Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Is that so?” Landon replied, almost amused, as he strolled over slowly. He extended his hand, revealing the company seal. “See this? Leila just handed it over to me. And let’s not forget this company was mine from the start. It’s ridiculous that you plan to take away my possessions by controlling her. Do you even know who you’re dealing with?”
Clayton’s eyes widened as he saw the seal in Landon’s hand. Leila had handed over the company seal to Landon so easily? He had assumed that after all these years, her feelings for Landon had faded. Therefore, even if Landon came back, she wouldn’t willingly give up the Kensington Group. After all, the Kensington Group’s success was largely due to her efforts, with many projects linked to the Nixon Group. Yet here she was, relinquishing it without a second thought.
Landon continued with a cold smile. “Oh, and don’t think I’m unaware of the spies you’ve placed within the Kensington Group. Clayton, I’ll deal with them in due time.”
With that, Landon’s tone turned frigid. “Escort Mr. Morgan out. If he refuses, toss him into the street.”
The bodyguards acted immediately, dragging Clayton out as his face turned ashen. Roughly, they threw him down the stairs, where he tumbled, clutching his chest and coughing up blood from the impact. Landon looked down at Clayton’s weakened state, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
Just then, hurried footsteps approached.
Leila had just arrived and witnessed the scene before her. Her eyes twitched as she took in Clayton’s battered condition.
As Clayton and Landon locked eyes, a tense silence filled the room. Clayton’s strained groans broke the stillness. Leila stepped forward, her brow furrowing as she took in Clayton’s pale face.
“Clayton,” she murmured, moving closer. “Are you alright?”.
Clayton clutched his chest, grimacing as if each breath hurt. “Leila, it hurts so much.”
“Don’t just stand there. Get him to the hospital, fast,” Leila instructed the bodyguards, her voice firm.
Leila had no intention of causing a scene, but Landon, observing their interaction, couldn’t hold back his simmering resentment.
“Even if you want to show affection, don’t do it here,” Landon remarked. “It’s been years, and I didn’t expect your relationship to become so close. To anyone watching, they’d think you two were married. Or maybe you two had been an item ages ago.” His tone dripped with sarcasm.
Leila’s jaw tightened, unsure if Landon was genuinely jealous or simply trying to make her uncomfortable. She bit back her retort, refusing to fall into his provocation. The more she tried to explain herself, the more guilty she would seem.
Clayton, however, glared at Landon, his voice heavy with bitter defiance. “Mr. Kensington, I don’t know how I’ve offended you to deserve this, but if you’re so eager to harm me, fine. Aim it at me. Just don’t drag Leila down with me.”
Landon glanced at Clayton, who played the victim with ease, and let out a scornful laugh, giving a slow clap.
“Take a look, everyone. What a picture-perfect, devoted couple. But can’t you see where we are? This is my company. I just want to keep certain people out of my sight. Is that really too much to ask? Do you expect me to watch you two being all affectionate on my turf and still be nice to you?”
Landon’s anger flared, his words becoming sharper with each passing moment. He shot Leila a cold, disdainful glance. “Leila, I don’t care who you mess around with, but remember our three kids need proper guidance. Do you think you’re setting the right example for them? I’m just afraid you’ll steer them in the wrong direction.”
Leila felt his words like a blow, but she didn’t react immediately. Instead, she motioned for someone to help Clayton into the car. Then, Leila turned back to Landon, her gaze hardening. “Even if I’m reckless, I’m still better at parenting than you. You vanished for years. Maybe you had your reasons, or maybe you stopped caring. But if you were truly committed to your duties as a father, you wouldn’t have ceased visiting the kids altogether. At the very least, you should’ve checked in on them when you came back. But you never bothered. You are the least qualified to say I haven’t taken care of them.”
Landon watched Leila turn away, and a strange ache tugged at his heart beneath his anger. Acting on impulse, he grabbed her wrist, holding her firmly. Leila almost stumbled at the sudden grip. When she turned back to him, Landon noticed the tears in her eyes. Since their meeting today, Leila had shed many tears. When upset, she didn’t throw tantrums; her sadness was always quiet, but deeply felt.
Though not overwhelmed, Leila’s sorrow quietly seeped into everyone’s mind, weighing down their hearts. Landon had thought Leila’s distress would fill him with satisfaction, but instead, seeing her like this stirred a deep pang of heartache within him. The instant he saw Leila’s tears, the harsh words he had prepared vanished from his lips. It was as if he’d lost the power of speech. All he could do was stare at her.
Unaware of Landon’s inner turmoil, Leila spoke with an icy tone. “Mr. Kensington, I need to go to the hospital and check on Clayton, who you injured. Please let go of my hand.”
Landon hesitated but eventually released her. He watched as she hurried to the waiting car, giving the driver a sharp instruction to leave. As the vehicle disappeared down the street, a strange emptiness washed over Landon.
Moments later, his phone rang again, this time with Lacey calling. She was in trouble and desperately hoped Landon would come to her aid. Oddly, Landon felt annoyed by Lacey’s call, a sharp contrast to his earlier concerns. His tone was icy. “I’m busy. Handle it yourself. If you can’t, call someone from my team.”.
With that, Landon hung up the phone, leaving Lacey to struggle with her predicament. Her desperation mounted as she couldn’t believe Landon was brushing her off. Cornered by the approaching men, each with a fierce look, Lacey put on a brave face, her gaze sweeping over them. “Landon will be here soon. If you know what’s good for you, leave while you can.”
But a man’s mocking laughter rang out, striking Lacey like a slap across the face. “Oh, for real? Landon’s coming to save you? It seems you’re not that important to him, though.”
Lacey’s expression faltered, her eyes lighting up with anger. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. Landon’s kept me by his side for years, perfectly showcasing how much I matter to him. Besides, I’m the one he trusts most. If you hurt me, he won’t let you get away with it.”
The bodyguards parted, and through wheeled a figure Lacey hadn’t expected to see. The person in the wheelchair was none other than Cody. Lacey thought he should have shown signs of aging, but instead, he looked surprisingly healthy and full of energy, a stark contrast to the frail man she had once seen.
As soon as Lacey recognized Cody, her gaze faltered, and she hastily pretended she didn’t know him. But Cody saw right through her act, his eyes sharpening with a knowing look. “Spare the act. Be honest, and I might let you walk out. Stay stubborn, though, and I’ll keep you here as long as I please. As long as I don’t harm you, do you really think Landon would turn against me for your sake?”
Cody’s influence had expanded over the years. In the past, he had been nothing more than a gang leader overseas, but in recent years, his influence gradually spread across the country. He was deeply involved with the underworld. When Cody first arrived in Burmoos, people dismissed him as nothing significant. But now, no one dared to think that way. After all, no one wanted unnecessary trouble in their business. Cody had skillfully maintained a delicate balance with Burmoos’ elite.
He adhered to a simple philosophy: live and let live. Yet, some quietly sought Cody’s help to eliminate their rivals. For Cody, money was everything ??the ultimate driving force. Moreover, he kept countless secrets of the wealthy that could destroy lives if revealed, steadily increasing his influence.
Landon had just returned to the country and had yet to establish a firm foothold. Besides, Cody held no personal grudge against Landon, so Landon had no reason to challenge him.
Lacey wanted to retort Cody’s words, but uncertainty gnawed at her, especially considering Landon’s wavering resolve when handling Leila with that aloof facade. Lacey could tell Landon still had feelings for Leila, which made it clear she had never truly taken a place in his heart.
Lacey clenched her fists, trying to steady herself. Her eyes, cold and sharp, were fixed on Cody.
“Fine,” she said, her voice steady despite the underlying frustration. “I admit it was my fault for leaving without informing you years ago. But I didn’t cause you any harm. Did you really have to aim for my life?”
Cody laughed, clearly amused by her response. “Why would I want your life? And you know well enough that your leaving back then was more than just not informing me. When I brought you on, I made it clear our agreement was for a year. During that time, you were supposed to be available whenever I needed help with my health.”
He leaned back, his tone casual, almost dismissive. “You claimed you didn’t want to be watched, and I respected that, refraining from having anyone keep tabs on you. But then, out of nowhere, you vanished and forced me to seek medical help elsewhere. Don’t you think you were being a bit much?”
Lacey listened to his accusations, a hint of defiance in her voice as she responded, “Yes, I did sign a one-year contract with you. But I didn’t take your money for the whole year. Plus, I’m not your personal doctor. I can go wherever I please. Why should I be bound by that agreement?”
Just then, an elderly man standing by Cody scoffed.
“Miss Payne, drop the act. You were briefed on the terms that day. Mr. Hopkins’ high-profile status requires his doctors to stay informed about his condition and continue treatment plans on the condition of no disclosure. However, you left without a word, and over the years, we’ve had to keep an eye out to prevent you from revealing Mr. Hopkins’ medical details. On top of that, we spent time securing a new doctor. And let’s not forget what we offered you when you agreed to treat Mr. Hopkins back then.” His gaze hardened. “Your actions and demeanor are the epitome of ungratefulness.”.
Lacey’s face burned with embarrassment as she gritted her teeth. “Anyway, I had my reasons for leaving. Enough of this topic. If you aim to get back at me, fine. Just remember, this is Burmoos, not some lawless place under your control.”
Cody smirked, clearly amused by her defiance. “What, Miss Payne, aren’t you afraid?”
She clenched her fists tightly. Fear twisted inside her, but she didn’t dare to show it. This was all she had left-her dignity.
Cody glanced at the elderly man beside him. “Alright, this doesn’t concern you. Go rest. I didn’t summon Miss Payne here to settle scores. Let’s not intimidate her.”
With a slight nod and a dismissive snort, the elderly man cast Lacey a sidelong glance before turning away.
“Another greedy yet ungrateful individual,” he muttered, his tone laced with mockery, which only fueled Lacey’s anger.
Cody shrugged, his voice dripping with fake politeness. “Apologies. He’s like that. No harm intended. I hope you can be understanding, Miss Payne.”
Just being around Cody filled Lacey with unease, stirring a knot of fear in her chest. It was like a slow, relentless torment. Determined, she spoke firmly. “Mr. Hopkins, I’ve already admitted my mistake. I don’t see any benefit in holding me here. Can we just get to the point?”
Cody’s smile widened. “At last, Miss Payne, you’re speaking plainly. I’m here to offer you a deal.”
Lacey looked up, wariness clouding her gaze. “What kind of deal? If it’s unreasonable, I’d rather die than accept.”
He smiled. “I know you’re fond of Landon and want to be with him. I can make that happen, but there’s a price. You’d have to work for me. If you fail, you’ll have to walk away from Landon forever and work under me without ever looking back.”
Without a second thought, Lacey shook her head. “No. I don’t need your help.”
“I can win him over on my own.”
With that, Lacey lifted her dress, preparing to leave. Cody, unfazed, continued, “If you refuse, I’ll have a word with Mr. Kensington. I might just mention how you drugged Leila at my birthday party three years ago-all to stage the show you planned for him to witness.”
Lacey froze instantly, her breath hitching as a cold sweat formed on her back. Her hands shook slightly at her sides, and her mind raced with panic. What could she do now? What options were left? How had Cody found out about this? But that wasn’t the real question. The real issue was that he’d known all along and had waited until now to use it against her.
Holding onto a shred of hope, Lacey turned back, feigning confusion. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hopkins. I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Drugging? What drugging?”
Cody had anticipated her denial, his smile widening. “Can’t you remember? No worries. I can jog your memory.”
With a gesture, Cody signaled someone to bring over a laptop. A video began to play on the screen, showing Jeanette slipping something into Leila’s drink and passing it to her. The evidence was unmistakable.
Lacey’s face went pale, her voice trembling with disbelief. “This… You must have faked it. There was no way a surveillance camera could have captured that scene!”
But as soon as the words left her mouth, regret washed over Lacey. She had just confessed without meaning to. Cody’s grin deepened..
“So, Miss Payne, you’re not denying it anymore?” he asked, his tone mocking. “Spare me your further performance. Since I have this footage, imagine what else I might have. The moment Landon sees the unmistakable evidence of your actions, any trust he has in you will vanish.”
A pang of unease settled over Lacey, yet she fought to stay strong.
“Fine. I was behind it. Big deal! What’s your endgame here? Even if you show this to Landon, it won’t make him run back to Leila. Their problems are far beyond fixing.”