Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila suddenly recognized her. She was the same woman who had shown up at the racecourse in a formal dress that morning, and now she was here in sportswear. Leila’s expression soured. She had assumed this woman was naive but determined, yet now she seemed foolish.
Observing Leila’s reaction, Landon leaned closer to her, asking in a low voice, “Do you know her?”
Pursing her lips, Leila shook her head. “Just go. I prefer to stay out of this.”
Before they could move, the woman grabbed Leila’s leg. “Miss, you can’t just walk away. You have to explain yourself!”
Leila frowned, sensing trouble. “Miss, you have to be reasonable. What do you expect from me?”
The woman continued crying, her voice quivering with accusation. “You told me to wear this outfit, and now they’re telling me to leave! I don’t hold any grudge against you. What did I ever do to deserve this?”
Leila almost laughed at the absurdity. What a foolish woman!
“Do you dress without considering where you’re going? I only suggested the long dress was inappropriate during the day at the racecourse. I didn’t mean for you to show up here like this. Don’t you think it’s time you comprehended the rules better?
When I gave you a heads-up earlier, I had the best intentions, but you accused me of targeting you. Tell me, what exactly do I gain from doing that?”
The woman’s eyes were filled with tears, making her appear more vulnerable.
Landon said coldly, his voice laced with disdain, “Leila, you’re being far too patient. Just have someone kick this annoying woman out.”
Leila pulled her leg free from the woman’s grip and let out a frustrated sigh. “If you bother me again or throw accusations my way, I’ll call the police right away. Is that clear to you?”
After making her remark, Leila turned on her heel and walked away with Landon. The security guard soon escorted the woman away. However, the onlookers cast odd glances in Leila’s direction.
Moments later, an elderly man rushed in, dropping to his knees in despair upon hearing the woman had been thrown out.
The whispers revealed he was the woman’s grandfather. They had leaned on each other during their challenging lives, and the woman had come here to collect the surgery fees. Instead, she was now being unceremoniously driven out.
Their cries sounded pitiful, but Leila wasn’t swayed. To her, this was the woman’s own problem. Not only did the woman fail to reflect on her actions, but she sought to place the blame on others.
Due to this incident, Leila’s mood soured. After half an hour, she found an excuse to leave.
Landon offered to drive Leila home, but she declined. He stood in the cool night air, watching her car disappear down the road. As Landon turned, Clayton’s cold gaze met his from a distance.
Landon didn’t back down. Instead, he sneered and asked, “Mr. Morgan, what can I do for you?”
Clayton cleared his throat. His tone was soft but laced with warning. “Mr. Lando, while I’m not sure of your intentions, I hope you’ll refrain from toying with Miss Nixon if you have no real interest in her. She’s capable and won’t settle for being a canary in a cage, kept by people like you.”
The smile on Landon’s face vanished. “Who said I wanted her to be my caged bird? You’re projecting your thoughts onto me.”
Clayton responded quickly, “Of course not. I’m only interested in her because I genuinely believe she and I could build something meaningful together. She requires stability, a solid partner, and a family to support her. I offer that, but you would only bring her trouble.”
Landon’s hands slipped into his pockets, his expression hardening. “You think you know her, but you’ve got it all wrong. She doesn’t need anyone to back her up.”
Narrowing his eyes, Clayton shot back, “You don’t even know her, so how can you claim she doesn’t need it?”
Landon tilted his head, a challenging glint in his eyes. “The truth is I know her very well. Ask Leila about this if you doubt my words.”
Color rushed to Clayton’s face, leaving him momentarily speechless. Finally, with fists clenched in frustration, he managed to spit out, “Can you genuinely care for her? I doubt it. You’re known for numerous affairs, and she’s a single mother. You’re just toying with her.”
A chill settled in Landon’s gaze as he scoffed. “You’re not defending her. You’re being unfair by labeling her like this. If her having a child bothers you so much, why pretend to care?”
Clayton’s expression twisted uncomfortably. “Any normal man would care about that. But I’ve decided I’m going to treat her right and accept her daughter as my own.”
Landon had no more patience for the conversation. As he walked past Clayton, he muttered, “Give up these fantasies. She won’t end up with me, and you stand no chance either. What she values is sincerity.”
As Clayton watched Landon walk away, his expression darkened significantly. “How can you be so certain that my feelings for her aren’t genuine?”
The following day marked Sophie’s release from the hospital. Leila made her way to the hospital early. Unexpectedly, at the ward’s entrance, she spotted two familiar faces: Landon and Clayton.
The two men kept their distance, focusing their attention on Sophie while ignoring each other, yet their occasional glances exchanged sharp tensions in the air. Leila understood Landon’s presence; he had reasons to be there. But Clayton’s appearance puzzled her.
Approaching with a slight frown, Leila addressed Clayton politely. “I hadn’t anticipated your visit. Thank you for coming to see my daughter.”
Clayton gently stroked Sophie’s hair, offering a warm smile. “I’ve met her previously, and she truly charmed me. I wanted to visit her again today.”
Sophie, beaming, looked up at her mother. “Mommy, Clayton is so kind.”
Leila, taken aback, hesitated before asking, “Do you like Clayton?”
Sophie began to reply, “Yes-” but before she could finish, Landon swiftly lifted her into his arms, steering her away from Clayton’s reach. Clayton’s smile momentarily stiffened before he quickly recomposed himself.
Landon, feigning displeasure, challenged, “Sophie, didn’t you promise that you’d only say that to me?”
Sophie paused to consider his words and, finding them reasonable, revised her statement. “Okay, then Clayton is the second best. The top spot is reserved only for you.” This comment visibly irked Clayton, who glared at Landon with displeasure.
“You need to stop threatening a child,” Clayton said.
Unyielding, Landon snapped back, “Did you actually see me threaten anyone?”
As tensions mounted between the two, Leila, feeling helpless, intervened to defuse the situation and protect Sophie. Turning away from Landon, Clayton addressed Leila with a gentle smile. “Leila, I’ve organized a small celebration for Sophie’s discharge from the hospital. Let’s go and have some fun.”
Leila offered a remote smile in response. “That’s thoughtful but unnecessary. She’s just been discharged, and the doctor recommended rest. We’d rather not go out.”
As Landon brushed past Clayton, his shoulder collided sharply with him. “Let me drive you home,” he said bluntly.
Leila glanced at Landon, chose to ignore his offer, and walked away cradling Sophie. Clayton seized the chance to taunt, “See? She doesn’t even want to speak with you.”
Landon responded with a calm demeanor, “It’s fine. She hasn’t made any promises to you, either.”
“You!” Clayton spat out, his anger palpable as he stormed off.
Landon’s gaze grew icier by the moment. Edgar intervened, whispering to Landon, “The Turner Group is still in partnership with the Morgan Group. If you lash out at Clayton, Leila might be displeased.”
Reluctantly, Landon curbed his anger, managing only a helpless smile. “Here I am, Sophie’s father, yet I’m being humiliated by another man. I’ve never felt so aggrieved.”
Edgar opened his mouth to speak but reconsidered, biting his tongue instead. “You really brought this on yourself,” he muttered..
Landon let out a laugh soon after. “As long as they’re happy, that’s what counts, right?”
Edgar massaged his temples, feeling a migraine coming on. He hadn’t realized Landon was such a hopeless romantic.
Meanwhile, the issues surrounding the Turner Group were nearly resolved. Generously, Landon had someone deliver the company transfer papers directly to Leila.
Leila didn’t hesitate; she had already agreed to it beforehand. She handed tens of millions over to Landon, knowing him as she did. Landon merely accepted the cash without a word.
The Turner Group continued under its usual management, though Leila had implemented new regulations.
When the day came for Leila to depart Halstead with Sophie, Ruth and Tilda arrived at the airport to bid them farewell. Ruth, the stalwart figure, now found herself shedding tears.
Leila offered a helpless smile in response. “Don’t cry. I’ll be back again,” she assured them.
Tilda, drying her own eyes, tugged Ruth into a bow before Leila. Leila quickly lifted them both, flustered by the gesture. “You’re making things harder for me by doing this.”
Ruth dabbed at her tears, her voice quaking yet determined as she spoke. “Miss Nixon, should you need anything in the future, just let me know. Even if it costs me my life, I’ll do it for you. If you don’t tell me when you’re in trouble, I’ll see it as a sign you don’t trust me. We owe you that much.”
Leila didn’t object, and just then, the announcement for boarding echoed through the terminal.
After boarding the plane, Leila and Sophie settled into their seats. Leila noticed someone sitting nearby. Stealing a glance, her heart skipped a beat-it was none other than Landon. Without a mask, his imperfect yet striking features were fully visible.
Leila was taken aback, at a loss for words. Clearing her throat, she whispered, “What are you doing here? Aren’t you worried about being recognized?”
Landon’s smile twinkled with a mischievous charm. “No worries. I’ve booked the whole first-class cabin.”