Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila’s gaze was fixed on the ceiling, her expression one of agony and resignation as if all fight had left her. Tears streamed down her face.
Meanwhile, Sarah contemplated using the chaos to her advantage, mulling over whether to end Leila’s pregnancy. She secretly wished the ensuing violence would resolve Leila’s pregnancy, absolving her of direct involvement.
Sarah watched Leila with a sense of profound satisfaction.
This was just dessert for anyone who dared to set eyes on her man.
Suddenly, Irene brandished her phone and declared loudly, “Make one move, and I’ll go live, exposing your vile actions to the entire city. As a consultant at the Hayes Group, Leila has influence, and I, her assistant, control accounts with massive followings. Doubt me? Just ask your beloved Miss Miller.”
All eyes instantly turned toward Sarah.
Color drained from Sarah’s face as she simmered with anger.
How had Irene managed to get in here?
Cornered, Sarah reluctantly nodded.
“It’s true,” Sarah replied, attempting to maintain her composure. “But let’s not forget Leila’s initial disgrace. We’re merely serving justice. Blame her for her actions, not us.”
Irene clenched her jaw. “Even so, it’s up to the courts and moral judgment to penalize her, not you. What authority do you possess? You’re violating the law! Whatever methods you’re using to stave off justice won’t stop me from spreading the word. Try to silence me if you must. I’m a valued member of the Hayes Group. Mr. Hayes holds me in high regard. If you wish to challenge the Hayes family, by all means, proceed.”
Irene’s readiness to sacrifice everything intimidated the group who were tempted by Sarah’s offer. They had resources, but none wished for infamy. Supported by Sarah, they had felt invincible, but Irene’s invocation of the law deflated their arrogance.
Everyone glanced around, their faces marked by hesitation.
Sarah’s anger surged as she pivoted sharply to confront her servants. “How did Irene manage to get in here? Didn’t I instruct you to watch her closely? You’re all utterly incompetent!”
The servants quaked under her glare, and one of them replied, “Miss Miller, she slipped in through the back door. We never thought she’d discover it. And we believed Mr. Kensington had escorted her away, so we assumed he…”
Sarah’s fury escalated, and she struck the servant who had spoken earlier. “Are you suggesting Landon intentionally allowed her entry to shield Leila?”
The servant, clutching her reddened cheek, was both frightened and indignant, shaking her head emphatically. “It has nothing to do with Mr. Kensington. I must have misunderstood!”
Irene watched as Sarah lost her composure. She sneered, “What’s the matter? Did you orchestrate this entire affair to ruin Leila? Are you frightened now?”
Boiling with anger, Sarah tilted her head back defiantly. “Orchestrated? I’m clueless about what you’re implying. Even if we can’t do anything to her, she’s still a homewrecker. That man’s wife is present. If we can’t address it, surely his wife will handle it.”
Being cued, the woman, now filled with newfound courage, declared her stance boldly. “I’m not scared! Go on and call the cops. Broadcast it for all I care. She was the one trying to sleep with my husband. She’s the one who should feel embarrassed! Show everyone the kind of person she is!”
As the woman moved toward Leila, she hurled insults. She seemed to have nothing to fear.
Meanwhile, Irene was growing increasingly nervous, puzzled as to why Brent hadn’t shown up yet.
The chaotic scene was interrupted by a sharp cry from a child, which redirected everyone’s attention to the entrance. They noticed a senior man firmly grasping a child’s wrist.
The child, displaying a mix of fear and defiance, struggled to escape the senior man’s strong hold but to no avail.
Overcome by frustration, the child started crying and began to shout obscenities at the senior man, shocking the onlookers with his harsh language.
“Who does this child belong to? Such offensive language at such a young age.”
“It’s clear he lacks proper upbringing.”
Sarah caught a clear glimpse of the child’s face and flustered. She waved her hand in exasperation and yelled at her bodyguards, “What are you waiting for? This place is a disaster, and clearly, this old man and the kid are out of place. Just get them out of here!”
“No, I’m exactly where I need to be,” the senior man countered. To everyone’s surprise, he spoke, since Sarah had employed him believing he was mute.
The senior man’s voice was loud and distinct, a stark contrast to his silent demeanor before. Adjusting his hearing aids, he added, “I’m well aware of what’s going on here. There’s a girl being unjustly blamed. If you’re wondering why she was in this room, ask this boy.”
At the sound of the disturbance, Leila peered through the crowd and spotted them. Her excitement peaked. She clutched Irene’s hand and gestured frantically, explaining that she had brought the boy here to rest when he accidentally splashed water on her, causing her to faint.
Realization dawned on Irene, who was taken aback. “So, Sarah used a child to set this up against you?”
Leila gave a resigned smile in response. Because the plot involved a child, she had never suspected a trap and had walked straight into it.
Sarah interrupted the senior man with a raised voice. “Who the hell do you think you are? Just a deaf old man! I get that you pity Leila because she can’t speak, but she did something disgraceful, and everyone saw it with their own eyes.”
The senior man remained composed. “I saw everything with perfect clarity. This young woman prevented a man from harming his wife. Afterward, the wife asked the young lady to take care of this boy. This very kind young lady brought the boy here for some rest, and then this whole misunderstanding occurred. If you doubt my words, feel free to ask the boy himself.”
The senior man turned a stern gaze toward the boy. “Today, you’re going to learn an important lesson. Children who lie might just find themselves spirited away by the devil.”
The child caught the sternness in the senior man’s gaze and began to shake, speaking in a timid, childish voice.
“It was… She brought me here to rest, and then she fell.”
“If you’re still not convinced, go ahead and call the police. Let’s see whether you’re slandering an innocent girl or coercing a child to lie,” the senior man added.
Sarah was taken aback. She had never imagined that this deaf senior man could defend Leila so effectively and logically at this moment.
Sarah had brought this senior here specifically to embarrass Leila and make a mockery of her at the party.
Yet, the plan had spectacularly backfired.
Refusing to let this chance escape, Sarah fixed the senior man with a frosty glare and began her threats.
“Think carefully, old man. Before I brought you in, you were a homeless man, starving and shivering in the cold. I gave you a decent life. You’re aware of who I am. Do you really intend to oppose me?”
The senior man was unfazed and responded, “Miss Miller, to clarify, I didn’t join you of my own free will. I’m old, and my mind isn’t as sharp as it once was, but that won’t make me hold you accountable for bringing me here without informing my family and friends. Secondly, I’m grateful for your hospitality, but I refuse to be part of your schemes to humiliate others. And finally, there’s no point in trying to intimidate me with your status. If you believe you can hurt me, feel free to attempt it.”
Sarah’s anger flared at the senior man’s defiance. “This crazy old man must be out of his mind again! Perhaps his brain is playing tricks!”
A servant hastily intercepted the enraged Sarah, whispering urgently, “Miss Miller, this plan didn’t work. We should consider our next move. There will be other chances to handle this old man. There’s no need for a confrontation here, in front of everyone.”
Taking a deep breath to suppress her burning fury, Sarah turned to Leila and Irene, managing a strained smile. “It appears there’s been a misunderstanding. My apologies for the confusion. Let’s leave this place!”
With these words, Sarah lifted her skirt and strode off, her expression turning grim the moment she raced away.
The couple exchanged looks, realizing that Sarah had deserted them. Left with no other option, they made their way out under the disapproving and inquisitive stares of the gathered crowd.
Once Sarah had exited, the throng of people within the house slowly dissipated, trailing after her.
It was only then that Leila allowed herself a moment of relief. She exhaled deeply, composed herself, and straightened her clothes.
Walking toward the door, Leila paused to bow respectfully to the senior man. Her eyes conveyed deep gratitude as she made gestures of thanks, acknowledging his timely help.
The senior man simply waved it off. “I simply spoke the truth. It wasn’t much of a help, really. Besides, you helped me once when I was in a bind, so it was only right that I stand up for you in your moment of need.”
The senior man then nudged the child toward Leila.
“I’ll leave him to you.”
The child stood timidly before Leila, his head bowed, too frightened to meet her gaze.
Despite being deceived by the boy previously, Leila’s heart softened toward him upon seeing his distress.
She squatted down to his level, typed a message on her phone, then played the text aloud with the text-to-speech function to reassure him. “I know you’re young and might not fully understand the consequences of your actions. I won’t hold this against you.”
The child tentatively lifted his eyes, his voice quivering as he asked, “Really? You’re not going to hand me over to the police?”
Leila shook her head, a gesture of her sincere forgiveness.
As she did so, she studied the boy more closely, her look thoughtful. Despite wearing a suit meant for a child, it hung awkwardly on him, revealing threadbare clothes beneath.
Leila surmised that neither the couple who had argued earlier nor the individuals who later accused her of cheating were the boy’s actual parents. It seemed likely that he was merely a destitute child whom Sarah had coaxed into playing a part, perhaps promising him some basic necessities in return for his cooperation.