Chapter 5 Mr. William: Is Lack of Manners Inherited

Frances' sudden appearance was completely unexpected by everyone present.

Even Angela was stunned for a few seconds.

Alex turned pale, especially since the term "wild man" had just come from his own mouth.

The Moore family looked even more uncomfortable, whereas Daisy, unfamiliar with Frances, was bewildered yet amazed-because the man before her was simply too striking.

He wasn't particularly old but exuded a level of maturity and restraint uncommon among his peers.

With broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs-

Cold and aloof, commanding attention effortlessly.

"Just now, everyone was so certain. Why is no one speaking now?" Frances' tone was gentle.

"I merely happened to run into Miss Moore. Since I'm currently in business discussions with President Rogers and aware of Miss Moore's engagement to his son, I saw her dressed lightly in the rain and, out of goodwill, offered her some care. I didn't expect such a misunderstanding." Frances omitted the near-collision with Angela and kept his explanation simple.

No one dared to question the truthfulness of his words. With his status, there was no need for him to lie.

Alex stood rigid.

His father had indeed mentioned meeting Frances recently and had warned him to behave himself, even planning to introduce him to Frances at the right time.

If he could gain Frances' favor and endorsement, it would open doors to New York City and elevate The Rogers family overnight.

Who could have predicted...

If his father found out about this, or worse, if it ruined their business deal, he might actually beat him to death!

"Mr. William, it was just a misunderstanding. I was merely having a minor disagreement with my fiancée." Alex was terrified.

James quickly added, "Since it's a misunderstanding, it's good that we've cleared it up. Angela, really, you should have spoken up when you saw Mr. William."

Angela sneered. "I did. No one believed me."

"And I'd like to correct one thing..."

"Alex, I am no longer your fiancée!"

Alex cursed internally.

Frances was notoriously elusive-many people had tried waiting outside his hotel for a glimpse, all to no avail. The fact that he personally delivered a coat to someone was unheard of.

What kind of absurd luck had Angela stumbled upon today?!

Fury boiled within Alex, and yet, Angela showed him no mercy at all.

Just as the atmosphere turned awkward, James hastily pulled his daughter forward. "Daisy, this is Mr. William from New York City."

Daisy smiled and softened her voice. "Hello, Mr. William."

"This is my long-lost daughter, Daisy, whom I've just reunited with."

"I've heard. Congratulations, President Moore." Frances' expression remained indifferent.

James beamed. "I'm planning to hold a welcome banquet for my daughter soon. If you're still in San Francisco, we'd be honored if you could attend."

Frances said nothing.

His gaze flickered between the father and daughter, assessing them.

A few seconds later, he remarked, "Quite similar."

"You mean we look alike?" James grinned obsequiously. "Everyone says our facial features are the same."

"Yes." Frances nodded. "Equally lacking in manners."

"..."

"If not, why would she take the initiative to kiss another woman's fiancé?" Frances' sharp gaze bore down on Daisy. "Isn't that right, Miss Moore?"

"You two have only just reunited and never lived together before, yet you're already so alike. Could it be that..."

"Lack of manners is inherited?"

John nearly laughed out loud-going against Frances was like hitting a steel wall.

Daisy, unaccustomed to facing someone as imposing as Frances, panicked instantly.

She instinctively looked toward her parents for help, her eyes flustered and helpless, yet she didn't refute him.

Which only proved-

Frances was telling the truth!

He had no connection with Daisy and no reason to slander her.

James and his wife turned pale. But the man before them was not someone they could afford to offend. Plus, they weren't certain of the facts-if they denied it and were proven wrong, they would only humiliate themselves further.

Angela frowned. He had seen everything?

When had he arrived?

John then confirmed, "It's true. I saw it with my own eyes."

Angela suddenly understood. Perhaps Frances' assistant overheard the conversation about the coat and reported it to him, which had led him here.

Otherwise, given Mr. William's status-

He certainly wouldn't care for gossip or idle drama.

And he definitely wouldn't stoop to eavesdropping.

"Oh my god, Daisy kissed Alex? No wonder Angela is furious and calling off the engagement."

"Alex is the real scumbag. He's been sneaking around with Daisy for a while now-I knew they were more than just friends."

"The Moore family tried to protect their biological daughter by throwing dirt on Angela. How pathetic."

...

Whispers erupted around them. Daisy was on the verge of tears, James and his wife looked mortified, and Alex wished he could disappear into the ground.

Frances, however, ignored them completely and instead took a few steps toward Angela. "Miss Moore, my apologies. I didn't expect a mere coat to cause you so much trouble."

"You're being too kind," Angela hesitated to meet his gaze. "It was a thoughtful gesture on your part."

His eyes were too intense-

Like a wolf, like a predator.

Though he spoke softly and appeared unhurried, his presence was suffocating.

Frances did not linger. For a man of his stature to personally clear her name-Angela was deeply grateful.

Before leaving, he told her:

"Miss Moore, when dealing with shameless people, manners are the most useless thing."

This not only praised Angela but also trampled on The Moore family and Alex.

-

Since no one dared to offend Frances, even after being humiliated, they had to endure it with forced smiles.

The dinner ended on a sour note.

Alex received a call from his father, demanding he return home immediately.

Daisy, frightened by Frances and embarrassed by the public humiliation, burst into tears as the surrounding chatter condemned her. James and his wife were busy consoling her and didn't even bother to check on Angela.

Even though she didn't return home, no one from The Moore family sought her out.

After leaving the hotel, Angela went to a nearby hospital for pain relief through an IV.

By then, night had fallen. The hospital was nearly empty, and she sat alone in the emergency room, her figure frail.

Perhaps it was the rain that had made her ill-her head felt heavy, and after sneezing a few times, she drowsily drifted off to sleep, slumped against the chair.

Outside, the sound of rain was a soothing lullaby.

Until she felt a hand pressing against the back of hers-someone was removing the IV needle.

The slight pain roused her, and she groggily opened her eyes, catching a glimpse of a man's chiseled jawline and Adam's apple...

"Be gentle," the man's voice was impossibly soft.

Such a gentle voice-surely it couldn't belong to that formidable man.

That man shouldn't even be here.

Dazed from fever, leg pain, and the sedative effects of the IV, Angela could barely keep her eyes open. She only felt herself being lifted into a warm embrace.

John, following behind with Angela's bag, was stunned to see his boss cradling her so carefully, treating her as if she were something precious.

"Sir, Miss Moore is still technically engaged. If someone sees this..."

People might gossip, and it wouldn't be good for anyone.

Frances shot him a cold glance. "Didn't you hear her earlier? The engagement is canceled."

Canceled?

That wasn't something Angela could decide alone.

But John dared not argue further, afraid of provoking Frances.

The night was cold, the hospital air frigid, but Angela was enveloped in warmth. She instinctively sought more...

Like a kitten, she burrowed deeper into his embrace.

Frances held her even tighter, as if he never wanted to let go.