Chapter 56

Leyla let out a faint, pitiful sob, dabbing at eyes that were perfectly dry before continuing,"When I learned they were hosting a welcome-home banquet for Eliana, I went out of my way to warn them. With their situation right now, I said no one would bother showing up. But they ignored me completely and still threw an extravagant event just for her. Now, I'm sure everyone is laughing behind their backs."

Her gaze dropped, as though weighed down by worry.

The silence that followed dragged on far too long.

When she finally glanced up, both women across the table were staring at her with parted lips, their expressions caught somewhere between shock and hesitation.

A flicker of unease twisted in her chest until Leyla finally asked, "What's going on?"

One of them let out a half-smile. "If that's what's bothering you, Leyla, you can stop worrying."

"Stop worrying? What are you talking about?" Her brows knit in confusion.

Another friend of Leyla jumped in, her tone almost amused. "Because two nights ago, that banquet was nothing like you described. It wasn't empty-not even close. The place was overflowing. Anyone who showed up late had to stand because every seat was taken."

Leyla's eyes went wide, the disbelief sharp in her voice. "That's impossible!"

Catching herself, she quickly softened her tone, smoothing her expression. "If you're only saying that to make me feel better, there's no need. Everyone knows the Murray family's fall from grace is the talk of the city..."

·/

"It's the truth," the first girl said firmly. "I'm not trying to soothe your ego. It realy is true. Practically every prominent family in Qidence showed up to their banquet."

The color drained from Leyla's face. It was unthinkable-the Murray family hadn't become a public embarrassment at all.Which meant the only person who looked like a fool now.., was her.

The other girl leaned in and said, "I was dragged there too, thanks to my family insisting I meet i is an. Bur Eliana? That bitch wouldn't even bother to introduce us, let alone share what he likes."

Her tone carried a sharp edge, thick with contempt for Eliana.

In their eyes, a woman like Eliana was beneath them. She was expected to lower her head, speak plainly, and never dare to compete with them for Tristan's attention.

Those words jolted Leyla, stirring the memory that both the Clarke family and Tristan had visited the Murray estate that day.

The realization hit her hard. Once those two names were on the guest list, what wealthy family would dare stay away? Even if it was nothing more than a performance, they would still have to show their faces for the sake of prestige.

It suddenly became clear why no one had dared to sneer at the Murray family's banquet these past two days.Damn it! How did she not foresee this?

Leyla's lips pressed into a thin line, a flicker of cold calculation flashing in her eyes

Meanwhile,the two girls kept badmouthing Eliana, completely missing the change in Leyla's mood.

Before long, the focus of the conversation turned back to Leyla.

The spark came when one of them mentioned the upcoming charity exhibition hosted by the Pearson Group.

"Leyla, you're incredible with oil paints. Didn't Davin Gordon himself praise your work? Word is he's going to be there. Since you're acquainted with him, could you hook us up with invitations?"

Another girl jumped at the chance, saying,"|fyou manage to get one, grab another for me,'alright?"

"Same here. I'd love to go, but my family didn't get an invite," the first girl added.

The immediate urge to decline rose inside her. Truthfully, she had only met Davin once.

Her win in that oil painting competition had given her the chance to speak with him, but the paio she'r been praised for wasn't even hers-it was a perfect copy of Carl's work.

Her talent lay in copying, not in creating something from her own mind.

Whenever an oil painting competition came around, she would slip into Carl's room in search of "inspiration."

Carl might have lacked brilliance in most areas, but his talent for oilpainting was undeniable, though it remained a secret to almost everyone.

"I...I've been swamped lately, so I won't be able to makeit," she said, offering a flimsy excuse.

Deep down, she knew Davin would never hand her an invitation, much less several for her friends.

One of the girls urged, "Busy or not, you have to be there. There's going to be an oil painting contest at the exhibition. Leyla, if you enter, you could take the championship. They say the prize is huge. You really can't miss it."

Leyla's lips curved into a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Since cutting ties with the Murray family, she no longer had the chance to slip into Carl's studio for "inspiration".

Without those borrowed ideas, stepping into that competition would leave her floundering with nothing to present.

The moment that happened, every whisper about Leyla's so-called talent would turn into a confirmed truth -she was a fraud.

Resolving to avoid the risk, she shook her head and said, "I'm swamped right now. Otherwise, I'd be there without a doubt."

The two girls looked disappointed."What a shame," said one girl, clearly disappointed.

Refusing to back down, the other spoke again. "If you won't compete, at least try to get us invitations You've been kind enough to forgive the Murray family, so doing us this little favor should be nothing for you"

"I'll see if I can," said Leyla, keeping her tone vague. "But whether you get them or not depends on whether Mr.Gordon has extras."

"That's fine. As long as you try, we won't hold it against you if it doesn't work out." Both girls nodded in agreement.

Despite their words, Leyla could already sense the distance they would put between themselves and her if she failed.

Without the Murray name behind her, she knew she would be treated like no one.

Her smile tightened further, feeling heavier than before.

Finishing her meal in haste, she grabbed her keys and headed straight for Hector's villa.

Inside, the place felt hollow,the only sound coming from a maid methodically tidying the room.

"Has Hector been here today?" she asked, a trace of hope in her voice.

The maid paused briefly before answering, "No. No one's been by."

Disappointment flickered in Leyla's eyes, dulling their brightness.

Ever since they parted ways at the Murray estate, Hector had neither visited nor returned her calls.

A chilling thought gnawed at her-was he planning to cut her off completely? She found herself pacing in front of the tall window, her steps quickand restless.

With her ties to the Murray family severed, the safety net she once had was gone. If Hector turned away from her now, she would be left with nothing.

Halfway through another anxious turn,Leyla froze. Doing nothing would only let the distance grow. Hector's feelings for her might still exist, but without contact,they could fade like smoke. She needed to close that gap before it vanished.

Snatching her phone from the table, Leyla dialed a number she knew belonged to one of Hector's men.

The call was answered almost instantly. "Hello, Ms. Murray?"

"Where's Hector right now?" Leyla asked without preamble.

"I'm sorry, I can't give you that information," the subordinate replied.

"Then don't," Leyla said coolly. "But when Hector and I mnake up, the first thing I'll do is tell him to replace you."

The blatant threat made the subordinate relent. "He is at the Clarke estate, though he'll be leaving soon. If you plan to see him, you might want to wait until he's done."

"Where's he headed?" Leyla asked curtly.

"To the Pearson Group's charity exhibition," the subordinate answered without hesitation.

"I understand," Leyla murmured before ending the call.

There was only one conclusion left-she would have to be at that exhibition.