Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Since Leila’s leg hadn’t fully healed, she still needed a wheelchair.
Upon landing, the three took a rest in the residence, but Leila wasn’t one to sit idle for long. She decided to visit Burmoos’ auction house, eager to check out this new business venture, one that now belonged to her.
Despite being newly opened, the auction house in Burmoos was thriving. According to the manager, every auction drew a full house.
To keep up with demand, the manager had recruited new staff and mentioned that he would bring them by for Leila to meet someday.
Leila found the idea tedious and declined. In her view, every manager of her auction houses was carefully selected for their skills and judgment. She trusted them to hire competent staff without needing to consult her over every minor detail.
Since she was already here, Leila decided to make a purchase at the auction. She instructed the manager to return to his duties while she headed to the No. 1 private room. However, before she could get close, a group of bodyguards blocked her path.
Leila raised an eyebrow. The manager mentioned the No. 1 private room wasn’t booked.
A staff member close by quickly stepped forward and inquired, “Excuse me, but who’s inside? Room 1 wasn’t booked today. Could they have gone to the wrong room?”
Before anyone could answer, a middle-aged man with an air of arrogance emerged from the room. He was impeccably dressed, likely a butler of some big shot. Leila, seated in her wheelchair, wore sunglasses and a mask, not wanting to reveal her identity just yet on her first day back in Burmoos.
The butler barely glanced at Leila before addressing the staff member with a haughty tone, “We didn’t reserve the room in advance because we didn’t plan on coming, but my master decided to visit today on a whim. Does a reservation really matter now that we’ve occupied the room? Besides, you should be honored that our master chose to grace this place with her presence. Consider it a compliment.”
Leila couldn’t help but chuckle.
The staff member retorted, “Oh? Really? Then your master must be quite a bigwig. Why don’t you enlighten me on what her name is?”
The butler smirked, his patience visibly waning. “I suppose you’ve just arrived in this land and don’t know my master yet. Otherwise, you wouldn’t dare try to grab a place with my master.”
With a quick motion, the butler flashed something at the staff member.
The staff member’s face went from neutral to alarmed in a split second. He leaned in close to Leila and whispered, “That’s the fianc?e of Mr. Errol Payne, our manager. The pair are about to tie the knot. She occasionally visits the auction house, but not often.
For some reason, she’s adamant about using the No. 1 private room this time. I’ll notify Mr. Payne right away.” Leila gave a slight nod of her head. She didn’t feel like making things difficult for her employees’ families.
Though she disliked Errol’s fianc?e, she couldn’t ignore the auction house had thrived under Errol’s leadership. She wasn’t about to let this ruin her day.
“Never mind. Just take us to the No. 2 private room,” Leila replied with a frosty tone.
The staff member nodded and began pushing Leila’s wheelchair away.
Unexpectedly, the butler stepped into their path, blocking their way, his eyes fixated on Leila. “Who exactly are you? You still haven’t clarified who you are. Gaining entry to private room No. 1 isn’t a walk in the park.”
The staff member said to the butler with a scowl, “It’s irrelevant who she is or where she’s from. What’s important is that she’s not someone your master could mess with.”
With a final glare, the staff member left with Leila.
The butler spat on the floor, muttering curses as he stormed back into the No. 1 private room.
Behind the screen in the No. 1 private room, a woman with a striking figure reclined. Her voice, sweet but edged with frustration, cut through the air. “Who does that audacious woman outside think she is? How dare she try to take this room from me?”
The butler sighed, clearly exasperated. “She hasn’t revealed her identity, yet everyone seems to defer to her. From how she carried herself, if she’s set on being in this room, you would’ve had no choice but to leave.”
Immediately after the butler finished speaking, a porcelain bottle was knocked off its perch and crashed to the floor.
The woman’s voice was filled with fury. “What the hell? Who does she think she is? Doesn’t she realize the manager of this auction house is my fianc??”
The butler replied, “She knows, but she clearly couldn’t care less.”
Just then, a bodyguard entered, looking uneasy. “Miss, Mr. Payne just arrived, but… but he went straight to the No. 2 private room.”
A heavy silence fell over the room, the tension palpable. The woman’s expression turned into a sneer. “I get it now. She must be a coquette trying to steal Errol’s attention. Why else would she hide her face with a mask? Well then, I want to look into the eyes of the woman who dares to set her eyes on my fianc?.”
Upon hearing the staff member’s account of the situation, Errol hurried over to the No. 2 private room. He stood before Leila with a contrite demeanor. “I apologize. My schedule has been hectic today, and I didn’t expect my fianc?e to be here. Just give me a moment to sort this all out with her.”
Leila had removed her face mask, revealing a naturally stunning face. Her complexion was so flawless that she was attractive even without any makeup. She gazed out the window with a detached calm.
“No need. My visits to this place won’t be frequent. I just want to figure out what people in Burmoos like. Relax, the staff member already explained your fianc?e visits often and never disrupts the auction house’s regular operations.
Errol, you’re the eldest son of the Payne family. It’s fortunate for me to have you run my auction house. There’s no need for such formalities.”
Leila turned around and smiled at Errol from behind the translucent screen.
Errol’s ears reddened at her smile. “Though you’re speaking the truth, working in the auction house has always been my dream, and your support made it a reality for me. Thank you.”
The Payne family was affluent. Much like the Nixon family, their origins were not based in Avalon.
Errol’s passion for antiques had always set him apart from a young age. His family wasn’t pleased with this and pressured him into taking over the family business.
Later, he came to Leila’s auction house to apply for a job.
Recognizing his talent, Leila wanted to keep him. After lengthy negotiations with the Payne family, she finally convinced them to agree to Errol’s employment here. Leila could tell there was more to the Payne family’s final agreement, likely wanting to pair her and Errol up. However, Leila had made her stance clear to Errol from the very start.
She took him in solely because she was in need of staff and valued his skills. It was quite challenging for her to juggle between her family and work.
Errol understood Leila’s position. He had held back his budding feelings for her all these years.
With almost every staff member having departed from the private room, Errol lingered behind, a solitary figure still rooted in the room’s quiet emptiness. A shadow of concern danced across his handsome features. “Leila, your leg…”
Leila gently said, “It’s nothing serious. It won’t take long before I recover to my old self.”
Errol’s voice carried a hint of urgency, “You should take this seriously. A doctor’s diagnosis and following treatment are needed. I know an exceptionally skilled one with plenty of experience in this area, whose treatment is effective without any sequelae.
His family has practiced traditional medicine for generations. Although he opted against working in high-profile hospitals due to his dislike of chasing fame and fortune, his expertise is unparalleled, and I can guarantee his skills.”
Leila’s smile widened. “Thank you for your kind offer. Please make arrangements whenever you’re available.” Errol’s face lit up at her acceptance.
“Don’t bother concerning yourself with her leg. So many people are concerned about her.” A calm, resonant voice interrupted from the doorway.
Leila and Errol turned to see a man in a sleek black coat and a mask. The distinctive attire made his identity immediately clear.
“Mr. Lando? What brings you here?” Errol asked.
Mr. Lando entered the room and said, “The No. 1 private room is taken, and I’m not comfortable in other rooms except this one. I’m here to ask Leila if she minds sharing a private room with me.”
Leila offered a faint smile and said nothing in response. Errol’s expression darkened. “This won’t do, Mr. Lando. Leila values her privacy. I’ll find another room for you.”
Mr. Lando turned to face Errol. His eyes, concealed beneath the mask, glinted with a cold, oppressive intensity. “Your superior hasn’t said a word yet. Why are you so quick to jump in and speak on her behalf?”
“She’s never turned down a request from me before. Do you even realize you’re causing her trouble?” Mr. Lando lowered his voice as he issued a warning to Errol.
Errol didn’t miss the thinly veiled threat. Beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead as he glanced nervously at Leila, who remained behind the screen.
Rubbing her aching temples, Leila said, “Errol, the auction is about to begin, and you’ve got a lot of work to do. Please, attend to your duties first. I’m well familiar with Mr. Lando.”
Reluctantly, Errol nodded and left, casting a wary glance at Mr. Lando.
Mr. Lando settled himself naturally across from Leila and poured himself a cup of tea.
Leila’s eyes twitched slightly at his disregard for her presence.
Leila spoke up. “Mr. Lando, you already have my contact information. You don’t have to show up in person if you want to urge me to proceed with the task you’ve assigned me.”
Mr. Lando set his cup down gently, possibly recalling that he was still wearing a mask. “Leila, you’re overthinking it. Didn’t I mention I initially wanted to take the No. 1 private room, only to find it occupied? I’ve visited your auction house in Ferelden before, and I’m curious about how the one in Avalon differs.”
With a proud smile, Leila tilted her chin up slightly. “Well, you won’t be disappointed. We have fine items here. After all, Avalon boasts a vast territory and abundant resources, with its culture enriched by its long history.”
The auction soon commenced.