Chapter 179
"Ms. Wipere, Mrs. Alicia Percy is here. She's asking to see you."
Tammy rushed in, looking anxious as she addressed me.
Wasn't Alicia supposed to be at the manor? Why was she here again?
Despite my confusion, I headed downstairs. I might not like her, but she was an elder nonetheless.
The moment I descended the stairs, I was greeted by a line of Percy family bodyguards stationed at the entrance. The air instantly thickened with tension.
Reaching the first floor, I spotted Alicia seated in the place of honor, dressed in a green gown and gripping an ebony cane. Her presence radiated authority.
"Lucinda, what are you doing here?"
The moment she saw me, her tone was aggressive and accusatory.
I strolled over to the sofa beside her and sat down, my voice casual. "You'd have to ask your grandson about that."
Alicia snapped her gaze toward me, her eyes hostile. She looked at me the way one might appraise livestock. Finally, her stare fixed on my belly, disgust practically dripping from her expression.
"I heard Leo practically moved half the hospital here. I thought he'd come down with some terrible illness."
"Never imagined it would be you! You and Leo already ended things, yet you have the nerve to carry a bastard child and make him wait on you hand and foot?"
"Is this how the Wipere family raised you?"
I hadn't been angry before, but hearing her call my child a bastard and drag my entire family into it? That was the last straw.
"Mrs. Percy, Leo, and I ended things. But the person who created this situation isn't me—it's your grandson."
"If you have complaints, take them up with him. Don't drag the Wipere family into this."
"How dare you!" Alicia's face flushed with fury as she slammed her cane against the floor. "So you're saying this is all Leo's fault!"
I fired back, "Isn't it?"
"You—!" Alicia rose to her feet, trembling with rage. "Some things shouldn't have to come from an old woman like me."
"But since we've reached this point, I have no choice."
I asked flatly, "What is it you want to say?"
"The Percy family has never been unreasonable. But here you are, no relation to Leo whatsoever, pregnant with another man's child, living under his roof. Don't you think that's inappropriate?"
Her voice was measured, but every word dripped with humiliation.
"It's one thing for Leo to lose his mind, but why are you being foolish, too? The Percy family only asks one thing of its daughters-in-law: propriety. You can't even manage that, so why are you still clinging to Leo?"
My expression hardened. "Mrs. Percy, let's be clear—I never clung to him."
"Still lying!" Alicia's anger intensified. She pointed a finger at my face. "Look at what you've done to this place! If you weren't sending mixed signals and giving Leo false hope, would he be unable to let you go?"
"You're taking advantage of Donovan's affection for you, acting recklessly and treating the entire Percy family like fools!"
Her words were like poisoned needles, stabbing straight into my chest.
"Mrs. Percy." I met her gaze, enunciating each word carefully. "I don't accept any of that. I'm not the one who wants to stay here. Leopold won't let me leave."
"If you can help me with that, I'd be grateful."
Alicia seemed taken aback by my response. She paused, then studied me with even deeper scrutiny.
"You're serious?"
I swallowed the emotions churning inside me and replied coldly, "If you don't believe me, ask anyone here. They'll tell you the truth."
Alicia glanced around and selected Ada. "You. Tell me what's going on."
Put on the spot, Ada looked nervous but didn't dare hide anything. She relayed Leopold's instructions to keep me here.
Alicia's face darkened instantly.
At that moment, Leopold, having received word, rushed back.
"Grandma, aren't you supposed to be resting at the manor? What brings you here?"
The moment he entered, he made a beeline for me, checking to ensure I wasn't hurt before asking his question.
His behavior only fueled Alicia's anger. "Why can't I come? Do I need your permission to visit?"
"That's not what I meant." Leopold explained, "You mentioned feeling unwell a few days ago. What if something happens during such a long trip?"
Alicia's expression softened slightly, but seeing me beside Leopold, her face darkened again.
"If I hadn't come, how would I have known you're still entangled with Lucinda!"
"Leo, the Percy family has a reputation to uphold in Silverlight City. Aren't you worried about dragging the family name through the mud with this spectacle?"
Leopold subtly positioned himself between Alicia and me, his tone steady. "Grandma, don't borrow trouble. As long as I'm here, no one will dare criticize the Percy family."
Alicia scoffed disapprovingly. "Once word gets out that Lucinda is carrying a bastard, you won't be able to contain the gossip."
"The child Lucinda is carrying is mine. It's not a bastard!" Leopold's face darkened. "I don't want to hear you call it that ever again."
Alicia refused to believe him. "You've completely lost your mind if you're claiming another man's child! The Percy family bloodline cannot be compromised!"
Leopold emphasized again, "I'm not confused. I'm absolutely certain the child Lucinda is carrying is mine!"
Seeing his unwavering conviction, Alicia's expression shifted. "Fine. I can't control you anymore. Come back to Percy Manor with me. Your grandfather will talk some sense into you."
Leopold agreed, then turned to me. "Don't wait up for me tonight. Get some sleep—I'll give you your massage later."
Before I could respond, Alicia exploded again.
"Massage! Have you lost your mind? You're debasing yourself by serving her like this!"
A tightness constricted my chest. I didn't want to look at her anymore, so I turned my face away.
Noticing my discomfort, Leopold squeezed my shoulder. "Grandma's upset right now. Don't take what she says to heart."
He then instructed Tammy and Ada to take care of me. Only then did he leave with the fuming Alicia.
"Ms. Wipere, are you feeling alright?"
The moment they left, Tammy and Ada crowded around me.
I shook my head. "I'm fine. I'm going upstairs to rest."
"But you haven't eaten anything. Should I bring dinner to your room?" Ada pressed.
"No need. I don't have an appetite." I had no desire to eat.
Ada wanted to say more, but Tammy pulled her back.
"Ms. Wipere, rest first. If you get hungry later, just call us."
Back in my room, I immediately collapsed onto the bed. The suffocating tightness that had gripped my chest finally began to ease.
Though Sophia had been quiet so far, I knew Alicia's visit was likely her doing—stirring things up behind the scenes.
I hoped this time she'd actually succeed.
In the middle of the night, I woke up freezing.
A chill crept from my feet all the way up to my chest. Even burrowing under the blankets couldn't chase away the cold.
Thinking there might be a draft at the foot of the bed, I turned on the light and sat up. Sure enough, the covers had come untucked.
Which meant Leopold hadn't been here tonight. If he'd come, he would have tucked in the corners like he had the past few nights.
He wasn't back yet. Was he still at Percy Manor?