Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Grandpa, I…”
But it was too late.
Jerome’s voice thundered. “You orchestrated an arson at a bookstore, nearly causing Leila’s death, didn’t you? And you spread rumors online about Leila having an affair with Brent behind Landon’s back. You think I don’t know? You think I don’t have proof?”
After Jerome finished speaking, even Leila was taken aback, her eyes wide with shock.
Her mind raced with questions. How did Jerome know all this? How had he discovered that Stella was behind the arson and slander? Had he been investigating on his own? Or had it been Jerome, not Brent, who had dealt with the rumors online?
Leila stared at Jerome in disbelief, overwhelmed by the possibilities.
Meanwhile, Stella was terrified. Her face paled, and she gasped, her eyes wide with fear and guilt. She fumbled for words. “Grandpa, who told you this? None of it’s true! I didn’t do any of…”
“Who told me?” Jerome’s anger intensified. “I have evidence! Do you think I’m just an old fool who can’t tell right from wrong? I had it investigated!”
With each word, Stella became more flustered.
“Corey!” Jerome called out to the butler. “Go to my study and bring the file bag from my desk.”
Corey Munoz, the butler, immediately hurried upstairs.
Stella’s complexion turned ghostly pale. She knew even an apology would be useless now. Knowing Jerome’s temper, she could already see her future crumbling before her. Her only hope was to somehow prove the evidence false.
“Grandpa, if you don’t believe me, ask Leila!” Stella cried out, trying to shift the focus. “Does she really think I’m capable of such things? She’s slandering me because I’m friends with Sarah!”
Mentioning Sarah caused the other members of the Hayes family to perk up with curiosity.
“Leila, can you prove it was me?” Stella asked, her voice filled with fake confidence, though inside she was trembling.
She guessed that Leila might have gathered evidence but hoped there was still a chance her actions had gone unnoticed.
Stella pointed a trembling finger at Leila, her eyes pleading with Jerome, tears streaming down her cheeks. To the uninformed, she might have looked like a victim.
But Jerome was not one to be swayed by such an act. His sharp gaze turned to Leila, softening slightly as he asked, “Do you believe she’s guilty?”
The room’s attention shifted to Leila.
Stella’s glare held a mix of threats and warnings, silently daring Leila to betray her. Stella was already planning to run to Sarah, confident that Sarah would twist the story to Landon. Then, Landon would punish Leila.
But Leila no longer cared about Landon’s reaction. Her resolve was unshakable. She gestured to Jerome that she hadn’t gathered specific evidence herself, but Stella’s hostility since their first meeting spoke volumes.
Jerome translated Leila’s gestures for the room and then declared firmly, “Leila is my distinguished guest. I will personally investigate anything concerning her. Stella, you will answer for your actions.”
Stella trembled. She realized too late that Leila had ignored her silent threats, leaving her fate sealed.
Corey soon returned with a satchel of documents.
“Dustin, come here!” Jerome called out to Stella’s father.
Dustin’s face drained of color. His body shook as he stepped forward, unable to refuse Jerome.
“Read them aloud, for everyone to hear!” Jerome ordered.
Despite the late hour, no one dared mention dinner. Everyone remained focused.
Dustin’s voice quivered as he began reading. “The… the fire at the bookstore… The police report states…”
“Louder!” Jerome barked. “Or have you lost your voice from hunger?”
Dustin, terrified, raised his voice.
The documents painted a clear picture. Even those unaware of the details quickly understood.
The arsonists, hired thugs, had been caught. Their testimonies matched: they were hired by Stella’s assistant.
The assistant had been questioned and quickly confessed, providing records of messages and bank transactions from Stella. Texts and audio recordings even revealed Stella instructing her assistant to commit the crime.
The investigation also exposed Stella’s role in hiring cyberbullies to defame Leila and Brent.
With all the evidence laid bare, Dustin was furious. “How could I have raised a daughter like you? Did you inherit this wickedness from your mother?”
Dustin had remarried after a divorce, and Stella was his daughter from that previous marriage.
“Dad, please, help me. I know I’ve made terrible mistakes…” Stella pleaded.
But Dustin remained unmoved. “You’re an adult, not a child. It’s time to face the consequences.”
With a new family to consider, including his young son, Dustin could not afford to cross Jerome. Protecting Stella would jeopardize their future.
“Leila! Please, I’m begging you!” Stella turned to Leila in desperation.
Stella leaned in, her voice trembling with sincerity. “I admit my faults, and I know you’re a good person. Could you forgive me? I’ll tell you all of Sarah’s secrets! I’ll help you separate her from Landon!”
Leila instinctively stepped back, her gaze fixed on Stella from a distance. Once, such an offer might have tempted her, but those days were gone. She no longer cared about who Landon was with.
“Grandpa, are we certain the evidence isn’t faked?” At that moment, Stella wasn’t entirely alone. A few individuals still dared to speak in her defense. “Grandpa, this evidence seems like hearsay-“
“Ridiculous!” Jerome snapped, glaring at the defenders. “Do you know who brought this evidence forward? Landon!”
A stunned silence enveloped the room.
Although Landon was Leila’s husband, no one dared question his integrity or suggest that he would fabricate evidence against Stella just to protect Leila. After all, it was common knowledge that Landon and Leila weren’t on the best terms.
Upon learning that Landon was behind the evidence, Leila was surprised. Had Landon foreseen today’s events? She recalled the complex expression in his eyes when she mentioned attending the Hayes family dinner. Now she realized she had misunderstood him.
“Grandpa, regardless, Stella is still your granddaughter, part of the Hayes family. Since she’s acknowledged her mistake, shouldn’t we give her a chance to make amends?” a woman said, still advocating for Stella.
Now, only one person remained by Stella’s side-this woman, who was a distant relative linked to the Hayes family solely through Stella. Without Stella, her ties to the family would be severed.
“She orchestrated a fire, and you suggest we give her a chance to correct her actions?” Jerome snorted dismissively. “She tried to take someone’s life! If you’re so eager to defend her, maybe you should serve her sentence!”
At Jerome’s words, the woman lost all courage to defend Stella further.
Jerome’s voice broke the tense silence. “Let me make this clear. Leila is now my sworn granddaughter. I will safeguard her with everything I have. Anyone who crosses her, crosses me.”
Jerome turned his attention to Leila, his voice firm but encouraging. “Leila, remember, no matter who tries to bring you down in the future, you can always turn to me for help.”
His words not only reassured Leila but also served as a public declaration of his unwavering support.
As Jerome concluded, the atmosphere in the room shifted noticeably. Everyone’s gaze on Leila transformed from mere curiosity about her background to outright respect and admiration.
It was rare for Jerome to publicly display such affection for anyone in the family, even Brent, whom he had occasionally praised for his professional skills. Now, he was openly showing warmth toward Leila, marking a first in his life.
Turning to Stella’s father, Jerome spoke solemnly, “Dustin, now that I’ve made my stance clear, how do you propose we handle your daughter’s situation?”
Without hesitation, Dustin responded, “She is no daughter of mine!”
His words signaled that he wouldn’t jeopardize his and his son’s future to save Stella.
“Dad! How could you?” Stella cried, bursting into tears, but Dustin sternly pushed her aside. “You have the nerve to speak after what you’ve done? Your grandfather was right-you’re a menace to society!” He pulled out his phone. “I’m calling the police right now. You’re going straight to jail! I’m done trying to discipline you. Let jail be your teacher!”
With Stella ousted from the Hayes family, the family banquet officially commenced.
Almost immediately, a crowd converged around Leila. Each face bore either a genuine or sycophantic smile as they warmly greeted her. Some even attempted to speak in sign language, eager to impress.