Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Stella, are you trying to ruin the Hayes family’s reputation? We don’t tolerate ill-mannered behavior like yours!”
“Leila is an advisor at the Hayes Group, outranking you! How could you speak so poorly of her?”
“Stella clearly hasn’t learned from her previous reprimand by Jerome. Now, she’s causing trouble for Leila again.”
“Maybe there’s something wrong with her. We should send her to the hospital for a head check!”
Overwhelmed by the harsh criticism from her own family, Stella seethed with anger but also felt wronged. She was tempted to storm upstairs and confront Leila directly.
At the end of the hallway on the second floor was Jerome’s study. Guided by Brent, Leila felt a sense of d?j? vu, noting how similar the layout was to Roderick’s study.
“Grandpa, Leila is here,” Brent announced as he opened the door and discreetly closed it behind her after she entered.
Leila smiled and offered Jerome a polite nod in greeting.
“Come in, Leila!” Jerome welcomed her warmly. Once she was seated, he offered her some snacks. “I wasn’t sure what snacks young people prefer these days, so I had these specially prepared. Please, help yourself.”
The snacks were trendy and clearly prepared with care, bringing a delighted smile to Leila’s face as she expressed her gratitude to Jerome.
Even Brent didn’t have the privilege of such a private conversation with Jerome, making Leila even more curious about the discussions Jerome had with Roderick in the past.
“Leila, you might think I’m being generous because of Roderick, but that’s not entirely the case,” Jerome began, his tone measured. “Your skills warrant the high salary and special treatment. You’re far more capable than those worthless youngsters in my family! Do you understand what I mean?”
Leila nodded and gestured her gratitude for his appreciation, subtly hinting at her curiosity about what Roderick had told Jerome.
“I know you’re curious. No rush. I’ll explain everything,” Jerome said, signaling for her to relax. “You’re wondering about what Roderick told me before, and honestly, it’s quite simple.”
Leila’s eyes widened slightly in anticipation.
“I owe Roderick a favor, and Roderick owed your biological grandfather one,” Jerome explained, pausing to take a sip of his drink, his gaze turning thoughtful. “Your biological grandfather, whom I never met personally, saved Roderick’s life. Without his intervention, Roderick wouldn’t have survived. Does that make sense?”
Leila was stunned. She had always believed she was an orphan with no connection to any family stories.
“Roderick once saved my life as well. You know about his chronic knee injury from shrapnel, right? Well, that shrapnel was meant for me. It would have lodged in my head if Roderick hadn’t intervened.” Jerome tapped his temple thoughtfully.
“Roderick didn’t just offer me financial help when my family was struggling. He literally saved my life. So, when he asked for a favor, how could I refuse? I wouldn’t be able to face him in the afterlife if I didn’t help,” Jerome continued, his voice heavy with emotion.
Leila’s eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded in understanding.
“But…” Jerome hesitated, his tone thick with regret. “I failed in another way. I let you endure so much pain after you married Landon…”
Leila quickly gestured that it wasn’t his fault.
Jerome’s expression was clouded with guilt. “I should have been there for you. But after you married Landon, I didn’t check in on you. I didn’t ask how things were going. Even though I heard the rumors about Landon and Sarah and how people pitied you for tolerating it, I did nothing… It’s my fault.”
Leila shook her head, her gestures saying, “Marriage is complicated. You can’t blame yourself. Besides, I didn’t feel unhappy before.”
She paused and then signed that she had decided to divorce Landon, and knowing Jerome was there to support her was enough.
“What? You’re thinking of divorcing Landon?” Jerome’s eyes widened in shock.
Leila nodded but immediately regretted sharing her decision with Jerome. She knew Landon well enough to anticipate his displeasure.
However, Leila trusted Jerome to keep it confidential, and after a brief pause, she continued, her gestures saying, “I even asked for a twenty-million-dollar advance on my salary to meet Landon’s demands. He insists that if I want a divorce, I need to pay him twenty million.”
Jerome’s reaction was swift and intense. He thumped his thigh in frustration. “He’s involved in scandal after scandal, and he still has the audacity to ask you for money for a divorce? That scoundrel!”
Leila quickly grabbed Jerome’s hand, shaking her head, trying to calm him down while signing that she had been the one to choose to marry Landon.
Jerome exhaled heavily. “Fine… But you know what? Roderick entrusted Landon with your care, and he’s failed miserably! If Roderick were still alive, he’d be livid. He’s probably turning in his grave right now.”
Leila offered a wry smile, making her resolve clear that she couldn’t endure it any longer and desired a divorce.
“That’s the spirit,” Jerome responded, his support unwavering. “I’m glad you’ve made your decision, and you have my full support!”
Jerome’s gaze intensified. “There’s something else.”
Standing abruptly, Jerome walked over to his desk, rifled through a stack of papers, and pulled one out. “I’m giving you a house.”
Leila, startled, rushed over to dissuade him.
But Jerome stood firm. “No need to convince me otherwise. I promised Roderick I’d look after you, and I owe him my life. Do you think my life is worth less than a house?”
Leila, realizing Jerome’s determination, felt compelled to accept.
“You don’t owe me anything, Leila. I owe Roderick, and since he asked me to look after you, it’s as if I owe you too. Got it?”
Leila wanted to protest that it was too much, but Jerome’s insistence left her no choice but to accept his generosity with gratitude.
“Great. Once I find the right house and get it ready, you’ll get the keys. If you ever find yourself in trouble, just move in, okay?”
This generous offer was a timely solution for Leila’s looming problem. After her divorce, returning to the Kensington residence was out of the question, and her only plan had been to stay with Linsey temporarily before finding a place of her own. With Jerome’s offer, her immediate worries were eased.
However, Leila still wondered if Landon would stir up trouble for the Hayes family because of this.
Just as Leila was about to voice her concern, Jerome stood up, announcing, “Alright, let’s go down for dinner.”
With no opportunity to discuss the matter further, Leila decided to drop it for the time being.
As they descended the stairs together, the younger family members stood lined up, offering deferential greetings.
Leila, feeling a bit awkward under the sudden display of respect, instinctively stepped back.
Jerome patted her arm gently. “Relax,” he whispered.
“Tonight’s just a relaxed dinner, and yet everyone’s dressed as if it’s a grand event! Looks like you’re all in costume!” Jerome’s playful comment lightened the mood, his smile infectious.
“Grandpa, we just want to show how much we care about you,” one relative chimed in, followed by others.
“As long as it’s to your liking, that’s what matters!”
The younger family members quickly began to flatter Jerome.
But Stella, standing alone, glared at Leila, her eyes dark with jealousy.
“Grandpa!” Stella’s voice sliced through the chatter, sharp and urgent. “Leila is just pretending! Don’t be fooled by her! She’s not to be trusted!”
The room fell into a tense silence. Everyone knew Jerome favored Leila, and they recalled the last family gathering where Stella had tried to disgrace Leila, only to be slapped by Jerome.
Now, with Stella attacking Leila again, the entire family watched closely, wondering how Jerome would respond. If he sided with Stella, it would mark a significant shift in the family dynamics. But if he defended Leila, it would solidify her position even more.
The anticipation built, and just as the tension reached its peak, Jerome finally spoke.
He didn’t bother with Stella’s accusations or question her motives. Instead, he addressed her directly, “Didn’t you learn your lesson the last time?”
“Grandpa, please, let me explain…” Stella tried to defend herself.
“Grandpa, maybe you should listen to what Stella has to say,” whispered a few of Stella’s close relatives, secretly hoping she could overpower Leila for their own gain.
“Do you think I’m blind?” Jerome’s words cut through the murmur of speculation. “Am I too old to tell good from bad? Must I rely on your judgment?”
Jerome’s tone shifted to anger, a stark contrast to his earlier cheerfulness. He fixed a sharp glare on Stella. “I was planning to talk to you after dinner, but since you’ve chosen to stir up trouble now, let’s address it immediately.”
Stella’s face turned pale as she faced Jerome.