Chapter 168
Amelia dragged me upstairs before I could protest.
We'd barely stepped off the elevator when an angry roar erupted from Donovan's room.
"Leopold, you're ruthless! A real viper—family means less than nothing to you!"
"You're so ungrateful, karma's going to come for you eventually!"
Amelia's face changed. "How can my dad talk to Leopold like that? Cindy, wait here—I'll go check it out."
I'd always known the Percy family wasn't exactly harmonious, but I never expected David to curse Leopold out like that. As if Leopold wasn't his nephew but his mortal enemy.
"Dad, we're family—let's talk this through calmly. Come on, sit down."
Amelia's pleading voice drifted out.
David only got angrier. "If he saw me as family, he wouldn't have leaked that video! After all the disgusting things he's pulled, I'm done with him!"
"Dad, we don't know for sure Leopold did this. Someone else might be framing him, trying to make the Percy family a laughingstock."
A sharp crack rang out from inside.
My heart jumped. Who got hit?
I'd just started forward when Donovan's furious, authoritative voice boomed out.
"David, you bastard—get out!"
David let out a cold laugh. "Dad, you've been playing favorites for years. I've kept my mouth shut while you doted on Leopold. But Leopold's my nephew. You not only personally mentored him, but you also handed him the Percy Group! And what about me? What am I to you? Or have you forgotten—I'm your son too!"
His voice grew more agitated, the last sentence practically a roar.
"You... you..."
Donovan's voice trembled violently.
I'd reached the doorway but hesitated. This was Percy family business, after all. Maybe I shouldn't intrude as an outsider.
"Uncle David, if you don't leave now, don't blame me for not preserving your dignity."
Leopold's low voice carried suppressed fury.
"Leopold, after what you pulled, I won't let this go!" David was still making threats.
"I told you, it has nothing to do with me." Leopold flatly denied it.
David clearly didn't believe him. "Besides, you, no one else would be this calculated about destroying me! Leopold, just you wait!"
Hearing footsteps approaching, I moved to step aside but came face-to-face with David.
When he saw me, his tense expression softened slightly as he said something that left me confused.
"Lucinda, you're certainly lucky."
I watched him walk away, then collected myself and glanced inside.
Without warning, my eyes locked with Leopold's.
In that instant, some emotion surged from my chest through my entire body.
I wanted to explain something—anything—but couldn't figure out what to say.
When Leopold saw me, the fury on his face instantly dissipated. He instinctively took a step forward.
Seeing him approach, I instinctively stepped back.
That one movement stopped Leopold cold.
Something like hurt flashed through his eyes, but the emotion vanished too quickly. I couldn't be sure if I'd imagined it.
Silence spread between us.
An indescribable awkwardness welled up in my chest.
"I..."
I wanted to say I'd come to see Donovan, but remembering how David had just stormed off, I abandoned the thought.
"I should go."
But I'd barely taken two steps when Amelia hurried out after me.
"Cindy, wait."
I turned to face her and immediately noticed the handprint on her cheek. My brow furrowed.
"Did your father do that?"
Amelia paused, then shook her head with forced lightness. "Dad was just angry for a moment. It's nothing."
I stared at the marks covering half her face, feeling uncomfortable. "You should have a doctor look at it. Otherwise, it'll hurt for a while."
Amelia looked surprised. "How do you know?"
She immediately caught herself. "Look at me, always running my mouth."
I smiled faintly to show I didn't mind.
I was about to ask what she needed when she said, "My grandfather wants to see you. He specifically sent me to invite you in."
I didn't hesitate. I agreed immediately.
As soon as I entered the room, Donovan asked me to close the door.
I froze for a moment, then turned to shut it—only to see Leopold standing in the doorway.
He glanced at Donovan first, then looked at me, his voice low. "I'll be right outside."
I couldn't tell if he was speaking to Donovan or to me.
I said nothing, quietly closing the door.
Then I exhaled and moved to Donovan's bedside.
He looked weaker than before—not only was he hooked up to an IV, but connected to multiple machines. Even the rise and fall of his chest seemed shallower than usual.
"Grandpa."
The moment I spoke, tears spilled from my eyes.
"Come closer." Donovan's voice was hoarse.
I quickly stepped forward and gently took the hand without the IV. "Grandpa, you have to get better."
Donovan couldn't comfort me the way he used to. He could only squeeze my hand slightly.
After gathering his strength, he spoke again. "Cindy, I know everything that's happened recently. When Leo said he was getting engaged, I thought you two had worked it out together. I never imagined he'd unilaterally choose Sophia."
His voice grew softer, his chest heaving harder.
Seeing him so weak made my heart ache.
"Grandpa, don't talk anymore. It's all in the past."
But my words didn't comfort him. Instead, his eyes reddened as he asked, "Have you already let Leo go?"
My expression stiffened. I didn't know how to answer.
Donovan let out a heavy sigh, tears sliding from the corners of his eyes.
"Grandpa." My nose stung as my tears spilled faster.
"I'm not here to plead Leo's case. I just heard from Leo that you're pregnant and the baby's his, so I wanted to ask—what are your plans?"
I wiped away my tears, struggling for a long moment before telling him the truth.
"Grandpa, I still want to go abroad. I waited four full years for the chance to join the Royal Ballet Company. I really... don't want to miss it."
Donovan shifted his gaze away from me, staring into the empty space.
It took him a moment before he nodded slightly.
"That's for the best. I've already made you waste four years. I can't make you endure another four."
I never expected Donovan to support me. My throat constricted painfully.
Through my tears, I choked out, "Grandpa, I'm sorry. I've disappointed you."
"It's not your fault. Leo didn't cherish what he had."
Hearing Donovan say that only made my tears flow harder.
"Grandpa..."
Seeing me cry uncontrollably, Donovan used his other hand to gently pat the back of mine.
"You call me grandpa, so I can't let you suffer anymore. Go ahead and make your arrangements to go abroad. I'll keep Leo in line—he won't get in your way."
I wiped away my tears again, about to speak.
The door suddenly burst open.
Alicia stormed in, her face full of fury, eyes boring straight into me.
"Pregnant with a Percy family baby and you still want to go abroad?"
"Absolutely not! I won't allow it!"