Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Landon gazed at Leila’s serious face. He suddenly realized something. Leila had never been one to obsess over riches or power. Maybe what he had assumed she had done to him was all a misunderstanding.
With this thought, Landon felt his spirits lift, and a smile broke across his face.
However, his unexpected smile alarmed Leila. She retreated a few steps, almost stumbling.
As she teetered on the edge of falling, Landon reached out, caught her, and drew her close.
Leila remained in Landon’s arms just briefly before she wriggled out of his hold. Her face was slightly flushed, not from embarrassment, but from sheer rage.
Leila was so enraged that she felt like biting Landon. Through gritted teeth, she asked, “Landon, what do you really want? This isn’t funny.”
Landon met her gaze.
“If you want me to let you and the kids go, it’s simple. Let’s find a peaceful spot to talk properly. Schedule a time to talk things over. Regardless of the result of our talk, I’ll set you free afterward. You can get your tickets early. You know I stick to my word. Let’s not fool each other, okay?”
Leila’s look toward Landon was fraught with mixed emotions. She believed there wasn’t much left to discuss between them. But if it might settle matters, she was willing to try. Should Landon choose to harm them after their discussion, she resolved to harden her heart. After a moment of consideration, Leila nodded in agreement. Unknown to them, Clayton had been watching their exchange from afar.
Clayton decided it was time to push forward with his plans. He remained quietly in the shadows for a bit longer.
Soon after, Clayton began to cough, catching Leila’s and Landon’s attention.
Leila glanced back at Clayton. She noticed his light clothes, and her expression showed slight disapproval.
“Didn’t the doctor tell you to rest?”
Her comment was clear. She thought Clayton getting sick would mean she’d have to visit him, which was inconvenient. Clayton coughed again, appearing somewhat fragile.
Landon gave a mocking smirk but stayed quiet.
Clayton moved closer and greeted them with a smile.
“It’s just… I wanted to pay my respects to Brysen. She was an excellent assistant, and it’s so sad she left us too soon.”
Clayton sighed softly, apparent sadness visible in his eyes, which made it difficult to question his sincerity.
Landon couldn’t hold back.
“Choosing now to show up, just so I’d see? Didn’t you learn anything from that beating, Clayton?”
Clayton stayed calm despite Landon’s clear attempt to agitate him. His smile softened even more.
“I know you’ve been upset lately, Mr. Kensington. It seems you’re desperate to clear your name and pin the blame on me.”
Landon’s face fell instantly.
“You know very well whether I intend to shift the blame on you.”
Looking back, Landon realized that Clayton had deliberately provoked him that day.
Landon wasn’t typically rash, but anger had gotten the better of him then. With provocative words, Clayton had goaded Landon into getting physical. Landon now grasped that Clayton’s goal was to appear pitiful in front of Leila so that he could play the sympathy card. And right now, Clayton was adopting a fragile facade, hoping to garner Leila’s pity.
However, Landon wasn’t bothered. He had known Leila for years and was confident she wouldn’t be swayed by a man she pitied. Simply put, Leila wasn’t fond of those who played the weaker role.
But Clayton, overly keen on winning Leila’s affection, might not see that. Such behavior, if continued, could make Leila feel emotionally manipulated.
Since that day, Landon had looked into the incident where Clayton had heroically shielded Leila from a knife attack. It was true, but there were many questionable aspects to the situation.
Landon had his suspicions about Clayton right away, but too much time had passed, making any investigation now difficult.
Landon knew there was no need to hurry, as his priority was to sort things out with Leila.
True to form, Clayton, looking both wronged and helpless, responded, “Mr. Kensington, you’re free to believe what you like. I’ve said my piece. Besides, what matters is Leila’s trust in me.” He then gave Leila a tender look.
As Landon had expected, Leila changed the subject.
“You came to see me. Is there something you need?”
Clayton nodded.
“Tomorrow is my birthday party. I’d love for you to come. It’s okay if you’re busy and can’t make it, though.” After his invitation, Clayton coughed again.
Leila frowned but didn’t decline the invitation. After all, it was rare for Clayton to throw birthday parties. She still felt indebted to him, making it hard to say no. She figured it was just a party and planned to leave after a brief appearance.
When Leila agreed to come, Clayton’s smile widened even more. He then turned to Landon.
“Mr. Kensington, you’re also welcome to attend, if you’d like.”
Landon smiled but said nothing, clearly not interested.
However, Clayton was sure Landon would show up. Landon wouldn’t grant him any chance to spend time with Leila alone.
Indeed, Landon thought the same.
After discussing the time and place, Leila quoted other commitments as an excuse to leave.
Landon quickly offered, “I’ll give you a lift home.”
Leila almost burst out into scornful laughter.
“Mr. Kensington, I don’t think our current relationship really allows for that.”
Not wanting to be outdone, Clayton hurried to catch up, looking eager to be of assistance.
“Leila, let me take you home.”
Landon shot Clayton a look.
“I thought you were here to grieve Brysen? You just got here and already you’re leaving. It seems your visit wasn’t for the reasons you stated. Maybe your mourning wasn’t genuine after all.”
Clayton’s smile briefly faltered.
Leila inhaled deeply. She wasn’t eager to be with Landon, but the idea of being with Clayton was even less appealing. Since discovering that Clayton’s gentle demeanor was merely a facade, and that he had been manipulative behind her back, even his previous act of saving her life couldn’t alleviate the suffocating feeling she experienced whenever she was near him. Spending time with him only left her feeling unusually annoyed.
Leila turned to Clayton.
“Mr. Morgan, you’re not in the best condition. You don’t have to put yourself through the stress of driving me home. It would be best if you went home early to rest after paying your respects.”
Clayton reluctantly agreed, watching as Leila and Landon walked away. His slender fingers slowly clenched.
After descending the hill, Leila chose not to get into Landon’s car, even though he had opened the door for her. Instead, she made her way to her own car.
Landon slightly raised an eyebrow and started to follow her, planning to join her in her car.
But Leila stopped him.
“Mr. Kensington, please don’t bother. I can find my way home alone.”
Leila was smiling as she spoke, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She deliberately sat on the edge of her seat, her eyes filled with defiance.
Landon asked, “Is it because you don’t want to be around me?”
“Yes,” Leila answered honestly.
“Moreover, you’re soon to be married. Us being seen together could be troublesome, especially if the media spots us.”