Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Then, Noemi added, “Mr. Klein Nixon is planning a welcome banquet for Leila. Miss, you might want to prepare yourself.”
Upon hearing this, Bria’s smile disappeared. She replied with a hint of impatience, “I understand. I’ll follow my brother’s instructions.”
Bria then muttered bitterly, “That Leila, who does she think she is? She’s a fraud, and I’ll unmask her someday.”
The day of the welcome banquet finally arrived.
Although Klein had generously provided a dress and jewelry, Leila had no intention of using them.
Ewing, ever considerate, had arranged for a different set and even organized a styling team.
Unfortunately, all three dresses from Ewing were found to be mysteriously ruined, clearly a result of sabotage.
Trent, the one who had delivered these items, was visibly upset. “Miss, don’t worry. I’ll get to the bottom of this and find out who had the audacity to do such a thing,” he assured her.
Leila sighed, suspecting Bria was behind the sabotage but chose to dismiss the matter. It wasn’t worth the confrontation.
Leila used sign language to ask, which was swiftly interpreted by the servant standing nearby. “If I don’t have a dress, can I wear one of my own? Don’t worry. I do have one.”
Trent shook his head, explaining, “Miss, perhaps you’re not aware, but the Nixon family holds significant wealth. The young gentlemen and ladies are expected to wear items valued in the millions to any event. If you don’t, it could lead to gossip, and Mr. Tyrone Nixon would take offense. Now with Mr. Ewing Nixon in charge, any rumors could prove problematic…”.
Leila understood the gravity of the situation.
Trent comforted her, saying, “Don’t worry. I’ll call Mr. Ewing Nixon to arrange for another dress. It might take a bit of time, though.”
Leila stopped Trent before he could dial, shaking her head.
She then proceeded to her room to retrieve the gifts from Klein. The dress and jewelry were just dazzling.
The servant interpreted Leila’s message. “These were sent by Klein. Are they suitable?”
Trent smiled broadly and replied, “These are crafted by a renowned international designer, not only costly but also exclusive. There are only three or four such dresses in the entire world.”
Trent continued, explaining the jewelry’s unique origins, “Mr. Klein Nixon really put his heart into choosing these. Wearing them will be ideal, and Mr. Tyrone Nixon will be delighted. He places great value on family unity.”
With the circumstances as they were, Leila felt compelled to wear the gifted attire.
She sighed resignedly as Trent signaled for the stylist to come over.
The dress Klein had chosen was cleverly designed to conceal Leila’s pregnancy. Although only in her fourth month and barely showing, the dress’s wide and long skirt prevented any potential embarrassment.
Given Leila’s height, the lengthy skirt meant she could forego high heels.
Once styled, Leila regarded her reflection in the mirror, taken aback by her own elegance and sophistication.
Her naturally modest dressing style had been transformed, accentuating her gentle and attractive features, which, while pretty, were not usually so striking.
Now that Leila was fully dressed, her beauty shone through unmistakably. Although she typically dressed simply, the luxurious attire she wore now didn’t seem out of place at all. Instead, Leila carried herself with an effortless elegance and nobility, as if she had been born to it.
Trent was visibly taken aback for a moment before his face lit up with joy. “You truly are a Nixon, through and through. Your temperament shines through no matter what.”
Then, a sudden thought seemed to cloud Trent’s happiness, and his eyes moistened. He dabbed at the corner of his eye and said, “Leila, you bear such a striking resemblance to Siena. Standing here before me, it’s as if she never left.”
Leila, looking at her reflection in the mirror, felt a surge of mixed emotions. She had seen pictures of her mother when she was young, and the resemblance was undeniable. Could it be that she was genuinely a member of this family?
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With a heavy heart and thoughts swirling in confusion, Leila took a deep breath and walked toward the front hall.
The hall was bustling with guests. To underscore the significance Tyrone had attached to Leila, every affluent and notable family from Burmoos had been invited.
Before Leila made her entrance, the guests indulged in idle gossip.
“Could Leila truly be Tyrone’s granddaughter?”
“It seems unlikely. She previously lived with the Kensington family, but now she’s suddenly part of the Nixons?”
“Real or not, her roots matter little here. At best, she’s the daughter of Tyrone’s only daughter. She doesn’t share the Nixon last name. I doubt she is treated with respect by the Nixons. This banquet is likely all a facade for the public.”
“And let’s not forget Leila and Landon’s miserable marriage. Sarah has consistently meddled in their relationship. If the Nixons really cared about Leila, wouldn’t they have confronted the Millers?”
“Oh, the drama!”
Sarah, overhearing the whispers, could barely contain her anger, her expression darkening. She gracefully lifted her gown and glared at the gossipers.
“Enough with your baseless chatter! I’ve said it before. Landon and I are in love. Leila means nothing. That scheming bitch coerced Landon into marriage using her family’s leverage.
The Nixons are too embarrassed to defend her. Besides, her so-called identity is undoubtedly fabricated. The Kensington have hinted at her mother’s impoverished background. Perhaps Leila resorted to disgraceful measures to assume this false persona.”
Instead of joining in Sarah’s ridicule, the guests exchanged knowing glances, smirking at her outburst.
One boldly retorted, “Rumors have it that you have a new partner, Miss Miller. Congratulations are in order. By the way, weren’t you adamant about marrying no one else but Landon? Why the breakup with him at this point?”
“Don’t you get it? Miss Miller is always chasing the next big thing. Years ago, she left Landon for greener pastures and moved overseas, only to return later since finding her best option was to reconcile with Landon. Now, Landon’s chances of inheriting the Kensington estate are slim, and he’s likely to be cut off completely. Miss Miller will obviously look for someone better.”
Sarah’s expression shifted constantly. She clenched her teeth, her voice quivering as she retorted, “How can you say such things?”
But her words fell on deaf ears. The others continued their conversations, ignoring her.
Many had frowned upon Sarah’s involvement in Landon and Leila’s marriage.
In their social circle, power was everything. Landon was once the center of attention, and no one in Burmoos could rival the Kensington family. At that time, nobody dared to mock or cross Sarah, who was then seen as Landon’s chosen one.
But things had changed since Sarah and Landon split up. Seeing Landon stripped of his influence, Sarah left him for another man, an act considered disgraceful among their peers.
Though they wouldn’t confront Sarah directly, they didn’t hold back their sarcastic remarks.
Feeling like everyone was judging her, Sarah was both hurt and angry. Wasn’t Leila supposed to be the one suffering this fate? Why had her life turned out this way? To her frustration, Leila, that fucking bitch, had become part of the affluent Nixon family, living a life of luxury.
Just then, Sarah’s phone interrupted the silence.
“Mom, what’s up? I’ve already told you I’m swamped today,” Sarah replied, her tone laced with impatience.
Amara responded sharply, “You need to make time, even if you don’t have it. I’ve carefully chosen this man for you, and you must win him over.”
In a hushed, hopeful tone, Sarah inquired, “Is he as wealthy as Landon?”
Amara’s laughter carried a hint of derision. “Sarah, be realistic. Landon was with you because he genuinely liked you. While our family is wealthy, we’re not in a position to mix with the most powerful. This guy may not be as wealthy as Landon, but he’s respectable. Marrying him will give you status. It’s truly your best option.”
Sarah’s disappointment was palpable.
Noticing Sarah’s silence, Amara scoffed. “What’s wrong? Not interested? If you’re not interested, dismiss my arrangement then. But you need to know sticking by Landon’s side likely means a tough life. I’ve heard the Kensington family is disowning him soon for his supposed involvement in his mother’s death. Though he won’t face criminal charges, he won’t inherit a dime. Stick with him, and you’re choosing poverty. You’ll be the subject of ridicule.”
Sarah grasped Amara’s statement had a point and decisively said, “Mom, ask that guy to the banquet. I’ll introduce him to these wealthy folks.”
Amara responded with a pleased tone, “That’s my girl. I’ll get him there right away.”
After ending the call, Sarah felt uneasy. She even mused that if she were a Nixon, blessed with immense wealth, she would have the freedom to choose any suitor she desired.
Before long, Sarah received the man’s comprehensive profile. Upon reading that the man was a noble from Ferelden in his bio, her eyes sparkled with intrigue.
Sarah knew the Nixon family had established their empire in Ferelden, with their main office also based there. So what if the Nixon family wielded great power? Her suitor was a Ferelden noble. The Nixon family would think twice before crossing someone of his stature if they wanted to maintain their comfortable lifestyle in Ferelden.
This realization bolstered Sarah’s confidence.