Chapter 63 Jealousy
Francis was heading out when he suddenly noticed a woman by the window wearing something familiar. He stopped and looked over, recognizing Jennifer and Declan. They were discussing what to order, their heads quite close together, which really bothered Francis. He turned on his heel and strode over, demanding harshly, "Jennifer, why are you here with Declan? I need an explanation."
Yasmin followed over curiously—this was the first time she'd seen Francis this angry.
Jennifer stood up in a panic, looking nervously at Francis, but then quickly noticed Yasmin behind him. Yasmin looked more mature and elegant than her. Up close, Yasmin's makeup was perfect, and like Francis, she had that naturally noble air about her. Jennifer couldn't help thinking—Francis and Yasmin looked more like a couple standing together. A bitter feeling washed over her, and she said with a hint of jealousy, "Then why are you here? Two days ago, you told me you were busy with work and couldn't be with me. I understood. But now how do you have time to have dinner here with another woman?" Her throat tightened as she spoke, but she held back her tears.
Francis frowned and explained, "I really am here for work. This is Yasmin, Vice President of Titan Energy Group. Yasmin, sorry you had to see this—this is Jennifer, my girlfriend I told you about."
Jennifer looked at her in surprise. Really here for work? But Yasmin's eyes clearly showed interest in Francis. Yasmin smiled with a hint of contempt and said casually, "Looks like there's some misunderstanding between you two. I have things to do, so I'll leave first. No need to see me out, Mr. Carter." She made a dismissive gesture and left gracefully.
Francis sat down next to Jennifer. Betty complained unhappily, "This guy is so rude, stealing my seat." Francis gave her a cold look, and she stuck out her tongue and said no more.
Jennifer sat down uncomfortably, then quickly stood up again, saying quietly, "I need to use the restroom." She hurried off with her head down.
Francis watched her back for a moment, then picked up the menu and added several dishes, saying stiffly, "This meal's on me. Thanks for looking after my girlfriend these past two days."
Declan smiled and said, "No need. Jennifer and I are already friends. Come to think of it, I knew her before you did."
Francis poured himself a glass of wine, sniffed it, and frowned, "Too sweet. You have terrible taste in wine."
Declan took a sip and said, "I think it's pretty good. Jennifer really likes it too. Right, Betty?"
Betty said, "Yeah, Jennifer loves this kind."
She was talking about the wine, but Francis felt like she was hinting at something else. He gripped his glass tightly, staring sharply into Declan's eyes, "Declan, I'm warning you—she's my woman. You'd better drop any ideas you shouldn't have. Didn't your father teach you not to touch other people's things?"
Declan swirled the golden liquid in his glass, the wine casting pretty reflections on the table. He said somewhat indifferently, "Jennifer is a person, not someone's property. Besides, Mr. Carter has so many women around him and doesn't seem to treasure her that much. If you ask me, why not let me have her? I'll treat her right with all my heart." It took all his courage to say this—Francis's status made him wary.
"Impossible!" Francis raised his voice, his hand shook, and the wine splashed onto Declan's face. "Looks like you're drunk already. Let me help sober you up."
The cold wine dripped down his chin onto his shirt. Declan was shocked. He hadn't expected Francis to lose his composure like this—the Francis he knew was always aloof, calm, and dignified.
"What did you do?" Jennifer cried out, running over. She'd just calmed down and come out of the restroom to see this scene. She quickly grabbed napkins from the table to wipe Declan's face, apologizing for Francis.
Francis grabbed her wrist, staring at her coldly, "Don't help him! Jennifer, being so close to another man in front of me—have you thought about your position?"
Jennifer frowned, the emotions she'd just suppressed flooding back. She said unhappily, "What position? You can have dinner alone with other women, acting all intimate. But I can't even have a male friend? Francis, you can look down on me, but what gives you the right to humiliate my friend? Please apologize to him!"
Declan looked at her, touched. She was actually standing up for him, even asking Francis to apologize. Honestly, he wouldn't dare.
Francis had actually felt his behavior was a bit rude, but seeing how Declan looked at Jennifer, that was clearly how a man looks at his lover! He snorted coldly and said mockingly, "Apologize? Never! He deserves it!"
Their table was causing a scene; everyone in the restaurant was looking over, and servers came over to try to calm things down. Jennifer felt really embarrassed. She apologized to Declan, "I'm sorry, I apologize for his mistake. But let's skip this meal. You should go back to the hotel and change." She waved over a server to pay the bill.
Declan smiled and said, "It's fine, you don't need to fight over me."
Betty said obediently, "Goodbye, Ms. Brown."
Though Francis was angry, he still maintained his gentlemanly manner and insisted on paying. Jennifer didn't want to provoke him further, so she didn't argue.
In the car, neither spoke; the atmosphere was frozen. After a long while, Francis cleared his throat and said, "Which hotel did you book? I'll have the driver get your luggage later."
Jennifer coldly told him the hotel name. She was really angry. Francis's behavior at the restaurant clearly showed no respect for her. He could casually date other women, but she couldn't—he was just that domineering and unreasonable! Francis had been good to her these past days, introducing her as his girlfriend to others, so she'd gotten the wrong idea. But actually, their relationship was just a transaction. She was just his kept mistress. Whenever he got tired of her, he could dump her anytime. Jennifer only blamed herself for being too inexperienced in relationships, mistaking false feelings for true love.
Francis added, "I was wrong to break our date, but you shouldn't have called another man to come with you."
Jennifer didn't look at him, saying quietly, "Betty is my student. I brought her here to learn, and Declan came with her. Besides, I remember our deal doesn't include limiting who I can see as friends. I only need to satisfy Dr. Carter's physical needs. And it was because you were busy that I made plans with someone else." She started calling him "Dr. Carter" again, her tone full of distance, as if reminding him that she was only with him to save David.
"Great!" Francis was angry too. Not only did Jennifer not explain, but she also said things like this to hurt him.