Chapter 92
Leopold reacted quickly, dodging with a sidestep.
The entire glass of milk splattered onto the floor.
"What are you doing?"
"You have the nerve to question me?" I slammed the glass down on the table. "Don't you already know?"
Leopold's expression changed multiple times before freezing on something behind me.
"You told her?"
"Leo." Sophia's voice carried a hint of caution.
I ignored whatever was brewing between them and stared coldly at Leopold.
"Nothing to say now."
"Leopold, I know you care deeply for Sophia. You'd do anything for her."
"But I never imagined you'd cover up attempted murder for her sake."
Leopold walked around the table toward me.
"It's not what you think."
I stepped back warily. "Sophia already told me everything. No amount of excuses will make me believe you."
Leopold's steps halted, his gaze bearing down on me silently.
After a moment, he finally spoke. "Is that how low you think of me?"
I turned my face away without responding.
Despicable didn't even begin to describe what he'd done.
"Leo, I was just explaining to Cindy about that night. I have no idea why she'd think this of you. I really didn't say anything else. You have to believe me."
Sophia was still playing dumb, trying to pin the blame on me.
I let out a cold laugh, ready to give her a taste of her own medicine.
"Didn't you say that Leopold covered up your tracks, using my life to win your favor?"
Leopold's eyes turned icy as he glared at Sophia. "You actually said that?"
This time, Sophia was genuinely caught. She quickly shook her head in denial.
"I didn't say that. Leo, I told her you covered for me, but I didn't say it like that..."
Leopold's expression turned cold as frost. "So you did say it."
"No..." Sophia tried to explain, but Leopold wasn't having it.
"Get out! Don't let me see you again!"
"Leo..." Tears rolled down Sophia's face, crying pitifully.
But this time, Leopold wasn't moved.
"If you don't leave now, I'll have someone escort you out."
Sophia bit down hard, shooting me a hateful glare before reluctantly heading for the door.
As she passed me, she lowered her voice. "Lucinda, don't get too smug. I won't lose!"
I couldn't care less.
I didn't need a man who'd use my life to please the woman he loved!
After Sophia left, I looked at Leopold. "You leave, too. You're not welcome in my home."
Leopold frowned. "I told you, I'm not leaving."
I didn't argue. If he wouldn't leave, I would.
Silverlight City had plenty of hotels.
Just then, Leopold's phone rang.
He glanced at it without answering, staring at me. "I have to go out. Don't go anywhere. Your parents are coming by later—don't let them see that man."
I was puzzled. Why would my parents tell him they were coming instead of telling me?
But I didn't let it show on my face. "That's none of your concern. I know what I'm doing."
Leopold looked like he wanted to say more, but ultimately stayed silent.
After he left, I cleaned up the place and packed everything I might need.
Then I specifically told my parents not to come over—I'd go to them instead.
As I headed out, I vaguely felt like I'd forgotten something, but I couldn't remember what.
It wasn't until the rideshare arrived that I realized I hadn't seen Leo at all.
That's when I called him. This time, he answered quickly.
"What's up?" His voice was warm and gentle.
"Nothing much. Just wanted to let you know I'm not going home tonight. Come meet me at the hotel. I'll send you the address and room number later."
"Why the sudden hotel stay?"
"It's complicated. We'll talk when we meet tonight."
Leo was silent for a moment before agreeing.
The Wipere Villa. The moment I got out of the car, I saw my parents waiting at the entrance.
I hurried over.
"Slow down. Your injury hasn't healed yet." Seeing me walk quickly, James came to meet me.
Fanny followed. "Exactly. You've worried us to death."
They supported me on either side. The frustration I'd been holding finally eased.
"Mom, did you already tell Dad about everything?"
The moment we sat down, I could see that James was restless, so I asked.
Fanny nodded. "Yes. We didn't come find you last night because I was discussing with your father how to arrange things so our family of three could reunite sooner."
"There's no rush. Ethan's waiting for me."
Worried they'd be concerned about me going to Gravenford Kingdom alone, I told them about the arrangements I'd made with Ethan.
"The day after tomorrow at the latest, I'll leave with him. You can come find me once you've got everything arranged."
"Cindy, why are you hiding your condition from Leopold? I don't think he'd necessarily stop you." James still had hope for Leopold.
For a moment, I wanted to tell them about Sophia trying to harm me and Leopold covering for her.
But thinking about the ongoing collaboration between the Wipere Group and the Percy Group, I held back.
I'd already suffered enough. I couldn't let my family pay penalties on my account. That would be an even bigger loss.
"Dad, Leopold still hasn't shown any intention of ending our engagement. The Percy Group's eightieth anniversary is the day after tomorrow, and he still wants me to attend with him. I don't want to drag this out anymore."
Fanny said indignantly, "I used to think Leopold was decent. How did he become so unreasonable? Our families go way back. Even if the engagement is canceled, he shouldn't be stringing you along like this."
James agreed. "Right. Mr. Donovan Percy has always been decisive. How could Leopold, as his handpicked successor, be so clueless?"
"If it comes to it, I'll go talk to Mr. Donovan Percy myself."
"Dad, please don't." I quickly stopped him.
"Mr. Donovan Percy hasn't been well lately. Leopold's delaying the announcement about breaking off the engagement because he's worried about his health."
"If we tell Mr. Donovan Percy now, our good intentions might backfire."
Fanny grew even more frustrated. "So we're just supposed to let Leopold control everything?"
"No." I shook my head. "Once we're out of the country, Leopold won't be able to reach us. We won't need to announce the broken engagement—everyone will figure it out."
"That way, even if Leopold gets angry, he can't blame us."
James let out a heavy sigh. "It's our fault. We didn't look out for you properly, and you suffered so much in this relationship."
I quickly reassured them. It wasn't their fault. Leopold was the one who'd been too ruthless, taking things too far.
After having dinner with my parents, I headed straight back to the hotel.
On the way, I searched for news about my injury. All the information had been blocked.
Leopold was as thorough as ever in covering his tracks.
About ten minutes after I got back to the hotel, Leo arrived.
"That was fast. You're not staying nearby, are you?" I asked casually.
Leo's expression flickered before being covered by his signature warm smile.
"Not at all. My bar's on the other side of town. Just got lucky with traffic."
I didn't think much of it and had him sit on the couch.
But Leo gently touched my knee. "Does it still hurt today?"
I shook my head. "Only if I put pressure on it. Why'd you leave so early this morning? You missed quite the show."
"Really? That's too bad. By the way..."
Leo suddenly looked up at me. "I ran into your ex this morning. We actually talked for a bit."