Chapter 36 The Toughest to Crack
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Franklin’s face was full of pain. “Why are you still worried about an old man like me at a time like this?<b>” </b>
A few days ago, Tracy told him she’d visit the hospital today, <i>so </i>he made sure the doctors finished all his treatments early and even changed into clean clothes because he didn’t want to upset her when she saw him.
But he waited and waited at the hospital and never saw her. He didn’t know how to contact her either.
Tracy never broke a promise to visit, so he couldn’t help but remember the fear he felt when he almost lost her two years ago.
Ignoring the doctors‘ advice, he hurriedly asked Walter to take him home to check on things.
<i>Thank </i><i>goodness </i><i>I </i><i>came </i><i>back</i>–<i>otherwise</i><i>, </i>who <i>knows </i><i>what </i><i>would </i><i>have </i><i>happened </i><i>to </i><i>Tracy </i><i>… </i>
Just thinking about what he saw when he walked in made Franklin shiver.
This old man, used to a life of discipline, couldn’t stop tears from falling. “Silly child, why didn’t youe to me when you were hurt? Does it hurt?”
Tracy’s nose stung, but she forced a smile, even though it made her cheek ache, and shook her head firmly. “It doesn’t.”
With Franklin caring about her and protecting her, she barely felt pain.
But seeing her swollen, puffy cheek broke Franklin’s heart.
<i>Tracy </i><i>used </i><i>to </i><i>cry </i><i>for </i>ages, <i>even </i><i>if </i><i>she </i><i>just </i><i>banged </i><i>her </i>hand <i>on </i><i>the </i><i>table</i>. <i>How </i><i>could she </i><i>not </i><i>be </i><i>hurting </i>now<i>? </i>
Tracy wanted to say more, but after all the injuries she got at the hotel and Simon hitting her head so many times just now, her emotions slipped away.
Her vision darkened, and she fainted.
“Tracy!”
Chapter 36 The Toughest to Crack
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Franklin panicked and quickly told the people with him to get her to the hospital.
Walter supported him as they prepared to leave, ignoring the cold silence from the others nearby.
Benjamin was surprised Franklin didn’t even look at him; after all, there were outsiders here.
He quickly called out, “Dad,” trying to get his attention.
Franklin snapped angrily, “Don’t call me Dad! Watching your own daughter get bullied and doing nothing? I have nothing to do with a cold and cruel man like you!”
His words were harsh and painful, and Benjamin felt pped in the face, embarrassed and ashamed.
Andrew knew his father well and spoke up. “Grandpa, you’re misunderstanding. Tracy went too far.
“If she hadn’t hurt Simon first, if she hadn’t bitten him and refused to let go, Liam wouldn’t have lost control. And he didn’t hurt Tracy; Simon was-
“1
“What do you mean he didn’t hurt her?” Franklin’s anger red again despite trying to stay calm. “If I had been one secondter, you really think he wouldn’t have hurt Tracy?”
Andrew fell silent.
Anyone with eyes could <i>see </i>that if Franklin had beenter, the ashtray would’ve hit Tracy’s head for sure.
Seeing his proud son getting scolded, Daphne muttered softly, “Well, it didn’t hit
her…
Her quiet words cut through the tension. Even Simon’s whimper was silenced by Urs’s hand, making Daphne’s words clear.
Franklin stared at Daphne in disbelief. “Wh–what…
“1
<i>How </i><i>could </i><i>a </i><i>mother </i><i>say </i>
<i>that</i><i>? </i>
O
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Chapter 36 The Toughest to Crack
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Gripping his chest, Franklin struggled for breath, then suddenly passed out.
Just before he fainted, Franklin was especially d Tracy had lost consciousness
earlier.
Tracy used to <i>cling </i><i>to </i><i>Daphne </i><i>so </i><i>much</i><i>; </i><i>if </i><i>she </i><i>heard </i><i>that</i>, <i>I </i><i>can’t </i><i>imagine </i>how <i>hurt </i><i>she </i>would be!
No one expected Franklin to faint. Everyone moved to help, but Walter stopped them.
He’d been by Franklin’s side for decades and knew him best.
<i>If </i><i>these </i><i>cold</i>–<i>blooded </i><i>people </i><i>helped</i><i>, </i><i>Mr. </i><i>Franklin </i><i>would </i><i>probably </i><i>get </i><i>angry </i><i>again </i><i>once </i><i>he </i>woke <i>up</i>.
Walter ordered the bodyguards to take Franklin and Tracy to the hospital and followed behind.
Before leaving, he nced back at the people in the living room.
After living with the Jackmans for decades, he suddenly felt they were strangers.
Ms. Tracy is <i>family</i><i>–</i><i>they </i><i>raised </i><i>her</i><i>, </i><i>and </i><i>she </i><i>lived </i><i>with </i><i>them </i><i>for </i><i>18 </i><i>years</i>. <i>How </i><i>could </i><i>they </i>be so blind <i>and </i>reckless?
“You all…”
Walter didn’t know what to say. He sighed deeply and quickly walked away.
He just hoped they wouldn’t regret thister.
Franklin left just as swiftly as he came.
Everyone watched the speeding car, feeling something they couldn’t quite exin.
Walter had been with Franklin since Benjamin could remember.
Though just a butler by title, the Jackmans always treated Walter like an elder.
That hesitant look Walter gave as he left made everyone uneasy.
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Chapter 36 The Toughest to Crack
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Erin noticed the Jackmans‘ gazes and almost ground her teeth in frustration.
<i>Everyone </i><i>in </i><i>the </i><i>Jackmans </i><i>is </i><i>easily </i><i>fooled</i><i>–</i><i>except </i><i>for </i><i>that </i><i>stubborn </i><i>old </i><i>man </i><i>and </i><i>his </i>loyal <i>dog</i>. <i>They’re </i><i>the </i><i>toughest </i><i>to </i><i>crack</i>!