Chapter 57 I Apologize on Her Behalf
In the hospital room, after the doctor examined Chloe, it was determined that she had a mild concussion and needed to rest.
Francis stood by the bed. He didn't mind the doctor's words.
Chloe sneakily watched him, his striking profile standing out under the bright hospital lights.
Francis was undeniably attractive, exuding an indifferent charm that could stir suppressed emotions.
Her infatuation was undeniable. He was a prize she would never give up, even at death's door.
With this thought, her eyes welled up again. "Francis... why does it still hurt so much?"
Francis frowned indifferently, "Still uncomfortable? I'll get Wesley to check on you."
"No, no need," she quickly backpedaled, "It's not that bad. Besides, Wesley is so busy. Let's not trouble him."
Chloe was panicky. The last thing she wanted was Wesley prying into her business—with his cunning, nothing escaped his notice.
"It's good that it's nothing serious," Francis replied coolly.
"Why did Harper hit you today?" he inquired.
Chloe's tears overflowed instantaneously, "Harper blamed me for the party incident, accusing me of plotting against her. Francis, how could I ever scheme against her? You can investigate."
Chloe was confident. She had covered her tracks well.
Francis barely lifted an eyelid as he replied flatly, "Harper was impulsive."
Chloe paused, her tears halting for a moment.
'Why is Francis speaking with such indifference?’
'That woman had slapped me twice, and my face is still swollen.’
'Shouldn't he drag that wench over and make her grovel at my feet, begging for forgiveness?'
Her chest heaved with each breath. She felt a mix of humiliation and rage as tears streamed down more abundantly.
Just then, Xenia walked in, gasping at the sight of Chloe's face.
"Miss, who did this to you? If your father finds out, oh, he'll be beside himself with worry!"
"Oh dear, when have you ever suffered like this? Mr. Getty, we have no one here in Westerlyn from our home to turn to but you. You must stand up for Chloe."
Outside the door, Xenia had overheard everything. 'Mr. Getty's tone clearly indicated leniency toward that minx.'
Despite her age and possessing a little more cunning than Chloe, Xenia knew just how to pressure Francis by invoking his elders.
Confronted by Xenia's wailing, Francis looked on with a mix of annoyance and impatience.
Looking down at Chloe, his voice was cold. "So, what would you have me do?"
A dark glint flickered in Chloe's eyes. She yearned to flay that woman alive, crush her bones to dust, dismember her body to quell her fury.
But she couldn't say that aloud. She couldn't let Francis think she was wicked.
Clutching her fist, Chloe reluctantly feigned magnanimity. "Let it be. It's just a misunderstanding. An apology will suffice."
'When the time comes for the apology, I'll find my moment to humiliate her thoroughly.'
But Xenia wouldn't have it, her sobbing intensifying. "Miss, how can you just let this go? You've been cherished all your life. You shouldn't swallow such insults!"
She turned to Francis, playing the role of a loyal maid. "Mr. Getty, please forgive me for speaking out. Chloe has no family here in Westerlyn. It's only natural I worry more for her on behalf of her father."
Francis's reply was cool. "What do you suggest?"
Xenia, shrewd as she was, proposed what seemed like a fair request.
"At the very least, that Harper girl should get a taste of her own medicine. She should get two slaps in return."
Internally, Chloe felt a touch of satisfaction. 'This, I can begrudgingly accept.
'To slap back and then humiliate that wench – I want to make it clear that nobody can strike me without repercussions.'
Unexpectedly, Francis rejected the idea with a dismissive glance and a slight curl of his lips. "No."
That icy gaze was penetrating, and Xenia's heart skipped a beat.
She couldn't fathom why – a slap for a slap seemed reasonable enough. 'Why would Mr. Getty dissent?
'Hadn't he always been so affectionate toward Chloe?’
'Even if Harper is his favored companion, at least some justice is owed to Chloe.'
The atmosphere turned tense and silent.
Chloe's palms prickled with barely contained rage, yet she managed to keep a placid expression.
With a sympathetic tone, she said, "Let it go, Xenia. It's no use troubling Francis over this. Harper's temperament is bad, you know... She's not the apologizing type. Let's just have her say she's sorry and be done with it."
Her words subtly pointed out Harper's lack of ladylike grace and gained Francis's favor.
'As for that wretched woman, there will be a time to deal with her.' Chloe had no intention of suffering this slight without retribution.
Indeed, Chloe's magnanimity seemed to soften Francis's expression.
His lips parted slightly, "Chloe, I apologize on behalf of Harper."
'What?' Chloe paled, thinking she must be hearing things.
'Is he apologizing for Harper? How can that vile woman merit such a gesture!'
Unable to keep up the facade any longer, Chloe sobbed bitterly, "Francis, she slapped me, then shoved me hard enough to cause a concussion. How can you not even make her apologize?"
Xenia began to wail, too, "Mr. Getty, that's really not fair. If Chloe's father knew she was suffering like this, he certainly couldn't just let it go!"
Francis's gaze turned icy, "If Nathan has any objections, I'll apologize to him personally."
Chloe cried, looking heartbreakingly pitiful, "Francis, you know that's not what I meant. I'm just heartbroken. You said you'd treat me like a sister. Would you dismiss it this casually if it were Simone who got hit?"
"I know you've been wronged. I promise I'll do one thing for you, anything within my power."
"It's getting late. You better rest," he said, his mind weighed with other thoughts. Without hesitation, he strode out of the room.
Once he was gone, Chloe raged like a mad woman, trashing the hospital room.
After venting, she took a deep breath, her expression darkening, "Xenia, I want that bastard child gone!"
Even Francis had changed. This problem had to be eliminated!
Xenia's eyes flickered, "Miss, I've heard Amelia is refusing to go abroad, causing a commotion at the estate. Perhaps we should have another chat with her."
Chloe's face relaxed. That fool could certainly be used one more time.
In the hospital room by the window.
A lighter sparked a blue flame, casting shadows in the man's brooding eyes, cold and deep.
Knock, knock.
The door opened, and Victor entered.
"Mr. Getty, we haven't found Mrs. Getty."
Francis placed a cigarette between his lips, struggling to suppress the growing discomfort in his chest.
Harper's careful plea for him not to leave haunted his thoughts.
His eyes were dark with intensity, and he issued a curt command. "Have the car ready."
Victor's brow furrowed, his face etched with concern.
Francis's wound had reopened that afternoon, the bandage now soaked through with blood.
"Mr. Getty, your injuries..." Victor started, worry clear in his voice.
Francis uttered a single, icy word, "Go."
In the back seat of the Bentley, Francis massaged his temple and asked, "Have you pulled up the surveillance footage?"
"We've got something," Victor replied, hesitating slightly before lowering his voice. "Mrs. Getty... she was taken by a man."
The truth was, she had been carried off, but Victor dared not use that word—not wanting to stoke the flames of his boss's anger.
Francis extended his hand, and with trepidation, Victor handed over the tablet.
A frigid silence enveloped the car.
Crash—
The tablet shattered against the dashboard, fragmented pieces scattering.
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