Chapter 352 Whose Blood
Harper didn't want to get caught. She turned to pour some water, but Francis grabbed her wrist.
With an icy tone, he said, "She only listens to me."
He meant Audrey couldn't boss her around.
Audrey was stunned, her eyes reddening.
"Francis, I just wanted a glass of water," she choked up.
"Get it yourself," Francis snapped.
Audrey felt a lump in her throat and couldn't speak.
After a moment, she muttered, "Forget it."
Harper watched them. Audrey was so submissive but still couldn't get on Francis's good side.
Not wanting to get involved, Harper said softly, "I'll head out."
Francis wasn't letting her go. He called Victor and told him to take her out.
"Take her to make me some soup," he instructed.
Victor was puzzled. "Mr. Getty, what kind of soup do you want?"
If he wanted soup, he'd ask the chef. Asking a nurse was odd.
Francis's eyes turned cold. "Only what she makes."
He didn't really want soup; he just wanted to keep Harper around.
Victor got the hint and led Harper out to make soup.
Harper didn't want to go and tried to leave, but Victor stopped her.
"Don't make it hard for me. I can't let you go," Victor pleaded.
Harper felt helpless. Francis was really troublesome.
Since she couldn't leave, she asked Victor, "Do you have all the ingredients for the soup?"
Victor replied, "You can find everything in the kitchen."
Harper smiled knowingly. She'd make a "special" soup for Francis.
In the ward, Audrey quickly adjusted her mood, lifted the thermos, and said, "Francis, I brought you some soup. Drink mine."
"No," Francis said coldly, making Audrey clench her fingers in bitterness.
He'd rather drink the soup made by a nurse than hers.
Francis leaned against the headboard and asked, "How is Felix recently?"
Audrey's heart leaped, thinking Francis was concerned about her father, Felix Hernandez.
"Dad is doing well. He often talks about you. Last time, he regretted missing you at dinner with Abigail."
Francis ignored her and said coldly, "If he's doing well, let's clear up the misunderstanding and issue a statement in the next few days."
Audrey's face turned pale. She had forgotten about this. She didn't expect Francis to still remember he would wait until Felix got better to clarify with their relationship.
Francis continued, "I'll have Victor draft the statement and send it to you for review. It won't damage either party's reputation."
Originally, Francis didn't care about his reputation and would take the blame himself.
But now, he felt it was unfair to Harper.
Francis wanted Harper to know that in the past five years, he had no other women around him.
Audrey's eyes reddened. She panicked, then pulled herself together and said, "Francis, you haven't fully stabilized your position yet. The shareholders, especially those on Ryan's side, are all watching you. Cutting ties with me now could be detrimental."
She urgently added, "I don't mind. It's been so many years. I'm willing to maintain this..."
"No," Francis interrupted.
"The clarification statement can't wait. Victor will coordinate with you. I'll explain it to Felix once I'm better," Francis said firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
Audrey's mind went blank, tears welling up.
She couldn't hold back anymore and broke down. "I don't want to."
Francis's gaze was sharp, his voice cold. "Audrey, this isn't a negotiation."
Seeing her emotions, he couldn't hide his disgust. "After the statement is out, I don't want to hear any more rumors. Got it?"
Audrey's tears fell uncontrollably.
"Francis," she pleaded, half-kneeling by his bed, clutching the sheets. "You can't do this to me. Have you forgotten how our family helped you through tough times?"
She sobbed, "Are you planning to burn bridges now?"
Audrey hoped to use public opinion to pressure him. If the news got out, Francis would be criticized.
Francis's tone was icy. "Do you need me to remind you how many collaborations the Hernandez family has taken?"
Ignoring her paling face, he continued, "The hype about our families' alliance was supported by your father, you, and my mother, right? It was always a mutually beneficial deal. Now you say I'm burning bridges. Should I have Victor list how the Hernandez family has benefited in Northfield?"
Francis was brutally clear about the benefits the Hernandez family had gained.
Each item was a multi-billion-dollar project. It was clear who benefited more.
Audrey's thoughts were cut off. She grasped Francis's hand, eyes filled with tears. "Is it because Harper is back? What's so good about her? She's been married, has a child, and was with another man. Do you want a woman used by another man?"
"Shut up!" Francis flung her hands away.
Audrey fell to the ground, sitting painfully, unable to believe his ruthlessness.
Years of lukewarm interaction made her think she was special to Francis. She had supported him through tough times. This shouldn't end like this.
"Remember, Harper was and is always my wife. Think carefully before you mention her!" His words were a blatant threat.
Francis's anger was roaring. Only he could badmouth Harper.
He couldn't accept anyone else saying anything bad about her.
Audrey, after being thrown to the ground, regained some clarity.
She hid her emotions, wiped her tears, and controlled herself. "I'm sorry, Francis. I lost my composure."
Francis's face remained cold. Seeing through her thoughts, he didn't even want to look at her.
Audrey held back her breakdown with great effort.
If she had known it would come to this, she wouldn't have been here today.
But since Francis had this thought, it was better to know sooner rather than later to prepare.
"Give me three days. I'll talk to my dad. You're right; it's just business. Time for closure," Audrey said.
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