Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“She doesn’t seem capable of that. She’s attractive, and that man is just unsavory. What could she possibly gain from him?”
“You don’t understand. Some women are inherently disgraceful.”
“Think about it… Landon is trying to divorce her. She has no family or backing. If she wants to maintain her lifestyle, she’s forced to latch onto men. Previously it was Ethan and Brent, but they were toying with her. No respectable man would settle down with someone like that, so she resorts to desperate measures.”
“That’s repulsive. I’ve committed her face to memory. I’m going to share her photos online.”
As the crowd’s harsh judgments filled the air, Leila felt each word like a blow.
Their remarks grew increasingly vile.
“Being mute must be intriguing. I bet she has a distinctive flavor. I’d love to taste that one day.”
“I wonder how much it would cost to spend a night with her.”
“Maybe we could use these photos for blackmail. She might just comply for free.”
Fueled by Leila’s evident humiliation, their cruelty intensified. They gazed at her as if they were wolves, eager to pounce.
In desperation, Leila attempted to convey through sign language that she was being set up, and things were not as they appeared.
However, her pleas fell on deaf ears. Some even scoffed at her attempts.
“Look at her waving her hands. It’s laughable.”
“Landon must’ve had a hard time being married to her. They couldn’t even engage in a real fight.”
“The mute girl is entertaining. I’m curious to see how she reacts under pressure.”
Seizing the opportune moment, Sarah cleared her throat. “Landon is planning to divorce her, but they’re having disputes over the property. This woman is after half his wealth. Everyone is aware that Leila was adopted by the Kensington. Without their support, she’d be nowhere. Yet instead of showing gratitude, she’s aiming to seize half of their fortune. Landon won’t stand for that.
I’m going to have my lawyers assist Landon with the divorce proceedings. This evidence of Leila’s infidelity is undeniable. I urge you all to support Landon. If you stand with us, both the Kensington and the Miller families will be in your debt.”
Initially, some folks might have considered this whole scenario irrelevant to them, and they were just there for a good time.
However, when Sarah brought up a favor from the Kensington family, everyone perked up. A favor from such a prestigious family promised wealth and influence, and who could resist that lure?
Observing the change in the audience, Sarah smirked confidently. “I trust you’ll all help this man and woman achieve justice. Just keep it non-lethal. I’ll handle the consequences.”
Sarah’s words seemed to awaken something sinister in certain attendees.
Leila caught the shift in some gazes. They grew lecherous, and she understood the danger she was in. Her body began to shake uncontrollably. She desperately wanted to scream for help, but her damaged vocal cords cruelly choked her cries for aid.
Outside, Irene was overwhelmed with anxiety. The distant sounds of the commotion pierced the air, and she could only imagine the terror Leila was enduring.
“Get out of the way!” Irene yelled, tears cascading down her cheeks as she tried to shove her way past the bodyguards.
However, she was easily overpowered by the three burly bodyguards. They stood firm, unmoved, and even sneered at her efforts. “You see this? Leila brought this on herself. Miss Miller is just setting things straight. Save your breath.”
Irene gritted her teeth. “Do you understand that you’re breaking the law? The police are on their way, and so is the Hayes family. Are you really prepared to face them?”
The bodyguards shared a derisive look. “What’s calling the cops or the Hayes family going to change? Leila walked in here by herself. Nobody forced her.”
“That’s right. And there’s a camera right at the entrance. It’ll show she came in freely instead of being drugged or coerced in any way.”
A cold fear gripped Irene. She had suspected Sarah was up to no good when insisting on Leila’s presence. She trusted Leila would err on the side of caution. But she hadn’t anticipated Sarah would be this cruel. Had Sarah no fear of the repercussions? After all, Leila had resolved to put Landon behind her. There was no reason for Sarah to take things to such an extreme.
Irene was baffled. Why did Sarah have to go this far? She sensed she had missed something crucial.
Irene suddenly remembered something-she had a small self-defense knife in her pocket.
As the bodyguards continued to taunt her, a glint of lethal intent sparkled in her eyes.
Irene’s mind raced. If anything happened to Leila, Brent would be shattered. Brent regarded Leila almost as a sister and would never want to see her harmed.
Irene couldn’t bear the thought of Brent heartbroken, nor could she stand the idea of Leila being in danger. She steeled herself, prepared to risk everything to protect Leila.
Just as Irene moved to act, a strong hand clamped onto her shoulder and pulled her back forcefully.
Reaching for her knife, Irene nearly stumbled, and the knife slipped from her grip.
The figure acted swiftly, pinning her arm behind her back with such force that Irene grimaced in pain, and the knife clattered to the ground.
Turning, she saw Edgar behind her. Despair overwhelmed her, snuffing out her last flicker of rationale. “Aren’t you going to do anything? Are you just going to let them kill Leila?”
Edgar dismissed her plea with a smile and turned to the three bodyguards at the door. “This one’s lost her mind. I’ve got this. Just focus on the door.”
Irene was livid, shouting, “Are you even human? How can you be this cold? What did Leila do to deserve this? How has she wronged you?”
Irene was forcefully dragged into another room where Landon was waiting.
Upon seeing Landon, Irene felt an overwhelming urge to lash out physically.
Landon, however, faced away from her, concealing his emotions.
Irene could sense his detachment.
“Landon,” Irene called out, her voice rough and desperate. “I know Leila must have upset you, but remember your shared history. She’s like a sister to you. Even though you’re divorcing, she was once a foster child in your home. Can you really just stand there and watch her suffer like this?”
Landon remained silent, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.
Edgar, trying to maintain professionalism, interjected, “Mr. Kensington doesn’t wish to antagonize the Hayes family. Let’s pretend you saw nothing, and I’ll escort you out.”
As Edgar began leading her away, Irene noticed a back door. In a sudden move, she stomped hard on Edgar’s foot.
Edgar grimaced in pain, his hold loosening, and Irene took her chance to run out of the room.
Edgar feigned an attempt to chase after Irene, then sighed and left.
Then, Edgar approached Landon again, lowering his voice to a whisper. “She’s inside now. Things look a bit odd, but their attention is likely more on Leila to notice. What should we do, Mr. Kensington?”
Landon clutched the railing, his silence masking his inner fury. Unseen, his anger and frustration surged, with veins throbbing at his temples and his eyes blazing with fury.
His voice trembled with suppressed rage as he gritted his teeth. “Our next move? I want them gone!”
Edgar, concerned, moved closer and spoke gently. “Mr. Kensington, please stay calm. Losing your composure will only put your wife in greater danger. The neurotoxin that affected you didn’t reach Leila. I’ve checked. The Hayes are nearly here, and with Irene inside, she can stall for some time.”
Landon’s gaze turned icy, and he suddenly struck the railing with force.
Despite its solid build, the railing shook slightly under the impact of Landon’s powerful punch.
Blood seeped from Landon’s knuckles as he struck out, driven by a torrent of anger and regret. Unperturbed by the pain, he continued, relentless in his actions. What purpose did he serve if he couldn’t even protect the one he loved?
Edgar, visibly distressed by the scene, implored, “Mr. Kensington, you must halt this. We’re going to attract attention.”
Gradually, Landon’s fury subsided a bit, though his eyes still burned with a vengeful fire. “Gather our men inside. If everything goes south, we’ll snatch her back just in time. Even if it blows our cover, I’ll ensure she’s safe abroad, even at the cost of her hatred toward me. I owe her that. At least that’s what my grandfather said about the Kensington family’s debt to her.”
Landon’s words were heavy with bitterness and grief.
Edgar exhaled deeply, gave a resigned nod, and left to coordinate their next moves.
Elsewhere, Irene made her entrance unexpectedly.
At that time, Leila was already immobilized, as helpless as a fish laid out on a cutting board, awaiting its fate. Her clothes remained untouched, yet some were poised to commence.