Chapter 167
Leopold looked like he'd been struck by some invisible force, staring at me in shock.
I seized the opportunity to bolt. At the hospital entrance, I spotted Ethan's car parked by the curb and jumped straight in.
"Drive. Now."
Only when the hospital gates disappeared from view did I finally relax.
"What's wrong? Someone chasing you?" Ethan asked curiously.
I shook my head. "No, just afraid someone might."
"This person you're talking about—is it Leopold?"
I lowered my gaze and gave a slight nod.
Afraid he'd continue down this path, I quickly changed the subject. "Ethan, has that specialist you mentioned arrived yet?"
Ethan nodded. "Yes, she'll have a thirty-minute break in ten minutes. That's enough time to go over your condition."
I was a bit surprised. "Most specialists don't exactly jump at the chance to sacrifice their break time. You must have gone to a lot of trouble."
"This specialist happens to know my grandfather, so she agreed."
I rarely heard Ethan mention his grandfather. It brought back what I'd overheard at the engagement party.
"Ethan, are you a marquess of Gravenford Kingdom?"
"You found out." A slight smile curved Ethan's lips. "I was planning to tell you once you got to Gravenford Kingdom. Actually, I didn't earn the title on my own—my family secured it for me."
I was confused. "But wasn't the Guise family in Silverlight City before? How did they end up as royalty in Gravenford Kingdom?"
Realizing how that sounded, I quickly clarified. "I'm not questioning you—I'm just curious."
Ethan shook his head unconcernedly. "The Guise family in Silverlight City is actually a branch of the Guise family in Gravenford Kingdom. My grandfather sent my parents and me to Silverlight City years ago because of internal family issues. After the conflicts settled, my grandfather brought us back. Then, after I won the Grand Slam, I received the marquess title."
His explanation was straightforward enough, but my heart lurched.
Even prominent families who won Grand Slams didn't typically receive royal honors. Which meant the Guise family was most likely part of the royal family itself.
I needed to convince him to leave soon. Otherwise, given Leopold's domineering nature, he might make things difficult for Ethan. If things escalated, it would get ugly.
"Cindy, why'd you go quiet?" Ethan asked softly.
I shook my head. "It's nothing. Just a bit taken aback, that's all."
Ethan looked slightly embarrassed. "Actually, marquess is just a title. Most of the time I'm at the dance company. Once you come with me to Gravenford Kingdom, you'll see—royals are just ordinary people too."
I nodded lightly, but my thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
Would I ever get to dance again?
Thanks to Ethan's arrangements, I met with the specialist named Naya. After reviewing all my test results and asking several questions, she finally offered her recommendation.
"My personal recommendation is that you get to Gravenford Kingdom as soon as possible for more comprehensive testing, then we can discuss treatment options. Of course, given that you're pregnant, all our treatment plans will prioritize preserving the pregnancy. However..." She paused, her expression turning serious. "If your condition continues to deteriorate, we may have to recommend terminating the pregnancy."
Even though I'd told Leopold I didn't care about the baby, hearing that termination might be necessary made my chest tighten.
"Understood. I'll go abroad for retesting as soon as possible."
After the consultation, I felt heavier than when I'd arrived.
When we reached the hospital entrance, I opened the door to get out.
"Cindy, I can stay in Silverlight City for three more days. If you decide anything, just reach out."
I turned to look at Ethan, Leopold's assessment of him echoing in my mind. Ethan had manipulated me, yes, but he'd also genuinely helped me. When it came down to it, I was the one who owed him. I'd just have to find a way to repay him later.
"Okay. Thank you, Ethan."
Ethan shook his head gently. "No need to be so formal between us."
I nodded slightly and turned to walk into the hospital.
My parents had just arrived to visit. When they realized I'd run off on my own, they were both worried and annoyed. But they couldn't bring themselves to scold me, so they just kept fussing in my ear about taking care of myself.
Fanny held back, then couldn't help herself. "You're not just one person anymore. Whatever you do, your safety has to come first."
I froze. So they knew about the pregnancy, too.
I told them everything—that Leopold was Leo.
After hearing the story, my parents' expressions were... complicated, to say the least.
"Leopold's always been so composed and controlled. How could he do something like this?" Fanny shook her head.
"Exactly! Isn't he just playing our daughter..." James was getting worked up when Fanny pinched him. "What is wrong with you? Why are you deliberately twisting the knife?"
James belatedly realized his mistake and quickly apologized.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Don't worry. I'm not that fragile."
Fanny leaned closer. "So... what are you planning to do about the baby?"
I answered honestly. "Haven't decided yet, but I'm still planning to go abroad for testing." I relayed what the specialist had said.
"Then what are we waiting for? I'll have a doctor check you over shortly. If your body's okay, we leave tomorrow." Terrified I might actually end up in a wheelchair, Fanny made the decision immediately. "James, I'm going with Cindy. You keep an eye on the company for a couple more days, then come find us as soon as you can."
James was fully supportive. "Sounds good. Let's do it."
Before long, Brady came to take me for tests.
By the time I finished, two hours had passed. The results would take another two hours. My parents wanted to wait with me, but I convinced them to leave. My body was fine. Once the results came in, I could just go home. No point in making them wait too.
The weather was nice, so I went outside to enjoy the sun.
I'd just settled onto a wooden bench when I overheard people talking about the Percy family. I immediately perked up my ears.
"...can't believe the mighty Percy family would do something so disgusting!"
"That David Percy is over fifty, and he still went after some young girl! The world's going to hell!"
"Right? The girl's only in her twenties, and she's his nephew's fiancée! If you ask me, morally bankrupt people like that should be locked up—five, ten years minimum!"
The more I heard, the worse it sounded. I immediately pulled out my phone to search.
When I saw someone had exposed David as the man Sophia was having an affair with, I went numb.
Who leaked it?
If Leopold had already investigated this, why hadn't he contained the narrative?
Donovan was still hospitalized. If he found out...
I didn't have time to think. I rushed straight toward the building where Donovan was staying.
As soon as I approached, I spotted a line of well-trained bodyguards in black suits standing guard, sealing off the building entrance completely. All to keep reporters out.
I didn't want to cause trouble, so I turned to head back.
I'd barely taken two steps when I ran into Amelia in disguise.
"Cindy, thank God I found you!"
"Come upstairs with me—Leopold and my dad are fighting!"