The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 158

“Mr. Langley! Aunt Letty! I’m here!”

Judie breezed into the room like a whirlwind. She spotted Leilani instantly, her eyes lighting up. “Leilani? What are you doing here?

Leilani smiled and waved. “Hello, Judie.”

Judie ran over and grabbed her hand excitedly. “Omigod! You’re at Mr. Langley’s birthday party? What a coincidence!”

Dante chuckled. “Judie, you know Leilani?”

Judie nodded vigorously. “I do! You didn’t know? When I had that allergic reaction and almost suffocated on the street, Leilani was the one who saved me! She’s my savior!”

Dante laughed heartily. “Even better! She’s

my savior too!”

Judie’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes,” Dante nodded. “Leilani is the ‘Ms. Cheney I told you about.”

Judie was stunned by the coincidence, her mouth hanging slightly open as she looked Leilani up and down. Leilani felt a bit awkward under the intense scrutiny.

“Leilani, you’re like a guardian angel sent from above!” Judie exclaimed. “If this were ancient times, I’d build a shrine for you!”

Judie was exaggerating again. Leilani lightly flicked her forehead. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Judie giggled, rubbing her forehead. Then, remembering that Callahan was coming today, her eyes darted around mischievously. A plan began to form.

She pulled Leilani aside and lowered her voice “By the way, Leilani, you probably don’t know this, but my cousin is coming today too! Did you think about what I told you last time? Just my luck, he’s actually late today, even though he’s usually so punctual…”

She imagined the two of them together-a handsome man and a beautiful woman. It would be a sight to behold.

Leilani instinctively replied, “Callahan?”

Judie froze, staring at her in shock. “You know my cousin?”

Leilani paused, realizing her slip. She cleared her throat and tried to sound casual. “Yeah, I know him.”

Judie blinked, then slapped her forehead as the realization hit. “Wait! So you know my mom, my aunt, my aunt’s father-in-law… and you know my cousin too?”

Leilani smiled helplessly and spread her hands “Apparently, I know the whole family.”

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“Why didn’t you mention it before?” Judie asked.

“I only just realized today that you were all related,” Leilani explained.

It was true; Judie had always referred to him as “my cousin” and never used his full name. It wasn’t surprising Leilani hadn’t made the connection.

Judie stood there in a daze for two seconds before grabbing Leilani’s arm in excitement. “That’s perfect! I don’t even need to introduce you!”

Judie’s eyes sparkled as she leaned in, whispering loudly, “Tell me, tell me! How did you meet my cousin? He’s usually colder than ice to women. There isn’t a single female women. There isn’t a single female creature around him. But if he invited you to his grandpa’s birthday, does that mean you guys are…

”

Judie shot Leilani a knowing look, completely ignoring the fact that Leilani had said Dante invited her. S

was too caught up in her matchmaking fantasy.

Leilani shifted uncomfortably under Judie’s teasing gaze. The tips of her ears turned warm beneath her hair.

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14:36

She had actually been planning to ask Judie to arrange a lunch with Leilani soon, so she could properly meet her. She hadn’t expected to run into her here by coincidence.

Letty looked Leilani over, becoming more satisfied with what she saw by the second.

Leilani had chosen her outfit carefully, mindful that this was Dante’s eightieth birthday celebration. She was wearing an apricot-colored dress she had recently purchased in Zamora. The hem fell to her ankles, and the tailored waistline accentuated her posture, making her look elegant and poised. It was exactly the kind of modest, graceful style that the older generation appreciated.

Compared to the flashy gowns usually seen at these events, Leilani’s simple, dignified look was a breath of fresh air for Letty.

As they walked, Letty couldn’t stop complimenting her. “You look absolutely beautiful today. You have such class-much better than those gaudy gowns everyone else is wearing!”

Leilani smiled politely. “Thank you.”

They walked side by side toward the entrance. It was only then that Letty realized Leilani was also there for Dante’s birthday. She was pleasantly surprised and immediately asked who had invited her. She doubted it was Judie; while her niece could be sweet and a bit naive, she knew how.

to behave at formal family events. Judie wouldn’t have invited an outsider to a private family banquet without clearing it first.

“By the way, Ms. Sloan, who invited you today?”

Leilani paused for a moment before answering truthfully. “Dante Langley. I handled his rehabilitation therapy for a while, so he invited me.”

Letty stopped in her tracks, her eyes lighting up. Dante’s rehab?”

Wait, you’re the ‘Ms. Cheney’ who did

Dante had praised ‘Ms. Cheney’ endlessly in front of the family. But according to Dante, the therapist’s last name was Cheney. Letty assumed she must have misremembered the

details.

Leilani nodded.

Letty’s smile deepened, her tone becoming even warmer. She felt that Leilani had a true destiny with the Langley family. First Dante, then Judie-Leilani had saved them both.

“My goodness, you really are fated to be with the Langleys! Dante doesn’t just invite anyone to the house,” Letty exclaimed.

She remembered her previous failed attempt at matchmaking. She already liked Leilani, and since Callahan was coming today, the timing was perfect.

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Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.