Chapter 178
Leopold's execution was strong—the treatment plan was ready the next day.
Considering my pregnancy, Leopold also had Tammy and Ada temporarily renovate the master bedroom, transforming it from just a sleeping space into one combining recuperation and medical care.
To keep me from getting bored, Leopold specifically moved my bed near the edge so I could see the garden below just by looking up.
I casually took two photos of the room and posted them to a blog visible only to Sophia, with the caption: [So domineering.]
I didn't want Leopold constantly appearing here, so I could only provoke Sophia to achieve that goal.
"Based on Ms. Wipere's previous episodes, her condition isn't too severe yet. But because she's pregnant, conventional medications can't be used. All these drugs must be reformulated by my team."
Arnold came in with Leopold.
Leopold didn't hesitate. "No problem. Don't worry about the cost—I just need her and the baby healthy."
Seeing them arrive, I naturally set down my phone and asked, "Do I have to stay in bed once treatment starts?"
"Yes," Arnold explained. "Your body's burden is greater during pregnancy than usual. I can't predict when your next episode will occur. Plus, your knee joints are most severely damaged. Early treatment will focus primarily on acupuncture and physical therapy."
"If those two methods don't show results, what then?" Leopold asked.
"Then we'd switch medications. But if changing medications still isn't ideal..." Arnold's tone grew heavier. "We'd have to terminate the pregnancy."
I lowered my eyes. Surgery really was the fastest treatment method.
Leopold's expression changed slightly. "Alright. We'll reassess in a week."
Soon, I began taking pills and powders.
The first two days, I felt nothing.
On the third day, after taking medication, I started acupuncture.
The moment the needle pierced my skin, I gripped the sheets.
Seeing this, Leopold immediately stepped forward and took my hand. "Does it hurt badly?"
I quickly released my grip, steadying my breathing. "I'm fine."
After finishing the needles, Arnold began recording my physical data.
"This is normal. Pain means the medication's working. The pain might be more pronounced in the coming days—prepare yourself mentally."
I nodded. "Understood."
"Will the pain last long? Is there any way to ease it?" Leopold pressed.
"The pain ends when therapy ends. However, if someone knows professional massage techniques, they can help relieve muscle tension in her legs and reduce pain to some degree."
After Arnold finished, I said, "It's fine. I don't need a massage."
But that evening, Leopold came in carrying a bottle of essential oil.
"I asked Dr. Norman about professional massage techniques. Let me work on you."
I'd just showered. Hearing this, I quickly refused. "No need. I'm already fine."
Leopold scooped me up in one motion and placed me on the bed, gripping my ankle and setting my foot on his knee.
I froze, instinctively trying to pull my leg back, but he gripped it again.
His hands were slender. When they held me, warmth slowly seeped through my skin. Somewhat burning.
"Don't move, or you'll get cramps while sleeping."
His voice was steady and powerful, each breath striking my heart.
"Says who? I never get cramps."
I tried pulling my leg back again, but Leopold's hands had already begun kneading around my ankle.
Since this was his first time doing this, his technique was somewhat clumsy, the pressure sometimes light, sometimes heavy, not quite even.
But his expression was very focused.
My whole body went rigid, my hands silently clutching the sheets.
This kind of intimate ambiguity made me very uncomfortable.
"Does this hurt?" Leopold suddenly spoke.
I snapped back to find his hand already circling my knee.
"No."
He continued, his pressure much more even than before.
His massage movements gradually grew more practiced—from ankle to calf, calf to ankle, kneading repeatedly. When his large palm fully enveloped my calf, applying steady pressure to push the muscle, I clearly felt the tense muscles gradually relaxing.
After three rounds, the heavy feeling in my legs completely disappeared. I felt entirely refreshed.
Leopold released his hands, washing them while telling me, "Dr. Norman said twenty minutes daily is sufficient. No more than that."
"Thanks. I'd like to rest now."
I coldly issued the dismissal.
Leopold paused, nodding faintly. "Alright then. Rest. Call me if you need anything."
His ready compliance surprised me somewhat.
After he left, my hand gently covered my lower abdomen.
It was because of the baby, wasn't it?
From that day on, Leopold came to my room every evening to massage me.
I went from initial resistance to numb acceptance.
Sometimes when I didn't want to see him, I'd pretend to sleep near the end.
Feeling him tuck the blanket around me, my hand beneath the covers, involuntarily clenched.
Only after he left did I open my eyes.
If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed that someone as proud and noble as Leopold would lower himself to this degree.
Was this child really that important to him?
In the morning, Arnold asked about my sleep following the protocol.
I answered casually, "Pretty good."
"No muscle pain?"
"Nope."
"Cramping?"
"None of that either."
"Knee joint heating up?"
"Still no."
Arnold couldn't help frowning. "That doesn't make sense."
Seeing his expression, I grew nervous. "What doesn't make sense?"
"According to the treatment schedule, you should already be too sore to sleep." Arnold seemed to recall something. "Mr. Percy isn't massaging you every night, is he?"
I hadn't planned to hide it anyway, so I nodded.
Arnold immediately yelped, "Does he have a death wish?"
"Why do you say that?" I was confused.
"His study light stays on until four every morning. The moment it hits seven, he's in the kitchen making your breakfast, then staying with you during treatment."
Arnold sounded incredulous. "But then in the afternoon, he goes to the company and doesn't get back until ten at night. After that, he massages you, then buries himself in his study to handle business. Does he think he's Iron Man?!"
I hadn't known any of this, nor did I particularly care.
If Arnold hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have realized Leopold's schedule was so packed.
"Then tell him to rest earlier. He doesn't need to massage me."
"Can't do that." Arnold flatly refused. "Haven't you noticed? Starting from day four, your physical therapy sessions got longer, and so did Mr. Percy's massage time."
I looked skeptical. "They did?"
Seeing my confusion, Arnold shook his head. "You really had no idea. If Mr. Percy hadn't been massaging you so thoroughly these past days, you'd have woken up in pain long ago."
I froze.
I really hadn't noticed the time increasing, nor had I noticed Leopold going nonstop for so many days.
Arnold kept chattering, praising Leopold's intelligence and saying he wanted to take him as an apprentice.
I stayed silent.
Even if Leopold didn't do business, the Percy family would never let him become a doctor.
That evening, I prepared to talk with Leopold when he returned.
But I never expected an uninvited guest to arrive first.