I'm Afraid I Won't Be Able to Leave

Leah laughed, taking her friend’s hand to comfort her. "Don’t worry, it’s really okay. The fact that I used to be a hostess at Azure Bay was never a secret. I told my mom about it before, and I knew if it was going to be exposed, it would happen sooner or later."

"That’s true! You didn’t steal or rob anyone. What’s wrong with earning money with your ability to hold your liquor!" Sheila snorted.

"Exactly. A bunch of lightweights."

Just as the two were laughing heartily, the door was thrown open with a BANG. "Well, aren’t you proud of yourself?"

Mabel Grant stood there, her face completely expressionless. Both Leah and Sheila jumped in fright.

"...Mom."

"Aun... Auntie."

Sheila quickly stood up. She had always been a bit afraid of Mabel Grant, but that was to be expected. In fact, it seemed like everyone was afraid of her.

"Well, Auntie, you and Leah can talk. I’ll... just go sit outside for a bit."

Sheila scurried away as she spoke, completely ignoring Leah’s pleading eyes. Mabel walked in, her gaze sweeping across the room.

The room was nicely decorated. Though the base palette was cool, warmer tones had been added, resulting in a style that both Leah and Asher favored.

When Brandon Jacobs came in and saw Leah’s bandaged foot, he shut the door with a SLAM and rushed over. His face was a mask of fatherly pain; he wanted to touch her foot but didn’t dare. "Leah, does it hurt?"

"Dad, it doesn’t hurt anymore, really."

Leah took her father’s hand to soothe him, then added in a placating tone, "Mom, it really doesn’t hurt."

Mabel let out a cold scoff. "Did I ask you if it hurts?"

Leah fell silent. Brandon chided his wife gently. "That’s enough. You worried about her the entire flight, wondering if it would affect her walking and how much pain she was in. You were worried sick, so why say something like that now that you’re finally seeing our daughter?"

"The doctor said it’s nothing serious. I just need to rest for a few days. I didn’t break any bones."

Leah’s voice was quiet. She knew her mother had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, yet seeing her expression and hearing her words still hurt a little.

Seeing Leah like this, any anger Mabel felt fizzled out. The truth was, her heart ached for her. This was the daughter she had lost for more than twenty years; she wanted to give her all the best things in the world. How could she ever bring herself to be truly angry with her?

Her anger was directed at the people who had bullied her daughter. When Mabel found out that Leah had been mobbed by reporters and had sprained her ankle, she’d wanted to cripple the whole lot of them.

She walked over and poked Leah’s forehead. "Did you find out who pushed you? How was it handled?"

"No, it was too chaotic. There were people everywhere. Asher... he broke their hands."

Leah felt a pang of guilt. It wasn’t necessarily intentional, but she knew Asher was seething with anger.

"Why not break their legs, too? After all, it’s your leg that’s injured," Mabel snorted.

"...I’m not crippled, I just sprained it."

"Is there a difference?"

"..."

’You really are my mother, alright,’ Leah lamented internally.

Mabel and Brandon asked a few more questions about the situation, and Leah told them everything she knew.

Staring at the closed door, Ethan Shaw whispered to Asher Keating, "Third Master, do you think Aunt Mabel is going to fly off the handle at you? Her face practically turned to ice."

Just thinking about the way Mabel had looked when she entered, Ethan felt a shiver run down his spine.

"Aunt Mabel isn’t an unreasonable person."

Asher shot him a cool glance, but ’he wasn’t so sure himself.’ Even if Mabel did get angry with him, he deserved it. It was his fault for not protecting Leah properly.

"Nope. Third Master, you’re on your own here. Sheila and I are getting out of here."

As he spoke, Ethan stood up, grabbing Sheila to make a run for it. He was afraid of becoming collateral damage when Aunt Mabel eventually exploded.

"Third Master Keating, please tell Leah I had to go! I’ll come see her tomorrow!"

"..."

Asher watched the two disloyal cowards flee, pinching the bridge of his nose in resignation. He stood up and knocked on the room door.

Brandon Jacobs opened the door. After Asher stepped inside, Mabel shot him a glance. "This whole thing with Morgan Sterling exposing Leah—was it your older brother who told you about it?"

"Yes. Big Brother said he was just passing by when he overheard Leah’s name, and he put two and two together based on her identity." Asher nodded.

The mention of Alan made Leah think of Talia, and she asked, "Mom, how is Tanya doing?"

Alan and Sharon Shaw had taken Talia to Kingsford yesterday. So much had happened today that neither Leah nor Asher had a chance to ask for an update.

"She had some tests done today, and we’re waiting on the results. Once all the reports are in, Old Mr. Tierney can devise a treatment plan. Don’t worry, we’ve arranged everything. They’re staying at one of Mabel’s properties with maids, and a driver and escort are arranged for all their hospital trips."

Brandon Jacobs said with a smile. He and Mabel had met Talia today, and she was absolutely adorable. When Mabel was playing with her, she grabbed onto Mabel’s finger, which made her chuckle.

"Thank you, Uncle Jacobs. Thank you, Aunt Mabel."

Hearing Brandon’s words, Asher felt relieved, and Leah also breathed a sigh of relief. She then asked, "Mom, Dad, when are you heading back?"

"What was that? We just got here and you’re already trying to get rid of us? Are we in your way?" Mabel poked her forehead, annoyed.

"...No, I was just asking."

"If you hadn’t gotten hurt, I wouldn’t have had time to rush over here. I have to visit a few companies tomorrow, so I’ll be leaving the day after."

A warmth spread through Leah’s heart when she heard that. She knew her mother was incredibly busy and wouldn’t have made such a hurried trip if not for her. Taking her mother’s hand, she said, "Mom, I’m sorry for making you rush around."

"What’s a little rushing around? You’re my daughter. It’s not like it’ll kill me."

Mabel snorted. "However, Mason knows what happened. Just you wait. He’s already bought a plane ticket."

"...You’re kidding. What’s he coming back for? Isn’t he really busy these days?"

Leah was speechless. ’This is such an overreaction.’ It was just a sprained ankle. Did Mason really need to fly all the way back from Eldoria for that?

Brandon laughed. "You know what your brother is like. He wanted to fly back during that business with Liam Peyton, but your mom scolded him. After what happened today, there was no stopping him. Besides, he’s finished his work, so it’s no big deal for him to come back for a few days."

Since he was done with his work, Leah didn’t object. She hadn’t seen him in a long time and missed him. Still, Mason was a maniac when it came to protecting his sister. There was no telling what kind of a scene he would cause when he returned.

That evening, Mabel and Brandon stayed for dinner before returning to Nathan Grant’s villa. After Asher saw them off and came back, Leah received a call from Miles Kessler, who said he wanted to come visit her.

Remembering how Miles Kessler had almost gotten into a fight over her that afternoon, Leah readily agreed. Half an hour after she sent him the address, Miles showed up at her door carrying a gift of fruit and milk.

Asher carried Leah to the living room sofa. Instead of leaving, he grabbed his laptop and sat down beside her to work.

Miles Kessler seemed a bit awkward. Seeing this, Leah smiled. "Miles, Louise told me what happened this afternoon. Thank you."