Chapter 146
Chapter 146 A Sharp Rebuke From Leighton
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Leighton’s tone dripped with disdain as he spoke, his eyes lifting faintly, laced with mocking
amusement.
“Jensen would rather entrust her to me than to you lot. That says everything about how unreliable and disappointing you truly are.
“She’s been away for ages, and only now do you bother to check in. Anyone would think you were all dead.
“Wait-no, you’re not all dead. Your favoritism runs so deep you’re utterly blind, fixated entirely on the impostor who’s taken what isn’t hers p>
Leighton glanced lazily across at Holden.
Holden fell silent.
It was the first time he’d been on the receiving end of Leighton’s cutting wit, and he had no retort left.
Every word struck straight to the core, and there was no way to argue back-because every single thing he said was the unvarnished truth.
Standing beside Leighton, Zora’s eyes went wide as she watched him shut Holden down with just a few sharp lines.
Why did his words carry such weight, while hers never seemed to land at all?
Zora stared intently at Leighton, silently puzzling over what made his words so effective.
“What are you staring at p>
Noticing the girl beside him gazing up with round, curious eyes, Leighton fought back a faint smile and ruffled the stray lock of hair on top of her head.
She was hopelessly dazed.
If he hadn’t been here, she would have been bullied without even knowing how to run away.
He had returned just in time to see Holden pestering her.
“I’m wondering what your mouth’s made of,” Zora said earnestly. “How can you shut people down so easily, while I never can p>
Her gaze drifted to his naturally rosy lips-slender, perfectly shaped, endlessly attractive. Every time they parted and closed, the words that spilled out sounded utterly wonderful to her ears.
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Chapter 146 A Sharp Rebuke From Leighton
They’d sounded amazing yesterday, just as they did today.
Zora found herself thoroughly enjoying listening to him speak.
Leighton was left caught between amusement and helplessness at her sincere question.
No one had ever asked him something quite like this before.
If it had been anyone else saying it, he’d have thought it a deliberate insult.
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A quiet, unbreakable harmony settled between the two, shutting everyone else out. Holden’s jaw tightened as he watched them, unable to hold back any longer.
“Zora,” he cut in abruptly, his mood soured by the moment, “would you mind if I stopped by your place p>
Leighton turned to Zora, his tone quiet but firm. “You want to know why people listen to me? Speak your honest thoughts. Don’t be afraid to say no to the things you dislike p>
Zora lifted her gaze to meet his. His eyes were breathtaking, like polished gemstones-deep black in dim light, glinting like obsidian.
She found herself longing to reach out and touch them.
Holden stood there, internally exasperated. Here he was, her own blood brother, yet Leighton had the nerve to coach Zora like this right in front of him.
He’d long heard tales of Leighton’s sharp, unforgiving tongue, and now he understood perfectly why Yale never wanted to speak his name.
One word from him was enough to infuriate anyone to the brink.
“Zora, I-” Holden began, only to be cut off mid-sentence.
“No,” Zora said flatly, turning to face him with a stern, cold expression.
She’d always thought following the lead of someone as striking and sure as Leighton was the right choice, no matter the situation.
This one word felt far more satisfying than turning them down with a long, weak excuse.
Zora had always been soft-natured. She chose her words carefully, fearing she might hurt others’ feelings, and never once stopped to consider her own heart.
“Zora…” Holden’s eyes dimmed with hurt at her unyielding rejection.
“Leighton!” he snapped, frustration edging into his tone.
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Chapter 146 A Sharp Rebuke From Leighton
He shot Leighton an irritated look-Zora had never spoken to anyone so coldly before.
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Leighton’s gaze turned sharp and unyielding. “What now? Are you going to lecture me just like your mom?
“Your own family failed to treat her right, forcing her to endure endless patience and grievance all alone. Now you take issue with me guiding her? Does the Knox family expect her to bear all your anger and mistreatment silently? To be cast aside when she’s no longer useful, only to be pulled back and forced to accept your halfhearted kindness whenever it suits you?
“Holden, the world doesn’t owe your family endless chances. Fate gave you your shot, and you threw it away. You’re the ones who lost her p>
Leighton’s expression darkened, a faint flicker of anger simmering in his deep eyes. He lifted a hand and gently covered Zora’s ears.
She might be oblivious to much of the world, but some words would still cut deep and wound her.
Zora tilted her head in confusion, unsure why he’d blocked her ears.
The motion dulled all surrounding noise, making it hard to catch his words clearly. Her fixed once more on his lips, her attention fully diverted.
gaze
She could make out almost none of the faint phrases he spoke, only watching as his lips moved steadily through his rebuke.
Faced with Leighton’s relentless accusations, Holden felt as though his throat were sealed shut with cement, unable to utter a single word for a long stretch of time.
“Holden, if you can’t care for her properly, stay out of her life. Don’t flood her with your so- called amends, driven only by your own guilty conscience over past mistakes.
“You’re only trying to ease your own inner remorse, never stopping to ask if your attempts to make things right are nothing more than an unwelcome intrusion to her p>
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