Chapter 461 I Get What I Want
Harper's heart did a little flip, and she slapped a hand over his mouth. "Don't even go there."
Francis grabbed her wrist, gave the back of her hand a soft kiss, and felt like he was on cloud nine. "We're sticking with Agnes, no one's tearing us apart," he vowed.
Harper's nose started to sting, and she couldn't hold back the tears anymore. After all the breakups and makeups, they were finally back together. But this time, it felt different. They were more solid, more trusting.
Francis bounced back pretty quick and was out of the hospital in less than two weeks. But the doc was strict—only six hours at the office each day. Of course, Francis couldn't help but work overtime, especially with Keith breathing down his neck at the company.
Keith had some skills, no doubt. In just a couple of weeks, he made a big splash, boosting their overseas trade. This win made the shareholders, who were on the fence about him, finally come around. They didn't care if he was an illegitimate kid; they just wanted the cash flow.
The company's power dynamics shifted. Someone leaked news about Francis's injury, and his support plummeted from fifty-five percent to thirty-five percent. Meanwhile, Keith snagged thirty percent of the shareholders' backing. Plus, he had Ryan in his corner.
Keith was riding high at Getty Group, feeling pretty smug. At the same time, Francis had butted heads with Ryan in meetings more than once. Rumors flew around the company that Ryan had ditched Francis and was grooming Keith to take over, and that Francis could be out any day now.
Harper heard the gossip too. She couldn't do much but tried to help behind the scenes. She was more worried about Francis's health and if he could handle all this stress.
Today, Harper had some free time at the studio, so she swung by Getty Group with some homemade soup. When she got there, Victor told her Francis was in a meeting. Harper decided to wait in his office, but on the way, she bumped into Keith. Keith saw her and acted all friendly, like he forgot the drama outside the hospital room.
"Harper, what's up?" Keith's voice was all warm and fuzzy, but it grated on Harper's nerves. She'd seen his nasty side too many times to fall for his act.
Harper didn't want to chat and said coldly, "I'm here to see Francis."
She tried to walk past him, but Keith blocked her way, smiling like he was in a good mood. "Why the cold shoulder? I messed up the other day; let me make it right," Keith said.
Harper felt a wave of disgust. "No thanks," she replied icily.
"Still mad at me?" Keith asked.
Harper looked him in the eye. "Mr. Bolton, I made it clear that day. We're not friends, no need for small talk."
Her icy tone ticked Keith off. Keith acted all chill, a smirk playing in his eyes. "Harper, do you really gotta be so harsh on me?"
Keith was a looker, kinda like Francis but not quite. Francis had that cool, distant vibe, while Keith was all smooth and elegant. That same smooth smile now gave Harper the creeps. She knew Keith was rotten inside.
She noticed there were no cameras around, which made her uneasy. Trying to stay calm, she said, "Mr. Bolton, we're not alone here. You should get back to work before people start talking."
Keith still grinned, "Harper, no one dares to gossip about me."
Harper had enough and tried to sidestep him, but Keith blocked her. Without thinking, she chucked the food container at him! Keith dodged, and the container hit the ground, spilling soup everywhere.
"Don't touch me!" Harper snapped, her eyes blazing with disgust.
Keith's face darkened. He stepped closer, pinning her against the wall. "Do you really hate me that much?"
Harper shrank back and coldly reminded him, "Francis will be here soon."
Keith sneered at the mention of the man he despised. "Harper, do you really think I have a good temper?"
Harper never thought that. She knew how twisted Keith was, which was why she loathed him.
Keith reached out and lifted her chin, his voice dark. "Do you think if I had slept with you back then, he would still take you back so easily?"
Harper was livid and shouted, "Keith, have you no shame?"
Keith's lips curled into a smile at the familiar address. Shame was for people who played by the rules, and that wasn't him.
Keith looked at her, half-smiling. "As long as you have power and status, no one cares if you're shameless."
"Get out of my way!" Harper turned her head to avoid his touch.
As she turned, her slender neck was exposed to Keith's eyes. The small blood vessels in Harper's neck were clearly visible, outlining a deadly temptation. Keith felt a strange excitement deep in his soul and an urge to give it a bite.
Five years of separation hadn't lessened his feelings for Harper; instead, they had grown more intense. He was obsessed with her scent, her voice, and her every move. Even his memories of her made his body tingle and his soul tremble.
Harper's image was a potent catalyst for his midnight fantasies. He felt deeply poisoned, and the antidote was right in front of him.
Keith's head lowered inch by inch until he was almost touching her skin. Harper angrily slapped him. "What are you doing? If you touch me, I'll call the cops."
Keith's mouth was left with a trace of blood. Yet, his expression didn't change, and he laughed lowly. "Have you thought about what to say? Are you going to say I tried to rape you, or that you tried to seduce me?"
Harper couldn't believe Keith would say something so twisted. But the next moment, his words were even more chilling. "I have no sense of morality. I do know I get what I want."
As soon as he finished speaking, a violent punch came whistling through the air, landing on Keith's face.
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