Chapter 128
After saying that, I looked him straight in the eye, not missing a single flicker of expression.
Leo met my gaze. A barely perceptible tension flashed through his eyes before calm settled back in.
"So you know. No wonder I always felt like you were keeping me at arm's length."
I wanted to explain, but he released the steering wheel and leaned toward me.
"I should've been upfront from the start. That's on me."
"Let me tell you exactly what I do."
"First, I'm not running the bars—I just invested capital. I get quarterly dividends based on my stake. That's one income source."
"Second, I own a tech company called Blueprint Tech. We specialize in AI research and development. Ever heard of it?"
Now it was my turn to be shocked. Blueprint Tech? Of course, I'd heard of it. More than heard of it—my dad mentioned earlier this year that he'd love to meet the company's founder to explore potential collaboration in the tech sector.
To think the guy I'd randomly picked up at a bar wasn't just a silent investor but the founder of Blueprint Tech... the whole thing felt surreal. Like some absurd, impossible dream.
"Lastly, I want you to know I wasn't deliberately hiding all this from you. When you mistook me for a pretty boy and offered to keep me, it was an experience I'd never had before. It felt novel. Exciting. So I just... went with it. The only thing I didn't anticipate was actually falling for you. Wanting to be your real boyfriend, not just some kept man."
His gaze was gentle and sincere. I sat in silence, unsure how to respond.
No wonder he was always so busy—leaving early, coming home late, constantly traveling. And when Leopold pulled him aside for that private talk, he'd emerged completely unscathed. If he was the founder of Blueprint Tech, that made perfect sense.
Seeing my silence, Leo grew anxious.
"I've actually been looking for the right moment to tell you everything. I just didn't expect you to bring it up first."
"Now that I've told you everything—no secrets left—can you forgive me?"
My chest ached. If anyone deserved forgiveness, it was him forgiving me. If it weren't for me, he never would've gotten dragged into this tangled mess. He never would've become Leopold's enemy because of me.
"Is your company doing well? Has Leopold been making things difficult for you?"
Leo shook his head. "The company's fine. Actually, Mr. Percy reached out recently about a potential collaboration."
My heart clenched. "It's really just business? He's not planning something under the guise of a partnership, is he?"
Leo read my concern and smiled softly. "It's legitimate. Mr. Percy even brought his technical team to meet with us."
Then he actually defended Leopold. "I get the impression that while Mr. Percy comes across as cold and domineering, he's not someone who plays dirty. After our discussions, I think he's reliable. I see a real possibility of us working together long-term."
I'd never seen Leopold in work mode, but anyone who could make the Percy Group thrive like he had probably didn't need to resort to underhanded tactics. Still, I couldn't shake my worry.
"I don't really understand business management, but please be careful. Don't let yourself get taken advantage of."
Leo's smile widened at my words. He took my hand in his.
"You're worried about me. That makes me happy."
"But if you still have concerns, I can give you a tour of the company tomorrow. You can meet my development team."
I let him hold my hand, saying softly, "That's not necessary. I trust you."
Leo looked moved. He pressed a kiss to my palm. "Does that mean I can stay by your side?"
That kiss felt like a feather, lightly brushing against my heartstrings. I steadied my surging emotions and asked quietly, "We haven't known each other that long. Why are you so... good to me?"
A car accident. A fire. Both attempts on my life. Yet each time, he'd shielded me, kept me from getting hurt.
That kind of devotion—I was afraid I couldn't live up to it.
Leo's expression softened. "Because you're worth it."
'Worth it' hit differently than 'I like you'—warmer, more solid.
I smiled gently.
After that night, Leo and I grew noticeably closer. Even without words, we could read each other. That unspoken understanding felt comfortable in a way I'd never experienced during all my years with Leopold. The ease, the comfort—it was entirely new.
I started seriously considering convincing Leo to leave the country with me.
...
"So, did I say anything I shouldn't have when I was wasted that night?"
Amelia sat beside me, asking nervously. I'd planned to visit my parents today, but she'd shown up out of the blue, saying she had something important to ask.
I hadn't expected this.
"No, you didn't."
"Really?" Amelia looked unconvinced. "Because my cousin's been really cold to me these past couple of days. He even canceled our weekly work briefings. Something's definitely off!"
I tried to reassure her. "Leopold's probably just swamped. Maybe he hasn't had time for your updates."
"No." Amelia shook her head firmly. "I definitely pissed him off somehow. Otherwise, he wouldn't treat me like this."
"I've been kicking myself for days. Why did I go to that stupid bar? Why did I start that fight? I must've lost my damn mind!"
Seeing how worked up she was, I tried again. "What's done is done. Stop beating yourself up. The important thing is everyone's okay."
Amelia's expression eased. "You're right. Thank God you're fine, otherwise Leopold really would've killed me."
I paused, then smiled. "He wouldn't. He wouldn't lose sleep over me."
Amelia looked surprised. "Why would you think that? Leopold clearly cares about you—"
"I don't want to talk about him." I cut her off, changing the subject to Donovan instead.
Amelia's face clouded over. "Grandpa's doing better, but he's not fully recovered yet. Grandma keeps complaining about chest pains, so Leopold's letting her stay at Percy Manor temporarily. Once she's stable, he'll have someone take her back to her estate."
The news didn't surprise me. Leopold might be autocratic, but he was filial. He wouldn't force Alicia into anything.
Still, a heaviness settled in my chest.
After Amelia left, I got ready for bed. The doorbell rang. Thinking it was Leo, I jogged over to answer it.
Outside stood Ethan.
The moment he saw me, words came rushing out. "Cindy, I've been thinking about this nonstop. I need to explain so you don't misunderstand me."
I noticed the bloodshot eyes, the stubble on his jaw—he clearly hadn't slept all night. After a moment's hesitation, I let him in.
I poured him some water and sat across from him.
"Ethan, what do you want to explain?"
Ethan took a sip, gripping the glass with both hands. His voice came out rough. "Cindy, I swear I didn't post that video. I checked when it went live—I was passed out drunk that entire day."
"When I came to, a whole day had gone by. I made a copy of the bar's security footage. You can watch it."
He placed a USB drive on the coffee table.
I didn't reach for it. Instead, I asked, "Ethan, Leopold said he knew from the beginning that I was planning to leave Silverlight City. He said you told him."
"Is that true?"