Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Joanna had meticulously erased all the in-house security footage, but she had overlooked this one crucial clip. While the footage didn’t directly link Joanna to the murder, it contradicted her claim of being out of the country when Charlee died.
Previously, facing the media, Joanna had asserted she was out of the country, completely unaware of what had transpired at the Martel house. Yet, the footage clearly captured her leaving the scene of the crime on the very day Charlee died.
And to top it off, Joanna had purchased the same nerve toxin found in Leila’s system while Joanna was abroad. The evidence piled up, leaving everyone in the room stunned into silence.
Previously watching the press conference with a smug look on her face, Joanna’s composure quickly crumbled.
Before this press conference, Landon had always seemed cornered by Joanna. Joanna hadn’t expected Landon to have so much dirt on her! Why the heck hadn’t he used it before?
Joanna thought about it for a moment, and then it clicked. Landon had planned this all meticulously. He’d waited for the perfect moment to strike when everyone was watching. He’d used public opinion to deliver a knockout punch, leaving her with no way to fight back. The sun was still shining, but a shiver ran down Joanna’s spine.
Just then, Landon looked straight into the camera. His dark eyes were sharp, piercing, like a hawk’s, seeing right through Joanna. Fear and unease washed over Joanna.
She took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and gritted her teeth. “Landon, you brought this on yourself!”
By the time Leila and Sophie arrived, the venue holding the conference was swarming with people. Leila spotted a few cars that belonged to the Kensington family. Her heart skipped a beat. She grabbed a reporter who was rushing past. “What are the Kensington family doing here?”
The reporter shook his head. “No idea-I’m just here for the press conference.”
Leila’s face went pale. She rushed inside, holding Sophie tight. Once inside, Leila saw the Kensington family pointing at Landon. “Don’t listen to him! He’s Landon, the one who killed his own mother! How can you trust a murderer?” The crowd erupted into chaos.
The reporters swarmed around Landon like a pack of hungry hyenas, eager to tear into fresh prey. They surged forward, cameras flashing, desperate to get closer. A few bold ones even tried to yank off Landon’s mask, desperate for a glimpse of the face beneath.
But Landon was no easy prey. Flanked by a wall of formidable bodyguards, he remained untouchable. Getting close enough to remove his mask was out of the question.
Leila’s heart pounded as she spotted Stan. Without a second thought, she rushed toward him, her steps quick and determined. “Stan!” Leila called out, her voice icy despite the paleness of her face. “This man is my fianc?, not-“
Stan lazily lifted his head and said, “Oh, Leila. Are you getting nervous now that Landon’s secret might be exposed?”
Leila drew in a deep breath, composing herself. “Landon ditched me for Sarah. Why would I take him back now? He nearly killed my daughter and me with Sarah. I hate-“
Stan’s gaze lingered on her, his expression teasing yet meaningful. “Why the rush, then? If he’s not Landon, why not just prove it? One quick pull of the mask, and all this could be over.”
Leila’s hands clenched into fists as she fought to keep her voice steady.
“And who do you think you are, daring to demand that he show his face? Push this any further, and you’ll have the Nixon family and the black market breathing down your neck. Can the Kensington family really afford that?
My fianc? values his privacy. Forcing him to reveal himself under public pressure would be a grave mistake. If you pull your men back now, I can forgive you. If you still don’t trust me, I’ll talk to him privately and let you see his face.”
Leila was stalling, desperate to buy time, hoping Landon’s identity could remain hidden a little longer.
Though the Kensington family might be powerless against Landon, Leila grasped that he might have some other plan since he had been back for some time yet his identity was still shrouded in secrecy. She owed him a great deal, so she was determined to help him safeguard his secret.
“That’s a fair point you just made,” Stan’s tone was deceptively agreeable, but his men remained in place, and his smile held a predatory edge. Stan reached out, patting Leila’s shoulder gently. Leila recoiled, a frown crossing her face as she took a few steps back, feeling a wave of nausea. Stan’s eyes flickered with something dark before he burst into evil laughter.
The evil laughter was so cold and hollow that it caused a shiver down Leila’s spine. Leila instinctively shielded Sophie, pulling the little girl closer and covering her eyes.
Stan’s laughter finally subsided. His eyes were now bloodshot and wild. He clenched Leila’s wrist and gritted his teeth.
“Leila, you’re so slick that I almost bought it. But I’m no fool. Guess what I found?” With a sinister grin, Stan pulled out his phone and flashed a photo to Leila.
The woman in the photo was striking, her smile radiant, with an air of fragile elegance. Her features were a perfect mix of cultural heritages, and her beauty was undeniable. She wore a faint frown, her expression delicate and fragile. She was a stunning beauty, the kind that took your breath away effortlessly.
As Leila gazed at the woman, a sense of familiarity stirred within her. Stan’s voice was smug as he continued, “You can probably guess, but this woman is Anna Watts, an internationally renowned war correspondent. She is also called the ‘Pigeon of Peace.’ She’s the sister of Mr. Lando, the owner of the black market in Yoeloth. Mr. Lando is a decade older than his sister, which puts him close to forty now. But your so-called fianc? doesn’t look anywhere near that, does he?”
Leila’s mind raced as she struggled to keep her composure. “You can’t judge age by appearance alone.”
Stan sneered, his tone dripping with condescension. “Your point is valid, but I had considered a better plan. I invited her here today. You claimed you saved Mr. Lando’s life and got engaged while abroad. Then, let’s see if Anna recognizes your fianc?.”
A wave of panic washed over Leila. Her hands grew clammy, and her limbs felt numb. Sensing her unease, Stan grinned, pleased with himself. “I’ve been suspicious of his identity for a while now, but I did see a photo of Landon’s corpse at the time. Still, I made arrangements. I made sure to invite Anna here.”
To Leila, Stan’s smile was that of a devil’s. Stan hadn’t changed a bit. He was as terrifying as ever. Though he lacked raw power, his cunning was unparalleled.
He stalked his prey from the shadows, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to strike. Even if Stan failed, he would stay lurking in the shadows. Once he had a target in his sights, he never let go. Being hunted by someone like him was worse than living hell.
Sweat beaded on Leila’s palms as she fought the urge to flee from Stan’s presence. “It’s your call. Just get Anna here. I’m not scared.”
Leila threw a glance at Landon. She had done everything in her power and hoped Landon would give Anna a heads-up before it was too late.
Half an hour later, footsteps echoed through the hall. The crowd erupted in cheers.
“Oh my God, it’s Anna! What’s she doing here?”
“Am I seeing things? Is that really Anna?”
“You’re not mistaken, Anna’s even more beautiful in person!”
Anna wielded significant international influence due to her efforts in helping those affected by war. On top of that, she had a vast and devoted fanbase. She wasn’t just a celebrity; she was also an icon, far beyond the reach of anyone in the entertainment industry.
As Anna strode forward, her long, slightly curled hair cascaded down her back. She was dressed simply in short sleeves and pants, but her beauty was undeniable, and her tough demeanor only added to her allure.
Her sunglasses obscured part of her face, but her delicate chin and perfectly sculpted lips were enough to leave an impression.
Leila’s anxiety spiked. She considered using the chance to approach Anna and give her a heads-up, but she wasn’t sure if it would work. On second thought, she decided against it. Doing so would only backfire, making things worse for Landon.
As Leila racked her mind for a solution, from the corner of her eye, she noticed a familiar figure beside Anna. It was Lenny, who had been by Landon’s side not long ago..
After Leila sobered up from the drug, she discovered that Lenny had vanished. Though curious about Lenny’s whereabouts, she chose not to inquire since he hadn’t been kind to her.
Seeing Lenny standing beside Anna, Leila let out a sigh of relief. It meant they must have known each other for quite some time.
Stan, beaming, practically rushed to Anna, eager to make a favorable impression. “You must be the legendary Anna Watts,” he gushed, extending his hand. “You’re even more beautiful and gracious than you appear on television. I’m Stan, the head of the Kensington family. We exchanged a few messages online.”
Anna paused, her gaze cool as she assessed Stan. A polite, distant smile touched her lips, but she made no move to shake his hand. “Hello, Mr. Kensington,” she replied, her voice as cool as her demeanor.
Without another word, Anna brushed past Stan, leaving him standing there, his hand awkwardly extended, his face a mask of embarrassment.
Stan’s smile faltered for a split second, but he quickly recovered, his voice booming through the room. “Miss Watts, you might not be aware, but there’s an imposter here, pretending to be your brother and his girlfriend. They’re not only deceiving everyone but also trying to wiggle out of a murder charge! I hope you can expose them. Otherwise, your brother’s reputation will be dragged through the mud when this gets out.”
Anna approached Landon, shooting him a complex look, remaining silent in the face of Stan’s accusations. But that look was enough to set the crowd buzzing.
People started murmuring, their voices rising in a crescendo of speculation.
“Oh my god, is he really a fake?”
“I heard this guy’s actually Landon, the one who killed his own mother years ago and then skipped town!”
“Someone like him deserves to rot in jail. Why haven’t the cops arrested him yet?”
“He and Leila are perfect for each other. A pair of cold-blooded killers.”
Stan soaked up the accusations, his chin held high as he glared at Landon.
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“Landon, if you get down on your knees and beg for forgiveness right now, I might just let this whole thing slide. I didn’t expose you before because I hoped you’d turn over a new leaf, not run around pretending to be someone you’re not and conning people.”
Landon met Stan’s gaze, cold and unyielding. “For one, I’m not the Landon you’re looking for. And two, you think you can demand that I kneel before you? I don’t think you have the authority for that.”
Stan sputtered, unable to form a coherent response.
Anna took a deep breath and then casually looped her arm through Landon’s, her voice laced with concern. “Why didn’t you tell me you were back and in trouble? If Lenny hadn’t said anything, I’d be in the dark. These people are out of line, questioning your identity like this. Someone’s even trying to turn me against you. I wonder what their game is.”
Her last sentence hung in the air, heavy with unspoken accusation.