Laila's last bit of patience was finally worn out by him, and her expression turned cold. "So, Mr. Cole, are you threatening us now?"
"What if I am? I have money, lots and lots of money you can't even imagine! I can spend money to do anything I want!" Cole's disdainful gaze fixed on her as if looking at an ant. "This world belongs to the wealthy; blame yourself for not having the foresight!"
Laila looked at him deeply, seemingly wanting to imprint his current appearance in her mind.
"Mr. Cole, I'll ask one last time. Are you willing to accept our conditions and reconcile with Downey?"
Cole stared at her as if she were a fool and uttered only two words, "Get lost!"
"Very well! I'll remember your words." Laila's voice was calm, her ice-blue eyes as if just emerging from millennia-old ice, filled with a chilling light.
Leaving behind these words, she turned and left without hesitation under Cole's contemptuous gaze.
Coincidentally, right after leaving the hospital gate, Roy's call came in.
"How did it go?"
"No reconciliation!"
"Well, I just heard that guy is a jerk. You better not waste any more time." Roy felt that if even Laila couldn't achieve reconciliation, then it was probably impossible, and they should think of another way. But why did her voice sound off? It was as if she was squeezing her words through her teeth.
"Laila, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just feeling like my temper is too good." Laila sat in the car driven by the bodyguard, exuding a cold aura that even made the bodyguard shiver involuntarily.
Roy hesitated, "Did something happen?"
"Nothing, don't worry."
"No, something's not right! Did that jerk do something offensive to you?" Roy regretted not accompanying her. If he had known that the guy she was meeting was a jerk, he should have gone with her!
Laila's corner of the eye twitched, grateful that she didn't bring him along. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been just Downey's brawl to deal with at Cole's place; it would have been a double package of brawls.
"Nothing, I've already left the hospital. How's Downey doing?"
"He's been released on bail. He's pretty down."
"Bring him home. I have something to talk to him about."
"OK!"
After hanging up the phone, Laila's expression finally eased a bit, but her gaze became sharper.
This hurdle clearly couldn't be easily overcome. To avoid affecting the movie's release, the Avengers and Marvel Universe plans started after Iron Man, she had to find a solution before the news broke tomorrow.
Returning home, she saw Roy and Downey talking in the living room, holding beers. When they saw her coming in, Downey's hand trembled, and the beer bottle almost slipped from his grasp.
"BOSS..."
Laila looked at him coldly, didn't say a word, and sat directly opposite him on the sofa. "Do you know how much trouble this incident will bring to the company?"
Downey lowered his head in shame. "Sorry, BOSS."
Honestly, Laila had a good impression of him before. Regardless of the person, as long as they were determined to change for the better, they deserved respect. But if that person betrayed trust after gaining it, the loss was not just simple trust but also the abandonment of the person himself.
If everyone abandoned a person, then he could only exist as a lonely individual in the world.
"If your father knows about today, how do you think he'll feel?" Laila didn't want to say much to him. Disappointment was her current mood. She had so many expectations for Iron Man; she had the same expectations for him as a person.
When choosing him, she had worries. She feared that he hadn't been tempered by time, and hadn't experienced the determination needed to start anew. But Roy's recommendation and his assurances made her decide to take this risk. She wanted to take a chance; if she won, she would advance the plan ahead of schedule. If she lost... frankly, she hadn't really thought about the possibility of losing.
She believed that anyone willing to reform deserved a chance to change, and she knew the enormous potential Downey possessed. Naturally, she was willing to help him once.
The result... Perhaps the current situation was a punishment for her casual gamble?
Downey's head drooped almost into his chest, but he couldn't defend himself because he did hit someone, at this crucial moment before the movie's release.
"Sorry, BOSS," was all he could say.
Laila waved her hand somewhat wearily. "Apologies now are too late. I've met with Cole, and his intention is clear: no matter the cost, he wants you in jail. Reconciliation is impossible. We need to figure out a solution before this news appears in the newspapers tomorrow."
Downey nodded. "Tell me what to do, and I'll do it according to your instructions."
Laila glanced at him without a trace of kindness. Now that he knew to follow her instructions, where was he when he should have been following them earlier? If he had always listened to her, how could today's situation have occurred?
Thinking about the humiliation she suffered from Cole, her gaze instantly turned icy.
It seemed like it had been a long time since someone had treated her with such an attitude, almost making her forget the treatment she had received in her past life. She had encountered similar people back then, when she was dependent on others, and could only endure being treated as if she were transparent. At that time, she had sworn many times in her heart that one day she would no longer stoop so low to beg others! One day, she would make everyone who looked down on her know that she was a capable person, destined to soar above the heavens.
And then, before her wish could come true, she was reborn.
After being reborn as Laila, the daughter of the Moran family, she would no longer be treated that way. She gained the love of her family and built her own career. Too many days of smooth sailing almost made her forget how difficult her original self was and the promise she made.
Yes, no one could insult her casually anymore! Even if not for herself, she couldn't let the Moran family's reputation be tarnished like this! She looked dark and silent, and in Downey's eyes, this was her angry expression, intensifying his guilt. "BOSS, let me apologize to him. Whatever venting he wants to do, I can't let the movie and the company be affected!"
"Downey." Roy looked at him, his brows furrowed. He had already learned about that guy's jerk behavior from the police officers' chatter. If Laila couldn't achieve reconciliation, how could it be resolved by simply asking? He knew what that guy might do to him. How could he watch Downey get into trouble?
He wanted to plead with Laila, hoping she would consider other options. Unexpectedly, after hearing Downey's words, Laila also vetoed it.