Chapter 205
"Report to the police?" I was shocked. "How long ago was this?"
"Ten minutes ago. They've probably just arrived at the station by now."
Hearing the guard say this, I quickly borrowed his phone to contact my parents.
The moment I took the phone, I realized I hadn't just been out for a little while—I'd been gone for three hours.
No wonder I felt so hot. It was almost noon now.
I was even more certain something was wrong with my body.
Soon, my dad picked up.
"Dad, it's me."
"Cindy!" My dad immediately recognized my voice and quickly asked, "Where are you?"
"I'm at the villa entrance. My phone died, so I borrowed the guard's phone to contact you."
"Okay, your mom and I are coming back right away. Wait for us. Don't wander off again."
I quickly agreed. Just as I was about to hang up, my dad suddenly added, "Oh, and contact Leo right away. When he heard you'd disappeared, he immediately dispatched the Percy family bodyguards to search everywhere for you."
"Okay, I'll contact him in a moment."
After hanging up, I thanked the guard before contacting Leopold.
Leopold picked up almost instantly.
So fast, I didn't even have time to react.
"Lucinda, is that you?"
I froze slightly, then said, "It's me."
Even through the phone, I could hear the relief in Leopold's voice.
"Where are you? I'll come get you."
"I'm at the Bayview Villas entrance."
The moment I said that, Leopold replied, "I'm nearby. Wait for me."
I heard a rustling sound on his end, like he was getting into a car.
"Don't hang up. I'll be there in five minutes."
I'd been about to say the phone belonged to someone else, but hearing his breathing—sometimes light, sometimes heavy—I held back.
"Okay. I'll wait."
Less than five minutes later, I saw Leopold's car.
The car had barely stopped when Leopold was already getting out.
His expression stern, he strode up to me and looked me over carefully. "Are you hurt?"
Only then did I hang up the phone and shake my head gently. "No. I just took a wrong turn, and my phone died, which caused this whole misunderstanding."
Leopold stared at me intensely. "That's all?"
I unconsciously pressed my lips together, then nodded. "Yes. What else were you hoping had happened to me?"
"That's not what I meant," Leopold explained seriously. "From now on, whenever you go out, make sure your phone is fully charged. It's best to bring someone with you so this kind of accident doesn't happen."
I was somewhat unhappy. "Are you saying you think I deliberately caused this incident?"
Leopold suddenly pulled me into his embrace, his arms tightening forcefully, pressing me against his chest. "Cindy, I'm sorry. My tone was wrong."
"But I... I was truly terrified."
"I was afraid I'd never find you again."
The slight displeasure in my heart was instantly diluted by those words. My tone softened involuntarily. "I understand."
"Cindy!"
Just then, my parents returned as well.
I quickly pushed him away and hurried toward my parents.
They immediately embraced me.
My mom was both angry and anxious. "You go out without saying a word, and for so long without contacting your dad or me. You really scared us to death, you know?"
"Your dad and I thought you'd been kidnapped. We were beside ourselves!"
I quickly apologized and admitted my mistake, promising there absolutely wouldn't be a next time.
Only then did my mom calm down.
After their emotions settled, I went home with them.
Leopold followed us back, too.
Before entering, I saw him texting someone with a serious expression.
"Now tell me properly—what exactly happened to you today?" The moment we got inside, my mom started interrogating me again.
Seeing her outwardly angry but actually worried expression, I knew she was definitely suspicious.
I hadn't confirmed what I suspected yet. I couldn't tell my parents and make them worry for nothing.
But Leopold was still here...
I glanced toward Leopold, only to accidentally meet his deep, unfathomable gaze.
The instant our eyes met, I gave him a look.
I didn't know if he understood.
"Say something. Don't go silent at the crucial moment." My mom was getting anxious.
"Don't rush her. Cindy's fine, isn't she? Let her catch her breath first, then she'll tell us." My dad quickly mediated.
"It's because you indulge and spoil her that she won't tell us anything, bearing all the dangers herself. I..." Before my mom could finish, her voice was already choked with emotion.
"Mom." My heart ached. I went over and hugged her like a spoiled child. "I'm really fine."
"I went out for a walk today and ran into an old friend halfway. She happened to be visiting a friend in the area, so I chatted with her a bit longer."
My mom didn't believe it. "What kind of friend do you chat with for three hours?"
"Just an old friend. We didn't actually chat that long. The main thing was that after leaving the villa, my phone died. I tried to find my way back from memory, but took a wrong turn and got farther and farther away. That's how this misunderstanding happened."
My mom was still suspicious. "Then tell me—which friend was it?"
She knew most of my friends. For a moment, I really couldn't think of who to name.
"Are you talking about your high school classmate, Daisy Williams?" Just then, Leopold suddenly spoke up.
My first reaction was—did I have someone by that name in high school?
Then I understood he was helping me out of this bind. I quickly nodded. "Right, her. You've met her, too?"
Leopold said matter-of-factly, "Yes. I ran into her last time I came looking for you. Her boss lives here. She runs errands, delivering documents."
I quickly picked up the thread. "Right. When I saw her, she happened to be carrying some files."
"See? Leo says he's met Daisy, too, which means Cindy isn't lying." My dad chimed in to help.
Only then did my mom drop her suspicion. "I'll let it go this time. But if there's a next time, or if I find out you're hiding something from us again, I'll really be angry!"
That's how parents are—no matter how angry, they'll only scold you a bit. But if something really happens to their child, they worry more than anyone.
After placating my mom, Leopold gestured for me to go outside to talk.
I got up and went out.
"I've arranged for Silverlight City's best medical team. They'll clear the lab in ten minutes. I'll take you there for an examination then."
I knew I couldn't hide it from him. I accepted his arrangement. "Okay. Let me go change."
When I came out of my bedroom again, my dad was standing at the door waiting for me. "When you come home tonight, come find me in the study. We need to talk."
My nose suddenly stung. Earlier, seeing him speak up for me, I'd thought he believed mine and Leopold's coordinated story.
I hadn't expected him to notice something was off, too.
"Okay."
After meeting up with Leopold, we headed straight for the Silverlight City research facility.
Once inside, seeing the examination equipment and reagents, I realized this wasn't a routine checkup—it was more like specialized treatment.
"Don't be nervous. I'll be with you."
Leopold held my hand as we walked inside.
A full four hours later, my examination results finally came out.
The researchers respectfully invited us to the specialist's office.
The moment I entered, I saw the specialist's serious, grave expression.
My heart suddenly clenched.