Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Jenny’s eyes flickered for a moment before settling back into their usual calmness. She yawned and then curled her lips into a sneer. “Leila, we’ve had our differences in the past. There is no need for pretense now. I know what you are up to. You are just looking for reasons to criticize me, hoping to stir up rumors about me mistreating the elderly and children. Save your breath. People like you, full of hypocrisy, aren’t welcome here.”
Leila had anticipated Jenny’s refusal, so she remained calm and composed. She gestured behind her with a subtle but deliberate movement. Several vehicles were lined up along the road outside.
Leila blinked innocently and said, “Miss Patterson, how could you think so poorly of me? I’m utterly genuine. I even rallied the media for this. You could broadcast the whole affair live. I assure you, I won’t stir up any trouble. If I find the elderly relative of my friend, I’ll publicly apologize to you-I have even prepared a thank-you letter in advance.”
Jenny clenched her jaw, her frustration evident. Leila had clearly mastered the art of turning the court of public opinion in her favor. Turning Leila away now was not an option.
Jenny inwardly smirked, glad that she had prepared for this moment after finding that jade pendant; otherwise, she would never have realized that the elderly man was the very person Leila was searching for, and any preparation would have proved to be too late. With a smile, Jenny gestured for Leila to come inside.
Leila couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss when she saw Jenny agree so readily.
On their way, Jenny gently asked Leila if she remembered the elderly man’s appearance. Not wanting to reveal the truth, Leila described other people instead, her answers carefully crafted to mislead. Jenny inwardly sneered.
Jenny led Leila to the welfare home where the elderly residents were housed and gave her a tour. The welfare home had recently hosted numerous interviews, so they were well-prepared. The food served to the elderly during this time was notably good. No matter who came to visit, there was nothing they could criticize.
Leila scanned the unfamiliar crowd, her heart sinking as disappointment began to cloud her eyes. Tyrone was nowhere in sight. Neither was the familiar face she had seen in the photo.
Rather than confronting Jenny head-on, Leila seized a chance to corner a staff member, slipping him a few crisp hundred-dollar bills. “Are all the elderly people Jenny rescued here?”
The staff member glanced at the money and responded reluctantly, “Yes, everyone is here.”
Leila wasn’t ready to give up just yet. “Are you sure there aren’t any special cases that might not be here?”
The staff member, showing a hint of impatience, replied, “Miss Patterson is so busy that she barely has time to visit the elderly. How could she possibly manage to relocate some of them elsewhere and personally care for them?”
Eyeing Leila with suspicion, the staff member asked, “You are not here to stir up trouble, are you?”
Leila quickly shook her head. “Of course not. In fact, I brought these thank-you letters specifically for Miss Patterson.”
The staff member’s expression softened slightly. “That is more like it. And while you are at it, help us spread the word about the positive environment here at our welfare home. We want the public to rest easy, knowing that we and Miss Patterson are genuinely committed to charity work.”
The staff member emphasized this last point, repeating it several times.
Leila’s smile gradually faded, replaced by a gnawing unease. Something felt off, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She began to question whether it was really necessary to emphasize to others that they were genuinely engaged in charity work.
Determined to dig deeper, Leila subtly began coaxing information from the staff member. “This welfare home has a really pleasant environment. I noticed your menu is well-balanced and thoughtfully planned. It’s clear you are genuinely focused on the health of the elderly. And I see you also organize group activities and exercises for them; that’s really commendable.”
The staff member’s chest puffed up with pride as he replied, “These are basic care routines we follow every day.”
Leila’s eyes swept over the frail, visibly malnourished elderly residents, a sneer curling at the corners of her mouth in disdain. Still, she maintained her facade and continued with her flattery.
“What’s more, I have noticed how peaceful your facility is, without a hint of chaos. It seems the residents here get along splendidly, don’t they?”
“Absolutely,” the staff member responded with pride. “We have strict rules in place that everyone adheres to without fail.”
“And what happens if someone doesn’t follow these rules?”
“Anyone who breaks the rules will certainly face disciplinary action,” the staff member said firmly.
The staff member suddenly looked flustered and quickly corrected himself. “I mean verbally reprimanded, verbally reprimanded.”
“Oh, I see,” Leila nodded, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes.
At that moment, Jenny strode over, her impatience barely concealed. “See? There is no one here you are looking for. Hurry up and leave. Don’t disturb the elderly while they are resting.”
Leila gave a nod and followed Jenny out of the welfare home.
As Jenny watched the cars fade into the distance in the rearview mirror, she let out a sigh of relief. Instead of driving Leila directly into the city, Jenny pulled over and dropped her off midway.
“I’m sorry,” Jenny said, her eyes glinting with a hint of malice. “I have other matters to attend to, so I need to leave you here. Can you manage on your own?” They were in the remote countryside, where taxis were few and far between.
Leila knew Jenny was doing this intentionally. Unfazed, she handed Jenny the document.
Jenny unfolded it with a frown, but her expression changed as she read.
Leila flashed a smile and said, “I almost forgot the main reason for my visit today. This is a court summons, Miss Patterson. I have filed a lawsuit against you. You should consult a lawyer and ensure you attend the session punctually.”
Jenny’s grip tightened around the document bag. Her eyes narrowed, and she snapped, “What do you mean? This is your company’s fault, not mine. Who do you think you are to sue me? I won’t be attending. I’m innocent here.”
Leila remained calm, her gaze steady. “Innocence or guilt will be determined by the court. You pride yourself on your fairness, but are you afraid of facing this challenge?”
Jenny’s eyes blazed with hostility, her anger palpable. With a final glare, she shut the car window and ordered coldly, “Drive.”
The car roared off, leaving Leila standing in its wake. Shortly after Jenny departed, another car pulled up in front of Leila.
Behind the wheel was none other than Ruth. Despite her slight leg issue, she managed the drive with ease.
It had been a long time since Ruth had been outside, and she felt a bit uneasy. “Miss Nixon, do you think I should wear a mask or get out of the car? It might be a hassle if someone spots me riding with you.”
Leila climbed into the car with a weary sigh, rubbing her temples. “Don’t worry about it. Just drive. I need to rest right now. There is no need for a mask. The more you try to hide, the more you will stand out. I have everything under control.”
Ruth’s curiosity about how Leila intended to hide her identity had grown. She hadn’t anticipated the extravagant makeover Leila had in store.
Leila had gone so far as to buy Ruth an entirely new wardrobe and reinvent her whole image. Ruth’s transformation was remarkable. Gone was the thin, sorrowful figure she had once been.
Draped in a flowing white skirt with hair styled in long extensions, Ruth stood before her reflection, exuding an air of cool confidence. The long white skirt and hair extensions draped over her like a regal cloak, concealing her disability. Yet, her gait remained slightly awkward. Noticing Ruth’s difficulty, Leila arranged a wheelchair, assigning several bodyguards to push it whenever needed.
Ruth stared at her reflection, bewildered. She was so unrecognizable, as if she were looking at a stranger. Leila approached, her hand resting gently on Ruth’s shoulder. “Remember that you’re a Nixon’s student. Keep your name a secret.”
Ruth’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Hayden? Isn’t he a renowned artist? People will call it out right away.”
Leila smiled mysteriously. “Trust me. With me by your side, none of those things will matter.” Leila handed Ruth a document.
As Ruth read its contents, her eyes went wide with shock. “The Jewelry Design Competition? I’m not qualified for this. Miss Nixon, this isn’t a good idea.”
Leila’s expression hardened. “Now that you’re here, it implies you’re ready to reclaim what’s rightfully yours. So, why hesitate? If you’re going to do something, do it with conviction. If not, you’re better off turning back now.”
Ruth shook her head firmly. “I’m not afraid. I just don’t want to burden you. You’ve already done so much for me.”
Leila’s eyes narrowed. “Would you rather send your grandmother to the hospital alone?”
Guilt washed over Ruth as she lowered her head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have thought so.”
Leila let out a weary sigh. “I don’t want to hear that from you again, you understand?”
Ruth nodded quickly. “I understand.”
Satisfied, Leila escorted Ruth back to her residence. Leila thoughtfully arranged for a room on the ground floor, considering Ruth’s difficulty with stairs. To make Ruth’s identity more real, Leila kept her family in the dark and referred to Ruth only as Miss Nixon.
Sophie was utterly fascinated by their new guest, Ruth. She circled Ruth and then turned to her mother, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Mommy, is she my new sister? Can she stay in my room with me?”
Leila had been rarely home lately, and Tyrone’s whereabouts remained a mystery. This left Sophie always feeling lonely at home. Leila crouched to Sophie’s level, gently combing her fingers through her daughter’s hair.
“Yes, you can think of her as your sister. But remember, we’ll have a visitor soon, an elderly lady. Make sure you’re on your best behavior.”
Ruth’s eyes darted up, filled with sudden disbelief. “Are you planning to bring my grandmother here too? That’s so kind of you. But you’ve already done so much for me…” Ruth caught the cautionary gleam in Leila’s eyes and quickly bit back her gratitude.
Ruth’s voice was filled with gratitude. “I owe you too much.”
Leila shook her head. “I’m bringing Tilda here for two reasons. First, it will be easier for her to receive medical attention. I’ll arrange for specialists to examine her. Second, as you’re now working for me, it is more convenient for you to stay here. If Tilda remains at home instead of being here with you, you’ll be worried and distracted from your work. Plus, she can help me.”
Ruth was touched by Leila’s thoughtful consideration. She could no longer refuse. Her eyes brimmed with even deeper gratitude as she looked at Leila.
It wasn’t long before good news came from the hospital. Tilda was weak due to long-term malnutrition. With proper care and nutrition, she would make a full recovery.