Chapter 109
"Cindy, what happened between you and my cousin last time? Everything was fine at the celebration dinner, then he just left halfway through. Now a bunch of board members are pissed at him."
The moment we met, Amelia started grilling me about the anniversary night.
That incident still hadn't gotten out.
Naturally, I couldn't share details.
"I'm not really sure. I wasn't feeling well, so I left early."
"Okay, I thought you might know something. Are you feeling better now?" Amelia looked at me with concern.
I smiled faintly. "I'm fine."
"By the way, when are you leaving the country? I need to have HR process your resignation."
I froze. "How did you know I'm going abroad?"
Amelia looked at me suspiciously. "The Royal Ballet already sent you an invitation. This is the opportunity you've been waiting for. You're not dumb enough to pass it up, are you?"
I relaxed. So that's what she meant.
I thought she'd found out about my escape plan.
"Right, I definitely don't want to miss this chance. I'm just running into some complications that I'm trying to sort out."
"Need my help?" Amelia immediately volunteered.
I hesitated, biting my lip before finally working up the courage to nod.
"Actually, there is something I need your help with."
"Shoot." Amelia was all ears.
I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. "You're still in touch with Leo, right?"
Amelia's eager expression suddenly turned hesitant.
"Why... are you bringing him up?"
Seeing her face change, my heart clenched.
So they really had stayed in contact.
"You don't need to hide it from me. I've figured out your relationship with Leo."
Amelia's eyes went wide. "You figured it out?"
I took a deep breath, trying to explain without revealing my own connection to Leo.
"When I met Leo, I didn't know you two knew each other. When he said he'd help me, I had no idea he'd reach out to you."
"Actually, Leo's a good guy. Thoughtful, considerate, great temperament."
Amelia's expression turned strange. "Are you sure you're talking about him?" she asked quietly.
Her disbelief stung.
Leo had only known me a short time, and he'd already treated me so well.
Amelia had known him longer, and they had history—how could she not know him at all?
"Yes. You and Leo have stayed in touch, which means you both still have feelings."
"Amelia, it's so rare to find someone who genuinely cares about you. Take another look at Leo. Don't let pride make you lose him."
Amelia stared at me blankly. "Cindy, what are you talking about? How could he and I possibly..."
I grabbed her hand. "Amelia, I'm the perfect cautionary tale. Please don't make my mistakes."
Amelia looked completely confused. "Cindy, I have no idea what you're saying."
I shook my head gently. "You'll understand eventually."
I couldn't say more, or things would get too messy.
I shifted to the main point.
"What I need your help with is this—after I leave the country, if Leopold takes his anger out on Leo, please protect him. Don't let Leopold push him into a corner."
Amelia's confusion cleared, replaced by a smile. "Don't worry. My cousin wouldn't do that."
Worried she wasn't taking this seriously, I insisted sternly, "You know Leopold's temperament. Please take what I'm saying to heart. Don't forget."
Seeing how serious I was, Amelia's smile faded.
"Okay, I promise."
With Leo's exit strategy secured, I felt halfway relieved.
When Amelia went to the restroom, I thought about contacting Ethan.
But I was afraid of exposing his whereabouts.
"Hey there, beautiful. Can I get your number?"
Suddenly, a strange man appeared beside me, grinning as he held out his phone.
Seeing his sleazy smile, I refused directly. "Sorry, I don't give my number to strangers."
He didn't leave. Instead, he tossed his phone on my table with a sinister laugh.
"It's just a number, not asking you to be my girlfriend. Why be so stingy?"
"Besides, you're here all alone looking lonely. Might as well come hang with us."
Suppressing my anger, I refused even more bluntly. "Don't you understand English? I said no. Leave."
His smile froze on his face.
Just then, the group of guys and girls nearby started jeering.
"Whoa! Mr. Morgan got shot down!"
"Paul, you lost! Get back here and take your punishment!"
Hearing this, I understood.
He'd lost a bet, and I was the butt of his joke.
Humiliated by the mocking, Paul turned on me furiously. "It's just a damn phone number! I'm not asking you to die! Why are you acting so high and mighty?"
His shamelessness made me laugh. "You can't handle losing your own bet. Why should I pay for it?"
He hadn't expected me to fight back. His face darkened, and he started cursing.
"Fucking bitch! I was doing you a favor asking for your number. Don't be so ungrateful!"
"Put your number in right now, or I'll make your life a living hell!"
He raised his fist menacingly, as if to hit me.
I prepared to dodge.
But before I could move, someone grabbed him from behind and lifted him up.
"Who the—?"
"Let me go! My dad is Marvin Morgan! You touch me, and he'll destroy you!"
He kicked his feet anxiously while trying to threaten whoever had grabbed him.
"Marvin Morgan? I'm really not worried."
That familiar magnetic voice tugged at my heartstrings.
I looked up sharply.
Leopold's face slowly appeared from behind the man.
What was he doing here?
"Mr. Percy!"
When Paul saw Leopold, his shock exceeded even mine.
Before Leopold could speak, he started begging.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Percy! I didn't know she was yours. This is my fault. I'll apologize right now. Please, have mercy!"
Leopold dropped him like garbage.
He walked toward me, his gaze sweeping over the table of people.
They all jumped to their feet, apologizing in unison.
"Mr. Percy, we're sorry. We were wrong."
"Please forgive us..."
Leopold ignored them completely, coming to stand before me. His deep eyes blazed with fury.
"Your injuries aren't even healed yet. Why aren't you resting at home? What are you doing wandering around?"
My eyes narrowed, the emotion in them slowly draining away.
"I didn't ask for your help. Stay out of my business."
Leopold's face was expressionless, dark energy radiating from him.
I looked away, ignoring him.
The others glanced between us, not daring to breathe too loud.
"Leopold, what are you doing here?"
Perfect timing—Amelia came back.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, she quickly explained.
"I'm the one who asked Cindy out today. We haven't seen each other in a while, and I missed her. Oh, weren't you supposed to be in a meeting at the office? Did it end early?"
Leopold's rigid expression shifted abruptly.