Chapter 134
So much had happened lately that I hadn't had time to deal with this.
I'd been planning to handle it in the next couple of days, but someone had already uncovered the truth before me.
I couldn't help but click through.
The netizens who'd been attacking me had completely changed their tune.
[The authorities released an official statement—looks like those rumors were all fake. Lucinda Wipere isn't a homewrecker, she's the actual victim!]
[I can't believe I attacked Lucinda Wipere online! I was waiting for updates, but now I'm the real-life villain!]
[I've heard about this Asher Wood before. He has a thing for harassing young women. Don't ask me how I know—just trust me on this.]
[I actually looked into Asher Wood earlier. He's trained tons of principal dancers for international companies. Never thought he'd be such a two-faced creep. Disgusting! He deserves to rot in prison!]
[Lucinda's so talented—did she piss off some rich girl, which is why she got framed this badly?]
[Commenter above just discovered the real tea...]
Suddenly, the internet was flooded with discussions about me.
Someone had even dug up footage of people cornering me at the hospital—only to get schooled by me instead.
[Lucinda's such a badass!]
[She really is the Ballet Princess. Love this for her!]
Reading all the supportive comments online, my emotions were complicated.
"You did this?"
Leopold nodded slightly. "You deserved to have your name cleared."
I put down my phone. "You did this so I wouldn't go after your grandmother?"
Leopold's gaze sharpened. "Why would you think that?"
"Then why go through all this trouble?" I voiced my confusion.
He'd painstakingly pieced together the truth for me, helped me see the full picture.
But when it came time to expose it publicly, he still chose to erase his grandmother's role in fanning the flames—letting the netizens and Asher take all the blame.
"I was standing up for you. Can't you see that?" Leopold's voice was low as he questioned me back.
I smiled faintly. "Standing up for me how? The real culprit is still right here, perfectly fine. Just punishing Asher and the others doesn't eliminate the danger."
Leopold studied me intently, as if engaged in a silent tug-of-war with his eyes.
I didn't back down, meeting his gaze head-on.
After a long moment, he sighed. "I'll send Grandma back to her estate tonight. Is that acceptable?"
My expression flickered, but I said nothing.
"Leopold, you're out here—why don't you come in? Your grandfather is waiting for... both of you."
Brady emerged from the ICU and, seeing us at the door, quickly called out.
At his words, Leopold naturally took my hand and headed toward Donovan's room.
I tried to pull away, but didn't succeed.
Before entering, I pulled him back, whispering, "The day that news broke, I came to see your grandfather. I happened to overhear Sophia contacting reporters—she's the one who leaked the video."
"And she has intimate photos of me with my senior. Did you know about that?"
Leopold's expression shifted abruptly, as if covered by a layer of cold frost.
"You heard this yourself?"
I nodded. "I was going to confront her for the photos, but then you and your grandmother showed up. After that, I got sidetracked."
Leopold quickly reined in his emotions. "I'll handle it."
I told him for two reasons—to test his reaction, and to see if Sophia had anything else she could use against me.
Though I wouldn't put all my faith in him.
After leaving the hospital, I'd also have my private investigator look into it.
Including everything Leopold had told me before.
After sanitizing, Leopold and I changed into sterile gowns and entered the ICU.
Donovan looked even thinner than before, lying in a bed surrounded by machines—the sight made my chest tighten.
"You're... both here."
"Grandpa."
Leopold and I stood on either side of him.
Donovan nodded at me with relief. "I'm so glad... You came to see me. Your grandmother's... actions—I know about them all."
"I'm sorry... for what you went through. But don't worry, even if Sophia... is carrying a child, I won't approve... of them marrying now."
I shook my head gently. "Grandpa, don't talk about this. Right now, you just need to rest and recover."
But Donovan shook his head. "I'm old."
That one sentence hit my breaking point.
I quickly grasped his hand. "You're not old. You promised you'd have my back, that you'd go with me to competitions abroad. You can't go back on your word."
After getting together with Leopold, I'd spent more time with Donovan than with my own parents.
I truly saw him as my own grandfather.
Seeing him suffer like this, my guilt and remorse hit their peak.
Donovan slowly turned his head to look at Leopold, then back at me.
"From now on... Leo can go with you."
Tears filled my eyes.
I shook my head again. "Grandpa, I want you there."
"Silly child." Donovan's breathing grew labored.
"Grandpa, talk less and rest more." Seeing this, Leopold quickly interjected.
But Donovan shook his head. "My only regret now... is not seeing your wedding."
"Fate can be cruel."
My throat burned. I didn't know what to say.
It really was fate's cruel irony.
Leopold's chest heaved violently, but he didn't speak either.
Then Donovan suddenly placed my hand and Leopold's together, his voice growing weaker.
"Even if you don't get married... Leo still has to... take care of Cindy, don't bully her..."
My tears flowed freely.
Leopold's eyes also reddened, his voice hoarse. "Grandpa, Brady said after two days of observation you can move to a regular room. Don't talk like this."
Donovan gripped our hands tightly. "Remember... what I said."
With that, our hands suddenly felt weightless.
Donovan closed his eyes again.
At the same time, the machines began emitting urgent, piercing alarms.
Brady, who'd just left, rushed back in and told us to step outside.
"Grandpa!"
I covered my mouth, my heart aching unbearably.
"Don't be scared. Grandpa will be fine." Leopold guided me out, his voice soothing.
I didn't speak, just cried while watching Donovan being resuscitated inside.
Soon, the rest of the Percy family returned. Seeing the scene, they all froze in shock.
After a deathly silence, Alicia erupted in fury, pointing at me accusingly.
"I told you not to let this curse near him, but none of you listened! Every single one of you defied me!"
"Do you all need to wait until Donovan dies from her presence before you're satisfied?"
"Lucinda, get out! Don't you dare come back to this hospital!"
Leopold seemed to have reached his limit. "Grandma, you and Sophia are the ones who made Grandpa sick. This has nothing to do with Lucinda."
"And if I hear you call her a curse one more time, don't blame me for what happens next!"
"You—"
Alicia tried to say more, but Leopold ignored her, pulling me toward the exit.
"Leo." Sophia tried to stop him but failed.
My mind in a daze, Leopold pulled me into the car.
The moment I sat down, I tried to get out and go back.
But Leopold held me back, pulling me firmly into his arms.
His voice came out low and rough.
"Cindy, can we start over?"