Chapter 212
I hesitated.
Ethan sensed it and quickly added, "I'm already in Silverlight City. About that new drug I mentioned last time—Arnold has made a breakthrough, but it's not convenient to discuss over the phone. Can we meet in person?"
Hearing him suggest meeting, I hesitated even more. "Ethan, now isn't very convenient for me."
Ethan paused. "Has Leopold had someone keeping watch over you?"
"No." I immediately denied it. "I have to see Dr. Moore today. I might not have time to meet you."
Ethan's tone noticeably softened. "That's fine. If today doesn't work, tomorrow is good too."
I wanted to refuse, but Ethan guessed my thoughts and hurried to add, "The sooner we discuss this, the better. Otherwise, I'm afraid your condition might change."
"Why do you say that?" I immediately tensed.
"This new drug's structure is quite complex. I can't explain the specifics over the phone. If you have concerns, we can choose to meet at the hospital."
I didn't understand why Ethan insisted on meeting in person, but if this was related to the new drug, I could compromise. "Alright, tomorrow at ten in the morning. Meet at the hospital."
Just as I hung up, Tammy and the bodyguard returned.
"Ms. Wipere, Mr. Percy wants to speak with you."
I looked at the phone Tammy held out and calmly took it. "You're looking for me?"
"Your line was busy just now. Who was calling you?" Leopold's voice was steady and calm, betraying no emotion.
For him to contact me at this moment, he must know Ethan had arrived in Silverlight City.
There was no need to lie at this point. "It was Ethan."
"What did he want with you?" Leopold's voice was gentler than before.
I knew I'd guessed right. "He just told me he's coming to Silverlight City to pay respects to his ancestors and wants to meet with me."
I deliberately paused, wanting to see Leopold's reaction.
"Is that all?" Leopold asked back.
"What else would it be?" I countered.
After a moment, Leopold laughed softly, his tone casual yet carrying a hint of something deeper. "It's your decision. If you do meet, remember to tell me the location. I'll come pick you up."
His words exceeded my expectations.
Given Leopold's previous temperament, there was no way he would have let me meet Ethan. Why had he changed this time?
"Okay, I'll tell you once I've decided."
Back at Pansea Heights, I got out of the car and prepared to go inside.
"Ms. Wipere," Tammy called out to stop me.
I turned back to her. "Tammy, what is it?"
"Just now..." Tammy hesitated slightly but continued. "When I went to pick up the gifts, the clerk gave me this envelope. They said your friend left it for you and asked me to pass it along."
She held out a white envelope.
"What is this?"
"I don't know either, but they said you'd understand when you saw it."
Only then did I reach out to take it. After opening the envelope, inside was a card with an address written on it.
[Platinum Haven Hotel, 903.]
Besides the address, there was nothing else on it.
Clearly, someone had thrown down a challenge.
As for who, I had a pretty good idea.
"Tammy, thank you."
Tammy quickly shook her head. "You're too kind. I was worried just now it might be something bad."
"It's nothing, just an invitation."
I casually tossed the envelope into my bag and went inside.
"Ms. Wipere, you're back." Ada saw me and came out carrying a cup of tea, setting it in front of me. "Have some water and rest a bit."
I instinctively picked up the teacup. After taking a sip, I found the temperature was just right. "Thank you, Ada."
"You're welcome." Ada smiled and asked, "There are fresh strawberries and blueberries washed in the kitchen. I'll bring them out for you right away."
Hearing this, I couldn't help freezing.
After Ada brought out the strawberries and blueberries, I finally spoke up. "Ada, I don't think I said I wanted fruit."
Ada quickly explained, "It was Mr. Percy's instruction. He said you've been practicing dance recently, and it's quite demanding, so he specifically told me to prepare your favorite fruits. I've also drawn you a bath—it'll be ready in two more minutes."
Leopold had instructed this.
My hand holding the teacup paused. "What else did he say?"
Ada's eyes brightened as she hurried to say, "Besides the fruit and bath, Mr. Percy also instructed that once you start practicing, you need to control your weight. Meals should be light and low-fat, and after eight o'clock every evening, I should arrange a massage therapist for you to ensure you rest well..."
Ada mentioned many details of daily life, all conveniences I'd taken for granted.
So none of this had been coincidental.
It was all Leopold's doing.
An indescribable feeling suddenly surged through my heart.
I set down the teacup. "I understand."
After finishing my bath, Tammy told me Leopold had a business dinner tonight and wouldn't be back to eat.
"Then go ahead and arrange dinner." As I spoke, I added, "Tammy, arrange a driver for me. I'm going out after dinner."
"Alright."
After dinner, I declined Tammy's company and headed to Platinum Haven Hotel with the bodyguard.
Passing the front desk, I paused and had the bodyguard find a staff member to accompany us.
The bodyguard turned and made a phone call.
Before long, a middle-aged man hurried over.
"Ms. Wipere, hello. I'm the hotel's front desk manager. How may I help you?"
I glanced at the bodyguard, not expecting a single phone call to summon the hotel manager.
"Take me to 903."
The manager's eyes widened in surprise. "But 903 isn't a private room—it's a room number. You..."
So it was a room number. I suppressed the doubts in my heart and said flatly, "Don't ask so many questions. Just take me there."
"Yes, this way please."
The manager didn't dare ask further and quickly led us to 903.
Just as we stepped out of the elevator, I heard a familiar voice in the hallway.
"Mr. Percy, slow down. Be careful not to fall."
My steps halted. I recognized Irma's voice.
Sure enough, she was the one who'd sent me the card.
She lived in my life like a shadow, knowing my every move.
"Ms. Wipere, this..." The manager had also heard those words and was sweating profusely.
The bodyguard said nothing, but I could see the tension in his eyes.
I was actually the calmest one. "Let's follow and see."
The manager wanted to stop me, but I didn't look at him and walked straight ahead.
Suddenly, Irma let out a coquettish whimper. "Mr. Percy, you're hurting me. Don't rush. Once we're in the room, you can do whatever you want."
"Ms. Wipere, how about... how about..." The manager was so anxious that he was scratching his head.
I looked at the two figures entwined together not far away and abruptly stopped.
The man with his back to me wore the same suit Leopold had left Pansea Heights in this morning, even the cufflinks were identical.
I suddenly felt it was pointless.
I turned to walk back.
The manager and bodyguard were both stunned.
Just then, a soft sound came from the elevator lobby.
At the same time, Irma's panicked voice tore through the hallway's silence. "You're not Leopold! Who are you!"