Chapter 140
As soon as I met with the private investigator, I pressed for results.
"Ms. Wipere, I found that when Sophia Guise first returned to Silverlight City, she was picked up by an out-of-town car. There was a man in the vehicle. Take a look and see if you recognize him."
I'd initially assumed it would be Leopold, but after taking the photo, I was surprised.
It wasn't Leopold.
"I don't know him."
The man was quite handsome, but he had an air of reckless arrogance about him.
He had a sharp, black tattoo on his chest, giving him a shady appearance overall.
No matter how I looked at it, he seemed completely incompatible with the gentle, refined Sophia.
"Who is he?"
The private investigator shook his head. "Still investigating. Not sure yet, but I strongly suspect he's a foreigner."
I couldn't help my surprise. "Why?"
The investigator pointed to the tattoo on his chest. "This tattoo is an identity marker for an underground organization in the Gravenford Kingdom. Everyone in that group is a criminal."
I was even more shocked. Sophia had always maintained a gentle, delicate image—how could she be involved with these kinds of thugs?
"Any other leads?"
The investigator nodded. "I also found that three years ago, Mr. Percy and Sophia were drinking at a bar together, and that same night they checked into the same hotel."
"After that, they started appearing together in public. I also obtained a surgical report documenting her miscarriage. Would you like to see it?"
My brain hadn't caught up, but my hand had already reached for the report.
The contents matched what Ethan had investigated before.
Sophia had indeed had a miscarriage, but whose child it was couldn't be determined.
"Can you find out why she had the miscarriage, or whose child it was?"
"That..." The investigator looked troubled. "I'm afraid that would be very difficult."
I flipped through the report. Besides proving Sophia had miscarried, it also recorded when she'd gotten pregnant.
Less than three months along.
Calculating the timeline, this child could very well have been conceived that night when she and Leopold checked into the same hotel.
Just thinking about it left a bitter taste in my mouth.
So Leopold had still lied to me.
This wasn't the first time he and Sophia had conceived a child together?
But that night, his eyes had been so sincere, his tone so earnest—it hadn't seemed like a lie.
So what was really going on?
"Besides this, there are no other developments for now?"
The investigator gripped his hands somewhat awkwardly. "The timeframe has been quite short. This is all I've managed to find so far. But don't worry—I'm sure there'll be more progress by next week."
I closed the report. "Alright. I'll wait for your good news."
"As for Sophia—should I keep investigating?"
I placed the report on the table. "Keep digging. Since she's in contact with other men, follow that lead."
"At the same time, I need you to find a way to monitor her recent movements. Contact me immediately if anything unusual comes up."
Today, Leopold and I appeared at the hospital together, which had already made Sophia very angry.
With her narrow-minded nature, she'd definitely be plotting her next move against me.
I had to be prepared.
"Sure, that's easy enough. I'll arrange for someone to keep close tabs on her."
I pulled out my phone and transferred him one hundred thousand dollars directly, instructing, "Don't worry about the investigation. I won't shortchange you."
Seeing the transfer, the investigator nodded repeatedly. "Ms. Wipere, rest assured. Those of us in this profession have strong work ethics. We'll definitely give our clients more than their money's worth."
After finishing that conversation, I finally returned to Bayview Villas.
Opening the door to the living room, I immediately spotted Leo's slippers, and my mood plummeted.
I went to get water, but couldn't find a glass. Going to the kitchen to look, I saw a pair of matching couple's mugs sitting close together on the shelf.
Leo had specially commissioned those from a craftsman after our relationship had clearly improved.
They featured cartoon versions of us.
I didn't reach for them, just gently touched the one representing Leo.
A smile started to form at the corner of my mouth, only to be crushed by heavy emotions.
Back in the living room, I'd just sat down when something poked me. Picking it up, I saw it was Leo's belt.
The one I'd specifically chosen for him.
Setting down the belt, I surveyed the room again.
Clearly, the entire house was mine, but looking carefully, I realized Leo's traces were everywhere.
From small things like his favorite fruits to larger ones like the guest bedroom he'd completely claimed.
Even the bathroom and walk-in closet bore his mark.
Without realizing it, Leo had completely integrated into my life.
But I had just...
I clenched my fists, feeling myself wrapped in thick shame.
It was time to come clean.
I pulled out my phone and sent Leo a message.
[Come home early tonight. I need to talk to you about something.]
Leo replied instantly: [Okay. I actually have nothing going on right now—I can leave work early.]
I was about to put down my phone when he sent a second message.
[What do you want to eat? I'll pick something up.]
Reading that message, I couldn't help taking a deep breath.
Guilt silently spread through my chest.
[No need. I'm going to my parents' place later. Won't be home for dinner.]
This time Leo took two minutes to reply: [Okay. I'll come home right away.]
Looking at that message, I let out a heavy sigh.
Whether he got angry or furious, as long as it helped Leo feel better, I'd accept it.
Half an hour later, Leo came home.
"Are you feeling okay? You don't look well."
The moment he walked in, he came straight to me, asking with concern.
I avoided his touch, pulling out a bank card I'd been keeping ready from my bag.
"Leo, this is the final payment I owe you. Our arrangement ends here."
Leo immediately froze. After a moment, he finally spoke. "What do you mean?"
"Don't ask anything else. Just take the money and move out of Bayview Villas." I pressed the card into his hand. "When I get back from my parents' place, I hope you'll already be gone."
Originally, I'd planned to explain properly, but I realized there was no way to explain my relationship with Leopold.
I could only steel my heart and force him to leave.
"Lucinda, things have been good between us lately, haven't they? Why are you suddenly telling me to leave and cutting ties completely?" Leo didn't understand.
I stood and walked to the window, turning my back to him, saying quietly, "Leo, I tried. But you and I—we just don't have that connection. I'm sorry. You'll definitely meet someone better."
"You don't have a connection with me? Then, who do you have a connection with?" Leo's voice was tight and strained.
I pressed my hand to my lips, nervously biting down twice before saying, "I'm getting back together with my ex-fiancé. We..."
"You two got back together?" Leo's tone shifted, seeming very surprised.
I nodded slightly. "Something like that."
Leo went silent.
Quiet spread between us.
My heart felt awful. I turned around, wanting to explain.
But Leo spoke first.
"Actually, I've always known that Leopold is the most important person to you. So I've been mentally prepared for this."
"I just didn't expect it to happen so soon..."
I bit my lip, head lowered. "I'm sorry."
I didn't know what else I could say besides that.
"You haven't wronged me. I just came into your life at the wrong time."
Leo stood up dejectedly and silently headed to the guest bedroom.