Chapter 141
When I saw Leo emerge with his bags, my emotions were a tangled mess.
"Leo, you..."
Leo avoided my gaze, turning his head to the side. "I wish you both well."
Those words hurt more than any accusation could have.
Seeing him pull open the door and head out, I couldn't help but follow a couple of steps.
But realizing that even if I caught up, I couldn't offer any explanation and wouldn't change my mind, I held back.
Maybe this was for the best. Leo was a genuinely good person. I was the one who didn't deserve him.
In the future, he'd definitely meet someone a thousand, ten thousand times better than me.
Since I'd made my choice, I couldn't waver anymore. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair to anyone.
But after Leo left, the villa suddenly felt empty.
Just then, a message from Leopold came in.
[I'll be at your place in ten minutes.]
That message came at just the right time, instantly dispelling the sadness in my heart.
[Okay.]
I went upstairs to change clothes. When I came back down, Leopold was already sitting in the living room.
"How did you get in?"
After my parents left last time, I'd changed the door lock code. Only Leo and I knew it.
Leopold had dropped me off a few times since then, always staying at the door, never coming inside. Logically, he shouldn't have been able to get in.
Leopold's gaze paused slightly, then he smiled faintly. "Didn't you ask me to investigate how my grandmother got into your place? I obtained your passcode."
I thought back—that had happened. But I hadn't expected him to actually get my door code.
"My passcode is pretty complicated. You got it just like that?"
Aren't complex passcodes supposed to be hard to crack? Would my place even be secure anymore?
"Scared?" Leopold seemed to read my thoughts, his smile deepening. "Why don't you just move to Pansea Heights, and we can live together? Then you won't have to worry."
The previous cohabitation hadn't ended well. I didn't dare agree easily now.
"No thanks. I'm fine here. And it's convenient for us to meet."
Leopold didn't push. "Alright. Then I can move in here."
I was slightly surprised. "You don't mind?"
He knew about Leo and me. Moving in here wouldn't bother him?
Leopold stretched his arms, casually draping them on the sofa, smiling faintly. "If I said I didn't mind, would you believe me?"
My gaze paused. When did he start answering everything with questions?
"If you don't mind, then stay here."
"Deal."
Leopold stood up and clapped his hands twice.
The next second, Teddy walked in carrying a suitcase in each hand, smiling as he asked me.
"Ms. Wipere, these are Mr. Percy's belongings. Where should I put them?"
I was dumbfounded, whipping my head toward Leopold. "You had this planned all along?"
Leopold walked over to me with a warm smile. "Not planned—I've just been waiting for this day for a long time."
My heart tugged gently as I pointed to the newly vacated guest bedroom.
"Put them in the guest room."
Leopold's arm settled on my shoulder, lightly hooking around my waist. "Just the guest room?"
I caught his implication and shot him a look. "Take it or leave it."
Leopold chuckled and pinched my chin.
I felt annoyed—Teddy was right there!
I reached to swat his hand away, but he caught mine and held it. Then he calmly instructed Teddy.
"The guest room is fine."
Teddy immediately rushed toward the guest room with the suitcases, moving like his life depended on it.
I fell silent. Was it really that terrifying?
After Teddy finished with the luggage, I saw it was about time, so Leopold and I headed to my parents' house.
"Cindy, you're ba—"
Hearing us arrive, Fanny had just come out to greet me when she was startled by Leopold beside me.
"He... how..."
Before Fanny could finish, James appeared too.
"Fanny, why are you stuttering today? Did our Cindy bring home someone important?"
As he spoke, he looked over too. His expression immediately changed, and he directly ordered Leopold to leave.
"Leopold, we're very grateful you saved Cindy last night. But tonight is a family dinner. Having you here... might not be appropriate."
Leopold glanced at me, explaining gently. "Mr. Wipere, Lucinda invited me."
My parents' gazes immediately landed on me.
I hadn't expected such a strong reaction and could only say, "Mom, Dad, let's talk inside."
Though my parents weren't pleased, they didn't push him out again.
In the living room, Leopold and I sat facing my parents. It felt like a diplomatic summit.
"Mom, Dad, Leopold and I..."
"We got back together."
I'd barely begun when Leopold smoothly took over.
My parents' expressions shifted again.
Fanny stared at me. "Cindy, is this true?"
Leopold openly took my hand.
I could only bite the bullet and nod. "Yes. Some things happened last night that cleared up some of our misunderstandings."
"Relationships aren't a game. Have you really thought this through?" Fanny pressed.
I nodded gently. "Mom, I've thought it through."
"What about Sophia and that child?" James looked at Leopold. Leopold immediately responded, "Mr. Wipere, I stake my integrity on this—that child isn't mine."
My parents exchanged glances, still struggling to process this. But they didn't ask more questions, just invited us to eat.
The atmosphere during dinner was decent, but I still noticed my parents' attitude toward Leopold had changed. Compared to their previous warmth and closeness, there was now a hint of formality.
I didn't try to correct it. My parents had once truly treated Leopold like a son, but everything that had happened made it impossible for them to be completely without reservations.
Getting back to how things were would take time.
After dinner, I was building up to tell Leopold about going abroad. But then he suddenly got an urgent call and had to return to the Percy Group Building immediately.
I stayed behind to explain to my parents how my relationship with Leopold had changed.
When my parents learned Leopold had climbed down the cliff in the rain for me, nearly losing his life, they both fell silent.
After a while, Fanny sighed. "Leopold's not a bad person at heart. He's just too guarded, keeps everything too close to the vest. Cindy, I'm afraid you'll get hurt again."
James nodded in agreement. "Your mother's right. She and I both have regrets. We only saw his good points back then and had you two engaged so early—we almost ruined your chance at happiness."
"So, Cindy, this time we're not rushing. Think it over carefully before deciding."
I promised them.
After our talk, I'd planned to stay the night. But then I received a message from the private investigator.
[Ms. Wipere, Sophia's driving alone toward the outskirts of the city.]
He also sent me a location pin. I zoomed in to look at it, confused.
This location wasn't Sophia's home, nor was it the estate where Alicia was staying.
What was Sophia doing going to that place so late?
In the end, I decided to check it out.
I got the car keys from James and drove directly to meet up with the private investigator.