Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Saniya trembled for a brief moment but quickly steeled herself. She shouted at Griffin with defiance, “What the hell is this? Why am I here?”
Griffin’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “I had my suspicions, but now they are confirmed. You’ve been working with Leila all along. You traitorous wretch! Haven’t we treated you well enough? And this is how you repay us? You thought you could betray us and get away with it?”
Saniya’s eyes widened in shock. How had they found out so quickly? But she wasn’t ready to give up. “Yes, I’ve worked with Leila, but I didn’t betray the Perry family. You need proof. You can’t just throw accusations without evidence.”
Griffin sneered, “You want proof? Fine. I’ll show them to you. But until then, you’ll stay here. I’m in no rush. We’ll talk about your release when you’re ready to confess and admit.”
Saniya’s face drained of color as Griffin turned to leave. “Griffin! Please!”
She began with furious curses, but her voice soon turned into desperate pleas.
Griffin found Ernesto waiting outside the dungeon, Ernesto’s face drawn with anger as he sat in his wheelchair.
“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with her,” Griffin muttered.
Ernesto’s fists clenched, his chest heaving with rage. “Damn Saniya! If not for her, none of this would have happened.”
Griffin’s gaze flickered subtly. “Saniya is responsible for this mess. She must face the consequences. Dad, how should we handle Anna?”
Griffin and Ernesto had already investigated thoroughly. Anna had acted irrationally that day because someone had laced her food with drugs.
Under normal circumstances, Anna could manage her behavior, but the drugs overwhelmed her.
It was evident that the drugs originated from Leila. Yet, surveillance footage definitively showed Saniya administering the drugs to Anna.
Ernesto and Griffin were unsure of the advantages Leila offered Saniya to compel her into such reckless action.
Ernesto and Griffin were swamped with pressing issues that needed addressing. The news was bound to break, risking police involvement at any moment. Additionally, they needed to placate the families of affluent guests who had been injured or killed on the island. This obligation would consume a substantial part of their accrued wealth. Their frustration was understandable.
Ernesto inhaled deeply, and a stern expression crossed Griffin’s face.
Griffin said, “Dad, I suggest letting Saniya or Anna take the fall. To the outsiders, you are the elder, and I am barely an adult. What could we possibly pull off? Those who have supported us previously, reaping benefits, would not desire our imprisonment. After all, the technology remains with us alone.”
After pondering, Ernesto agreed, seeing merit in Griffin’s proposal.
Ernesto regarded Griffin warmly, his sigh reflecting mixed emotions. “You’ve proven to be the most sensible among us. Had I realized this sooner, I would have dedicated more time to your development. Work diligently, and you will be my successor.”
Griffin nodded, his smile beaming.
However, as Ernesto departed, Griffin’s smile disappeared, replaced by a scornful expression. He spat toward the path Ernesto had taken, his features hardening with resentment. He understood that Ernesto viewed him merely as a tool.
Ernesto had seized Leila, intending to use her child for his rejuvenation.
Although that scheme failed, Ernesto certainly had other options in mind.
Griffin realized he must act swiftly to avoid perpetual subservience.
Griffin’s thoughts darkened with murderous intent. Weeks passed, during which Leila’s and Landon’s health markedly improved.
Leila was finally able to meet her babies. Her premature babies appeared significantly smaller compared to other children.
A wave of sadness washed over Leila. “Sophie’s birth was a matter of life and death, yet she was healthy at birth. I’m concerned about how prematurity might affect these two little ones. It’s actually my fault. Had I been in better health, perhaps things would have turned out differently.”
Landon hugged Leila, comforting her. “It’s fine. We’re together now. As long as we live, we will find solutions. Should any health issues arise with our babies, I will ensure they see the best doctors.”
Leila grasped Landon’s hand, feeling a rough patch.
Following the recent ordeal, Landon had barely escaped death, his body scarred with wounds. Yet, he was unconcerned.
Leila’s fingers traced over Landon’s scabbed wounds, her heart heavy with sorrow. She lifted her head and smiled softly.
“Have you considered names for our babies?”
Landon thought for a while. “What if we name the boy Calvin Nixon and the girl Chloe Nixon?”
This took Leila by surprise. “Will they both take my last name?”
Landon tenderly kissed Leila’s forehead. “You endured much to bring them into this world. It’s only fair they have your last name. Leila, such details matter little to me. My only wish is to be with you indefinitely.”
Leila felt deeply touched. She had been confused before. She had suggested they remarry, yet Landon had not discussed changing Sophie’s last name. Now, she realized the reason.
Suddenly, Leila sensed a chilling, hostile stare. She turned around but saw no one.
“What’s wrong?” Landon inquired. “Did you see someone suspicious?”
Leila shook her head. “No, it might just be PTSD from escaping that dreadful place. I sometimes feel like I’m being watched.”
Feeling uneasy still, Leila proposed, “Once the babies are stable, we should leave. We need to return home. Sophie is missing us.”
Landon nodded and embraced Leila warmly.
At that moment, Clayton entered the room, observing them with a sense of bitterness. He cleared his throat to interrupt. “Sorry to intrude, but there’s something important I need to discuss.”
Shy, Leila tried to pull away from Landon’s embrace, but he held on firmly.
Holding Leila closer, Landon faced Clayton and nodded slightly. “What’s the matter?”
Clayton began summarizing the critical details. He explained that Ernesto and Griffin had scapegoated someone.
At a press conference, Ernesto and Griffin accused Saniya, with Ernesto tearfully portraying her as a pitiful figure he had adopted and raised like his own daughter.
Ernesto claimed to have supported Saniya’s desires unconditionally, aware of her extravagant spending but never questioning the purpose. He said he never anticipated her using the funds for such heinous acts.
Beside Ernesto, Griffin displayed a mock mix of youthful confusion and helplessness, visibly upset by the reporters’ probing.
This disclosure triggered a worldwide uproar. The experiments exposed were not just unethical but also against the law.
Many branded Saniya a public enemy, while only a few doubted Griffin’s and Ernesto’s innocence.
Ernesto, at seventy, dependent on a wheelchair, and Griffin, resembling an innocent student, seemed unlikely culprits.
Some people demanded Saniya’s arrest and capital punishment, whereas others called for psychological support for Griffin and Ernesto, considering the psychological impact on them..
Normal individuals would deem such scenarios unacceptable.
Clayton, enraged, clenched his teeth. “How could they escape punishment for their wicked actions? I will submit all my evidence to the authorities. They won’t get off easily this time!”
Leila sighed deeply and shook her head. “It’s futile. Even with undeniable evidence, it likely won’t change anything.”
Since Griffin and Ernesto had dared to lie to the public, scapegoating Saniya, Leila knew they had everything meticulously planned.
Furthermore, Ernesto and Griffin had been acting so boldly for years, as if no one could ever touch them. Leila doubted the local government hadn’t noticed anything suspicious. The fact that the Perry family had remained untouched for so long suggested they’d struck a deal with the authorities in the local government.
“If we hand over the evidence now, we’ll only tip them off, giving Griffin and Ernesto time to retaliate,” Leila said, her voice steady but grim.
Clayton listened to her analysis, frustration building in his chest. “So we just sit back and let them get away with it?”
Leila shook her head, her expression thoughtful. “Of course not. We shouldn’t act recklessly and better let them think we’re powerless. After all, they can’t stay abroad forever. Once they return to Avalon, that’s when we’ll strike. But first, we need to gather more concrete evidence. A witness would be ideal.”
Clayton raised an eyebrow, perplexed. “A witness? You mean you and my sister?”
Leila shook her head. Outsiders wouldn’t do the trick. They needed someone from within their inner circle, like an internal staff member. She remained silent, casting a meaningful look at Landon.
Instantly grasping her message, Landon flashed a knowing smile. “I got it. Relax. I won’t let Saniya die.”