Chapter 218
Barry lowered his head in acknowledgment.
I looked at the computer in front of me and said flatly, "Use a different one."
"No need. You're my fiancée. Everything I have can be shared with you." Leopold's words flowed smoothly and naturally, as if he'd rehearsed them countless times in private.
Such candor and trust left me momentarily unsure how to respond.
Leopold placed the computer in my arms, gently urging, "Hurry up and check. Don't delay your registration."
I had no choice but to accept it.
Only after Leopold left the office did I sit at the desk with the computer.
This laptop was thin and light, yet in my arms it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
Why did he choose to give me this trust so magnanimously only after I'd given up?
"Ms. Wipere, I misspoke earlier. You don't need to have any concerns. Please check the materials quickly." Seeing me hesitate to open the computer, Barry beside me spoke in a low voice.
Either way, I had nothing to lose. I really didn't need to worry.
In front of Barry, I opened the computer. The registration materials were saved on the desktop under my name.
Opening the folder, I saw all the materials arranged in sequence according to the registration requirements.
My gaze softened slightly before I began checking them one by one.
After confirming there were no problems, I entered the Valeria International Ballet Competition registration portal.
I submitted the materials directly.
Only after confirming the page showed successful registration did I close the computer.
"Mr. Gray, as you've witnessed, I didn't access any of Leopold's private files. If there are any issues later, you need to testify for me." Out of caution, I added this statement.
Barry looked somewhat embarrassed but still nodded in agreement.
In less than ten minutes, Leopold returned.
I immediately stood up. "I've registered for the competition. You're busy—I'll go first."
"It's almost time to get off work. I don't have anything else to do. I'll leave with you." As Leopold spoke, he took his coat from the rack and casually put it on.
I glanced at Barry, who seemed to want to say something but couldn't, then turned to ask Leopold, "Are you sure?"
Leopold's sharp gaze swept over Barry.
Barry immediately stood at attention with a serious expression.
Leopold walked up to me, his eyes showing a hint of helplessness. "I told you I wouldn't lie to you."
I avoided his presence and didn't respond.
Leopold didn't mind and continued, "Amelia just called, saying she wants to treat us to dinner. She even sent me the location."
I was surprised. If Amelia was treating us to dinner, why hadn't I received any notice?
Leopold saw through my confusion and proactively explained, "I told her you were with me, so she didn't contact you."
Fine. They'd arranged everything for me without my input.
Amelia knew I didn't have much free time and usually wouldn't arrange impromptu dinners. But today she had—could something be up?
Despite my thoughts, I still went with Leopold.
As soon as we arrived, I saw Amelia constantly looking around at the entrance.
Seeing Leopold's car, she quickly walked over.
"Cindy."
I could tell from her expression that something was happening tonight.
I quickly walked over and linked arms with her. "This dinner tonight isn't just us, is it?"
Amelia grinned at me. "So clever. I also invited people from the dance company."
I was somewhat surprised. "Is tonight a team building event?"
"Yes and no." Amelia deliberately kept me in suspense. "You've been suspicious that Irma has ulterior motives, right? Well, we should have our answer tonight."
This successfully piqued my interest. "Alright."
"What are you two talking about? Share it with me." Leopold's voice came from behind.
But he himself was tactful enough not to approach.
Amelia brushed him off. "Leopold, it's nothing—just girl talk between girls."
Leopold's gaze immediately shifted to my face.
Seeing I didn't object, his deep eyes suddenly softened. "Have you finished your girl talk? If so, give her back to me."
I quickly gripped Amelia's hand tighter, signaling she couldn't agree.
I'd been with Leopold almost all day today—I was reaching my limit of tolerance.
Amelia had no choice but to say reluctantly, "Leopold, you go to the private room first. Cindy and I need to use the restroom."
My cheeks immediately heated up. What a terrible excuse.
Leopold rubbed his temple but ultimately didn't call out the lie.
I quickly pulled Amelia away.
"Over there." As I was about to go upstairs, Amelia pulled me toward another direction.
Walking to a corner between stairs and a potted plant, she urged, "Quick, get in here. Crouch down."
I wanted to complain, but seeing her peeking out, I curiously leaned over to look.
Today Irma wore a beige knit dress. The soft material outlined her curves perfectly, making her look pure and sweet.
But this outfit looked somewhat familiar.
"Don't you recognize it? This outfit is what you wore the first time you met Leopold. Leopold was so captivated that he kept asking me about you after he got back."
Amelia's words made my heart jump.
No wonder it looked familiar—I had indeed worn this outfit.
But...
"Wasn't my first meeting with Leopold when I competed and he, as a student representative, gave me flowers?"
Amelia looked utterly shocked. "That dense brain of Leopold's gave you flowers before?"
I fell silent.
Was that the point?
But I hadn't realized my first meeting with Leopold wasn't the one in my memory.
It was actually earlier.
So Leopold never saw me as Sophia's replacement from the start. He genuinely liked me?
Was that possible?
If he liked me, then why was his affection so light—so light it couldn't even bear the weight of trust?
"He's here. Cindy, look quick."
Amelia suppressed her excitement and urged me to look over there.
Leopold was looking down at his phone, walking while replying to messages.
Irma timed it perfectly and walked out, "accidentally" colliding with Leopold.
Leopold's phone immediately dropped to the ground.
But he didn't even glance at it. Instead, he quickly extended his arm and steadily caught the falling Irma.
Irma's face showed perfectly calibrated panic and innocence as she looked up at Leopold.
Their eyes met, ambiguity hanging in the air.
"Shameless!" Amelia ground her teeth in anger.
My gaze grew cold. So Irma's target was Leopold.
My eyes moved downward to Leopold's hand on Irma's waist. I couldn't watch anymore. "I'm leaving."
Hearing my words, Amelia quickly grabbed my hand. "Cindy, don't rush off. Don't you want to see what the relationship between Irma and Leopold really is?"
My steps paused slightly as scenes from the past flashed before my eyes—Leopold abandoning me to run toward Sophia.
My heart clenched sharply. "I don't want to know."
I broke free from Amelia's hand and quickly climbed the steps.
Amelia panicked and crouched down to chase after me.
Just then.
Irma's panicked cry came from downstairs.
Amelia and I simultaneously looked back, only to see Irma sitting on the ground. Her carefully styled long hair was now disheveled, her beige knit dress wrinkled and pressed, no longer radiant. She looked utterly disheveled.
Leopold's brows were tightly furrowed, as if he'd touched something filthy.
His eyes were full of disgust and revulsion.
"A poor imitation only brings humiliation upon oneself."