Chapter 42
Getting closer, Sophia grabbed Leopold's arm, sobbing uncontrollably. "Leo, save me! Someone's trying to kill me!"
Her desperate cry rang out like thunder in the quiet hall.
Every head turned in our direction.
Leopold immediately released my hand, shrugging off his jacket to drape it over her shoulders before asking, "Who's trying to kill you?"
I slowly withdrew my hand. When I happened to look up, I met Sophia's grief-stricken, accusatory gaze.
My heart plummeted.
"Her!"
Sophia pointed at me, her voice trembling. "I took a wrong turn earlier and asked a staff member for directions. He said he'd bring me here, so I followed him. Instead, he led me into some strange man's room."
"I realized something was wrong and tried to leave, but the staff member locked the door. He said I'd offended someone and stolen something I shouldn't have, so they were going to punish me."
"I thought and thought—it could only be Lucinda, because yesterday I bought two dresses from her that she really wanted."
Leopold's gaze snapped to me, eyes full of suspicion.
Gasps rippled through the other guests, shocked by her story.
"Over two dresses? She'd scheme like that?"
"Seems extreme. The Wipere family isn't hurting for money."
"You don't know the full story. This Sophia was Mr. Percy's first love. He only got engaged to the Wipere daughter later. A jealous woman will do crazy things."
"Right! Remember that other heiress who deliberately ruined her own reputation just to marry some poor guy? You never know with these things."
"Shut your mouths! Say one more word and I'll tear them off!"
Hearing this gossip, Fanny abandoned all decorum and went on the offensive.
Afraid Leopold might believe it, I rushed to defend myself. "It wasn't me. I didn't hire anyone to do this."
James stepped forward as well. "I believe Cindy. She's been kind-hearted since childhood—she can't even bear to hurt stray cats. How could she have such vicious intentions?"
"Leo, I believe Cindy, too." Donovan approached Sophia, his sharp gaze demanding, "You claim it was Cindy. Do you have proof?"
Sophia wept pitifully. "Mr. Donovan Percy, of course I do."
"Security already caught the man who tried to assault me. Just bring him and the staff member who led me there. Then the truth will come out."
I knew I hadn't done this. For Sophia to make such a public accusation and confidently demand witnesses meant she'd prepared thoroughly.
Just as Donovan was about to agree, I spoke up quickly.
"Grandfather, call the police."
"I haven't left this area since arriving, and I haven't spoken to any staff members. I'm confident the police will prove my innocence."
"No police!"
Sophia shook her head in horror, practically clinging to Leopold.
"Leo, please don't call them. I barely escaped with my life—I even cracked that man's head open. If we involve the police, I'll be arrested!"
"And if word gets out, I'll be torn apart online. Everyone will assume I was... violated. The rumors will destroy me completely!"
I didn't believe a single word.
"If you really didn't want this known, why would you run from the third floor to here looking like that?"
Sophia stared at me in shock. "Are you saying I'm lying for sympathy? Cindy, you're a woman too. You know how important reputation is to us. How could you... how could you..."
She dissolved into breathless sobs.
Leopold quickly rubbed her back soothingly, not forgetting to scold me.
"Lucinda, that's enough."
I gripped the silver bracelet on my wrist tightly, swallowing back the anger and bitterness rising in my chest.
But Donovan couldn't hold back, directly berating Leopold.
"How dare you speak to Cindy that way? Everything we've heard is Sophia's side of the story. Who knows if she's lying!"
"Grandfather, that's not what I meant. I just don't want to compound Sophia's suffering." Leopold tried to explain.
Donovan immediately countered, "And what about Cindy? Does she deserve to endure these accusations?"
Leopold looked at me but said nothing.
My breath caught sharply.
The tender feelings stirred by his careful restoration of my bracelet transformed into sharp blades, stabbing viciously into my heart.
Why did he always manage to shatter me just when my resolve began wavering?
"Dad, call the police. I'd rather face their investigation than endure this injustice."
James fully supported my decision, immediately pulling out his phone.
"Absolutely. We're innocent. We have nothing to fear from an investigation."
Just then, security guards entered, restraining two people.
"Mr. Percy, we brought them as requested."
Donovan immediately snapped, "Who authorized you to bring them? Get them out of here!"
If not Donovan, then Leopold?
I looked at him again, catching Sophia's smirk in my peripheral vision.
Meeting my gaze, she quickly schooled her expression.
But then, as if remembering something, her face transformed again.
She burrowed into Leopold's arms, trembling violently. "It's them!"
"Leo, I'm scared!"
Leopold didn't push her away. Instead, he pulled her closer.
Once soothed, Sophia secretly pressed her face against Leopold's chest, raising her eyebrows at me smugly.
My fists clenched in fury.
This entire charade was her production.
All to completely destroy whatever remained between Leopold and me, clearing her path to the top.
She'd gone to such elaborate lengths.
Sure enough, the moment those two men saw me, they rushed to identify me.
"Don't call the police—I'm a victim too! This woman approached me first, asked me to play along with her scheme. She said if I followed her instructions, she'd pay me two hundred thousand dollars after! I was just following the script. I had no idea what this was really about!"
"Same here. I was just doing my job when she handed me a card, said all I had to do was bring someone named Sophia Guise to room 309, and the money was mine. I didn't know she was planning something like this, or I never would've agreed!"
Listening to their rehearsed lines, a cold smile curved my lips.
"I hired you? Where's your proof?"
"Of course, we have proof! Our phones show transfer records with names on them. Everyone can see for themselves."
They pulled out their phones, displaying transfer screenshots for Leopold to examine.
After looking, Leopold stared at me in disbelief.
"Lucinda, how do you explain this?"
Hearing that question, my parents erupted.
James: "Leopold, do you hear yourself right now?"
Fanny: "Don't you know Cindy's character? How can you suspect her?"
"You believe Sophia, don't you?" I locked eyes with Leopold, my voice ice-cold.
Leopold stared back expressionlessly. He didn't deny it.
I nodded slightly, turning to face the two men accusing me.
"You underestimate the Wipere Group. This little performance risks jail time, and my family isn't hurting for money. Why would I only offer two hundred thousand?"
"I offered two million dollars. Each."
Both men froze, lips trembling as they sought confirmation.
"Really?"
Seeing them take the bait, I nodded calmly.
"Why would I lie? Two hundred thousand wouldn't even cover what I pay my household staff. But..."
I deliberately glanced at Sophia before continuing. "Why you only received two hundred thousand, I really couldn't say."
Both men's expressions darkened. Their pitiful act vanished, replaced by vicious glares directed at Sophia.