Chapter 76
Sophia was everywhere, like a bad penny.
Hearing her spout such shameless nonsense left me utterly speechless. It wasn't enough that she had her hooks in Leopold—now she was trying to worm her way into Amelia's business too.
But Amelia wasn't having it. Sure enough, the next second, she went nuclear.
"Sophia, are you seriously this full of yourself? What gives you the right to stick your nose in my studio?"
"You're not even my sister-in-law yet, and even if Leopold were dating you, you still wouldn't have any say over what I do!"
"You—"
Sophia was too stunned to respond. Moments later, I heard footsteps approaching the door. I was about to duck out of sight, but it was too late.
The door swung open violently, and I came face to face with Sophia.
"Lucinda, what are you doing here?"
Seeing me, she looked equal parts furious and shocked.
"Where I am is none of your business." My tone was ice-cold.
Sophia's chest heaved dramatically, like something had just clicked.
"No wonder Amelia rejected me—you've been sabotaging me this whole time!"
"What sabotage? I never wanted you here in the first place. Rejecting you is perfectly normal!"
Amelia rushed over to defend me, her words cutting and merciless.
"Besides, I'm not blind. Why would I pass up Cindy, who placed first, for someone who didn't even qualify for the competition?"
I looked at Amelia with genuine admiration. If I had a mouth like hers, Sophia wouldn't have been able to torment me this much.
Sophia turned bright red with rage. "You two—"
"Sophia, I'll say this one more time. My studio doesn't want you. Don't show up uninvited again, or next time I'll have you thrown out."
Amelia's dismissal made Sophia's face darken. I thought she'd storm off in a huff, but instead she suddenly lunged at me.
She grabbed my hands, crying and making a scene.
"Lucinda, I gave you the principal position and my spot in the international ballet competition—why won't you leave me alone?"
"You even convinced someone to hurt my mother, and I still didn't hold it against you. What more do you want from me?"
Her sudden breakdown caught me off guard, but her grip on my hands kept me from stepping back.
"Sophia, are you ever going to stop?"
Amelia shoved her away forcefully. Sophia stumbled backward, hitting the doorframe before falling to the ground. A visible scrape appeared on her arm.
Neither Amelia nor I had expected that outcome. We both froze.
That's when Sophia looked up with tear-filled eyes, her gaze fixed on something behind us.
"Leo."
I realized immediately—no wonder she'd gone crazy. Leopold was here.
"Oh no, Leopold looks furious. Is he going to come after me?"
Amelia's earlier fire completely vanished. She grabbed my hand anxiously.
I patted the back of her hand. "Don't worry. I'll say I pushed her."
Sophia had been sabotaging me for ages anyway. One more false accusation wouldn't make a difference. Besides, Amelia had only been standing up for me. I couldn't let this damage her relationship with her cousin.
"What happened?"
Leopold helped the sobbing Sophia to her feet, then fixed his gaze on Amelia and me.
Seeing Amelia practically shrink under his stare, I spoke first.
"I pushed her. She was talking nonsense and blocking my way."
Leopold's eyes darkened, his gaze sliding from me to Amelia.
"Is that what happened?"
Amelia glanced at him, then seemed to steel herself. "Leopold, it wasn't Cindy who pushed her. It was me."
"I told her my studio doesn't need a principal right now. Sophia wouldn't listen and blamed Cindy for taking her spot."
"I got angry and pushed her. If you're mad, take it out on me."
Sophia quickly interjected, "Leo, that's not what happened. I genuinely wanted to help Amelia, but she said I'm not part of the Percy family and have no right to interfere."
"I was about to leave and come back later, but then Lucinda showed up. She said I wasn't even worthy of being a dancer compared to her."
"I got upset and argued with her, and that's when I got pushed."
She raised her scraped arm. Leopold's expression shifted. "That looks serious."
"It's fine. As long as you believe me, it doesn't hurt." Sophia looked at him with touching devotion.
Leopold turned back to Amelia and me. "Someone's bleeding, and you're just standing there?"
"Leopold!" Amelia was indignant. "That's not how it happened at all! Don't let her fool you!"
Sophia let out a pitiful sob, then said to Leopold, "Forget it, Leo. It's just a scratch. It'll heal in a few days. Don't let this come between you and Amelia."
"You're really getting off on this act, aren't you?" Amelia was so angry that she started rolling up her sleeves. I quickly held her back. "Amelia, calm down."
"Enough! This is a professional studio, not a circus!" Leopold snapped impatiently.
Amelia's hands balled into fists. "Leopold, you actually believe her?"
Leopold's expression was blank. "What else should I believe?"
I was used to his favoritism by now. My tone was flat. "This area has security cameras. Don't take anyone's word for it—check the footage."
Sophia's face paled.
But Amelia lit up. "Right! How could I forget about the cameras? I'll have someone pull up the footage right now."
"Leo, let's just drop it. My arm really hurts. Can you take me to the hospital to get it treated?" Sophia's voice turned sweet and cloying.
Amelia immediately caught on. "Sophia, feeling guilty, are we?"
Sophia looked wronged. "I'm not guilty. I'm a dancer—I can't afford to have scars. I need to treat this wound properly."
I heard her excuse and couldn't help the cold smile that tugged at my lips. The creativity of her lies was truly impressive.
And Leopold actually bought it.
"Alright, let's go to the hospital."
Watching Leopold protectively escort Sophia out, Amelia stomped her foot in frustration.
"Is Leopold blind? Sophia's obviously lying! Can't he see that?"
My voice was detached. "Love makes people blind, I guess."
Amelia's expression turned complicated, like she'd tasted something foul.
I didn't have time to waste on this. After telling her what I needed, she immediately had Wendy handle it. Soon enough, they'd arranged a private practice room for me.
I headed straight there. I'd just changed into my practice clothes and pushed open the door when I saw Leopold—who should have left—leaning casually against the barre, waiting for me.
My heart clenched.
"Why didn't you leave?"
Leopold slowly turned his gaze toward me. Golden sunlight climbed across his chiseled features, casting small shadows beneath his lashes.
"You're starting practice already? Your knee doesn't hurt anymore?"
His sudden concern threw me off balance.
"It's fine. If there's nothing else, please leave. I need to practice."
Leopold straightened, hands sliding into his pockets as his long legs carried him toward me. My pulse hammered in my throat.
But then he walked past me and opened the door behind me. My tension eased slightly.
"Earlier..."
Just when I thought he was leaving, he spoke again.
"I didn't disbelieve you."
Shocked, I turned to look at him, but all I saw was his retreating figure growing smaller in the distance.
Had he come all this way just to tell me that?