Chapter 129 It Was Her All Along

• As Barnes walked into the design department, he immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room. Whispers broke out, and curious glances followed his every move. Even though Layson Norman wasn’t present, Barnes’s appearance alone was enough to spark intrigue. People wondered what business he had at Starry Jewelry.
• Marah, however, kept her eyes fixed on the elevator doors. She had hoped that if Barnes was here, Layson might be nearby as well. But as the minutes passed, there was no sign of him. Marah had recently overheard at the Norman family home that Layson had been hospitalized after fainting. The news had left her anxious, but she hadn’t mustered the courage to check on him.
• Lately, Marah had been avoiding the Norman household. Not only was Layson rarely there, but Dexter’s presence also made her uncomfortable. She had used work as an excuse to stay at a hotel, distancing herself from the family. Yet, she couldn’t stop herself from caring about Layson, even if she couldn’t bring herself to reach out.