Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 1131

Selina was utterly dumbfounded, staring at Francis with a mix of disbelief and forced humor. "Mr. Johnson..."

"Yes?" Francis leaned back in his chair, looking at her with an amused expression.

"You must be joking," Selina said with a nervous laugh, her face losing color.

Was he really expecting her to foot the bill?

"Joking?" Francis let out a quiet snort through his nose, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

"Didn't you say on the phone that you'd treat me to dinner?"

"Well... yes, I did, but..." Selina stammered, shaking her head, "I didn't say anything about coming to The Cozy Corner!"

"What's the issue?" Francis asked, his eyes slightly lowered, but his demeanor still managing to be intimidating.

"Given my status, inviting me out for dinner implies a place like The Cozy Corner, doesn't it? Didn't you realize that?"

Selina was shocked, her face turning pale. Francis shifted his gaze away, uninterested in her protests.

He instructed the waiter, "Make sure she pays. No tabs allowed. If she doesn't settle the bill today, call the cops."

"Yes, Mr. Johnson."

At this point, Selina started to realize what was happening. She glared at Francis with anger. "You did this on purpose! You set me up! This is extortion!"

"Extortion?" Francis chuckled, shaking his head dismissively. "You're overthinking it."

"No!" Selina retorted, not entirely clueless. "I get it now!"

She gasped, eyes wide with surprise. "This is about Rebecca White! You're doing this because I tried to flirt with you, and you're getting back at me for her!"

Francis didn't even bother to respond. Knowing his temperament, the fact that he had entertained her antics for this long showed remarkable restraint.

Without a word, he turned and walked away.

"Rebecca," Francis said as he reached her, stopping in front of her.

Rebecca looked at him, her emotions a mix of gratitude and confusion.

Francis's heart softened, and he gently cupped her face in his hands.

"She..." Rebecca's eyelashes fluttered, and she muttered softly, "She's really insufferable!"

"Yeah," Francis agreed, nodding. "I know."

As the saying goes, a single act can reveal one's character. Her half-sister trying to seduce her fiancé was just the tip of the iceberg. Clearly, Rebecca had endured much more over the years.

Moreover, her father, Kearney, hadn't defended her at all the last time they were at Galloway's.

"You've been through a lot," Francis murmured, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "I stood up for you. Does that make you feel better?"