Chapter 174
Leopold said, "Okay, I'll go with you."
I'd expected Leopold to at least hesitate before responding, but he agreed immediately. Did he really care about this baby that much?
Leopold slipped one arm under my knees, the other steadying my waist, and scooped me up in one motion.
His body heat seeped through two layers of fabric, slowly spreading across my back.
My body tensed involuntarily, even my breathing becoming cautious.
To ease the awkwardness, I turned my face away.
Then I heard him say, "Give me a few minutes."
He set me on the couch and hurried upstairs.
Moments later, he was back down. The black suit had been replaced with casual wear, making him look effortlessly relaxed. I couldn't help wondering—it was just a hospital visit. Why bother changing?
Then he turned to face me.
I froze like I'd been struck by lightning.
That was... Leo's face.
"You... how did you..."
Leopold walked calmly over, his tone even. "This way, isn't it easier for you?"
I was stunned at first, then understood. He thought I'd turned away because I couldn't stand looking at him, so he'd specifically gone upstairs to put on Leo's face and style?
"Let's go. The doctor's already waiting for us." Leopold reached to pick me up again. I tried to refuse. "No need. I can walk."
"Didn't you say you felt awful? Sure, you won't fall?"
"I won't—"
Before I could finish, he'd already scooped me up again, striding toward the door.
The entire ride, I couldn't sit still. It was one thing when I didn't know Leo was Leopold, but now that I did, looking at Leo's face became unbearable. And why would Leopold—who'd always been so proud—willingly become his own stand-in just to make me comfortable? It went against everything about him. But I didn't dare ask, afraid of an answer I couldn't handle.
We arrived at the hospital and began the examination. After it was done, Leopold sat with me in the VIP room waiting for the results. He was busy, though—once seated, he opened his laptop to work. The screen's cold light reflected on his face, making him seem even more distant.
I glanced at the bodyguard stationed by the door and gathered my courage. "During the exam, they put something on my skin, and it's itching now. I want to have a doctor look at it."
Leopold immediately stopped working. "Why didn't you say so earlier? Rest here—I'll have Teddy get the doctor."
I'd anticipated he wouldn't agree easily. "No need. The doctor's office is on this floor. I'll go myself."
Leopold considered briefly, then agreed. "If you need anything, call me right away."
I nodded, got up, and headed out.
The moment I left the room, a bodyguard followed behind me. I wasn't surprised.
Passing the public restroom, I deliberately said I felt unwell, asked him to wait outside, and ducked in.
Inside, I spotted a young woman with a noticeably rounded belly washing her hands.
I took a deep breath and quickly approached. "Excuse me, sorry to bother you. I'm here for prenatal checkups too, but I got separated from my family, and my phone's dead—I can't reach them. Could I please borrow your phone? Just one minute. I'll make the call right here, I won't go anywhere."
I proactively showed her my examination paperwork.
The woman studied me for a moment before handing over her phone. "Make it quick. I need it too."
"Thank you!" I took the phone gratefully and hurried to the window to call the private investigator.
When he answered, I quickly lowered my voice. "It's me. I need you to find out where Ethan Guise is. The last time I saw him was in Ravenbrook City. Find out as soon as possible if he's left the country."
The investigator recognized my voice immediately. "Ms. Wipere, no problem. Should I use this number to contact you from now on?"
"This isn't my number. Don't contact me—I'll reach out when I can."
"Got it. And if Mr. Guise hasn't left the country, is there anything else you need me to do?"
This was my biggest fear.
I took a steadying breath. "If he hasn't left the country, keep an eye on him discreetly. Make sure he's safe."
"No problem. Understood."
Noticing the woman getting impatient, I quickly hung up, deleted the call record, and returned the phone with a smile. "Thank you so much. My family will be here to get me soon."
"No problem."
The woman took her phone and left.
I turned to wash my hands but caught sight of a familiar figure in the mirror by the sink, touching up her lipstick.
My heart plummeted.
Why was Sophia here?
Unlike the pitiful mess she'd been last time, kneeling and begging Leopold, today she was immaculately made up with glowing skin, radiating wealth and sophistication.
She caught my eye in the mirror, her red lips curving into a smile.
"Didn't expect to see me here, did you?"
My heart pounded. Had she heard my phone call?
"Why that expression? Are you really that shocked to see me?"
Sophia capped her lipstick and tossed it carelessly into her bag. Then she turned, studying me with appraising eyes.
"Or are you afraid I heard something?"
My entire body went rigid, blood turning to ice. She'd heard!
"You'd better not say anything, or David won't be able to protect you."
Sophia laughed lightly, her eyes full of schadenfreude. "Lucinda, you're threatening me? Guess what Leopold will think when he finds out that right under his nose, you secretly contacted someone to help you find Ethan?"
My breathing quickened. I didn't need to guess—Leopold would absolutely want Ethan dead. No, he'd already started acting on it. If Ethan fell into his hands, there'd be no escape. And whatever fragile trust still existed between Leopold and me would shatter completely.
Seeing Sophia grab her bag and head for the door, I moved without thinking, blocking her path.
"You're not going anywhere!"
Sophia's eyes went cold at being stopped. "Lucinda, how could someone as sickly as you possibly stop me? And let me remind you—I'm carrying Percy family blood. If anything happens to it, neither you nor the Wipere family can afford the consequences!"
I stared at her slightly rounded belly, my expression conflicted.
Just then, Teddy, who'd been waiting outside, called out. "Ms. Wipere, are you okay?"
Afraid he'd send someone in, I quickly responded, "I'm fine! I'll be right out."
The moment I spoke, I saw Sophia smile at me with pure malice. Before I could react, she raised her voice.
"Someone notify Leopold! Lucinda's making secret phone calls, having someone track down Ethan!"
"Sophia, what the hell is wrong with you?" I couldn't help shouting, trying to stop her.
But Sophia dodged away. "I've been crazy ever since Leopold chose you!"
"Lucinda, I told you—if I can't have him, neither can you!"
I was about to curse her out when the bathroom door suddenly wrenched open from outside.
A cold gust rushed through the gap, raising goosebumps across my skin.