Chapter 65: Have Your Own Career
Jennifer returned to Golden Harbor alone. Francis had been away on a business trip these past few days, which gave her the perfect opportunity to focus on preparing her preliminary design draft.
Today was David's birthday. Marlowe had called to remind her. Looking at the drawings on her desk that had been revised over and over again, Jennifer let out a soft sigh and said, "Marlowe, how could I forget Dad's birthday? Don't worry, I've ordered a cake and will bring it to the hospital soon to celebrate with you."
David used to be too busy with work to care much about birthdays, but Jennifer remembered every single one and would prepare gifts for him. David would say he didn't care about such things, but the smile on his face was so genuine. He was deeply touched to have such a thoughtful daughter. Although he knew Jennifer wasn't his biological daughter, he had loved her as his own all these years.
At the hospital, in David's room, Marlowe drew the curtains and turned off the lights. In the small room, only the candles on the cake flickered. Due to his long hospital stay, David's face was somewhat pale, but his eyes were full of concern as he looked at Jennifer. "Jennifer, why do you look a bit worn out? You must have suffered while I've been in the hospital these days."
Jennifer touched her cheek and smiled reassuringly. "Dad, you're seeing things. I'm doing fine. I've just been preparing for the jewelry design competition lately, so I haven't been sleeping well. I'm even drawing designs in my dreams." These past few days, besides designing jewelry, she had also been constantly thinking about her relationship with Francis. David's illness hadn't improved yet, so she couldn't afford to have a falling out with Francis. When Francis returned from his business trip, if he was in the mood, she would still take good care of him. But she needed to get used to sleeping alone as soon as possible and stop depending on Francis. Besides, a woman still needed her own career—she needed to find a proper job.
Marlowe said, tearing up, "We all need to be well, especially you, David. You need to get better soon."
David blew out the candles and clenched his fist. "I will get better. I still need to support this family." When the company had faced a crisis before, he hadn't been able to help at all. He didn't know how much Jennifer had suffered. Now they liked to hide things from him, not wanting him to worry.
The cake wasn't small, but David could only eat a little bit due to his poor appetite. Jennifer shared some with the nurses. While eating cake, David asked, "Jennifer, isn't today a workday? How come you came so early to celebrate my birthday?"
Jennifer's hand tightened on her fork, and she said calmly, "Dad, I forgot to tell you—I quit my job."
"Didn't you really like that job? Is it because of me?" David frowned.
Jennifer quickly said, "No, it's because the company had some rules that weren't flexible. I'm thinking of opening my own independent design studio. Dad, what do you think?" Her eyes grew brighter as she spoke. Though she'd said this to comfort David, she suddenly felt it was actually a good idea.
"My daughter has real ambition. I support you." David gave her a thumbs up, then said to Marlowe, "Marlowe, go get my bankbook for Jennifer later. She'll need money to open the studio."
Marlowe nodded. "Got it, don't worry about it."
After the celebration, Marlowe pulled Jennifer outside the hospital room. She said in a low voice, "Have you and Francis been having problems lately? If you're being treated badly, just move back home. We can repay what our family owes him in other ways. Your dad definitely wouldn't want to see you being mistreated by another man."
Jennifer didn't know how to explain, so she said vaguely, "No, you're overthinking it. I just feel I can't keep being unemployed. It's not good to always spend his money."
Marlowe nodded. "You're right. Look at me—after all these years of not working, I panicked as soon as your dad got sick. Don't be like me. A woman still needs her own career, or people will look down on her. Francis's family may be very rich, but our family isn't poor either." Francis had never accompanied Jennifer to visit David these past few days, and Marlowe had figured it out—they weren't officially dating. So she'd been keeping this from David, afraid he'd get angry.
Jennifer didn't refuse the bankbook Marlowe handed her. She couldn't use Francis's money to open a studio. Although the card he gave her had a high limit, she didn't want to be too entangled with him. However, opening the studio could wait. For now, she should focus on the jewelry design competition. If she made it to the finals, it would also help promote her studio.
The day before the preliminary round deadline, Francis returned to Golden Harbor. After several days of intense work, he wasn't in good shape, and Casey drove him back. Jennifer was checking her design draft on the coffee table in the living room when she heard the door open and looked up to see Francis looking exhausted. His gray shirt was wrinkled, his brow furrowed, with Casey supporting him from behind. Jennifer put down her pencil and walked to the door.
Casey saw her and smiled politely. "Good thing Ms. Brown is home. I'll leave Mr. Carter to you—he's not feeling well."
Jennifer took Francis's hand with a courteous smile. "I'll take good care of him. Casey, would you like to stay for a coffee?"
Casey naturally declined.
Jennifer and Francis had been in a cold war before, with their conflict still unresolved. But Jennifer certainly wouldn't leave him unattended. She helped Francis to the sofa and asked gently, "What's wrong? Do you want some hot milk?"
Francis leaned back on the sofa, his voice hoarse. "No need, I'm just tired."
Jennifer still poured him a glass of water and had him drink a few sips. Seeing Francis's brow still furrowed, she reached out to smooth it, but felt his forehead was a bit hot. Unsure, she pressed her own forehead against his to compare. Francis suddenly opened his eyes and pressed down on the back of her neck. As their lips touched, she felt his body temperature was really hot. She whimpered, "Don't, you're sick."
But Francis wouldn't let go. He pressed against her lips and said, "You got so close—aren't you trying to seduce me? Don't move, let me kiss you for a while."
Jennifer didn't resist, and they kissed on the sofa for quite a while. Francis caressed her cheek, his fingertips also burning hot. He'd been very busy these past few days, but whenever he had a moment, he thought of her—her gentleness, her body. He bit her soft, adorable earlobe and asked, "Have you been thinking about me these past few days at home?"
She answered in a muffled voice, "I have." She was a bit angry—had Francis forgotten about their argument and conflict from last time? But he was sick, and she couldn't bear to contradict him, so she went along with him. She pleaded softly again, "You seem to have a fever. Be good and let me get the thermometer and fever medicine, okay?"
Francis bit her earlobe once more before finally letting her go. She covered her ear and trotted off to get the medicine box. Francis lay lazily on the sofa, letting Jennifer take his temperature and wipe his sweat.