Chapter 117
Leopold's deep eyes trembled, emotions surging like waves beneath the surface.
He clenched his jaw. "I know this situation has wronged you."
"I'll talk to my grandmother and make sure she never troubles you again."
I looked at him calmly. "As long as I stay away from you, she won't bother me."
"That's the simplest solution, isn't it?"
Leopold's throat worked, but no words came out.
I looked away, focusing elsewhere.
"I understand your grandmother's feelings. But to say I hold no grudge about what she did to me? I can't lie about that."
"As for you, I don't need you to do anything for me. And stop threatening to give up your position as Percy Group heir to upset your grandparents."
"They're elderly. They can't handle this kind of stress. If something happens to them, I can't take that responsibility."
Here, my eyes refocused on Leopold.
"So the best thing is for us to have nothing to do with each other."
Leopold's expression darkened like storm clouds, cold energy gathering around him.
"I'm not asking you to forgive my grandmother. But I can promise you—I will never let her hurt you again."
Hearing he still wouldn't let this go, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
My tone dripped with sarcasm.
"Leopold, I don't need any promises from you. On the contrary, I'm thinking of you."
"Maybe all these years I've been too compliant, too soft in front of you. You've forgotten I'm someone who settles scores."
"If you don't let go, I don't mind letting everyone know about you and Sophia's affair. I can't predict what consequences that would bring."
Leopold's breath caught. His hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists.
From the force, his entire hand trembled slightly.
My expression grew wary. Was he going to hit me?
Leopold seemed to notice my defensiveness. His clenched fist suddenly loosened.
His straight back seemed to bow under some unbearable weight.
"Get some rest. Grandfather asked me to come see him. I'll check on you later."
Watching him turn and stride quickly out of the room, my heart felt hollow.
I hoped he'd actually listen this time.
Things between us had been destined to end the moment Sophia appeared.
If we kept this up, we wouldn't return to how we were—we'd become bitter enemies.
And it would affect decades of friendship between the Percy and Wipere families.
I lay back down, about to close my eyes, when my phone on the nightstand rang.
I picked it up. It was Ethan.
"Ethan, did you make it to Gravenford Kingdom?"
"Cindy, are you alright?" Ethan's voice sounded anxious. "I heard the Percy family took you away, that they got someone to assault you. Where are you? I need to see you."
My gaze froze. "Ethan, you didn't leave? You're still in Silverlight City?"
"Yes." Ethan immediately admitted it. "I was planning to leave, but when I got to the airport, I heard the news. I'm not going."
I sat up quickly. "Don't come back! Leave now. I'm fine. Nothing's going to happen."
"And I've already made things clear with Leopold. You coming back will mess up my plans."
Ethan fell silent for a few seconds before speaking. "Cindy, the Percy family are wolves. With their deep roots in Silverlight City, they act without consequences. You can't handle them."
"Ethan." My voice turned cold. "The root of all this is between Leopold and me. Stop getting involved."
"Listen to me. Leave right now. Don't look back."
This time, Ethan was surprisingly stubborn. "Cindy, I'm not trying to get involved. I just don't want anything to happen to you."
"I haven't even left yet, and you were almost assaulted. I can't just abandon you here. Even if Leopold wants revenge on me, I'm staying!"
I frowned. "Ethan, you—"
"Cindy, don't try to convince me."
I shook my head lightly. This couldn't continue.
He was exceptional, influential internationally.
Even when my dad saw his car last time, he said Ethan's identity wasn't simple.
If something happened to him here, I was afraid it would bring even worse consequences.
"Ethan, you don't need to worry about me. I..." I gritted my teeth. "I'm not alone. I have a boyfriend now, and he'll find ways to help me."
The moment those words left my mouth, the other end of the line went dead silent.
Only breathing sounds traveled back and forth.
"Cindy, I know you haven't gotten over Leopold, which is why you found that replacement. So you don't need to make up lies to drive me away..."
Hearing Ethan's words, my heart pounded.
How had he seen through my purpose so quickly?
I quickly denied it. "Ethan, I'm not lying. Leo and I are officially together now."
Sorry, Leo. To make Ethan leave, I have to borrow your name.
"Really?" Ethan's voice was heavy, like it was being squeezed from his throat.
"Yes, so please leave. We'll see each other again in Gravenford Kingdom."
Ethan gave a soft, hollow laugh before saying, "Alright then."
The call ended.
I exhaled in relief before putting down the phone.
I'd originally wanted to call Leo, but remembering I hadn't returned to the villa these past two days and he hadn't looked for me either, I held back.
I'd already asked Amelia to help take care of him. Contacting him now seemed inappropriate.
Forget it. Better not to disturb them.
I readjusted my position, preparing to rest.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the hospital room door.
I was puzzled. Who would visit me at this hour?
Still wondering, I sat up and invited them in.
The door slowly opened.
Donovan sat in a wheelchair, pushed in by the butler.
"Grandfather!"
Seeing him, I threw off the covers to get out of bed.
Donovan quickly stopped me. "Don't move. Stay in bed."
I sat back down. Once he reached my bedside, I spoke. "How come you're here?"
Donovan gestured for the butler to leave, then asked with concern, "Have you recovered? Are you still uncomfortable anywhere?"
I froze. "Grandfather, you know what happened?"
Donovan's eyes filled with pain as he let out a heavy sigh.
That sigh seemed to carry endless regret.
"This is my fault. I never imagined she'd do something like this. I truly regret it—if I'd known keeping you here would harm you, I never would have convinced you to stay."
"Cindy, this is all my fault. I pushed you into danger..."
My emotions were complicated.
On one hand, I felt for Donovan—his illness hadn't fully healed, yet here he was, shouldering responsibility that wasn't his.
On the other hand, I was conflicted. By saying this, Donovan was also hoping I'd let Alicia off, hoping I wouldn't make a big deal of this.
"Grandfather, please don't say that. This isn't your fault."
But Donovan shook his head. "You don't need to comfort me. I do bear responsibility for how things have escalated."
"I've already had her forcibly sent back to the estate. Without my permission, she can't leave."
"And everyone else involved—I've sent them all to the police station for you to deal with as you see fit. I'm too ashamed to ask you to forgive her. I hope this helps ease your anger somewhat."