Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
That was the reason for her hasty entrance.
Upon entering, she found Jeanette and Leila talking animatedly.
Leila was surprised to see Lacey, but greeted her with a polite smile.
‘So you’re her sister. What a coincidence.’
Jeanette, filled with joy, ran to her sister.
‘I’ve been waiting for you. When are we going home?’
At the sight of Leila, Lacey’s initial happiness vanished.
Her expression became intimidating and she clenched her fists without responding to Jeanette.
Confused, Jeanette turned to her sister:
‘What’s wrong? You look upset. Did someone do something to you? Don’t worry. This nice lady can help you.’
Jeanette’s words hurt Lacey and, for the first time, she lost her temper with her, raising her voice angrily:
‘Jeanette, what did I tell you about talking to strangers? You ignored my advice, didn’t you? If you do this again, I won’t talk to you anymore.’
Jeanette was taken aback.
Lacey, who was usually aloof with others, had always been gentle with her.
It was the first time Jeanette had ever seen Lacey behave so sternly toward her.
Tears began to well up in Jeanette’s eyes, and she cried out:
‘Lacey, what’s wrong?’
Leila, equally bewildered, stepped in to clarify.
‘Miss, you’ve misunderstood. I approached your sister after seeing her being harassed and brought her here to help her.
I’m sorry if this caused any inconvenience, but it really wasn’t your sister’s fault.’
As Lacey listened, her anger only increased.
She grabbed Jeanette behind her and gave Leila a cold, dismissive look.
‘Is that so? Well, I hope you’ll refrain from interfering in other people’s business in the future.’
With a firm grip, Lacey pushed the still sobbing Jeanette away, leaving Leila standing alone.
A mixture of confusion and guilt washed over Leila.
If she hadn’t brought Jeanette, maybe Lacey wouldn’t have reacted so harshly.
Lacey had seemed so cold and reserved.
Yet who would have guessed she had such a strong temper?
Leila thought maybe there was something else behind Lacey’s outburst.
Maybe Lacey had been hurt or cheated on before, which made her wary of strangers.
That thought softened Leila’s heart as she considered Lacey’s perspective, letting out a heavy sigh.
Just then, a servant approached Lacey, relaying a message that Cody was safe and that the person responsible for the poisoning had been caught.
This meant that the others could leave.
Relieved, Lacey turned and began to lead Jeanette out of the villa, her expression calm and controlled.
When they reached the entrance, a sleek car was already waiting for them.
Cody’s staff had arranged it, ready to take Lacey and Jeanette back.
Surprised by the courtesy, Lacey quickly declined the offer, her tone polite but firm.
‘Thanks, but that’s not necessary.
We can get home on our own.
I don’t want to impose.’
The driver shot her a look of mild disdain, responding mildly:
‘Well, you may not know it, but this whole mountain is part of Mr. Hopkins’ private property.
It’s as secure and secluded as a gated community, and there’s no public transportation operating here.
Walking down would take a couple of hours, at least.’
‘I’m guessing you haven’t been to places like this much, and it makes sense that you’re unfamiliar with the usual modes.’
The driver’s words, laden with subtle judgment, only made Lacey’s embarrassment rise.
Red-faced, she guided Jeanette toward the car.
Jeanette turned, her small face furrowed in anger as she ignored Lacey.
Her frustration bubbled under the surface.
She didn’t understand why Lacey had been so harsh, scolding her in front of Leila.
Leila had helped her, so why was Lacey so angry?
The car drove down the winding mountain road, silent except for the soft hum of the engine.
When they finally reached the foot of the mountain and the driver drove off, Lacey knelt down beside Jeanette, her expression softening as she looked into her sister’s hurt eyes.
‘I’m sorry, Jeanette,’ she began, her voice low and sincere.
‘I didn’t mean to lose my temper with you today.
I couldn’t explain it at the time….
But that ‘nice lady’ you met, the one who helped you, she’s not who she seems.
She really hurt and harassed Landon in the past.’
Jeanette’s tears stopped, and she looked up, eyes wide open.
‘That pretty lady really did that?’
Lacey nodded solemnly.
‘Yeah, remember when I told you we couldn’t let Landon’s wife find him? She’s his wife.
She may look sweet, but she’s dangerous.