Chapter 88
I stared at Leopold. He stared back at me. Time froze silently.
But soon, he calmly pulled out his phone to answer.
"What is it?"
Then he frowned and stepped aside, as if avoiding something.
I glanced at the call that still hadn't been answered, waited a moment, then hung up.
What had Leo been so busy with lately?
Why wasn't he responding to me?
My parents were tidying my room. I'd just sat down on the couch when Leopold returned.
Like he was issuing a decree, he announced, "Starting tonight, I'm staying here until you've recovered."
I was annoyed. "Do you not understand what I'm saying? I have someone to take care of me. I don't need your concern."
Leopold glanced at my phone and snorted coldly. "You mean that new boyfriend who won't even answer your calls?"
I felt embarrassed but retorted, "I still have my parents."
"They'll be leaving soon." Leopold settled into his seat with the air of someone holding all the cards.
I looked skeptical.
Just then, James pulled Fanny out of the room in a hurry.
"Cindy, that major client I've been trying to meet with finally agreed to make time for me. Your mom and I need to rush over to meet them. Can you manage on your own?"
The major client my dad had been trying to reach suddenly changed his mind.
I looked at Leopold. Was this what gave him such confidence?
"James, I'm worried about Cindy. Why don't you go alone, and I'll stay here with her?" Fanny knew what Leopold had done and didn't want me alone with him.
James looked troubled. "But the client said he's bringing his wife. It wouldn't look good if I went alone."
I knew people of reputation also valued personal virtue.
If my dad really went alone, it would spark all kinds of speculation about his and my mom's relationship.
Seeing my mom start to waver internally, I quickly spoke up.
"Mom, go with Dad. I can take care of myself at home."
"But you—"
"Fanny, it's fine. Isn't Leo here, too? We'll only be gone two hours. He can leave when we get back."
James looked at Leopold. "Leo, can you stay a couple more hours?"
Leopold nodded slightly. "Mr. Wipere, Mrs. Wipere, don't worry. I'll stay here tonight to take care of Cindy. You can handle your business with peace of mind."
James's face brightened. "That's wonderful. Thank you."
"You're too kind." Seeming to notice Fanny's subtle displeasure toward him, Leopold added, "Mrs. Wipere, I'll take good care of Cindy. Please don't worry."
Fanny's expression darkened. Then she looked at me.
I could only nod.
Only then did Fanny respond. "James and I will leave early and return early."
Once my parents left, Leopold stood and came to my side.
"Your parents are gone. Now you should realize you don't have a choice."
I paused before saying, "You can stay if you want, but be prepared—my boyfriend's coming home tonight."
Leopold frowned. "You notified him?"
I said calmly, "No need to notify him. He's always lived here. This isn't just my home—it's his too."
Leopold's eyes darkened. "What if I don't agree?"
I tilted my head to look at him. "Then I'll have Sophia come get you."
Leopold asked with displeasure, "You think bringing up Sophia will make me compromise?"
I countered, "Won't it?"
Leopold narrowed his eyes, his aura turning cold.
Just then, knocking sounded at the door.
I said with amusement, "Speak of the devil and she appears."
Leopold's face darkened. "You had Sophia come here?"
"Sort of."
Given Sophia's nature, she'd probably had someone watching me all along.
Her showing up now meant she was definitely here to take Leopold back.
I was happy to see it happen.
"Lucinda, open up!"
Sophia pounded on the door while shouting.
I looked at Leopold with a half-smile. "Aren't you going to get the door? Better not let her cry at you again."
Leopold was clearly furious but still got up to answer it.
Ten-some seconds later, Sophia's voice rang out again.
Much more delicate than before.
"Leo, I heard Cindy was discharged, so I came specially to check on her. I didn't expect you to be here too. Shall we go home together later?"
As she spoke, the two of them walked to the doorway.
To show she was special to Leopold, Sophia deliberately wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed into his embrace.
But Leopold wasn't pleased. He pushed her away and returned to sit beside me on his own.
"I'm not going back. Go by yourself."
Sophia looked shocked, glancing between him and me before rushing over to me.
"Cindy, you're not fully recovered yet. You must be so bored, stuck at home. Why don't I keep you company?"
"Leo's a man with an entire company to run. He'll be stretched too thin. I happen to be free these next couple of days—I can spend time with you."
I laughed softly. "Really? You're willing to take care of me?"
Sophia's eyes brightened as she said repeatedly, "Of course. Even though we've had some unpleasantness before, that's all in the past."
"But I'm pretty picky. Aren't you afraid I'll boss you around?"
Sophia's expression shifted. "Don't you have... other help here?"
"Nope. If you want to stay and take care of me, you'll have to wash dishes, cook, and clean. Otherwise, I can't think of a reason to keep you."
"You—"
Sophia choked with anger and turned to Leopold for help. "Leo, I came in good faith to visit Cindy, but she doesn't seem very welcoming. She wants to treat me like hired help..."
I struck first. "Weren't you the one insisting on staying to take care of me?"
Sophia bit her lip in frustration, looking at Leopold pitifully.
"She's right. You volunteered to take care of someone. If I don't put you to work, who should I?"
Leopold's words caught me off guard.
Hadn't he always favored Sophia?
Why wasn't he this time? Why was he actually backing me up?
Sophia froze, too, disbelief written all over her face.
Leopold issued an ultimatum.
"Either work hard without complaint while you're here, or leave immediately and don't come back."
But even though she'd been so humiliated, she still didn't plan to leave.
"Fine. Since you're staying, I'll stay with you."
I was utterly speechless.
Were these two sick in the head?
One stubbornly refusing to leave, the other shamelessly following along.
Truly a shameless couple.
They really were "perfect" for each other.
"Since you both want to stay, fine. But let me be clear up front."
"First, don't randomly enter my room and disturb my boyfriend and me."
"Second, you both leave the moment tomorrow arrives, or I'll report you for trespassing."
"Third, respect my boyfriend. If I hear you treating him badly, I'll kick you out tonight!"
Leopold said nothing, which counted as acceptance.
Sophia looked indignant but didn't object either.
I'd just stood up to head back to my room when my silent phone finally showed a new message.
From Leo.
[I've got something going on tonight. I'll be back later.]
I smiled lightly and replied: [Okay, but I need you home tonight to show some PDA with me. You better deliver.]
Wasn't Leopold staying here just to see Leo?
Then I'd let him get a good look at how affectionate Leo and I were!