Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Before long, the day of the competition finally arrived. Meanwhile, the news of Leila suing Jenny spread like wildfire. Everyone’s attention was drawn to Jenny and the Turner Group.
Jenny seized this opportunity to host three live broadcasts each day. Most of the time, she would cry on camera, playing the role of the helpless victim.
She claimed that her years of charity work were not easy and that she was merely fighting for her rights. She never imagined she would end up crossing a powerful capitalist.
Jenny accused Leila of using her wealth and connections to silence her, meaning the lawsuit was already rigged against her. If that happened, she would be blacklisted, unable to continue her charitable work. Even worse, she might find herself exiled from Halstead entirely.
Each time Jenny made these claims, tears flowed down her face, playing the victim to perfection. Jenny’s followers, enraged, flooded the Turner Group’s official account with insults.
They wished they could reach through the screen and deliver a beating to Leila. But Leila had learned her lesson from past experiences. Despite Jenny’s online attacks, no matter how Jenny tried to incite online fury, Leila remained quiet; her home address was now meticulously hidden from public view. No amount of internet sleuthing could locate her.
Growing desperate, Jenny resorted to more extreme measures. She had someone leak Leila’s phone number. However, Leila had already deactivated the number. Jenny was back to square one, clueless about where Leila resided.
Then, some hackers, drawn to the drama, managed to find something valuable. They posted their discovery online, but the outcome wasn’t what Jenny had hoped for. Instead of turning the tide against Leila, it had the opposite effect.
Conversely, some were too intimidated to utter a word. “It turns out Leila is the daughter of the Nixon family! She has a powerful background.”
“What’s the Nixon family? I’ve never heard of them. Aren’t they just nouveau riche with a small real estate company?”
“You should do your research. The Nixon family has been a prominent family for centuries. They went abroad to avoid the war last century. They’re incredibly wealthy, even richer than some domestic big families.”
“If she really is from the Nixon family, she’s not someone to mess with.”
“Jenny’s picked a fight with someone way out of her league. Let’s see how long she keeps up the act.”
Despite the backlash, Jenny’s fans rallied in her defense. “What are you talking about? From the Nixon family? Are you crazy?”
“Just because she’s wealthy, are we supposed to bow down and kiss her feet?”
“Yes! Can you be quieter? Isn’t this proof that a bully is using her family’s connections? We should always side with the common people and not let ourselves be intimidated by the bullies.”
Leila, however, paid no attention to the heated debates and insults flaring up online. In fact, she seemed to relish it. The attention meant more eyes on the Turner Group, perfectly setting the stage for her next plan.
Jenny, on the other hand, fumed with anger. Despite her attempts to unmask Leila’s identity, she was still exposed to cyberbullying. Someone commented that she wasn’t even worthy of being Leila’s maid. Jenny seethed with anger.
Jenny flung objects around, hurling curses at Leila in frustration. “Who the hell does Leila think she is? Wasn’t she just born into a well-off family? What do those dumb netizens think? I can’t match up to her?” After releasing her rage, Jenny watched as the door swung open.
Tyrone entered, pausing only to frown upon seeing Jenny in disarray on the floor, and walked away. Jenny, gritting her teeth yet softening her tone, approached him reluctantly. “Didn’t you claim I’m your granddaughter? When will you take me back?”
Tyrone looked up at Jenny. “The Nixon family isn’t welcoming. It’s better you stay away. Steering clear of the Nixon family keeps you untouchable from their schemes.”
Jenny’s anxiety grew. “Grandpa, you’re not thinking clearly. We’re family. Why would family members scheme against each other? You’re ill and overthinking. We should head home.”
Tyrone remained composed. “Is there a rush to return? Do you think life with the Nixons, wealthy as they are, would be better? My granddaughter is not one to chase after wealth.”
Jenny’s frustration turned to anger, prompting her to turn away and wipe away tears. “Do you realize your granddaughter has been bullied to the breaking point? I just want the safety of my family. Is that so wrong?” Tyrone remained silent.
Desperate, Jenny pulled out the jade pendant and held it up to Tyrone, her voice breaking. “Grandpa, remember this? You gave it to my mom. You said it would be how you recognize her. I found you with it, yet now you refuse to acknowledge me.
Why did you give it to me if it means nothing? Forget it then. I don’t want it.” With that, Jenny threw the jade pendant into the trash bin.
Tyrone, alarmed, rushed to retrieve it from the trash bin. He carefully dusted it off, his frown deepening as he looked at Jenny, who was now sobbing.
Tyrone’s voice softened as he said to her, “Let me think for a while. Don’t worry. Since you are my granddaughter, I won’t let anyone bully you.”
Jenny, beaming with joy, grasped Tyrone’s hand and responded with a hint of entitlement, “Grandpa, you are so kind.”
Yet, Tyrone’s gaze remained distant and cold. His memory was fragmented; certain details eluded him, though he distinctly remembered that his granddaughter was meant to possess this jade. Despite this, Tyrone hesitated to acknowledge Jenny as his granddaughter, doubting her identity, but why did she have this jade pendant?
Tyrone couldn’t go out to investigate since Jenny forbade him from leaving this place, quoting that his confusion might land him in trouble. It appeared he would only piece together the past upon returning to the Nixon family.
Meanwhile, as online attention surged around the Turner Group, Leila seized the moment to announce that the Turner Group would participate in the Jewelry Design Competition, sparking widespread debate.
“How dare they compete in the design competition? By plagiarizing others’ work again?”
“Don’t steal Jenny’s ideas anymore.”
“Curious to see what farce the Turner Group will present this time.”
“Perhaps the Turner Group has employed a top-tier designer this round,” an optimist suggested, cautioning Jenny’s supporters not to overstate Jenny’s performance in designing.
Yet, a detractor added, “But it’s a fact the Turner Group’s designer copied Jenny’s work for years before they were caught.”
“Some believe such a prominent firm would investigate these claims, but it seems they overlooked Jenny as no serious threat.”
“This company clearly overlooks ethical standards in design.”
Jenny utilized this controversy to shape her narrative online. Without directly naming the Turner Group, she portrayed herself as a victim, highlighting the emotional toll of discovering her work had been plagiarized and the challenges she faced defending her rights.
Now, more than ever, Jenny declared her independence from any form of intimidation, hinting at newfound strength in her concluding remarks.
Several netizens commented, “Jenny, did the Turner Group prevent you from participating in the competition?” Jenny didn’t respond directly. Instead, she posted a shush emoji the following day, hinting at unspoken truths.
Leila and Ruth monitored Jenny closely, with Ruth expressing frustration. “She resorts to the same tactics to defame me. Despite the years, she hasn’t changed her approach.”
Leila reassured her, “Her methods are effective, you must admit. Stick to the plan I’ve set, and all will be well.”
During this exchange, Tilda walked out, leaning on a crutch. Sophie followed, saying, “Tilda, don’t stress. Please listen to my mommy.”
Leila and Ruth quickly approached, concerned. Ruth intercepted Tilda, asking, “Grandma, what are you attempting to do?”
Tilda, visibly upset, responded, “I can’t stand by idly. What are Jenny’s true motives? If only I had known, I wouldn’t have bothered with her father when he was left at an orphanage. I ended up raising an ungrateful son who fathered such a ruthless daughter!”
Ruth, pained by her grandmother’s words, held her even closer. “Grandma, I understand your anguish, but there’s little you can do now. If you are truly grateful to Miss Nixon, please don’t complicate things.”
Tilda, tears in her eyes, turned to glance at Leila and softly touched Jenny’s hand. “Despite the circumstances, it’s all my fault. I’m too old to be of any use now.”
Leila gently chimed in, “Tilda, please don’t think like that. Actually, I need your help with something.” Revitalized by Leila’s words, Tilda wiped her tears, a mix of joy and resolve in her eyes. “Are you sure? Can I still be of any use?”
Leila smiled warmly. “Absolutely. I need your assistance.”
Leila then whispered a plan into Tilda’s ear, to which Tilda nodded slowly, albeit with a hint of reluctance.
Tilda purred, her voice as soft as velvet, “Miss Nixon, I’m willing to do anything you ask, but I fear my age might dull my wits. Furthermore, your plan will crumble like a house of cards if I err.”
Leila shook her head, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Don’t worry. If the situation unfolds as you described, we’ll remain hidden as a needle in a haystack. I believe in you. You’re the one who can pull this off.”
Ruth didn’t catch Leila’s murmurs to Tilda and grew anxious. “Miss Nixon, what’s going on? Why won’t you let me handle it?”
Tilda shot Ruth a look. “You silly girl, just stay with Miss Nixon and leave this to me. I want to be of some use, not just sit around.”
“Well…” Ruth hesitated, like a deer caught in headlights, unsure how to respond.
Leila silently patted Ruth’s shoulder, a comforting gesture that soothed the storm within her. Seeing this, Ruth decided not to press further.
When Tilda left, Leila’s expression hardened, like a winter storm settling over a frozen landscape. She said to Ruth, “Ruth, I need you to give it everything you’ve got and unleash your inner lion. You must win this competition and etch your name, and the Turner Group’s, into history. Though I’m willing to help, I’m not exactly a saint. I only help those who serve my purpose. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Ruth nodded, her expression resolute. “Thank you for this chance. Don’t worry. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
In the lead-up to the competition, Leila was constantly on the move, her time divided between the company and home. The Turner Group was fraught with countless issues. Besides its tarnished reputation, the company’s financial lifeline was fraying at the edges.
Leila contemplated the risk of engaging in a loss-making venture when the director approached her with good news and a glimmer of hope.
“Recently, a client has shown interest in placing a large order, but he hasn’t signed the contract yet. He’s asked to meet you first. I think perhaps he heard the rumors and hesitated. This is our golden opportunity.”