Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Edgar stepped forward carefully and asked, “Mr. Kensington, where have you been all these years? Why didn’t you reach out? We were all worried about you.”
At Edgar’s words, Landon looked up, a hint of suspicion shadowing his gaze. “You were worried about me? Really worried, or just putting on a good show?”
Landon’s lips twisted into a faint and mocking smile, the bitterness unmistakable. A pang of disappointment tugged at Edgar. He knew Landon had always been wary and guarded, but he never imagined Landon would doubt him. Six long years had passed, and it seemed Landon no longer trusted those who had followed him with unwavering loyalty.
Edgar’s chest tightened with sadness. “I’m sorry, Mr. Kensington. It’s on us. We searched for you all these years but always came up short. If we had been more capable, we might have found you sooner and spared you the hardship.”
Landon let out an icy chuckle, leaning back on the sofa as his gaze grew even colder. “It’s alright. I get it. No one wants to go to the ends of the earth to look for a dead person.”
The weight of Landon’s words struck Edgar like a sudden gust of icy wind, leaving him momentarily speechless. A memory flashed through Edgar’s mind, and a cold sweat prickled down his spine. When Leila and Clayton found Landon’s “body,” Clayton had approached Edgar and suggested he should announce Landon’s death publicly so Landon’s old friends in the industry could properly mourn him. Clayton mentioned the idea had come from Leila.
Edgar had only started spreading the news when Leila caught wind of it. Shocked and refusing to believe Landon was truly gone, Leila demanded Edgar retract the statements that had already circulated. However, even though Edgar quickly tried to pull back the information, the damage was done. Word had spread through their circles that Landon was dead, and with the news coming directly from the Kensington Group, it had carried a weight of credibility. Most believed Landon was gone for good.
Now, with Landon himself addressing the matter, it was clear he knew the whole story. Feeling defeated, Edgar dropped to his knees before Landon. “Mr. Kensington,” he whispered, struggling to find the words.
“Mr. Kensington, I misjudged the situation back then, and for that, I’m sorry. But I had no ulterior motives. You were the one who promoted me. Don’t you think I deserve a little trust?”
Landon stood up and strode toward Edgar, his gaze cold and unreadable. “The first thing I learned during my time away is that human nature is unpredictable. Even after all these years of loyalty, I still can’t afford to let my guard down. Not with anyone. Right now, I can’t trust anyone. I’m sorry, Edgar. I hope you understand where I’m coming from.”
Edgar’s face drained of color. His eyes searched Landon’s, filled with disbelief, his lips trembling ever so slightly. He opened his mouth to respond but found himself choking on his words..
Edgar had been thrilled when Landon finally returned. However, he hadn’t anticipated Landon’s iciness and lack of trust. Edgar wasn’t clinging to the high salary he earned at the Kensington Group. Truth be told, during Landon’s absence, offers had come flooding in from other companies, each one more lucrative than the last, with tempting positions as branch manager and an income that eclipsed his current pay. But Edgar genuinely cared for the Kensington Group and wanted to keep it afloat for Landon until his return.
Over the years, Edgar and Landon had experienced the company’s highs and lows together. Edgar let out a heavy sigh, struggling to stand up, his eyes starting to redden. “Mr. Kensington, I understand.”
“I’ll step down and resign as soon as possible. I won’t cause you any more trouble.”
Landon gave a slight nod, his expression unchanged.
“What resignation?” Leila’s voice rang out as she entered.
Seeing Edgar’s reddened eyes and recalling the conversation she had overheard at the door, Leila’s anger flared.
“Landon, you know full well what Edgar has contributed to the Kensington Group over the years. It was my mistake to announce your death. If you are looking for someone to blame, blame me. Edgar has nothing to do with it.”
Landon’s eyes met Leila’s, and his hands, hanging by his side, clenched ever so slightly. He forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Miss Nixon, are you here to return the company seal to me?” The cold and unfamiliar way he addressed her made Leila’s heart tighten.
With difficulty, she nodded.
“Yes. Since you are back, it’s only right the seal is returned to its rightful owner.”
Landon raised an eyebrow and said, “In that case, the seal’s back in my hands. This is my company, after all. It’s my right to decide who stays and who goes, wouldn’t you agree?”
Leila was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond. After a pause, she gathered her thoughts and brought up the shareholders.
“Mr. Kensington, perhaps you’ve forgotten, but I still hold shares in the Kensington Group. I’m a shareholder, and Edgar is a valuable employee of this company. Even if you plan to dismiss him, you can’t do so without convening a shareholders’ meeting.”
Landon’s gaze turned ice-cold as it locked on Leila.
“Miss Nixon, are you suggesting that, even with the seal returned to me, you still intend to interfere in my company? I suppose once someone has a taste of power, they are unwilling to let go, right?”
Leila’s chest tightened as she processed the hidden meaning behind his words.
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
Seeing the tears in Leila’s eyes, Landon averted his gaze. His voice, once warm, now carried an icy edge.
“Literal meaning. This is my company. I don’t want any irrelevant people interfering.”
Leila stood frozen, unsure of what to do. She had never seen Landon like this before. His hostility wasn’t just toward her; it was aimed at everyone. Well, except for one person: Lacey.
Leila couldn’t ignore the bitter truth that had crept into her heart. The man standing before her no longer loved her. Not only had his affection faded, but it seemed he now viewed her as an enemy. Maybe, from here on out, their companies would become rivals in the business world.
But over the years, Edgar had been a pillar of support to her. Even if it meant Landon’s distrust, she couldn’t sit back and let Edgar end up like this.
Leila took a deep breath and said, “Mr. Kensington, let’s settle this. I’ll give up all my shares. Just promise me you won’t fire Edgar. He has been with the company for years. He deserves better than to be dismissed like this.”
Landon’s temper flared in an instant, his gaze flickering between Leila and Edgar.
Landon’s laugh was laced with anger as he gazed at Leila. “I didn’t realize you were so close to Edgar. You don’t seem like just his superior.”
Leila’s mind swirled. She quickly stepped forward, her eyes welling with tears as she asked, “Landon, what are you trying to say?”
Unable to bear the tension, Edgar sighed deeply. “Miss Nixon, Mr. Kensington, please don’t argue on my account. Miss Nixon, I’m grateful for your support. I know you value my skills, and that’s enough for me. But honestly, I’d like to go home and rest. Work has kept me away from my family for too long.”
Edgar glanced at Landon, a slight smile touching his lips. “Mr. Kensington, you probably aren’t aware, but while you were away, I got married and now have children. You missed the wedding.”
Edgar had clearly made his decision, leaving Leila with nothing more to say.
Landon’s expression shifted as he absorbed the news of Edgar’s marriage, his mind unreadable. Leila turned to Edgar with a look of regret, dismissing Landon’s reaction entirely. “Edgar, be honest with me. Are you really set on leaving? If you ever want to continue in this field, there’s always a place for you at my company.”
Edgar glanced at Landon, whose face had darkened, and then shook his head gently. “Thank you, but no. I’m content with where I am.”
“I’ll take care of my resignation paperwork.”
After Edgar left, silence settled heavily between Landon and Leila as they sat on opposite sides of the lounge. Though only a few meters apart, the emotional distance felt vast. The weight of unspoken words made the atmosphere tense, leaving Leila feeling uneasy, though she forced herself to remain composed. She couldn’t understand why Landon had changed so much. Yet, he was still the father of her three children.
Summoning her courage, Leila softly called out his name, “Landon…”
Landon’s hands clenched on his knees, but he didn’t respond, only gazing at her from the corner of his eye several times. Leila wanted to ask when he’d make time to see the kids. Even if they were no longer together, there was no need to let their tension affect the children. But before Leila could speak, Landon’s phone rang abruptly, shattering the silence. Landon stood up to take the call, and Lacey’s distressed voice echoed through the line. She sounded shaken, her words choked with tears.
Landon’s expression softened as he frowned slightly and asked in a gentle tone, “What’s wrong? What happened?”
The tenderness in his voice was unmistakable, and Leila straightened, listening intently. She hadn’t heard him sound this caring in years. Not even with Sarah had he ever spoken that way.
Walking away with his phone, Landon kept his conversation private, leaving Leila unable to hear a word. When he returned, a hint of anxiety marked his face.
“I have something to take care of. I need to go,” he said quickly before leaving.
Leila watched him disappear, her eyes stinging, though she managed not to cry this time. As Landon hurried out, he nearly collided with Clayton, who made his entrance..
The air grew thick as the two men locked eyes. Clayton’s face shifted, going from pale to dark as he regarded Landon with an unreadable expression. Landon raised an eyebrow, recovering quickly and offering a polite smile.
“Mr. Morgan, what a surprise to see you here.”
Clayton’s gaze was icy as he replied, “Oh, come on. Drop the act and the facade of maintaining politeness. I know what you’re up to, and I am waiting for you to make a move. Just remember, anything you try against me will annoy Leila.”
Clayton flashed a taunting smile.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m very important to Leila now.”
Landon remained unfazed, responding calmly, “So? Does Leila really matter that much?”
Clayton blinked, taken aback by Landon’s indifferent tone. He couldn’t quite grasp Landon’s attitude toward Leila, though he suspected it might be due to his past manipulations. Feeling a surge of confidence, Clayton leaned closer and murmured, “Since you already knew the situation, let me be blunt. You shouldn’t have returned. Leila has enough on her plate without dealing with you. If I were you, I’d stay out of this country. You’re only setting yourself up for trouble.”
Landon’s eyes darkened, a flash of hostility crossing his face as he gritted his teeth.
“Then let’s see who ends up in trouble.” With a swift motion, Landon signaled, and his bodyguards quickly restrained Clayton.
Landon said flatly, “From now on, put up a sign at the gate: ‘No entry for Clayton or pets.’ He’s just a nuisance. Well? What are you waiting for? Drag him out.”
For the first time, Clayton found himself forcibly removed in front of so many onlookers. He struggled awkwardly, but it was no use. Humiliated and furious, Clayton shouted at Landon, “I’m here to see Leila! Even if you don’t want me around, you don’t have the right to kick me out!”