Chapter 373 Danger's Approaching
"I already sent the confirmation," Francis said, trying to sound reassuring.
"Yeah, I'm heading out on a business trip for like half a month," Jasper blurted out.
"Got it," Francis replied.
They exchanged a look, both knowing this was a big deal.
Just as Francis was about to leave, Jasper called out, "Hey, is Chloe from the Musk family? The ones who own the Auroria hotel chain?"
"Yeah, you know her?" Francis asked.
"Sort of. My dad knows some folks in the Musk family," Jasper said. "You mentioned Chloe did you a favor once. What was that about?"
Francis's eyes narrowed, and he went quiet for a bit.
He thought back to the day Chloe saved him, which was also her birthday.
The Musk family was throwing a party for Chloe at Auroria.
He had caught Ryan fooling around with a maid in the storage room, their naked bodies tangled up. It was gross.
Later, Francis, in a daze, fell into the icy river. Chloe found him under the ice, broke through with a hammer, and saved him.
He remembered her cheering him on, telling him not to give up and to reach out to her.
Back then, Chloe was sweet, kind, and lovely. Francis never thought she'd turn out the way she did.
He gave her so many chances to change, but Chloe still chose to hurt others, and it backfired on her.
Seeing Francis lost in thought, Jasper assumed he didn't want to talk and his expression turned cold. "Mr. Getty, if it's awkward, forget it. It's late. You should head back and rest."
"It's not that," Francis snapped out of it. "When I was a kid, I fell into an ice hole, and Chloe saved me."
"Ice hole?" Jasper frowned. "You mean the frozen lake at Sunflower Manor?"
Francis's eyes deepened, "How do you know?"
"I..." Jasper started to speak but remembered he was heading to Auroria soon. He needed to confirm some things with people who were there. Instead, he said, "I've been to Sunflower Manor before. Alright, you should head back now."
Seeing Francis's pale face, Jasper said, "Take care of yourself."
Francis couldn't hide his smile, "Thanks for your concern."
Jasper's handsome face twitched. Why did he care about him? It felt like he already considered Francis family. This wouldn't do.
Jasper coldly said, "I'm not concerned about you."
Then he walked straight into the villa, not caring if Francis left or not.
Jasper hung out with Agnes for a bit before leaving.
After Agnes fell asleep, Harper took a nice, relaxing bath.
After washing up, Harper wrapped herself in a towel and stopped in front of the mirror.
She saw a red hickey below her slender neck.
Her face turned as red as a tomato. When did Francis do this? How did she not notice? It must have been in the ward.
Harper rubbed it, but the more she rubbed, the redder it got, so she stopped.
She was just glad she wore a collared shirt that covered it, so Jasper didn't notice.
Harper was furious. She thought to herself that next time, no way would she let him leave a hickey.
Harper patted her warm face and scolded herself, 'What next time? There won't be a next time.'
She changed into pajamas and was about to lie down when her phone rang. It was Francis.
It was so late, and Francis was still awake. Harper frowned as she answered, and his sexy, magnetic voice came through the receiver. "Are you asleep?"
Harper's tone wasn't great. "If I were asleep, who're you talking to?"
"Not happy?" Francis asked.
"Hmph, I found out about your mischief."
"Mischief?" Francis sounded puzzled, "What mischief? Who did that?"
"You..." Harper's face turned red with embarrassment. "Who told you to leave a hickey on my neck?"
"Oh." Francis dragged out the sound, teasing her.
"Doesn't it look good? Your skin is so soft. A hickey must look great on it."
Harper realized he was teasing her and said angrily, "You're so annoying."
"No. I'm following the steps: first a hug, then a kiss, and then..."
"Stop!" Harper interrupted, blushing, "Are you out of things to say?"
"Yeah, I just really wanted to hear your voice," Francis's voice was low, like a whisper in her ear.
Harper felt like a pebble had been tossed into her heart, sending ripples everywhere.
"You're so boring," she said.
They'd only been apart for like two hours, but he talked like they'd been separated by an ocean for ages.
Francis didn't respond. He just softly called her name, "Harper."
A plain name sounded so beautiful when he said it.
Harper's cute face turned red.
"This is our first day of dating," he said.
Harper's face went bright red, and even her body felt hot. "Who wants to date you?"
Francis laughed, "I want to date you."
Harper couldn't think of a comeback and said angrily, "You're so shameless!"
"If I weren't shameless, how could I bring my wife home?" Francis shot back.
Harper was exasperated. "Who wants to go home with you!"
"If not me, then with whom?" Francis's voice had a hint of danger.
Harper wasn't scared and snorted, "None of your business."
Francis's voice deepened. "We've kissed and touched, and now you say it's none of my business?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Harper said.
"How is it nonsense? You've kissed and touched me, so you have to take responsibility," Francis said seriously.
"You're so shameless." Harper was at her wit's end. Every kiss and touch had been initiated by him.
"Alright, I'm hanging up." Harper said as she walked to the window, using her hand as a fan to cool her face.
"Your pajamas are very pretty," Francis suddenly said.
"What?" Harper said, stunned.
"The moonlight color suits you," Francis continued.
Harper quickly looked out the window. Outside the villa's fence, a black limo was still parked outside.
"You're still here?" Harper asked.
"Yeah," Francis said, looking at the slender figure on the balcony, a clear smile on his lips. "I wanted to see you a bit more."
The temperature on Harper's face, which had just gone down, shot up again because of Francis's straightforward words, and she felt a sweet sensation in her heart. "You're crazy. What are you looking at, the wall?"
Francis chuckled, his voice pleasant, "I can see you. And I can see that your silk pajamas and that hickey match very well. They look beautiful."
Harper's heart pounded, and she was about to draw the curtains.
"Don't." Francis stopped her. "I still want to enjoy the show."
Harper's hands paused, and she didn't draw the curtains.
"I really want to hold you," Francis said.
Harper's heart raced as she felt as if Francis was standing right in front of her saying these words. "I'm very busy tomorrow. I need to sleep early. You should go back to the hospital. Stop fooling around."
"Since you're so concerned about my health, I'll listen to you." Francis said.
"I..." Harper was about to retort but then thought that Francis would definitely have a comeback. He had been out for so long, she didn't know if his body could handle it or not.
"Alright, you should go back. I need to sleep. Goodnight," Harper said.
Francis said goodnight, yet his eyes still deeply fixed on her figure until the curtains were drawn.
He stared for a while longer before saying, "Let's go back."
The next day.
Harper got up early to go to Celestial Glow Entertainment for the final preparations. Tonight was the big event, and no mistakes were allowed.
Everything was proceeding smoothly and orderly.
During a break in the evening, she saw a message from Francis and sent him a picture of the busy work scene.
She told him she would be very busy and would hand her phone over to her assistant.
Meanwhile, in the ward.
Francis enlarged the photo, seeing Harper's reflection in the glass, and felt warmth in his heart.
At least she was slowly getting used to his aura.
After a while, the door was suddenly pushed open urgently.
Victor walked in with a report in hand, saying, "Mr. Getty, the DNA report on the female corpse is out. It's not Ms. Musk."
Francis's heart tightened, his pupils darkening. "Any trace of Chloe?"
Victor shook his head. "No leads yet."
"Alright, you can go." Francis immediately dialed Harper's number, but no one answered.
The room was exceptionally quiet, but Francis felt increasingly uneasy.
Francis abruptly pulled out the treatment needle from the back of his hand, causing blood to spurt out due to his haste. Ignoring the blood on his hand, he grabbed his coat and strode out of the ward.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
