Chapter 153
Hearing Ethan's words, I froze mid-rise. Other concerns? What was Ethan implying?
Leo said calmly, "Mr. Guise is overthinking. I simply don't want to be a bother."
Seeing this, Fanny supported Ethan's suggestion. "Leo, don't worry about being trouble. Burns need immediate cooling, or they'll blister and become a real problem. And you were burned on your face, no less."
James immediately sent for the family doctor, also urging Leo. "Right. Scarring on the face would be terrible."
Leo finally relented. "Alright then."
He took the damp towel from Ethan, about to apply it to his face.
Ethan reminded him again. "Your forehead and around your eyes are both flushed. You'll need to ice them for a while."
My gaze silently slid to Leo's forehead and eye area.
Leo gritted his teeth, his tone ambiguous. "Thanks for the reminder."
Ethan smiled like a spring breeze. "No need to thank me."
"I'm so sorry, sir..." The servant who'd made the mistake apologized carefully.
I knew her error was because I'd bumped into her. Worried my parents would blame her, I spoke up. "Mom, Dad, I bumped into her when I got startled."
Only then did James dismiss her.
Looking at Leo's reddened neck and eye area, I grew anxious, wanting to help ice the burns.
"It's fine. I can manage." Leo refused again.
I hesitated, then could only help change the water and towels.
Soon, the family doctor arrived. He treated Leo's burns more professionally. Before long, Leo's tight frown finally relaxed.
"Doctor, please pay special attention to his forehead and eyes. Don't let him be scarred."
Ethan specifically reminded the doctor.
My brow furrowed slightly. Why did Ethan keep emphasizing Leo's forehead and eyes? What did it mean?
The doctor gave Leo a deliberate look before slowly placing his hand on Leo's forehead.
Ethan pressed urgently. "Well? Any problems?"
I was even more confused. What exactly was he suspicious of?
The doctor quickly withdrew his hand with an explanation. "The forehead is fine. The redness and swelling around the eyes are relatively severe and require extra attention."
Ethan frowned slightly, as if dissatisfied with the result. "Nothing else unusual?"
The doctor shook his head. "No."
Ethan gave Leo a meaningful look but said nothing more.
"That's good. Thank goodness Leo's face wasn't ruined, otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do." Fanny patted her chest, her face full of lingering fear.
After treating the injury, the doctor specifically instructed that burn ointment should be applied tonight and to contact him immediately if there was any discomfort.
Only then did James see the doctor out.
After this incident, no one had much appetite left.
Fanny took the initiative. "Cindy, why don't you let Leo stay here tonight? That way, the doctor can check on him in the morning."
I nodded in agreement. Under the circumstances, this was the best solution.
"Speaking of which, this is my fault. I shouldn't have startled Cindy with that shout. If possible, I'd like to stay tonight to help as well."
Ethan spoke up again.
I'd been holding back my irritation. Seeing him repeatedly interfere with Leo's matters, I said, "Ethan, your injuries from the car accident haven't healed yet. You should go back to the hospital to rest."
Before he could respond, I added, "I'll take you."
Seeing my firm attitude, Ethan didn't insist further.
After Ethan said goodbye to my parents, I told Leo I'd be back and escorted Ethan out.
Only when we reached the door did I speak. "Ethan, you did that on purpose just now. What were you testing?"
The smile faded from Ethan's lips. "Cindy, can't you really see how suspicious Leo is?"
My expression turned cold. "But Leopold already proved he and Leo are two different people last time. Besides, if we're talking about resemblance, Leo looks more like Barry Gray. But he has no connection to Barry either."
Ethan disagreed. "How do you know they're not connected? There are many people in this world who look alike, but few who share similar temperament and mannerisms. Leo happens to be one of those rare cases. Apart from his face, his height, build, bearing, and speech patterns are seventy percent identical to Leopold's. Can coincidence really explain all that?"
I took a deep breath. "Ethan, stop being so stubborn. Leo is just Leo. He's not anyone's shadow."
Seeing that I wouldn't believe him, Ethan grew anxious. "I'm not being stubborn. Cindy, think about it again. Leo never appeared before. But the moment you and Leopold called off your engagement, there he was. And not only does he look ninety percent identical to Leopold's assistant, his bearing and build resemble Leopold's too. That can't be explained away as a coincidence!"
I looked at him directly. "Ethan, if Leo had ulterior motives, he wouldn't have risked his life for me repeatedly. If it weren't for him during the car accident and the fire, I'd probably be dead."
Ethan's expression stiffened. After a long moment, he forced out, "If I had been the one to save you back then, would you trust me just as completely now?"
The weight of that question left me speechless.
Seeing I wouldn't answer, something dimmed in Ethan's eyes. But he quickly adjusted his emotions, summoning a smile again.
"If you don't believe me, that's fine. But don't trust him blindly either. Don't forget Leopold's lesson. Also, I've booked the same flight back to Gravenford Kingdom as you. I won't come by these next few days. See you at the airport."
I nodded gently.
Only after his car pulled through the gates did I turn back inside.
After exchanging a few words with my parents, I went to the guest bedroom to find Leo. The moment I knocked and entered, I found him already changed.
I froze. "Are you...?"
Leo's face filled with apology. "Something came up at the company. I need to go handle it right away."
"Does it have to be tonight? You're injured. Can't it wait until tomorrow?" I worried about his burns worsening.
"I'm sorry. Tonight's issue is rather complicated. They can't handle it without me." Leo paused, then suggested, "If you're really worried, come with me?"
I quickly shook my head. "I'll pass. I'd just be in the way of your work."
I arranged for a driver to take Leo.
After he left, my parents immediately pressed me about my relationship with Leo. I hadn't figured out what to say yet, so I changed the subject, asking if they were going to Leopold's engagement party.
Fanny refused outright. "Absolutely not. After how they treated you? Only an idiot would go!"
James placed a hand on her arm, turning to me. "The Percy family and ours have been on good terms. Out of respect for Mr. Donovan Percy, we can't not attend."
I understood the reasoning. "Then you two go. I won't. I'll stick to my original plan and leave for Gravenford Kingdom first."
My parents had no objections.
After reaching an agreement, I returned to my room to rest.
The next day, I started organizing what I'd take with me. Before I'd barely started packing, Fanny insisted I deliver some nourishing soup to Leo.
I couldn't refuse, so I carried the soup container and navigated to Blueprint Tech.
Before heading over, I remembered Leo hadn't applied burn ointment last night, so I stopped at a pharmacy first.
I'd just paid and was leaving when someone suddenly bumped into me. Not only did the ointment fall to the ground, but he stepped on it.
Anger flared. I was about to snap when I caught sight of his open collar—a sharp black tattoo peeked out.