Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
The malice was clear in Sarah’s thinly veiled smile behind her beauty.
Leila knew she could not accept this gift.
With a forced smile, Leila politely refused the necklace.
Sarah quickly escalated the situation, her expression wounded. “Why won’t you accept it? Are you still upset with me? Today’s my birthday, and though I’m clueless about why those people went after you, Leila, you should understand where I’m coming from. I knew it. You despise me. Well, I guess I deserve that.”
Onlookers couldn’t resist chiming in.
“Let’s not make a big deal out of it, right? Should the birthday girl have to beg for forgiveness?”
“Seriously, if anyone stirred trouble at my party, I’d show them the door, innocent or not. Why target her specifically if there’s nothing to it? There’s no smoke without fire.”
“She probably has a shady side, huh?”
Irene cleared her throat, her voice even. “Miss Miller, please understand that Leila knows this is all a big misunderstanding. She’s not holding a grudge. This necklace represents your bond with Mr. Kensington. Although she and Mr. Kensington are still legally bound, she truly hopes you two find happiness. However, given that they are not yet divorced, this puts her in an awkward position.”
Leila cooperated with a choked sob, then took out her phone and typed, “It’s fine. I don’t think Miss Miller meant any harm. I hope she and Kensington have a fulfilling life together. While there are still things Mr. Kensington and I need to settle, Miss Miller, you don’t have to worry. I’ll sort out the divorce quickly and make my exit.”
Sarah’s smile nearly wavered.
A giggle escaped from the crowd, while Leila reveled in her satisfaction. Her acting skills weren’t half bad.
The crowd started to view Sarah differently, their expressions turning odd.
Everyone had assumed that Landon had been with Sarah first and that his marriage to Leila was born out of obligation, not love. Yet, Landon and Leila remained wed. Sarah’s behavior prompted reactions.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?” A male voice sliced through the tension.
Boris strode in, fixing Leila with a look of disapproval.
“Miss Miller has already offered her apologies. Are you still holding her responsible?”
Leila eyed Boris, her brow furrowed in confusion. She had no quarrels with him, and he had always been cordial previously. What had changed today?
Sarah voiced Leila’s silent query.
Sarah cooperated with Boris and said, “Mr. Guzman, I thought you and Leila were close friends. What’s with the sudden shift? Did you catch what just happened? It was all a simple misunderstanding earlier. Leila hasn’t done anything like stealing someone’s husband.”
Boris scoffed. “Misunderstanding or not, I wouldn’t put it past her.”
The onlookers gasped. Someone curiously asked, “Who is this man?”
Sarah introduced him with a smile, “He’s Boris, connected to the Hayes family. His mother is Jerome’s youngest daughter, making him Brent’s cousin. He recently returned to the fold. Brent and Leila used to be quite close. I wonder what caused their falling out.”
The mention of the Hayes family caused people to exchange knowing glances.
It was common knowledge that the Hayes family always stood behind Leila, with Brent often coming to her aid in public.
For Boris, also a member of the Hayes family, to show such open disdain for Leila hinted at deeper undercurrents to the story.
The crowd’s curiosity intensified, their eyes fixed on Boris, waiting eagerly for him to divulge more.
Sarah turned to Boris in a feigned attempt to smooth things over. “You were friends once. If there is a misunderstanding, why not just talk it out with Leila? It’s better than parting on bad terms.”
Boris responded with a sharp retort, his tone cold as he stared at Leila. “There’s nothing left to say.”
It seemed Boris harbored deep animosity toward Leila.
Leila, uninterested in uncovering the reasons behind Boris’ odd behavior, responded with a dismissive smile. She pulled out her phone and began to type. “Miss Miller seems to have misunderstood my relationship with Mr. Guzman. Though I’m closely linked to the Hayes family, I’ve only met Mr. Guzman a few times. We barely spoke. I’m not sure what I did to upset him, but I apologize if I have. I have pressing matters to attend to and must leave.”
With that, Leila grabbed Irene’s arm and headed for the door.
Sarah quickly caught Boris’ attention with a discreet gesture.
Understanding Sarah’s cue, Boris raised his voice, “Are you leaving because you fear I might expose your secrets?”
When Boris made that statement, the crowd erupted into chaos.
“What secrets? What is he talking about?”
“Seriously, can’t this guy just get to the point?”
“He’s just trying to stir up trouble. Leila already mentioned she isn’t close to Boris.”
“Are you kidding me? Even if they aren’t close, Leila is well-connected with the Hayes family. I’ve always believed she’s no ordinary woman.”
Eyes filled with curiosity, gossip, and suspicion all directed at Leila.
Sarah stirred the pot further. “What secrets are you referring to, Mr. Guzman? Be careful with your accusations in such a large crowd. It won’t look good if rumors start to spread.”
Unable to contain her frustration, Irene snapped, “Enough with the games! If you want to spread rumors, think of the repercussions. Mr. Hayes considers Leila almost like a sister.”
Irene’s words were a clear warning to Boris.
Boris understood the implication, but clenching his teeth, he countered, “I’m only speaking the truth. Leila has been involved in numerous dubious activities under the Hayes’ roof. My cousin shields her, oblivious to her real character. I wouldn’t have believed it myself had I not accidentally witnessed it. It’s repulsive to think that Leila, who seems so gentle, could be involved in such deeds.”
Irene rolled her eyes and uttered, “Leila, let’s just leave.”
But Leila shook her head. She had realized something. Sarah and Boris were conspiring against her. They had laid a trap. Whether she stayed or left, the result would be the same. It was better to confront the situation head-on than to later discover how much worse things had become.
Sarah feigned a defense of Leila. “Mr. Guzman, I understand your anger, but I suggest we handle this privately. Making a scene won’t help anyone.”
Boris shook off Sarah’s hand dismissively. “Miss Miller, I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot just stand aside and watch you be fooled. Today, I must clarify everything.”
Sarah sighed dramatically and signaled the bodyguards to escort Boris out.
However, the crowd, hungry for a spectacle, voiced their displeasure.
“Miss Miller, have you forgotten how Leila treated you? Her reputation shouldn’t concern you.”
“Let Mr. Guzman speak. We’ll support him in seeking justice.”
“Look how furious Mr. Guzman is. He must be telling the truth. Speak up, Mr. Guzman. With us here, Leila wouldn’t dare harm you!”
“Please, go ahead.”
Seeing the scene unfold exactly as she had anticipated, Sarah stepped aside with a satisfied smile. “In that case, let Mr. Guzman and Leila handle their dispute.”
Despite Boris’ accusation, Leila remained utterly serene, her gaze emotionless and unaffected as if nothing could disturb her composure.
Boris gave Leila a fleeting, peculiar smile, which disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared.
Raising his voice, Boris declared, “The real reason Leila has been so close to our Hayes family all this time is her attempt to seduce my grandfather!”
The crowd initially fell silent, and even Leila’s expression shifted, not from fear, but from a deep, seething anger.
Leila felt an overwhelming urge to slap Boris hard. Jerome was Boris’ grandfather, and to drag her down, he stooped this low.
“Oh my God!” Sarah exclaimed, covering her mouth dramatically. “That can’t be true. Your grandfather is old and highly respected.”
Boris clutched his chest, his expression one of mock pain. “Everyone knows how close Leila and my grandfather have supposedly become. You might have heard that they bonded instantly and that he treats her almost like a granddaughter. But the truth is, they aren’t related by blood at all. My grandfather is a strict man who doesn’t entertain recklessness, so why would he show such favor to an outsider?”
Boris continued, his voice laced with suspicion. “My mom accidentally overheard my grandfather discussing with his lawyer about leaving a part of his estate to Leila. I sensed something fishy, so I discreetly watched Leila and even installed a hidden camera in my grandfather’s hospital room. What it recorded was shocking.”