Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
I couldn’t have predicted Miss Nixon’s sudden visit.
It’s been years since she last checked on Brysen.”
“They have no blood relation, and Brysen was merely her former assistant.
Who could have foreseen her sudden concern for Brysen?” Clayton scoffed at Neal’s excuses, his lip curling with disdain.
In a burst of anger, he delivered several punishing kicks to Neal.
“You still refuse to admit your own incompetence, don’t you? Can’t you even carry out a basic task? Both Leila and I have paid you handsomely over the years.
Yet, you’re so greedy, wanting it all for yourself.
If Brysen dies by your hand in the coming years and Leila comes looking for answers, our downfall will be swift and absolute.”
Neal vehemently shook his head, his inner turmoil a tempest of resentment and defiance.
He had a contingency plan ready, but Leila’s swift actions caught him off guard.
If Clayton was serious about ending him, he would face Clayton head-on, threatening to reveal the truth to Leila.
Just as Neal steeled himself to challenge Clayton, the Morgan family butler hurried over, urgently murmuring in Clayton’s ear, “Mr. Morgan, Miss Nixon has brought people here.”
Clayton’s steely countenance dissolved into surprise.
“Why have they come? What’s the reason?”
The butler, visibly flustered, shook his head.
“They didn’t say and just barged in aggressively.
I rushed to inform you.
You should see for yourself.”
Clayton’s anxiety surged.
He turned to the others, swiftly instructing, “Hide this fool.”
Entering the living room, Clayton found Leila seated with an unmistakably displeased expression etched on her face.
Despite his nerves, he approached her with a facade of calm.
“Leila, are you okay? You seem really shaken up.
And what’s with all these people? Did something happen?”
Hearing Clayton’s voice, Leila’s head snapped up, her previously warm gaze now frosty and unyielding.
“Hand over the person,” she commanded, her tone cutting through the tense air like a shard of ice.
Clayton’s heart skipped a beat, his brow furrowing in genuine confusion.
“Leila, what’s going on? Who are you talking about?”
Leila’s eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and concern, her lower lip trembling slightly.
“Hand the person over now.
Don’t make me take matters into my own hands.”
Behind his back, Clayton’s fingers curled into a tight fist, his knuckles turning white with the effort of suppressing his emotions.
Yet, he pushed forward, his voice tinged with mock hurt and disbelief.
“Leila, I don’t know what’s going on, but you can talk to me.
Don’t we at least trust each other enough for that?”
With each word, Clayton’s voice cracked with emotion, his eyes welling up with unshed tears.
“I can’t help but notice how distant you’ve become over the years.
I’ve given up so many things, hoping we could keep our trust alive.
I have no family or friends.”
“You’re all I have.”
Caught off guard by Clayton’s vulnerability, Leila hesitated, her resolve faltering for a moment.
Was she misjudging him? Could she be too harsh?
Just as she considered her response, Clayton’s complexion turned pale, his legs trembling beneath him.
He swayed dangerously, his breath coming in uneven gasps.
The butler hurried over, steadying Clayton and swiftly administering the heart medication, the urgency palpable in his movements.
Leila, visibly surprised, observed Clayton taking the medication with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
“Didn’t the doctor say your health has been improving over the years?” she asked, her brow furrowing with worry.
The butler intervened promptly, his voice tinged with a hint of concern for Clayton’s well-being.
“Miss Nixon, I can no longer keep this from you.
Mr. Morgan’s health has never truly recovered.
Though the knife didn’t strike his heart directly, it damaged the surrounding blood vessels.
Any exertion or emotional strain could easily lead to complications.”
“Enough,” Clayton interjected firmly, feeling a slight relief from the medication, his hand gesturing for silence.
Reluctantly, the butler fell silent, closing his mouth with a troubled expression.
Clayton took a step back, his posture weary yet resolute.
“Leila, I assure you, I have done nothing to betray your trust.
If you doubt me, feel free to search this place.
I’m willing to do whatever it takes to ease your concerns.”
Finally, Leila sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping with lingering worry.
“I wasn’t trying to accuse you of anything.
Elma is missing, and I panicked, thinking she might have come to you.
You’ve always been so fond of her, and if she had any wild ideas, you might go along with them.
That’s why I came here, hoping she was with you.