Chapter 251
I explained in a low voice, "He was here, but he left half an hour ago."
"What!" Amelia grew more anxious. "But Leopold didn't return to Percy Manor, and his car isn't here either. Grandma and Dad are both looking for him now, but no one can reach him. Can you help contact him?"
My bad feeling was confirmed.
My chest tightened sharply. I belatedly realized Leopold's emotions had been off when he came.
"I can help contact him, but you need to tell me why Leopold left the birthday banquet."
Amelia sighed heavily. "It's Grandma. I don't know what spell Sophia cast on her, but she's dead set on having Sophia attend the banquet as a Percy family member and publicly announcing that the Percy family has an heir."
"You know Leopold's temperament—there's no way he'd compromise easily. He got into a huge argument with Grandma. She was enraged and declared that if Leopold defied her, she would remove him from the Percy Group.
These explanations cut straight to the heart.
I had no idea Leopold had already had a massive fight with Alicia.
I never imagined Alicia would actually use the Percy Group as leverage to force Leopold to comply.
Just imagining that scene made me feel suffocated. "And then?"
"Leopold didn't hesitate for a second. He told Grandma directly that starting tomorrow, he wouldn't go to the Percy Group anymore, and he'd never return to Percy Manor either. Grandma was so angry she couldn't speak and fainted on the spot." Amelia's voice still carried traces of shock.
Clearly, Alicia and Leopold's argument had been severe.
"Don't worry. I'll contact Leopold. You focus on taking care of your grandmother." Just as I was about to hang up, I asked, "Amelia, what about your grandfather?"
"Grandpa definitely doesn't support Grandma, but seeing Leopold and Grandma fight so badly hurt him too." Amelia sighed again. "After Grandma fainted, he had angina, though it wasn't serious. The doctor gave him medicine, and he's sleeping now."
This was the last thing I'd wanted to happen, yet we still couldn't avoid it. "I understand."
After hanging up, I immediately asked Teddy where Leopold might have gone.
Teddy said, "Mr. Percy is usually either at the office or at home. Should we try the office first?"
I was somewhat doubtful. "Doesn't he have a bar or club he frequents?"
Teddy quickly shook his head. "Mr. Percy doesn't like those kinds of bars—finds them too noisy. Most of the time, he prefers staying at the office."
If that was the case, then why had Leopold gone to that bar before, where I'd found him?
Could it be that all those times he went to bars before, it was to find me?
An unnamed emotion suddenly surged in my heart.
It felt like distress, and also like heartache.
"Let's try the office first."
Soon, Teddy and I arrived at Leopold's office.
But the place was completely empty.
Even the innermost restroom was vacant.
"Where else might he be?"
I looked at Teddy. Teddy looked at me and suggested, "How about you try contacting Mr. Percy directly?"
I froze for a moment, then pulled out my phone to contact Leopold.
The phone rang for quite a while with no answer.
I thought Leopold wasn't going to pick up.
Then suddenly, the call connected.
Leopold said nothing.
Only the sound of static crackling between us.
I couldn't match his composure and broke the silence first. "Leopold, where are you?"
"Why are you looking for me?" His voice was cold and distant.
I knew he was still angry and unconsciously softened my voice. "I'm worried about you."
The other end fell silent again.
I couldn't help calling out, "Leopold?"
"I'm at Harbor Avenue."
I was dazed for a moment. Harbor Avenue was where our university was located, where our love had begun.
He'd actually gone there.
Good thing he hadn't gone to Pansea Heights, or we'd have missed him again.
"I'll come find you right away."
After hanging up, Teddy and I immediately headed that way. Halfway there, my phone rang again.
It was Percy Manor calling.
"Cindy, are you with Leopold?" Donovan's weak, hoarse voice came through.
I immediately replied, "No, I'm on my way to find him. Grandpa, are you feeling better?"
"I'm fine. Old ailment acting up."
"That's good. Once I see Leopold, we'll come visit you together."
Donovan didn't respond immediately as before. Instead, he hesitated before saying, "Leopold needs some time to himself. But you—if it's convenient, could you come see me? Would that be alright?"
Donovan rarely made such requests of me.
Hearing his suppressed coughing, my heart instantly clenched. "Of course. I'll come see you right away."
After hanging up, I immediately had Teddy turn around toward Percy Manor.
But Teddy seemed hesitant. "We're not far from Harbor Avenue now. Shouldn't we meet up with Mr. Percy first?"
"No need. I have something I need to discuss privately with Grandpa."
Teddy still seemed uncertain. "How about you call and discuss it with Mr. Percy?"
My gaze fell on him. "If you're worried about Leopold, you can drop me off here. I'll get to Percy Manor on my own."
"That's not what I meant." Teddy quickly explained. "I'm just worried that since you promised Mr. Percy you'd come, if you suddenly change your mind, he'll be angry."
I froze. He had a point.
So I pulled out my phone to call Leopold.
But no one answered.
I called three times in a row. Still no answer.
My heart began to sink anxiously.
After thinking it over, I decided to part ways with Teddy. "Leopold's not picking up. Drop me at the shopping district ahead. You go check Harbor Avenue. I'll take a cab to Percy Manor."
Hearing this, Teddy didn't dare insist and immediately agreed to my plan.
Because of this detour, by the time I reached Percy Manor, the sky had already darkened.
As I entered from the living room, a servant hurried past with her head lowered.
I glanced at her but couldn't see her face and didn't pay much attention.
"Ms. Wipere, you're here. Mr. Donovan Percy is waiting for you."
Seeing me, the butler smiled and stepped forward to guide me.
Taking the residential elevator to the third floor, I arrived at Donovan's bedroom.
After entering, I couldn't help but freeze.
Inside wasn't just Donovan, but also Alicia, wearing an oxygen mask, her face deathly pale.
My steps halted immediately.
"Cindy." Seeing me, Donovan's stern features instantly softened.
"Grandpa," I called out to him, but didn't walk further inside.
Seeing this, Donovan's expression immediately showed helplessness. "Cindy, I was just—"
"Lucinda." Alicia, lying in the hospital bed, removed her oxygen mask and called my name hoarsely.
My gaze shifted from Donovan to Alicia.
"I was the one who asked Donovan to find you. Some things need to be said face to face." Alicia paused to catch her breath three times while saying this.
Clearly, her health was already very poor.
I didn't dare approach. "Alicia, I won't agree to what you're asking. There's nothing for us to discuss."
Alicia's expression stiffened. She wanted to scold me but had no strength, so she could only exhale heavily to control her emotions.
"Are you really going to watch Leopold get thrown out of the Percy family?"
I couldn't help but tremble, my face filled of incomprehension.