Chapter 267: His Intentions Are Known to All

I nodded. "Yeah."

"I got it." Jerry paused, his voice hinting at a smile. "Want me to come pick you up?"

I was a bit annoyed at first, but hearing that, my mood lifted. "No need, I drove. But I need to check with Elissa first; I might have to swing by the store before meeting you."

Just as I said that, Elissa called. I quickly told Jerry, "I'll call you back, Elissa's on the line."

Then, Elissa's cheerful voice came through. "Hope, are you on your way?"

I smiled. "I'm coming."

Elissa teased, "Why don't you spend a little more time with Jerry?"

I chuckled, "What's up?"

Elissa sighed, "The new renovation company isn't great. I've scheduled another one. It'd be boring for you to wait here."

I agreed, "Alright. Thanks for handling it."

"No problem. My salary and shares are enough to make others jealous."

Elissa laughed, then suddenly realized something. "Hope! You weren't planning to come late on purpose, were you?"

I started the car and coughed lightly. "Seeing through it but not saying it keeps us friends."

Elissa pretended to be angry. "You value love more now, so I have to say it."

I laughed, "It's just the honeymoon phase, cut me some slack?"

"Alright, alright!"

Elissa sighed dramatically, "You guys make me sick with all that lovey-dovey stuff! Being single is too miserable!"

She had broken up with Ivan not long ago before I pulled her into starting ElevateJoy with me.

In the first two years, the company hadn't fully taken off, and we didn't dare to expand blindly. She had been so busy she wished she could split herself in two.

Elissa had no time or energy for dating.

This year, the business was booming, and the company expanded. Elissa could finally relax a bit, but she was still not in love.

I hesitated and tentatively asked, "In the past two years, have you met anyone you liked?"

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?" Elissa hesitated a bit, then laughed, "You think I haven't gotten over Ivan, don't you?"

Hearing her relaxed tone, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. "I did think so."

Elissa teased, "You think I'm as foolish as you, needing my heart to be broken many times before it dies."

Elissa said lightly, "Hope, we're different. I'm heartless. The moment I broke up with him, I let go. I'm single now simply because I haven't met someone as good as Jerry."

"I don't believe it." I glanced at the traffic light and added, "I just don't believe you are heartless."

Elissa chuckled, "Of course, you're the exception."

I was amused by Elissa. "Let's stop being gross; I'm driving."

Knowing that Elissa had moved on from Ivan, I felt relieved.

After all, Ivan was a married man, not worth Elissa's time.

Francis swore he wasn't eavesdropping on purpose. Jared had heard Elissa would be at the store today and dragged him along to check it out.

As they neared the store, Jared suddenly remembered to buy a coffee and left Francis at the door, running to the coffee shop.

Elissa hung up the phone and turned around to see Francis. Unlike Francis, who was awkward about overhearing, she was calm at having her privacy overheard. She smiled, "Mr. Peterson, you've come to inspect your property?"

Elissa had only learned on the contract-signing day that this mall was owned by Francis's family.

Jared had been acting tough that day, purely because he was close to Francis, trying to stand up for Jerry.

However, Francis had just stood by and watched without saying anything, so Elissa's impression of him had been neutral.

Francis's awkwardness lasted only a moment. He quickly regained his composure. "Yeah, I came with Jared, just checking things out."

Elissa, wearing a red dress that complemented her skin beautifully, lazily glanced outside. "Where's Jared?"

Since Jerry's birthday party, Jared had been messaging her frequently.

[Do you like this bag?]

[Is this necklace pretty?]

[Want to grab a drink?]

Jared's intentions were clear to everyone, and Elissa, not any naive girl, could read his intentions from a single glance.

Francis, who usually didn't meddle, suddenly said, "Elissa, Jared likes you, but he's not right for you."

Elissa raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"He's not right for you" and "You're not right for him" might sound similar but are fundamentally different. At least to Elissa, this didn't carry the condescension of the wealthy.

Elissa chuckled, "Isn't it bad to talk about your friend like that?"

Francis was indifferent. "If you don't tell him, he won't know."

Francis wasn't intentionally trying to discredit Jared; he understood Jared's intentions too well as a man.

Jared was just attracted to Elissa's beauty, seeking novelty.

If Francis hadn't overheard that phone call, he wouldn't have bothered.

She put on a brave face when it came to love but had had a hard time moving on after a breakup.

Elissa's eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked at the serious Francis, her red lips moving. "If he's not right for me, who is? You, Mr. Peterson?"

Francis frowned, his face cold. "Please have some self-respect."

This was a bit mean for a woman.

But Elissa didn't mind. She smiled charmingly and waved her phone. "Wanna exchange our contacts?"

Francis was used to women trying to please him, but few were as direct as Elissa.

His patience wore thin, and he turned to leave.

Jared, holding coffee, called out, "Francis, where are you going?"

"Mr. Blake," Elissa greeted Jared, dragging out her words. "Mr. Peterson just told me..."

Francis shot Elissa a warning look and took out his phone. "Ms. Wilson, let's exchange contact."

His rationale was even more impressive. "So you can shoot me a message if anything crops up at your store."

Arriving at the Hammer Group, I spotted Jerry by the parking lot, casually propped against the door frame. Spotting me pull in and lower my window, he motioned to the security guard. "Go on, help park the car."

The guard swiftly responded, "Absolutely, Mr. Hammer."

Stepping out, I handed the car keys to the guard. "Thank you."

Standing tall, the guard beamed. "My pleasure, Mrs. Hammer!"

I was taken aback. It was only midday, and his booming voice attracted the gaze of numerous employees, creating an awkward atmosphere. Meeting Jerry's smug gaze, I resisted the urge to curse and swiftly ushered him away from the spectacle.

As we navigated through the office, every staff member we passed bowed respectfully and chimed, "Hello, Mrs. Hammer!"

The situation was beyond embarrassing!

It wasn't until we reached Jerry's office upstairs that I shot him a piercing glare. "You are behind this, aren't you!"

He chuckled heartily, his shoulders shaking with mirth. "Are you still upset I didn't mention you in front of others?"

I scolded, "Cut it out. How do they all know who I am?"

Jerry clarified, still chuckling, "I simply shot out an email, cc'd to all departments. There was a snapshot of you included."

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Chapter 267: His Intentions Are Known to All