Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
As Brent departed, Boris approached the manager.
The manager, shedding his earlier arrogance, approached Boris with a touch of urgency. “How did it go? Can we really pull this off?”
“Absolutely,” Boris replied with confidence. “I’ve sent over photos and other evidence. He’s definitely on his way. Just stay positive, and you’re set for a bright future. Just don’t forget our deal when the time comes.”
Soon, it was time for the scheduled meeting. Brent had planned to send Irene and Leila home first. However, chaos erupted.
The main problem was the overbearing manager. His constant demands were overwhelming.
When Brent finally caught a moment to breathe, he noticed how much time had elapsed. He couldn’t just send Leila home after making her wait so long.
As Brent and Leila stepped into the chamber, a sense of worry clouded Brent’s face.
Brent said solemnly, “If the manager asks you to drink, just ignore him. This matter is between him and me. Don’t compromise your well-being for my issues. If you ever feel uneasy and want to leave, let me know straight away. Irene will escort you. Please, don’t wander off alone. I’m concerned I can’t locate you quickly if anything were to happen. And remember, take extra care with your pregnancy.”
Brent’s thoughts drifted to the family doctor’s advice. Leila’s health was fragile, her pregnancy necessitating vigilant care. A miscarriage was a dreadful possibility, and the risks could escalate to life-threatening.
Leila offered a grateful smile, her expression softening. She understood Brent’s worries were driven by a protective, brotherly affection. Such a bond was comforting. It didn’t weigh her down.
Unbeknownst to them, Landon observed the seemingly affectionate scene from a short distance.
Although he couldn’t make out their words clearly, fragments like “pregnancy” and “take care of yourself” reached his ears.
These snippets, paired with the anonymous photo he had received, a snapshot capturing Leila and Brent sharing a meal and both radiating happiness, particularly Leila, intensified Landon’s discomfort.
Landon struggled to recall when he had last seen Leila so relaxed and joyful.
It seemed that only in Brent’s presence could she truly unwind. Did she trust Brent this much? Moreover, was the baby growing inside her Brent’s? When did all this start between them?
The more Landon dwelled on these thoughts, the more unsettled he became, the surge of rage building within him once again.
Noticing the lethal glint in Landon’s eyes, Edgar leaned in and softly reminded him, “Mr. Kensington, since you’re meeting Leila today anyway, why not ask her your questions directly?”
Landon merely grunted, holding back from barging in right away.
Brent had already taken care of everything. He settled into a seat, graciously accepting several drinks, hoping the manager would reveal something.
However, the manager, previously brimming with confidence, now hesitated. “I can’t divulge much about this matter. It concerns the company’s secrets, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to reveal anything. Moreover, even if you were to press me, it wouldn’t alter the situation. The error has been made, and no amount of talking will rectify it. You might consider other strategies to gain favor with my boss.”
It dawned on Brent that he had been duped. He shot up from his seat, seized the manager’s collar, and was on the verge of throwing a punch.
The manager, petrified and trembling, hurriedly said, “Mr. Hayes, I assure you I haven’t deceived you. I’m unaware of the reasons, but someone else knows. As I mentioned earlier today, if you’re willing to offer something, he’ll surely disclose the information.”
Brent’s laughter was tinged with frustration. “Do you enjoy playing tricks on me? I might face a minor business setback, but handling someone like you is a breeze for me. Did you even consider how you’d meet your end before showing up here? No worries if you didn’t-I’ll figure it out for you.”
The color drained from the manager’s face as panic set in. He made a desperate gesture toward Boris.
Boris didn’t dare say anything and tried to fade into the background. Things didn’t go as he planned. He had sent so much “evidence” of Brent and Leila to Landon. What man could tolerate this?
Plus, Leila was now by Brent’s side, together in the same chamber, while Landon was conspicuously absent despite his knowledge of their presence, shirking confrontation.
As Boris was getting anxious, a chilling voice cut through from the doorway. “Mr. Hayes, let’s not escalate this. Not everything he’s told you is a lie.”
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Leila jerked upright, her heart skipping a beat as she wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her.
Landon made his entrance into the chamber, his eyes scanning the assembled faces keenly. His gaze paused on Leila, holding for a lingering moment before moving on.
Leila, for her part, remained rigidly facing forward, too tense to even glance toward the door. A wave of surprise and fear churned within her, leaving her uncertain of how to respond.
Brent was the first to break the tension. He shot a quick look at Irene, who caught his cue and rose with composed grace.
“Leila, you look a bit off. Let’s head back,” Irene suggested smoothly.
“What’s the hurry?” Landon chimed in, a smirk playing on his lips. “Doesn’t Mr. Hayes want to understand why his client is so upset?”
At this, realization hit Brent like a wave, and he stood up sharply, his hand thudding against the table. “What are you implying? The Hayes and the Kensington families have shared bonds for years. Are you truly aiming to destroy that?”
Landon dismissed Brent’s accusations with a wave of his hand and strode confidently toward the table.
Boris stepped aside quickly, his ingratiating smile letting Brent know all too clearly who had led Landon here. Boris was the architect of this situation.
Brent had long suspected Boris of harboring bad intentions, yet he hadn’t grasped the extent of Boris’ plotting. When had Boris started colluding with Landon?
Landon took a seat, his voice icy as he sneered, “Mr. Hayes, your statements are rather entertaining. Who is truly undermining the bond between our families? This is my private issue, yet you continue to interfere. It leads me to question your true motives.”
Though Landon left it unsaid, it was clear to all that his presence was linked to Leila.
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Color drained from Leila’s face as anxiety tightened its grip on her. Her hands nervously gripped the fabric at her stomach, fear flickering through her. But she needed to stay composed, for the sake of the baby she was carrying.
Leila thought about standing up to clear the air with Landon. She felt like explaining that she was the one who sought Brent’s assistance to escape from the hospital. If Landon was looking to unleash his anger, he was supposed to direct it at her instead of involving others.
Just as Leila was about to rise, Irene gently pulled her back.
Irene whispered, “Don’t worry, Mr. Hayes will take care of this. We must remain calm.”
Leila waved her hands anxiously, trying to convey that she really didn’t want to cause any more trouble for Brent.
Nearby, Landon observed Leila’s reaction, his dark eyes narrowing in anger and regret. He wished he hadn’t learned sign language to communicate with Leila. Now, he understood her gestures clearly – she was defending another man.
Landon wondered if Leila truly cared so much about Brent. Previously, he hadn’t paid much attention to the other men around her, secure in her feelings for him. But now, he was blindsided by this unexpected revelation.
Landon cleared his throat, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. A chilly smirk formed on his handsome face, a hint of menace in his gaze. “As for whether the Hayes Group will weather this storm, I might have some valuable information,” he said indifferently, “but it all depends on how much Mr. Hayes is willing to offer.”
Brent inhaled sharply. “Name your price, Mr. Kensington.”
Landon’s chuckle was laced with mockery. “Well, Mr. Hayes, you might want to brace yourself. The price I’m going to suggest could be more than you’re prepared to handle.”
Landon then pointed at Leila. “She spends the night with me.”
A hush descended upon the room.
The manager remained blissfully unaware of the tension thickening the air and Leila’s true identity as Landon’s wife. His attention was fixed on pleasing Landon.
The manager leaned toward Brent, giving him a knowing wink. “Mr. Hayes, you really should consider this carefully. Sure, she’s attractive, but you’re not short on women, are you? No need to let your feelings for her cloud your judgment. She’s merely a plaything. Think it over.”
Brent’s hands balled into fists at his sides, but before he could unleash his anger, Edgar’s fist connected first.
The moment Landon’s expression grew stormy, Edgar knew this manager was doomed.
Edgar seized the manager by his shirt and landed a solid punch.
Caught off guard, the manager clutched his face, stunned. He opened his mouth to argue, but upon seeing Edgar, he closed it quickly, his body shaking. “Mr. Pierce, what did I do wrong?”
Landon pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice cold as ice. “Get him out of here. This fool has actually wasted my time by making me meet with him. If we let someone like him into the Kensington Group, he’d drop the whole company’s IQ.”
The manager seemed oblivious to the insult. His only thought was that he was in deep trouble. In essence, his career had been handed a death sentence.
Tears streamed down the manager’s face as he looked at Landon, utterly desperate. “Mr. Kensington, what did I do wrong? Please, I need to know. I admit my mistake. I was foolish and shouldn’t have acted as I did. Please, give me another chance.”
His pleas grew fainter as Edgar led him away.
The manager soon found himself in the underground parking lot. At the sight of several imposing men waiting, he trembled uncontrollably.