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!”

Mabel still felt an inexplicable feeling that her daughter’s demeanor was unusual in

Leila could see her sister whom was staying in the room opposite hers

during dinner, so it was to her surprise that she had gotten up early

squinted her eyes and shot her a piercing gaze as she 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

and getting reduced to silence. That’s right, Macey was Leila’s half-sister, but her mother was also Leila’s aunt and Mabel’s sister. Her aunt had passed on after shielding Leila in a car accident, and it could be said that her life was saved by Macey’s mother. From that day onwards, Leila and Mabel had felt that they owed Macey for her mother’s death, hence no matter what Macey had done

spoke with a soft

fallen in love with you! To tell you the truth, he only values Dad’s power and dominance, not you!” Macey’s cruel words were like

for the time being was to get the tape back and not

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

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

her body was

her aura was a different type compared to Macey. She had the tenderness of a gentle woman whom exuded elegance and quiet charm, and if the sisters were to be described as flowers metaphorically, Macey would be like peony while

Macey!” Leila uttered

bed to the extent that you are not able to walk properly after two days? Look at the way that you’re walking

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

end after realizing that she had asked for a snub and gotten the cold

down quietly on her bed as she cast her sidelong glance out of the

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

into a panicky state upon hearing her remark while her face blushed instantly due to mortification as she was surprised that even her mother had thought

smiled at her, “Get some sleep if you’re still tired, and you can

it was today that Leila

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

the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office outside a room, she took a good look

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

the room of the Director of the Political Research Office again as she was astonished by her sight, “Are, are you Director

she had wanted to ask him were whether he

head and smiled, “Director Gordon is my father, and I’m here to talk to him about something. What about you? Why are

whom was this young just as she thought. He looked twenty-three or twenty-four years old at most, and he was lacking the bearing that a leader of a cadre would have. “I’m here

eyes behind the glasses as he put on