Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Realizing Lacey’s strategy in an instant, Minna’s eyes lit up with realization.
“Ah, I understand now, Mrs. Kensington. By doing so, no one will be able to fault you. There will be no rumors of them suffering under their stepmother’s care.”
Lacey had not considered this angle before. Her plan wasn’t to mistreat Sophie or Calvin. They were anything but ordinary children. Their sharp minds brimmed with endless schemes and strategies. They had appeared so suddenly, and Lacey suspected they were here to stir up trouble.
Deciding it best to feign ignorance, Lacey resolved to treat them with exceptional kindness. Surely, many would take note of her magnanimity. If the children tried anything, it would not go unnoticed. Perhaps, under such watchful eyes, they would choose to behave themselves.
Lacey had no intention of fostering a friendly relationship with Landon’s children anytime soon. Her current dynamics with Landon, however, were strained and tinged with discomfort. She knew better than to stir any trouble that might upset Landon, opting instead for a patient approach. After all, their impending marriage meant…
There would be ample time in the future to address any issues. For now, any hasty action seemed entirely unnecessary.
At that moment, Landon made his entrance. Dressed in a tailor-made suit, he exuded an effortless charm, his captivating eyes drawing Lacey in once more.
Despite the rush of attraction, Lacey quickly regained her composure and moved toward him. Yet, she consciously chose not to take his hand, maintaining a subtle gap between them that hinted at their complicated closeness.
Landon shot Lacey a peculiar look, his features softening as he observed her composed demeanor.
Together, they mingled with the other guests, their interaction watched closely by several young ladies who harbored feelings for Landon. These women, unable to hide their envy, glared at Lacey with thinly veiled contempt.
Envious and resentful glances struck Lacey’s back.
While this made others uncomfortable, Lacey found it exhilarating. She recalled attending similar banquets previously as Cody’s doctor, where the evident superiority of the affluent had left her quite upset. Some had treated her with disdain or had outright ignored her. However, things had changed. She was now the center of everyone’s attention. Emboldened by this thought, Lacey walked proudly.
Lacey and Landon mingled and took part in various ceremonies together. Landon was compliant but distant. He avoided any physical contact, and his expression remained unreadable.
Some guests wondered if Landon was truly committed to the engagement. It appeared he was reluctant. Others, however, believed Landon harbored genuine affection for Lacey. Unlike his past marriage to Leila, which had no celebration, this time he had organized an engagement party with considerable pomp. Surely, this was a sign of his esteem for her?
Meanwhile, Minna escorted Calvin and Sophie to premier seats at the front. Their table setting and dishes stood out from the rest. Several servants were also specifically assigned to their table, ready to cater to Calvin and Sophie throughout the meal.
The setup was meticulously planned and thoughtful, signaling that Calvin and Sophie were highly esteemed.
Despite this, Calvin’s face remained stoic. He shared a meaningful look with Sophie, reflecting a depth of thought between them.
Sophie raised her voice.
“There’s no need for her to go to such lengths. We’re only here for a brief visit and will leave shortly. Tell her we won’t cause any issues, as long as she doesn’t either.”
Sophie subtly referred to Lacey as “she,” and Minna immediately caught on.
With her artificial smile, Minna responded, “Calvin and Sophie, you’re mistaken. Miss Payne thinks that now she’s engaged to Mr. Kensington, you’ll eventually be family. She hopes to start on a good note, asking for a chance to move past old grievances and live in harmony.”
Calvin, unable to contain himself, blurted out, “What makes her think she fits into our family?”
Sophie quickly tugged at his hand, urging him to be quiet.
Noticing the attention their dispute attracted, Calvin realized it wasn’t the right moment for such a confrontation and chose to remain silent. Calvin was usually not one to act on impulse, but discussions about Leila always disturbed him. Throughout the engagement party, both Sophie and he had picked up on various conversations, likely meant for their ears.
The main topic was a comparison between Lacey and Leila, highlighting that although Leila had been a longtime companion to Landon, was attractive, competent, and a mother of three, Landon simply did not love her. Their wedding was reportedly a mess, ending with Landon leaving Leila behind. They hadn’t even celebrated their union with an engagement party. One could only speculate if Leila felt envious of the current festivities.
Calvin’s restraint was notable. Under different circumstances, he might have confronted the rumormongers. Until this point, Calvin had managed to keep his composure, but Minna’s words were pushing him to his limit.
Sophie, attempting to maintain decorum, cleared her throat and said, “We’re not here to complicate matters. We have other issues to address and will leave after meeting our father.”
Despite her reluctance, Sophie publicly referred to Landon as “father.” Sophie added, “Regarding Lacey’s intentions of reconciliation, we’ll mention them with our dad.” It was clear that Lacey’s actions were orchestrated for Landon’s benefit.
Minna’s expression turned into a slight scowl. As Lacey had predicted, Calvin and Sophie were indeed proving to be a challenge, and nothing seemed to go smoothly with them.
Minna’s patience diminished as her tone became cooler.
“Sophie, please don’t misunderstand. Miss Payne truly intends to get along with you guys, without any hidden agendas. You’re misinterpreting her intentions.”
Sophie nearly laughed. She had the urge to reveal to everyone that Lacey had nearly caused Elma’s death. How could anyone believe that Lacey had genuine kindness toward them? Clearly, Lacey’s intentions were dubious.
Sophie and Calvin, weary from the constant disagreements with Minna, decided it was time to leave, their expressions frosty.
Just then, the butler arrived promptly, greeted them with a bow and a smile, and said, “Sophie, Calvin. Mr. Kensington is looking forward to your company and would like to talk. Shall I show you to the table?”
Sophie and Calvin looked at each other and nodded in agreement. They were reluctant to partake in the meal Lacey had so carefully prepared. Despite the low probability of Lacey tampering with the food, their discomfort remained.
They even feared the extreme possibility that Lacey could drug them. The butler’s arrival seemed timely, possibly a strategic move by Landon to extract them from an uncomfortable situation. As Sophie followed the butler, she took a moment to glance back at Landon, who was mingling with a group. Lacey was out of sight. His demeanor was detached, seemingly unbothered by anything around him.
Calvin leaned toward Sophie and whispered, “Lacey is no good, and Landon isn’t much better. Even though he appears to be helping us, who knows if this is just another one of his schemes. Be cautious, Sophie.”
Sophie sighed with a hint of sadness and softly responded, “I know.”
The butler, leading the way, overheard their wary comments about Landon and felt a sense of sadness. He reminisced about the times when the Kensington family had been more unified. He was puzzled about the dramatic change in dynamics since their return from seeking medical treatment.
It was clear to the butler that something significant had happened, but Landon and those close to him remained silent about the details. From an outsider’s perspective, it seemed Landon had abruptly ended things with Leila to be with Lacey.
The butler suspected Lacey’s involvement in the discord, believing her to be capable of deceit. Furthermore, he sensed that Landon’s recent actions were likely just a facade to mislead Lacey.
The butler felt compelled to share something with Sophie and Calvin.
“You may not be aware, but since you moved out, Mr. Kensington has really missed you. The camping gear you left in the back hills is still there, untouched, just as you left it. Mr. Kensington often mentions that he can visit it anytime he feels the absence.”
Upon hearing this, Calvin’s expression turned cold, but he remained silent. The butler was a kind-hearted person, speaking only out of concern for them.
The butler was completely oblivious to the real situation. Therefore, Sophie wasn’t disturbed by his words. Her face lit up with a gentle smile as she expressed her gratitude, “Thank you for sharing this. It’s been a long time since we last saw our dad. We’ll go look after we’ve eaten.”
Taking Sophie’s words at face value, the butler was slightly relieved. Having secured a comfortable spot for Calvin and Sophie, the butler excused himself and departed.
Lacey soon got wind of the developments.
Upon learning that Landon had arranged for Calvin and Sophie to be escorted away, Lacey struggled to mask her fury. What was Landon implying? Did he genuinely suspect her capable of harming Calvin and Sophie? True, the thought had crossed her mind, yet she wasn’t reckless. Why would she take such a risk now? Was she out of her mind?
The notion that Landon perceived her as both foolish and malevolent pushed Lacey to the edge of insanity. However, with the room full of people, she had no choice but to stifle her raging emotions.
Minna noticed the flush of anger spreading across Lacey’s face, a clear sign of her brewing frustration, and seized the moment.
Minna quickly closed the distance between them, her voice soothing.
“Mrs. Kensington, please, hold back your anger. Now isn’t the time to let it loose. It’s those two brats, not you, who are causing the trouble. They misunderstood your kindness, painting themselves as victims just to provoke you.”
Lacey clenched her jaw, her words coming out through gritted teeth.
“You’re right. They’re nothing but thorns in my side, each more irritating than the last.”
Minna leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
“What if they got a taste of their own medicine? The next part of the event is in the backyard, right by the artificial lake. It’s shallow. They won’t drown. But with the chilly air tonight, a little dip could teach them a lesson.”
Lacey’s rage shifted to a hint of curiosity as she eyed Minna warily.
“And what exactly are you suggesting?”
Minna’s eyes gleamed with mischief.
“Imagine a sudden blackout. In that confusion, a small stumble into the lake wouldn’t be out of place, would it?”
Lacey’s response was immediate and sharp.
“That’s absurd! As tempting as it sounds, it’s too risky.”
Lacey knew better than to act rashly. Landon’s suspicions about her were already simmering. If anything happened to Calvin or Sophie, his resentment toward her would only grow stronger. That was why Lacey seemed so unbearably distressed. Her desire for Landon’s affection had faded, yet the last thing she wanted was to fuel his disdain further.
