Chapter 11
Back at Bayview Villas, I immediately walked inside, scanning every corner of the living room. No sign of Leo.
I turned toward the bedroom when his voice came from behind me. "You're home earlier than usual today."
I spun around to find Leo leaning against the kitchen doorframe, wearing a black t-shirt with a black silk apron tied loosely at his waist.
"Did you go out today?" I asked cautiously.
Leo replied calmly, "No, I've been home making soup. Can't you smell it?"
Only then did I notice the comforting aroma filling the air. He wasn't lying—soup that fragrant would have taken hours to simmer.
"It does smell amazing. You're quite the chef."
Leo's gaze shifted directly to mine. "Just going to compliment me with words?"
I was surprised. "What else?"
Leo strode toward me, pinning me against the wall. "I prefer something more... tangible."
Understanding his suggestion, I smiled softly. My fingertips traced his strong brow, sliding downward.
Before I could reach his eyelids, he impatiently caught my hand, pressing it against the wall.
"I'm not in a teasing mood, so... Lucinda, I'm going to kiss you now."
I smiled without answering, letting him take the lead.
Later that afternoon, I arrived at the dance company as usual. Just as I reached the practice room door, I overheard a conversation inside.
"Did you hear? Mr. Wood was attacked here yesterday. He's still in the hospital."
"What? Mr. Wood is the director of the overseas ballet company. Who would dare hit him?"
"Sophia, weren't you at the practice room yesterday? Did you see who hit Mr. Wood?"
Soon, Sophia's characteristically delicate voice responded, "I don't know, but I think Cindy was practicing here yesterday..."
I pushed the door open forcefully, ignoring everyone's startled expressions and looking straight at Sophia.
"If you're not certain, don't spread rumors. Slander has consequences."
"Lucinda, Sophia just stated what she saw. Why so defensive? Feeling guilty?" Lillian Reed jumped in before Sophia could respond.
Lillian was a lead dancer in the company with impressive credentials and experience. Many had expected her to become principal dancer, but I'd gotten the position instead, leaving her resentful.
After Sophia joined, the two had formed an alliance, constantly scheming against me behind my back.
I used to tolerate it, but not anymore.
"Claims require evidence. Without proof, watch what you say. Slander me again, and I'll call the police."
"Cindy, Lily didn't mean anything by it. We're all part of the same company—there's no need to make a big deal of this, right?" Sophia played the peacemaker again.
Others chimed in, saying I was overreacting and deliberately disrupting company unity.
I refused their moral manipulation. "Since we're a team, focus on your own responsibilities instead of stirring up trouble."
"Lucinda, what are you so high and mighty about?" Lillian seethed. "You stole my principal position, and now you've lost to Sophia! That's karma—you can't win forever!"
"Exactly. We always supported Lily for principal. Who knows what shady methods you used to get the position."
"People should know their limits, or they'll crash hard."
I'd heard these comments countless times before and remained unfazed. I just didn't want Sophia to feel triumphant.
"I wasn't planning to involve the police, but perhaps that's the best approach now."
"That way, we can discover not only who hit Mr. Wood, but also why Mr. Wood, who never visits the practice area, suddenly appeared here."
My words struck Sophia's weak spot. She quickly intervened, "Let's not speculate. Cindy would never do something like that. And she's right—we're a team and shouldn't make baseless accusations..."
I had no interest in watching her act, so I issued a cold warning: "This is the last time. If I hear you spreading rumors again, I won't be so lenient."
Perhaps my warning worked, because the next few days were noticeably quieter around me.
I threw myself completely into dance practice. This meant early mornings and late nights. The intensity was high, and sometimes I couldn't even get a ride home after late practice sessions.
After weighing my options, I decided to ask Leo to help me choose a car.
"This G-Wagon has spacious, comfortable seats, excellent visibility, and the entire frame uses the latest high-strength alloy..." The salesman's endless praise was becoming unbearable.
"Leo, what do you think?" I asked.
Leo didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked around the vehicle, examining it thoroughly.
Finally, he replied, "It's a solid car, suitable for a woman to drive. If you like it, go for it."
"Ma'am, you have excellent taste, and this gentleman is so good to you..." the salesman started gushing again.
"Fine, I'll take it. Here's my card." I handed my bank card to the salesman.
"Of course, just a moment while I get the paperwork."
Just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief at getting rid of the salesman, I turned to see Sophia and Lillian arm-in-arm entering the dealership.
What terrible timing!
"Lucinda, what are you doing here?" Lillian looked surprised to see me.
Sophia, however, immediately spotted Leo beside me. Her face filled with shock. "You..."
I quickly pulled Leo behind me. "Where I go is none of your business."
"Stop pretending! I thought you had some powerful backer that made you so arrogant at the dance company. But it turns out you just found some gigolo who spends women's money!" Lillian's face twisted with mockery. "I really overestimated you. Stooping so low for this kind of man—how pathetic!"
I gritted my teeth in anger. "Lillian, don't go too far!"
Just then, Sophia suddenly laughed.
"Lucinda, even if Leo rejected you, you didn't have to stoop so low as to find this knockoff version! If word gets out, you'll be a laughingstock!"
Having my scheme exposed publicly, I pressed my lips together, clenching my fists.
But I refused to lose face. "This is my business. Stay out of it!"
Sophia strutted over in her high heels, looking down her nose at me. "You found this impostor to deliberately humiliate Leo. That makes it my business!"
"What do you think Leo will do when he finds out about this disgraceful behavior of yours?"
Seeing her reach for her phone, panic rose within me.
Given Leopold's contempt for me, if he discovered I wasn't over him and had found a lookalike...
He would not only humiliate me further but might also harm Leo.
I urgently whispered to Leo, "You need to leave now! Any later, and you might be driven out of this city!"
Leo refused, his face darkening. "Why are you afraid of this person who shares my name? Even if I resemble him, that's not my fault. Why would he drive me away? Is he really that unreasonable?"