Chapter 555 He Wants to Survive
Just like Harper said, Keith always looked out for number one. If he had to give something up, he expected a big, juicy return. Just like now, when the effort didn't match the reward, Keith knew exactly what to do.
Half of Keith's face was swallowed by the darkness, blending into the night. After a long pause, he finally muttered, "Harper, I hope you stay alive. That's the truth."
With that, Keith turned around without a second thought.
Just like back then, when his crazed mother was taking her last breath, he turned away the same way. Was he really that cold-hearted? Definitely not. But Keith had a knack for toughening up, and that’s what set him apart.
He didn’t even notice the cold tear that silently hit the carpet.
Harper, gathering her thoughts, felt more determined than ever. Her hand, no longer trembling, reached out and precisely placed itself on the yellow fuse.
In the hall, Audrey's wedding dress was a mess, stained and dirty. Her fancy hair accessories were all over the place, and her thick makeup had cracked, making her look pretty rough. But no matter how much she usually cared about her appearance, she couldn't be bothered now.
Feeling safe, Audrey's face lit up with smugness. Facing Francis's burning gaze, she stared back without a hint of fear.
"Francis, feeling worried now?" Audrey raised an eyebrow. "I wonder what Stanley will do to Harper once he catches her."
She covered her mouth, pretending to be concerned, "Stanley wouldn't really cut her open and take your kid, would he?"
"Shut up!" Francis's eyes cut through Audrey like daggers, full of deadly intent.
Audrey patted her chest, pretending to be scared, "So fierce, but..."
She smirked and giggled, "So what? You're still caught by Stanley, aren't you?"
Whether Francis responded or not, Audrey kept talking, clearly enjoying herself. "Francis, you owe me. You used me to shield Harper from disaster. Ever feel a bit guilty?"
Francis's lips twisted into a cold sneer, "Why would I feel guilty for a scoundrel like you?"
He looked at her with pure disdain, "For what you've done, even being cut into pieces wouldn't be too much!"
Audrey's face went pale at Francis's contempt, "I did it all for you. If you didn't like Harper, she wouldn't have suffered so much. My suggestion to have Stanley take her kid was a mercy."
Francis said calmly, "I think you'll soon experience that mercy yourself."
Audrey shivered in fear, then snapped, "Stop talking nonsense! Even if you die, I won't. Are you planning to die with her?"
At this point, Audrey had lost all hope in Francis. He knew everything she had done. Unless Francis lost his memory, he would never love her.
With no hope left, Audrey dropped the act and let her true colors show. "Francis, you think I'll let you have your way? Even if you both die, I'll make sure you can't die together!"
Jealousy and resentment had twisted Audrey into someone unrecognizable. Her face lit up with a twisted excitement. "But do you think I'll let you die easily? I'll keep you alive. Emerald Isle has secret potions that can make your limbs wither while keeping your mind sharp. I want you to see what a wreck you'll become. Your pride, your talent, your status—everything people envy about you—will be useless. You'll be a cripple, paralyzed."
A ghostly smile crept across Audrey's face. "Francis, what will you have to be proud of then?"
Her eyes, wild with madness, locked onto Francis as she gritted her teeth. "Remember this, what I can't have, no one else will!"
Suddenly, a tray flew through the air. Then Audrey clutched her head and let out a piercing scream. Blood streamed from the right side of her head. She didn't even see where Francis got the tray or how he managed to hit her with it.
Audrey's eyes filled with terror as she watched Francis stand up and walk towards her. When did Francis free himself from the restraints? But there was no time to think about that now. At this moment, Francis was more terrifying than Stanley's men, like he could tear her apart at any second!
"Help!" Audrey screamed for Stanley's men, but the guards had just stepped out. So no matter how much she screamed, no one came to save her.
"Help..."
Before she could finish, a sharp pain hit her. Francis stepped on her only good hand and twisted it.
Audrey cried out in pain, "Francis, how dare you! When Stanley comes, he'll skin you alive."
She was in so much pain she could barely speak. But she knew if Francis escaped, Stanley would never let him go.
"Give me the medicine," Francis demanded, using a broken table leg as a makeshift crutch.
"What medicine?"
"What do you think?" Francis's face was pale, cold, and impatient.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Audrey lied, "I was just messing with you, there's no medicine."
Francis's lips curled into a slight smile, and he lifted his heel, grinding down with his toes.
The excruciating pain made Audrey scream in agony. Francis asked again, "Now, can you give it to me?"
Audrey painfully took out a small glass bottle and threw it on the ground. Inside were two blue pills. Francis checked the seal on the bottle, confirming it was from the witches of Emerald Isle. The seal was made with a special potion; tearing it would render it useless and it couldn't be replicated.
Audrey lay limp on the ground, her face pale from the pain. "Do you really want to take it? Don't you know what that medicine will do to you?"
"I know." Francis's face softened a bit. "No matter what I become, as long as I can spend one more second with Harper, I'm willing to keep on living."
Ever since Francis found out Harper was pregnant with his babies again and decided to keep them, his will to live had never been stronger. He wanted to survive and be there for her during childbirth.
When Agnes was born, Francis wasn't there, and it had left him with a regret he couldn't shake. This time, he wanted to hold on until they were born and see it with his own eyes.
Francis pocketed the glass bottle. Just then, there was a noise at the door. "Help..." Audrey tried to scream, but Francis quickly stuffed a cloth into her mouth.
The guard who had gone to the restroom came back in. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw the mess and rushed over.
"Where is he?" he demanded from the blood-covered Audrey.
Audrey, furious, tried to signal that she had a cloth in her mouth. The guard finally noticed and yanked the cloth out, then hurriedly asked, "Where is that man?"
"Behind you..." Before she could finish, there was a loud thud. Francis had already raised the makeshift cane and struck the guard on the back of the neck, knocking him out before he could turn around.
Audrey was livid, gritting her teeth and cursing, "Idiot, such an idiot!"
Francis ignored her, crouched down, and used his hand to strike the back of the guard's neck again, ensuring he wouldn't wake up for at least three hours. Then, Francis picked up the cane for support, dragging his left leg with a completely shattered kneecap, and with great effort, he dragged the guard to the side.
By the time he finished, sweat was beading on Francis's forehead, and he was panting heavily. What used to be easy for him was now incredibly difficult. This would worsen his knee injury, but he had no other choice.
Although Harper had just signaled that she was safe, Francis was still very worried and needed to find her immediately.
After tidying up, Francis tore off a strip of cloth and found a board to make a makeshift splint for his leg.
Audrey was still trembling on the ground when suddenly, Stanley's furious voice came through the walkie-talkie. "Keep an eye on Audrey. She will face the consequence of lying to me."
Stanley didn't wait for a response before cutting off the walkie-talkie.
Audrey was shocked. Stanley hadn't found Harper. Where could she have gone? Audrey had personally locked Harper inside. Could Harper have escaped?
Francis approached, initially intending to knock Audrey out and hand her over to the police. But after hearing Stanley's words, Francis stopped.
Audrey's face had turned as pale as paper. She had heard plenty of rumors about the madman Stanley, who took pleasure in torturing people. When Stanley went mad, he was uncontrollable and did whatever he wanted. He wouldn't use any humane methods, only torturous ones that made people wish for death.
Audrey absolutely did not want to stay here.
She begged, "Francis, please, I'll confess to my crimes. Take me to the police. I'll admit to everything I've done."
Audrey knelt on the ground, her feet chained, unable to break free.
At this moment, Audrey knew that following Francis was safer. If it were before, she wouldn't have dared, given Francis's hatred for her and his limited time left. He would definitely kill her!
But now that Francis knew Harper was pregnant, he wanted to see her and wouldn't dare do anything illegal. As long as Francis was willing to take Audrey to the police, she had a way to escape.
Audrey cried loudly, "Francis, don't leave me to Stanley. Please, I beg you."
Seeing Audrey like this, Francis felt no sympathy. Audrey's cunning was well-known. Even if she went to prison, she would find countless ways to escape and absolve herself. Handing her over to Stanley was the most fitting end that Francis had planned for Audrey.
Francis didn't say a word, stepping back in disgust from Audrey's outstretched hand. "Enjoy the punishment you brought upon yourself, Audrey."
As Francis reached the door, he turned back and said sincerely, "Honestly, I hope you can beat Stanley."
Because if Audrey survived, she would face the relentless pursuit of the Charles family, something no ordinary person could endure. But that was exactly the punishment Francis hoped Audrey would receive!
After the door closed behind him, Audrey's heart-wrenching cries echoed. She had no idea what awaited her. Endless fear wrapped around her like countless snakes.
"Francis, I hate you. I want you and Harper to die horribly." Audrey's venomous and sinister curse came from inside the room.
Francis had no reaction. He would never give Audrey another chance to harm anyone, not even in her dreams!
Audrey lay on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Then, a strange sound of footsteps approached.
Audrey looked up and saw Stanley's gentle face. Just as she was about to explain, she saw a flash of white light.
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