Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Edgar caught the inquisitive look in her eyes but didn’t turn her down, responding with a magnanimous nod.
“Sure, I’ll take you up there now.”
Yet, Sarah hesitated. She took a step back. “Actually, forget it. I’m not quite presentable at the moment. I should head back, rest, and change.”
“Sure,” Edgar agreed, smiling.
Feeling upbeat, Sarah shared her thoughts, saying proudly, “I used to think that, although Landon trusts you, you lacked insight. You never seemed to make an effort with me. Now, I see you’re quite capable. I had thought about dismissing you once Landon and I were married, but I might just change my mind.”
Edgar’s lips twitched in response. Sarah expressed her arrogance with unmistakable poise.
Edgar flattered her. “In the past, I was less mature, but now I know whose advice truly matters. Miss Miller, may I have the chance to prove myself to you once more?”
Sarah tilted her head up, her demeanor arrogant. “Certainly.”
Edgar made a courteous gesture. “Then, may I have the honor of sending you back?”
Sarah, who had arrived in a state of panic and concern, now departed with her head held high, radiating confidence.
Edgar respectfully trailed behind her.
The chatter among those at the villa grew louder.
“Things are bound to change. Despite Mr. Kensington’ promise to his grandfather not to divorce, it seems inevitable now.”
“A mere marriage certificate cannot quench the fires of true love. Landon and Leila were never meant to be.”
“Sarah’s from a rich family. Leila simply doesn’t measure up.”
“After yesterday’s events, for Mr. Kensington, a man of little tolerance, to forgive Miss Miller? It must be love.”
At the front steps, Sarah halted Edgar’s progress. “You may leave now. My driver will be here shortly.”
With a nod of understanding, Edgar stepped aside but lingered at the corner, keeping an eye on Sarah discreetly.
Soon enough, a black sedan pulled up at the gate, and Sarah climbed inside.
Moments later, Edgar listened in on Sarah’s conversation via his earpiece, capturing every word.
Sarah failed to notice that as Edgar helped her to her feet, he had surreptitiously slipped a bug into her pocket. Overwhelmed by his words, she had temporarily forgotten everything else at that time.
At this moment, Sarah’s conversation with a man was transmitted clearly.
“How’s Landon doing?” the man asked, sounding nondescript and unmemorable. Edgar couldn’t immediately identify him, wondering if it was just one of the underlings.
“It seems to have worked. He’s never lost control like that in front of others before,” Sarah responded.
From the corner of his eye, the man watched Sarah. “Keep an eye on his condition. Report back to us promptly.”
Sarah nodded and then paused, her voice filled with concern. “I think we should keep Landon’s condition under wraps a bit longer. It’s better to wait until the dust settles. Landon started suspecting me because of my actions yesterday.”
The man scoffed at her worries. “If you’re hung up on romance, you’ll never be able to manipulate Landon effectively.”
Stung by his words, Sarah replied with firm logic. “He is looking out for me, so I need to do the same for him.”
The man laughed coldly. “Isn’t it a bit too late for such sentiments? Don’t forget, your family is also involved in this. When you agreed to drug Landon, did you consider the repercussions? Or were you just upset that he had feelings for someone else?”
At a loss for words, Sarah could only seethe in silence.
The man continued, “You will follow our instructions, understood?”
“I understand,” Sarah replied, though with hesitation.
The man’s voice remained calm as he continued. “It’s odd, isn’t it? Now that Landon treats you so well, it feels like he’s just putting on a show.”
Sarah bristled at his words. “He loves me for real! How can you say he’s pretending?”
The man silently labeled Sarah a fool. Direct confrontation wouldn’t serve his purposes; he needed her cooperation, and offending her wouldn’t help. Sarah, after all, could still interact with Landon without rousing any suspicion.
“Don’t worry,” the man assured Sarah, slowing the car. “If Landon’s affection for you is just a fa?ade, then his true feelings must still lie with Leila. We can exploit that. When the time comes, we’ll drug her too, and have the same effect.”
Sarah’s expression soured. She exited the car abruptly, raising her voice. “I’ll prove to you that Landon’s love for me is real. Just wait until my birthday party!”
With a knowing smirk, the man responded, “I’m eager to see what you pull off.”
Just then, the man’s phone began to vibrate. As soon as he saw the caller ID flash on the screen, his tone shifted to one of marked respect.
Meanwhile, Sarah drifted further away, rendering Edgar unable to catch the man’s words.
Frustration surged within Edgar. He was so irritated that he almost hurled his earpiece to the ground. He had been on the verge of discovering who had drugged Landon.
Taking a moment, Edgar steadied his breathing and emotions, then quickly made his way to Landon’s room.
Upon entering, Edgar found Landon’s condition had greatly improved.
Landon was perched on the bed, absorbed in a book. Noticing Edgar’s grave face, he showed no sign of surprise. “Sarah was involved, wasn’t she?”
Edgar was startled. “Mr. Kensington, you’d figured this out?”
“Yes,” Landon replied, snapping his book shut. “I’ve been sensing something was off ever since Sarah came back. She used to be an open book, eager to say anything to please me. Now, she’s secretive, making calls and sending messages behind my back. I suspected something for quite some time. When I told you to watch Sarah today, I had already pieced it together.”
Edgar bristled with anger. “Mr. Kensington, the Miller family dared to drug you. Shouldn’t we take action?”
Landon gave Edgar a measured look. “You’re losing your edge. Have you forgotten what I’ve taught you?”
Edgar slightly bowed his head, a hint of guilt shadowing his features. “I’m sorry, Mr. Kensington. I just got too angry.”
Landon’s expression grew stern. “The Millers don’t have the courage or the capability for this. There are others pulling the strings. They’re using the Miller family because of my past with Sarah. I did certain things to make Leila jealous, and those people got the wrong idea. The Millers are mere pawns, used for minor tasks. Even if the Millers get caught, the real culprits can easily wash their hands of it. If we strike at the Millers now, we’ll only tip off the real masterminds.”
Edgar paused, considering Landon’s logic, though his anger lingered. “But Mr. Kensington, what about your health? Should we play along and take the medication?”
Landon didn’t respond directly. Instead, he questioned Edgar, “You haven’t disclosed everything about Sarah’s conversation with that man, have you?”
Feeling somewhat guilty, Edgar hesitantly confessed, “No, I feared it would distress you.”
In a sudden motion, Landon threw the book he was holding at Edgar.
Unflinching, Edgar stood his ground. “Mr. Kensington, even if you’re upset, I’m committed to this course. Right now, your health should be your priority, not these distractions.”
Landon let out a deep sigh, his expression growing intense. “Even though you didn’t tell me, I can figure out their scheme. If they have to, they’ll drug Leila.”
Edgar looked even more astonished. “Mr. Kensington, you’ve deduced that as well?”
Leaning back against the pillow, Landon closed his eyes. His already pale complexion appeared even more delicate beneath the dim light.
Landon explained, “It’s not hard to predict their moves. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have fallen for their tricks so easily. And Edgar, don’t think I’m doing all this for Leila. She’s not the reason. They’re targeting me. Dragging Leila into this just isn’t fair.”
Edgar’s frustration grew. “If she ever discovers what you’ve done…”
Landon let out a laugh, as if he’d heard the funniest joke. “She wouldn’t believe it. In her eyes, I’m just someone who would hurt her.”
Meanwhile, in the hospital, Leila sneezed suddenly. She hugged her arms, feeling a chill, and blamed the overly cold air conditioning.
Rising to adjust it, Leila was interrupted by Sophia bursting into the room, her anxiety palpable.