Chapter 348 Hurting Oneself to Gain Sympathy
I glanced back and saw Francis trailing us, looking all calm and collected.
When we got there, I noticed his car parked nearby too.
"Why do you keep looking at him? Aren't you worried Jerry will get jealous?" Elissa whispered in my ear.
I laughed, "Jerry's not the jealous type."
Just as I said that, my phone rang.
I answered, but then there was a sudden crash nearby.
I looked over, totally forgetting I was on the phone.
Snapping out of it, I quickly headed towards Francis's car.
But Elissa grabbed my arm, "Don't go. It's too dangerous. I'll call the cops."
I was worried. "We should get him out first. What if the car blows up?"
"Relax," Efren said, putting the shopping bags in the car. "I'll check it out. This crash won't cause an explosion, but you and Elissa should stay back. Besides, you can't move a grown man."
Even though he said that, I was still worried about Efren.
Just then, Jerry's anxious voice came through the phone, "Hope, what happened? Are you okay?"
I realized I was still on the call and quickly explained, "I'm fine. Francis crashed into a pillar in the underground garage. The front of the car is pretty messed up, but I don't know about him."
"Stay put," Jerry ordered. "I'll handle it."
Jerry then instructed Steven, who was with him.
It turned out that he had received a voice message from Francis, where he heard a guy attentively taking care of them.
Unexpectedly, when he called back, he learned that such an incident had occurred.
Not far away, Efren had already opened the driver's door and wasn't too surprised by what he saw inside.
His face, usually so obedient in front of Elissa, now had a hint of mockery. "Mr. Peterson, hurting yourself for sympathy won't work."
Francis leaned back in the seat, knowing the car's condition well enough to know it wasn't life-threatening. But his fever hadn't gone down, and his headache was killing him. He looked pretty rough.
He glared at Efren and mocked, "Pretending to be innocent and obedient works for you?"
Efren laughed. "It's clearly more effective than hurting yourself for sympathy. Look, Elissa didn't even bother to come over."
Francis felt a surge of anger. Ever since that day at Brew Haven Cafe when Elissa didn't show up, he had been annoyed.
Seeing Elissa being close with Efren today made him even angrier.
Francis had intended to walk away, thinking if Elissa wanted to distance herself, fine. He had already made an effort and wouldn't do it again. But for some reason, he ended up following them. He thought he would drive away and who knew when he would see her again.
Francis, muddled by his fever, resorted to this shameless tactic, which he had even learned from "Ways to Pursue a Girl".
"She's just playing around, and you took it seriously," Francis sneered. "She won't marry you."
Efren wasn't hurt at all and retorted, "How do you know we can't get married? By then, I'll send you an invitation and you must come."
Francis was having a bad day. His headache felt like it would explode, and his eyelids were heavy. He felt like he was being roasted alive.
Seeing Efren open the car door but not doing anything else, I was confused. "What are they up to?"
Elissa leaned against the car, arms crossed, looking totally indifferent. She thought, 'I've seen enough guys to know what those two are doing. No matter what Francis feels or wants from me, I'm not biting. He had his chance, but now with Jessa around, what's he trying to prove?'
She casually said, "Don't worry, Jerry will handle it when he gets here."
"Mrs. Hammer," a middle-aged man hurried over, greeting me just as Elissa finished speaking. "Sorry for the scare. I'll take care of it. You should go upstairs and rest. I've already arranged some food for you."
I nodded politely. "No need. I have things to do. You go handle it."
I looked at Elissa and said, "Let's go."
Elissa called out to Efren.
Efren immediately came over, looking all innocent and obedient.
Unexpectedly, as we turned to leave, we heard the middle-aged man urgently making a phone call behind us. "Yes, in the basement level. Hurry, he's passed out!"
I frowned slightly and looked at Efren. "Is he hurt?"
Efren shook his head. "No, I checked. But he seems to have a fever, which might explain the crash. Driving like that is irresponsible to himself and others. Elissa, you should stay away from people like that to avoid getting hurt."
Elissa smiled. There was no such thing as an innocent and obedient man. She wouldn't find one in a bar. Being young didn't mean having simple thoughts. But it was a mutual understanding between them, just a casual fling. She didn't care about Efren's true nature; she wasn't planning to be with him anyway.
Elissa said, "You're right. I'll listen to you. Let's go."
Efren got into the driver's seat, and Elissa leaned on the car door, asking me, "Are you waiting for Jerry?"
I replied, "Yeah, I'll wait for him."
Jerry was probably already on his way.
Hearing this, Elissa said, "Then we'll head to the set first. Join us when you're done."
I was about to agree when I heard a familiar voice call me, "Hope."
Before I could see who it was, I was wrapped in a tight hug.
I patted Jerry's back. "I told you I'm fine. I wouldn't lie to you."
The explosion at the banquet had left a shadow over Jerry, despite his usual nonchalant demeanor. I knew it was mostly because of me.
I was still worried about Francis and said, "You should check on him. They said he has a high fever."
Jerry knew about Francis's fever. Jared had posted on Facebook about taking him to the hospital. But Francis hadn't taken the treatment seriously and went home as soon as he woke up.
Jerry had called Francis that night, asking if he could still help with the proposal. Francis said he was fine.
On the day of the proposal, seeing Francis looking unwell, Jerry thought it was because of Elissa. He didn't realize the fever hadn't gone down and had gotten worse.
Seeing Elissa close with another guy must have been tough.
Besides, Francis rarely got sick, but when he did, it was serious and he didn't take care of it properly.
Jerry looked at me and asked, "What are you planning to do?"
I leaned in and whispered, "Garry."
Jerry patted my head. "Alright, you and Elissa go ahead. I'll handle things here."
"Okay!" I smiled. "Thanks for your hard work."
I stood on tiptoe and kissed Jerry on the cheek. "See you tonight."
"Yeah," Jerry's eyes softened with a smile. "See you tonight."
After Elissa's car drove off, Jerry walked over to Francis.
The middle-aged man quickly greeted him, "Mr. Hammer."
Jerry placed his hand on the car roof and bent his neck slightly to look inside.
Seeing no reaction from Francis, he kicked the car door. "Stop pretending."
Francis struggled to open his heavy eyelids, his voice hoarse, "I'm not pretending."
Jerry was blunt. "Wasting medical resources."
Just then, the ambulance arrived.
In the VIP ward, Jerry leisurely watched Francis get an IV.
Leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, he said, "Your way of seeking sympathy is pretty low."
Francis frowned, not wanting to hear about seeking sympathy. "I had a headache and wasn't paying attention. It's just a car; I don't lack the money."
Jerry chuckled, "You're changing the subject."
Francis took a deep breath. "My head really hurts, and my vision is blurry."
"Serves you right," Jerry said mercilessly, "Who do you blame for not treating your illness?"
Francis was angry. "How did you like the voice message I sent you? Did it make you happy? You should've been there to hear that guy sweet-talking your wife."
Jerry's smile vanished instantly. Indeed, a good friend knew where it hurt the most.
Jerry chuckled, "Seeing Elissa with another guy, completely giving up on you, must have made you really angry, right? Yeah, watching the person you like fall for someone else must be pretty infuriating."
Francis didn't want to talk to him, but not saying anything made him even angrier, his heart aching.
Francis said, "How did I ever become friends with you?"
Jerry retorted, "Likewise."
The two suddenly became childish, bickering with each other.
Jerry didn't have time to waste with Francis. Knowing he wouldn't die, he got up to leave.
Just as he turned, he heard Francis's hoarse voice, "You're really not going to help?"
"Nope." Jerry replied.
"Please." Francis pleaded.
Jerry raised an eyebrow. This was rare, so he turned back and sat down.
Under Efren's guidance, Elissa and I met Garry.
When Garry saw me, I could feel the warmth he showed me, a warmth he didn't show to others. But his next words left me a bit dejected.
"I know, you're Madison's daughter." Garry personally handed me a glass of water.
Elissa and Efren received theirs from an assistant.
I took it and thanked him politely, "Hello, I'm sorry for the sudden visit."
Garry sat across from me and got straight to the point, "I know why you're here. I was at the banquet that day, but because Madison had invited reporters to let the world know you're her daughter, I didn't make my presence public. When the explosion happened, I went to save her, but to avoid being noticed by the media, I stayed far from the stage, only to see her get hit by the collapsing wall."
Garry paused, pain flashing in his eyes, then continued with some helplessness, "Later, she went abroad for treatment, and I went too, expressing my desire to take care of her, but she refused. She felt guilty because I got injured saving her and could only use a stunt double for action scenes. She rejected me even more thoroughly. So, Hope, there's no chance for your mom and me."
The scene was too chaotic that day, and I was kidnapped, completely unaware of all this.
I stood up and apologized, "I'm sorry to have disturbed you. But I just want my mom to love herself and not be haunted by that explosion. Garry, if you truly care for my mom, just say the word, and I'll find a way to help you. Otherwise, I apologize again for today's intrusion."
Garry's hand holding the glass trembled slightly. But he didn't let my words cloud his judgment, his voice remaining rational. "Hope, I won't force Madison. If she likes me, I'll cherish her for a lifetime. If she doesn't, I'm willing to stay by her side as a friend."
Hearing this, I understood and couldn't help but persuade, "If, as you say, my mom rejected you out of guilt, then she must have feelings for you. If she didn't, she would have simply apologized, offered compensation, and straightforwardly said there's no chance between you two."
Garry had once thought the same. He and Madison had spent half their lives together, knowing each other better than most couples.
Garry thought that her lack of a clear rejection meant they could take a step further, but later he changed his mind, not because of her gentle refusal, but because he knew Madison. If she liked him, she would take a step forward. Not taking a step meant she had no such intention.
Garry looked at me and said, "Have you ever asked your mom if she has someone she likes?"
I had asked, but Madison said no, that she wanted to be alone and free. But those around her couldn't feel her freedom, and she was not like the vibrant star she once was.
The accident at the banquet had left Madison feeling guilty and remorseful.
On the surface, she seemed to have moved on, but deep down, she was probably more repressed than anyone. That was why I came to see Garry today.
I asked, "Are you really not going to give it a try?"
Garry forced a smile. "If I try and fail, Madison and I won't even be able to be friends."
A shallow attempt could be brushed off as if nothing happened, and they could continue as before. But if he laid everything out and took several steps forward, Madison would likely keep her distance with her personality. He didn't want to gamble and couldn't afford to.
Garry said, "Hope, I'm sorry."
Hearing this, I replied, "I'm the one who should apologize for disturbing you. I'll leave you to your work."
Garry saw us to the car.
Efren didn't leave with us; he stayed on set for his scenes. "Elissa, Hope, drive safely. Let me know when you get home."
Elissa blew him a kiss and then got into the driver's seat.
She turned her head and saw me looking dejected, confidently saying, "I'm telling you, after years of following gossip, I'm rarely wrong. Madison does have feelings for Garry."
I had also looked into what Elissa said over the past couple of days.
Madison and Garry, as Elissa said, had a deep relationship.
Watching those edited videos online, even as her daughter, I couldn't help but think they were sweet. If it were someone else's video, I might not believe it. After all, in the entertainment industry, even feelings could be acted out. But Madison's feelings for Garry were clearly not an act.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
