Chapter 21
I left with Ethan after his wounds were treated. The whole way, I kept thinking about Leopold's parting words.
From the time he accused me of lying and making him lose, to now saying he'd be a fool to ever believe me again... these words seemed to have another layer of meaning I didn't understand.
"Cindy, are you still thinking about Leopold?" Ethan asked as we stopped in the main lobby. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fight back earlier. He was just being too aggressive."
I shook my head. "I don't blame you, Ethan. But I have something to take care of, so I won't be leaving with you."
Ethan reached out to stop me. "Cindy, if you and Leopold are over, don't get tangled up with him again."
My expression changed slightly. "How did you know Leopold and I broke up? I don't remember telling you that."
Ethan awkwardly looked away. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry into your personal life. I just heard it from someone."
"My breakup with Leopold hasn't been made public. Who told you?"
"I'd rather not say."
I didn't push him. After all, secrets have a way of getting out. Even though Leopold and I hadn't gone public with our breakup, we weren't the only ones who knew. Sophia knew too.
"Anyway, thank you for helping me today. I won't forget it."
I still didn't know how Donovan was doing, and I couldn't rest until I checked on him. Leopold was probably seeing a doctor right now, so this was my chance to visit while he wasn't there.
When I reached Donovan's hospital room, Ben the butler was standing guard outside.
Seeing me, he quickly stood up. "Ms. Wipere, Mr. Donovan Percy is still asleep. Perhaps you could come back another day."
I peeked through the small window at Donovan. He was wearing an oxygen mask, his face pale. The sight made my heart clench.
"Ben, what did the doctors say? Can Grandfather recover from this?"
"The doctors said Mr. Donovan Percy is too old for surgery. They recommended conservative treatment, focusing on rest and recovery."
"How did he suddenly fall ill?"
Ben hesitated before answering, "Mr. Donovan Percy was walking in the garden and happened to see Mr. Leopold Percy with Ms. Guise. He asked me to call for Mr. Leopold Percy, who... refused. That's what triggered his episode."
I was surprised. Leopold wasn't careless by nature. Knowing Donovan was ill, he wouldn't normally be so indiscreet. Was Sophia encouraging this behavior? But I kept that thought to myself.
I had originally planned to ask Donovan about Leopold, but now I needed to change my approach.
"Ben, can you tell me about Leopold and Sophia?"
"Well..." Ben was clearly uncomfortable.
"Don't worry, I just want to understand the situation."
After a long hesitation, Ben finally said, "I don't know much about their relationship. From what I remember, Mr. Leopold Percy drove Ms. Guise around for a while, then he went abroad to study, and they lost touch. You know the rest."
It seemed Ben probably didn't know about Sophia's pregnancy.
After thinking for a moment, I asked, "Ben, do you remember if Leopold had any major personality changes three years ago?"
Ben thought carefully. "He only seemed like a different person the year his parents died. Otherwise..." His tone shifted as if remembering something. "There was one other time, when he had just taken over the Percy Group. Someone tried to sabotage him by leaking company secrets, nearly bankrupting the company."
I knew about that incident. I had been worried seeing him work day and night, and had asked my parents and trusted friends to help find a solution.
But before we could come up with anything, he had already resolved the problem. I had wanted to throw him a celebration, but he was away on business and couldn't make it back in time.
It seemed I wouldn't learn anything new from Ben. Just as I was about to give up, he suddenly added, "Ms. Wipere, I just remembered something."
"Once, Mr. Leopold Percy was traveling during a heavy storm but rushed back overnight, saying he had something important to attend to. He had told Mr. Donovan Percy he wouldn't be returning to the Manor that night, but he came back at eleven, looking extremely upset."
This caught me by surprise. What could have been so important that Leopold would rush back in the middle of the night?
"Did Leopold ever mention what it was about?"
Ben shook his head. "No, he seemed to avoid the topic entirely. Even when Mr. Donovan Percy asked, he wouldn't say a word."
My instincts told me this might be a clue. Since I couldn't get more information by asking, I'd have to find someone to investigate.
---
It was already midnight when I got home. The house was completely quiet.
Thinking Leo wasn't home, I casually turned on the living room lights. That's when I discovered him sitting silently on the couch.
I jumped. "Why are you sitting in the dark?"
Leo slowly turned his head, and upon seeing me, said quietly, "I thought you weren't coming home tonight."
I went to the kitchen to pour myself some water. "This is my house. Of course I'd come back."
By the time I finished my water, Leo had appeared in front of me. He placed his hands on either side of me, leaning in to whisper in my ear.
"What's your relationship with that man? Is he the reason you don't want me?"
I caught the smell of alcohol on his breath and frowned slightly. "Have you been drinking?"
"Don't change the subject. Answer me!"
There's no reasoning with someone who's drunk. His breath tickled my neck, making me lean back to avoid him. "Which man are you talking about?"
Leo seemed annoyed, answering through gritted teeth, "The one who drove you home!"
I finally realized he meant Ethan. "You're overthinking it. He's just my senior from dance school. There's nothing between us."
"I don't believe you." Leo rested his chin on my shoulder, his voice muffled. "If there's really nothing between you, why did you end our relationship? Tell me what he has that I don't. I can change."
I felt the weight on my shoulder increase. Seeing Leo trying to hold onto me like this made my heart ache. Because once, I had begged Leopold the same way.
What did Sophia have that I didn't? Why did he choose Sophia over me?
"Leo." Noticing the weight on me getting heavier, I quickly reached out to support him. "You're fine just as you are. You don't need to change for anyone. I ended things with us because it was time. You deserve—"
Before I could finish, his lips covered mine. Leo was like a small animal seeking comfort, desperately pecking at my lips.
"If you can't give me the answer I want to hear, then don't say anything."
He lifted my chin with his hand, deepening the kiss. His hot breath fell on my sensitive ear, sending waves of tingling sensations throughout my body. I couldn't help wanting to surrender to the feeling.
"Leo, we shouldn't do this..." I tried to push him away with what little self-control I had left.
Accidentally, my fingertips brushed against his forehead. It was ice cold. As if there was no warmth at all.
"Your face..."