Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Do you think I’d stoop low enough to hurt them?”
Leila glanced at Elma, who was fast asleep. A bitter laugh escaped her lips, low and sharp. The audacity of him to ask such a thing. Did he truly feel no guilt?
Landon’s tone shifted when he heard her cold laughter. His tone hardened, turning icy.
“What’s with that laugh, Leila? Is that really how you see me?”
Leila had no patience for his deflections. Her voice turned steely, her words cutting like frost.
“Intentional or not, you can’t deny that Sophie ran into trouble under your watch. If you’re so sure of your innocence, prove it. Find out who’s behind this.”
Landon let out a cold, mocking laugh in response.
“Why should I prove anything to you? As long as I know the truth, that’s enough for me. I couldn’t care less what you think of me, Leila.”
His words carried a mix of challenge and bitterness, like a smoldering ember refusing to die. To Leila, it was pure provocation.
But in truth, Landon was speaking out of anger, his frustration bubbling over. Neither of them understood what the other was truly feeling.
Leila let out a sharp, bitter laugh, repeating “fine” under her breath before abruptly ending the call.
On the other end, Landon gripped his phone so tightly it was a wonder it didn’t shatter. The veins in his forearm bulged, his hand trembling from the force of his anger.
Nearby, Leo stood frozen. The tension in the room was thick, and their earlier heated exchange had been loud enough for him to hear every word-speakerphone or not. A shiver ran down his spine as he glanced at Landon.
Leo exhaled quietly, unsure who was in the right. The argument was a storm he didn’t want to step into.
Landon’s mood was written all over his face, dark and thunderous. Leo knew better than to speak, so he stood there silently, waiting for the storm to pass.
After a moment, Landon took a slow, measured breath, trying to rein in his emotions. His voice was low and sharp when he finally spoke.
“Have you found out anything?”
Leo nodded quickly, his tone cautious.
“The surveillance near the lake was accidentally malfunctioning during that time.”
The way he emphasized “accidentally” made Landon’s eyes narrow.
Landon raised an eyebrow, his expression hardening.
“Accidental, huh?” The coincidence was far too convenient. It screamed of premeditation.
“So, no solid evidence?” Landon’s voice dropped further, carrying an edge that sent another chill down Leo’s spine.
Leo swallowed hard and hurried to reply, “There is evidence. Absolutely.”
Although the surveillance near the lake had been tampered with, other cameras in the area were still operational.
Leo and his team had meticulously combed through the available footage, watching every second with unwavering focus. It wasn’t long before they spotted a suspicious figure wearing a waiter’s uniform, moving stealthily toward Sophie. The suspect’s face was obscured by a mask, but his actions were deliberate and calculated. The suspect lingered near Sophie before moving closer, making it highly likely he was the one who had pushed her into the lake.
Leo straightened up, his voice measured but resolute.
“The footage isn’t crystal clear, but it’s enough for the police to start an investigation.”
Landon responded with a low, icy laugh, his expression dark.
“Take it to the police? Do you think it’ll make a difference?” He leaned back slightly, his gaze narrowing.
“Anyone bold enough to pull a stunt like that on my turf isn’t someone ordinary. They’ve already covered their tracks.”
Leo’s brow creased with quiet intensity before he spoke again, this time letting his suspicions flow freely.
“Sure, that’s a possibility, but I still think the most likely culprit is…”
Leo trailed off, refusing to say the name outright, though the implication was clear.
“Remember, she was behind yesterday’s banquet-she arranged the entire event, down to the last detail. If she had wanted to pull something off unnoticed, it would have been easy. And the fact that the video played without anyone knowing who did it… Well, that might explain her anger.”
Landon immediately knew Leo was hinting at Lacey. He pressed his lips together in a thoughtful frown. It took him a long moment before he finally spoke, resignation evident in his tone.
“I chose her without considering everything. I knew she had conflicts with Leila and the kids, but I never dreamed she’d go this far. If she’s really behind it all, then I misjudged her.”
Leo fell silent, reading Landon’s turmoil in the tight set of his shoulders. He knew Landon had only engaged Lacey to stage a show. She was docile enough to fulfill the role. But now, the picture was shifting. Lacey’s ambition was showing through.
Even after Landon made it clear their engagement was purely a partnership-that he felt no genuine affection for her-Lacey was clearly playing a deeper game of her own.
Landon’s expression twisted in disgust, as if recalling something repellent.
“I won’t be staying here for the next few days,” he said, his voice flat.
“Don’t mention any of this to Lacey. If she comes around with questions, tell her not to get any ideas-otherwise, she’s out immediately.”
His tone made it plain: he despised Lacey.
Leo nodded silently in response.
Landon continued, “Keep up the investigation. Lacey is our prime suspect, but that doesn’t mean others aren’t involved.”
Ever since the engagement party ended the day before, Lacey had been on edge. Word was that Landon intended to find out who pushed Sophie into the lake. Yet, three days had slipped by with no new developments. That didn’t align with Landon’s usual efficiency.
Suddenly, Lacey realized she might have been framed-and worse, that Landon had already traced it back to her. Her heart clenched at the thought. If he’d traced it back to her, why wasn’t he taking immediate action?
Unable to shake the anxiety, Lacey made up a pretense to see him. She arrived at his study only to learn he hadn’t come home for days. He was living out of his office instead.
Fury and panic roiled inside Lacey.
“Why wasn’t I informed about this? Am I really so worthless that no one bothers to tell me anything?” The butler, calm in the face of her anger, offered a gentle but pointed reminder.
“These are Mr. Kensington’s orders. If you feel unfairly treated, perhaps you should think about what you’ve done. He hasn’t cast you out yet-that means he’s waiting for an apology. Mistakes can be forgiven, but persisting in them is another matter.”
Lacey’s brows drew together, a mix of indignation and unease flashing across her face.
“I haven’t done anything wrong. There’s been a misunderstanding. If you don’t believe me, fine. I’ll speak to Landon directly-he’ll believe me.”
Before Lacey could brush past him, the butler stepped in to block her way.
“I haven’t even told you anything yet. How can you be so sure what this is about?” His tone rang with doubt.
Lacey trembled, furious. She felt trapped in a bizarre web, accused of something she hadn’t done. It was her first time being framed, and it stung far worse than she ever imagined. She took a breath, not wanting to waste another moment on the butler.
“This has nothing to do with you!” she shot back, raising her voice.
“I want to speak to Landon. Not you.”
The butler responded with an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry, but Mr. Kensington believes this is a delicate time. He’d prefer you remain at home and refrain from going out.”
A chill ran through Lacey.
“So, he won’t even give me a chance to explain?”
The butler offered no further explanation, only a polite gesture indicating she should leave.