Chapter 241
This news energized both Leopold and me.
I hadn't expected that while Christian's research was still stuck on purity, Arnold had already completed the initial formulation of the antidote.
I quickly pressed for details. "What were the results?"
Ethan said, "So far, fairly promising. But the initial formulation is quite potent—it might not be suitable for you. Arnold says he's not clear on your current condition and needs to meet with you in person to determine the specific dosage."
"Are you available today?"
I hesitated slightly, looking toward Leopold.
Seeing him slowly furrow his brow, his eyes growing dark and dangerous.
"Cindy?" When I didn’t respond, Ethan called my name again.
Leopold glanced at me and quickly typed on his phone. [Agree to it.]
I looked at him questioningly but still answered Ethan as he'd indicated. "Ethan, I'm free this afternoon. How do I find Arnold?"
"I'll send you the address and time shortly."
I immediately agreed. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the call ended.
"I've been meaning to ask—why is Arnold researching this new drug? At Ethan's direction?" Leopold's gaze rested on my face.
I shook my head. "Ethan's body also has residual traces of this new drug. Arnold was probably hired by the Guise family to research it."
Mentioning this reminded me I hadn't told Leopold about Ethan's early contact with me. "When Dr. Moore first diagnosed the abnormal compound in my system, Ethan reached out to me once. He said that substance was extracted from the hot cocoa he gave me, and that his uncle had prepared it."
"If you hadn't knocked that cup of hot cocoa out of my hands, I would have consumed much more."
Leopold tossed aside his phone, his large palm pressing against my waist. "So you're saying I saved your life."
His palm gently kneaded my soft flesh.
My breathing tightened. I grabbed his wandering hand. "That was before. I won't repay you with my body."
Is he kidding? Last time in the car, he'd practically worn me out.
No matter what he said, I wasn’t doing that again.
Leopold glanced at me, his lips curving into a smile. "Don't like it here? Fine. We'll continue at home."
I shot him a sharp look. "That's not what I meant."
Leopold's smile deepened. "I'm looking forward to it."
Annoyed, I turned to look out the window, ignoring him.
But as I watched, I suddenly realized this road wasn't heading to Pansea Heights or Bayview Villas.
When Christian's research center came into view, I couldn't help turning back to look at him. "Why are you seeing Dr. Moore?"
Leopold answered matter-of-factly, "Didn't Arnold suggest before that Dr. Moore join the new drug research? Now's the time."
I was somewhat confused. "What do you mean 'now's the time'?"
Wasn't it before?
"Don't strain yourself." Leopold rubbed my forehead, the smile at the corner of his mouth more pronounced. "Either way, I'll make sure that antidote ends up in your hands."
That only confused me more.
Leopold didn't have me join in his conversation with Christian, but a few minutes later, he came back out. "Dr. Moore has agreed to collaborate with Arnold. This afternoon, bring him with you."
I looked at him. "You're not going?"
Leopold gazed at me. "I have something this afternoon I can't get away from. I'll pick you up later."
"That's not necessary. I was just asking." I'd just received Ethan's address, it wasn't in the same direction as the Percy Group.
"Did Ethan send you the address?" Leopold asked again.
"He did." I showed him the message.
"I've already had Barry come get me. Teddy will take you and Dr. Moore shortly."
Hearing this, I nodded gently.
Barry had just arrived when Christian stepped out from the research lab.
He wasn't wearing a white coat but casual clothes instead, giving him a refined, scholarly air. "Mr. Percy, Ms. Wipere, we can leave now."
I nodded to him and said goodbye to Leopold.
Leopold watched us get in the car, specifically reminding me, "If anything comes up, contact me immediately."
"Alright, I'll remember."
We left first.
I watched Leopold's figure shrink in the rearview mirror until it disappeared completely, then finally looking away.
"Ms. Wipere, I heard from Mr. Percy that Arnold's side has developed an antidote. What exactly is the situation?" Christian asked.
"I don't know the specifics either. We'll find out when we get there."
We arrived at the destination Ethan had arranged.
"Isn't this... the Guise Group's old research facility?"
Christian's words caught me off guard.
"Dr. Moore, did the Guise family used to do research too?" I'd always thought the Guise family, like ours, was in business. I hadn't expected they'd also done research.
Christian nodded. "That was a long time ago. Later, the Guise family head's hands were crippled, and after that, no one in the family continued the research."
I was secretly shocked. "His hands were crippled? The family head you're referring to—is it the current Guise family head?"
"No, the previous generation's head. Ethan's grandfather's father."
I understood. So it was Ethan's great-grandfather—no wonder I had no recollection.
"Cindy."
As we we spoke, Ethan approached with Arnold. "We just got here too. When we saw you and Dr. Moore, we came over."
I was surprised. "Ethan, you know Dr. Moore?"
Christian rarely left his lab and hardly interacted with outsiders.
So not many people knew him.
Even Leopold had needed to pull strings to get a meeting with Christian.
Ethan shook his head. "I haven't met Dr. Moore before, but Arnold knows him."
Arnold stepped forward accordingly, greeting Christian. "Dr. Moore, it's been a while. Since hearing your lecture last time, I've been deeply inspired and have been hoping for more opportunities to interact and exchange ideas with you."
Christian also knew Arnold. "Dr. Norman, you're too kind. I also look forward to exchanging ideas with you and making progress together."
After both sides exchanged pleasantries, we all entered the building together.
Before going in, Arnold deliberately sidled up next to me with a half-smile. "Lucinda, when you knocked me out last time, it hurt for quite a while."
My heart jumped, remembering when I'd knocked him unconscious to escape. "I'm sorry. It was an emergency situation—I had no choice."
Arnold grinned. "I understand. But kindly helping out only to end up like that—my feelings were quite hurt."
Arnold grinned. "I understand. But helping someone only to end up like that… it did sting a little."
He raised an eyebrow. "I’ll hold you to that."
"What are you two chatting about?" Ethan suddenly leaned in.
Arnold shrugged, offering no explanation.
I deflected. "Nothing much. I was asking him a few questions."
Ethan's gaze moved back and forth between Arnold and me, then he broke into his usual warm smile. "Cindy, don't worry. With Arnold and Dr. Moore working together, nothing will go wrong."
I nodded. "I trust them."
After Arnold and Christian's discussion, the initially completed antidote indeed wasn't suitable for me. They needed to reformulate it—it would take another two days to complete.
Just then, Amelia called me.
"Cindy, the plane tickets and hotel key card for the Valeria International Ballet Competition have been sent to me. Should you come pick them up, or should I bring them to you?"