Chapter 233
"Grandpa."
I quickly wiped away my tears, took a deep breath, and brought my emotions under control.
"Leopold's not in life-threatening danger, but he still needs observation in intensive care. Brady said once he wakes up and there are no problems, he'll be transferred to a regular ward."
Only then did Donovan breathe easier. "That's good."
Then he began scolding me. "And you—how could you hide something this serious from me? If I hadn't noticed Amelia had transferred away from Percy Manor's staff, I still wouldn't know about this!"
"Grandpa, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept it from you." I immediately apologized.
Donovan sighed. "I know you were afraid I'd worry, but you can't hide things like this from me in the future. Leo's accident isn't just about his personal safety—it relates to the internal balance of the Percy Group. If someone strikes first, we'll be at a disadvantage."
I froze for a moment, feeling even more guilty. "I understand, Grandpa. It won't happen again."
"Cindy, I found out..." Amelia rushed back, but seeing Donovan midway through her sentence, she quickly controlled her emotions. "Grandpa, how did you get here?"
Donovan shot her a look. "If I hadn't come, were you planning to keep me completely in the dark?"
Amelia glanced at me cautiously.
I signaled her not to lie.
She quickly said, "I wasn't. I was planning to tell you today."
Donovan snorted coldly, his face solemn and dignified. "What did you find out? Tell me."
At this point, Amelia naturally didn't dare hide anything further and directly revealed the investigation results.
"Grandpa, I've already reported Leopold's accident to the police and had Teddy assist with the investigation. This morning at four, the police found the cargo truck that hit Leopold abandoned fifty miles outside the city."
"The driver's whereabouts are unknown, and the vehicle had been cleaned—no biological samples could be retrieved. Even the license plate was fake. Clearly, the entire incident was deliberately orchestrated."
My eyes turned cold. This accident had been intentional!
Donovan's expression darkened further. "What about surveillance from the area where it happened?"
"The surveillance on that stretch of road was broken. It didn't capture anything."
"Bastards!" Donovan was furious. "In Silverlight City, someone dares to target the Percy family!"
"Keep investigating. At any cost, find this person!"
Amelia responded in the affirmative.
I added, "Grandpa, once my dad wakes up, I'll ask him again to see if we can uncover new leads."
Donovan looked shocked. "Your father was also in Leo's car?"
I answered honestly. "Yes. Leopold must have picked up my dad before the accident happened."
"These people are absolutely lawless!" Donovan slammed his hand on the armrest in anger.
"Grandpa, please don't get upset." Afraid he'd harm his health, I quickly said, "Now that the investigation has made progress, we'll definitely bring the mastermind to justice."
Donovan nodded, then requested to visit my father.
I had no choice but to take him.
Amelia came along too.
As soon as we entered, I saw my mom feeding my dad porridge. I immediately rushed over. "Dad, you're awake."
Seeing my eyes were red, my dad quickly said, "Yes, I'm fine now. Last night must have scared you."
I bit my lip and shook my head. "As long as you're okay."
"James, are you feeling better?"
Hearing Donovan's voice, my dad instinctively tried to sit up but pulled at his wound.
"Don't move." My mom quickly steadied him.
Donovan also hurried to say, "Don't worry about formalities. Just lie down."
"Alright." Only then did my dad relax and lie back down. Seeing Amelia had also come, he quickly greeted her too.
Amelia responded, "Mr. Wipere, it's good you've woken up. Last night, Cindy and Mrs. Wipere were both terrified."
"Yes, it was all because Leo protected me." As my dad spoke, his gaze swept around the room. He immediately propped up his upper body. "Where's Leo? How badly is he hurt? Has he woken up?"
My mom turned away without speaking.
I quickly said, "Leopold's still under observation in intensive care. Brady said once he wakes up and is confirmed to be okay, he can be transferred to a regular ward. Don't worry, he'll be fine."
"Leo's still in intensive care?" My dad looked very worried and made to get up.
My mom quickly persuaded him. "Don't move. The doctor said you need to rest."
My dad insisted on getting up. "No, I won't feel at ease unless I go see him."
"James, don't get agitated." Seeing this, Donovan quickly spoke to calm him. "Leo's in his room now. Even we can't visit him. You should rest peacefully and not waste Leo's good intentions."
Only then did my dad lie back down, though his tone was full of self-reproach and guilt. "It's all my fault. I'm the one who hurt him."
I couldn't help looking over. "Dad, why would you say that?"
Donovan and Amelia also found it strange.
My dad clenched his fists before explaining. "Leo and I were already on our way home, but halfway there, I got a call from that friend saying there was a missed test report and asking me to pick it up at his house."
"On the way there, Leo noticed a car following us. Realizing something was wrong, he prepared to take a different route. Who knew that car would suddenly accelerate and come at us like a madman."
"It happened so suddenly. Leo used his side to take the impact to protect me. Otherwise, I'd be dead."
"What! Leo did that to save you..." My mom's face was full of heartache.
Donovan sighed heavily. "We all know about this now. James, don't blame yourself. Leo did the right thing. No matter what, we absolutely couldn't let anything happen to you."
My dad froze, then looked at me with a very complicated expression.
I understood his meaning.
My relationship with Leopold was unclear. Having suddenly incurred such a huge debt, if the Percy family demanded I repay it, my dad would feel guilty for the rest of his life.
Donovan, perceptive as ever, immediately caught the silent exchange between my father and me.
He said at once, "James, don't feel burdened. Though the Percy family is in business, we don't calculate everything. As long as Cindy is unwilling, I'd stake my life before letting her be wronged."
My eyes uncontrollably welled with warm moisture.
Donovan always protected me without regard for others' opinions or right and wrong, single-mindedly standing by me.
Such absolute trust and support moved me, yet also made me sad.
My dad's eyes also gradually reddened, his tone carrying shame and emotion. "You treat Cindy better than I do as her father. I'm truly ashamed."
"Nonsense. Our two families have always been close. I see Cindy as my own granddaughter, so naturally, I see you all as my family too. We're all family!"
Hearing Donovan still comforting my dad, I couldn't help saying, "Grandpa, actually Leopold and I..."
"Lucinda, Leopold's awake! He's just been transferred to a regular ward."
Brady suddenly pushed the door open, interrupting me.
His voice was urgent yet filled with joy.
I couldn't spare time to continue speaking and immediately ran toward Leopold's room.