Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Courtney clenched her teeth and protested. “Then Leila also needs to come with me.”
Stan ignored her complaint and turned to offer Leila a bottle of water, his tone much softer. “Are you tired? I apologize for your weary journey. I must say your husband was a bit difficult, but fortunately, I have dealt with him.”
Leila’s hand trembled as she drank, her mind racing. What did Stan mean by “dealt with”? Had Landon fought with Stan, resulting in an injury?
Despite the turmoil inside, Leila managed to maintain a calm exterior, nodding slightly in response.
Unbeknownst to Leila, Stan had noticed her instinctive reaction, his smile deepening.
Suddenly, Stan reached out toward Leila.
Startled, Leila instinctively tried to dodge, but the confined space limited her movement.
To her surprise, Stan merely wiped the water droplets from her lips. “You’re about to become a mother. Why are you still so reckless?”
Hearing this, Leila broke out in goosebumps. She managed to suppress her discomfort and turned her face away, refusing to meet Stan’s gaze.
Outside the car, Courtney’s face turned red with anger. She clenched and then relaxed her fists, dismayed that Stan had ignored her throughout. With no other option, Courtney left the scene sulkily.
To Leila’s surprise, the car stopped in front of a luxurious villa complex. It was clear they had left the city behind.
As they drove through the gates, Leila noticed the entrance was heavily guarded by security personnel in full gear and patrolling bodyguards.
A troubling thought arose in Leila’s heart. She felt she might be trapped here forever.
The security was so tight that it seemed not even a fly could escape.
Stan, proving to be a man of his word, arranged for Leila to stay in a small, detached apartment within the complex. He made sure that no one disturbed her.
However, there was one stipulation: Courtney had to live with Leila.
Since Courtney was a doctor, she could monitor Leila’s physical condition at any time.
Before Leila could express her objections, Courtney voiced her dissatisfaction, “I refuse. She seems delicate, and I’m not fond of tending to others.”
Leila nodded, typing her response. “I don’t need the hassle of someone living and dining with me. I’m used to being alone.”
Stan observed the exchange in silence, his gaze on Courtney cold and unyielding.
Courtney immediately sensed the threat lurking in Stan’s gaze.
Feeling she was being treated unfairly, Courtney stepped forward, seized Stan’s hand, and whispered, “Mr. Kensington, I’ve been loyally by your side, day and night, for the last three years without a single day’s absence. I…”
“Courtney Smith!” Stan cut her off with sharp impatience. “As I’ve told you, Leila is crucial to me. Her safety, and that of the unborn child, is my priority.”
On the sidelines, Leila listened in silence, aware of the deeper reasons behind Stan’s words. But the good news was that she was in no immediate danger. She relaxed slightly.
Meanwhile, Courtney’s frustration boiled over, and tears streaked her cheeks. It was rare for her to lose her composure like this. Her fists were clenched tightly, fingernails digging into her palms.
Stan gestured for Courtney to come closer, then pulled her aside and murmured, “Can’t you be more understanding? Have you forgotten why you’re here with me?”
Courtney’s eyes brimmed with tears as she said, “Of course, I haven’t forgotten. I need to protect you and ensure you’re safe.”
Stan exhaled deeply. “By looking after Leila and her unborn child, you’re protecting me. Now that Landon is aware of the situation, it’s only a matter of time before he targets me. Using Leila as leverage secures my safety. Plus, her child is crucial.”
Courtney sighed, her voice tinged with confusion. “I just can’t grasp why you’re so tender with her.”
Stan clasped Courtney’s hand and gently kissed the back of it.
Courtney’s cheeks flushed, and her eyes shimmered with bashfulness.
Stan said gently, “My kindness to her is merely a facade to gain her trust. The care I show you is heartfelt. Can’t you see the difference?”
Courtney’s heart held only Stan, who could lift her spirits with just a few words.
“It’s my fault.” Courtney was overwhelmed with a mix of surprise and guilt. “My feelings for you are so strong that they cloud my judgment and make me lose my temper. Stan, don’t fret. I’ll take good care of her.”
Stan gently patted Courtney’s head. “Get some rest,” he murmured.
As Courtney walked away, a chill seemed to settle over Stan’s features, his eyes growing distant and frosty.
At that moment, a man approached Stan. “Mr. Kensington, I know it’s really not my place, but Courtney’s medical skills aren’t the best, particularly in obstetrics and gynecology. She’s quite inexperienced in that field. Plus, she left the hospital years ago because of severe psychological issues. Isn’t it risky to have her look after Leila?”
Stan’s response was icy. “I never counted on her to properly care for Leila. Eventually, Landon will find out. And when he does, whatever happens to Leila won’t concern me. I can shift all the blame on Courtney.”
The man beside Stan inhaled sharply, though he was hardly shocked by Stan’s calculated indifference. He had always known Stan to be this way, seemingly devoid of normal human emotions.
The man gently warned, “That person will be returning soon. You should prepare yourself mentally.”
Upon hearing this, Stan, who was usually the epitome of composure, for the first time, displayed a flicker of fear and panic in his eyes.
It was a secret shared only between the two of them. Stan’s wealth and accomplishments were not the fruits of his own labor. Rather, they belonged to a truly fearsome demon, the rightful owner of everything.
Meanwhile, Landon carried on with his daily routines as if nothing perturbed him, seemingly showing no concern for the search for the mysterious man and Leila.
Edgar made little moves openly regarding this.
Lately, Landon had noticed an increase in the number of prying eyes on him. While these observers were not close to him, their watchful gazes were unmistakable. They might have been colleagues from his company or perhaps servants from the Kensington family.
That day, Edgar entered Landon’s office with a grave look on his face. “Mr. Kensington.”
Landon, appearing somewhat exhausted, set aside the items he was holding. Throughout the day, Landon attended to his corporate responsibilities, interacting with Sarah as though all was well. Yet, at night, he remained vigilant, monitoring his team’s search for Leila.
Noticing Edgar’s peculiar look, Landon briefly entertained the hope that there might be updates on Leila’s whereabouts.
“Is it about Leila? How is…” Landon began, but Edgar cut him off mid-sentence with a strategic cough.
Before Edgar could clarify, a sudden shove displaced him.
Entering was Brent, visibly seething with rage.
Though they had butted heads on several occasions, Landon had never witnessed Brent this enraged.
Known as the most controlled member of the Hayes family, Brent typically masked his feelings well.
The fury in Brent’s eyes led Landon to immediately conclude that his visit concerned Leila.
A shadow passed over Landon’s face as he rose to his feet.
At the door, Edgar stood, his expression one of concern, flanked by visibly agitated secretaries.
Landon turned to the secretaries. “I need to speak with Mr. Hayes privately. There’s no need for you to stay. I’ll call if necessary.”
With a quiet sigh, Edgar ushered the others out and gently shut the door.
“Landon,” Brent began, his voice tight with emotion. “Previously, you demanded Leila’s return, using the crucial information for the Hayes Group as a bargaining chip. I didn’t hold it against you. I know my lack of stellar competence is at play. Plus, Leila’s sense of guilt toward the Hayes family had driven her to agree to your condition. You had promised to look after her. Yet now, her whereabouts are unknown to us all, and you are unwilling to tell us what exactly happened. If something unfortunate happened to Leila, you’re no different from a murderer. Did you see her in your dreams? Did her look of disappointment and pain haunt you?”
Landon clenched his fists tightly before letting them go, his frustration apparent.
“I’ve told you before that I wasn’t there when it happened, and we’re still trying to figure it out.” Landon masked his inner turmoil and lied. “We’re governed by laws. What do you think could’ve happened to her? Everyone’s just after money. Can’t the powerful Hayes Group handle a ransom?”
Brent’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t pay a ransom to save Leila? How can you be so cold?”
As Brent hurled the accusation, Landon couldn’t help but find a trace of humor in the situation. “Why should I pay a ransom? As her husband? Or as the father of her child?”