Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Mr. Kensington has fallen out of favor with his own family. While the Kensington family didn’t dare to discipline him harshly, they are set on uncovering his true identity. Assuming the identity of Mr. Lando is his best shield. He can’t afford to lose it. Now, every hotel and property agency in Burmoos has directives from the family. Should anyone lease a property, it must be reported immediately to the Kensington family. They’ve arranged surveillance for any new tenants.”
Leila scowled. “You take me for a fool? How could Stan manage that? Every day, countless people check into hotels or rent properties.”
Edgar put on a serious face. “But he does manage it. You should recognize the influence the Kensington family wields in Burmoos. Don’t believe me? Go ahead and test it out. Stan probably knows everything about you by now.”
For a moment, Leila was at a loss for words. While Stan could not have been the sharpest at running a company, she had to acknowledge that his network of informants was extensive. After all, Stan had set Landon up back then. Surely, Stan possessed capabilities.
Yet, Leila didn’t want to relent. “I still don’t see why Landon should stay with me. I’ve crossed the Kensington family. How is that my concern?”
Just then, Sophie, who had been silent until now, chimed in, “Mommy, the woman who kidnapped me mentioned her son’s last name was Kensington.”
“Kensington?” Leila glanced at Landon, bewildered.
Landon appeared somewhat defeated as he explained, “Dean has a mistress and a son on the side, though he has never really been competent.”
Leila’s emotions tangled further. She truly saw no valid argument to reject Landon. Then Sophie got up and tugged at Leila’s arm. “Mommy, he’s so unfortunate. If you don’t let him stay with us, he’ll end up homeless, sleeping on the streets. He won’t get much sleep or enough to eat.”
Leila was both amused and slightly annoyed. She fixed Landon with a look of reproach and scoffed. “Do you really think it’s right to spin tales to a young girl just to get what you want?”
Landon shook his head, his response firm. “I’m not lying. That’s exactly my plan. I can’t leave Avalon right now. And if I’m not out on the streets, where else would I stay? We’re not in Yoeloth anymore. It’s complicated here, so yes, I’ll be sleeping on the streets. If I reveal who I am at this point, Stan will stop at nothing to take me down.”
Leila eyed him skeptically. “Really? With everything you’ve got, you’re worried about Stan?”
A laugh escaped Landon as he replied, “It’s not him I’m worried about. It’s the person backing him.”
Leila’s mind raced as she recalled hearing about Stan’s influential supporter, a rather notorious figure. Despite years of trying, Stan had never managed to shake this benefactor.
The room fell into heavy silence, brows knit together tightly.
Lenny couldn’t hold back any longer. “Lando, we should go! Can’t you see they’re not welcoming us? You angered the Kensington family over this woman’s daughter, but now she doubts your intentions. Why do we even stay? She’s ungrateful. That’s all.”
Landon’s gaze hardened. “Lenny, I’ve always considered your youth and overlooked much of your behavior. But this is the last warning I’m giving you. If you repeat those words, I’ll have no choice but to send you away.”
Lenny’s face twisted with hurt. “Mr. Landon, what are you saying? Didn’t you promise me-“
“Lenny!” Landon rose from his seat, unable to mask his fury. “Yes, I made a promise. But you’ve tested my patience over and over. Why should I tolerate it?”
Landon was fuming. Lenny winced and stepped aside, feeling downcast.
Leila watched the exchange, puzzled. Was Lenny so harsh with her? Did she inadvertently provoke him? If it had been in the past, she might have asked Lenny. But now she didn’t care about what others thought of her.
“You’re welcome to stay,” Leila declared, her voice devoid of warmth. “But I won’t let you disrupt my life or Sophie’s.”
Leila emphasized her final point sharply, a note of finality in her tone.
A flicker of sorrow flashed through Landon’s eyes, vanishing almost immediately. “Understood,” he said quietly.
Just then, Leila’s phone buzzed abruptly. It was a message from Charlee, who had requested her number the last time they met.
Charlee’s message read, “Leila, are you free right now? I’d like to talk.”
Leila’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Was she texting to hold her accountable for what she did to Joanna? Yet, from what others had said about Charlee, such behavior seemed out of character.
After sending the message, Charlee received no immediate response from Leila. Growing concerned, she sent another message. “Please, don’t be alarmed. I’m not here to cause you any trouble. I’m aware of what transpired between you and Joanna. I’ve asked her to leave my home. However, I owe you an apology in person.”
Leila was taken aback to learn that Charlee had ousted Joanna. Charlee had always been strict about Joanna’s upbringing yet failed to keep Joanna’s jealousy in check.
With a sigh, Leila reflected on the situation. She felt no pity for Joanna, but her heart went out to Charlee. Rumor had it that Charlee had been raising Joanna alone since her husband’s death years ago.
Charlee refused to abandon her career despite the toll balancing work and parenthood took on her health. Despite everything, Charlee paved the way for Joanna’s future and chose a son-in-law whom she was satisfied with and Joanna liked, hoping for the best for Joanna. Unexpectedly, things unfolded in such a way.
Charlee continued pressing Leila. Perhaps sensing Leila’s reluctance to meet, Charlee sent another message. “I’m sorry to bother you. I just feel a bit uneasy. It’s my fault my daughter turned out this way, despite my best efforts. It is alright if you’re busy today. I hope to apologize in person when you’re free.”
Perhaps because they were both single mothers managing on their own, Leila could empathize with Charlee’s plight, which made her feel sympathetic toward Charlee.
Leila finally texted back, “I’ll come to meet you. Could you send me the address?”
Leila left without informing Landon or Sophie. Given Charlee’s delicate position, Leila preferred not to involve others, feeling it could complicate things. However, Leila hadn’t anticipated running into Lenny on her way out.
Lenny hurried over to Leila, blocking her path. “Don’t leave just yet. I need to talk with you.”
As soon as Leila noticed the frown on Lenny’s face, she could tell he was about to stir up trouble. She wasn’t in the mood to argue with him, so she forced a polite smile and said, “Maybe another time. I have something I need to take care of; I’ll be heading out.”
But Lenny, trailing closely behind Leila, wasn’t about to let it go. His tone was stubborn as he said, “No matter what you think, I’m going to say what I need to today. If you don’t want to talk to me, then just follow you wherever you go.”
Leila sighed, feeling trapped and helpless. Since when did Landon become so patient, even willing to take a rebellious teenager like Lenny under his wing? Judging by Lenny’s stubborn demeanor, Leila had no doubt that he could follow through on his word.
Not wanting to drag things out any longer, Leila decided it was better to just get it over with. She stopped in her tracks, her expression turning cold. “Alright, go ahead. You’ve got five minutes. I have something to say to you as well.”
Lenny crossed his arms over his chest, his chin lifting slightly in a show of arrogance. “I just want to tell you that you should stay away from Landon. He already has someone who’s perfect for him. If you really care about him, you’ll stop bothering him. You probably don’t know this, but when our big boss passed away, he betrothed his daughter to Landon. She even saved his life. They’re a perfect match. If it weren’t for you, Landon wouldn’t have come back; he would have married her.”
Leila’s brow furrowed at his words. She hadn’t expected that Landon would be so highly regarded, even by people abroad. But as she pondered about it, she found it made sense. Landon had attracted a great deal of women’s attention since his childhood. Girls smitten with him was no surprise.
Yet Leila hadn’t expected that things between Landon and another woman had progressed to the point of marriage. A strange feeling welled up inside her, and her gaze grew colder. Leila said, her voice icy, “Listen up, I didn’t ask him to concern himself with my issues. If you can persuade him to leave me alone and go back, by all means, do it. It’s not me who’s trying to get close to him. I’ve told you before that I just want to live a peaceful life.”
Lenny, caught off guard and unable to come up with a counterargument, blushed with frustration. He finally stammered, “But… You could just refuse him. If you don’t, it looks like you’re playing hard to get. I’m warning you: stay away from him.”
Leila’s patience snapped, and she took a step closer to Lenny. Her approach was enough to make Lenny retreat a few steps, fear flickering in his eyes. “I don’t need to prove anything to you,” Leila said coldly. “If you’re confident, then go ahead and make him leave me alone. Why should I be the one to refuse him? This has nothing to do with me.”
Lenny gritted his teeth in frustration and spat out, “Just you wait! My lady will be back soon, and she’ll make a mistress like you get what you deserve!
?????????? “
Leila simply chuckled. “Fine, I’ll be waiting.”
With that, she turned and began to walk away.
Fuming, Lenny stomped his feet. As he turned around, he was startled to see Edgar watching him from a distance. The sight was like a cold splash of water, extinguishing his bravado.
Lowering his head, Lenny tried to leave quickly, but Edgar caught up to him. “I told you not to interfere in what’s going on between Landon and Leila. Why did you say those things to her?” Edgar said.
“Fine, as long as she doesn’t try to get close to Landon again, I won’t bother her.”
Meanwhile, when Leila arrived at the Martel family estate, she was struck by the emptiness of the grand house. Despite its size and opulence, there wasn’t a single servant in sight.
The wealth of the Martel family didn’t surprise Leila. After all, the Martel family had always been rich long before Charlee’s time, and their fortune wasn’t something built on shady dealings.
Fortunately, the butler appeared and led the way, guiding Leila through the vast and silent halls. Reaching the empty living room, the butler left without saying a word, leaving Leila alone.
Confused, Leila looked around but didn’t see Charlee or anyone else. After sitting there for a while with no sign of anyone, she decided to take out her phone and send Charlee a message. “Where are you? Should I come to you?”
After a few minutes, her phone vibrated with a response: “I’m upstairs in the study on the second floor.” Leila paused, uncertain, but eventually made her way up the stairs.
Upon reaching the second floor, she was shocked to find Charlee lying on the floor, unconscious, with blood pooling around her. The scene was horrifying.
In a panic, Leila fumbled for her phone, intending to call for help. Before she could dial, a group of bodyguards appeared out of nowhere and restrained her.
Just then, Joanna appeared on the staircase from the third floor, her voice shrill and accusatory. “Leila, I saw it all! How dare you push my mother!”
Leila’s breath caught in her throat as she looked up, her expression one of utter disbelief. “What are you talking about?”
Joanna rushed down the stairs, throwing herself beside Charlee and crying out in distress. “Mom, please wake up! Are you okay? Don’t do this to me. You tried to apologize to Leila, but she wouldn’t accept it. She demanded you kick me out, and in the heat of the argument, she pushed you down the stairs! Please! Mom, wake up!”
Leila’s stomach turned as she realized Joanna was laying all the blame squarely on her. The audacity of such a blatant lie left her momentarily speechless. It dawned on Leila that the messages from Charlee might have actually been sent by Joanna. In that case, who had really pushed Charlee down? Could it have been Joanna herself?