skyscraper and looked up at the enormous logo mounted prominently on its facade—Nexora Technologies.

In 3 years, the tiny startup team they had built became one of the brightest rising companies in AI. And Blake had truly protected every bit of the recognition that belonged to her.

Layla waited in the reception room for 2 full hours, yet Blake showed no sign of meeting with her.

She remained calm and used the quiet break room to study the latest AI research papers. Looking at the cold coffee in her cup, she smiled ruefully. It didn't matter. She owed Blake this much, and she had all the patience in the world.

"Ms. Bennett, Mr. Morgan will see you now," his assistant finally said respectfully.

Layla rose, gathered her papers, and entered the vast, luxurious executive office.

"Sit." Without looking up, Blake gestured toward the couch, then began playing a game on his phone as if she weren't there.

Layla sat down and studied the words "don't bother me" written all over his face. With a helpless sigh, she broke the silence. "Mr. Morgan, I came today to discuss a business arrangement with you."

"Mr. Morgan"—how formal.

The distance in those words made Blake's fingers freeze over the screen. His expression darkened instantly.

The woman before him was still breathtaking. When she wasn't smiling, her beauty was cool and untouchable—when she did smile, the dimple in her cheek was devastating. Yet compared with the sharp, bright-eyed young woman she had been 3 years ago, the Layla before him now seemed drained of life.

News of the wedding had already spread across Bayhaven. Blake suppressed a mocking smile. "What? Finally regret it? You want to crawl back here and play with your algorithms again?"

Layla froze—and a spark lit her eyes. "You'd still let me come back?"

Blake snorted. "I'm not saying it's impossible. AI is booming this year, and several of our key projects are understaffed. But Nexora Technologies doesn't carry dead weight—and we certainly won't hire someone with a 3-year gap in her resume! If you come back, you'll start at the bottom as a junior engineer. Can you handle that?"

Layla nodded without hesitation. "Absolutely! No problem!"

The determination in her eyes made Blake frown. "All right. Tell me why you're really here. You've been struggling to spit it out since you walked in."

Layla clenched her fists at her sides. Finally, she summoned the courage to speak, "I need some money urgently... Could I receive an advance on the dividends from my equity?"

Blake's brows locked together. "How much?"

"$6 million."

Blake stared at her, then gave a harsh, mocking laugh. "So you came here and told me you wanted your job back just so you could get money from me? Layla, you've never disappointed me more!"

Layla lowered her head. Her voice was soft, but her resolve cut through every word. "I'm divorcing Gavin."

Blake's mockery stopped dead. He stared at her in shock. He hadn't expected the farce of a marriage to fall apart so quickly.

Then he remembered the scandal of Gavin abandoning his bride at the wedding and gave a cold snort. "At least you're not completely hopeless! But why do you need $6 million?"

"To repay every wedding expense the Westons covered. I want to walk away owing them nothing."

Blake looked as if he had heard the most absurd joke in the world. A curse burst from him. "Have you completely lost your damn mind?"

His fingers beat a slow, heavy rhythm against the desk. "You can access the money in the account whenever you want—but I'm not handing it over for nothing. First, I want proof of your value and commitment!"

Layla lifted her head, her eyes brilliantly clear. "Name your condition! Whatever it is, I'll do it!"

Blake opened his computer and forwarded a highly confidential RFP directly to Layla's phone.

"Damian Sinclair—the legendary golden heir of Ashbourne's most powerful old-money families—has arrived in Bayhaven with billions in investment capital. Stratos Group plans to expand along the East Coast and is looking for the strongest local AI company as a strategic partner. Every major tech company in Bayhaven, including Weston Group, is fighting like hell for that contract."

Layla was clever and instantly saw what he was getting at. "Nexora Technologies wants the contract too, and you want me to lead the proposal."

Blake regarded her with approval. "Exactly! Beat Weston Group and win Stratos Group's business for us. Do that, and you can take the $6 million whenever you want. I won't ask a single question."

"Deal." Layla spoke each word with absolute certainty, "That contract is ours!"