Chapter 2 What’s Gotten Into This Woman?

• Logan followed Leo's gaze.
• A touch of red that stood out in the crowd.
• Layla, in a wine-red gown, moved with a grace that seemed to captivate everyone around her. The media cameras were focused on her, capturing her every move. She looked like a superstar walking the red carpet.
• Layla?
• Logan was stunned before recognizing her. She had always preferred light makeup and simple dresses. This was the first time he had seen her dressed like this.
• Harper felt terrible. It was her first time seeing Layla.
• Compared to Layla's alluring appearance, She appeared overly plain.
• "Mrs. Robinson looks stunning," said Harper,her tone tinged with a subtle hint of jealousy.
• On the other side, Layla had already spotted Logan and Harper. She walked straight toward them.
• Harper had expected Layla to be shocked and embarrassed upon seeing her with Logan since Layla was unaware of her presence. However, Layla approached them with a calm and composed smile, as if she had known all along.
• "With Mrs. Robinson here, who is the lady next to Mr. Robinson?" whispered some of the media.
• Layla approached Logan, taking his arm and extending a hand toward Harper with a smile. "You must be Harper, the student Logan mentioned. Hello, I'm Layla. You can call me Mrs. Robinson."
• Harper awkwardly withdrew her hand from Logan's arm and shook Layla's offered hand. "Hello, Mrs. Robinson."
• The title 'Mrs. Robinson' felt like a thorn in her throat.
• Layla continued, "Logan has mentioned that you're a student he's been supporting. And you have plans to study abroad,right?"
• Harper glanced at Logan secretly.
• Logan replied, "Harper's studies have been excellent. She plans to go abroad this year, but she's a bit timid, so I brought her here to broaden her horizons."
• Sure, this time, he brings Harper just to let her broaden her horizons.
• Logan hadn’t fully fallen for Harper yet. It was only after she returned from abroad that he truly fell in love with her.
• However, he had started bringing Harper to all kind of occasions, making it well-known throughout Hastin City that he liked a young college student.
• Now, none of this mattered to Layla anymore. She came to the auction not to compete with Harper for Logan's attention but for a more significant purpose.
• "Logan, take good care of Miss Hamilton. I'll go inside first." Layla released her hold on Logan’s arm.
• Logan was taken aback. He hadn’t excepted those words had come out of Layla’s mouth.
• By the time he snapped out of his surprise, she had already entered the venue.
• Logan frowned. When has the usually hysterical Layla become so agreeable?
• As Layla sat in a discreet corner, the entire auction hall was filled with Hastin’s elite.
• If she remembered correctly, an abandoned plot of land would be purchased by a small-time businessman during this auction. Later, that land would become valuable due to the high-end developments around it. This caused the small merchant to transform into a successful business tycoon.
• Since she had decided to part ways with Logan, she needed to find herself a way out.
• After taking a seat, Logan scanned the room for any sign of Layla. Beside him, Harper timidly asked, "Mr. Robinson, am I really the one who should bid later?"
• Logan’s thoughts were pulled back by her voice. He replied, "Yes, I trust your judgment."
• Harper blushed. She had dedicated years to studying finance in school, all leading up to this moment.
• Up on the second floor, Layla watched as Logan and Harper chatted happily.
• Harper did possess some talent, which was one of the reasons why Logan was drawn to her.
• In her previous life, Harper had identified a valuable piece of land for Logan, which had caused him to view her differently.
• But in reality, that piece of land had always been valuable. With the Robinson Group's properties nearby, Harper freely raised the bid using Logan's funds. Consequently, the value of the Robinson Group's properties surrounding the land also increased. Ultimately, Logan would not suffer any losses.
• Even without Harper, Logan would have acquired the land.
• As expected, Harper began bidding once the auction started.
• She successfully secured the first three prime pieces of land.
• Logan sat by her side like a guardian.
• "Starting bid for Moontown in Hastin, one billion!"
• "Two billion."
• For the first time since the auction began, Layla's opening bid caused the entire room to gasp in shock.
• Logan frowned. What's gotten into this woman?
• Harper whispered, "This land isn't worth much. I fear Mrs. Robinson's two billion will be in vain."
• Logan texted Layla. 'Layla, what are you doing?'
• Layla glanced at her phone, then put her phone away without replying.
• "Two billion once."
• "Two billion twice."
• "Is Layla out of her mind? Two billion for this worthless piece of land?"
• Fedrick, on the second floor, was astonished.
• "Three billion." Zane bid.
• Fedrick nearly flipped the table. "Zane! Are you insane, too?"
• Layla furrowed her brow, wondering who was trying to snatch the land from her. When she looked up, she saw Zane on the opposite side.
• She vaguely recalled Zane's involvement in the black market industry. When did he venture into real estate?
• "Four billion!" She raised the stakes calmly.
• Downstairs, Logan's brows furrowed even deeper. He tapped out a few words on his phone again. 'Layla, shut up!'
• Layla simply turned off her phone.
• "Five billion."
• Facing Zane's deliberate challenge, Layla gritted her teeth angrily.
• Alright, you want to play?
• She boldly declared, "Ten billion!"
• "She's insane. She's absolutely insane!" Fedrick exclaimed.
• Logan stood up, losing his composure. He couldn't quite fathom her intentions. To him, the piece of land wasn't worth even one billion. And yet, Layla was willing to pay ten billion to buy it?
• Zane smiled at Layla and made a gesture of concession.
• "Ten billion "
• "Ten billion going once."
• "Ten billion going twice! Sold!"
• A sense of relief washed over Layla as the gavel struck.
• She finally secured the land, but she needlessly spent eight more billion, all because of this Zane!
• She glared at Zane from a distance.
• Fedrick nudged Zane. "Hey, Layla is glaring at you. If I were you, I'd watch my back!"
• Zane raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed.
• Downstairs, Harper pulled Logan aside and said, "Mr. Robinson, Layla is going to make you lose money."
• He coldly replied, "She set the price herself. No one will help her."