Chapter 298


    Chapter 298 Your House Is On Fire


    Francis lowered his gaze momentarily and looked up soon. He teased, “You’re going on a date? Do


    you mind if 1 tag along?”


    Christina was taken aback to hear that. Both men were at odds every time they met and wouldn’t stop


    until a winner was determined. His words made her shudder in fear.


    “I was joking. Why do you look so serious?


    Christina heaved a sigh of relief.


    After they finished the dessert, it was almost time for her to leave. Christina cleared the empty boxes


    and said, “You go ahead. I need to pack up.”


    Francis knew she didn’t want Nathaniel to see them together. Clearly, she had made up an excuse to


    make him leave.


    Strangely, he felt as though he had to hide so others wouldn’t see him, just like he did as a child when


    he was regarded as the illegitimate child of someone else.


    The feeling of his dignity getting crushed overwhelmed him instantly.


    Suddenly, a horrible idea surfaced in his mind.


    Francis nced at the pinhole camera hidden in the potted nt and strode over to hug Christina from


    behind.


    Her body was soft and smelled so great, and he had the urge to indulge in her presence.


    Christina curled into a ball in shock and chided, “Francis, what are you doing?”


    “Christina, the back of my waist is hurting. I think it’s the side effects from my previous injury.” Francis


    comined, feigning pain as he furrowed his brows,


    Christina had her back to him and didn’t notice his calm expression.


    She felt slightly guilty as he had to dy getting treatment because of her.


    “What should we do now? Should I get the doctor toe here?” Christina panicked and reached into


    her pocket to get her phone.


    Francis embraced Christina tightly, leaning on her for support. He greedily breathed in her scent and


    said, “There’s no need for that. Let me hold you and take a brief rest.”


    Christina had no choice but to stand still like a log, allowing him to lean on her.


    Their tender embrace reflected on the translucent window, creating a romantic tableau reminiscent of a


    scene from a movie.


    “Isn’t it tiring to stand? Why don’t you take a seat?”


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    Christina escaped from his arms when he wasn’t paying attention and got him an armchair to sit in. A


    flicker of disappointment passed through Francis‘ eyes as he felt the warmth from Christina’s body


    dissipate. Swiftly masking his emotions, he responded, “That’s all right. My assistant is waiting for me


    downstairs, so I should be going now.”


    “Okay.”


    When Christina turned around, the tall figure was already gone as though he had never been here in


    the first ce.


    She nced at her watch and assumed Nathaniel would be here soon.


    Christina cleared up her table and settled on the couch to read a magazine, wondering what movie


    they would be watchingter. As time ticked by, she slowly fell into a deep slumber without realizing it.


    Some timeter, her phone rang, jolting her awake. She opened her eyes, only to be greeted by a


    ring light.


    “I’m sorry, Christina. My meeting endedter than expected. Should we go watch a movie now?”


    Nathaniel sounded calm, but he could be heard walking quickly.


    Christina nced at the time and realized it was already half past ten.


    “It’s prettyte, though. Let’s go another time. I was thinking of spending the night at Sharbrook Manor


    so I can have breakfast with Mom and Granny tomorrow”


    The ding of the elevator could be heard as Nathaniel replied, “It’s fine. After watching the movie, we


    can head back to Sharbrook Manor together and spend the night there. We’ll both have breakfast with


    Mom and Granny tomorrow morning


    It was obvious he really wanted to watch a movie with Christina instead of going against his word yet.


    again.


    Christina’s lips curled up involuntarily. “All right. I’lle downstairs now.”


    “Wait.” Nathaniel gazed at his watch and gauged the time. “Come down two minutester. I don’t want


    you. to wait for me.


    Christina chuckled aloud. “Sure.”


    After the call ended, she waited for exactly two minutes before grabbing her bag and locking her studio


    to head downstairs.


    She walked out of the building to see the familiar Maybach parked by the road.


    His chiseled form was illuminated by the moonlight, entuated by the bespoke supthat gave him an


    air of refinement and sophistication. With his striking and enigmatic features, he looked as impable


    as ever


    Nathaniel held a bouquet of red roses as he walked over to her.


    Behind him, the stars sparkled brilliantly.


    “This is for you,” he said in his husky voice.


    Christina epted the bouquet and inhaled its captivating scent. The fragrance of the roses enveloped


    her senses, leaving asting impression.


    While flowers may wither and fade, the emotions she experienced upon receiving them would forever


    be etched in her heart.


    “Thanks. Let’s go.”


    Nathaniel opened the door to the passenger seat so she could get into the car. After that, he entered


    the driver’s seat and drove off.


    They selected a romantic movie. It was almost midnight, so the cinema wasn’t crowded.


    Immersed in the rare opportunity to rx, Christina devoted her full attention to the movie. In contrast,


    Nathaniel appeared unfazed as ever. To the casual observer, it would seem as though he was focused


    on a business meeting rather than enjoying a movie.


    When the movie ended, Christina couldn’t help but ask, “If you don’t like such movies, why don’t we


    pick another genre next time?”


    “I never said I don’t like such movies. There were just a few scenes which weren’t logical, that’s all.”


    Nathaniel exined with a straight face.


    Christina was rendered speechless, feeling as if she had to work on her holiday.


    They were about to leave when Christina’s phone rang. It was a call from the hospital.


    “Hello, is this Ms. Christina Steele?”


    “Yes, this is her,” Christina replied, her heart clenching in her chest.


    “Your house is on fire, and your mother and grandmother have been taken to the hospital. You need to


    get to the hospital immediately…


    Christina felt as if her soul had been ripped from her body, leaving her in a state of shock. Her ears


    were filled with a deafening buzz, and her heart seemed to have stopped beating.


    However, in an instant, her senses kicked back in, and she mustered a resolute response, “I’ming


    right away!”


    The hospital was filled with the pungent scent of disinfectant and blood.


    When Christina arrived, she nearly stumbled and fell in her haste. Nathaniel supported her from behind


    and reminded her. “Christina, calm down-”


    “Let me go.”


    Christina wasn’t going to pay anyone’s advice attention now.


    The police officer was conducting an investigation, so she hurried over and demanded, “Officer, what


    happened? Why did my house catch fire?”


    As she spoke, she choked and nearly lost her voice.


    “The firefighters have managed to extinguish the fire. It was caused by a burning candle in the living.


    room. Thankfully, no one sustained burns, but the victims inhaled a significant amount of smoke and


    lost consciousness. They are currently in the emergency room.”


    “Candle? My family doesn’t use any candles!” Christina’s heart skipped a beat as she realized there


    was something suspicious.


    Did someone sneak into my house on purpose to light up the candle, causing the house to be on fire?