Chapter 343 Got a Fever
Elissa sighed, "Mr. Peterson, if you need a ride, sorry, I can't help. But I can call a car for you."
Francis rubbed his aching forehead. "Why do you have to treat me this way?"
Elissa chuckled, not wanting to get into it. "Do you want to call the driver yourself, or should I do it?"
Francis seemed lost in thought. "Are you still talking to Jared?"
Earlier, Elissa had tied up her hair to make it easier to hold Celestia. Now, feeling a bit annoyed, she let her hair down and shook it out.
She glanced over at Hope's house, wondering if she should interrupt Jerry and Hope's time to have Jerry deal with Francis. But knowing Jerry's ways, she decided against it.
Elissa pulled out her phone, ready to call a car.
Just then, Jared called her. She thought, 'What timing. Jared can take him away.'
But before she could answer, her phone was snatched, and a shadow loomed over her.
Before Elissa could react, something soft and cool pressed against her lips.
Without thinking, Elissa slapped Francis.
Elissa had tried to seduce Francis before. If he had shown any interest, even just for fun, and they ended up kissing or having sex, she would have been fine with it. But Francis was always cold and indifferent, never giving her any response.
Later, at the airport, Francis made things clear, and knowing he had a first love, Elissa sensibly turned their relationship into just friends.
So now, Francis forcibly kissing her was just being a jerk.
Elissa said, "Mr. Peterson, if you keep acting drunk, don't blame me if you end up embarrassed."
Francis had never been slapped before. Even though his family was strict, no one had ever slapped him when he made a mistake. He had his pride.
If it were his beloved woman, a slap would be just a slap. But he and Elissa didn't have that kind of relationship. So Francis threw Elissa's phone onto the car roof and walked away.
Elissa picked up her phone, unlocked the car door, got in, and sped off.
Upstairs on the balcony.
I asked Jerry, "Aren't you going to send someone to take Francis home?"
Jerry pulled me inside, closed the balcony door, and drew the curtains. "He's a grown man. He'll be fine. Let's sleep."
But I couldn't sleep, especially since it involved Elissa. I still wanted to ask about the situation. "What is Francis doing?"
Jerry pinched my face and said, "You're worried about Elissa? Francis got slapped for the first time. I think Elissa will be fine."
I got out of his arms, turned over, and lay on my stomach, propping my chin up to look at him.
Jerry chuckled helplessly, pressed my head down, and said, "That time abroad, Francis said some harsh words. Now he's looking for a chance to apologize."
I snorted, "Apologizing by forcefully kissing her?"
Jerry didn't really want to talk about this. He didn't expect Francis to forcibly kiss Elissa either. But it was also expected. He liked her but never admitted, so he deserved to get slapped.
Jerry asked, "Are you trying to get some information from me for Elissa?"
I shook my head. "Elissa said she wouldn't do anything to ruin Francis' relationship. She's already decided to let it go. I won't try to matchmake them. Elissa is so stunning. She doesn't really need Francis."
Jerry could tell there was more to my words, clearly trying to get him to talk about Francis's first love.
Jerry said, "Francis's family is pretty unique. They've got folks in politics and business, but mostly politics, so they have high standards for who Francis dates."
I blinked, guessing, "His first love came from a regular background, huh?"
Jerry nodded. "Yeah, she was the daughter of the Peterson family's driver. Francis's mom really liked her, treated her like her own daughter, gave her everything, but with one condition—she couldn't like Francis. When Mr. Peterson found out, he sent her abroad, saying it was to broaden her horizons and learn more. In reality..." Jerry patted my head. "You get it, right?"
I tapped Jerry's firm chin. "So that's why it's unforgettable, huh?"
Jerry gave me a sidelong glance. "Francis and his first love are over. Are you planning to set him up with Elissa next?"
"No, it all depends on what Elissa wants." I pulled my hand back. "I just think it's a shame to miss out on a relationship because of a misunderstanding."
Jerry leaned in, brushing his nose against mine. "I've told you everything. What's my reward?"
I quickly pushed him away as he got closer. "I still have questions."
Jerry let out a low hum, his hands not stopping. "Ask away."
I pressed down on his hand and asked seriously, "Doesn't that mean Elissa isn't qualified to marry into the Peterson family either?"
Nowadays, ElevateJoy was growing stronger, and as one of the founders, Elissa had made a lot of money. But for the Peterson family, money alone wasn't enough. Moreover, ElevateJoy was nothing to them.
Jerry considered and then replied, "Whether she can marry in or not depends on Francis."
With that, Jerry pressed me down and said, "Let's not talk about them when we finally have some time."
"Stop it..." I tried to push him away, but my strength was no match for Jerry.
He held both my hands with one of his.
I blushed. "Jerry!"
Jerry leaned close to me, laughing low in my ear. "Call my name more. I love hearing it."
Meanwhile, Elissa drove her car almost flying, getting angrier the more she thought about it. 'When I tried to seduce Francis, he didn't show any passion, always so calm. Now what, why kiss me now!'
Elissa was really frustrated, and at this hour, she couldn't talk to Hope.
Finally, she turned the car and went to a bar.
Feeling bored alone, Jared called Elissa but she didn't answer, so he decided to go home.
Unexpectedly, he ran into her at the bar entrance.
Jared asked, "Elissa, here to have some fun?"
Elissa tried to suppress her anger and forced a polite smile. "Do you think I'm here to study?"
Jared followed Elissa inside and said, "Want to hang out together? I still have a private room upstairs."
Elissa waved her hand, sat on a high stool at the bar, and signaled to the bartender. "The usual."
Jared sat next to her. "Ms. Wilson, do you like lively places?"
Elissa did like lively places, but not tonight. "Since we ran into each other, let me buy you a drink, Mr. Blake."
Jared smiled. "I never let a lady pay. Tonight's drinks are on me."
Elissa seemed very open, but she still had her principles. If she knew she couldn't be with someone, she wouldn't take their things or spend their money.
Elissa refused, "Mr. Blake, save your kindness for someone who needs it more."
Jared didn't catch the underlying meaning. "Don't be so polite with me. It's fate that we met."
Elissa came to relax and vent her anger from Francis. But Jared was starting to annoy her.
However, since Jared was friends with Jerry, it wasn't worth falling out with him.
Elissa said, "Mr. Blake, you're very generous. Thanks for the drinks."
"You're welcome."
After a couple of drinks with Jared, Elissa still felt annoyed, so she headed to the dance floor.
Who knew she'd see people making out?
It was typical for a bar late at night, but today it just rubbed her the wrong way.
She cursed under her breath and decided to head home and sleep.
Jared caught up with her. "Leaving already? It's still early."
Elissa stopped, turned around, and leaned against her car, suddenly asking, "Has Mr. Peterson been going through something lately?"
"What?" Jared was caught off guard by the sudden topic change but shrugged it off. "His ex-girlfriend came back, so it's normal for him to be off. He almost broke ties with his family over her before."
Elissa thought, 'If he loves her so much, why did he kiss me? Shameless.'
Elissa turned and kicked the tire, hurting her foot from the impact, and tears welled up from the pain.
Seeing this, Jared realized something was wrong. "Are you in a bad mood? Who messed with you? I'll go teach them a lesson."
Elissa really wanted to say it was Francis, but since they were friends, she had to deal with it herself.
Elissa replied, "No one bothered me. I'm just worried that if Mr. Peterson is in a bad mood, he might raise my rent or not rent me such a good location."
Jared said, "No way. I'm still here. Ms. Wilson, don't worry."
Elissa really wasn't in the mood today, and pretending to be polite was already her limit.
Elissa said, "I think I forgot to turn off the TV at home. I need to go back quickly."
Jared panicked as if it was his own TV that was left on. "You can use my driver. Let me know when you get home."
Elissa nodded and got into the back seat.
Jared watched until the car was out of sight, then took out his phone and sent a message in their small group chat. He seemed to be lamenting.
Jared: [Met Ms. Wilson. If it weren't for the short circuit in her TV, we would have had a wonderful night.]
Jerry was up feeding Celestia.
Hope was tired tonight, so she didn't get up to breastfeed and used the milk stored in the fridge instead.
Jerry rarely checked the group messages, but he was in a good mood tonight and replied: [You didn't take her home and help out?]
A TV short circuit? That sounded like an excuse Elissa would come up with.
Jared: [I drank and couldn't drive. Sent her with my driver. Told her to message me when she got home. What help? I can't fix a TV.]
Jerry thought he really didn't need to reply and that Jared would never catch up to her in this lifetime.
Jerry: [Go home, wash up, and sleep early.]
Jared, however, was excited: [Elissa was in a bad mood today. I comforted her a bit. I think I have a chance.]
Jerry didn't want to reply anymore.
But Jared didn't stop: [They say if you care for a girl when she's most vulnerable, she'll fall for you.]
Jerry squinted, paused, and still typed: [Who says that?]
Jared sent a picture.
Jerry opened it: [Ways to Pursue a Girl.]
Feeling helpless, Jerry decided to mute the group chat.
Unbeknownst to him, Francis was watching.
Francis guessed Elissa was in a bad mood because he had forcibly kissed her.
He had been angry after getting slapped, but the anger had dissipated on the way back.
After drinking some cold water, he calmed down and started thinking about how to mend their relationship.
His eyes fell on the picture.
"Ways to Pursue a Girl." He muttered to himself.
The next day, after seeing Jerry off to work, I saw Elissa storming out of another elevator.
I noticed the dark circles under her eyes and asked, "Didn't sleep all night?"
Elissa had insomnia and couldn't wait any longer, so she came over early in the morning.
Elissa said, "Let's talk inside."
I poured her a glass of ice water.
I knew what she wanted to complain about since I saw it all last night, but I hesitated to bring it up first.
Elissa downed the glass of ice water and angrily cursed, "Francis is crazy!"
I agreed. If he liked her, he should just say it and then date her properly. Kissing was just normal for couples. Now it just seemed like he was being a jerk. Anyone would be mad.
I suggested, "Why not call the cops and have him arrested?"
"I want to teach him a harsh lesson." Elissa suddenly realized something was off. "I didn't say what he did. Why did you suggest calling the cops?"
Elissa leaned back on the sofa, arms crossed, looking inquisitive, "I figured it out. Were you spying from upstairs last night?"
I did feel guilty. I wanted to go downstairs, but Jerry wouldn't let me. I also thought it was their business, and as a friend, I shouldn't interfere too much.
I said, "I was wrong, so I can help you. I'll speak up for you around Jerry and help you vent. But we can't go too far. After all, he has helped us a lot before."
Elissa said, "You're Jerry's fiancée now, not like before, unconditionally supporting me."
I touched my nose and said, "I'm just being fair. We can't go too far, right? It wouldn't be good."
Elissa was just being tough with her words. Francis was Jerry's friend, and Elissa couldn't make things difficult for me.
Elissa said, "This time, I'll consider it as being bitten by a dog. If it happens again, I'll make sure he loses all his dignity!"
I thought for a moment and decided to tell her about Francis's first love. "Last night, I asked Jerry. He said it wasn't really love, just a teenage crush, but Francis's grandfather put a stop to it."
Elissa shook her head. "Jerry is just trying to comfort you. Jared told me last night that Francis almost broke ties with his family over his first love."
I frowned. I was sure Jerry wouldn't lie to me. I trusted him completely. We'd been through so much together, and I'd seen it all.
I analyzed, "Jared's words aren't reliable. Remember Jerry's birthday last year? Jared said those things to you. He doesn't seem to see the point."
Elissa laughed. "You've really learned to criticize people. You've picked up bad habits from Jerry."
I laughed and patted her. "I'm serious. But the choice is yours. If you don't want anything with Francis, I'll definitely help you."
Elissa grabbed a bunch of grapes to eat.
As she spat out the seeds, she said, "Even if I wanted something, he has to chase me. I won't be the one chasing and pleasing him like before."
I couldn't imagine Francis chasing Elissa. After all, with his background, he already had people lining up to pursue him. Of course, Elissa wasn't lacking either, but Francis was very wealthy and quite good-looking.
I reminded, "You should consider the class difference. We aren't lacking, but do you love him enough to stick with him through anything? If not, there's no need to complicate your comfortable life."
Elissa was about to speak when her phone rang.
Seeing it was an unknown number, she thought it might be a client and answered.
A familiar male voice came through, though it sounded weak. "Elissa, I'm running a fever."
Elissa was silent for a few seconds before coldly replying, "Do you need me to call an ambulance for you, Mr. Peterson?"
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