Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
After a moment of thought, Landon sent an investigation report about the fire incident directly to the Hayes family.
Meanwhile, Brent had already seen the swirling rumors and sent Leila a text, assuring her that the public relations department was handling it and she had nothing to worry about. He even offered to speak with Landon to clear things up.
However, after a moment of consideration, Leila responded that there was no need for him to explain anything to Landon. She didn’t elaborate, finding it difficult to explain her reasoning. Leila assumed that Landon, accustomed to rumors and gossip, wouldn’t be concerned with such a trivial issue.
Focusing back on her work, Leila was preparing for an important day at the Hayes Group. It was the first time they were receiving clients, and while she had opted not to attend personally due to her inability to speak, she didn’t want to risk tarnishing the company’s image. Instead, she had Irene and other colleagues handle the negotiations.
However, Irene returned shortly with a concerned look. “Leila, we have a problem. The clients are insisting on meeting with you.”
Leila was surprised and gestured for more details.
“They have some concerns about the details…” Irene explained, handing Leila the documents. “These points weren’t addressed properly.”
Leila scanned the documents, realizing that she had overlooked some key issues. The clients were sharp, having quickly identified the gaps. It made sense why Irene and the team had struggled to handle it.
Leila gestured that she would join them in the meeting room.
“Leila, are you sure you don’t want to take a moment?” Irene asked, startled by Leila’s swift decision.
Leila shook her head. No further delay was necessary.
Though the documents were incomplete, Leila had all the answers mapped out in her mind.
Upon entering the meeting room, Leila greeted the clients with a nod.
“This is Leila. She has vocal cord issues and cannot speak, but she understands everything perfectly,” Irene explained. “I’ll be interpreting her sign language for the meeting.”
Leila stood beside Irene, offering a polite smile, though she felt a pang of nervousness. She feared she might not live up to the Hayes Group’s expectations.
However, the clients returned her smile warmly.
“We’re quite familiar with Leila’s impressive work,” one of them said.
“Yes, her restoration work at Hayden’s studio is widely known!” another added.
Leila was pleasantly surprised by their recognition.
As she offered a grateful smile, one of the clients spoke up again. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do! Will you uphold Hayden’s reputation or diminish it?”
Leila was used to doubters by now, and she remained composed, though Irene beside her bristled with irritation. “You…” Irene started, but Leila gently stopped her. They were representing the Hayes Group, and maintaining professionalism was crucial.
With a warm, inviting smile, Leila turned to the clients, ready to clear up any confusion.
Irene translated Leila’s sign language. “Let me explain something important. The process of restoring calligraphic and painted works depends on whether the material is suitable for mounting and the extent of the damage. If the piece has deteriorated too much, mounting isn’t possible, and we must use other techniques.”
The clients had been confused by some ambiguous instructions in the documents, but as Leila clarified through Irene’s translation, their understanding grew.
One of the clients exclaimed, “Oh, now I get it! I thought maybe you overlooked something, but now it’s clear that you’re quite knowledgeable!”
Leila maintained her professional smile as she signed, “I represent the Hayes Group, and it’s my duty to uphold our integrity.”
After Irene translated, the client looked at Leila with newfound respect. “I must admit, you’ve completely changed my perception of the Hayes Group!”
“How so?” came an unexpected voice from the door. It was none other than Jerome.
Leila grinned at him, then Jerome turned to the client. “Please, tell me more.”
The client and Jerome seemed to be old acquaintances, and after a warm greeting, the client quickly praised Leila. “Jerome, I heard you paid top dollar to bring Leila on as an advisor. At first, I thought she was just for show, with no real expertise.”
Jerome burst into laughter. “When have I ever done something like that? You think so little of me, huh?”
“Sorry about that. I owe you a drink next time!” the client, though older, seemed almost like a junior in Jerome’s presence. “Having seen Leila’s skills today, I must say, you’ve got an excellent eye, Jerome!”
Jerome beamed at the compliment, and Leila, standing quietly, couldn’t help but feel gratified. Proving her worth, especially after facing so much skepticism, felt more rewarding than being admired for her status or appearance.
After seeing the clients off, Jerome praised Leila again. “I knew it… Roderick really thought highly of you! Why else would he specifically tell me to look after you?”
Leila’s curiosity was piqued. She signed to Jerome, asking, “What exactly did Roderick tell you? Can you share it with me?”
Jerome paused, considering her question before responding, “Why don’t you come to my place for dinner? I’ll tell you everything then.”
Without hesitation, Leila nodded in agreement.
Jerome instructed his butler to give Leila the time and address, then left.
Leila assumed the dinner was a mere formality, something casual. She didn’t expect it to be significant, so she decided not to tell Landon about it when she got home. However, upon reflection, she realized it was better to mention it, just to avoid misunderstandings.
When Leila told Landon about the dinner, his brow furrowed. “Will you be going alone?”
Leila nodded, explaining that Jerome hadn’t mentioned bringing anyone along.
Landon’s expression darkened. “It’s this Saturday, right?”
When she confirmed, Landon’s face grew more serious, as though he wanted to say something but held back.
Leila assumed he was irritated about her going out alone again, but she didn’t give it much thought. Landon’s opinions were becoming less relevant to her day by day.
However, when Saturday came and Leila arrived at the Hayes residence, she was caught off guard. What she expected to be a quiet dinner was actually a grand family banquet.
Leila had worn a simple black dress, thinking it appropriate for a casual dinner. But in the midst of the glamorous Hayes women, her outfit stood out for all the wrong reasons.
Stella was the first to notice her and immediately erupted into laughter. “Look at this! Who let this country bumpkin in? Dressed like that, she must have lost her way!”
“She’s mute, so she must be slow too, judging by her outfit!”
“Poor Mr. Kensington, no wonder he looks elsewhere for company. If I had this useless thing at home, I’d avoid coming back too!”
Stella’s cruel remarks encouraged the other relatives to join in, mocking Leila.
“Someone escort her out! Where are the security guards? How did she even get in here?”
“Jerome invited Leila personally. What’s your problem with that?” Stella and her group were interrupted by a sudden voice. It was Brent, descending the staircase.
Brent clearly held a significant position within the younger generation of the Hayes family. The room fell silent the moment he appeared.
His statement hit like a bombshell. Leila was personally invited by Jerome. Everyone suddenly remembered that Jerome had brought Leila on as an advisor for the Hayes Group, offering her a generous salary.
The crowd that had been mocking Leila moments earlier now turned pale, quickly distancing themselves from Stella. Some even began to cast scornful looks her way.
Isolated and exposed, Stella’s expression soured as the silence around her grew.
Ignoring her discomfort, Brent walked toward Leila. “My grandpa is waiting for you. Let’s head to the study first.”
At Brent’s words, the room was filled with shock and awe. Jerome was waiting for Leila and had invited her to the study. The younger generation had no right to keep Jerome waiting, and very few had the privilege of speaking with him alone in his study.
“Could she be dating Brent?” someone whispered once Leila had left.
“That’s ridiculous! She’s Landon’s wife!” another retorted.
“Ah, so she’s favored because she’s Mrs. Kensington.”
“But aren’t Landon and Leila having issues? I’ve heard rumors that he’s been seen with other women quite often.”
As the realization dawned that Jerome held Leila in high regard, the crowd turned on Stella.