Chapter 80
The Percy Manor.
Amelia and I had just pulled up to the entrance when Leopold's car slid into the spot next to mine.
He got out and walked straight over, yanking open my passenger door.
"Come on. Let's go in together."
I stared at his outstretched hand, then slowly placed mine in it.
The moment our palms touched, his fingers closed completely around mine, holding tight.
Amelia clicked her tongue beside us. "Leopold, good to see you haven't completely lost your mind. Now get in there with Cindy."
The thought of facing not just Donovan inside, but the rest of the Percy family elders, made me regret agreeing to this dinner.
Leopold shot her a look. "Shut it. Keep running your mouth, and I'll pull your funding."
Amelia immediately mimed zipping her lips.
I didn't say anything.
For Amelia's studio to have grown this big despite limited name recognition, the Percy Group's backing had to be involved.
And Leopold, seasoned businessman that he was, obviously knew exactly where to apply pressure.
"Why aren't you wearing a gown?" Leopold tucked my hand into the crook of his arm as we walked.
I glanced down at my outfit—a silk dress paired with a matching pearl cardigan. Nothing inappropriate.
"A gown would be too formal for a family dinner."
"I thought maybe you were deliberately underdressing to embarrass me."
I tightened my grip on his arm. "That's your petty mind talking."
No matter how toxic our relationship had become, I'd never humiliate Donovan.
"Cindy, it's been too long!"
"I know we saw each other before, but somehow now that I'm looking at Leo and Cindy together, they look more and more perfect for each other."
"Well, of course! They're getting married. Naturally, they're more in sync."
The moment we stepped inside, several Percy family elders started teasing Leopold and me.
My cheeks burned as I smiled and greeted them one by one.
Donovan had two sons—Leopold's father and Amelia's father. After Leopold's parents died, he only had Amelia's father left.
But the Percy family was a sprawling clan. Beyond Donovan's direct line, there were numerous branch family members.
They all held positions at the Percy Group or companies partnered with the family.
A family dinner meant everyone with the Percy name had to attend.
"Cindy, come sit by me."
Seeing me squirm under the teasing, Donovan quickly called me over.
Settling beside him, I finally relaxed.
"Grandpa, let me pour you some tea."
Donovan's face lit up. "Having a granddaughter-in-law really is the best. So thoughtful and considerate. Nothing like that troublemaking punk."
Everyone knew exactly who he meant and laughed.
"Dad, you're still playing favorites with Cindy as usual. Leo must be suffering under all that neglect, huh?"
The speaker was Amelia's father, David Percy.
I glanced at him and silently placed the tea by Donovan's hand.
Donovan snorted. "He should be grateful I'm not the one suffering from his antics! How would I dare give him grief?"
"Grandpa, I haven't caused you any grief." Leopold tried to defend himself.
That only fired Donovan up more. "No grief? Then why haven't you gone to Cindy's family to formally propose yet? Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for that day?"
I hadn't expected Donovan to push for marriage in front of everyone. I kept my head down, not daring to speak.
Leopold didn't respond either.
The lively atmosphere instantly went cold.
Fortunately, the others weren't stupid. They quickly jumped in with reassurances.
"Uncle Donovan has a point, but Leo and Cindy's wedding is still a ways off. No rush."
"Right, weddings are huge undertakings. Have you finalized your wedding checklist? When the time comes, let your aunts help you plan."
"Uncle Donovan, don't worry. Leo's definitely going to win his beauty."
Everyone talked over each other, warming the atmosphere back up.
I couldn't sit still anymore. Using the bathroom as an excuse, I escaped to the back garden to clear my head.
According to tradition, Leopold and I were definitely staying here tonight.
But the Percy Manor had strict security. How was I supposed to get Sophia inside?
I was still puzzling over this when something heavy settled on my shoulders.
I turned to find a men's jacket draped over me.
"What are you doing out here?"
The next second, Leopold appeared beside me in just his thin dress shirt, gazing out at the garden with me.
Not daring to touch his jacket, I let my arms hang stiffly at my sides. "These trees are more lush than before. Even the flowers are blooming more."
Leopold's gaze swept the distance. "Grandpa knows you love this garden, so he had people maintain it specially. Nothing here has changed."
Nothing had changed—except the people.
I tugged at my lips. "Grandpa preserved this place for you, too, not just me."
"That tree in the center—he planted it the year you were born. Your height marks from every year are still carved on it."
Leopold fell silent, though his expression gradually softened.
As the floodgates of memory opened, countless recollections rushed in.
The more beautiful the past, the more mockery it made of the present.
"I wish we'd never grown up."
The words slipped out soft and wistful.
Leopold glanced at me, then returned his gaze to the distance.
"Growing up isn't the problem. It's people's hearts that go bad."
I caught the deeper meaning in his words and pulled his jacket off my shoulders to return it.
"You keep looking. I'm heading back inside."
Leopold didn't take it right away. He stared directly into my eyes.
"Lucinda, do you really know Ethan?"
My brow furrowed. "I don't understand what you mean."
Leopold stepped closer. "For him, you were willing to give up everything from your past and play dumb in front of me for years. I have to ask—was it worth it?"
I stared at him blankly. "What are you even talking about?"
Leopold's breathing hitched. He turned his back to me completely.
His lean fingers clenched the railing hard as he bit out, "You're still playing games with me even now. Lucinda, I'm really disappointed in you."
A massive weight settled on my chest, making it hard to breathe.
I draped his jacket over the railing before speaking. "I'm just as disappointed in you."
With that, I headed back inside.
The house wasn't drafty, yet I felt like cold air was seeping through me.
I had to wrap my arms around myself against the chill.
I barely endured until the dinner ended and the other guests took their leave.
Even Amelia left.
Suddenly, the space around me felt empty.
"Leo, Cindy, it's getting late. You two should go rest."
The moment Donovan said that, Leopold got up and headed to his bedroom.
I hadn't figured out a plan yet and didn't want to go back to the room for an awkward staring contest. So I went to the kitchen to heat up some milk.
I'd just finished warming it when a maid suddenly handed me a paper packet.
"You—"
Before I could refuse, the maid in front of me pulled down her mask, revealing her face.
It was Sophia!
My shock deepened.
"How did you get in here?"
Sophia, dressed in a maid's uniform, spoke urgently. "Put this in the milk. That way Leo won't notice."
"What kind of drug is this?" I didn't agree immediately, staying cautious.
But Sophia didn't care. She opened the packet and dumped the powder straight into the cup.
"It's a sleeping pill. Takes effect in one minute."
"Once Leo drinks it, text me right away. I'll come to you immediately!"