Chapter 168 I Am Here to Save You
Harper shook her head. "No, we didn't, and we have no plans to. Last night, I wasn't feeling well, and he stayed to take care of me."
She wasn't trying to explain so much to Keith. It was more like she was talking to herself. Since the divorce, she had no intention of reconciling and always thought she and Francis would remain strangers for the rest of their lives. But his recent words had frightened her a bit. He could even greet Keith calmly, which meant he was determined and confident of winning. Hence, he stayed composed.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. How could he love her? It must be her body that he was fascinated with.
Keith's mood inexplicably improved a strange feeling for him. He dispelled the thought and put on a charming, gentle smile. "What were you about to say?"
Harper took a deep breath and said apologetically, "Keith, I think we should stop seeing each other."
Keith's handsome face darkened in an instant. He unconsciously grabbed her wrist and asked, "Why?"
Harper was startled and a bit surprised by Keith's sudden change in demeanor. His grip was strong and hurtful. She couldn't help but speak, "Keith, you..."
Keith then realized his disgrace, released her hand, and smiled gently. "Sorry, Harper, I lost my composure."
His smile was as warm as spring sunshine, and Harper dispelled her earlier surprise and said, "It's okay."
"This is the second time you've rejected me. Is it because of Mr. Getty again?"
Harper did not deny it. "I think it's not good for your job, so we should keep our distance."
Keith let out a bitter laugh. "It has already happened. What do you suggest?"
Harper's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"I was fired by IA and accused of manipulating trades. So I can never work in investment banking again."
Keith spoke lightly, but it stirred a storm in Harper's heart. Keith had studied hard for many years, only to lose his job because of her and be banned from the entire industry. This was something hard for anyone to accept. No wonder Francis could greet Keith so calmly this morning. He must have known about it long ago, or perhaps he had a hand in it.
Harper didn't know how to comfort him, and her face was heavy with guilt. "Keith, I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Keith smiled gently. "I might have to go back to Aurora. My family runs businesses there, and no one has the power to interfere that far."
Looking at Keith's feigned calmness, Harper felt an indescribable sadness and apologized again, "Keith, I'm really sorry. It's all my fault."
Keith smiled warmly. "It's really not your fault. Think of it this way. I'm going back to inherit the family business. Doesn't that make you feel better?"
Harper thought that if Keith really wanted to inherit the family business, he would have gone back long ago. He was now forced into it.
"Harper, would you like to come with me?" Keith suddenly asked her.
"Me?" Harper was a bit surprised. Although she had plans to go to Aurora for graduate school, going with Keith seemed strange. They were, at most, friends and classmates.
"Why?" she asked.
Keith had his reasons. His father wanted him to manage the company abroad, so he had to go.
But taking Harper with him before he left was also a good idea. He believed that in terms of looks, he and Francis were not of the same type, each having their advantages, which made them incomparable. As for status and influence, Francis's power was domestic and abroad, and he might need help to compete with him. So, it was just a woman. She should be easy to win over. And most importantly, though he was reluctant to admit it, he seemed to care more and more about her.
This made him very displeased. In his eyes, women were all despicable, just like the woman who gave birth to him. That woman gave birth to him but didn't cherish him, treating him like a toy to be abused! So when that woman was dying from a drug overdose, he didn't shed a single tear, nor did he call for emergency help. He just watched as the wretched woman clung to life until her last breath.
He hid the gloom in his eyes and explained, "Because I think you're not happy staying here."
Although Keith's proposal was tempting, Harper still shook her head and refused him. "I don't have that thought for now."
She wanted to go abroad but didn't want to trouble anyone. She could do it on her own.
Keith smiled warmly and said, "No rush; there's still half a year. If you want to go then, I'll take you."
Harper didn't respond. She felt it was unlikely she would leave with Keith, so she stood up and said, "Keith, wait a moment."
Then, she went inside and brought out the expensive gift Addison had given her that day, handing it to Keith. Seeing what it was, Keith declined, "No need, Harper. You worked hard that day; it's deserved."
Harper insisted on giving it to him. She wouldn't keep something that didn't belong to her.
After stepping outside, Keith's gentle face turned cold in an instant. Remembering how Harper had just rejected him without hesitation, he felt an unfamiliar, dull pain in his heart. It shouldn't be. Could he really be interested in her?
His phone vibrated, and he answered it. Whatever was said on the other end made him glance back at Harper's window, his tone turning cold, "Make arrangements, leak my whereabouts to her, and let her take the bait."
At the Northfield Mental Health Institute, Chloe was confined in a dark, small room. The room was airtight, filled with a foul stench, like the smell of death. Rats scurried around her feet, some even climbing onto her. She had to endure it, fearing she might step on the soft bodies of dead rats if she moved.
This was her punishment for another failed escape attempt. When she first arrived at the Mental Health Institute, she kept shouting that she wasn't insane and had been forcibly sent there. Initially, the nurses would ask her who had sent her. She would shout, "It was Francis, the president of Getty Group!"
The doctors and nurses would then exchange knowing glances and conclude she must be crazy, increasing her restraints and subjecting her to two hours of daily indoctrination, watching films to reinforce her delusions. Over time, she learned to cooperate. But she never gave up trying to escape. She wanted to get out and tear Harper to pieces. If it weren't for her, she would have long become Francis's wife, not fallen to this state.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the heavy iron door creaked open, and a shadowy figure walked in gracefully. The room was so dark she couldn't see the man's face, only making out his tall, handsome silhouette. Could it be Francis?
She burst into tears, lunging to embrace the dark figure, only to be kicked away by a shiny leather shoe.
A small yet piercing scream, combined with the furry sensation, made her feel as if she had been electrocuted, rolling several times on the ground. She had crushed a rat's body! No, she had killed the rat! Its blood and flesh were on her, so filthy and disgusting!
Chloe screamed hysterically, crawling forward, crying out, "Francis, get me out of here! Please!"
"Francis, you can't do this to me. I saved you. You're doing this for that wretched woman; you'll regret it."
"I'll kill Harper!"
Chloe's current state was utterly deranged; calling her a lunatic wouldn't be an exaggeration.
"Fool—"
In the silent dark room, a man's contemptuous voice echoed. Chloe was startled. The man's voice was clear and pleasant, but it wasn't Francis's voice. She quickly realized, "You're not Francis. Who are you?"
"Me?" The young man chuckled softly, "I am here to save you."
Chloe was stunned. "Save me? Why would you save me?"
The young man didn't answer but instead asked, "Do you know you're pregnant?"
"I'm pregnant?"
Chloe was shocked. No wonder she had been feeling so nauseous lately; she thought it was because of the stench, but it turned out she was pregnant. The child must be Sunny's. During that time, she had taken many fake illness injections to deceive Francis. Even if the child were born, it would be a deformed stillbirth. She couldn't keep it.
She knelt on the ground, pleading with the young man. "I want to get rid of it. Could you help me? I don't want to give birth to a stillborn!"
The man sneered, "From now on, keep the child in your belly, whether it's a monster or deformed. Remember, it can help you regain your former glory."
Chloe's tear-streaked face froze. "Can it? Can you really help me get my old life back?"
"Yes," the man said before turning to leave. The heavy iron door closed again. Hope rekindled in Chloe's heart. Her family had given up on her; now, she had to rely on herself. Even if this man had ulterior motives, she had to grasp this hope. She had to get out and tear Harper to pieces. It was all her fault! She deserved to die!
On Tuesday, Harper reported to the villa on time. Rhodes was not there; only a housemaid was present. Knowing Noah was upstairs, she went directly up and knocked on the door. When there was no response, she kept knocking, calling out Noah's name.
No one had ever dared to disturb Noah's sleep. He had a terrible temper when he woke up and yanked the door open. "What are you doing?"
Noah's blue hair was a mess, clearly just out of bed. Harper smiled gently, "It's time for class."
Noah glared at her. "Are you crazy?"
He then flopped back onto the bed. "I don't want to go."
Harper walked into the room, pressed play on the pre-recorded reading, and sat down with a book, reading quietly. Noah, unable to sleep due to the noise, sat up and shouted, "Can you get out? I need peace!"
Harper ignored him, so he reached for her player. Harper finally moved, clutching the player to her chest and calmly saying, "If you reach for it, I'll say you made a pass at me and harassed me!"
Noah froze. This tactic was all too familiar! He had used this excuse to get rid of three previous teachers, complaining to Rhodes that they were trying to take advantage of his good looks. He exploded, "Who harassed you? Have you looked in the mirror? I'm so handsome, and I don't have a thing for older women! I don't think you should accuse me of this. I could say you're harassing me!"
Hearing this, Harper calmly looked him over, "Don't you think, given my credentials, it's more likely that you'd be the one making a pass at me?"
Noah was speechless, fuming silently. What did her look mean? Was he not handsome? He prided himself on being incredibly good-looking, so what was with her mocking gaze?
"Come on, explain yourself! Am I not handsome?"
The school was full of his adoring fans, his pride and joy, and now his ego was severely bruised. Harper remained exceptionally calm. "Rest assured, Mr. Getty can vouch for my character. I have no interest in immature little brats like you."
Before coming here, she had done her homework, knowing exactly how each of Noah's previous teachers had been dealt with. She was well-prepared. Not only would she counter his moves, but she would also strike before he could. In short, she would beat him at his own game, leaving him with no way out.
Noah was furious. "Who are you calling immature? Do you want to see for yourself?"
Harper turned and gave him a calm look, her expression seemingly saying, “And you claim you're not harassing me?”
Noah was instantly at a loss for words, encountering such a difficult opponent for the first time. "You!" He pointed at her, struggling to find words, "Shameless!"
Harper glanced at him. "Who was it that wanted to show me something?"
In other words, who was really being shameless here?
Noah was utterly defeated. He couldn't believe someone could be more thick-skinned than him, turning the tables so effortlessly. He buried his head in his blanket, too embarrassed to cry, furiously wriggling around until his bed looked like a chicken coop.
Harper chuckled softly from behind, asking, "Kid, want to cooperate with me?"
"Who are you calling a kid?" Noah stood up abruptly, towering over Harper. But the next second, he remembered her accusation of harassment and quickly stepped back, putting as much distance between them as possible.
Harper smiled, seeing that he wasn't entirely foolish. She had just joined Carter Education Company and had no achievements or parental endorsements. Improving Noah's grades under her guidance was the quickest way to boost her reputation.
She said, "My previous proposal still stands. Do you want to make a bet?"
Noah's eyes darted around as he thought for a moment. "Fine, but don't regret it."
"I won't."
"Alright, next Friday then. Wait for my notice," Noah declared. He chose next Friday because Rhodes would be out of the country, leaving no one to restrain him. He was determined to make this overconfident teacher regret it.
"For now, do these exercises," Harper said, handing him a stack of practice sheets.
Noah looked at the papers, feeling like he was getting the short end of the stick. But thinking about how he could soon get back at her, he gritted his teeth and started working on the exercises.
Soon, Noah finished one sheet. Harper took it, and as expected, the handwriting was terrible. Harper chuckled, silently looking at him without saying a word. Noah had expected her to be at a loss, but instead, his confidence took another hit. He thought, ‘This woman!’
Taking the paperback, he decided not to scribble anymore, determined to prove his abilities to Harper. When he finished, Harper carefully checked his work, a faint smile on her lips. "Not bad."
Noah's mood instantly lifted, feeling proud and almost wagging his tail in delight. The next second, he snapped back to reality, his face turning serious. What was happening? Why did he feel like he was becoming a sycophant?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. After the study session, he casually said, "Can you get a book on literary history from the study for me?"
Harper refused, "I'm your tutor, not your maid. My time is up; I have to go."
Noah was angry, his patience worn thin by Harper's cautious character. "If you get it, I'll do two extra exercises tomorrow."
"Really?"
"I keep my word."
"Alright."
Harper felt that Noah wasn't stupid, just lacking in the basics. Extra practice would help, and if he was willing to learn, she could accommodate him a bit.
Following Noah's suggestion, Harper went to the study on the second floor. Since Noah said it was his study, Harper didn't think much of it and pushed the door open. It was dark inside, so she turned on the light.
The bright light revealed a man sitting behind the desk, his eyes hazy, his shirt half-open, and even his pants were undone. The most shocking part was the woman crouching beside him.
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