Chapter 14
I stared at Leopold without answering his question.
"Lillian, that's enough," Sophia said, pretending to calm her friend before turning to me. "Cindy, I won't hold tonight's incident against you. Leo and I have discussed it—if you're willing to apologize, I'll tell everyone I fell accidentally, and we can put this behind us."
"Sophia, do you mean that?" Samuel eagerly leaned forward, his face brightening.
Sophia nodded. "Yes. This way no one has to suffer."
"That's so gracious of you, Sophia." Samuel nodded approvingly before turning to me. "Lucinda, you heard Sophia. If you just apologize, then—"
"Absolutely not!" I refused firmly. "I won't apologize for something I didn't do!"
"Lucinda, don't push your luck!" Lillian glared at me furiously.
"Lucinda, why are you being so difficult?" Samuel complained, visibly annoyed.
Unmoved, I shifted my gaze away from Leopold. "When the video analysis results come back, everything will be clear."
Leopold, unable to contain his anger, yanked me up from my chair. "Sophia has already compromised. Do you really need to embarrass everyone like this?"
I instinctively grabbed his hand but quickly released it when I felt how rigidly tense his muscles were.
"How is seeking to clear my name embarrassing anyone?"
"Come with me!" Leopold dragged me out, ignoring everyone present.
He forced me against a corner wall. "If I weren't worried about Grandfather finding out about this, I wouldn't even be involved."
My back pressed against the cold wall. The chill seeped through my skin and into my heart.
"Don't make it sound so noble. You're just here to defend Sophia."
"I'm trying to help you!" Leopold gripped my hand tighter, a vein pulsing on his forehead. "If word gets out that you used such despicable methods to harm a colleague, do you think you'll ever dance ballet again?"
He shouldn't have said that. Especially not in that accusatory tone that showed such lack of trust.
The hurt in my heart overwhelmed my anger, and tears welled up in my eyes. "That's just your assumption. I never asked for your help!"
Leopold froze momentarily. Then the anger in his eyes blazed even hotter.
"There you go again! Lucinda, what gives you the nerve to speak to me this way?"
What did he mean by "again"? I didn't understand.
My silence only fueled Leopold's growing loss of control. He pinned me harder against the wall, one hand gripping my throat.
"Lucinda, stop acting innocent. I was fooled by that harmless face of yours before, which is why I lost so completely!"
His grip restricted my breathing. Alarm surged through me.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand."
"Stop pretending!" Leopold tightened his hold, his emotions so intense his eyes reddened. "Lucinda, wasn't I good enough to you before? What didn't I give you? Why did you—"
His voice faltered. My body involuntarily trembled with his.
What was he talking about? When had I ever made him lose?
"Leopold, explain yourself. What do you mean I deceived you and made you lose?"
Leopold closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, all emotion had vanished, replaced by cold detachment.
He released me, his voice devoid of any warmth. "If you don't apologize to Sophia today, don't blame me for what happens next."
"Leopold, what did you mean just now? Tell me."
I was still caught up in his previous words. I'd never seen him so... hurt. I needed to understand.
But Leopold stepped back, increasing the distance between us. "Lucinda, remember what I said. I might not do anything to you if you refuse to apologize, but I can deal with those around you."
"Like... that impostor."
Seeing his cold, merciless expression, I immediately abandoned any thought of pressing further.
"This has nothing to do with him. Leave him out of it!"
Leopold's gaze suddenly turned sharp. "Asher wasn't enough to satisfy your lust, so you had to find some lookalike to disgust me?"
Humiliated, I was momentarily speechless. Leo was indeed a stand-in I'd found. After ten years with Leopold, giving him up felt like tearing away half of myself. Afraid I couldn't survive this period alone, I'd asked Leo to keep me company.
"If you still can't let me go, why not come to me directly?" Leopold inexplicably moved closer again. "Perhaps if you behaved and showed a little vulnerability, I might forgive you."
His mood swings were too unpredictable. He was no longer the person I knew. I understood him less and less.
"Leopold, I'm not like you. I can't so easily transfer my affections to someone new."
Leopold's face instantly darkened, his heavy gaze weighing on my heart.
"Leo." Sophia appeared, wheeling herself toward us.
Leopold turned away without hesitation, walking straight to her.
I tilted my head back, catching a glimpse of blue sky through the roof's edge. That shade of blue always calmed my emotions.
After a moment, I emerged from the corner. As I reached the doorway, I heard Sophia suggesting they leave with Lillian.
"Leo, Lillian was just standing up for me. Since Cindy won't apologize, let's drop it. I'll be fine... Besides, it's getting late. Why don't we take Lillian and Mr. Flores home first?"
The video analysis results would be ready any minute. She was rushing to take Lillian away because she feared being exposed! I couldn't let them succeed.
"What's the hurry? We've waited this long—a few more minutes won't matter. Let's wait for the results."
Sophia gave me a pointed look before saying softly to Leopold, "Leo, my wound is hurting again. I need to go back and change the dressing."
Without even glancing at me, Leopold instructed his bodyguard to wheel Sophia out.
"Stop!" I moved forward, trying to block them.
"Lucinda, don't you know when to quit?" Lillian shoved me hard.
I lost my balance and fell to my knees. Pain shot through my joints, instantly draining all my strength.
Taking advantage of my immobility, Lillian quickly escorted Sophia away.
"Leopold," I called out through the pain, my voice strained. "Just three more minutes, please?"
Three minutes would be enough for the analysis results. Then I could clear my name and avoid further criticism.
"Lucinda, don't think I don't see through you. You heard Sophia needs her dressing changed, so you're pretending to be hurt to stall and make her condition worse."
"I won't give you even one minute, let alone three!"
Leopold's cruel refusal sent a chill through my heart. I only wanted to clear my name. Why was that so difficult?
"Ms. Wipere! I've been looking everywhere for you. The results are in—the video was digitally altered. We can now prove you were falsely accused..."
A police officer came running over with the report in hand.