Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Boris pulled out his phone, and the onlookers clustered around, eager with curiosity.
The video displayed a hospital room where an old man lay in bed, his features indistinct, but everyone assumed it was Jerome.
Shortly, a woman clad in scanty attire entered, holding a contract. She communicated with Jerome using sign language, apparently convincing him to sign the document.
Jerome complied.
Once she achieved her objective, the woman’s face lit up with joy, and she leaned over to kiss Jerome on the neck.
The image of Jerome entwined with the young woman cast a disturbing shadow over the room.
The woman glanced upward, her gaze locking on the ceiling. The camera captured her visage with crystal clarity. Her beauty, touched by a trace of aloofness, unmistakably belonged to Leila.
Upon viewing the video, Irene’s anger flared instantly. She noted immediately that the hospital room’s layout didn’t match Jerome’s usual room. Furthermore, the supposed sign language “Leila” used was not sign language at all.
Yet, none of the onlookers, except for Irene and Leila herself, grasped this deceit. The onlookers prematurely concluded that the woman in the footage was indeed Leila.
“Oh my! She’s gone insane, seducing an elderly man for his wealth.”
“Who would have thought? Leila, always so poised and reserved, is actually like this? That’s just vile.”
“I’ve got money too. Why chase after that old man? She could have approached me. I’m far better than him.”
“Sure, but she’s targeting the renowned Hayes family, not some obscure chap like you.”
“Oh my God!” Sarah gasped. “This can’t be right, can it? I remember Leila had a soft spot for the elderly. She was quite fond of Roderick. Wasn’t it through Roderick that she met Jerome? There might be a misunderstanding here.”
Prompted by Sarah’s suggestive words, speculation began to swirl among the crowd.
“I had a feeling something was off. Those well-known old timers were overly kind to Leila for a reason.”
“Don’t just point fingers at those two old men. It’s all on Leila. Utterly shameless and despicable. Disgusting!”
“Gross, absolutely gross. I need to record this.”
Leila nearly lost her footing but caught herself by seizing Irene’s wrist. It wasn’t only others who found it disgusting; she found it disgusting too.
Leila was shocked. Boris and Sarah were ready to tarnish the reputations of two esteemed elders just to set her up. One elder had passed away, and the other was gravely ill. If Jerome were to learn of this, his fury would know no bounds.
Fury overwhelmed Leila. She abandoned all reason and lunged forward, delivering a fierce slap to Boris. Shocked by the impact, Boris clutched his face, his eyes wide with astonishment as he gazed at Leila.
Enraged, Leila signed furiously at him. She demanded to know why he was trying to frame Jerome, who had only ever treated him kindly. She challenged him to confront her directly if he had a problem. Did he actually think Brent would fall for such lowly schemes? Wasn’t he scared of divine punishment?
Although Boris didn’t grasp Leila’s signs, the sheer fury and icy resolve in her eyes were unmistakable. A twinge of guilt washed over him, yet he held his stance and declared, “Look at her, everyone. Caught in the act, she lashes out in embarrassment. Actually, I’m here today solely to expose Leila’s true nature and warn all the men in our family to steer clear of her.
“This woman will stop at nothing to set her hands on money and fame. I have no reason to lie about this-I’m speaking about my own grandfather, who always treated me kindly. I was just too overwhelmed by it all, and I had to speak the truth. Even if my grandfather and cousin are under Leila’s spell and might even disown me, I have no regrets about my actions today!”
Boris’ passionate speech and convincing demeanor roused the emotions of those around him. They glanced at Leila with contempt, maintaining their distance as they regarded her with profound disgust.
In a room upstairs, a man observed the unfolding drama below. His face was concealed behind a black mask, and he allowed himself a slight smile. “When did Sarah and Boris start working together? They’ve certainly got some tricks up their sleeve.” His smile did little to hide his true feelings. Those close to him understood his displeasure.
“Sir, Sarah is deviating from our plan. Should I intervene?”
“Let the show continue,” the man replied, finishing his wine before smashing the glass on the floor. “Sarah better hope everything unfolds as she expects, otherwise…”
He left his threat hanging, his gaze turning cold and menacing as he watched Landon push his way through the crowd.
Edgar hurried to intercept Landon, his voice tense yet subdued. “Kensington, I understand you’re furious. But it’s clear this is a trap for both you and Leila!”
Landon smirked coldly, his eyes chilling. “They believe now that my grandpa’s gone and Jerome’s bedridden, they can get away with it. If I let them off the hook for this, my grandpa would haunt me forever.”
Edgar still blocked Landon’s way, his gaze locked with Landon’s, whose eyes burned with lethal fury. Edgar uttered anxiously, “I’ve just heard that Linsey is on her way here with Brent. They might be held up, but Brent’s clever. He’ll manage it. If you defend Leila now, it won’t just be her reputation at stake.”
Landon’s hands balled into fists. He recognized the truth in Edgar’s words. Their real enemy was lurking in the shadows. Only the Miller family was exposed, while the real puppeteer remained concealed.
Landon felt as if serpentine eyes were surveilling him from the darkness. One mistake, and it wouldn’t be just him facing the repercussions. But…
Meanwhile, amid the chaotic crowd, Leila furiously pounded on her keyboard, crafting her explanations. It was rare to see her so emotional, her eyes reddened and moist with unshed tears. She longed to pen her defense with her own blood-not to proclaim her innocence, but to protect the two elderly men she cherished as her own family.
For the sake of the elders she held dear, Leila would gladly lay down her life. Yet, no one seemed willing to hear her out. Some even mocked her as if she were a mere plaything, their comments cutting particularly deep.
“Leila, stay with me tonight. Just name your price.”
“Stop acting so noble. You’ve been with older men.”
“Come on, Leila, out with it. Which one of those old-timers was better in bed?”
The words ignited a fire in Leila. Seething, she snatched a champagne glass from a towering stack nearby and hurled the contents at the man who had hurled the disrespectful insult. The liquid splashed across his face, and he wiped it away, swearing vehemently. “Damn it, you little bitch! Can’t handle the truth? You brought this on yourself!”
His rage mounting, he seized Leila by the wrist and raised his hand to strike her. But before his hand could fall, it was caught by another, much firmer grip. “Think you can start trouble here? Do you have a death wish?” A chilly voice intervened.
The man’s eyes widened in terror as he looked up into the face of Landon, who towered over him, imposing and unyielding.
“Mr. Kensington!” the man stammered, recognition dawning.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Landon delivered a solid punch to the man’s gut. The man collapsed to the floor, clutching his abdomen and groaning in agony, his earlier arrogance washed away, leaving only fear. He refrained from swearing, instead curling up on the floor as he avoided Landon’s piercing stare.
Sarah’s smile gradually faded as she observed the unfolding drama. It was evident Landon was standing up for Leila.
Landon hadn’t finished dealing with the man yet. Sensing Sarah’s suspicious gaze, he dismissed it and nonchalantly wiped his hands after touching the man.
Landon’s voice was devoid of emotion as he spoke. “Edgar, get him out of here. Leila might have acted shamelessly, but what right does this ignorant fool have to speak ill of my grandfather?”
“Understood, sir,” Edgar responded.
With a simple gesture from Edgar, bodyguards promptly escorted the man out.
The room fell into a hushed silence, with no one daring to make a sound. Those who had been most vocal earlier exchanged anxious looks. They had overlooked a vital detail. The accused in this scandal were revered elders from both the Hayes and Kensington families. In their youth, they were influential figures in the city. And Boris had only brought up Leila and Jerome. Any connections between Roderick and Leila were mere conjecture on their part.
Families of high stature always placed immense importance on their reputation.
Most of the onlookers assumed Landon maintained his composure since today marked Sarah’s birthday. Their suspicions were swiftly validated.
With an icy tone, Landon declared, “I don’t want to hear any more of those filthy, unfounded rumors about my grandfather. If it happens again, I will pursue legal measures against those spreading these rumors. Don’t hesitate to challenge my resolve. Today, I’ve overlooked this because it’s Sarah’s birthday, and I refuse to ruin it.”
Upon hearing this, Sarah’s expression immediately softened. Realizing Landon still considered her feelings filled her with pride and warmth, prompting a wide smile across her face.
Sarah approached Landon, gently took his arm, and spoke sweetly. “I’m sorry, Landon. The shock of hearing those accusations made me freeze instead of defending your grandfather. I’m certain Roderick would never engage in such acts. It’s Leila who has behaved shamelessly and disgustingly.”
Meanwhile, Leila, restrained by Irene, hadn’t yet recovered, with tears streaming down her cheeks. She wasn’t sad; she was enraged.
Through tear-filled eyes, Leila gazed at Landon, hoping he would clarify things for her. Others were unaware, but Landon understood the reason why Jerome treated her kindly.
Leila didn’t anticipate Landon defending her, but she hoped he would at least speak the truth to vindicate Jerome.
Brent had informed Leila that although Jerome had regained consciousness, his condition was deteriorating rapidly. He might die at any moment.
Leila couldn’t bear the thought of Jerome leaving under such a cloud of disgrace. He was a good person. The unfairness of it all gnawed at her.
Landon sensed Leila’s intense gaze. It felt as though his heart was shredded, the pain so intense that he found it hard to breathe. He clenched his fists tightly, battling the overwhelming emotions within.
Sarah watched Leila with a mixture of pride and satisfaction. Her plan was for Landon to deliver a crushing blow to Leila, one she hoped Leila would never recover from.
Sarah edged closer to Landon and said, “Landon, you and Leila have known each other since childhood. You know her better than anyone. Perhaps you could clear up any misunderstandings?”