Chapter 497 I Love You
Francis just straight-up ignored her. He sucked in a breath, stretched those long legs of his, and tried to hook onto the car door frame. But with the car bouncing around, he almost ate it.
First try? Total fail. Francis took a few deep breaths, switched up his game plan, and climbed onto the roof from the car door.
Harper's face went ghost-white. She knew he wouldn't listen, so she just gritted her teeth, gripped the wheel tight, and tried to keep the SUV steady.
Finally, Francis made it onto the roof and crawled in through the sunroof. Harper still looked like she'd seen a ghost. Francis wanted to hug her, but the timer caught his eye, so he held back.
He plugged the connector into the car and asked Victor through his Bluetooth, "What's the sitch?"
In less than three minutes, Victor's panicked voice came through, "Mr. Getty, the bomb is real!"
Francis's heart dropped.
Victor added, "It's right under the driver's seat, enough to blow up a skyscraper."
Francis's usually chill face went pale. Good thing Harper hadn't moved from her seat.
"How do we defuse it?" Francis asked, ice-cold.
"Mr. Getty, the safety team is on it!" Victor replied, sweating bullets.
Support had arrived, so he didn't need to drive anymore. He'd already sent the SUV's data to the safety team for a fix.
Maybe 'cause Francis was sitting next to her, Harper didn't feel as freaked out. She asked, "Is the bomb for real?"
She'd only heard that weird voice say it, but she couldn't shake the feeling it might be a sick joke.
Francis paused for a sec and decided to spill the truth, "It's real."
Hearing that, Harper shook with fear. Facing death, who wouldn't be scared?
Francis's heart ached and he added, "They're working on it. Don't worry. I'm not leaving you."
Harper stared straight ahead, trying to keep it together, and said, "Francis, if there's really no way, you should jump out of the car!"
"I won't leave you." No fancy words, just plain and simple.
Harper's eyes filled with tears as she whimpered, "Francis, I'm serious. You don't have to die with me."
Francis shot back, "No, I'll make sure you live."
Harper went quiet. The screen showed only twelve minutes left. She wasn't dumb; she knew the odds were bad.
Harper felt like she had a million things to say, but didn't know what mattered most.
"If, I mean if, I can't make it," Harper's voice cracked, "Agnes, take care of Agnes for me. Tell her that no matter where I am, I love her so much."
Harper started to lose it. She'd kept the wheel steady through all the chaos, but now her limbs felt like lead. She said anxiously, "Francis, you need to jump out of the car!"
The car seemed to be on autopilot, heading towards an empty area. If Harper just turned the wheel a bit, Francis could jump onto the mud beside the road. He might get banged up, but it was better than losing his life.
"Harper!" Francis steadied the wheel with one hand and said firmly, "You will tell Agnes yourself that you love her."
Francis's eyes were deep but reassuring. "I promise," he said.
Harper felt a bit better.
Just then, the Bluetooth reconnected. Francis listened calmly, then said, "Cut the screen countdown."
Harper's heart skipped a beat. "Francis!"
"They've got a plan," Francis said. "Victor's got someone hacking the bomb's timer, but the car can't stop. You need to follow my lead and jump out."
The hope of survival hit Harper so fast she couldn't hold back her tears. "Really?" she asked, almost not believing it.
Francis looked at her softly. "Trust me."
"I trust you," Harper nodded without a second thought.
Francis's lips curled into a smile. "Don't move. I'll take the wheel."
Francis's long legs stretched over from the passenger seat, pressing down on the driver's seat, making the space tight.
Harper couldn't see the road ahead and felt a wave of fear. "Francis!"
Francis told her that Victor had arranged for vehicles to rush ahead and set up a long air cushion. Even if she jumped out, she wouldn't get hurt.
Harper felt a bit more at ease.
"Ready?" he asked.
Harper nodded, then panicked. "Why aren't you jumping with me?"
"We can't jump together," Francis explained. "Don't waste time."
Harper thought about it and immediately shut up.
Francis said calmly, "I'll count to three, and you jump, okay?"
Before Harper could respond, Francis's cool lips landed gently on her forehead. There was no desire, just endless attachment in that kiss.
Harper's eyelashes trembled. Just as she was about to speak, Francis gently covered her eyes with his hand.
"Don't look," he said. "One, two, three..."
The next second, the car door popped open. With the whistling wind, a faint, unclear "I love you" scattered in the air.
Harper didn't jump; she was pushed out forcefully by Francis. She landed steadily on the pre-set air cushion.
Victor stopped the car, opened the door, and rushed over, shouting, "Ms. Murphy!"
Harper stumbled to her feet with the help of the bodyguards. Victor asked urgently, "Ms. Murphy, are you hurt?"
Harper shook her head. "Where's Francis?"
Victor stayed silent. Harper panicked. "Where's Francis?"
Victor didn't dare to look up, his tears falling to the ground.
"He said he would jump with me." Harper's heart tightened painfully. "Where is he?"
Victor burst into tears. "Mr. Getty, he didn't jump."
Harper's heart tightened, and her breath seemed to stop. She opened her mouth, unable to believe it. "What do you mean he didn't jump?"
The silence let fear surge through her body. Harper grabbed Victor's sleeve, losing control. "Say something."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
