George, Francis, and the old Sandler finished their conversation and came out from the hall. At the same time, Chuck’s mother, Victoria Livingston, also walked downstairs from her room. She was wearing a long green silk dress, with her blonde hair hung loose down her back.
Scarlett was amazed by her beauty. In return, Victoria was also impressed by Scarlett at first sight. She was about to ask who the girl was, but another voice came ahead of hers.
“When did youe here?”
Francis recognized the familiar figure sitting next to his mother as soon as he walked out of the hall. He was struck by aplex feeling: abination of shock, delight, and anger. He was directing his query at Scarlett, and now everyone had fixed their gaze on the fresh visitor amongst them.
Scarlett immediately stood up. But before she could say anything, thedy asked Francis surprisingly with a surprise, “Francis, you know Scarlett?”
Francis walked a few steps to stand by Scarlett’s side and took her by the shoulders. “Mom, dad, everyone, sorry for the veryte introduction. This is my girlfriend, Scarlett Morris.”
Thedy’s eyes lit up. “Good girl, why didn’t you tell me that just now when we were talking?”
Scarlett was still astonished that Francis had just introduced her to all his family members. Her mind wentpletely nk; she couldn’t hear anyone or anything.
“It’s my fault, mom. I should’ve brought her to you earlier.” Francis held Scarlett tightly and helped her answer thedy’s question.
“Yes, Francis. It’s definitely your fault. I wished that I could have known this pretty girl earlier; we’re pleased to have her with our family.”
Finishing the sentence, thedy suddenly thought of something, and she stood up to take Scarlett’s hand; she led her to the giant, delicately decorated Christmas tree in the front hall.
“Choose a present, Scarlett.” Thedy smiled at her.
“Oh, thank you, Mrs. Sandler. But I just can’t ept it. I…”Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
“Pick up whatever you want, girl. This is an indispensable tradition, and now you’re one of us. So…”
Scarlett had just recovered from the shock; she randomly picked up a present and said, “Thank you so much.”
She unwrapped the packing paper to see a Scarlett Cartier box. She was already surprised, and when she opened the box, she saw a beautiful rose gold ne with a pie-shaped pendant encrusted with emerald and a diamond in the center.
Scarlett hesitated to ept such an expensive present, but Francis came to her and helped her put on the ne.
“It looks so good on you, Scarlett.” Thedy looked at Scarlett with open admiration.
“Mom, it’s the first time Scarlett is visiting us. I think I should show her around if you could excuse us for a while,” said Francis.
“Oh, silly me. Yes, you should, you must, Francis. Show her around!” Thedy agreed happily.
Francis took Scarlett’s hand, and they walked upstairs.
Scarlett knew that her sudden appearance in the house must have gotten on Francis’s nerves. So after they entered Francis’s room, she sat on the bed silently and didn’t say a single word out of guilt.
“I asked you toe home with me, and what did you say?” Francis broke the silence. Francis’s voice was much calmer than Scarlett expected, so she couldn’t tell what his emotions were.
“I said I couldn’te because I was gonna go out for Christmas dinner with Skyler.”
Suddenly, Francis raised his voice and almost yelled out, “Then exin to me why you are here now!”
Scarlett was scared out of her mind. She was afraid of Francis, especially now when he was furious. Even though he had never cursed or hit her, his cold stare made her surrender to him.
“It’s just because… Chuck said everyone in the family was forcing him to get married, and he feltpletely constrained and depressed. So he came to me just for a possible way out. You know, it’s just…I had to help him out! And then he drove me home!”
“Oh, wow, you two are really close friends. You’re the one he’ll think of when he’s in need! Impressive!”
“Don’t be sarcastic! But you’re right. We’re really close friends! And you wouldn’t have known me if not for him!” Scarlett also raised her voice. Since Francis was not willing to stay rational and listen to her exnation, she might as well get the ball rolling.
Francis leaned his body forward, pushed Scarlett to the bed, and trapped her between him and the bed. His figure was imposing, so Scarlett only saw a dark shadow above her; she felt tight and constrained in her chest.
Francis stared at her, eyes turning red. He then squatted on the bed and pressed Scarlett with his legs. Suddenly, he started to take her coat off and even tore her inner shirt open.
“What are you doing?!” Scarlett shouted.
“You are my woman, it’s your duty to serve me!” Francis was losing his mind.
“Is this what romance means to you? Threatening and controlling women? You’re a fucking loser, Francis!”
“Follow mymands, or I’ll smash you to pieces!”
“I won’t! I won’t have sex with you! I’m not obliged to have sex with you. You still have to ask for my consent. What am I to you? Some toys?”
Scarlett struggled to free herself, but Francis did not loosen his grip on her at all.
“Get off of me, you ruthless hypocrite! I’m breaking up with you!” Scarlett couldn’t take it anymore.
“Break up with me? Ha, you’re so silly, Scarlett. You’re just one of my fuck buddies, and there isn’t anymitment to break at all!”
Scarlett stared at the man above her in surprise, and tears poured out from her eyes involuntarily. His words seemed to prate her eardrums like seawater and poured into her mind. The world became silent at that moment.
Francis’s eyes were red, he could never hold back the desire to be inside Scarlett. Like a devil that had climbed out of hell, he intruded arrogantly and greedily into the small castle between Scarlett’s legs and left shattered walls and ruined wherever he conquered.
He wanted to tell Scarlett that their beginning was not because of Chuck, but a chance encounter long, long ago. But he couldn’t say anything. He was out of his mind. Jealousy was killing him. He loved this woman so much that he didn’t want to share her with anyone else.