Chapter 296 - Silence

Fredrick's blatant question caused Francis to choke on his saliva. ''Do you want to die? What kind of stupid questions are you asking?'' Now that Francis remembered Fredrick's earlier questions, he doesn't know where to put his face, especially when he recalled his funny replies. Just how on earth, Cherry, and V-card, are related to v.i.r.g.i.n.i.t.y, and how did his friend know to speak puns?

''You can reprimand me later. Just spill the woman's name, Francis.'' Desperate to know the woman's name, Fredrick forgot..no, he didnot mind Francis threatening tone. 

''Have you gone insane, Rick? What woman, which woman?'' Francis's pulse was raging, and he felt confused. ''I do not understand a thing you are speaking.''

Hearing Francis's remarks, Fredrick was confused too. ''You don't know? Can you recall the incident that happened on the third day of the cruise ship?''

''I don't remember, Rick. You were the one who brought me to the hospital the next day, and I was unconscious for two days there.'' Francis said. His alcohol tolerance is very low, and after drinking the wine Heather was holding in her hands, slowly, he felt a strange sense of d.e.s.i.r.e surged on his body. He lost control for the first time and kissed her senselessly to quench his thirst. Following after, he doesn't recall anything.

Fredrick's mine was in chaos. Indeed, Francis was running down with a fever when he went into his room, and he has to take him to the hospital when they landed. Francis was fully clothed to have a suspicious even. So Francis really had no idea that he shared a bed with a woman on that night? If Francis knows about it, he will be sad..no, devastated. Even Fredrick couldn't digest the truth when Evenly told it. Francis was devoted to Heather ever since they were kids. The same goes for Heather, which Fredrick later learned from his wife after Heather's marriage to Max. There was no way to stop it. At least they have a choice now. He will have to talk with Evelyn before he confesses the truth to Francis.

''Rick, are you there?'' Francis snapped a finger in front of Fredrick to get his attention.

''I am sorry. I was a little lost.'' Jolting awake from his trance, Fredrick spoke up with a sigh.

''Why did you bring a woman's topic all of a sudden?'' Francis asked, looking keenly at Fredrick's facial expressions. He was not ashamed to admit that he didnot had any intimate relationship with any woman. It is either Heather or no one.

''I_I was curious if you had...ahem..any hot yoga session with a woman in the past.'' Fredrick masked a lie to cover up the truth.

Although it was hard to understand the double entanders his friend was uttering, Francis grabbed the gist out of it. ''I am not a deviant like you.''

Ignoring the blatant remarks, Fredrick asked. ''Have you confronted Heather when she wanted to marry Max?''

''What's there to confront? She loved him and married him.'' One word from Heather's mouth that she was forced into the marriage, nothing would have stopped him in bringing her to his side. Not even her father. But she loved that man, and that's all mattered to step down. Nobody knows the grief he shared with himself on the day when Heather married that womanizer. 

''If that was the case, why did you think she divorced him within two years?'' Francis asked again.

''I don't know. I am not bothered.'' Francis added, his gaze unconcerned, but he knows he wants the truth deep down.

''I know you still like her, why don't you_''

''Let's not talk about it. I am going inside.'' Having said that, Francis got up and left the place without turning back.

Fredrick held his face in his arms, heaving a loud sigh. While walking inside the house, he heard a familiar voice. ''Where did you learn double meanings, Mr. Wang?''

Fredrick internally gulped. Evelyn! How did she appear? Didn't she go inside? Slowly, he turned around to meet her fierce eyes. ''Eve! I_I, you know I was trying to sound like a gentleman_''

''Day by day, you are acting like a teenager.'' Evelyn retorted, crossing her arms.

''But you like it, right?'' He winked and pulled her towards him.

''Come to the point.''

''He doesn't know. What do we do now? Tell him the truth?'' Fredrick asked.

''No. Let's not tear open the wounds. It already happened.'' Evelyn said.

''I don't want him to remain single, Eve.'' Fredrick persuaded Francis many times to get married, but he stood rooted in his decision. Whenever Fredrick brings a marriage topic, Francis would only say one thing. If not her, then no one can take place in my life. ''You know his stubbornness.''

''His stubbornness doesn't work on our daughter-in-law. She has already planned, just that she is busy with other affairs.'' Evelyn said with a knowing, evil smile.

''Well, I know she will do magics. Let's go inside. Francis must be sitting alone.'' Fredrick led her into the house with a happy smile.

....

Rotating the eyepiece diopter of a microscope, Enger was performing a comparative study on a drug when a phone call broke his concentration all of a sudden. His brows creased when an unknown number appeared on the screen. Very few people know his private number, and he was contemplating to take it or not. In the end, he picked up. ''Hello.''

''Enger, it's me, Nash.''

''Why are you calling from a different number?'' Enger asked in skepticism.

''Because there is a chance my mobile is tracked,'' Nash said in a rush.

''What do you mean?'' Enger questioned.

''It's over,'' Nash revealed. ''Leena found me.''

Chills ran down Enger's spine, and he had a hard time processing Nash's words. How on earth she found when they cleared the evidence without leaving a single clue. ''Calm down and tell me what exactly happened?''

Nash explained the private interrogation that happened and the warning Leena rendered to Enger. ''I am sure they will put a tight watch on me. I will have to be very careful in approaching you.'' 

''I understand,'' Enger added, tightly gripping his mobile. He underestimated Leena. With a single clue, she has connected the dots. My dear Leena! Do you dare to give me a warning?

''She in love with Devin, Enger. I can feel it from the depth of her bones.'' Nash said. Her tight slap was still evident in his memory for insulting Devin, and he dared to think what she would do to Enger if she finds the truth. ''Let's leave this, Enger. She is already married, and why do you want to go to extent_''

''Silence!'' 

Enger's roaring voice caused Nash to shut his mouth instantly. Every nerve in his body screamed in fear. It was the first time Enger raised his voice on him.

''Leena is mine! She can only be mine. I will go to any extent to get her.'' Enger said, leaving no room for discussions. Is she in madly love with him? So, be it! I will make sure she will not remember the person anymore soon.

...

Since it was lunchtime, Fredrick forced Francis to have a meal together. Having finished with the lunch, he got up to leave for the office when Heather called him. ''Can you drop me at home, Francis, if you are free?'' Heather hoped Francis would agree to her request. After Devin's accident, she did not have time to spend with him due to her busy schedule. At least, today, she has to catch him.

''I am free, Heather.'' Francis immediately nodded his head.

Evelyn and Fredrick internally laughed, watching Francis's imaginary tail wagging in happiness.

''Thank you.'' Heather smiled as Francis led her out of the house.

As she got settled, he sped the accelerator. The atmosphere in the car was eerily quiet. ''Are you craving spice foods?'' Heather asked as she looked at the rood.

''Well, you don't allow me to eat, right?'' Francis retorted with a mocking glance at her.

''I was only thinking of your....Francis! Look straight....''

While he was in a deep conversation, a car crossed into their lane all of a sudden. If not for Francis's fast reflexes to hit the brakes, a disaster would have already happened. Controlling the steering wheel with one hand, he shielded Heather's body with his other. ''Are you okay?'' The moment car halted, he checked Heather for any injuries and breathed in a sigh of relief when he hadn't found any.

''I am fine. How are you?'' Her voice laced with concern.

Wordlessly, Francis stepped out of the car in a rage. He has business to take care of.

''Francis, wait!'' Heather screamed, but he was already gone. She knew his temper, and no one can curb once he is angered.

Francis marched towards the car, as his strong demeanor voice boomed. ''Don't you know driving rules. Who on earth_''

Francis's thoughts froze in mid-air when a man familiar to him stepped out of the car, surrounded by tens of bodyguards.

As Heather looked at the rear view mirror, she watched the traffic piling up. With no choice, she got down to bring the man back.

''Let's go, Francis. I am fine_''

Heather's voice died down in her throat, and her heart repeatedly compelled palpitations when her gaze shifted from Francis to the man focusing on her.