Chapter 318 She's Not Dead!
People used to say Agnes and Harper looked alike, but when comparing them to Francis, their chins, noses, and ears were almost identical, just different sizes.
Even Agnes' eyes, which looked most like Harper's, had pupils that were surprisingly similar to Francis's.
Harper was taken aback by this thought.
Agnes guiltily hooked Harper's finger. "Mom, I'm sorry."
Harper never expected someone as domineering as Francis to be good with kids.
She patted Agnes's head. "I forgive you, sweetheart."
As they were about to leave, since Vincent was helping Victor escort the troublemakers to the police station, Jasper arranged a car for Harper.
The driver was a young girl with short hair, looking both capable and tough. "Ms. Murphy, I'm Isla. Mr. Murphy has assigned me to ensure your safety from now on."
Jasper knew Harper didn't like having bodyguards, but after this incident, he was really worried, so he got her a female bodyguard, Isla Rodriguez.
After thanking Francis, Harper was about to get in the car.
Unexpectedly, Agnes let go of her hand and hugged Francis's legs, refusing to let go. "Mom, I want Daddy Francis to take us home."
Harper's eyelid twitched at this. "Agnes!"
She frowned, looking serious. "Stop making a fuss. We're taking our own car."
"No!" Agnes ignored her and started climbing up Francis's legs.
Seeing this, Francis scooped her up with one arm, and Agnes immediately sat on his strong right arm.
She instantly smiled.
"Agnes." Harper was anxious because of that strange thought and didn't want them to be so close.
But Agnes clung to Francis's neck and said, "Mom, can we take his car home? His car has stars on the roof, and I want to see them."
Francis had ordered his man to bring the car with a starry roof and had just shown it to Agnes.
Now, all she could think about was counting the stars.
"Let's take this car, and have your car follow behind," Francis said, his voice deep and magnetic.
At this point, Harper couldn't refuse and got in the car.
On the way, Francis held Agnes, telling her the names of each star.
He even made up little stories, and Agnes kept giggling while holding onto his neck.
This gentle side of Francis was something Harper had never seen before.
She didn't expect a man who seemed so cold to actually like kids so much.
The car arrived at Serenity Manor.
Harper got out first, then took Agnes from Francis and asked Zoey to take her inside.
Agnes, a bit sleepy, lay on Zoey's back but suddenly called out, "Wait a minute."
She jumped off Zoey's back and ran to Francis with her little legs.
Francis naturally extended his arms to catch her and held her close.
Agnes looked at Francis's handsome face, feeling very proud.
None of the dads who picked up her classmates from kindergarten could compare to hers. Francis looked like a man from a painting, so handsome.
Agnes giggled and kissed Francis on the cheek. "Francis, I love you."
Her soft, cute voice wrapped around Francis's heart like layers of marshmallow.
Light and sweet, yet extremely addictive, at that moment, Francis suddenly felt that Agnes was like his own child.
It wasn't just because of Harper but because of a true feeling of love.
"Agnes, Daddy..." Francis corrected himself, his voice a bit hoarse, "Daddy Francis loves you too, I love you very much."
They were reluctant to part.
For some reason, this scene made Harper feel a bit complicated, even a little jealous.
The child she had raised with so much effort had taken a liking to a stranger in just a few days!
It seemed the psychologist was right; Agnes's occasional introversion was a sign of a lack of love.
Finding a dad that Agnes liked would solve all the problems.
If it were an ordinary man, Harper might really consider it.
But the person Agnes liked happened to be her untouchable ex-husband.
"Agnes, be good and listen to your Mommy. If Mommy agrees, I'll take you to the amusement park this weekend," Francis said, looking at Harper.
Agnes immediately looked excited. "Mommy, can we?"
Harper looked at Agnes's eager little face and couldn't say no, so she left some room for maneuver. "That depends on whether Mommy is busy this weekend. Agnes, go inside with Zoey first; I have something to discuss with Francis."
Although not very happy, Agnes nodded obediently. "Mommy, Francis, goodnight."
After Agnes went inside, Harper said, "Thank you for today."
"It was nothing," Francis replied.
Harper looked down. "And I also want to apologize for yesterday."
She had heard from the police that Andrew had saved her first, and then, with Francis's cooperation, she was safely brought out of that hotel.
With this belated thank you in his mind, Francis's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice faint. "No need to thank me. Actually, I've wanted to make love to you."
With Harper in that state, he was a man too, and it was impossible not to be moved.
Harper's eyes widened slightly, unable to believe what she had just heard.
With Agnes not around, Francis spoke freely. "But I was afraid you wouldn't forgive me, so I didn't do it."
Francis was so blunt that Harper couldn't even get mad.
She looked up to find Francis's dark eyes fixed on her.
His tall, slender frame, dressed in black, exuded a subtle cold charm even in the dark night.
Especially with his shirt buttoned all the way up, his prominent Adam's apple gave him an air of restraint.
Harper's face suddenly turned red. "What about that recording? What happened?"
"Oh, do you want to hear it?" Francis said, playing the recording on his phone.
A steamy, heated conversation played out.
"Do you want it?"
"Yes, give it to me. Why won't you let me bite you, you jerk? It's just a couple of bites on your chest."
"You can bite, but when you sober up, you can't be mad at me."
"Hmph."
The soft, sweet female voice was clearly muddled, unable to form coherent sentences, filled with the sounds of mingling saliva.
Harper couldn't listen any longer, her face burning hot, feeling like it was about to explode. Did she really say those things? But the voice was unmistakably hers!
Seeing her flushed face, Francis felt quite pleased.
He smirked and said, "I knew you'd deny it, so I kept the evidence."
Harper took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "Delete it, can you?"
"I can," Francis said promptly.
Francis's willingness made Harper feel a bit guilty.
But the next second, she realized she was gravely mistaken.
Francis lifted his eyelids and said seriously, "But I don't like to suffer losses for nothing. How about you let me do to you what you did to me, and I'll delete the recording."
"When pigs fly." Harper gritted her teeth in anger. She had just thought he looked like a saintly angel with Agnes.
But within minutes, Francis's true colors showed.
"No rush, you can think about it." Francis lowered his eyes, hiding the determined look in them.
Perhaps he would have to do things he once despised. He had made up his mind; if the soft approach didn't work, he'd use the hard one. Giving up on her was not an option.
In the morning, Harper received some information from Jasper, sent from Auroria, about that Maurice.
After reading it, Harper had a plan and got ready to go out.
Before leaving, she applied some concealer to cover her dark circles, feeling more and more frustrated as she did.
It was all because of that scheming Francis, who had recorded her and even sent her a copy.
Last night, after listening to it, she was so embarrassed she couldn't sleep. It was worse than having nude photos in someone else's hands.
In the car, Isla was driving again.
Isla reported to Harper, "Ms. Murphy, I got a tip that Mrs. Hall will hold another press conference at ten to expose you."
"No problem, we'll make it in time." Harper was determined to make Maurice pay. Just then, her phone rang.
It was Victor, sending some even more explosive information.
Victor: [Mr. Getty asked me to give this to you.]
Harper: [Okay, thank you.]
Victor: [Mr. Getty said he doesn't accept verbal thanks.]
Harper gritted her teeth as she typed: [Then no thanks.]
She was determined not to indulge this overreaching Francis.
Arriving at the venue where Maurice's wife, Lenora Campbell, was about to hold her press conference, Harper was about to go in when someone linked arms with her.
Turning around, she saw a woman with bright red lips, wearing sunglasses, and sporting sexy, wavy hair. It was Lisa, who was actually Molly. She had previously told Harper that she was Molly.
Harper was surprised. "Molly?"
Molly smiled, "Of course I will help my friend against her enemy."
The two had previously dealt with a malicious woman together abroad and turned out to have great chemistry.
"Okay." Harper and Molly walked in together.
They didn't notice the three men who also entered behind them.
Today, there was a large charity auction at the convention center, inviting many city elites.
Francis, Wesley, and Robert were also in attendance.
Wesley, with the sharpest eyes, pointed ahead. "Isn't that Harper?"
Francis wasn't surprised; he knew Harper would come.
The information he had Victor provide was enough for her to deal with Lenora.
Wesley raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk on his lips. "Why does the woman next to her look so familiar? She looks a bit like..."
He thought for a moment but didn't dare to say the name. "Robert, doesn't that woman look a bit like Ms. Koch?"
As soon as Wesley finished speaking, Molly took off her sunglasses at the elevator entrance, turning her head with a smile that was as beautiful as a blooming flower.
Wesley's brow twitched, his face changing dramatically. It wasn't just a resemblance; it was her.
The Molly who had supposedly died in a cliff fall, how could it be?
Wesley was too shocked to speak, turning to see Robert's reaction, but the man was nowhere to be seen.
Molly, following Harper, was about to enter the elevator when a large hand grabbed her wrist tightly. It was so strong it felt like it would crush her bones.
Turning around, Molly saw Robert's face, sharp as a sculpture, filled with a chilling aura.
"Molly!" Robert's eyes were bloodshot, his grip tightening as if he wanted to devour her.
His thin lips moved, repeating, "Molly!"
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