Chapter 95
My breath caught. I nearly passed out.
After all those years together, Leopold knew my sensitive spots better than anyone. If he wanted, he could play me with zero effort.
"Don't do this. There are people outside."
Leopold didn't stop. His large hand came around from behind, gripping my waist tightly. I was pressed intimately against him, even our heartbeats falling into the same rhythm.
He said, "If you're going to play weak, you need to look the part."
My thoughts scattered. I had to close my eyes to calm myself. "And what does that look like?"
"Obey me. Don't defy me."
Leopold's hand slid down from my waist. This dress happened to have a rather high slit—with one downward motion, his hand landed on my leg.
Everywhere he touched sent an electric current through me, making my whole body tremble.
"Leopold, please don't do this."
Leopold's hand wandered between my leg and waist as he asked in a breathy voice, "Then tell me—who did you meet here?"
"No one." I bit down, suppressing the moan threatening to escape, then forced out an explanation. "I didn't see anyone. If you're interrogating me like this, do you know someone was supposed to meet me?"
Better to take the offensive than stay on the defensive.
Leopold's movements paused briefly, then became even more forceful than before. I couldn't help but cry out in pain.
Leopold tightened his arms, pulling me completely into his embrace, then sat down in the fitting room's only chair.
"Lucinda, do you think I'm easy to fool?"
He grabbed my chin. The moment I looked up, I met his deep, penetrating gaze.
"I don't."
Leopold didn't believe me. His grip tightened. Pain shot from my jaw through my entire head. I didn't cry out, but when I instinctively blinked, tears rolled down from the corners of my eyes.
The pressure on my jaw suddenly released.
I didn't dare relax, carefully looking at him. Leopold's expression was stiff and severe.
Just when I thought he wouldn't let me go, he suddenly released his hand and wiped away the tear tracks from my eyes.
"Tears really are a woman's best weapon."
My whole body went rigid. What did he mean by that?
Leopold didn't explain further. He placed me on the chair and zipped up my dress.
"You don't need to try on anything else. We'll take this one."
I was about to refuse when he pushed me in front of the mirror.
"See for yourself."
In the mirror, I wore a gray-blue gown. My figure was tall and slender, my features delicate—as if I'd returned to looking like a ballet princess.
"Fine. This one it is."
After Leopold left and I went back into the fitting room to change out of the dress, I finally opened my palm. Inside was a note Ethan had slipped me when he left. Soaked with sweat, the paper had gone soft, but the writing was still clear.
[Tonight I'll sneak into the Percy Group anniversary gala. I'll find you then.]
After reading it, I tucked the note close to my body before taking the dress out.
After paying, Leopold dragged me to get my hair and makeup done. The process was incredibly boring. Even I, the person involved, could barely sit still.
But Leopold didn't leave. He stayed beside me the whole time, reading a book or responding to messages, his expression alternating between relaxed and tense.
Unexpectedly, he looked up toward the mirror—right into my eyes as I'd been studying him through the reflection.
I hastily averted my gaze, my heart racing. I felt somewhat guilty.
Just then, Leopold's phone rang. He didn't avoid the call, answering it directly.
"What is it?"
I didn't dare look at him, only quietly perked up my ears. If it had anything to do with Ethan, I needed to prepare.
But the next second, Leopold's expression changed. He abruptly stood and walked outside. Only then did I turn to watch—his retreating figure growing more distant.
His voice also faded, but I vaguely caught the word "grandmother."
Donovan and Leopold's grandmother, Alicia Percy, had been living separately for years due to incompatible personalities. However, this was only known within the Percy family. Publicly, the Percy family explained that Alicia didn't like city life and preferred natural scenery, so she lived at the Percy family's private estate in Sundown City.
I'd only learned about this the first time I visited the Percy Manor—because Leopold had warned me in advance to avoid saying the wrong thing.
Alicia only came to Silverlight City for New Year's, and she never stayed overnight. She'd leave right after dinner. She also never attended any Percy family banquets.
Why would she come to the Percy Group's anniversary celebration this time? Was this occasion truly different, or did she have another purpose?
By the time my hair and makeup were finished, Leopold finally returned. A heavy, oppressive atmosphere surrounded him.
"Mr. Percy, Ms. Wipere's styling is complete."
The makeup artist reminded him carefully.
Only then did Leopold look at me. For an instant, his gaze seemed unfocused—like he was seeing someone else through me. I instinctively avoided his eyes.
"Let's go."
Leopold spoke again. Seeing him head out first, I quickly followed.
Half an hour later, Leopold's car stopped at the Platinum Haven Hotel, owned by the Percy Group. It was Silverlight City's only seven-star hotel—not just a landmark building, but a symbol of the Percy Group's prosperity.
The Percy Group's eightieth anniversary celebration was being held on the Platinum Haven Hotel's top floor.
When Leopold and I arrived at the venue together, everyone crowded around us. Most were people I didn't know.
Hearing their flattery, I found it all absurd. No one here knew Leopold, and I had already ended things—they were still saying we were made for each other. Some even wished us an early blessing of children.
Completely speechless, my gaze unconsciously searched the venue. Had Ethan arrived yet?
"Cindy."
Donovan pushed through the crowd to my side, smiling as he took my hand.
"I'm so happy to see you here."
Since that scene at Percy Manor last time, I hadn't seen him in quite a while. Seeing him again, my nose couldn't help but sting with emotion.
"Grandpa."
Donovan responded warmly, "It's alright now. It's all in the past."
I shook my head gently. It could never be in the past.
"Mr. Leopold Percy, I have a question I'd like to ask you..."
Someone tried to draw Leopold aside.
Leopold didn't respond, instead turning to look at me. I didn't react in time.
It was Donovan who waved his hand. "Go ahead. I'll look after Cindy."
"Be good and wait for me to come back."
Before leaving, Leopold specifically said this rather suggestive line. The gazes of everyone around me instantly intensified.
Someone even specifically asked Donovan about my relationship with Leopold.
Donovan just smiled mysteriously. "No rush. You'll all find out soon enough."
The person understood immediately, nodded at me with a smile, then left.
I quickly grabbed Donovan's arm. "Grandpa, why did you say that just now? Have you forgotten? Leopold and I have nothing to do with each other anymore."
"Those were words said in anger. How could you take them seriously?" Donovan corrected me with a smile. "Leo told me before—that night he was so angry he lost his head, which is why he said those harsh things."
I didn't respond. That night wasn't all a misunderstanding.
"Alright, don't take it to heart. Many of my good friends came tonight. Come, I'll introduce them all to you."
Donovan pulled me toward the center of the room.
Just then, a commotion arose at the entrance. Donovan and I both stopped and turned back.
I saw Sophia supporting an elegantly poised elderly lady as they entered. She wore a deep purple gown with a complete set of pearl jewelry—the whole effect gentle yet dignified.
"Isn't that Mrs. Alicia Percy?"
"Yes, the last time I saw her was ten years ago. Her grace is still impeccable."
"Indeed, Mr. Donovan Percy is truly blessed."