Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
The weight of it all rested on Brent’s shoulders.
Even though she wasn’t Brent, Leila could feel the burden.
Taking a deep breath, Leila replied to Irene’s message resolutely: “Jerome has been a great support to me. I’ll do whatever I can. Just let me know what you need.”
Hearing Leila’s willingness to help, Irene felt a wave of relief. “I’d like you to talk to Landon. Not expecting miracles, but hopefully, he can step in and help smooth things over a bit.”
At the mention of the need to talk to Landon, Leila felt a bit lost and uncertain. Her relationship with Landon had become complicated. Perhaps visiting him might just push him further away.
Yet, Leila understood Irene must have been desperate to ask for her help. Otherwise, Irene wouldn’t have approached her.
After a brief pause, Leila sent her reply: “I’ll do what I can, but I can’t promise any miracles.”
Irene seemed relieved by this. “That’s all I ask. Just give it a shot. There’s always a possibility.”
Their conversation left Leila feeling somewhat heavyhearted as she opened her messaging app to text Landon.
While typing, a sudden realization struck Leila. Landon was currently away on a trip with Sarah. Bringing this up now could lead to another misunderstanding.
Deciding against it, Leila chose to message Edgar instead. Initially, she considered being indirect. But she quickly dismissed the idea, knowing Landon was sharp enough to pick up on her true intentions, regardless. He might even ridicule her once she turned her back. It just wasn’t worth it.
Leila texted Edgar directly: “Do you happen to know when Landon will be back? I need to discuss something with him.”
At that moment, Edgar was immersed in some pressing tasks. However, when he received Leila’s message, his demeanor visibly changed, and a hint of relief washed over his tired face.
Energized by the interruption, Edgar didn’t respond immediately but hurried to Landon’s office, phone in hand.
In the office, Landon was perched on the edge of the desk, idly swinging a golf club, his handsome features set in a stern expression. Clearly, he wasn’t in the best of moods.
The sound of the door opening caused Landon to glance over with a slight frown. “What’s up?” he asked curtly.
Edgar moved closer and murmured something to Landon, who looked at him with mild annoyance.
“She just messaged you. Why the excitement?” Landon asked.
Despite his words, Landon extended his hand for the phone, which Edgar quickly passed to him.
Landon’s fingers moved swiftly across the screen as he typed out a response.
Curious, Edgar leaned in to glance at the screen and immediately regretted it.
Landon replied bluntly, “Why do you care when he’s coming back?”
This response gave Edgar an instant headache. He was drenched in a cold sweat as he cautiously spoke up. “Mr. Kensington, I would never address your wife in such a manner.”
“My wife?” Landon responded with a bitter chuckle, his eyes brimming with bitterness. “She’s eager to divorce me, yet you still treat her with such formality?”
Finding himself at a loss for words, Edgar simply gave Landon a complex look, understanding that those words didn’t truly reflect Landon’s emotions.
Leila was taken aback by Edgar’s reaction, yet she pondered over Landon’s evident dislike for her. Given that Edgar was one of Landon’s subordinates, such a response wasn’t entirely unexpected.
Nonetheless, Leila maintained her courtesy: “I apologize for the intrusion, but there’s something critical I need to discuss with Landon. It’s extremely urgent.”
Observing from the sidelines, Edgar weighed his next words. “Should I say that I’ll set up a meeting as soon as you return in a few days?”
After typing a few words, Landon handed the phone back to Edgar. “No need to delay. If it’s urgent, tonight it is.”
Edgar felt compelled to ask, “Mr. Kensington, do you intend to meet with your wife personally?”
Landon fixed Edgar with an icy glare. “See her myself? Remember, you were the one who made that arrangement, not me.”
Pressure mounted in Edgar’s chest as he tried to decode Landon’s unreadable expression. Left with no other options, he braced himself to confront the situation directly.
Meanwhile, Leila arrived earlier than planned. She stepped out of the car and surveyed the club with a subtle furrow of her brow.
It was surprising that Edgar had chosen such a place.
Upon reaching the entrance, Leila was halted by a security guard who informed her that the club was closed for a private event, requiring an invitation for entry.
After waiting outside for ten minutes without a glimpse of Edgar, Leila’s patience waned. She then dialed his number.
Through the muffled background noise, Edgar’s voice came through, tinged with urgency. “Just a moment. I’m almost there.”
True to his word, Edgar appeared a minute later, rushing out of the club.
Leila acknowledged him with a curt nod, her face expressionless. Edgar’s earlier reply echoed in her mind, questioning why she should bother about when Landon would come back. Although logical, it grated on her. She and Landon were still legally married, after all.
Catching the nuance of displeasure on Leila’s face, Edgar felt misunderstood. He cleared his throat and gestured toward the entrance. “Mrs. Kensington, let’s get inside for a talk.”
Leila gave a small nod and trailed behind Edgar as they entered the club and proceeded to a chamber.
Edgar courteously opened the door for Leila.
Upon entering, Leila was taken aback to find Dean and Melinda, with Melinda cradling a fancily dressed, yet clearly restless and crying little girl.
Dean sat beside them, his brow furrowed in displeasure.
It had been a while since Leila last saw the child, who had been much smaller then. She marveled at how quickly the child had grown. Children did seem to grow up in the blink of an eye.
Leila’s gaze lingered on the little girl in Melinda’s arms, and she instinctively touched her own stomach, a sense of anticipation stirring within her. She couldn’t help but wonder about her future child’s appearance and growth.
“You’re here,” Melinda announced, handing the wailing child off to a maid nearby. Though her tone was welcoming, her face remained expressionless. “It’s been so long. I was starting to think you and Landon had gotten a divorce.”
Melinda snickered, covering her mouth as she laughed sharply.
Leila’s face registered a fleeting change, but she kept her composure, greeting them both in a polite yet reserved manner.
Dean shot Melinda a reproachful look. “Melinda, think before you speak. Even if they were to part ways in the future, Leila will always be part of the Kensington family. She was the adopted daughter of the Kensington family, after all.”
Leila ignored Dean’s comment and turned to Edgar, her expression serious. She posed her question on her phone: “Why did you bring me here?”
Edgar leaned in close, whispering, “Dean’s got the reins of the shipping company now. Maybe you should have a word with him.”
A headache began to build behind Leila’s eyes. She had always found Dean difficult and unapproachable. And with Melinda there, who openly showed her disdain, things wouldn’t be easy.
Leila felt like questioning whether all this was Landon’s idea.
Dean, cutting in with obvious irritation, said, “What do you want? I’m swamped and don’t have time for petty issues.”
Left with no choice, Leila stood, took a deep breath, and started to type. She succinctly laid out the situation for Dean and shared her concerns: “I think there’s a big misunderstanding here. The Hayes and the Kensington families have worked together for years. It doesn’t make sense to sour things now over a misunderstanding.”
Dean’s reaction was unexpectedly fierce after he listened to her.
“What do you mean? Are you saying that I’d shirk responsibility and secretly pin it all on the Hayes family? Leila, you can’t just throw around accusations,” Dean said, his expression one of serious indignation.
Leila, slightly bewildered, studied Dean’s earnest face. If he wasn’t responsible, then who was?
Meanwhile, Melinda, arms crossed, let out a chuckle. “Seems like you’re quick to point fingers without understanding the whole situation. What would a mute know about business, anyway? And with the ongoing feud between the Hayes and Kensington families, why are you defending the Hayes? There are rumors you’re cozy with them. Planning to marry into the Hayes family after you divorce Landon, are you?”
Melinda’s accusations were harsh and biting. Leila’s expression turned icy at her words.
Edgar intervened, his face darkening with a warning, “Madam, some comments shouldn’t be made lightly.”
Melinda stood up abruptly, saying to Dean, “Why are we even staying here? It’s clear Leila has made up her mind about us. We should just leave instead of staying here being wrongly accused.”
