Chapter 363 Elissa Must Die
Elissa handed Hope a glass of juice and plopped down beside her.
Right in front of them was a small boxing ring.
Francis and Jerry were already geared up and standing in the ring, ready to go.
Both guys were about the same height, with chiseled upper bodies and good looks to match.
"Francis and Jerry made a bet on who'd get hitched first. What did Jerry want for the stakes?" Elissa asked.
Hope took a sip of her juice and grinned, "He's keeping it a secret, said he wants something big."
Elissa chuckled, glancing at the ring, "But when it comes to who's more childish, it's a tie."
Hope just shrugged.
In the ring, Francis bumped his gloved fist against Jerry's.
They didn't need to say much; both were well-trained, their moves sharp and fierce.
Elissa got caught up in the action, pulling Hope closer to the edge of the ring.
Elissa shouted, "Francis, get him! Come on!"
Hope couldn't help but laugh.
Even with Francis in a tight spot, Jerry found time to talk.
He looked over at Hope, "Babe, aren't you gonna cheer for me?"
Hope laughed, "You got this."
That gave Francis the opening he needed to pin Jerry to the mat.
But Jerry wasn't down for long. In a few seconds, he flipped the script.
Elissa slapped the ring, yelling at Francis, "Get up and pin him!"
Hope just shook her head.
At this rate, they'd be at it forever.
Hope checked the time, "Jerry, we gotta go."
Jerry let Francis go, yanked off his gloves with his teeth, and hopped out of the ring, wrapping an arm around Hope as they headed to the locker room.
Elissa saw Francis still lying there and jumped into the ring to check on him.
Elissa asked, "Are you tired or what? You didn't lose..."
As soon as she squatted next to him, Francis flipped her over and pinned her to the mat, making her yelp.
"Don't hug me, you're all sweaty." Elissa pushed him away, grossed out.
Francis quickly tore off his gloves, pinning her hands and leaning in closer.
Elissa couldn't move her hands, so she tried to kick him.
But Francis saw it coming and pinned her legs too.
Elissa glared at him, "Get off me, you're all sweaty and messing up my clothes!"
Francis looked at her, his eyes darkening. But his face, from childhood to now, rarely showed much emotion.
He only whispered in her ear, "Sorry."
Elissa was used to Francis's handsome but cold demeanor.
Hearing the sincerity in his voice, she said, "Just 'sorry'?"
Francis replied, "Then what do you want?"
"Then smile." Elissa's eyes sparkled mischievously, "Not just a smirk, a full-on laugh. Show your teeth, and your eyes and nose should crinkle. I want to see all the laugh lines."
There was no joke or context.
Even if there were, Francis wouldn't laugh like that.
Only Jerry would laugh heartily.
Elissa murmured, "Mr. Peterson, if you can't do that, your apology lacks sincerity."
Elissa's hands were pinned to his chest, and as she spoke, she scratched him with her nails.
Francis's muscles tensed instantly, and some images began to form in his mind.
Elissa smiled at him, but his gaze was fixed on her moving red lips.
Just as Francis lowered his head to kiss her, she turned away.
"Trying to force me again?" Elissa teased, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Mr. Peterson, if I don't see some real sincerity today, you might be in for some trouble."
Francis had no choice. After a moment of mental prep, he attempted a smile, but it came out looking pretty goofy.
Elissa pouted, "That smile's as fake as your apology."
Francis sighed, "Got any other requests that might be easier for me to handle?"
"What's the fun in that? Easy requests are boring." Elissa started to wiggle, trying to break free from his grip. "Completing the tough ones shows sincerity, Mr. Peterson. Now let me go."
Francis sighed deeply, his breath warm against her neck. "You win."
He lifted his head and tried to smile again, thinking of Jared's goofy grin. But all he managed was a twitchy face, his eyes still serious, clearly just going through the motions.
Elissa laughed heartily and finally let him off the hook. "I'm too tired to walk. Carry me back to bed, and make sure dinner's ready when I wake up."
Francis stood up, scooped Elissa into his arms, and said tenderly, "Alright, Ms. Wilson."
Simon stepped forward, draping a robe over Francis, then went to fetch his clothes from the locker room, trailing a few steps behind them as they headed back to the hotel.
Elissa rested her head on Francis's shoulder and looked back. "How many subordinates do you have?"
Francis answered honestly, "I have five trusted subordinates."
Elissa suddenly thought of something. "Where were they last night?"
Francis paused. "Last night, when I went to you, I had them watch the perimeter, making sure no one would come to the top floor."
Elissa's eyes narrowed. "Then there are only two suspects left."
Francis didn't deny it.
Elissa suddenly got angry. "I shouldn't have let Efren leave."
Francis tried to soothe her. "I've got people watching him if he makes any moves."
Elissa responded with an "Oh" and then asked, "If it turns out Jessa did it, what will you do? I heard you feel guilty towards her. Will you hesitate then?"
Francis's expression remained calm. "Even if it's her, I'll treat her the same as anyone else."
Elissa was momentarily speechless. 'Speak of the devil.'
Francis looked at Jessa indifferently. "Why are you out? The doctor said you should stay in bed today."
Jessa looked at Elissa in Francis's arms and barely concealed her venomous gaze. She lowered her eyes to hide the malice, softly saying, "I didn't know you were busy. I wanted to have a meal with you."
Francis simply asked, "Why didn't you call room service? Whatever you want, they can bring it to you."
Jessa's hands clenched tightly.
When Jessa walked over, she clearly saw the laughter in Francis's eyes. He was always somewhat cold towards Jerry, but he was passionate towards Elissa. How could Jessa accept this?
Jessa lowered her head and said, "I'm sorry, Francis. I didn't expect that now that you're dating Ms. Wilson, you can't even have a meal with me."
Elissa smiled generously at Jessa. "He really can't have meal with you anymore."
"Because I absolutely hate people who pretend to be innocent," Elissa said, watching Jessa's lips twitch with suppressed emotion. She cupped Francis's face and told him, "Remember that."
Francis nodded, "Got it."
Jessa turned and walked away, her face twisted with hatred. 'Elissa, you're such a bitch, you must die,' she cursed inside.
Elissa glanced at Jessa's staggering steps and said to Francis, "I pissed Jessa off. Aren't you going to comfort her?"
"No." Francis's answer was firm and short.
Francis swiped the key card to open the door, and placed Elissa on the bed, but didn't get up immediately. He leaned in slightly, his voice deep and magnetic, "I'll only comfort you."
Elissa stretched her leg, her foot rubbing gently against his thigh, smiling at him, "Mr. Peterson seems to have figured things out."
Francis grabbed her ankle, but Elissa anticipated it and pulled back, turning to wrap herself in the blanket. "Sleepy, time to sleep."
Francis patted her through the blanket, his voice carrying a faint smile, "Change into pajamas and sleep comfortably."
After saying that, Francis went to the bathroom to shower. Elissa got up, changed into pajamas, and found a comfortable position to sleep.
When Francis came out, he gently kissed her forehead, then changed clothes and left the room. Simon, who had been waiting, stepped forward and whispered his report.
"After Mr. Hammer's wedding, Efren and Jessa stayed at an escape room for a long time. But since arriving here, they haven't spoken alone. Or maybe they did, but the surveillance was wiped, so there's no evidence."
Francis pressed his forehead. He was always strategic, but he willingly stumbled when it came to Elissa. Last night, having his men watch the perimeter from the floor below was a decision he regretted. He had never regretted anything before.
Francis nodded and then said, "Keep a close eye on them and push for the surveillance to be restored quickly."
"Yes." Simon nodded and left.
Francis went back to the bedroom to sleep with Elissa, but as soon as he lay down, something happened. Not wanting to wake Elissa, Francis immediately stepped out, his voice icy, "What's the matter?"
Simon, not wanting to disturb him, quickly said, "Jessa wants to leave. When they tried to stop her, she ran back to her room and is now sitting on the window ledge."
Francis frowned. Jessa's room faced the sea, and there were often people passing by below. There weren't many tourists now, but there still were. He couldn't let Jessa cause a scene; if word got to Rainey, it would be even more troublesome. Francis had to go see for himself.
One of Francis's men said, "Ms. Greer, you should come down. Making a scene won't do you any good."
Jessa cried, "Tell Francis, I really didn't use any tricks. He dragged me into his room last night, but I know it doesn't work whatever I say. He'll abandon me for Ms. Wilson, and I understand that. So I can only prove my innocence with my death."
"Stop making a scene." Francis's cold voice rang out, and his men stepped aside respectfully. "If you're not serious about jumping, come down."
Jessa bit her lip, "Francis, I didn't mean to ruin your relationship with Ms. Wilson, but last night wasn't my fault. I also said I wouldn't use it to threaten you. I even gave you and Ms. Wilson my blessings. But why do you still doubt me?"
Francis had no solid evidence but definitely suspected Jessa the most. He had to find a way to get her down first.
"Simon said you wanted to leave. Is it because I suspect you, or are you feeling guilty?" he asked.
Jessa's face was wet with tears, her hair blown into disarray by the wind, making her look unsteady. "Francis, I'm doing this for your sake. I see Ms. Wilson has hostility towards me, so I want to leave and not be in your way."
Then she added, "Even if I leave, I won't go back to The Peterson Mansion. I won't let Rainey know about this. I plan to go abroad and never come back."
Francis's frown deepened as he listened. After a few seconds of silence, he said, "Elissa doesn't have any hostility towards you, and no one said you're in the way. You don't need to overthink it. Forget about going abroad. I'll have someone take you back to Maple Valley. Can you come down now?"
Jessa shook her head, "Francis, send me abroad. This incident isn't good for your relationship with Ms. Wilson. If I stay, you'll think of it every time you see me, and Ms. Wilson will be sad. I'll also be sad because of your sadness."
She went on, "Francis, I'm the one who got hurt. If I stay by your side, I'll always remember what happened last night. I'm scared, so I want to go abroad, far away from all this."
Francis felt Jessa was making excuses to run. Once abroad, she wouldn't be as easy to find as she was here. Moreover, Jessa said she wouldn't tell the Peterson family, but with modern communication, things could easily reach Rainey's ears.
"Is someone about to jump?"
"Oh my God! I need to take a picture!"
Tourists were already gathering below, and Francis had to agree for now. "Alright, I'll send you abroad."
But Jessa still had no intention of coming down, "Then you find an excuse to deal with Rainey."
Francis nodded, "Okay, come down."
Jessa knew Francis's methods and could see he was compromising to avoid a scene. As soon as Jessa came down, Francis's men restrained her.
Jessa heard his cold voice, "Take her back and keep an eye on her."
Simon responded.
Jessa smiled silently, 'Pitifully, that surveillance will never be restored.'
Once Elissa knew Jessa would stay by Francis's side, and over time, she could push Elissa out of his heart.
When Elissa woke up, she wanted to stretch but found she couldn't move. Francis was holding her tightly, his legs pinning hers down, hence a dream about drowning while swimming.
Elissa moved Francis's hand from her waist, but his arms suddenly tightened, holding her even closer. In her ear was Francis's husky voice. "Stay with me a little longer."
Elissa said, "I don't mind staying with you, but you need to let me go now. I need to use the bathroom."
Francis immediately let go. Elissa quickly went to the bathroom and came back just as quickly. But she didn't return to bed; instead, she poured herself a glass of wine and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window.
Francis waited for a while but didn't see Elissa return. He opened his eyes and saw her swirling a wine glass at him. As if her hand slipped, Francis watched as the red wine trickled down Elissa's slender neck, leaving a maddening red trail on her skin.
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