Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Maybe the child really is innocent. I’ve seen the replay, and she’s consistently polite.”
“Like mother, like daughter. Always pretending. They’re utterly insincere.”
Sophie was still upset, but her fear had subsided. She found comfort in her mother’s unwavering support, knowing Leila would always stand by her and ensure no one could harm her.
Just then, a man in a suit hurried into the room, beads of sweat on his forehead. He looked distinctly different from the regular staff. Clearly unaware of the ongoing commotion, he scanned the room, his eyes eventually landing on the box lying on the floor. He wobbled slightly, nearly losing his footing.
“What… What happened here?” he stammered.
Saniya quickly stepped forward, eager to explain. “I had the box a moment ago, but this little girl snatched it from me. I lost my grip, and it fell. Please, if my boyfriend asks, I hope you’ll clarify what really happened.”
With a self-satisfied smirk, she glanced at Leila, feeling emboldened by her association with the Kensington family. She believed she was no longer an easy target for anyone to challenge.
To everyone’s astonishment, the man ignored Saniya entirely. Instead, he turned to Leila and bowed deeply. “Madam, I deeply apologize for not delivering the box directly to you, which led to this unfortunate mishap. I am at your mercy for any reprimand.”
A stunned silence fell over the room, leaving everyone frozen in disbelief-none more so than Saniya.
Breaking the silence, Saniya rushed toward the man, her voice sharp and accusatory. “What nonsense are you talking about? Didn’t someone from the Kensington family ask you to give this to me?”
The man rolled his eyes at her, his patience wearing thin. “The Kensington family? Who gave you that box?” He let out a short, exasperated laugh. “My boss bought this gift for Miss Nixon. He personally asked me to deliver it to her, but I had an emergency and left it here at the filming location. I assumed no one would dare take something so valuable. Clearly, I overestimated some people’s integrity.”
His words dripped with sarcasm, cutting through Saniya like a blade.
The man had returned to confirm that Leila had received the gift as intended, only to discover that someone else had claimed it. According to the staff, this woman-Saniya-had confidently glanced at the box and declared it a gift from her boyfriend. No one, including the man, had imagined someone would be audacious enough to make such a claim.
Observing Saniya’s assured demeanor, the staff had believed her story without question.
Originally, the gift was a surprise Landon had planned for Leila. He had personally selected the jewelry, even having Ruth incorporate unique design details. The bracelet was especially meaningful, featuring two tiny, delicate unicorns, intricately crafted with exquisite charm.
Now, not only was the surprise ruined, but the precious items lay shattered.
The man recounted the entire sequence of events, his tone sharp as he mentioned that his boss could produce the receipt as proof if necessary. Then, turning to Saniya, he said, “If you see the evidence, will you admit to the theft? Because if not, my boss will have no choice but to press charges.”
Saniya’s confidence crumbled. Her knees grew weak, and a chill ran down her spine as his words echoed in her ears.
No one had expected such a turn of events.
Saniya still wore the bracelet around her wrist. From the moment she first laid eyes on it, she had been captivated.
The bracelet was crafted from pink jade crystals, radiating a natural purity, untouched by artificial dyes. The jade’s value was immeasurable, and crafted into such an exquisite piece, the bracelet only heightened its rarity and allure.
The bracelet featured intricate, miniature unicorns, each one painstakingly crafted with remarkable attention to detail. Despite their small size, the tiny figures exuded a sense of exquisite craftsmanship.
Leila immediately noticed that the bracelet wasn’t part of the original jewelry set. Landon must have had it customized specifically for her.
Leila approached Saniya with a subtle smile. “Miss Mason, don’t you think it’s time to return the box to its rightful owner?”
Saniya’s eyelashes fluttered as she instinctively took a step back. Her face flushed with distress, her eyes brimming with tears, as though she were on the verge of breaking down.
With everyone watching, she had no choice but to remove the bracelet and hand it over to Leila. Then, before anyone could speak, Saniya turned and fled, her sobs echoing behind her, leaving Leila no opportunity to ask further questions.
Elaine felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her.
Saniya had previously gifted Elaine a necklace in front of everyone. Now, Elaine was mortified, realizing that the elegant piece wasn’t even Saniya’s to give.
Elaine fumbled with the clasp, her hands trembling as she pulled it off. “I… I’m so sorry, Miss Nixon. I didn’t know it was yours.”
Leila didn’t reach for the necklace and replied calmly, “Since it was given to you, I have no reason to take it back.”
Elaine shook her head. “No, I really can’t accept it. It doesn’t feel right.”
But Leila’s gaze remained steady on Elaine, her refusal to take the necklace still clear.
Caught in the tension, Elaine hesitated, her face flushing with embarrassment. She felt utterly lost, unsure whether to hold onto it or put it away.
Debbie stepped in to defuse the tension, leaning closer to whisper to Elaine. “Miss Webster, it looks like there’s been a misunderstanding. Maybe you should explain things to Sophie? Regardless of who ends up with the necklace, it’s important to clear things up with Sophie. She’s been wronged in all this.”
Elaine frowned, her voice tinged with frustration. “But these are two separate issues.”
Leila smiled faintly, gesturing toward the logo on the box. “If you look closely, you’ll see the brand from the Turner Group, which I own. I’ve given my daughter plenty of these items, but she’s too young to wear them. Do you really think she’d be jealous over some leftover earrings or brooches and snatch them from Saniya?”
Elaine struggled to find a response.
As she thought it over, Elaine realized how thoroughly Saniya had manipulated her. She bit her lip, a wave of regret washing over her, and crouched to meet Sophie’s gaze.
“I’m so sorry, Sophie. I was wrong and misunderstood everything.”
With a smile as bright as sunshine, Sophie replied, “Mommy says admitting your mistakes makes you a good person. But you shouldn’t confess to things you haven’t done. Saniya should be the one to apologize to me, not you. And you can keep the necklace. Mommy says you’re kind-hearted and wants me to learn from you.”
Elaine blinked in shock. She glanced at Leila, who gave her a warm smile.
Elaine’s guilt deepened. She had been manipulated by Saniya to stand against Leila and Sophie. Despite being targeted, Leila and Sophie held no grudge against her and treated her with respect.
Deep down, there was another reason Elaine had stood up for Saniya, one she hadn’t revealed to anyone. However, she hadn’t anticipated that Saniya, with her seemingly innocent fa?ade, would turn her into a pawn, playing her for a fool.
Saniya’s matter soon faded into the background. The tension in the air dissipated, and even the online comments grew more amicable, with Saniya’s fans too embarrassed to comment further.
Elaine’s fans swiftly took to social media, vehemently defending her and harshly criticizing anyone attempting to link Elaine with Saniya.
The show went on.
Soon, the three women got busy setting up a small barbecue in the farmhouse courtyard. Leila decided to try grilling, and to everyone’s delight, the food turned out delicious.
Juicy meat, a stunning view, and three beautiful women. What more could anyone want? The atmosphere grew warm and cheerful, and a shared joy settled over them.
An unspoken pact was made among everyone to avoid bringing up Saniya’s name. The three women engaged in conversation, their bond growing stronger as they continued to connect.
Elaine and Leila, in particular, found their connection deepening significantly. Elaine listened with admiration as Leila shared stories of her past.
Leila didn’t shy away from her experiences, nor did she dwell on her hardships. She briefly shared the challenges she had encountered in her business and work, highlighting how her previous inability to communicate had made things more difficult.
Finally, Leila smiled warmly and said, “I often share my experiences to remind us that life is full of unexpected twists. But as long as we keep going, there’s always a chance to turn things around.”
Debbie’s eyes lit up, and she beamed like a child discovering a new hero in Leila. “Oh my gosh! From now on, Leila, you’re my idol. You’re just so inspiring.”
Elaine joked, “Wasn’t it you who said you were my fan when we first met?”
Debbie waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, I still admire you! I promised my dorm-mates your autograph.”
Elaine couldn’t control her laughter.
Debbie added, “You know what? I feel in many ways that Elaine and Leila are alike. Both have faced their share of struggles and emerged stronger for it. I recall Elaine mentioning in an interview that she joined the entertainment industry to fund her sister’s education. It’s a testament to her dedication and resilience.”
Leila’s expression remained calm, but her interest was piqued as she listened.
Elaine’s smile from a moment ago faded, her eyes clouding as a memory resurfaced.
Elaine had been in unusually high spirits, making her more talkative than usual. “When I look back, I don’t regret the choice I made then. After all, my sister and I only had each other. Naturally, I wanted to give her the best. But I do regret sending her abroad. I thought I was giving her the finest education, but in reality…”
Elaine’s voice trailed off, her expression shifting to one of simmering anger.
Sensing the tension, Debbie chose to stay quiet, offering Elaine a comforting glance instead.
The comments were filled with sympathy and understanding: