Chapter 362 Want to Marry Both?
Finally, Elissa went to grab the luggage herself. She was too impatient and needed to clear up any doubts in her mind. Otherwise, she wouldn't sleep well.
Francis wanted to tag along, but she turned him down, so he had to wait by the door.
Jerry had known Francis for years but had never been the comforting type.
He just hung around while Hope went to check on the baby.
In the room.
Elissa tidied up the suitcase that had been a mess from earlier. After closing it, she picked it up.
Without even sitting down, she looked straight at Efren and asked, "Did I really come back to this room by myself last night?"
Efren's eyes drooped, looking like he had done something wrong, but it was just a facade; he was still defiant inside.
"Elissa, I haven't even bothered you about this. It's my first time..."
Elissa didn't buy that Efren would let this slide as easily as he said.
It seemed like he was giving her absolute freedom of choice, but his words carried a hint of a reminder.
Actors were impressive; they could get into character anytime, anywhere.
Unfortunately, Elissa wasn't a teenage girl who would feel indebted to someone for a few words.
"You didn't answer my question directly," Elissa said.
Efren raised his eyelids and met Elissa's scrutinizing gaze. "Elissa, we agreed from the start that this was just for fun. But my feelings for you are genuine."
"I sincerely want to treat you well. If you choose me, I'll cherish you. I don't have any close childhood sweethearts."
"I won't waver between you and another woman. I'll always stand by your side."
"But I'm not saying this to make you responsible for what happened last night."
"Because I also bear some responsibility."
Elissa listened with a blank expression until Efren's last sentence.
She said, "So you're admitting it?"
Efren shook his head and said, "When you hugged me last night, I could tell you weren't in the right state. I should have refused, but I really like you and couldn't control myself."
"So I also bear half the responsibility."
Elissa frowned slightly. "So, you think you bear half the responsibility, which is why you're not using this to force me into a real relationship with you?"
Efren nodded, "That's right."
Elissa realized that Efren wasn't planning to tell her the truth.
So, she decided to wait until they found the evidence and see how he would try to explain himself then.
Elissa turned and left with her suitcase.
Efren blocked her at the door, his eyes sincere. "Elissa, even if you don't want to be with me, or we can't even be friends, I still want to remind you not to rush into a relationship with Francis. Observe him for a while."
"After all, what happened between him and Jessa made it harder for him to disown Jessa."
Elissa originally had no ill will towards Efren.
She saw his sincerity and enjoyed his kindness. If it weren't for Francis, she would have wanted to have a serious relationship with him.
Moreover, Elissa had planned to compensate Efren after the show, maybe talk to Madison and try to get him more opportunities.
Now, Elissa was truly disappointed, but she didn't blame him.
Elissa only blamed herself for using such a foolish method to make Francis give in, leading to the current situation.
"We're done. No matter how rich Jerry is, you can't just waste his money. Either leave the hotel or get a room downstairs yourself."
Efren almost spilled the truth but held back.
He could handle being misunderstood and leaving Elissa forever.
As long as she saw Francis for who he really was; she'd get it eventually.
"Fine, I'll go."
Just a door away, but the top floor's soundproofing was good, so Francis didn't hear a thing.
He kept checking his watch, feeling like it had been forever.
Just as Francis was about to knock, the door opened.
He saw Efren leaving with a suitcase.
Then, Elissa came out.
"How'd it go?" Francis took the suitcase from her, his calm voice softening a bit.
Jerry raised an eyebrow and walked off to find Hope, giving them some space.
Elissa was about to speak when the door diagonally opposite opened.
Jessa, looking distressed, held the door and looked at Francis with tearful eyes.
"Francis, I feel terrible."
Francis didn't move but still asked, "What's wrong?"
Jessa seemed hesitant, biting her lip and struggling to speak.
Elissa took her suitcase from Francis and walked towards the end of the hallway.
Francis immediately wanted to follow, but Jessa collapsed at his feet.
Francis could only watch as Elissa walked further away until she entered a room at the end of the hallway.
There was no direct evidence pointing to Jessa. Even if there were suspicions, Francis couldn't completely ignore her.
"Simon."
Francis called his subordinate, Simon Peterson, to carry Jessa into the room.
But as soon as Simon bent down, Jessa clung to Francis's leg and started crying, "Francis, it hurts."
Francis's eyes flickered, and he squatted down to ask, "Where does it hurt?"
When Jessa had cut her wrist, he had quickly pulled her back, so she shouldn't have been injured. He couldn't think of where else she could be hurting.
"I..." Jessa's lips were pale, and she clutched Francis's pants tightly but still couldn't say it.
Francis thought of something and instructed Simon, "Go find a female doctor."
Simon immediately left.
Francis picked Jessa up, and Jerry happened to come out of Madison's room.
There was no time to hide, and Hope, who followed Jerry out, had already seen the scene.
"Don't misunderstand," Francis explained. "She's my mom's goddaughter, after all."
Hope frowned slightly and was about to speak when Jerry said, "Don't you have any subordinates?"
Francis was silent for a few seconds before saying to Hope, "Don't tell Elissa in case she misunderstands."
After speaking, Francis called another subordinate and handed Jessa over.
But Jessa clung to his neck, seemingly a bit delirious, only repeating, "Francis, it hurts."
What if Elissa came out and saw him holding Jessa in the hallway?
Francis had no choice but to quickly walk into the room and put her down.
But when he put her on the bed, she still wouldn't let go.
Jessa looked at him with tear-filled eyes, "Francis, it's that place. Maybe last night, last night you..."
Seeing Francis's expression change, Jessa hurriedly explained, "Francis, I'm not asking you to take responsibility, but I don't know who else to tell but you."
"It's my first time too, so I can't figure it out."
Francis pulled Jessa's hand away, his voice turning icy, "Jessa, my family owes you, but if you're lying about this, don't expect me to care about our past."
This threat didn't faze Jessa at all. Even if the truth came out later, she was ready to drag them down with her.
Jessa had nothing to lose. Either Francis would become her husband, or Elissa would go down with her.
Jessa wanted to see how things would unfold if Elissa was out of the picture.
"Francis..."
No matter how many malicious thoughts Jessa had, none of them showed on her face.
Her pale face, paired with tearful eyes, looked very pitiful.
"I'm not asking you to take responsibility. I know you and Ms. Wilson have just made progress, and I know you like her a lot. I didn't want to ruin that, but last night it wasn't my intention either. I resisted, but I couldn't push you away."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten hurt."
All of Francis's memories stopped at having sex with Elissa.
He had no recollection of waking up in the same bed as Jessa.
Francis didn't think he was that much of a jerk, even if he had been drugged. But without surveillance footage, nothing could be proved.
Of course, he didn't fully believe Jessa's words either.
"Mr. Peterson."
Simon brought in a female doctor.
Francis got up and left.
Simon followed him out and closed the door.
Elissa received a picture from Efren; he was on the plane.
She wasn't afraid of Efren running away; he still had his grandmother, and Francis had already sent someone to keep an eye on him.
For now, let Efren do whatever he wanted. Once the surveillance footage was restored and the facts were confirmed, Elissa wouldn't let him off the hook.
There was a knock at the door, and Elissa put down her phone, got up, and opened it.
She thought it was Francis, but was surprised to see who it was. "Why are you here?"
Hope smiled, "Why do I feel like you're disappointed to see me?"
"Disappointed?"
Elissa explained, "I'm shocked. Why haven't you and Jerry gone out yet?"
"We're about to. I just came by to tell you what I saw earlier."
After Hope finished recounting the events, Elissa didn't react much.
"That's it?"
Hope wasn't trying to break them up; she just wanted to give Elissa a heads-up.
Jessa clearly liked Francis. Even after going abroad for years, she probably hadn't let go of her feelings.
With the Peterson family intervening, sending Jessa abroad to end the relationship, she might not have been able to move on.
Unfulfilled desires and regrets could lead to lingering thoughts.
"Alright, don't worry about me. I didn't come here to ruin your honeymoon."
Elissa knew Hope was concerned and reassured her, "Francis isn't easy to bully. He'll handle it, and I'm not someone who lets others push me around."
Hope's smile faded, "But how would you explain waking up next to someone else?"
"Sometimes, even those involved can be confused." Hope continued, "And if the surveillance footage can't be restored, won't this always be a barrier between you and Francis?"
Elissa lay back on the bed and sighed deeply.
"What a mess. I finally made a decision, but now this..."
Hope raised an eyebrow and asked, "What prompted you to make the decision?"
Elissa said, "He not only bowed his head but also bent his knees. I already liked him; it was hard to resist."
Hope lay beside Elissa, "You're not usually hesitant, but with Francis, you've been so cautious. You must really care about him."
Elissa smiled.
Seeing that smile, Hope understood.
On the other side.
The female doctor came out of the room and respectfully reported to Francis.
"Mr. Peterson, there are tears and some swelling in the private parts, but it's not too serious. I've prescribed some medication. Apply it for a few days and remember to avoid bathing, wipe off if she sweats, and avoid strenuous activities and swimming."
Francis raised his hand, and Simon escorted the female doctor out.
Francis didn't linger either, but as soon as he took a step, the door behind him opened.
Jessa timidly leaned against the door, "Francis, I... I can't see well enough to apply the medication."
Francis's face was expressionless, "Didn't the doctor apply it for you?"
Jessa quickly responded, "But for the next few days..."
Francis coldly replied, "I'll send her over."
With that, Francis walked away.
Jessa's facade finally dropped, her face twisted with rage.
Francis walked to the end of the hallway and saw Jerry standing at the door, knowing that Hope must have told Elissa about what had happened.
After all these issues, Francis had been already irritated and found Jerry particularly annoying.
"Afraid of your wife even after getting married."
Jerry caught the sarcasm in Francis's words and retorted, "At least I got married. Unlike you, who doesn't even have the chance to be afraid of a wife."
Francis clenched his jaw, "Without you two meddling, I could have married her."
Jerry mercilessly hit his sore spot, "You don't even know who you want to marry."
"Maybe you want to marry both."
Francis held back his anger, barely restraining himself from punching Jerry.
"Are you back just to mock me instead of spending time with your wife?"
Jerry wagged a finger at Francis, "Not at all."
Francis's expression softened a bit, "At least you have some decency."
Jerry smirked, "I'm here to see how miserably you'll end up."
Francis couldn't take it anymore, "Wanna spar?"
"Sure." Jerry turned and knocked on the door, saying to Francis, "Let me inform Hope."
The door opened, and Hope saw Francis holding Jerry's arm, giving them space.
But Jerry said to Hope, "I'm requesting an hour off."
Hope was puzzled, "What's going on?"
Jerry casually pointed at Francis, "He's asking for a beating."
Francis gritted his teeth, determined to land a few good punches on him in the ring.
"What happened?" Elissa came out and asked, "What did you two do?"
Seeing Elissa, Francis's anger dissipated. He said, "Elissa, Jerry's bullying me."
"Jerry, let's go." Hope spoke first after a moment of silence.
Jerry had initially thought that Francis, in a bad mood, could vent a bit in the ring.
But he hadn't expected the usually cold and indifferent Francis to become so affectionate after falling in love.
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