Chapter 226
That evening at home, I told Leopold about Amelia's invitation to become the company's principal dancer.
After hearing me out, Leopold was very supportive. "I think you should do it. Rather than bringing glory to others, pave your own path."
"Tomorrow I'll transfer my Crescent Ballet Company shares to you."
I was bewildered. How did we jump to shares?
Afraid he'd actually do it, I quickly refused. "Don't. I don't need Crescent Ballet Company shares."
Even if I really wanted them, I wouldn't take them this way.
But Leopold was serious. "I've long wanted to give you everything I have, but was afraid of scaring you. Just accept the company shares. Consider it my atonement for past ignorance."
"That's even more unnecessary."
My past pain and heartbreak couldn't be smoothed over by some shares.
Besides, taking favors creates obligations. I didn't want our relationship defined this way.
Leopold cupped my face, his gaze locked intensely on me. "Didn't you say before that ten years of feelings amounted to nothing? If you won't accept the company shares, tomorrow I'll transfer all my assets to your name."
My eyes widened in shock. "Have you lost your mind?"
If he actually did that, the Percy family would tear me apart.
"I'm not crazy. I want you to see my sincerity." Leopold's gaze was deep and burning. "I know that no matter what I say or do, it's hard to regain your trust. So I want to give you everything. That way, if someday you want to leave me, maybe they can keep you with me."
"Even if just for one more second."
I felt my heart being squeezed by an invisible hand, then released. A soft sensation spread through my bloodstream to my entire body.
Looking at Leopold, my long-dormant heart suddenly showed signs of genuine revival.
Leopold was a businessman.
He understood better than anyone that the higher the sunk cost, the tighter the bond between parties.
He wanted to lock down our relationship this way.
This was what I'd always wanted, yet when it was within reach, I couldn't help retreating. "I... I'm tired. Going back to my room to rest."
I pushed him away forcefully and hurried to my room.
Only after locking the door did I lean against it, breathing softly.
Leopold, normally so calm and rational, must have spoken impulsively just now. He couldn't be serious.
No normal person would do such a thing.
I couldn't take it seriously.
After this self-administered pep talk, I finally relaxed.
The next day.
I woke up early.
I'd assumed Leopold would still be in his bedroom, but as soon as I stepped out, I saw him already sitting in the dining room, drinking coffee.
More precisely, not just him—Teddy was there too, along with a professionally dressed man.
Seeing me, Leopold immediately called me over.
Then he told the professional, "Begin."
I was confused. Begin what?
"Ms. Wipere, hello. I'm an attorney from Success Law Firm. At Mr. Percy's request, I'm here to assist you in completing the transfer of all relevant assets under Mr. Percy's name to yours..."
Hearing this, I whipped my head toward Leopold. "Didn't I refuse last night? Why did you still bring a lawyer? If Grandfather finds out, he'll be furious!"
But Leopold said, "This is the result of my consultation with Grandfather. He's also transferring one of his properties to you."
I was stunned. Had Donovan also lost his mind along with Leopold? "I don't believe it. I'm calling Grandfather right now."
Leopold gestured. "Call him now if you want."
I immediately dialed Donovan's number.
When he answered, I spoke urgently. "Grandfather, Leopold says you agreed to let him transfer all his assets to my name, and that you're also transferring one of your properties to me. This..."
"Yes, I agreed to all of it." Before I could finish, Donovan had already interrupted.
"How can this be! Grandfather, please take it back and have Leopold send the lawyer away. I don't need any of this!"
"Cindy." Donovan's tone was earnest. "I know Leo. Once he decides something, no one can change his mind. If you don't believe me, try convincing him yourself."
I immediately had a headache. "Grandfather..."
"Besides, regardless of what happens between you and Leo in the future, you're my granddaughter. Me giving my granddaughter a house is perfectly reasonable, right? If you refuse, it means you look down on that property. In that case, I'll have to give you Percy Manor instead."
Donovan was strong-arming me.
In the end, not only did I fail to persuade him to stop Leopold, but I was forced to accept his property.
The moment I hung up, Leopold didn't wait for me to speak before adding, "Since you accepted Grandfather's property, you can't refuse mine. Otherwise, you're looking down on me, too."
I was left speechless.
They were both impossible to deal with.
But having fallen into one pit, I couldn't fall into another. "Leopold, if you really do this, I'll never forgive you."
Leopold wasn't threatened by my words. His eyes even showed fanatical joy. "Cindy, are you saying that if I don't do this, you will forgive me?"
I fell silent.
What kind of logic was that?
How had I trapped myself!
After all that back-and-forth, Leopold and I remained at an impasse.
Finally, I used being late for the competition as an excuse to temporarily end the topic.
The Valeria International Ballet Competition was being held at the arts center.
When I arrived, the competition hadn't started yet.
But the entrance was already bustling.
All the dancers who'd made it through the semifinals were conversation-starters in their own right.
I'd never liked giving interviews, so I had Leopold drive straight to the parking garage.
But Leopold's car was highly recognizable. The moment it passed the entrance, reporters spotted it.
They immediately abandoned Olivia and Sophia mid-interview and rushed toward us.
"Stop! Don't push!" The bodyguards quickly mobilized, linking hands to form a human wall, blocking the reporters.
They stopped the people, but camera shutters still clicked away, flashing painfully in my eyes.
Leopold raised his hand to shield my eyes. "Don't look. It'll hurt your vision."
I glanced at him but said nothing.
Finally reaching the parking garage, I declined Leopold's company and took the elevator straight to backstage.
The makeup artist who'd been waiting immediately began my makeup.
Amelia pushed open the dressing room door, speaking urgently. "Cindy, today's competition rules were changed at the last minute. Instead of individual performances, all contestants will perform together—the 'Dance of the Little Swans', which tests synchronization."
"Halfway through, each finalist gets thirty seconds for an individual showcase, but there won't be any announcement when time's up. So if someone takes an extra second, the next person loses a second."
"I tried communicating with the organizers, but they said this is this year's format, designed to select the most perfect ballet dancer."
Such rules were unheard of.
Even having participated in many competitions, I couldn't help being shocked.