Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Landon sighed. “Don’t bother with the so-called transparency of the situation. Dean never planned to let you speak,” he stated bluntly.
Shirley furrowed her brow. “What are you implying?”
Ignoring her question, Landon turned around and walked out of her ward.
Dean lingered outside, and upon the door opening, he lunged forward, gripping Landon’s collar.
Landon’s superior height rendered Dean’s attempt at intimidation comical.
Dean’s eyes narrowed menacingly. “What did you say to our mom? Any bullshit, and you’re dead!” he growled.
Landon smirked. “Looks like you and Shirley don’t trust each other much.”
Hearing Landon address their mom by her name without a hint of respect made Dean relax a bit. It looked like Shirley still had it out for Landon.
It made sense, though. Dean had meticulously set up Shirley’s car “accident,” making it impossible to uncover the truth.
The evidence Dean presented to Shirley all pointed misleadingly to Landon being the mastermind. Shirley should still be convinced.
Dean released Landon and grinned with smugness. “Landon, are you jealous of me? You think you’ve got it all, but you’re basically a loser. Even our mom doesn’t want you. How pathetic!”
Landon was cool as a cucumber. His voice, smooth as silk, dropped a bomb on Dean. “Only losers call others losers. Dean, I don’t want your shits, but you’re obsessed with my belongings.”
Dean’s grin vanished faster than a fart in the wind. He exploded, “Landon, you’re gonna regret this! Mark my words that I’ll bring you down. You’ve milked that CEO position for long enough. It’s my turn!”
With that, Dean stormed into Shirley’s ward.
By the time Landon exited the hospital, he ran into Edgar.
Edgar leaned in and whispered, “Don’t worry, Mr. Kensington. Everything’s taken care of.”
Landon just nodded, a small, secretive smile playing on his lips. “Let’s leave,” he said.
Edgar looked confused as he asked in a low voice, “What? We’re just gonna leave? But they’re going to deal with your mom today and then pin this whole thing on you!”
Landon chuckled dryly, his expression unreadable. “I gave Shirley a choice, but she turned it down. I have my plan. They can’t defeat me.”
As Landon uttered the last sentence, he happened to lock eyes with Stan.
Stan noticed the chill in Landon’s eyes and flashed a provoking smile at Landon.
Landon merely glanced at Stan before averting his gaze.
Landon’s calm demeanor and disregard for him infuriated Stan.
Stan turned to Courtney, his eyes glinting with malice, and said, “Tell Dean to do it tonight. Make it quick.”
Courtney looked back at Stan, her eyes wide with surprise. “Mr. Kensington, shouldn’t we proceed tomorrow? Rushing it could expose you.”
Trying to contain his rising anger, a rare display for him, Stan glowered at Courtney and snapped, “Just do what I tell you! How dare you question my orders! And remember, I know about your actions the other day.”
Stan’s menacing stare intensified as he finished speaking.
A chill ran down Courtney’s spine. She realized Stan must have discovered she didn’t kill Leila.
Courtney understood that her continued usefulness was the only reason Stan hadn’t disposed of her yet.
Despite this, a part of Courtney held on to a hint of hope, or perhaps, wishful thinking on her part. Maybe, just maybe, Stan might have a soft spot for her after the years she had spent by his side.
With these thoughts swirling in her head, Courtney turned and walked away. Behind her, Stan’s gaze followed, laden with lethal intent.
Just then, Landon instructed Edgar to start the car, and out of nowhere, Sarah appeared.
When Sarah saw Landon’s car, she hurried over and knocked on the window.
“Landon.” Her eyes filled with concern, she asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay in the hospital for your mother? My gut says Dean and… Well, that mysterious man. I suppose they are plotting something. They might target your mother. It’s safer if you stay to keep an eye on them.”
Landon stifled the revulsion swirling within him and managed a weak smile. “No matter their plans, I need to get some rest.”
Sarah’s face fell at his words, her voice tinged with disappointment. “But Landon…”
Before Sarah could finish, Landon instructed Edgar to drive off.
As the car pulled away, Sarah stamped her foot in frustration.
Originally, the deal was between Stan and the Miller family, with the condition that Stan helped Sarah win Landon’s affection.
Eager, Sarah had leapt at the opportunity.
Later, her relationship with Landon had indeed grown closer, though it was because Landon decided to play along with his more convincing acting skills, an act out of expediency.
As time went on, Sarah belatedly discovered the true intentions of Stan and his supporters. They were after Landon’s position and his life.
Realizing her grave mistake, Sarah bitterly understood that even if she confessed the whole story to Landon, stressing she didn’t mean to harm him and her sense of insecurity clouded her mind, Landon would surely break up with her. Betrayal was what Landon despised most.
Besides, Sarah was well aware of Landon’s capabilities. Landon wouldn’t let her off the hook if he uncovered her wrongdoings.
Though disheartened by the inevitable breakup with Landon and his retaliation, Sarah was delighted that Dean assured her parents that the Miller family would be rewarded if they succeeded this time.
Sarah was acutely aware that her obsession with Landon stemmed from his prestigious position as the CEO of Kensington Group, not because of who he was. She would certainly leave him if he lost his position.
Biting her lip, Sarah forced a few tears and whispered to herself, “Landon, I know you’re deeply in love with me. Anyway, I have reminded you. If you fail, you only have yourself to blame. After all, only the strongest survive in the end.”
With renewed determination, Sarah began plotting how to distance herself from Landon once things proceeded as their grand schemes. Maintaining their relationship would be pointless by then.
After some thought, Sarah considered the possibility of a fling. Despite their time together, she and Landon had never been intimate.
Over the past year, Sarah had made numerous attempts, but Landon had consistently resisted, insisting they wait until marriage.
At that time, Sarah felt unwanted and neglected. Now, she felt fortunate that nothing had occurred between her and Landon.
Just then, Sarah’s phone began to buzz. It was a call from Amara.
As soon as Sarah picked up, Amara rushed into the conversation. “Sarah, I’ve lined up someone for you. He’s well-educated and comes from a wealthy family. I’m sure he’ll catch your eye.”
Sarah replied with a hint of impatience, “Mom, Landon and I are still together. It will be really awkward if he finds out about this.”
“Oh, silly girl. Are you still holding out hope for Landon? Listen, he’s in trouble this time,” Amara responded, her voice tinged with anxiety. “Do you know why I’m pushing you? I just found out Landon met with Leila yesterday and asked for a divorce. They’re finished. Do you realize what this means?”
Stunned, Sarah whispered, “Does this mean he’s going to propose to me?”
Amara’s silence spoke volumes.
Words that Leila was a long-missing member of the Nixon family had spread.
Sarah had heard about it. Claiming she wasn’t jealous would be a lie. Yet, she never took it to heart. After all, she grasped she couldn’t harm Leila anymore since the Nixon family backed Leila up.
But one thing puzzled Sarah. Since Leila was now part of the Nixon family, why was Landon so adamant about getting a divorce?
The more Sarah dwelled on the thought, the more her anxiety grew. Was Landon truly planning to marry her?
Sarah had just ended her conversation with Amara when Edgar called. “Miss Miller, Mr. Kensington would like to have an appointment with you. Are you available this evening?”
“Sorry, I have plans tonight.” Sarah cut him off sharply. “I’ll be quite busy for the next few days. Please inform Landon not to contact me unless it’s absolutely necessary.”