Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Anyway, tomorrow was the priority, and he would deal with it first before worrying about others. The call had completely ruined Neal’s mood. Irritated, he swiftly shooed the two women out of the car. Once they were gone, Neal wasted no time and immediately dialed Clayton’s number.
Clayton was taken aback when he heard Leila planned to visit Brysen and Neal. Neal said, his voice tight with anxiety, “Mr. Morgan, I’m doing this for you. Didn’t you say you’d have people monitor Leila’s movements?”
Clayton’s voice crackled through the phone, irritated and sharp. “Yes, I said I’d help you because you’re working for me, but didn’t I ask you to treat Brysen better? Do you realize if you screw this up and get exposed, I’ll be in trouble too? Besides, things are different now. I can’t easily keep track of Leila’s movements anymore.”
Over the years, Leila had slowly removed Clayton’s people, one by one. Even Elma had become reluctant to share any information about Leila with Clayton. Moreover, the spies he managed to place within the Nixon Group were uncovered in less than a week.
Despite his frustration, Clayton was cautious enough that Leila still had no idea he was the one secretly monitoring her. But as Clayton processed Leila’s sudden decision to visit Brysen and Neal, a darker realization dawned on him. It was likely because of Landon. Landon’s return had stirred Leila’s emotions, and now, with the rumors of Landon and Lacey’s closeness, Leila was upset, searching for something to hold onto.
Leila likely hadn’t noticed anything unusual about Brysen and Neal yet, but if she spent enough time with Brysen, things could change. Maybe he needed to come up with an excuse to get Leila to return quickly.
Clayton quickly scrolled through his contacts and soon stumbled upon a familiar yet distant name. Years ago, she had willingly forged an alliance with him. Perhaps they could join forces again. Neither Clayton nor Neal knew that Leila had dispatched her team to arrive there overnight. She had mobilized a small army of at least twenty bodyguards. Ten stayed by her side for protection, while the other ten surrounded Neal’s villa, keeping him under constant watch. If Neal thought he could deceive her, it was already too late.
As expected, Neal didn’t return until midnight. This time, he brought someone else with him. As Leila watched the video sent by her bodyguards, she felt like her heart was being ripped to shreds. The person Neal forcefully dragged forward in the video was Brysen. Leila hadn’t seen Brysen in a month, and Brysen now looked frail and thin. Bruises marred Brysen’s skin, signs of her suffering in the psychiatric hospital. Leila’s jaw tightened, but she remained silent, waiting for the next day.
The following day, as soon as Neal heard that Leila was about to arrive, he hurriedly brought Brysen to the door to greet her. However, to his surprise, he saw Leila arriving quickly with dozens of bodyguards flanking her every move. Taken aback by the sight, Neal, gripped by unease, instinctively turned to flee. But before Neal could escape, Leila’s men tackled him, and he fell to the floor.
Leila commanded her men to search Neal’s phone before having him escorted into the villa. Neal was clearly clueless about what was happening, his confusion written all over his face.
He was still desperately trying to defend himself. “Miss Nixon, didn’t I tell you? I just moved into this house. Yes, I used the money you gave for Brysen, but it was to give her a better life! Is it necessary for you to treat me like this?”
Leila shot an impatient glance at Neal, a cold laugh escaping her lips.
“So noisy.”
Her bodyguard caught on instantly and grabbed Neal’s arm, hauling him inside as the heavy door clicked shut.
Moments later, Neal’s muffled grunts and the unmistakable thuds of blows echoed from the villa..
With his mouth firmly covered and no neighbors nearby, no one came to his rescue.
Leila fought to contain her simmering anger, her gaze shifting to Brysen, who was trembling in fear nearby.
Her eyes instantly reddened, brimming with unspoken emotion.
“Brysen,” she whispered, stepping forward cautiously.
Leila braced herself, expecting Brysen to lash out violently, but surprisingly, Brysen quickly wrapped her arms around Leila, crying uncontrollably, as though she had endured a great injustice.
Leila held Brysen close, stroking her back gently.
Regret weighed heavily in her voice.
“I’m so sorry, Brysen.
I was blind to what Neal has done to you.
I believed his lies and let you suffer so much.
If I could undo the pain he caused, I would.
Hit me, yell at me, or whatever it takes to ease your hurt.”
Brysen shook her head, burying her face against Leila’s shoulder, still crying.
She no longer knew how to find the words or express what she was feeling.
Leila’s grip tightened protectively around Brysen as guilt tore through her.
Neal’s betrayal wasn’t just cruel and unforgivable.
Her hatred toward him deepened.
Though Leila longed for Brysen to vent her anger, she feared that the sight of blood would traumatize Brysen. Instead, she gently patted Brysen’s head.
“Brysen, wait for me in the car.
I’ll take care of this quickly.
Don’t worry.
I’ll make sure those who hurt you pay for it.”
Brysen nodded but then shook her head.
She could grasp what was happening, but her emotions were easily overwhelmed.
It was clear that Brysen trusted only Leila now.
After a great deal of persuasion, Leila finally got Brysen into the car.
Seeing how deeply Brysen trusted her only made Leila’s heart ache more.
As Leila turned away, her eyes were filled with a cold, murderous intent.
She opened the villa’s door, unveiling a spacious, luxurious living room.
Neal, with his questionable taste, had decorated it with gaudy gold accents, as though the extravagant decor could somehow prove his wealth.
But at least it was a step up from the dilapidated psychiatric facility where Brysen had been confined.
The thought of Neal living in luxury with her money while Brysen endured torment in that facility ignited a fire of rage within Leila.
As Leila approached, Neal nearly broke down in tears.
Having been beaten, he was far more subdued, but he was still unwilling to tell the truth.
The moment he saw Leila, he quickly began to make excuses.
“Miss Nixon, I don’t know what I did wrong.
I admit, I didn’t take proper care of Brysen.
I had no choice but to send her away.
But that doesn’t justify your attack on me.
I really want to make things right with Brysen.
Just give me a chance to explain.”
Leila settled onto the sofa, her lips curling into a cold smile.
“Explain? What’s there to explain?”
Neal tried to concoct another lie, but Leila saw through him and simply tossed her phone over.
Neal’s eyes widened at the images on the screen.
They were pictures of him surrounded by women at a bar.
Neal’s face turned ashen.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Leila cut him off, her voice sharp and commanding.