Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Saniya, if you truly feel remorse, silence would be more appropriate. Remember, we are in a hospital.”
Pushing back through her tears, Saniya retorted, “I am merely concerned for Elaine. How could that possibly be wrong?”
The director sneered, “I think you know very well whether you’re concerned for her or just scared of being blamed if something goes wrong.”
Saniya’s cheeks flushed with anger. To think that even a director would dare speak to her so disrespectfully. She was livid.
Meanwhile, Leila nervously paced outside the emergency room. She couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to Elaine, who had saved her daughter.
At that moment, Landon texted Leila to say he was heading to the hospital.
The director received a message that a member of the prestigious Kensington family was coming. His face fell. Why would someone from the Kensington family get involved?
In his moment of distraction, Saniya caught a glimpse of the message. Wiping away her tears, she straightened up and gave the director a chilling smile.
“I’ll give you one last chance to apologize,” she said coldly. “You know who I am. The Kensington family is on their way, and they support me.”
The director’s expression darkened, and his lips twitched uncomfortably. With clear reluctance, he muttered, “I’m sorry, Saniya. I let my anxiety get the better of me. Please, forgive me.”
Observing the director’s respectful demeanor, Saniya felt slightly better. Yet, she was uneasy, as whoever arrived later might not support her. Moreover, she couldn’t fathom why a member of the Kensington family had chosen to come. Regardless, she knew she had to be ready..
In a swift move, Saniya summoned a group of reporters.
Leila was questioning Landon about the Kensington family’s involvement, unaware that a swarm of reporters would soon inundate them.
“Is it true that Elaine was injured during the show?”
“Why was the filming abruptly halted? Was it intentional?”
“Who was the little girl seen with Elaine just before the broadcast cut off? Is she to blame for Elaine’s injury?”
Leila and Debbie were taken aback by the sudden onslaught. Reacting quickly, Leila urged Sophie and Debbie to leave the scene.
However, before they could make their escape, Saniya blocked their path.
“Where do you think you’re going? Are you fleeing because you feel guilty?”
Saniya’s voice boomed, capturing the attention of all the reporters.
Sophie, overwhelmed and unaccustomed to such chaos, clung to Debbie in fright.
Debbie braced herself and responded with force, “Saniya, enough with the accusations. You’re the one who injured Elaine, not Sophie!”
With a smirk, Saniya replied, “Your words are pointless. The director witnessed everything.”
As Leila moved swiftly toward them, she slapped Saniya with such force that it echoed through the room. Her eyes were fierce, betraying a murderous intent.
“Didn’t I make myself clear, Saniya? Hurt my daughter, and you’ll regret it. You orchestrated these reporters to pin the blame on Sophie, but we’re not fools. Debbie and I saw it all.”
Saniya, hand on her reddened cheek, scoffed. “Your words hold no weight. You’re Sophie’s mother, and Debbie’s fond of her. Of course, you’d defend her. Let the director clarify the truth.”
The atmosphere was charged with tension.
Reporters swiveled their cameras toward the director, who appeared visibly shaken. Glancing between Leila and Saniya, he seemed at a loss.
His assistant leaned in and whispered, “You need to address this now. The Kensington family will be here any moment.”
With a nod, the director took a deep breath and announced, “It was an accident. The child mishandled something. She didn’t intend any harm, and her mother is here to discuss how to make amends.”
Leila’s expression turned cold as she fixed her gaze on the director.
Knowing he was in the wrong, the director averted his eyes from her cold stare.
Saniya exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over her. Once the director’s words were reported by these journalists, she would make sure the relevant articles garnered the public’s attention. That would be enough to frame Sophie and tarnish her reputation completely.
Saniya felt no worry even if Elaine regained consciousness. She figured she just needed to slip into Stan’s car today and ensure the cameras caught her.
Saniya doubted Elaine would dare oppose her. Elaine should know opposing her meant crossing the Kensington family, a move jeopardizing her career in the entertainment world.
Saniya was basking in the satisfaction of her plan when the sound of rapid, heavy footsteps broke through her thoughts.
A swarm of bodyguards stormed in, swiftly taking control of the scene.
The crowd instinctively divided into two neat rows, making way for a tall man in a suit, who was striding toward them.
Saniya pinched her thigh sharply, forcing tears to well up and burst into pitiful sobs, feigning distress. “Stan, do you have any idea how much I’ve been through?”
Just as she was about to advance, a firm hand intercepted her, blocking her path.
Saniya was about to lash out when a cold, deep voice cut through the tension, interrupting her. “You’re searching for Stan. So, are you his partner?”
Saniya glanced up and was immediately captivated by a face so handsome that it seemed almost otherworldly. His presence was magnetic, his aura commanding. His cold, dark eyes, like endless pools, bored into hers with intensity. He was dazzlingly more attractive than Stan, his charm almost palpable.
Saniya rolled her eyes as she quickly devised a new plan. She said softly, “I’m not exactly Stan’s partner. Just an acquaintance. Sir, are you familiar with Stan?” Saniya threw Landon a shy glance as she spoke, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.
A cold, disdainful smile curved Landon’s lips. “Certainly, I’m well-acquainted with him.”
With a casual wave of his hand, the bodyguards dragged in a disheveled man.
Stan, once a force to be reckoned with in the Kensington family, was now dragged before everyone like a battered stray.
Stan bowed his head shamefully, his back hunched, and his body marred by bruises. He looked as though he had endured severe mistreatment.
Saniya let out a scream of terror and staggered a few steps backward.
Landon’s cold smile widened as he ruthlessly stepped on Stan’s hand, grinding his heel down. “I’m talking to you. Do you know this woman?”
Stan emitted a cry of pain and humiliation.
Before Stan could respond, Saniya blurted out, shaking her head frantically, “No! I don’t know him. We just happened to attend a party together. Sir, please, don’t do this. I’m so terrified.”
Saniya blinked, tears clinging to her lashes. Her once beautiful face now appeared heartbreakingly pitiful.
Just then, Leila emerged from the crowd, holding Sophie’s hand. Sophie’s cheeks were wet, her eyes red from crying.
Immediately, when Sophie saw Landon, she broke free and ran into his arms.
“Landon, everyone here is horrible. I didn’t do anything wrong, but they’re all trying to blame it on me.”
It was the first time Landon had seen Sophie cry so bitterly. Landon’s expression softened immediately. He lifted her into his arms, soothing her while casting a cold, sharp glare at everyone else.
Landon’s voice was cold as he questioned, “Who dared accuse my daughter?”
Saniya’s heart sank into her stomach. She suddenly realized that the man before her was the same one who had shared dinner with Leila a few days ago.
Sophie called this man Landon? Saniya’s face turned pale. Landon’s name was both familiar and oddly unsettling.
He had once been a formidable force in Burmoos, wielding significant influence. However, he later became entangled in a scandal involving the death of his mother and was expelled from the Kensington family.
Following that, Stan assumed control of the Kensington family.
To everyone’s surprise, Landon had returned, having not only survived but also triumphed over Stan. Even if someone tried to dredge up Landon’s old scandal, it would be a waste of time.
After all, he was back in the public eye, freely moving about Avalon. He must have cleared his name of any wrongdoing. Otherwise, the authorities wouldn’t have permitted his reappearance.