Chapter 121
"How can this be?"
Ethan couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Refusing to give up, he firmly patted Leopold's arm. It felt warm—didn't seem fake.
This result made my anxious heart finally settle.
As long as it wasn't him, that was good.
Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to face such humiliation.
"The facts are the facts. No one can change them."
Leopold brushed away Ethan's hand and rolled down his sleeve himself. "Now it's time for me to collect what's owed!"
Hearing this, Barry raised his hand and signaled.
Two burly bodyguards rushed in, went straight to Ethan, and grabbed him.
"What are you doing!" Ethan struggled.
"Please don't struggle, Mr. Guise, to avoid accidental injury," Barry warned.
I couldn't help but speak up. "Leopold, don't make things difficult for my mentor."
"He wasn't trying to provoke you deliberately. Your words and actions made him suspicious. He meant no harm..."
Leopold raised an eyebrow and looked at me. "Without malicious intent, he suspected me and made this big scene."
"If he had malicious intent, would I be completely ruined?"
I shook my head. "It's not like that."
Leopold stood up. "I said earlier—if you want me to prove my innocence, be prepared to face the consequences."
"But this was my—"
I wanted to take responsibility myself, but Leo spoke up.
"Cindy, you make your bet, you take your losses. If you don't want Mr. Guise to lose all face, stop talking."
I looked back at the door—Ethan had already been forcibly removed.
Even if I wanted to stop it, it was too late.
"Smart of you. I have business today. I'll deal with you later."
Leopold turned and left without hesitation.
I couldn't help worrying. "I wonder what Leopold will do to my mentor."
"You're that worried about him? Aren't you afraid of encouraging his reckless suspicions?" Leo asked calmly.
"You don't understand Leopold. I'm afraid he'll hurt my mentor and cause more trouble."
Leo turned to look at me. "So you're still worried about Leopold?"
"I..." I wanted to deny it, but the words wouldn't come.
Just then, Leo sucked in a breath and grabbed his right arm.
I hurried over. "What's wrong? Did the wound tear?"
Leo grabbed my hand. "You haven't answered my question."
This question—I didn't want to answer it.
"Your wound needs a new dressing. Let me take you to the hospital."
Leo wouldn't leave. With both arms, he lifted me onto the table.
"Cindy, I've done what you asked. Shouldn't you explain your relationship with your mentor?"
I was completely engulfed by his shadow.
"There's nothing between my mentor and me."
"But I don't think he's that innocent. He keeps standing up for you, even willing to offend Leopold. That goes beyond a mentor's role."
I wanted to get down from the table, but Leo wouldn't let go.
"Don't avoid this. I want to know your answer."
I looked at his serious expression and said quietly, "I'm not oblivious to my mentor's feelings, but I only respect him. That's why I brought you along."
Leo braced his hands on either side of me, closing the distance between us. "You have no feelings for Mr. Guise. What about Leopold?"
I turned my face away. "Don't push me. I don't want to answer that question."
But Leo wouldn't let it go. "Cindy, you still care about him, don't you?"
"I don't care."
Leo raised his hand and gently traced the corner of my eye. "You can lie to me, but you can't lie to yourself."
"If you don't care about Leopold, why did you pair me with Amelia?"
I jerked my face up. "You figured it out?"
Leo's throat produced a hollow laugh, though his eyes held no mirth. "I'm not stupid. How could I miss something so obvious?"
I felt somewhat guilty. "I was just worried Leopold would retaliate against you."
Leo's hand rested on my face. "Then just stay with me."
I pressed my lips together, unable to tell him I was leaving.
"I'm afraid I can't protect you either."
Leo's hand tightened slightly, lifting my face. "How will you know if you don't try?"
I looked into his eyes, thinking of what Ethan had said.
"Leo, are you hiding secrets from me?"
Leo paused slightly. "What do you mean?"
"Why can't my mentor find any records of you living in Silverlight City? Weren't you here before? Then why do you look like Leopold's assistant, and how can you talk to him?"
Leo released his hand. "I already explained—he came to talk to me about you. As for looking alike, there are plenty of unrelated people in the world who resemble each other."
"As for traces of my life, I'm just an ordinary person. Before I met you, I basically just went between home and the bar. It's normal he couldn't find anything."
His explanation was reasonable.
Plus, Leopold's arm really had no injury.
My suspicions were dispelled again.
I took Leo to the hospital to re-bandage his wound.
Before the treatment was even finished, my mom, Fanny, called.
I quickly stepped out to answer.
"Cindy, what's going on with that news online? Why are these false rumors spreading?"
I'd planned to explain to them later.
I didn't expect them to find out so quickly.
"Mom, this is still under investigation. Wait until I get home to discuss it."
"But those people online are saying such terrible things. With things blown up this big, why hasn't the Percy family intervened?" She was dissatisfied.
"Right, I'll go ask Mr. Donovan Percy right now." My dad's voice came through as well.
"Mom, Dad, don't worry about it. It's complicated. I'll explain when I get home."
"That's all for now. I have things to do. Bye."
I quickly hung up.
Distracted by the Leo and Leopold situation, I'd almost forgotten I still needed to verify things with Donovan.
Seeing Leo would still need some time, so I took the opportunity to find Donovan.
Just as I arrived near the hospital room, I saw Sophia sneaking into the nearby emergency stairwell.
I quickly followed.
Worried about being discovered, I didn't get too close.
But I could still hear Sophia's words.
"...the Percy family just sent a lawyer's letter, not a subpoena. What are you afraid of?"
"Don't say I didn't warn you—this news is just an appetizer. I have even more explosive material that will definitely bring bigger traffic..."
I couldn't help but frown.
The news she mentioned—could it be the scandal about me that spread last night?
I thought it was Alicia who deliberately spread it.
Now it sounds like Sophia was fanning the flames behind the scenes.
"Anyway, I've explained the pros and cons. If you agree not to retract it, I'll give you two more photos right away. You definitely won't be disappointed..."
Hearing Sophia speak so confidently, I couldn't help being curious—what was this more explosive news?
"...Don't worry, this news is related to 'Ballet Prince' Ethan Guise. It's photos of him with a woman, and that woman is Lucinda Wipere..."