Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Gritting her teeth, Lacey stormed off, frustration twisting in her chest. As Lacey headed down the corridor, the sound of hushed gossip drifted into her ears.
“Did you hear what happened last night? Sophie fell into the lake.”
“I did. It was terrible-poor thing nearly drowned.”
“Word is, someone pushed her in on purpose.”
“I heard they tried to keep her underwater… Could’ve killed her if she wasn’t rescued.”
“Rumor has it, poison was put out on Sophie and Calvin’s table, too.” The servants’ chatter grew ever more lurid, rumor piling on rumor. Lacey, unable to stand it any longer, was about to intervene when she heard them continue.
“Whoever did this must have a twisted mind. They could end up behind bars for something so cruel.”
“Don’t you know? That woman can’t wait to get rid of those three children so she can have her own.”
They didn’t speak Lacey’s name, but the message was loud and clear.
Lacey couldn’t stand it anymore. She swept into the room, her eyes blazing.
“Stop spewing such garbage!” she snapped, lifting her chin defiantly.
“How dare you spread these lies? Are you all begging to be thrown out of here?”
The servants went rigid. Nobody had counted on Lacey overhearing them, but they weren’t entirely afraid. They all understood Landon’s stance-Lacey had been grounded within the estate’s walls. Worse yet, rumor had it that Landon believed Lacey was behind Sophie’s plunge into the lake at the banquet.
Panic laced Lacey’s voice as she tried to keep her composure.
“I may not like them, but only a fool would launch an attack in front of the public. Everyone would know it was me. I wouldn’t be that reckless. And for heaven’s sake, they’re children!”
Lacey’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but the servants only stared back, their skepticism a stark, unwavering wall that refused to let her in.
Lacey’s past conduct had already stained her name. At this point, nobody in the manor liked her-except for the staff she had personally hired. The rest avoided direct confrontation out of fear for her status, yet today, these few servants made no effort to hide their vengeful chatter. It was payback, pure and simple.
Lacey watched them, anger burning in her eyes, realizing she could do nothing. After all, Sophie really had been hurt the previous evening, and every suspicious gaze fell squarely on Lacey.
Feeling her resolve crumble, Lacey let out a hollow, almost eerie laugh.
“Is that it?” she sneered through clenched teeth.
“You all believe I did it? Fine. Think whatever you want.”
Lacey’s voice dripped with despair and venom as she turned on her heel. She stalked away, her eyes sparking with a bone-chilling malice. Any pretense out of politeness felt futile now.
A week later, Leila returned to Avalon with Elma, who had largely regained her strength. Although Sophie had caught a mild cold the day after her plunge into the lake, it wasn’t severe. A few days of rest had her back on her feet in no time.
One crisp morning, Sophie and Calvin stood patiently at the airport. From afar, they spotted Leila approaching with Elma in tow, both radiating joy. Elma, in particular, seemed a whirlwind of energy. She sprinted toward Sophie and Calvin, her voice ringing out with excitement.
“Calvin! Sophie! I’m back!”
Elma’s usual frail demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Sophie, accustomed to Elma’s delicate appearance, was momentarily taken aback by her vibrant spirit. Her initial reaction was muted, processing the surprising transformation before her. Yet, Sophie’s body reacted faster than her mind. Instinctively, she dashed forward, sweeping Elma into a warm embrace.
Elma’s playful pigtails bounced with each step, her head tilting in a way that made her look irresistibly adorable.
“Sophie, did you miss me?” Seeing Elma genuinely recover tightened Sophie’s throat. Sophie nodded slowly, her voice wavering with heartfelt emotion.
“Of course I did. I thought about you every single day.”
Elma stuck out her tongue teasingly.
“I don’t believe it,” she retorted, though her grip on Sophie’s arm remained warm and steadfast.
Calvin approached, a broad smile lighting up his face as he gently patted Elma’s head.
“Look at you! Even after being sick for a while, you’ve sprouted so much taller. Must’ve been diligently following the doctor’s orders and taking your medicine like a little hero.”
Elma puffed out her cheeks in mock indignation.
“Calvin, that’s just not true! I’ve always been the perfect girl. I’m not afraid of any medicine.”
Feigning exasperation, Calvin raised his hands in playful surrender.
“Really? Then who used to throw a fit at the mere mention of medicine, acting like it was the end of the world?”
Annoyed, Elma turned her attention back to Sophie, her frustration evident.
“See, Sophie? Calvin teases me again. Let’s not entertain him.” Sophie mirrored Elma’s playful glare, her eyes shimmering with genuine happiness.
Watching her children interact so effortlessly filled Leila with a profound sense of contentment. Any lingering regrets seemed to dissolve in the warmth of the moment.
“Alright,” Leila said, stepping forward with a gentle smile. She softly ruffled the heads of her three children, her touch imbued with tenderness and affection.
“Let’s go home and enjoy a lovely gathering together.”
Word of Leila’s return to the country spread swiftly.
In the shadowed confines of a dimly lit office, Landon lounged nonchalantly in a plush leather chair. His striking features remained impassive, cloaked by the darkness that enveloped him. Yet, whenever his thoughts drifted to Leila, a fleeting emotion shimmered in his eyes.
With a deliberate motion, Landon pressed a button on his console.
Instantly, the large screen before him sprang to life, displaying footage from the airport. There stood Leila, alongside Elma, Sophie, and Calvin, all beaming with genuine joy. Leila, in particular, radiated an unguarded happiness that seemed to pierce through the room’s gloom. His engagement to Lacey appeared barely to dent Leila’s vibrant spirit-it was unmistakable.
The memory of Sophie’s harrowing fall into the lake surfaced. In the aftermath, Leila had called him, her voice sharp with reprimand and suspicion. Yet, intriguingly, she had never mentioned his engagement to Lacey. It was as if she remained blissfully unaware-or perhaps, deliberately indifferent. After all, how could she not know?
A shadow of sadness flickered across Landon’s eyes, but it was swiftly smothered, replaced by a mask of resolve.
“Leila,” he whispered her name.
“If marrying Lacey wasn’t the only way to approach you without raising your guard, I might not have chosen to do so.” He extended a hand toward the screen, his fingers grazing the glass as if he could somehow touch Leila’s face. Yet, his touch met only the cold surface.
The futile attempt elicited a scowl of displeasure from Landon.
Frustrated, Landon reached for his phone and called Leo.
Meanwhile, Leila had just returned home and barely had a moment to embrace her children when her phone rang.
“Miss Nixon, we have a big problem! You need to come to the Nixon Group immediately!” Leila’s face tightened instantly, the weight of urgency replacing her fleeting joy. Without hesitation, she grabbed her coat and dashed out the door.
Upon Leila’s swift arrival at the company, her assistant hurried over, a look of concern etched on his face.
“Miss Nixon, please don’t worry. The meeting room is prepared and awaiting your arrival.”
Leila gave a curt nod.
Although the issue was serious, it didn’t seem immediately urgent-yet Leila’s prolonged absence due to amnesia had left the Nixon Group vulnerable.
Calvin had admirably taken the reins, stabilizing operations and maintaining order. However, his presence was a temporary fix. If Leila continued to be away, rumors and speculations would inevitably swirl, threatening the company’s stability.
Understanding the unspoken stakes, Leila had no choice but to make an appearance this time. She refrained from asking questions as she made her way to the conference room.
The company’s executives were already assembled, their anticipation palpable.
The moment Leila entered, the room’s atmosphere shifted. Smiles of relief and nods of approval greeted her arrival, while a few faces bore subtle traces of disappointment and concern.
Leila took note of their reactions with a keen eye. She held no resentment toward those who had differing opinions. Their competence was what truly mattered. Even if some harbored hidden agendas, her unwavering leadership ensured she remained in control. Her presence alone was enough to deter any unwelcome actions, a testament to her firm yet fair management style.