Chapter 110
"You're the one who asked Lucinda out?"
Leopold's question left both Amelia and me confused.
Amelia nodded. "Yeah, obviously. Who else? You thought she came out alone?"
Hearing that, and thinking back to Leopold's furious interrogation moments ago, realization dawned.
"Leopold, you thought I came out alone to pick up guys?"
Leopold's brow furrowed, but he didn't deny it.
Amelia studied him for a moment before asking incredulously, "Leopold, you can't seriously think that, can you?"
Leopold's expression darkened further, though his eyes refused to meet mine.
I could see his guilt written all over his face. "Leopold, you and I are done. What gives you the right to have me followed?"
His timing was too perfect to be a coincidence.
Which meant from the moment I arrived, his people had been watching from the shadows.
Maybe even earlier.
"I didn't have you followed." Leopold's voice was low as he explained.
I laughed mockingly. "If you didn't, then how did you know I was here? How'd you show up right when I was in trouble?"
Leopold's jaw tightened. He said nothing.
Sensing the tension, Amelia turned to Paul and his crew.
"You're the ones who gave my Cindy trouble?"
Everyone shook their heads, all eyes landing on Paul.
Paul was drenched in sweat. After glancing at her, he quickly apologized.
"It's all a misunderstanding. I honestly didn't know she was your friend."
"I was out of line asking for her number, and even more out of line taking it out on her when I lost! Miss, please forgive me. I'll never do it again."
Amelia's hand flew across his face with brutal force.
The slap sent Paul stumbling back several steps before he caught his balance, a clear handprint blooming on his cheek.
"Who the hell do you think you are, asking for Cindy's number? Think the Percy family's a joke?" Amelia was livid.
I hadn't expected Amelia to defend me like this. I wanted to tell her it was enough, but with Leopold watching, I kept quiet.
These people clearly made a habit of harassing single women in public.
A lesson would do them good.
"Cat got your tongue? Apologize to my Cindy! Now!"
At Amelia's command, the entire group apologized in unison.
I warned Paul coldly, "Don't let there be a next time."
Paul and his crew nodded frantically before scurrying away like pardoned prisoners.
Once they left, Amelia flashed me a knowing smile. "Since Leopold's here, I'll head out. Cindy, text me when you get home."
I had zero desire to be alone with Leopold. I immediately followed her. "I'll leave with you."
"Lucinda."
Leopold grabbed my hand, stopping me.
"Let go!"
Without hesitation, I yanked free and headed for the exit.
Afraid he'd follow, I practically forced my way into Amelia's car and rode back to Crescent Ballet Company with her.
Aside from Amelia, I had no real connections at the company.
No need for catching up or networking.
The paperwork was done quickly.
Amelia wanted to grab dinner together, but I politely declined.
I still planned to visit Donovan.
Though at the last minute, remembering Alicia didn't want to see me, I dragged Amelia along to the hospital.
After Amelia diverted Alicia and handled the bodyguards, I finally made it to Donovan's room.
I pushed the door open gently. Donovan sat propped against his pillows, reading glasses perched on his nose as he flipped through a magazine.
Sensing someone entering, he looked up. His eyes trembled.
"Cindy!"
"Grandpa."
Standing in the doorway, my eyes immediately burned with tears.
Donovan quickly set down his magazine, beckoning me over.
I rushed to his side. "Grandpa, are you feeling better?"
Donovan nodded. "Don't worry. I'm much better now."
Then he glanced behind me. "You came alone?"
I nodded.
Donovan studied me for two long seconds before asking gently, "You came to see me so suddenly. Is there something you want to tell me?"
I hadn't expected him to see through me so easily. I bit my lip.
Finally, I told him the truth.
"Grandpa, I'm probably leaving Silverlight City."
Donovan sat up sharply. "So soon? Where are you going? Will you come back?"
I shook my head. "I don't know. The competition earned me an invitation to the dance company I've always dreamed of joining. I've waited years for this chance. I can't let it go."
Hearing this, Donovan settled back against his pillows. "That's wonderful. I won't stand in the way of your dreams. It's just..."
He sighed. "You and Leo... what a shame."
My throat closed up, heat surging in waves, but I didn't know what to say.
"Cindy." Donovan looked at me again. "Tell me the truth. That night you stayed at the Percy Manor—had you already decided on this? Is that why you deliberately worked with Sophia, gave her the chance to be with Leo?"
Emotions I'd suppressed for too long spilled out as tears.
"Yes. Because Leopold wouldn't let me go. He wanted to steal my opportunity and give it to Sophia. I couldn't accept that."
"Grandpa, I'm sorry. This is my fault. I let you down."
Donovan sighed heavily, waving his hand. "It's not your fault. Leo misjudged her character."
I would have preferred him to scold me rather than say it wasn't my fault.
In the entire Percy family, he was the only one who'd always protected me, doted on me.
I had no idea how to repay that loyalty.
"Grandpa, I'm not trying to badmouth Sophia."
"But she's good at pretending. She's nowhere near as sweet as she seems. Please keep people watching her. Don't let her do anything to hurt the Percy family."
"I know." Donovan sighed again. "Cindy, I can't help but feel there's some misunderstanding between you and Leo that was never cleared up. Otherwise, you two wouldn't have ended up like this."
I wiped my tears. "I felt it too, but Leopold won't talk about it. There's nothing I can do."
"I wanted to investigate, but it's been so long. Still no leads."
I forced a smile. "It doesn't matter now anyway. Sophia's carrying his child. Soon he'll have his own little family."
"Let the past stay in the past."
I didn't want to drown in what was behind me, and I definitely didn't want to repeat my mistakes.
After getting Amelia's text that she was back, I stood to say goodbye to Donovan.
Before leaving, I made a point to ask him something.
"Grandpa, what I told you today—please don't tell Leopold. Not yet."
Donovan agreed, though he couldn't help sighing.
"If Sophia hadn't gotten pregnant, maybe you and Leo wouldn't have come to this."
"I wasn't strong enough. I gave her the opening. In a way, I failed you, too."
A sharp ache flooded my chest.
I quickly shook my head.
"No. This isn't your fault."
The hospital room door slammed open.
Sophia stormed in, fury written across her face. "Lucinda, I knew it! Mrs. Percy forbade you from upsetting Mr. Donovan Percy, and you still dared to come!"
"Get out! As long as I'm here, I won't let you near Mr. Donovan Percy's room ever again!"
She lunged at me, grabbing and shoving.
Her nails dug in painfully. Furious, I shoved her off.
But Sophia went straight to the floor.
"Ow! My stomach—it hurts so bad!"
She clutched her belly, her face draining of color in an instant, twisted in agony.