Chapter 144
Unable to stop Leopold, I had no choice but to head to the restaurant with the driver. But unease gnawed at me the entire way.
"Ms. Wipere, we've arrived."
The car pulled up to the entrance, but I couldn't bring myself to get out. The driver finally spoke up gently.
I snapped back to reality, but I still didn't want to leave the car. "Take me to Leopold."
The driver looked uncomfortable. "I don't know where Mr. Percy went."
My unease intensified. A knock on the window made me jump. I turned to see Brady waving at me.
I quickly rolled down the window. Sensing something was off, Brady asked, "Lucinda, why aren't you getting out? Leopold specifically asked me to wait here for you. Come on, let's head up."
Having the birthday boy personally greet me made it impossible to refuse. I grabbed the gift and climbed out.
"Dr. Wood, happy birthday."
Brady's eyes lit up at the sight of the gift. "You're so thoughtful. I'd be rude to refuse." He gestured toward the entrance. "Everyone here tonight is close with Leopold and me. No need to be nervous."
I pushed down my worry and nodded politely. Brady led me to the second floor. The entire level was dark except for one table in the center, bathed in light. The emptiness didn't diminish the space's opulence one bit.
Grand crystal chandeliers paired with exquisite murals made the illuminated table look like a precious pearl, perfectly set in the heart of the second floor.
Two well-dressed young men from obvious money were chatting. When they spotted Brady and me, they quickly stood.
"Brady, this must be Leopold's girlfriend, right?"
I froze.
Brady immediately shot him a look. The guy hastily apologized. "Sorry, my mistake. You're Ms. Wipere, right?"
I smiled and nodded. "Lucinda Wipere."
The two introduced themselves as Louis Glover and Edwin Moss, heirs to the Glover and Moss families, respectively. Both families actually had deeper roots than the Percys. But in recent years, Percy Group had surged ahead under Leopold's leadership, crushing all competitors to claim the top spot.
These two were Silverlight City's most sought-after rich kids. I hadn't expected them to be so close with Brady. Clearly, Brady wasn't just some simple doctor. He probably came from old money, too.
Though no Wood family existed among Silverlight City's elite. The name appeared in Sterlingbay City and Ironvale City's upper circles, however.
I greeted them one by one before taking my seat. They were considerate, keeping the conversation focused on their experiences with Leopold to avoid making me uncomfortable.
Then Edwin suddenly turned to me. "Lucinda, I noticed you're wearing a pink diamond ring. Are you really into pink?"
I shook my head. "Not especially. I just chose pink today to match my outfit. I actually prefer blue."
Edwin's expression tightened. He immediately glanced at Brady. Brady's brow furrowed as he asked, "What about flowers? Do you like ice-blue roses?"
I noticed they seemed unusually invested in my color preferences. "I do like them. Why?"
Louis smiled smoothly. "No reason. Just making conversation."
His words said one thing, but their expressions told another story.
"Um... I need to hit the restroom. Louis, come with?" Edwin invited Louis along.
After they left, I asked Brady curiously, "I thought only girls traveled in packs to the bathroom. Didn't know guys did it too."
Brady suppressed something before laughing. "Those two are always like that."
It had been over ten minutes, and Leopold still hadn't shown. I pulled out my phone to contact him, but Brady suddenly shot to his feet. "My stomach's acting up. Lucinda, sit tight. I'll be right back."
Something felt off about these guys, though I couldn't pinpoint what. I tried calling Leopold, but it went straight to the 'currently on another call' message.
Waiting grew tedious. I stood and wandered around, only then noticing the first-floor lights had gone dark too. The earlier guests had all left. The entire restaurant was empty except for us on the second floor.
Even I couldn't miss the strangeness anymore. Then I spotted a server in the corner below, apparently wheeling a cart full of roses.
Before I could get a better look, they vanished from view. I caught my lip between my teeth, remembering Edwin asking about my favorite color and their awkward exchange.
My heart suddenly started racing. My phone rang without warning. Ethan.
I didn't want to answer. My entire brain was consumed by a possibility I barely dared believe, yet couldn't stop hoping for.
The first call barely ended before a second came through. After a few seconds of hesitation, I walked to a corner to answer.
"Ethan, what is it?"
"Cindy, are you at a restaurant?" Ethan sounded frantic.
I frowned. "How do you know that?"
"Never mind that. You need to leave!" Ethan's voice turned urgent. "Right now. As fast as you can!"
His behavior made no sense. "Ethan, stop interfering in my life. Leopold and I are back together. I'll be limiting contact with you from now on."
I hadn't seen him since the accident. Though I'd walked away unscathed, Leopold's suspicions had sent chills down my spine. I'd always kept my distance from people I couldn't read.
"You got back together with Leopold!" Ethan sounded shocked, then said something even more confusing. "That's exactly why you need to get out of there. Don't stay. You'll regret it."
Before I could respond, the second-floor lights suddenly went out. Only the stairwell remained illuminated.
I jumped, my hand flying to cover the phone as I prepared to call out. Suddenly, a blue balloon drifted up from the first floor. A single letter was stuck to it: M.
I stared in confusion as a second blue balloon floated up, bearing the letter a. Then a third, fourth... until seven balloons hung in the air.
Marry me.
I quickly hung up. My heartbeat kicked into overdrive, threatening to leap from my throat. Was Leopold about to propose?
The thought sent my entire body into nervous overdrive. My palms went clammy with cold sweat.
The surrounding darkness shifted to deep blue, dotted with scattered pinpoints of white light. Like moonlight dancing on ocean waves. Undulating. Rising and falling.
My peripheral vision caught a figure slipping into view. I turned. A spotlight illuminated exactly where he stood. Leopold.
Bathed in that beam of light, he wore a formal suit, cradling an enormous bouquet of stunning blue enchantress roses. His sharply defined features looked devastatingly handsome in the interplay of light and shadow. Every line of his face seemed meticulously sculpted.
He lifted his gaze, locking onto my location, and strode toward me on those long legs. With each step closer, my heart pounded harder, every beat like a drum against my ribcage.
Finally, Leopold stopped less than two feet away. Simultaneously, another spotlight cut diagonally toward me from the side.
Unable to contain the emotions surging through me, I started toward Leopold. But the moment I moved, that beam of light swept past my body and landed on a spot barely one table away from me.