Chapter 18 Why did you sponsor Leila?
The living room fell into a brief silence.
Mrs. Brooks looked at Leila before turning to Hunter, “What did she say?”
Hunter was too preoccupied with rumors spreading at his company about him and Mrs. Brown. He needed to marry Leila quickly to dispel these rumors. Otherwise, if they reached Mr. Brown’s ears, he would lose his position as vice president.
Taking a deep breath, Hunter stepped forward to grasp Leila’s hand. “Leila, I know you’re still upset with me, but we’re adults now. You can’t act impulsively. The invitations have been sent out. If you cancel the wedding now, your mother will be laughed at….”
Hunter’s words sounded like pleading for forgiveness, but they were veiled threats. He knew Leila cared deeply about Mrs. Patel. So he repeatedly reminded her, using her soft spot as leverage.
Leila’s voice was icy, “Hunter, did you receive the message I just sent you?”
Hunter froze.
Leila turned to Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, “Hunter probably didn’t tell you two, but we broke up a month ago. The reason? I caught him cheating with another woman.”
Everyone present was shocked, especially Mrs. Brooks. She had been assertive just moments ago, but now she was left in disbelief. She grabbed Hunter’s arm and demanded, “Is what she’s saying true?”
Hunter’s face flushed red as he tightened his grip on Leila’s hand.
Leila looked at him and said calmly, “Hunter, you’re hurting me.”NôvelDrama.Org content rights.
Hunter took a deep breath, then suddenly let go and sneered, “Leila, you accuse me of cheating. But do you dare to tell them who you were with on the night of the seventeenth?”
Leila had anticipated that Hunter would turn the tables on her with this accusation. She gently massaged her sore wrist and said calmly, “Hunter, do you even listen to yourself? We broke up last month. What does my being with someone else on the seventeenth have to do with you?”
Hunter was at a loss for words.
“If you really want to know,” Leila continued with a mocking tone, “I’ll tell you. I was with my new boyfriend that night.”
Hunter glared at Leila, “I don’t believe you.”
Leila scoffed, “Believe it or not, does it matter?”
Mrs. Brooks took a deep breath, “Cheating is not something that can be blamed on just one person.”
Mrs. Patel chuckled at her statement, “So you mean Hunter cheated, and Leila shares the blame?”
Mrs. Brooks twisted the truth, “Of course.”
Before Mrs. Brooks could finish her sentence, Mrs. Patel grabbed a glass of water from the coffee table and splashed it directly onto her face.
Then, without waiting for Mrs. Brooks to react, Mrs. Patel stormed into the kitchen and came out with a broom, ready to strike.
The living room descended into chaos.
A few minutes later, The Brooks Family was kicked out of the house by Mrs. Patel.
With a loud bang, Mrs. Patel slammed the door shut and leaned against it, trembling with anger.
“Mom.”
Mrs. Patel took a deep breath. “I’m fine. Don’t worry. There are plenty of men in the world. Don’t bother with that jerk.”
Leila remained silent, tears streaming down her face.
“I know you were trying to spare my feelings, afraid I would be upset and embarrassed in front of our relatives, that’s why you didn’t tell me.”
…
Meanwhile, in the CEO’s office of The Ramirez Group.
Mason stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, smoking.
Caleb sat on the nearby sofa, tapping his fingers on the armrest. “Mason, I’m actually curious. Leila doesn’t seem like your type. How did you fall for her?”
Mason remained silent, facing away from him.
Seeing his lack of response, Caleb tried a different approach. “Did you have ulterior motives when you sponsored her initially?”
Finally turning around, Mason walked to his desk and extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray. “No.”
“When did it start then?”
Mason glanced at him, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “It wasn’t planned. That night, she was drugged.”
Caleb teased, “What about the second night?”
Mason frowned, “Are you looking for trouble?”
Locking eyes with Mason, Caleb chuckled. “Mason, I won’t pry further. Just answer me one question. Why did you sponsor Leila in the first place?”