Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Seeing Landon visibly upset, Cara’s voice grew gentler. “I went too far last night. Please, forgive me. I promise it won’t happen again. If you stay, I assure you we’ll make it work, and I’ll be kind to Elma.”
Landon responded with a frosty smile and said nothing.
Cara, mistaking his silence for reconciliation, cheerfully served him dinner. She paid no attention to Elma.
To Cara’s dismay, Landon passed every dish she offered him directly to Elma.
Cara’s temper flared, and she shot Elma icy glares.
Elma finally spoke. “Daddy, I really don’t like these.”
Landon’s frown deepened as he turned to Cara. “Making a child’s life difficult won’t get you anywhere.”
Cara protested, feeling misunderstood. “I’m not trying to make things hard for her. You don’t understand. She’s incredibly picky.”
Landon’s interest in his meal vanished. He dropped his utensils and announced, “I’ve lost my appetite. I’m leaving.”
Cara exclaimed, “Wait!” She rose to follow him but stopped as the butler entered, supporting a limping man.
A message from Noa: Hey there! ?? Just wanted to wish you a peaceful night. New chapters will be up on Wednesday. Remember, God loves you, and Noa is sending you the warmest wishes! (=??) /
They knelt before Cara as soon as they entered. “Miss Morgan, you must help us. We were acting on your orders, and now we’ve been exposed. You can’t abandon us now.”
After taking Leila away the previous evening, Clayton delved deep into what had transpired. Uncovering the truth only intensified his anger.
Clayton was aware that many servants remained employed due to Cara’s coercive tactics. However, he was stunned to find that some actually chose to ally themselves with her, showing loyalty by carrying out her unreasonable orders. Considering Cara’s unstable mental state, the fact that there were those willing to do as she instructed was alarming.
Consequently, Clayton made one of the men suffer a broken leg and expelled those loyal to Cara.
Following the trail, Clayton found the butler involved.
The butler was reluctant to forsake the salary and bonus of his current position.
Left with no viable alternatives, the butler turned to Cara for assistance. Despite the previous night’s thwarted scheme, it was ultimately Landon who had taken Leila away. Landon and Cara were a couple, and the butler surmised that the scheme’s failure wasn’t entirely his or the bodyguards’ fault.
Under the penetrating chill of Cara’s glare, the man shuddered, recounting the previous night’s events in painstaking detail. When he finished, he braced himself for Cara’s impatience.
Yet, unexpectedly, Cara advanced and delivered a stinging slap across his face. “Who permitted you to release her? Who?” she questioned fiercely.
His eyes widened in shock. “But… wasn’t that your command?” he stammered, pointing at Landon.
Landon, well-prepared for this moment, merely arched an eyebrow. “Yes, I took care of her release and made it seem like it was your order. You should be grateful. Continuing their mistakes would only harm you and Elma,” he retorted calmly.
Cara shook her head dismissively. “Don’t play games with me, Landon. Can you honestly swear that you intervened on my behalf? Or was it sympathy for that bitch?”
As Landon swiftly covered Elma’s ears, signaling her to leave, Cara intercepted, pulling Elma back toward her.
“Drop the act. That woman is pure trouble, and you’re no exception, always playing the victim whenever your father shows up. I’m your mother, yet you never side with me. What’s the use of keeping you around as my daughter?” Cara spat venomously at Elma.
Terrified, Elma’s tears began to flow freely.
Witnessing the scene, Landon stepped in, determined to take Elma back from Cara’s grip.
Cara, sensing Landon’s motives, grew even more incensed and doubled her efforts.
Chaos was unfolding when suddenly Clayton’s voice pierced through the turmoil. “Enough!”
Cara, taken aback by Clayton’s command, reluctantly released her grip, her cheeks burning with rage.
“Clayton,” Elma cried out, her cheeks flushed red from a slap, her arm marked with the imprints of pinches.
Clayton was somewhat frustrated with Cara. While Cara mistreating Elma in private was one thing, bullying Elma in Landon’s presence was another.
Clayton’s eyes met Landon’s, which were ablaze with a vengeful glint, and he understood Landon’s feelings. Clayton signaled for Landon to take Elma away.
With a steely gaze, Landon escorted Elma out.
Clayton then dismissed the remaining servants.
Just as Cara opened her mouth to protest, Clayton cut her off sharply. “Kneel!”
Stunned, Cara stared at him, incredulous. “Why?”
Clayton’s voice chilled with fury. “If you don’t kneel, I’ll never care for you again.”
At this, Cara didn’t hesitate and took immediate action. The Morgan family had never been fond of her. Her current standing was solely maintained by Clayton’s support. Without his backing, she would undoubtedly suffer.
Clenching her teeth tightly, Cara knelt down, tears beginning to pool in her eyes.
Doctors couldn’t identify the drug Leila had been administered, only that it was potent.
Though Leila was quickly transported to the hospital, she spiked a fever later that evening.
Clayton informed Linsey of Leila’s situation.
At that time, Linsey and Leila’s kids were deeply concerned about Leila’s abrupt disappearance.
After expressing her gratitude to Clayton, Linsey inquired about what had unfolded.
With a complex look, Clayton merely coughed and said, “You should ask her once she’s awake, but rest assured, she’s unharmed.”
Linsey and Leila’s kids hastened to the hospital. Sophie spotted the crimson marks encircling Leila’s wrists and ankles.
Sophie’s frown deepened, signaling her skepticism of Clayton’s claim that Leila was unharmed. The sight of Leila feverish and distressed drew tears from her.
After several days spent in a haze, Leila eventually stirred. Her throat was dry, and without even opening her eyes, she whispered a plea for water.
Sophie, who had been nearby, quickly handed Leila a glass of water.
After a few sips, the sharp dizziness caused by Leila’s thirst began to fade.
When Leila opened her eyes and saw Sophie’s red eyes, she froze, dazed. “Sophie, what are you doing here? Is this a dream?” A sudden memory flashed through Leila’s mind, causing her to drop the glass. It shattered against the floor as she frantically pushed Sophie away.
“You need to get out of here, Sophie! It’s not safe!” Leila exclaimed, her voice urgent.
Sophie, taken aback and assuming it was some aftereffects of Leila’s recent ordeal, responded with a frightened tone, “Mom, please, calm down. We’re safe. We’re in a hospital. Are you alright?”
The commotion drew the attention of a doctor, who intervened amidst the chaos. After some time, Leila’s agitation subsided. Unlike before, Leila didn’t stay unconscious for long and woke up again after half an hour.
Observing her surroundings with a clearer mind, Leila tenderly reached out and wiped away Sophie’s tears. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to frighten you. Please, don’t cry.” Sophie sniffled, tears in her eyes. “As long as you’re okay. I was really worried.”
Leila longed to embrace her daughter, but her strength failed her.
Once calmed, Sophie invited Linsey in.
Linsey entered the room, but did not immediately press Leila for details. Instead, she made sure Leila had something to eat first. Feeling somewhat restored, Leila then asked the children to step out of the ward.
Alone with Linsey, Leila wore a resolute expression. “Linsey, I saw Landon. It wasn’t a hallucination or a dream this time. It was actually him.”
Linsey froze, shocked. “You saw Landon? Then why did you vanish overnight? Why did Clayton bring you back? Where is Landon now? Do you realize how terrified we were when you suddenly disappeared? When they brought you here, you were feverish and delirious, and your skin was marked with red. The doctor said that if the delay had been any longer, the drugs could have endangered your heart.”
Hearing this, Leila’s heart sank. She remembered the severity of that night and knew Linsey’s words were no exaggeration. After calming down, Leila told Linsey the entire story in detail.
Linsey listened, stunned. “So, you encountered Landon at the Morgan family’s estate, and he seems to be on good terms with them? And he didn’t recognize you at all?”