Chapter 217
I felt like Irma's smile concealed other emotions.
Just as I was about to discern them more carefully, the emotions in Irma's eyes suddenly vanished, leaving only trust and longing. As if the other emotions I'd just seen were merely an illusion.
After Irma left, Amelia frowned at me. "Cindy, why didn't you tell her that the only reason you switched to 'Summer Forest' back then was because someone deliberately performed your dance first, so you had no choice but to bite the bullet and choose something harder?"
I smiled faintly. "Do you think she would have changed her mind if I'd told her?"
Amelia thought for a moment. "No."
"Exactly." I looked at her. "Since it can't be changed, why waste our breath?"
Amelia studied me carefully. "Cindy, I feel like your attitude toward Irma is a bit strange. Are you still suspicious that she has ulterior motives?"
"Is it that obvious?" I touched my face.
"Not really, but I know you so well, I can definitely sense it. Although I haven't noticed any problems with Irma, I definitely support you."
Speaking of this, I asked again, "You said you arranged for someone to secretly follow her yesterday. Did they find anything suspicious?"
Amelia slapped her forehead. "I almost forgot again. The person I sent yesterday didn't find anything wrong with Irma. After she went home last night, she first went to the pharmacy to buy medicine, then didn't go out again, and no strangers came looking for her."
No results—just as I'd expected. "Well, even if there is something, she wouldn't expose herself so quickly."
Amelia nodded. "My people are still watching her. I'll let you know if there's any news."
After finishing with Irma's matter, she asked if I wanted to participate in the Valeria International Ballet Competition. "Registration closes tomorrow. If you want to participate, you need to hurry."
"I know."
Amelia hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Has Leopold tried to stop you from entering the competition?"
"No."
Amelia was surprised. "That's good. Last time you competed in the international ballet competition, he really wanted to watch you but wouldn't say so directly. I had to persuade him for ages before getting him to the venue."
"You persuaded him to go?" I'd always thought Leopold went to the venue to accompany Sophia.
"Of course. He was so busy—if Grandfather and I hadn't both persuaded him, why would he have gone?" After finishing, Amelia suddenly realized something and leaned closer to me. "You didn't think Leopold went for Sophia, did you?"
I awkwardly pressed my lips together.
Seeing my expression, Amelia couldn't help sighing. "You and Leopold really are a match made in heaven."
I didn't understand. "Why do you say that?"
Amelia glanced at me. "You're just as stubborn as he is."
I'd wanted to argue, but thinking about it, I realized it seemed to be true.
Strange—I wasn't like this before. I used to say whatever I thought. When did I become so stubborn?
I couldn't remember.
In the afternoon, I received a call from Leopold saying Christian had developed medication to control the trace toxins in my body and wanted to meet to discuss it in detail.
I agreed without hesitation. After meeting up with him, we headed straight to Christian's research center.
As soon as we met, Christian pulled out a glass bottle and handed it to us. "This is the new medication we developed yesterday. We've tested it on lab mice, and so far, there are no side effects."
I looked at the small white pills in the glass bottle. "When can I start taking it?"
If I could start taking this medication, I could participate in the Valeria International Ballet Competition.
Christian said, "Let me examine you again to see your current physical condition."
"Okay." I was very cooperative.
After the examination, Christian also asked if I'd experienced any discomfort these past few days.
"No, not even those dissociative states from before."
"That's a good sign. It means the toxin's effect on your body has been controlled."
This was indeed good news for me.
Soon, the examination report came out.
After reviewing it, a hint of a smile finally appeared on Christian's serious face. "Ms. Wipere is very fortunate. The toxin hasn't spread these past two days."
The massive weight hanging over my heart finally fell.
Leopold also looked relieved.
"I'll prepare a week's dosage later. Ms. Wipere, remember to take it on time. Come see me again in a week to see if the situation continues to improve."
"Okay, thank you, Dr. Moore."
Just as I finished thanking him, Leopold also stood to express his gratitude.
As we left the research center, I felt a rare sense of relief.
"Are you planning to participate in the Valeria International Ballet Competition?" Leopold suddenly spoke.
The strings I'd just relaxed immediately tightened again. "Yes. If you're trying to talk me out of it, don't bother—I won't change my mind."
Hearing this, Leopold couldn't help laughing. "Who said I was going to talk you out of it? Have you forgotten? Last time when I asked you to move to my place, I already made my position clear."
I lowered my gaze slightly. Before, I'd thought this was his delaying tactic.
Seeing I wasn't speaking, Leopold actively moved closer to me.
Sensing this, I unconsciously leaned toward the car door.
Leopold stopped his movement, saying in a low voice, "From now on, do whatever you want to do. As long as you don't hide it from me, I definitely won't stop you."
My taut heartstrings silently relaxed. But I didn't dare relax completely. "I understand."
Noticing this direction wasn't toward Crescent Ballet Company or back to Bayview Villas, I couldn't help asking, "Where are you taking me?"
Leopold replied, "Aren't you registering? We're not far from the Percy Group, and the Percy Group's internet is fast enough that you don't have to worry about getting kicked offline."
I was somewhat speechless. Where did he get the idea I was worried about that?
Leopold somehow suddenly laughed. "Alright, I'm just teasing you. I've already had someone prepare your registration materials. You just need to check them personally, and if there are no problems, submit them directly."
"You prepared my registration materials?" I was shocked. He didn't even know whether I'd actually participate—how could he prepare these in advance?
"You were right last time—you don't have many opportunities left. I don't want you to miss them again and again." When he said this, his tone was very serious.
I suppressed the surge in my heart and didn't respond.
Soon, the car stopped in the Percy Group parking garage.
Leopold and I took the private elevator directly to the top floor office.
"Mr. Percy, the CEO of LongPeak Tech has arrived."
Barry stood to greet Leopold. Only after finishing did he notice I was there too, and he couldn't help but freeze.
Leopold nodded coolly and walked into the office with his arm around me.
He directly unlocked his computer and handed it to me. "Check it first. I'll be back in about ten minutes. If there are any problems, tell Barry anytime."
Before I could take the computer, Barry couldn't help saying, "Mr. Percy, your computer contains all the company's confidential files. Is this really..."
Leopold glanced at him, his eyes as cold and deep as an abyss, without a ripple.
Barry's face turned deathly pale. He immediately apologized. "Mr. Percy, I'm sorry. I overstepped."
"Next time, someone else will take your position." Leopold's tone carried unquestionable authority and coldness.