Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Fine,” Jeanette replied, lowering her head, no longer pressing the issue.
As Lacey held Jeanette’s hand, preparing to leave, a mocking voice sliced through the air.
“What is that woman doing blocking the entrance? Why doesn’t she just go in and buy something?”
“She’s obviously poor. If she had any money, she would have gone inside by now. So pitiful.”
“Just look at her! She doesn’t even know how to dress properly. She looks like she’s from the countryside, probably clueless about how expensive these clothes are.”
“That was hilarious, ha-ha.”
The mocking laughter cut through the air like a knife, igniting a fire of anger within Lacey.
For an unknown reason, Lacey’s imagination went wild. In her mind, Leila stood before her, elegantly dressed, radiating grace and confidence. Leila’s expression was laced with provocation and sarcasm. “How pitiful. Did you really think you could compete with me? Just look at yourself. It’s no wonder Landon isn’t interested in you. He will never like you.”
The anger in Lacey’s heart surged like a tidal wave, threatening to drown her rational thoughts.
Suddenly, Jeanette cried out in pain, pulling Lacey back to reality.
Looking at Lacey with wide, aggrieved eyes, Jeanette said, “Lacey, my hand really hurts.” Only then did Lacey realize she had been gripping Jeanette’s hand far too tightly.
“I’m sorry, Jeanette.” A flicker of unease crossed Lacey’s face, but it quickly faded, replaced by fierce determination. “Let’s go in for some clothes.” After saying that, Lacey guided Jeanette inside. The sales staff immediately noticed Lacey the moment she walked in.
The prominent brand’s smooth development was largely due to its unwavering commitment to sales quality. Thus, no one judged a person based on appearances. Even though Lacey’s outfit was simply put together, likely costing no more than two hundred dollars, the staff greeted her warmly. “Miss, what style catches your eye? We have some fresh designs here. Would you like to take a look?”
Lacey felt a flutter of discomfort, sensing the strange, prying gazes around her. Clearing her throat, she replied, “Thanks. I’ll just look around on my own. Please don’t follow me.”
The staff nodded and responded politely, “Just call us if you need anything.”
The store was expansive, filled with a dazzling array of clothes that nearly overwhelmed Lacey. Her heart raced, excitement bubbling up inside her. So, this was what the world of the wealthy looked like.
Lacey couldn’t help but wonder if Leila regularly splurged Landon’s money on clothes from this very store every day.
Seething with indignation, Lacey grabbed a stack of garments and marched off in search of a fitting room.
When she tried to enter what appeared to be an unoccupied changing room, a store attendant quickly intercepted her.
“Miss, I apologize, but this suite is reserved for our exclusive VIP customers. The standard fitting rooms are just across there,” the attendant explained politely.
Although the statement was meant to be courteous, it caused Lacey to blush with embarrassment.
Clutching the clothes tightly, Lacey muttered through gritted teeth, “I was just curious to see what it looked like inside.”
Noticing her discomfort, the attendant softened her tone. “Would you like me to show you to one of the regular fitting rooms?”
“No need,” Lacey replied, her voice tight with restrained frustration.
The attendant gave a small, understanding smile and stepped aside, allowing Lacey to walk away.
Lacey had only taken a few steps when the sound of the changing room door opening and footsteps following her made her instinctively turn around.
An elderly man in a black coat emerged-seemingly ordinary but with a gaze that was nothing short of formidable.
He wasn’t alone. A group of people in black suits accompanied him, treating him with the utmost respect.
The attendant, who had been helping Lacey moments before, now approached the man with a respectful smile, signaling his prominent status.
Lacey watched, her expression subtly changing as she stood still, her gaze locked on the man instead of retreating to the fitting room.
When the man sensed Lacey’s gaze, he glanced over. Their eyes met in a moment that sent a shiver down her spine, as if she’d been plunged into icy water.
Once his gaze shifted away, Lacey drew a sharp breath, as if surfacing for air. The man’s gaze had been chilling. Jeanette, standing beside Lacey, seemed equally disturbed. “Lacey, that man is terrifying. Can we leave?” Jeanette muttered.
Lacey steadied herself, her eyes narrowing with determination that felt as cold as ice. “No, we’re not leaving. Jeanette, this could change our fortunes. I won’t let this opportunity slip away. It’s time they realize we’re not to be underestimated,” she declared firmly.
Jeanette looked at her in confusion.
Lacey mentally counted down the seconds. Three. Two. One.
At zero, the disturbance erupted exactly as Lacey had predicted.
Those clustered around the man quickly scattered, trying to clear everyone else out of the store. Their faces were tight with stress, some whispering urgently into their phones as they dialed.
Feeling the sweat on her palms, Lacey took a deep breath to steady herself and then pushed boldly through the chaos. “Please, make way. I’m a doctor. Let me see if I can help,” she declared, her voice cutting through the turmoil.
Lacey’s initial suspicions were confirmed. The man’s pale, strained face and the laborious way he moved suggested a severe, possibly chronic heart condition, one that seemed close to culminating in a crisis.
Having noticed the man’s discomfort and the likelihood of an impending episode, Lacey decided to remain silent for the moment. She calculated that her presence would be more effective if she acted precisely when his condition peaked, potentially altering the outcome significantly.
As luck would have it, Lacey’s intuition proved correct, and she was able to intervene just as she had anticipated.
Under her vigilant care, the man’s eyelids slowly fluttered open.
Remarkably composed, even after his recent episode, the man fixed Lacey with a steady, enigmatic gaze. “You’ve saved my life,” he said quietly.
With a subdued sense of triumph, Lacey nodded, maintaining her cool demeanor.
The man immediately handed her his business card. “I am indebted to you. Name your price,” he said.
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Lacey’s heart thudded audibly as she examined the sleek, black card trimmed in gold. Despite the rush of emotions, she remained unfazed, casually slipping the card into her bag as though it were an afterthought.
The man’s entourage quickly escorted him away.
Once inside his car, the man allowed himself a deep breath, visibly relaxing.
Outside, a disheartened group knelt, their faces pale.
The man surveyed them with a frosty glare before slowly and deliberately scolding, “Your negligence has not only caused me to have an episode in broad daylight, but it has also led to public humiliation. Your incompetence is unforgivable.”
As he finished speaking, the collective emotion of the group teetered on the edge of despair. They apologized repeatedly, their gestures a silent testament to their remorse. “Sir, we take full responsibility. We made a serious mistake, and it won’t happen again. Please, have mercy on us.”
The man sneered curtly, his gaze shifting away with clear impatience. “Kill them.”
His terse command sealed the fate of the entire group in an instant. A hushed silence fell over the scene. None dared to voice opposition, their acceptance of their fate evident in their defeated postures.
Inside the vehicle, the man’s trusted subordinate maintained a careful distance and ventured a cautious observation. “Sir, that woman seemed to be observing you from the start. By her expressions, she was well aware of your condition. She delayed her intervention until your situation worsened, exacerbating your suffering unnecessarily. Perhaps we should consider…”
The man emitted a cold, mocking chuckle. “Do you think she escaped my notice? She may project an air of indifference, yet her ambitions are obvious. I allowed her to live and even offered her my business card because I recognized her medical expertise. She believes she’s manipulating the game, but she’s just another piece in it. We’ll keep her close. She may prove valuable.”
The subordinate nodded, understanding the calculated decision. “Understood.”
Meanwhile, Lacey was making her way home when she found Landon exiting a room. He was clearly upset, leaning against the doorframe that led to the balcony.
The light behind him elongated his figure, enhancing his aristocratic presence. Even in his thirties, he maintained a striking profile that could still leave anyone breathless. Landon lit a cigarette, the smoke swirling around him, accentuating his cool, detached demeanor.
At the sight, Lacey’s heart fluttered, but she chose not to greet him. Instead, she took her recent purchases to her room. She had bought a set of clothes and shoes. They fit her, though they made her feel slightly awkward.
She checked her reflection, finding herself pretty, her composed demeanor adding an air of elegance. The dress made her look even more attractive.
It was clear that the right outfit could completely change someone’s presence.
Lacey adjusted her attire, her reflection smiling back at her, offering silent encouragement. Mentally steadying herself, she took tentative steps in her high heels, the unfamiliar height adding a grace to her movements.