Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
As Leila massaged her temples, a sudden thought struck her. “Who’s currently leading the Kensington Group?”
“Stan. He was once considered an outsider due to his illegitimate parentage, but he’s been acknowledged by the Kensington family.”
A spark of interest lit Leila’s eyes. “Reach out to him. I’d like to have dinner with him tonight.”
The assistant frowned, uncertain, “That might be challenging. Since he took office, he’s avoided public appearances, and private meetings are even rarer.”
Unperturbed, Leila offered a reassuring smile, radiating confidence. “It doesn’t matter. Mention my name. That should make him change his mind.”
Leila’s assistant complied, and just as Leila had expected, Stan agreed quickly, even inquiring about Leila’s preferences for food.
Without hesitation, Leila instructed her assistant, “Book the most prestigious restaurant in town.”
As evening descended, Leila made her appearance punctually, though with a slight hint of difficulty in her stride. “I apologize for my tardiness, Mr. Kensington. I encountered some issues en route, and it’s somewhat difficult for me to walk,” she explained upon entering the reserved private room. Despite her apology, her demeanor exuded confidence.
Stan, whom she hadn’t seen for years, hadn’t changed much. He still wore a mask, covering half of his face, which was handsome and fair as she remembered. His eyes, warm and misleading, could easily make one forget the darker deeds he had done.
Leila vividly recalled a time when she nearly lost her life at his hands. Yet, as if the past had evaporated, Stan stood and extended his hand warmly. “I’ve heard much about you. I’m flattered you chose to meet an old friend like me not long after your return.”
Leila smiled faintly. “You’re being modest, Mr. Kensington. In Burmoos, everyone knows your name. I haven’t forgotten those days you had taken me away.”
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Stan’s composure faltered, a hint of shock flashing across his features as Leila’s straightforwardness took him by surprise.
Leila remained poised, gracefully pouring Stan a cup of water, which he accepted with a hand that betrayed a slight tremor.
Stan’s voice was less steady as he spoke. “Look at you. You’ve become a completely different person. I should view you with fresh eyes. Your voice has recovered, and you’ve returned to the Nixon family. You’re way out of my league now. Back then, we had some misunderstandings, fueled by Landon’s actions. Thankfully, I realized my mistake in time and released you. I hope you can let bygones be bygones.”
Leila’s response was a barely concealed sneer. How dare he frame his past actions as benevolent? She vividly remembered her escape was not his doing but her own, having cleverly manipulated Courtney to plan a way out.
Yet, Leila chose not to delve into those painful memories. Instead, she steered the conversation toward her purpose. “To be frank, I didn’t invite you out to reminisce about old times. I’m certain you’ve done your homework on me, given your familiarity with my current situation. You should be aware that it’s in the Kensington Group’s best interest not to oppose me.” She produced a folder and placed it on the table, opening it to reveal a list. “These properties were taken from me by your family. Isn’t it high time they were returned to their true owner?”
Stan glanced at the list and gave a smile. “Are you sure you’re addressing the right person? You should ask the Kensington family for this.”
Leila let out a chuckle. “What? Aren’t you the head of the Kensington family now?”
Stan felt no embarrassment from his contradicting words earlier. He made a move to adjust his tie. With a cheeky smile, he said slowly, “Here’s the thing. The Kensington family might recognize me as part of the family, but to ask me? I inwardly feel I am not part of them. Besides, when your assets were taken, I wasn’t even part of the Kensington family. So why should I be the one to return them?”
Leila felt a wave of disgust and replied coldly, “If you refuse to return them, then I’ll have to take matters into my own hands. Stan, the choice is yours.”
Stan was unfazed, his expression unchanged. “Just a reminder. The Kensington family is not to be taken down easily despite their current predicament, and underestimation is not advised. Besides, you claim those assets are rightfully yours. Do you have proof?”
It was only then that Leila fully understood how low Stan could stoop. Her inheritance, lawfully left by her parents, was snatched away by the Kensington family. Since Stan was the head of the Kensington family, there was no way he hadn’t looked into the businesses under the Kensington Group. Distinguishing her inheritance from the Kensington assets shouldn’t be a problem. Clearly, he had no intention of returning what was rightfully hers.
Glancing at her assistant, Leila declared, “Let’s head back.”
Leila’s assistant was stunned. Leave like this? But she trusted Leila had her own ways of handling the situation and was ready to comply with Leila’s instructions.
“Wait!” Stan stopped Leila. He approached her with two glasses of wine and then knelt in front of her, lowering himself as if in submission. “I get it. The Kensington family wronged you. Please accept my apology with this toast. Now that you’re back, I hope we can get along with each other peacefully. If possible, I hope you can let go of the past.”
Leila kept a cold expression, saying nothing.
Her assistant immediately knocked the glass out of Stan’s hand, shattering it on the floor. With her chin raised, she declared, “Who do you think you are, making such outrageous demands? Consider it your honor that she initiated this meeting.”
Stan clenched his fists, veins bulging on the back of his hands. Though he smiled, his tone carried a hint of suppressed anger, “Leila, your assistant is out of line. Surely, you see that, right?”
Leila responded in an arrogant tone, “Oh? You felt she was out of line? But she’s simply stating the truth. I gave you a chance to cooperate and apologize, but you chose not to take it. If I hadn’t demanded this meeting, you wouldn’t have even been worthy of standing before me. You make me sick.”
Before leaving, Leila made sure to glare at Stan on purpose. Today, her visit to Stan was just a test. Of course, she knew it was unlikely he’d hand it over so easily. Understanding his attitude was key to planning her next move. Now that Stan didn’t even bother to maintain the appearance of harmony, why should she be polite to him? He should consider himself lucky that she hadn’t taken revenge immediately after her return.
As soon as Leila got in the car, Sophie called.
Sophie’s tone was as soft and sweet as always. “Mommy, where are you?”
The car had started. Leila gazed out the window at the passing scenery, her frown easing. “I will be home soon. Have fun with your great-grandfather first.”
Sophie promised sweetly and added, “Mommy, come back as soon as you can. I just saw the weather forecast, and it’s going to rain today. Great-grandfather said getting wet will cause a cold. He also mentioned you should help him contact Siena, urging her to come home.”
A lump formed in Leila’s throat. Before she could respond, a harsh sound erupted, and her body was jolted violently.
The driver in the front yelled in horror, “No shit! Someone has tampered with the brakes!”
The hotel was on a mountain. Although the road was wide, if the car went over the cliff, everyone inside would be doomed.
Just as Leila was about to speak, her head jerked violently. With a loud bang, she slammed against the window, her vision blurring.
The screeching tires and Sophie’s terrified cries filled the air.
Leila wanted to comfort Sophie through the line, but she couldn’t muster enough strength to speak.
Hot blood trickled from the wound on her forehead, threatening to turn the entire world before her crimson. Suddenly, bright lights flashed, accompanied by the horn of a truck. It was like a monstrous beast, roaring with the intent to destroy everything in its path.
The driver was utterly desperate. The brakes were not functioning, and stopping the car seemed impossible. They wouldn’t fall off the cliff, but they were heading straight into the truck’s path. The outcome wasn’t much better.
Leila closed her eyes in despair.
Boom! The crash came, but there was no crushing pain. “Holy shit!” Her assistant was in disbelief.
When Leila opened her eyes, she saw a black car that had suddenly appeared, blocking their path from crashing into the truck.
But due to the momentum, their car with failed brakes kept pushing the black car forward, and the truck nearby hadn’t fully stopped.
Leila’s heart pounded in her chest, concerned the black car might be sandwiched between two charging vehicles. Fortunately, with only meters left, all three vehicles screeched to a halt.
However, the black car was in terrible shape.
Their situation wasn’t much better. The driver mentioned that the car was leaking oil.
Everyone scrambled to escape, but Leila, with her legs injured, had become a burden.
The assistant tried to pull Leila out of the car, but she was just a girl herself, and her hand suffered from the impact of the earlier ordeal. She couldn’t muster enough strength to drag Leila out.
Leila tried to push her assistant away, saying weakly, “Leave first. It’s probably my fate.”
Her assistant was anxious, “What are you talking about? You have to pull yourself together and climb out, or the car will explode anytime soon!”
Leila smiled bitterly. She tried to muster strength, but the concussion earlier left her dizzy and her hands numb.
Leila hadn’t seen this coming. Should she perish, it would just look like an accident, though the truth was the other way around. Feeling she likely met her end today, she was gripped by despair and felt sorry for the black car’s occupants. Despite the black car’s help, she seemed doomed anyway.
Just then, a deep male voice snapped, “Get out of my way!”
Leila looked up and instantly recognized the familiar mask.
Mr. Lando’s pale neck was smeared with blood. Even though he wore a black shirt, the bloodstains were still visible.
Leila’s breathing grew heavy. Was he the one in the black car?
Mr. Lando leaned over, carefully lifting Leila out of the car, his strong arms wrapping around her waist. The group quickly walked away.
Soon, Leila’s car burst into flames, but thankfully, it didn’t explode.
The black car burned as well. The truck driver reacted in time, having retreated more than ten meters.