Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"Mr. Francis?"

The call from the housekeeper snapped Rebecca to attention, her gaze inadvertently locking with Francis'.

That single glance, an unintended collision of eyes, spurred Francis into action, quickening his pace towards her.

Eddy, witnessing this exchange, was seething with rage.

With a swift motion, he delivered a harsh slap to Rebecca, "You tramp! Flirting with another man right in front of me, huh?"

Before he could finish his tirade, a sharp cry of pain cut him off as he doubled over, clutching his stomach.

Francis had landed a solid kick to his midsection and swiftly pulled Rebecca behind him for protection.

"You..."

Eddy, face contorted with anger, stared up at Francis, "And who the hell are you?"

Francis had been out of the picture for years, recovering from a long-term illness, and during his absence, Eddy had risen to prominence within the Johnson family, never having met him.

"Hah!"

Rebecca, "So, you're the one keeping Rebecca, huh? Got quite the taste for

sentence before Francis' foot met him again, sending him flying into a wall with even greater

pain, Francis felt a momentary relief. Insulting James' mother was akin to insulting James

and led her

managed to get up, "She's my wife! What

was useless; Sawyer's men

...

the car, Rebecca had calmed down, whispering,

again, he

time, Francis offered no response, not even his usual

to breathe too heavily. She couldn't see him, but she could feel Francis'

to admit, she

most of it was unintentional, like today. She couldn't understand why Francis had suddenly

Rebecca had surmised, Francis was indeed angry, but not at

that Emerald Estates was no longer a suitable place for her. He had been considering how to properly and logically

had intended

still a

almost