Chapter 479 The Confidence Given by Francis
Audrey finished her spiel, feeling all high and mighty, waiting for Harper to bite and ask about her engagement. But Harper, cool as a cucumber, just said, "Sure, Ms. Hernandez, what do you need?"
Audrey was thrown off. Why didn't Harper seem to care? How was she supposed to drop the bomb about Francis?
Audrey snapped, "Why the rush? Think I can't pay you?"
Harper grinned, "Got other customers waiting. We do custom orders only. If you wanna chat, maybe hit up a coffee shop."
Normally, Harper wouldn't talk to a customer like that. But Audrey had been a pain, so Harper didn't feel like playing nice.
Of course, Audrey wasn't leaving, but she wasn't here for a dress either. No way she'd wear something Harper made; it would make her sick.
Audrey piped up, "I said I want a custom order."
Harper raised an eyebrow, "We need a deposit for custom orders."
Audrey asked, "How much?"
Harper shot back, "Ten percent."
Just a few grand. Audrey swiped her card without a second thought and said, "When the dress is ready, send it to the Getty Group. They'll cover the rest."
Audrey thought Harper would lose her cool at that. But Harper just nodded, "Sure, Ms. Hernandez."
Not even a flinch.
Audrey couldn't take it. If Harper didn't react, she couldn't just sit there. She cleared her throat, "Ms. Murphy, did you hear about the big shake-up at the Getty Group today?"
Harper looked up, "Do you prefer white or cream, or any other color, Ms. Hernandez?"
Audrey's face tightened, her jaw clenched. Harper wasn't biting.
Audrey said, "Whatever, make both. I paid, I'll pick later."
Harper had enough and stood up, "I'll send the sketches in a week. Just so you know, sketches can be tweaked but not returned. Deposit's non-refundable."
It was a rule in the industry, since the sketches could be worth more than the dress. And it was all agreed upon, so no drama.
Seeing Harper about to leave, Audrey panicked, "Hold on."
Harper turned back, "Anything else, Ms. Hernandez?"
Audrey raised her chin and smirked, "Why pretend to be calm? I'm marrying Francis."
Harper said, "You think I'm that gullible?"
Audrey's face twisted. Harper was calling her a liar. She sneered, "Francis got accused and can't be president of the Getty Group anymore. Did you know that?"
Harper didn't flinch.
"The investigation showed he was messing with the Hernandez Group's interests. Canceling the Maple Grove Manor project was personal. The execs booted him. Only I can help him now." Audrey stared her down, "No one but me."
Keith might be a schemer, but he wasn't lying this time. And Abigail promised to get Francis to marry her, since she wouldn't let Francis lose to Keith.
"Ms. Hernandez, I thought you were smart." Harper chuckled, "Did Keith tell you the only way out is for Francis to marry you and say the Maple Grove Manor thing was a misunderstanding?"
"How do you know?" Audrey shot back, eyeing Harper suspiciously.
Harper crossed her arms, leaning back casually. "Did he also tell you to buy shares in the Getty Group after this, so your relationship wouldn't be a conflict of interest? And that Francis's crisis would just magically disappear?"
Audrey's eyes narrowed. "Are you spying on me?"
Her face twisted with suspicion, thinking Harper might've bugged her. The words weren't exact, but the meaning was spot on.
Harper chuckled, shaking her head. "Ms. Hernandez, give it up. Francis won't go for this."
Audrey's face darkened. "You're just jealous. Our families are a perfect match. Our marriage would be a power move. Why wouldn't Francis accept?"
Harper brushed her hair aside, speaking slowly, "Because Francis is too smart to fall for that trap."
Over the years, Harper had learned a lot from her dad, Clayton, who was deep into international trade. He always worried she'd get played. The tricks in international trade were way nastier than anything local.
Keith wasn't helping Audrey at all. He had two reasons for this. First, Keith couldn't take over the Getty Group yet. Second, if Francis married Audrey, it would mean he admitted to the accusations. Keith could bide his time and use this to his advantage to take over the company later.
Audrey was too blind to see she was being used. Maybe love made people stupid, and even someone as sharp as Audrey wasn't immune.
Audrey's nails dug into her palm, teeth clenched. "What do you mean? Spit it out."
Harper smiled faintly, "It means wait until you have a real wedding to brag. If it happens, send me an invite."
No need to blow Keith's cover; it would just tip him off.
Harper said briskly, "Take care, Ms. Hernandez."
Audrey's face turned icy. "What makes you so sure Francis won't marry me?"
In Audrey's mind, Francis had no other choice.
Harper paused at the door, smiling slightly. "Not what, but who. Francis gives me the confidence."
Francis had told her to trust him. Even a newbie like her could see through this. Francis wouldn't miss it. She just had to believe in him.
As Harper left, Audrey stomped her feet in frustration and called Abigail. After hearing Audrey's complaints, Abigail reassured her, "Audrey, you're the only daughter-in-law I recognize. Don't worry, I'll talk to Francis."
Audrey felt a bit better. "Thanks, Mom."
"No need to thank me. You're carrying Francis's child. If he dares to cross you, I'll be the first to deal with him."
Audrey felt Abigail was finally seeing things her way, thanks to Logan.
But then Abigail added, "But Audrey, Francis has never acknowledged the child and hasn't been honest with me. When exactly did you two... you know? Can you tell me?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
