Ch. 51..55: Begging For A Reconciliation Chapter 51-55
Chapter 51
The atmosphere was tense.
Han gave Shawn an inscrutable look. “The Whites and the Howards are near and dear to one another. Ms. White is a sister to me.”
Shawn smiled profoundly. “You would know best whether she’s a sister or something more. I only hope you can treat her as a sister for the rest of your life.”
He clearly lost interest after having spoken his piece and shot Leah a warning glance. “You shouldn’t forget my words to you today, Ms. White.”
With that, Shawn left.
Leah stood frozen, her expression grim.
“Didn’t I warn you to stay away from him?” Han’s expression was pinched into an angry frown.
“It’s not what you think. I’m not the slightest bit familiar with him. I have no idea why he’s pestering me,” Leah explained as she shook her head.
Han’s expression grew stern as he heard her explanation. “He enjoys toying with women. You’re no match for him.”
Leah knew that he had misunderstood the situation.
He likely assumed that Shawn was interested in her.
She could tell however that the man stared at her with not a semblance of passion in his eyes. There was only a predatory look in them.
She hung her head and sighed. “I understand.”
Han felt a burst of frustration well up inside him when he noticed how she made no move to defend herself.
Her silence makes her no different from that woman.
He couldn’t understand. Why won’t you just speak your mind? Why do you keep sulking and keeping everything to yourself?
Han’s tone grew harsh as he thought about it. “Do as you please.”
With that, he left.
Leah was unsure of what she was to do as she watched him walk away.
Ian had finally returned after half an hour. He approached Leah with a grin. “Let’s go.”
“Everything’s been settled?”
“Yup. I chatted with Mr. Lamere for a bit. Did you wait long?”
Although the reception was held in the foyer, Jackson remained in the lounge and did not come out to entertain his guests. Only those who were close to him were invited in.
Jackson had invited Ian but did not extend the same courtesy to Leah.
Despite the Whites announcing that Leah and Sasha were both Whites, there was only one Ms. White.
Jackson’s actions were to show that he did not acknowledge Leah’s identity.
“No. The plum wine is pretty good. It’s a pity you didn’t get to have any. I’m not losing out on anything.” Leah shyly lowered her head and smiled.
Seeing Leah’s smile warmed Ian’s heart as his heartbeat grew uncontrollable.
She’s surprisingly innocent.
“What’s wrong?” She asked when she took note of his silence.
“It’s nothing.” Ian smiled tenderly. “Let’s go.”
The duo got to their feet and walked out.
“Bang!”
The sudden sound of shattering glass could be heard.
It was followed by a rush of footsteps that was accompanied by shrieks, as they watched people run out in a panic.
“Run!”
“Call for help!”
Ian frowned and grabbed a man beside him to ask, “What’s going on?”
The man was panting, his countenance rife with anxiety. “It’s the lounge. The lounge is on fire. The fire spread to the foyer. We had only just noticed it! You guys should make a run for it too!”
“How could that be? I just left the lounge!” Ian looked back in disbelief.
“I don’t know. Maybe the fire had just started. Mr. Lamere, his daughter, and his son-in-law are trapped inside. We should hurry and call for help!” The man said and left in a hurry.
Mr. Lamere’s son-in-law? Han Howard?
Leah’s brows instantly furrowed.
Han was also trapped inside?
She turned her head sharply and stared in the direction of the lounge, where thick smoke billowed from within.
The fire continued to rage.
Her heart skipped a beat.
“Why did the lounge suddenly catch on fire?” Ian frowned as he led Leah out. “I’ll escort you.”
The two exited the hall and went to the field outside. That was when the fire brigade arrived on the scene. They quickly cordoned the area and rushed in to put out the fire.
“Ah, what’s going on? Everything was going fine. Why did the lounge suddenly catch fire?”
“Yeah. Eden’s Court is known to take every precautionary measure. This shouldn’t happen.”
Leah felt a chill run down her spine as she listened to their whispers.
There was only one person on her mind: Shawn Ford!
Just a short while ago, he warned her to keep out of the mess. The look on his face was vivid in her mind. It was obvious he knew about the fire!
Shawn… could’ve planned this.
His goal is to get Han killed.
Her face was outrageously pale.
“What’s wrong? You don’t look well.” Ian noticed the woman’s trembling and took a closer look at her only to be taken aback by her pallid countenance.
That was when he came to a realization. He smiled bitterly. “You don’t have to worry about him…them. It’ll be alright. It’s just a small blaze. Everything will be fine.”
Leah did not listen to a single word of comfort that Ian offered.
Her eyes remained fixed on the entrance, praying in her heart… Please be safe, Han.
As time passed, Leah’s heart sank.
“Look! Someone’s coming out!” Someone in the crowd exclaimed.
Leah looked up and watched as several firemen stumbled out whilst hauling two individuals with them. They were blackened by the thick smog, immediately collapsing on the ground as they exited.
Leah’s eyes narrowed, and she hurried forward, fighting her way through the crowd to take a look.
Her heart sank.
The two that the firemen had saved were Jackson and Molly. Both were unconscious.
Where is Han?
Why is Han not among them?
“Move! We have to get them to a hospital!” One of the firemen shoved Leah aside.
That was what snapped her back to reality. Seeing these people heading out, she got desperate and held back the one who had pushed her. “You’re leaving? Isn’t there still another person inside?”
“What are you talking about? We only found these two. They’ve been rescued. It’s a conflagration in there. Even if someone was still inside, it’s unlikely that they survived.” The fireman frowned.
The look on Leah’s face fell as she staggered, held up only by Ian, who supported her.
“Ian, is Han in there?”
“He was still in the lounge when I left.”
Leah did not avert her eyes from the inferno inside. She clenched her hands and took a deep breath.
“Han hasn’t come out. I have to save him.”
Chapter 52
Ian couldn’t believe what he was hearing and held Leah by her hand. “You heard the fireman. It’s a conflagration inside. How are you going to save him?”
Leah pursed her lips, but the expression on her countenance reflected calm as she broke away from Ian’s hold. “Han is still inside. I have to see him for myself even if he’s dead!”
“Just wait a while longer, Sarah. The fire brigade will find a way…” Ian kept persuading her.
Leah, however, ignored him and sprinted right into the building.
“Sarah!” Ian shouted hoarsely from behind her.
Leah rushed into the foyer. The roiling inferno had long spread into the front hall. Thick smoke billowed. She was immediately surrounded by a burning sensation the moment she set foot inside.
“Ack… Cough…”
Leah was choking on the smoke and quickly covered her nose and mouth as she shouted, “Are you in here, Han?!”
There was little on display in the foyer. She could see everything at a glance.
It was just as the fireman had said. There was not a single soul in sight. How could they possibly know where Han was?
Leah’s eyes locked in the direction of the lounge.
If Han hadn’t escaped into the hall, then where he was now was that lounge!
The lounge was where the fire had first started. The moment she set foot inside, a wave of heat hit her. It felt as though her clothes were going to be burned.
Leah could feel how difficult it was to breathe. Her eyes were watering from the heavy smog.
She stood by the entryway. “Are you still alive, Han?”
No one answered her.
Leah hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth and rushing into the lounge against the roaring fire.
“Han?” Leah’s voice grew softer and softer.
Her vision was blurry.
Her eyes swept around the lounge and finally settled on the back of the couch!
Han collapsed there!
Leah rushed over and held him in her arms. “Are you okay, Han? You can’t die…” She patted his voice as she murmured in a shaky voice.
Her voice had taken on a sobbing tone.
Suddenly, another heat wave struck, but Leah seemed to have not felt a thing.
She picked Han and dragged him outside through gritted teeth. “You must live, Han.”
She still owed him her life after all.
When she married him three years ago, he was far from kind to her. One could even say he was incorrigible.
However, she clearly remembered an occasion when she had accidentally lost her footing and fallen into the water. It was he who rescued her from the freezing water.
That was also the reason she held onto her position as the madam of the Howards.
She believed Han cared for her.
But not once in these three years had she warmed his heart.
Not even once.
She was tired. She could now pay him back what he was owed.
Leah felt her eyelids grow heavy. Her limbs felt like lead and the weight of Han’s physique almost made her breathless.
She was almost out of breath.
The fire burned out the oxygen around them.
Leah dragged Han out with difficulty. She was already shaky on her feet but the thought of saving him kept her from collapsing.
Finally, she dragged him down into the foyer.
But all energy seemed to have left her.
Clank!
Suddenly, the roof beam overhead came crashing down.
Leah was startled and flung herself atop Han’s body.
“Ah…” A burning sensation spread through her. It felt as though her insides were gripped by pain.
In her trance, she seemed to see Han opening his eyes and staring at her in disbelief.
She smiled and grabbed his hand, speaking faintly, “You must live.”
Han had been out like a light but he heard someone keep calling his name as consciousness slowly returned to him.
Tired…
But Han fought to open his eyes with great difficulty.
The one who saved him was this woman?!
He couldn’t believe his eyes when he watched her fling herself on top of him and gently tell him to live on.
A peculiar feeling rose in his heart.
All he felt was boundless anger as he watched the woman collapse in front of him.
He gnashed his teeth and got to his feet to push off the beam that was pressing down on her before picking her up into his arms.
Just then, the firemen returned, and they were followed by an anxious Ian. “Sarah!”
Han could finally heave a sigh of relief.
“Save her.” With that said, he also fainted.
……
It hurt.
Leah was in severe pain as she regained consciousness. Her head felt like it was going to explode.
She hissed in response to her sudden shift.
“You’re awake!” Ian, who was by her side, exclaimed.
Leah turned her head slowly and asked, “What…happened?”
Her voice was hoarse beyond words.
“Don’t speak. The doctor said you inhaled too much smoke and burned your throat. You should speak less for now,” Ian explained, worried.
He got up to pour her a cup of warm water and handed it to her, grumbling, “What do you mean ‘What happened?’ You rushed right into a burning building. You would’ve died if the fire brigade hadn’t come to your aid in time!”
Ian’s words jolted her memory.
She recalled how the lounge had caught on fire. Everyone had already evacuated the building. Only Han had remained trapped inside.
And, she rushed in to save him.
That’s right! Han!
“Ack… Hack…” Leah coughed twice due to her sudden emotional agitation. She drank her water and asked, “Where’s Han? Is he alright?”
Ian’s eyes flashed with gloom.
To think the only one she cared about was Han despite having just regained consciousness.
He smiled bitterly. “Don’t worry. He’s fine. He’s in a far better state than you are. You, on the other hand, slept for two days.”
“Really?” Leah breathed a sigh of relief: “That’s good.”
“You still have the heart to care for me?” A cold voice resounded from the door.
Leah raised a brow in surprise and watched as Han walked in with a placid expression.
She averted her eyes. “No…”
Han looked displeased by how she avoided his gaze again.
“I need to speak with you.” Han stared right at Leah.
She instantly understood the meaning of his words.
Sighing, she spoke to Ian. “Can you leave us for a bit, Ian?”
Ian frowned and gave a wary glance at Han.
“Don’t worry. It’s nothing to worry about.” Leah smiled at him.
Han’s mood sank even lower when he watched the interaction between the two.
Ian eventually left, leaving only Han and Leah inside the ward.
Leah looked down. “What is it?”
Han entered the room and sat by her bedside. “Are you feeling better?”
Chapter 53
Leah squirmed.
This was the first time Han showed her any care.
She nodded with a less-than-natural expression. “I’m alright.”
There was a short pause before she looked up and glanced his way. “What about you?”
“Hm.” Han nodded. There was a hostile glint in his eyes. “What is your opinion on what happened this time?”
“Huh?” Leah didn’t understand what he meant and was rendered speechless. She could only answer in a stumped manner. “I… I don’t know.”
Han suddenly thought the dull woman before him seemed more… pleasant to the eye.
At least her innocence did not seem to be fake.
“It’s obvious this was someone’s deliberate attempt at harming me,” Han said placidly.
“I don’t know.” Leah froze and shook her head. “I don’t understand why you’re telling me this.”
Leah was not sure why he was telling her about it. Was he trying to test her?
This man had always been a profound thinker. She could not guess what was on his mind.
“Heh.” Han chuckled and shook his head. “You’re truly a fool.”
Leah did not know what to say.
He paid her no mind and continued. “Someone wants me dead and you were the one who messed up their schemes. Do you think the involved party has their eyes on you now?”
He’s right.
But therein lay the problem. The one who wanted him dead could be Shawn Ford.
And that man already had dirt on her!
Leah bit her lip in fear of the questions that Han would ask. If she were to expose Shawn, Han would… be privy to what had occurred that night.
She could not do that.
Leah’s hands that were hidden underneath the sheets clenched up.
Han stared fixedly at her and sighed tersely at her stupefied expression.
“Forget it. You are not to leave my side for the time being,” Han said. “I will guarantee your safety.”
Leah was taken aback.
“What do you mean? You want me to stay with you?” She frowned.
“What? You don’t want to?” Han narrowed his eyes.
“No…” Leah reflexively denied it.
She had developed the skill of reading his facial expressions after having been married to him for three years. She could tell whenever his mood took a turn for the worst with a single glance.
“I don’t think it’s very convenient. After all, you have a fiance. If she misunderstands us…”
“You care that much for Molly Lamere?” Han interrupted her.
Leah felt annoyed. He has no idea who I care about the most.
She puffed out her cheeks, her every word tinged with irritation and yet her voice remained soft because she dared not raise her voice at him.
“No! Forget it. You should stay away from me.”
Han narrowed his eyes when he witnessed how much she “disliked” him.
He suddenly got up, approached Leah, sat down beside the bed, and leaned over slightly to stare fixedly at her.
Leah was startled by the act and did not dare to act rashly.
“Sarah White, are you rejecting my offer?” He sounded sullen. “Didn’t you mess with me first?”
Leah’s eyes widened. A flash of shock passed through her round, dark, almond eyes.
What did I do to mess with you?
She clearly wanted to stay far away from him every time he came into view.
Where on earth did he get that delusion from?
Leah grew anxious. Her initial intention was clearly to stay away from him.
“I didn’t mess with a hair on your head. You shouldn’t talk about things you don’t know about.” Leah shoved him away. “Stay away from me.”
A wave of anger washed over Han at the sight of her acting this way.
He came closer. “Am I wrong? Only you rushed to my aid in the fire, Sarah White. What exactly are your intentions?”
Leah nearly cried from anxiety.
What other intentions could she have?
Was she supposed to tell the man that she was Leah Murray, the woman who had loved him for ten long years?
“What are you doing? Get up.” Leah pushed him, not really wanting to answer his question.
Han did not move a muscle.
With that, Leah started to cry.
With tears in her beautiful eyes, she looked at him pitifully and cried out, “Am I not your savior? Why are you treating me like this?”
Seeing the tears in her eyes, Han froze.
There was a sense of powerlessness in his heart.
It was undeniable that he couldn’t bear the sight of this woman in tears.
“…Forget it.” Han got up, looked at her, and said, “You just woke up, I’ll ask you again once you feel better.”
He left the ward after he finished.
The sight of his retreating back made him seem as if he were fleeing.
Unfortunately, however, Leah did not see a thing. She was sighing in relief now that he was gone.
Leah had to remain hospitalized for a few days for observation due to the fire.
She was afraid that the Whites would be worried and begged Ian to keep it from them. She lied and told them that she remained in Saint Ville as she had more to do.
Han was also kept on observation in the hospital.
Jackson Lamere did not show much reaction to the incident. He only came by to express his concern for Han before taking Molly with him and leaving.
Molly had wanted to remain by Han’s side to care for him.
Jackson had more to do back in Linkville, so he brought Molly with him as he wanted his daughter to acquaint herself with more people.
Leah once again woke up in her hospital room that morning.
It had been raining for several days in a row, but the sky had cleared up.
The sky was clear and the air was fresh. Leah got out of bed and opened the window, taking a deep breath.
“What a great day…” Leah smiled.
She rested her face on her hands and looked down to see a garden below. There were many hospitalized patients taking advantage of the pleasant weather to get some fresh air.
The hospital was considered one of the best in Saint Ville and the environment matched up to that reputation.
Leah put on a coat and went to the back garden to bask in the sun after watching everyone do the same.
That was when she heard a child’s cries.
Leah followed the voice to see a little boy with his mouth open and wailing.
She approached him and knelt to ask, “What’s wrong, little boy?”
The little boy looked at her and sobbed until he was breathless. “Waaah… everyone says I’m a baby. They won’t play with me!”
Leah got curious. “Why are they calling you a baby?”
The young boy sniffled as his crying came to a halt. He pinched his lips together in aggravation, embarrassment flashing in his eyes. “I…I accidentally wet the bed. Waah…”
Leah smiled.
She couldn’t help but reassure him. “It’s no big deal. They aren’t laughing at you. They’re just messing with you.”
“Really?” The little boy stared blankly at her, tears still hanging from his eyelashes.
“Really,” Leah answered. “How about this? I’ll play with you. What do you think?”
Chapter 54
The boy looked at Leah cautiously. “Really?”
“Really.” Leah smiled.
“Okay! Let’s play hide and seek! I’ll hide. You can come find me once you count up to ten!” And off the boy went the moment he finished. “Let’s start!”
There was nothing for her to do anyway. It would be nice to get some exercise this way.
She counted to ten.
“Are you in place? I’m coming for you now,” she asked with great amusement after she finished counting.
A child’s voice came from behind a flower bed. “I’m hidden away! Come and find me!”
Leah was barely containing her laughter.
“I’m coming.” Leah pretended not to know a thing and wandered about the garden.
Thud!
Suddenly, her back hit a solid chest, and she froze in her tracks.
Startled, Leah turned around to apologize. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you.”
“Oh? So you did it on purpose.” An icy voice suddenly came overhead tinged with a teasing lilt.
Leah froze and looked up in surprise to see Han smirking at her.
He still looked as indifferent as ever but it seemed as if the sharp edge in his eyes had gone. He seemed more…approachable?
Leah shook her head.
It must have been her illness that gave rise to the illusion.
How could a devil-like Han Howard be approachable?
“I still have something to do. Excuse me.” Leah looked down, intending to escape.
Han grabbed her arm. “What’s the matter? Are you playing games with a little brat?”
He had happened to lift the curtain in his ward and caught sight of it all.
He saw her smiling as she spoke to a little boy.
The expression on her face… was a relaxed smile that he had never seen before. She was beautiful.
It was so beautiful that he suddenly had the urge to keep her happy at all times.
Leah blushed.
That was indeed the case but it was awkward to hear those words leave Han’s mouth.
Leah turned away. “It’s none of your business.”
Han crossed his arms and watched her with a calm expression. “Oh, I want to make it my business.”
Did the sun rise from the west today?
When did Han become so…bossy and unreasonable?
“What’s that look?” Han stared at her.
Leah shook her head. “I just thought you seemed different compared to before.”
“Do you know what I was like in the past?”
“…No.”
“You seem to know me quite well.” Han pressed on.
Leah bit her lip. Her voice grew softer. “You’re the lover that every woman in Linkville dreams about. It’s not hard to figure out when I hear rumors about you everywhere I go.”
Han frowned.
The furrow in his brows loosened after a while as he took on a more relaxed tone. “So, Ms. White used to pay attention to me.”
Leah was gobsmacked.
Why does he sound like he didn’t understand a word I just said?
“Miss! It’s been so long. Why haven’t you found me yet?!” The little boy scurried out and gave Leah a dissatisfied look.
Leah looked apologetic. “I’m sorry. I forgot.”
“Hmph! I’ll forgive you this time.” The boy waved his hand and tilted his head to stare at Han curiously. “Who’s the handsome man, Miss? Is he your boyfriend?”
Leah’s face reddened as she hurried to cover the boy’s mouth and whispered to him, “He’s not. That’s nonsense. He’s such a mean man.”
Han was rendered speechless.
Do I look that mean?
“Really?” The boy watched Han with wary eyes and muttered, “I don’t think he’s mean. He was smiling at you just now!”
“You’re still little. You won’t understand,” Leah retorted softly.
He’s smiling at her?
Even if he was, it was a smile to mock me.
Han then picked up the boy.
He bent down and stared placidly at the boy. “Why do you think I’m her boyfriend, kid?”
“Because you’re a good match with the pretty lady,” the boy answered innocently.
“Hah, you’re still a kid. Do you even know what that means?” Leah found the situation comical.
“Of course.” The boy was not ashamed to speak his mind and didn’t want Leah to look down on him. “A match means a pair. Like daddy and mommy, uncle and aunt…”
“Alright, that’s enough.” Leah hurriedly covered the boy’s mouth, afraid that he would continue.
The tips of her ears were turning red.
Han’s gaze casually flickered Leah’s way. That was when he caught sight of her reddened ears.
There was a faint amusement in his eyes.
“Oh, there you are, Ms. White!” A nurse rushed up to them.
Leah got up and asked, “Yes?”
“You’ve been discharged. Your friend is here to check you out,” the nurse answered. That was when she noticed Han who was standing beside her.
The man was tall and handsome and gave off an imposing air.
The nurse blushed. “Is he your boyfriend, Ms. White? You’re both a match made in heaven.”
Leah did not know what to say.
She couldn’t afford to explain any further.
…
Leah and Ian returned to Linkville that afternoon.
As soon as he entered through the door, Sasha greeted Ian. “You’re finally back Ian. I miss you so much.”
Ian felt conflicted when he laid eyes on Sasha.
He hadn’t known his heart back then. He saw his close interactions with Sasha as something shared between siblings.
And yet…
He turned to look at Leah.
He thought that he might have found the person he really wanted to be with.
So, he kept his distance from Sasha. His tone grew cold and distant. “Yeah, there were some small mishaps here and there.”
“It’s alright. The trip went smoothly, yes?” Mrs. White smiled at Leah.
Leah thought of what Sullivan Simmons had said to her and nodded with a smile. “It went well. Mr. Simmons is very appreciative of me.”
“Really? It would be great if you joined the orchestra.” Mrs. White held her hand as she praised her. “I just know the daughter of the Whites wouldn’t be lacking.”
Ian also smiled at Leah, affection dripping from his eyes.
Sasha, who watched the scene, felt a tremendous hatred in her heart.
She clenched her hands tightly in fists as the look in her eyes darkened.
Why…?
All this was supposed to be mine. But everything changed ever since Leah showed up!
She had to drive Leah out!
Chapter 55
Sasha returned to her room and locked the door behind her before she dialed a number.
It took a long while before her call was picked up. “Didn’t I tell you to not contact me? This is a very important period. Are you trying to get us killed?”
Sasha hurriedly cut in, “Do you think I wanted to do this? That woman is taking everything that is rightfully mine. If this keeps up, the Whites will fully accept her. They won’t allow my existence in the family once Gordon has investigated the matter!”
She paused before saying nervously, “You have to help me. This is a big deal for the both of us.”
The other end of the line fell silent.
After a while, the person on the other end of the line gruffly cursed, “You’re useless! I’ll see what I can do about Leah. All you need to do is curry favor with the Whites and remain calm. Got it?”
Sasha felt relieved to hear his promise.
He had never once failed throughout the years and always did as he promised.
He must have a way!
“Oh yeah, stop calling me for now,” the man suddenly warned. “Someone is investigating me. I’ll have to go into hiding for a while.”
Sasha sniffed and panicked. “But what if you disappear?”
“What are you so afraid of? Are the Whites going to devour you?” The disgruntled man immediately hung up the phone.
……
Leah woke up the next day.
The family phone suddenly began to ring as she was having breakfast. A maid picked up the call and raised her voice, “It’s a call for you, Ms. White.”
“For me?” Leah frowned unsure and picked up the call from where it was left off. “Hello.”
“Is this Sarah White? It’s me.” Sullivan’s severe voice sounded from the other end of the call.
“Mr. Simmons! Is there something you need?”
“So,” Sullivan spoke slowly, his tone slightly displeased. “There has been a change with the violinist position that I spoke to you about last time. Our orchestra has decided to drop a violinist.”
The smile on Leah’s face fell.
Her hands clenched around the phone. Her voice trembled as she spoke, “How could this… What happened?”
Sullivan fell silent.
What else could’ve happened?
He looked into her past and found unsavory rumors about her.
The orchestra wouldn’t recruit an unruly woman like her to ruin the atmosphere!
“It’s nothing. It’s an impromptu notice that was released. I just wanted to let you know about it.” Sullivan returned to his senses and finished weakly before hanging up the phone.
“Mr. Simmons! Mr. Simmons!” Leah wanted to continue fighting the decision and yet the line had gone dead.
Sullivan had hung up the phone and hadn’t even offered her a detailed explanation.
Although she knew that he didn’t have to explain anything to her, how could there be such a coincidence?
Why did it suddenly get canceled…
Leah was left in turmoil for a while.
This was her first job. She might’ve only been a no-name violinist but she greatly treasured her job.
She couldn’t just give up on it. She had to find a way.
“What’s wrong, Sarah?” Suddenly, Ian’s voice rang out.
Leah snapped back to reality and asked, “Why are you here?”
“Mom had me deliver something to Mrs. White.” Ian set down the bag in his hand and asked worriedly, “You don’t look good. Is your health acting up?”
“No.” Leah shook her head and sighed. She hesitated before speaking up, “Ian, Mr. Simmons called me up to tell me that the violinist gig… is canceled.”
“What?” Ian frowned, astonished. “How could this be? Mr. Simmons specifically told me to recruit a violinist. He was so adamant on it. Why would he suddenly change his mind?”
“I don’t know. It happened so suddenly. All Mr. Simmons did was let me know about it but offered no reason.” Leah sighed as she furrowed her brows.
Leah felt depressed.
That was when he seemed to recall something and spoke gravely, “Could it be because of…Molly Lamere?”
“What does this have to do with Molly?”
“When I was at the homestay earlier, I saw Molly speaking with Mr. Simmons in the corridor. He didn’t look too well after she left.” Ian tried to recall the moment. “I had been worried about you and didn’t pay attention. Now that I think about it, could Molly have said something to Mr. Simmons that prompted him to do this…?”
Leah’s expression was unsightly.
She clutched the phone in her hand and bit her lip in deep thought.
If that’s the case… This is definitely Molly’s doing.
She hates me. Of course she would do something like this to rob me of my opportunities.
“I know you’re upset, Sarah but we’re talking about the Lameres. We should probably just…let it go. I’ll get you another opportunity,” Ian said hesitantly.
Leah sucked in a breath. “It wouldn’t matter. Molly would do it again.”
Ian sighed.
But what else could they possibly do?
Neither the Whites nor the Sanders could match up to the might of the Lameres.
“I’ll speak with her,” Leah spoke firmly. “She has a grudge against me. She’ll probably let me go once she’s done lashing out at me.”
“But that’s only a probability. From what I know, Molly is easily envious and you and Han…”
“Big deal. I’ll just have to never see Han again,” Leah said.
Ian searched her stubborn expression and could only sigh.
She shared her defiant nature with Gordon White back in his youth.
Later that night, Leah stared up at the lit sign in front of her and took a deep breath.
She had asked Ian about it and learned that Molly was coming to Phoenix Tower.
Phoenix Tower was a high-end club in Linkville. Those who walked through its doors were either rich or influential. They were wealthy youths with money to burn.
It was Molly’s friend’s birthday today. It was only natural that she would show up with the party being held here.
A scantily clad woman passed Leah by and shot her a glance.
She then complained to her male companion by her side. “Check this woman out. She’s dressed in such an outdated way and she dares show her face here?”
“Haha, you’re right. What’s the point of coming here to fool around wearing all those layers?”
Leah heard their provocative conversation and subconsciously tried to back away.
But this was one of the only few chances she could meet Molly.
Leah sucked in a breath and mustered up her courage to step into Phoenix Tower.