It wasn’t until she got in the car that Evelyn Clayton calmed down and her mind cleared completely.
Franklin Ford found some cotton swabs and the car’s first aid kit to apply medicine for Evelyn Clayton.
Evelyn Clayton slightly blocked his hand, saying hoarsely, "I’ll do it myself."
Franklin Ford was silent for a moment but still handed her the items.
As Evelyn Clayton tended to the scrapes on her calf, Franklin Ford suggested, "I’ll take you to the hospital now—"
"No need." Evelyn Clayton’s voice was firm, "It’s not to the point of seeing a doctor, going would be more trouble."
Her information was all over the internet, no different from a social media influencer.
Going to the hospital today would lead to outrageous rumors tomorrow, she knew without even thinking.
Franklin Ford obviously thought of this too, "I have a doctor at my house, I’ll take you there."
Evelyn Clayton wanted to refuse again, but Franklin Ford interrupted her, seemingly helpless: "At least, promise me this time. You’re my sister’s partner; I can’t just let you go home all injured."
After a long silence, Evelyn Clayton nodded, "Sorry to trouble you, Director Ford."
Franklin Ford took Evelyn Clayton to his riverside apartment in the city.
The apartment wasn’t far from where the incident happened, and Franklin Ford had called a family doctor on the way. By the time they arrived, the doctor was already there waiting.
After a simple examination, the doctor said, "Miss Clayton is fine, just a bit shaken. The injuries aren’t serious, but there will be bruising on her neck for the next couple of days. It would be good to rub some ointment on it."
After thanking the doctor, Franklin Ford saw him out.
Evelyn Clayton, sensibly not rummaging through someone else’s house, turned instead to check her own bag.
Everything was still there, except her phone was broken, the screen shattered.
Franklin Ford came back quickly, saw Evelyn Clayton staring at her phone in a daze, paused, and then went to the study.
When he returned, he had a new phone in his hand, still in its packaging.
"This is for you." Franklin Ford handed the phone to Evelyn Clayton, almost forcefully. Seeing her open her mouth as if to refuse, he quickly said, "Don’t refuse, it’s just a phone."
Evelyn Clayton hesitated, then showed a helpless smile: "I do need a new one, I just wanted to ask how much it costs so I can transfer the money to you tomorrow."
Franklin Ford was a bit stunned, then couldn’t help but laugh at his own tension, pulling a wry smile.
He sat down opposite Evelyn Clayton, sighing, "You always refuse me. We’ve worked together for so long, and you still only call me Director Ford, it makes me a little tense."
Evelyn Clayton tugged at the corners of her mouth, trying to smile and disperse the strange atmosphere, but the injury on her lips made her wince in pain.
"Don’t smile, be careful of your injury." Franklin Ford made a gesture to apply medicine to Evelyn Clayton’s lips, but she discreetly dodged.
Franklin Ford’s hand froze slightly in mid-air, then he smiled as if nothing had happened.
Evelyn Clayton picked up the ice pack Franklin Ford had prepared beside her, pressing it to her lips, forcing a smile: "Really, thank you so much today. Could you call a cab for me later? I’ll head home now and won’t bother you anymore."
Franklin Ford instinctively wanted to ask Evelyn Clayton to stay and rest, but realized it wasn’t appropriate before the words left his mouth.
So he changed his words: "I’ll take you." Read complete version only at NoveIＦire.net
As expected, Evelyn Clayton still refused.
But this time, her refusal was unexpectedly sincere.
"Director Ford, don’t let me owe you too much, I can’t repay it." In Evelyn Clayton’s eyes, there seemed to be helplessness, but also determination, "I’m already feeling quite apologetic as it is now."