Chapter 260

“It doesn’t matter when I returned,” Andrew said with a cold smile. “However, you seem quite afraid of Dr. Aicker discovering this. I wonder how he would react to his star student behaving so disgracefully?”

Terror flickered across Simon’s face. Cedric knew of his feelings for Francesca but disapproved, a fact that deeply frustrated Simon. If Cedric learned about tonight's attempted assault, Simon knew expulsion would be his inevitable fate.

This realization sparked a murderous glint in his eyes. He snarled, “Andrew, since you witnessed everything, I’ll have to silence you permanently.” Murder, he knew, was his only recourse.

“I wouldn’t try it,” Andrew warned calmly. “You’ll be the one injured.”

Simon sneered. “You’re remarkably self-assured. Let me show you what it means to be Dr. Aicker’s senior apprentice!”

Just then, Francesca stirred in her sleep, awakened by the commotion. She rubbed her eyes groggily and sat up, still drowsy from the evening’s drinks.

“Andrew? Simon? What’s happening?” she asked, confusion lacing her voice.

Simon’s expression shifted instantly, adopting an air of righteous indignation. “Fran, you’re awake! Thank goodness. This scoundrel tried to take advantage of you, and I caught him in the act. I was just about to subdue him and report him to you and Dr. Aicker!”

Francesca blinked in disbelief. “Andrew tried to do what? Simon, are you certain?”

Simon nodded earnestly. “I saw it with my own eyes! And honestly, Fran, your intoxication tonight may have been part of his plan. He’s a despicable, shameless man, and I can’t allow him to remain here.”

Francesca frowned and shook her head. “Simon, Andrew isn’t like that. I trust him.”

Simon was momentarily stunned. “But Fran…”

She interrupted. “Simon, it’s inappropriate for you to be in my room like this. It’s late, and you should rest now.”

Simon protested, his face darkening. “Fine, I’ll leave, but only if Andrew leaves too. I can’t trust him alone with you.”

Francesca remained firm. “I need to speak with Andrew. Please, Simon, just go.”

Reluctantly, Simon huffed and stormed out, casting a final glare at Andrew. His attempt at framing Andrew seemed successful; he believed Francesca wouldn’t believe Andrew’s account.

Still, as Simon left, a tinge of regret lingered. He hadn’t satisfied his desire for Francesca tonight, but he reassured himself—there would be more opportunities. As Cedric’s star disciple, Francesca was ultimately within his grasp.

Once Simon was gone, Francesca sighed wearily and offered Andrew a weak smile. “Andrew, could you close the door? I need to talk to you.”

Andrew complied, quietly shutting the door before returning to the bedside. He looked at her thoughtfully. “It seems you already understand Simon’s true nature, don’t you?”

Francesca’s face hardened. “I do. I knew every word Simon just spoke was a lie. And I also know that after you brought me home, he tried to take advantage of me.”

Andrew raised an eyebrow in surprise. “So, you weren’t actually drunk earlier?”

Francesca’s cheeks flushed, and she shyly averted her gaze. “Well… I wasn’t entirely pretending.”

“When I was drinking with Lauren, I did get a little tipsy,” she admitted. “But later, I secretly took a detox pill, so by the time I got home, I was mostly sober.”