Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila consoled herself, believing it might be a relic from before their marriage, a time when things between them were better. She had once thought Landon held some affection for her.
The memory brought tears to Leila’s eyes, yet she stifled them, caught between hope and sorrow.
Ewing perceived her turmoil but chose to remain silent, quietly exiting the room.
At the door, Ewing hesitated and then turned around. “I know you’ve been deceiving yourself, but it’s time to confront the truth. You belong here. I’m your family. You should never feel alienated within the Nixon family. From this moment, your life can afford more slip-ups. Whatever comes our way, you’ll have my support. Just be yourself and do what you desire.”
Leila’s heart fluttered. She raised her gaze to Ewing, reading the earnestness in his gaze, sensing a change within herself.
Once Ewing had departed, Trent couldn’t hold back his doubts. “Mr. Nixon, it’s obvious she’s distancing herself from the Nixons because of her mother’s history. Why put in all this effort for her?” he remarked, somewhat critically. “She is quite the character. Doesn’t she realize how well she’s been treated by the Nixon family?”
“Trent!” Ewing’s voice carried a sharp rebuke. “The Nixon family is indebted to her and her mother. We’ve wronged them. Don’t ever speak like that again. Remember what Bria had almost done. Leila could have pressed charges, which might have led to Bria’s arrest. She’s shown considerable leniency. We shouldn’t make things harder for her.”
Trent’s face reddened with embarrassment and regret. “I apologize, sir.”
Ewing exhaled slowly. “My aunt saved my life. Though we seldom met, her image is etched in my memory. Without her intervention, I wouldn’t be here today. We owe Leila more than we can ever repay, especially for the hardships she faced. It’s our duty to make amends.”
Leila remained silent in the room for a long time, ultimately choosing not to open the mysterious box, though she decided to keep it close. She was uncertain of Landon’s motives, yet felt that their association should conclude on a friendly note.
Meanwhile, Landon stood at the rear entrance of the Nixon family’s grand estate and looked up.
Though the Nixon family rarely stayed in Avalon, their manor still exuded sheer magnificence.
Landon’s expression remained composed, his face giving away neither frustration nor sorrow due to the hardship he faced currently. He remained calm, though his eyes betrayed deep emotions.
After a pause, Landon finally spoke, his voice steady. “No one will dare to harm Leila as long as she stays here.”
Beside him, Edgar chimed in with a hint of curiosity, “I wonder if she has opened the gift you sent her, given all the misunderstandings you two have faced…”
Landon responded with a resigned smile, “This is all I can do for her now. Ensuring she doesn’t suffer because of me is the best I can hope for.”
Just then, Landon’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Dean.
As Landon answered, Dean’s mocking laughter filled the air.
“Landon, what miserable place have you ended up in now? Under which bridge are you sleeping tonight?”
Without giving Landon a chance to reply, Dean jeered further, “Oh, wait. My ever-so-talented brother couldn’t possibly be that down and out. How about I get you a job in one of the factories on the assembly line? How does $2,500 a month sound to better your life? Ha-ha!”
Landon replied icily, unbothered, “You’re laughing now, but I’m not convinced you’ll end up any better than I am.”
Dean scoffed dismissively. “Just give up. It’s survival of the fittest, and you’ve lost. I’d suggest you leave Burmoos unless you want me to make your life miserable.”
Landon murmured Dean’s words and said, “Survival of the fittest. But it’s not yet clear who the winner is.”
Frustrated, Dean retorted, “Still dreaming of a comeback? Face it. You killed our mother. I didn’t press charges, but the family elders have disowned you. You won’t inherit a dime from the Kensington Group, and you’re buried in millions of debt. You’ll spend your life in the gutter.”
Landon hung up, his resolve unfazed.
Dean, mistakenly thinking he had crushed Landon’s spirit, felt a surge of triumph.
At that moment, a knock interrupted Dean’s smugness.
Dean, clearly annoyed, responded irritably. “What now? Can’t you see I’m trying to rest?”
From outside the room, a voice responded, “It’s me.”
Upon recognizing the voice, Dean sprang to his feet, though he made no move toward the door. Instead, he directed a scornful laugh toward the entryway.
Dean sneered, “Stan, still lurking around? Thought you’d have the decency to leave by now. You managed to sideline Landon for me, and I paid you handsomely with two hundred thousand. We’re settled. Just because we coincidently share a last name doesn’t make us equals. I’m in a generous mood today, but push your luck, and I’ll have you thrown out.”
With a haughty tilt of his head, Dean signaled his complete dismissal.
Outside the door, Stan’s momentary silence gave Dean a sense of triumph.
However, this was abruptly broken by Stan’s laughter, a chilling, unsettling sound that grated on Dean’s nerves.
“Stan, have you lost your mind? Are you that giddy over the money I threw your way?” Dean taunted, his irritation mounting. “If you don’t get out of here, I’ll make sure you’re removed.”
Fueled by anger, Dean strode over and flung the door open, only to be met with an unexpected sight.
Behind Stan was an imposing group of bodyguards, all standing at attention under Stan’s direct control.
Stan’s eyes met Dean’s with a dark, menacing intensity.
“Dean, you’ve celebrated your victory too soon.”
Caught off guard, Dean’s confident demeanor faltered, replaced by a look of shock.
Stan’s satisfaction grew at the sight, but his smile soon faded into a grim, cold expression.
“Seize him!” Stan commanded.
Dean snapped back to reality, fury igniting within him. “Stan, have you lost your mind? I am the heir to the Kensington family, the CEO of the Kensington Group. Who do you think you are to touch me?”
Dean turned his rage toward his men. “And you all, are you out of your minds? Remove this lunatic immediately!”
Despite Dean’s furious commands, the bodyguards remained unmoved, their allegiance clearly not with him.
Dean’s commands fell on deaf ears. Even the most oblivious observer could tell that something was wrong.
At that moment, Melinda appeared, stepping into the room from behind Stan.
Although Melinda had long cooperated with Stan, her affections had always leaned toward Dean. However, Dean’s continuous oversteps and irresponsible actions had pushed her to reconsider her alliances. Watching Leila’s rise in stature within the Nixon family had stirred fears about her own standing and future.
After witnessing the grandeur of the banquet the Nixon family had held for Leila and sensing the shifting tides, Melinda had pledged her loyalty to Stan, recognizing him as her most viable option for security and advancement. Dean’s unreliability had become too great a risk for her ambitions.
Dean’s expression contorted from shock to outright fury upon seeing Melinda standing confidently behind Stan. “Melinda?” His voice rose to a roar, hurling threats across the room. “What is the meaning of this? Have I been betrayed? Come here, Melinda! Or I swear I’ll divorce you and kick you out, you thankless traitor!”
Melinda absorbed Dean’s vitriol with a twinge of sadness but felt mostly liberated. She looked at Dean with clear contempt and spoke with deliberate calmness.
“You’ve been blind, Dean. Landon had his doubts about Stan’s real identity for a long time. You were just too arrogant to see it. Do you even understand why he shares your family name? Your father was a ladies’ man and he had his share of secrets. The Kensington family tree branches are wider than you know.”
Dean’s face flushed with indignation as he struggled to defend his family’s honor. “That’s absurd! My parents were devoted to each other. I was the golden child. If not for my grandpa’s affection for Landon, everything would rightfully be under my control. There’s no chance my father had other children.”.
Stan sneered, “Deny it all you want, Dean, but facts don’t lie. I’ve got the DNA evidence to back it up.”
Staggering under the weight of these revelations, Dean recalled the warnings Landon had once given him.
Though reeling from the shock, Dean clung desperately to a dwindling hope. His insult was venomous and cutting. “Even if you are a Kensington, you’re nothing more than a low-born, uncultured brute!”
Slap! Instantly, Courtney stepped up, her movement swift and fierce. She slapped Dean across the face and then landed several kicks, toppling him to the ground in both pain and disgrace.
Hovering over Dean with a steely gaze, Courtney retorted sharply, “Regardless, Mr. Stan Kensington outclasses you in every conceivable way, you pathetic fool.”
Wincing from the assault, Dean managed to mock Courtney, his voice dripping with contempt. “And what right do you have to stand over me? I commanded you to claim Leila’s life, and Stan had agreed. But what did you do? Now that Leila has been recognized as part of the prestigious Nixon family, you guys are doomed. The Nixon family’s influence outshines the Kensington family’s.”
Hearing this, Melinda’s face drained of color, her eyes flashing with resentment as she glared at Courtney.
Enraged from her sense of guilt, Courtney lashed out at Dean again, her anger unabated. “Silence!” she yelled, each strike underscored by her words.
“Stop, Courtney!” Stan snapped.
Courtney halted abruptly, her arm frozen in the air.