Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Dean remarked, “I’m giving you one final opportunity. If you don’t get rid of Leila, consider our partnership over.”
Only then did Stan put on an embarrassed look. Turning to Courtney, he said, “Alright, you handle this for me. I’m exhausted.”
Courtney had been itching for this chance for ages, so her face lit up with delight as she shot Leila a glance filled with killing intent.
Leila shivered, overwhelmed by a sense of despair. If Courtney took charge, she knew her chances of survival would dwindle.
Courtney grabbed Leila’s wrist firmly, her tone laced with a threatening edge. “You better cooperate. I might just make it quick and painless for you.”
With determination, Leila rose to her feet and reluctantly followed Courtney out.
But the moment they exited the hall, Leila swiftly broke free from Courtney’s grip. She gestured urgently, trying to communicate something to Courtney.
In a surprisingly good mood, Courtney tossed her mobile phone to Leila and said smugly, “Since you are going to meet your end anyway, go ahead and speak your mind.”
Leila gritted her teeth as she typed out her message. It read, “Ever guess why Stan asked you to do this to me?”
After reading this, Courtney retorted impatiently, “Stan trusts me, and that’s why he gave me this task. Leila, I have seen through your game. You are trying to charm Stan to save yourself, but he is not interested in you. Any kindness he showed was just because he found you useful.”
Seeing Courtney so love-struck gave Leila a headache. She sighed and continued typing. “If the truth comes to light later, he will be seen as just an accomplice since he will have someone backing him up. But what about you? You’ll be left to face the consequences alone.”
Courtney’s face flushed with anger. “Mr. Kensington will definitely have my back.”
Leila didn’t argue and just gave a sardonic smile.
Despite her annoyance, Courtney suddenly felt a peculiar sensation in her heart. Stan had always been cruel, even to Sarah. She knew Stan was not one to show mercy. His cunning nature and power were undeniable qualities that had drawn her to him in the first place.
Yet, Courtney couldn’t shake the fear that Stan might use her one day.
Courtney admitted to herself that Stan might treat her no differently than the others, yet she clung to a sliver of hope. After years by his side, she believed she was somehow special to him.
As these thoughts swirled, Courtney’s head throbbed intensely. She turned to Leila, her eyes meaningful.
Courtney had planned to drug Leila, and whether Leila would suffer or survive depended entirely on her mood. But now, she had a change of heart.
Perhaps seeking solace within herself, Courtney’s cold chuckle cut through the tension as she fixed an ominous gaze on Leila. “You have managed to convince me. I don’t wish death upon you now, but I also won’t make life easy for you.”
Leila shivered, a chill running down her spine. She gritted her teeth, fighting to maintain composure. Although uncertain of what awaited her, she knew if she survived, there would be a chance to settle the score with those who had wronged her.
Courtney appeared unusually cheerful. Once she brought Leila to her residence, she immediately started making calls.
The language Courtney used was alien to Leila’s ears. It echoed the tones of Ostton’s tongue, mixed with a hint of local dialect.
Courtney intermittently cast glances at Leila and snapped photos of Leila after ending the call.
Courtney photographed Leila from every angle, treating her like a commodity on display.
Leila’s thoughts raced like a whirlwind as she mulled over what had just happened. Suddenly, a chilling suspicion crept into her heart. Courtney intended to sell her. But to whom and where? It was bound to be a grim destination. After all, Courtney didn’t lack money. Courtney was cut from the same cloth as Stan.
Leila closed her eyes in despair. Suddenly, Landon’s cold, handsome face flashed in her mind. It seemed he was looking at her, his gaze cold yet hiding turbulent emotions beneath.
Confusion clouded Leila as she struggled to decipher her feelings toward Landon. Was it hatred dominating her heart, or perhaps a twinge of regret?
Leila couldn’t shake the feeling that things shouldn’t have ended this way between them. But it was too late now. They were likely never to cross paths again in this lifetime.
Meanwhile, Courtney’s disdain for Leila burned deep.
An hour after hanging up the phone, someone arrived.
Courtney sneakily whisked Leila out through the back door, Leila’s hands and feet tightly bound and blindfolded, leaving her no chance to resist.
Leila was forcefully ushered into a waiting car, where she heard faint snippets of conversation between Courtney and the driver.
“She looks fine, but what about her health?” the driver asked.
“She should be healthy. However, she is pregnant. Keep an eye on that,” Courtney replied.
Leila instinctively distrusted Courtney’s supposed concern for her unborn child.
This conversation only deepened Leila’s fear. She had no clue about Courtney’s ulterior motives or what dark intentions might be lurking behind her actions.
Feeling the driver’s cold gaze on her, apprehension gripped Leila even tighter.
Leila could sense the driver scrutinizing her from head to toe as if inspecting a product.
“Understood. Shouldn’t we gag her?” the driver voiced his doubt.
“There is no need. She is mute. She won’t cause trouble. Hurry up and take this chick away. It could get messy if anyone finds out.” Impatience tinged Courtney’s voice, but the driver suddenly chuckled.
“Mute is perfect. This means there will be no trouble. It’s much easier than using force. The Nixon family will remember your generosity.”
Leila was taken aback. The Nixon family? While it was not an uncommon surname, the driver’s tone suggested this was no ordinary family. Where in the world had Courtney trafficked her to?
Leila struggled instinctively, but her efforts were futile. The slight noise she made caught the driver’s and Courtney’s attention.
Courtney clicked her tongue disapprovingly, her voice tinged with coldness. “If she doesn’t cooperate, you have my permission to act. Just make sure she stays alive.”
The driver shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. “One must handle beautiful women delicately. Don’t worry. I have experience.”
After the driver said that, Leila heard a rustling sound.
Suddenly, something covered her mouth and nose.
The unknown threat and the feeling of suffocation instantly sparked panic in Leila. She fought harder, desperation rising with every breath.
However, Leila soon began to lose consciousness. Her body went limp, sinking into the back seat of the car.
Watching the car drive away, Courtney glanced around to ensure everything was in order before heading back into her residence.
However, as soon as Courtney arrived at the door, she was greeted by a stern-faced man.
The man regarded Courtney coldly. “Mr. Kensington sent me to check on the situation.”
Courtney’s eyes flickered momentarily, but she composed herself. “Everything has been handled smoothly. Would you like to see photos of Leila’s body?”
The man stared at Courtney intensely, but after a moment, he smiled. “Now that it’s handled, that should suffice. Mr. Kensington has faith in your skills. Just ensure there were no witnesses.”
By the time Leila woke up, she found herself in an unfamiliar environment, confined in a car with her hands and legs bound. The blindfold previously covering her eyes had been removed.
The car’s driver was absent, apparently outside, engaged in a discussion with someone.
The voices were too faint for Leila to make out any words.
Feeling stronger now, Leila attempted to move. With cautious effort, she began to wrestle against her bindings, gradually increasing her struggle until the ropes loosened around her wrists.
Eventually, she freed one hand and quickly untied the rest of her restraints.
The moment Leila stepped out of the car, however, she was spotted.
“Stop!” the driver shouted, swearing as he started to chase after Leila.
Leila clenched her teeth and pushed her weak legs to run.
Luckily, they were on a busy highway. Taking a desperate chance, Leila stepped into the road to flag down a passing vehicle.