A Moment in Destiny

“Hmph! Very good!” Vincent’s tone which had embodied profound meaning coupling with chilliness sounded from the other end of the phone, and each single word of his was hammering on her heart, pricking and suffocating her.

“Don’t ever try to push my buttons, or else you know the consequences of doing so!”

“I know what you mean, I will miss you!” Leila curled up the edge of her mouth to force a smile onto her face, but her despairing eyes had given away her distressed state.

“Hahahaha…” His convoluted laughter was accompanied by the sound of him hanging up on her, and anxiety started to gnaw at her heart as she knew that he would not get on well with her.

After Leila had hung up on her phone, she looked up only to stare into Mabel Ross’s worrying and contemplative eyes.

“It has never crossed my mind that the one whom Vincent likes is you, Leila. Oh, dear! I’ve always thought that he likes your sister, but it is a crying shame that she is unfaithful to him! Your father is really adamant in not letting you marry Vincent at first, but he has unexpectedly changed his mind and given his approval after the two of them have a talk in the study.”

“They had a talk about it?” Leila was taken aback by the revelation that Vincent had had a conversation with her father.

“Yes, they did. When I ask your father about it, he just stays silent and puffs at his cigarette, so I have no idea what the dialogue is about as well!” Mabel sighed heavily and continued, “If not for Macey’s scandal, this wouldn’t have happened. Oh God, it is a relief that Vincent at least treats you quite well, so that makes my heart eased up a little. You have no idea how worried sick your father and I are for you these past few days.”

Vincent had gone to her father to have a talk?!

Leila was still trying to digest the sudden divulgence of information as her father was the mayor of F City, so how could she not perceive Vincent’s true intention behind his action?

However, why had her father consented to his proposal of marrying her instead?

Brian Hunter clearly was fully aware that Vincent had the tape of her sister having a roll in the hay with someone else in his possession, and it was evident that his intention of holding on to that was to threaten the Hunter family with it. Brian must have tried to get his hands on that tape, but it was likely to no avail.

She could not bear to continue down her train of thought as it had started to overwhelm her. No wonder her father had urged her earlier to try every means to make Vincent fell in love with herself. Did Vincent really have something on him?

“Leila, is Vincent really treating you…”

“Don’t worry too much about me, Mom. He has been nice to me. I’ll head upstairs to take some nap now, alright? I’m exhausted from last night!” Leila cut Mabel off abruptly and continued to console her, “Everything’s alright, Mom. I’m really fine and happy, so stop worrying about nothing, alright? Just try to be happy for yourself, I know happiness has not come easily for you, and all I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy!”

Leila had not gotten any sleep last night, but her words had other implications to Mabel instead as she thought that the reason for her daughter’s weariness was due to the newlyweds enjoying conjugal bliss on their wedding night. After hearing Leila’s affirmation, she nodded while putting on a relieved but glum expression, “I’m sorry that you have to go through this, Leila!”

“Here you go again, Mom!” Leila hugged her mother and gave her a peck on the cheek as she said, “Alright, I’ll head upstairs now! Good night!”

inexplicable feeling that her daughter’s

her sister whom was staying in the room opposite hers at first sight

Leila greeted her at once. Macey was not present at the table yesterday during dinner, so it was to her

uttered in sarcasm, “If I have not been caught cheating on him, the person whom gets to sleep beside Vincent will not be you! How was it? He didn’t disappoint at all, am I right? I do think that our fate is the same as our mothers’ which is such a satire, Leila. How does sharing a guy with your sister feel

her life was saved by Macey’s mother.

sorry, Macey!” Leila lowered her head as she spoke with a soft tone, “I’ll try to

only values Dad’s power and dominance, not you!” Macey’s cruel words were like an edged sword that had pierced her heart although she knew that

had to focus on for the time being was to get the tape back and not dwell on anything else, but deep

in a self-deprecating manner while tugging at the corner of her lips, “He obviously will only be interested in beautiful

out a snort of contempt, “You are indeed not as attractive as I

was, strictly speaking, the hot type as her body was voluptuous and

gentle woman whom exuded elegance and quiet charm, and

some breakfast, Macey!” Leila uttered softly and proceeded to make her

pursed her lips and followed her downstairs right after, but when she had discerned Leila’s strange walking posture from the back, she immediately scoffed bitterly at her, “Why, is Vincent too vigorous in bed to the extent that you are not able to walk properly after two days? Look at

few seconds as her body went rigid before she kept going again while trying her best to walk in a

her mouth in the end after realizing that she had asked for a snub and gotten the cold shoulder

quietly

heading to sleep again after a full meal, and it’s only early in the morning, Leila!” Mabel pushed open the door and walked inside while teasing her with a smile on

her remark while her face blushed instantly due to

it? I’ve been through it as well, so don’t be!” Mabel smiled at her, “Get some sleep if you’re still tired, and you can come

an eye, and it was today that Leila had to report to duty at the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of

an old-fashioned building which had prevailed an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence. The towering trees had provided welcome shade in the courtyard, and it was a mystery as to how long did it take and how much wind and rain had washed on these platanus orientalis for them to grow into

where the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office was located, and when she could finally spot the name tag of the Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office outside a room, she took a good look at it and breathed in deeply to calm her nerves. It’s right here, she thought to

when she had walked into the room, her eyes were laid on an extremely young face and

Leila turned back to look at the name tag outside the room of the Director of the Political Research Office again as she was astonished by her sight, “Are,

questions that she had wanted to ask him were whether

here to talk to him

as she thought. He looked twenty-three or twenty-four years

behind the glasses as he put