Chapter 276

"Really?"

"Yeah. Do you regret it?" Francis teased.

But Susan sincerely said, "Congratulations."

If she had any regrets, then Francis wouldn't have pursued her for years without her agreeing. She was just a little surprised.

"Hey, you heartless person." Francis shook his head. "My girlfriend is from the same country as you, but she's much kinder than you."

Susan actually felt relieved.

Francis had been pursuing her relentlessly, and she often felt pressured. Did this mean she didn't owe him anymore?

"It's regretful that we can't be lovers, but I hope we can be good friends. If you need any help, just ask."

Friends. Susan had an idea.

Perhaps she could accept his help as a friend.

With this thought, Susan gathered her courage and said, "Can you lend me some money?"

Francis immediately took out his checkbook. "Name the amount."

"A hundred thousand dollars."

"Okay." Francis efficiently signed a string of numbers and tore off a check to hand to her.

Susan was deeply moved.

This was not just a check. It was a lifeline for her son.

"Thank you, Francis, thank you," Susan gratefully said, her eyes watering.

"So touched? Do you want to be with me?"

Susan smiled. "I'm afraid your girlfriend won't let me."

"It might take me a long time to repay this money. Shall I calculate the interest for you?"

"No need. If I calculate interest, what am I, your friend or a bank? I'm not in a hurry for the money. Take your time to repay however much you can. It's okay if you can't repay."

Susan shook her head. "That won't do, it's 100 thousand dollars. You worked hard for that money."

Francis's parents were wealthy, but he didn't rely on them for a living. He started his own business right after graduation and frequently traveled all over the world. He worked hard. Starting from scratch was really not easy these days.

"Forget about the money. It's tacky. Are you free tonight? I need your help."

"Sure." Susan agreed without hesitation.

"You said you had plans for tonight? Is that an excuse?"

"No, it's not. I had plans, but now they're gone." Susan thought to herself, 'Now that I have borrowed the money, Caleb, the jerk, could go to hell.'

Susan called Victoria to let her know she had received the money and would go to the hospital tomorrow to make the payment.

Then, she went home and changed into a new outfit. These past few days, she had been so anxious that she hadn't even changed her clothes. She couldn't go out like this. She also applied some light makeup to conceal her tired face.

Francis was waiting for her in the car downstairs. When he saw her glamorous appearance, he was stunned. He stared for several seconds before teasing, "Wow, who is this beauty?"

Susan laughed and replied, "I am always beautiful."

In his eyes, she was the most beautiful.

She used to be a pure and innocent young girl. Now, as a mother, she had a mature beauty that exuded strength and bravery.

Francis thought she was beautiful no matter what.

"Just now, you were frowning like an old lady. It scared me," he joked.

"Annoying," Susan said with a smile.

They could discuss the debt repayment later. At least for now, Oliver's surgery fees have been taken care of, and it has relieved some of her stress.

She couldn't help but thank Francis again, "Francis, thank you so much."

"If you don't want to be my girlfriend, don't thank me. It's meaningless."

Susan was both annoyed and amused, "What are you saying? Did your girlfriend teach you that? Don't joke with me if you have a girlfriend. Be careful, she might get jealous."

Francis chuckled lightly, and his gaze became a bit serious, "Susan, I hope you find happiness."

Susan felt a bit uneasy at his remark. "I am happy."

Francis didn't speak. Susan was stubborn, even when she raised Oliver on her own, she never asked him for a cent. This time, she must have encountered a big problem, but she always liked to hide her vulnerability.

"Some say women need to be gentle in order to be happy. When you need to rely on a man, you have to rely on a man. Too strong of a woman won't be cherished by anyone."

Susan jokingly pretended. "Who says no one cherishes me? My son cherishes me."

If possible, which woman would want to be strong? Everything was forced by life.

After this incident, she realized that she had no one to rely on. When something happened, the man she once loved and the father of her child treated her like a prostitute. Moreover, her loved ones didn't care about the well-being of her child.

Rather than saying they were cruel, it was better to say that she herself was a failure. Everyone close to her had left her.

Fortunately, she had her son, and having her son was enough.

"You know I'm referring to... a husband, or a boyfriend, a man who can take care of you."

"It's a pity I haven't met one." Susan pretended to be casual.

Francis looked at her.

Suddenly, Susan felt a bit uneasy. Francis had this look when he confessed his love to her before, he looked at her with such deep affection.

Didn't he already have a girlfriend? Could it be that he was lying to her?

Just when Susan was suspicious and anxious, Francis suddenly laughed and said, "I don't care. Anyway, I have one."

"Stop showing off, okay?"

"Buckle up."

"Alright," Susan looked ahead, putting away her speculations.

She had already borrowed the money, and she couldn't find a second person who could lend her so much money. She couldn't possibly pay it back.

He said he had a girlfriend, so he must really have one.

Caleb arrived at the hotel at six o'clock.

While downstairs, he had his assistant buy a pack of cigarettes.

After taking a shower and wearing a bathrobe, he sat on the couch with his legs crossed, waiting for Susan.

He smoked one cigarette after another.

Was he nervous?

Absurd.

He wasn't a clueless little boy. They had been together before, not for the first time. Why should he be nervous?

But for the past four years, Caleb hadn't been with any woman, not even once. He doubted if he had become frigid.

At this moment, his mood was also complicated. He looked forward to her coming yet resisted it. In any case, he was in a bind.

Caleb put out his cigarette and poured himself a glass of whiskey, downing it in one gulp.

The sky quickly darkened, and the lights outside the window were bright. He could hear the sound of cars.

Caleb sat in the lobby, facing the door of the room. There was only a warm yellow light on in the room.

He glanced at his watch. It was seven o'clock.

Didn't they meet at seven o'clock? How dare she be late? Was she intentional? When she arrived, he would make her call him Daddy while in bed. No, he would make sure she can't get out of bed.

Thinking of this, Caleb felt a little excited, like a young man. He couldn't help but curse, "Damn."