Chapter 21 Kissing in Front of His Eyes
At ten o'clock at night, Jennifer finished washing up and was getting ready for bed when the door to her hospital room swung open. She figured it was just the nurse making rounds and didn't bother to turn around as she pulled the curtains.
"Jennifer, how's it going?" Eugene's voice cut through the silence. Jennifer's nerves tightened as she turned to face him, eyeing him warily. "Eugene, why aren't you with Aria? What are you doing here?"
Eugene flashed a slight smile. She still cared.
He stepped forward and pulled out an elegant jewelry box. "This is an anniversary gift I got for you. You didn't show up that day, but do you like it?" He opened the box to reveal a sizable diamond ring.
Jennifer looked at the ring and chuckled. "I would love it, if it wasn't from you." Before she found out about his affair with Aria, receiving this ring would have made her incredibly happy.
But now, she and Eugene were done. He betrayed her and ruined David. What was the point of this gift?
Eugene added softly, "Jennifer, don't be like this. No matter what happens in the future, my feelings for you won't change." He took the ring out and tried to place it on her finger.
Jennifer slapped the box away and stepped back, pressing against the wall. "If our relationship ever meant anything to you, please let my dad and his company go. I promise my family won't retaliate. We'll leave Golden Harbor and stay out of your way."
"Jennifer!" Eugene suddenly grabbed her wrist. "They can go, but you have to stay with me. Only if you stay will I let your father go."
Jennifer struggled to free her hand, her voice breaking. "Eugene, stop pretending to be so devoted. You don't love me!"
"Are you mad because I didn't save you on the day of the car accident? Jennifer, I had my reasons. I needed Aria's trust!" His eyes showed pain and restraint.
As Eugene tried to explain, the door to the room opened. Francis, wearing a white coat, stood at the entrance. Ignoring their argument, he smiled. "Mr. Bailey, what are you doing to my patient? If I recall correctly, your girlfriend's room is on the other side."
Eugene, who had been domineering with Jennifer, didn't dare act out in front of Francis. He released Jennifer and picked up the ring from the floor. One day, Jennifer would willingly wear the ring he gave her.
He smiled politely. "Ms. Brown and I are friends. I came to visit her." He stood there, not intending to leave.
Francis performed a basic check-up on Jennifer, confirming that her injuries were healing well. Then he pulled out a stack of bills from his pocket. "Ms. Brown, these are your medical expenses for the past few days. You were unconscious, so I paid them for you. Now it's time to repay me, right?"
Jennifer glanced at the total—over twenty thousand dollars. She quickly pulled out her phone to make a transfer.
Francis sat on the edge of the bed, adding her contact information. He casually noticed her balance, which was just over ten thousand dollars. He chuckled. "Ms. Brown, it seems your balance isn't enough. How will you cover the remaining ten thousand dollars?"
Jennifer blushed, embarrassed by her financial situation. Eugene stepped forward. "I'll cover the remaining medical expenses for her."
Francis ignored him and looked at Jennifer, his gaze lingering on her lips.
Jennifer bit her lip, recalling what Francis had said to her at the restaurant. Summoning her courage, she placed a hand on Francis's shoulder. "Dr. Carter, I can repay you in the way you prefer." Her voice was soft and trembling.
Francis glanced at Eugene and smiled smugly. "Mr. Bailey, do you enjoy watching others flirt? I don't mind, but Ms. Brown might get shy. So, please leave."
Eugene's face darkened, and he clenched the jewelry box so tightly it dented. With great restraint, he said, "Fine, I'm leaving."
As he closed the door, he saw Francis cupping Jennifer's chin and kissing her. His fingers traced her cheek, and Jennifer closed her eyes, seemingly enjoying it.
Furious, Eugene slammed the door shut. When had Jennifer become such a flirt? To spite him, she was willing to go this far! He punched the wall hard, his knuckles swelling quickly, but the pain was nothing compared to the ache in his heart.
Francis was a skilled kisser, and Jennifer moaned softly, clutching his collar. It wasn't until the heavy door slam that she came to her senses and tried to push him away. But Francis wouldn't let her go so easily. His fingers tangled in her golden curls, holding her head as he deepened the kiss.
"Francis Carter!" She called his full name, a bit angry.
Francis finally pulled away, taking a deep breath. "Jennifer, didn't you come to me first? Using me to provoke your ex and not letting me collect some interest?"
Jennifer's body went limp. "I'm sorry. I'll repay you as soon as possible."
Francis straightened his wrinkled collar, speaking casually. "No need. You've already paid the difference. Your lips are sweet; I'm satisfied." He fixed his outfit and left.
Jennifer sat on the bed, her face flushed as she touched her still-warm lips. After a while, she picked up her phone and saw that Francis hadn't accepted her payment. Instead, he had transferred two hundred thousand dollars to her.
She quickly sent it back, asking, "Dr. Carter, did you make a mistake?"
Francis declined the return. "I'm not that careless. Consider it an advance payment for accompanying me to future events as my date."
Jennifer replied, "That's too much."
Francis responded, "Consider it an apology for my previous rudeness. If you don't accept my help, are you planning to take Eugene's money?"
In the end, Jennifer didn't return the money. With Francis around, at least Eugene wouldn't bother her. And more importantly, she really needed the money.