Chapter 299: Do I Meet Your Requirements?
Harper didn't expect to see Francis here. She had no clue why he sent a bottle of wine; probably just to stir things up.
Vincent noticed Francis upstairs, looking sharp and focused on them.
"Harper?" he called.
Harper snapped back. "Hmm?"
"What's wrong?" Vincent asked if she needed help.
Harper shook her head. "Nothing, let's continue."
Vincent wasn't chatty. If Harper stayed quiet, so would he.
The waiter asked, "Ma'am, should I open this wine for you?"
Harper sipped her water and said, "Throw it away."
The waiter, confused, started to pour it into a glass.
Harper raised her eyes. "I said throw it away."
Seeing the waiter was still puzzled, she clarified, "In the trash."
"Throw it in the trash?" the waiter stuttered.
"Yes," Harper said. 'Let Francis watch the wine go to waste,' she thought.
The waiter hesitated, hands shaking at the thought of trashing expensive wine.
Harper took the bottle. "I'll do it."
She tossed it into the trash can.
Upstairs, Francis saw everything, his expression icy.
Harper had said she was busy, yet here she was on a date, throwing his wine away like it was nothing.
Wesley chuckled, "Francis, Harper really doesn't mind embarrassing you!"
He added, "The guy with her looks decent. Seems she's doing fine without you."
Francis's face was cold. "If you don't shut up, I'll cut your tongue off."
Wesley, used to Francis's harshness, felt sorry for him.
"Francis, you need to woo girls. Be less overbearing; the more you chase, the further they'll run away from you. Got it?"
Wesley, forgetting he was also single, saw Francis heading downstairs. "Hey, where are you going? You'll regret not listening to me!"
Francis descended, his face like ice.
Meanwhile, downstairs.
Harper and Vincent were halfway through their meal.
Vincent handled a crab for her, removing the claw meat.
Harper felt embarrassed. "Vincent, it's my fault. I said I'd introduce you to a girlfriend, but she couldn't make it."
Jessica had messaged Harper saying she wasn't looking for a boyfriend right now, despite not objecting earlier. Harper would have to ask her about it later.
Vincent's tone was gentle. "Harper, I don't actually need a girlfriend."
Harper looked puzzled. Why didn't anyone want to date?
Vincent smiled. "I want to find a spouse."
"Vincent, you want to get married?" Harper asked.
"Yes, I'm not getting any younger," Vincent replied.
"No way, Vincent, you look very young," Harper said.
"Really?" Vincent asked.
"Of course, it's true." Seeing Vincent's doubtful look, Harper added with a smile, "You look like a college student."
Harper praised him easily, treating Vincent like a brother, just as she did with Jasper.
"What's your type of men?" Vincent asked casually.
"What do I like?" Harper was puzzled.
"Yeah, what kind of dad do you want for Agnes?" Vincent clarified.
Agnes's dad? The first person Harper thought of was Francis, but she quickly dismissed it. "Just one requirement: be good to Agnes."
"What about you?" Vincent asked, confused.
"Me?" Harper hadn't thought about that.
Vincent nodded. "Don't you have any requirements?"
Harper thought for a moment. "Not grumpy, responsible, good character."
Vincent refilled her drink and asked seriously, "What about me?"
Harper almost choked on her drink. Vincent was about to pat her back, but she waved him off and calmed down.
As she awkwardly took another sip, Vincent asked directly, "I heard from Jasper that you want to find a dad for Agnes. Do you think I could be that man?"
Harper was surprised. "Vincent, you..."
"Harper, I don't have high expectations for love, and I'm at the age to settle down. We match in many ways, and Agnes likes me. I think it's a good fit," Vincent said calmly.
Yes, just a good fit.
Vincent, focused on his academic pursuits, was never enthusiastic about romance. But now, at the age to marry, he thought Harper could be a good partner.
Harper understood. It wasn't about deep affection; it was about familiarity and suitability.
She realized Vincent might indeed be the best choice for a father. He was familiar, trustworthy, and good to Agnes.
But it all happened too fast! She had planned to set Vincent up with Jessica, but now it seemed like she was setting herself up.
And she still had a tricky problem to solve.
Harper started, "Vincent, I..."
Before she could finish, a cold voice interrupted. "Have you finished?"
Francis walked over, pulled a chair out, and sat between them. Seeing the crab Vincent had unshelled for Harper, his eyes were icy.
Harper was speechless. How could Francis interrupt so righteously?
Vincent, seeing it was Francis who had sent the wine earlier, asked, "Harper, who is this?"
"My ex-husband," Harper said.
"Her husband," Francis piped up.
They spoke almost simultaneously.
With Harper's words in his mind, Francis's face darkened. He seemed to say, "You better give a good explanation."
Vincent saw the tension but stayed quiet.
Harper remembered Francis was a madman who carried marriage documents with him all the time. She reluctantly said, "My ex-to-be."
Francis's face cracked slightly. This explanation was worse than none.
Vincent, a steady man, knew better than to speak out his doubts in this situation.
He asked Harper, "Have you finished?"
Harper nodded, and Vincent stood up, as if they were planning to leave without another word to Francis.
Instantly, Francis's eyes darkened, and his face tightened.
Harper didn't even look at him, treating him like air.
Francis couldn't stand it. He tugged at his shirt collar and grabbed Harper's wrist, pulling her closer.
Harper looked at him and struggled, but Francis held her tightly.
Francis threatened in a low voice, "One more move, and I'll kiss you until your legs go weak."
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