Chapter 366 Francis, You Have to Take Responsibility
Hope handed Elissa a bowl of soup and sighed, "When have I ever lied to you? He really did say it. Feel better now?"
Hope watched Elissa's face and then switched gears, "So, you're really into this, huh?"
Elissa raised an eyebrow, "It's just the start. I haven't thought that far ahead. I just want to get a clear picture."
With a clear picture, she could know when to dive in and when to stay sharp.
Elissa smiled, "For now, let's check out the hotel's situation and see what's really going on."
Even though the surveillance hadn't given us much yet, Jerry had a rough idea.
Efren wouldn't stay quiet unless using some tricks.
But the real question was whether Francis would try anything with Jessa. If they were in on it together, their stories had to match.
This drowning incident was pretty easy to figure out.
But Francis only intended to send Jessa abroad and didn't mention to Jerry whether to take further action.
Jerry couldn't say much for now and just gave Hope a look.
Hope got the hint, "Don't overthink it. Just get some rest for now."
Hope remembered Declan's advice, "Don't worry about the company stuff for now. Celestia is a bit older, and my mom's helping out with her, so I've got time."
Elissa waved her hand, "It's just a drowning incident. I can still work. And you, don't always let Madison take care of the kid. How's she supposed to date Garry?"
Hope thought for a moment, "Alright, I'll share some of the work with you."
"Okay."
When Francis walked into the Peterson Mansion, the living room was packed, even his usually busy father, Jacob Peterson, was there.
Wesley sat in the main seat. When he saw Francis, his expression didn't change much. With age, his authority had waned a bit, but it was still there.
But Francis wasn't scared. Wesley could intimidate outsiders, but Francis knew him too well.
Wesley got a slap on the back from Elysia Thompson. "He's your grandson, not your subordinate or enemy. Why are you glaring at him like that?"
Francis saw Wesley secretly glare at him but didn't dare to talk back.
"Grandma." Francis bent slightly, a faint smile on his lips, "I saw a coffee shop on the way and knew you'd want some, so I got it for you."
Elysia took it and immediately had a sip.
To outsiders, the Peterson family might seem cold and serious.
But Francis had known since he was a kid that no matter how strict the rules and training, there was warmth in the family.
Of course, this warmth was based on not harming the Peterson family's reputation and interests.
For example, during his teenage years, Wesley thought there was something between Francis and Jessa, so he sent Jessa abroad.
No matter how much Francis explained, Wesley didn't believe him.
Looking back, maybe Wesley did believe him but had already made up his mind. The head of the Peterson family couldn't be swayed.
Maybe it was to prevent Jessa from staying in the country and letting rumors spread until they became true.
In any case, major decisions in the Peterson family were in Wesley's hands.
Even though Elysia would protect Francis, she still sided with Wesley on these matters.
"I also got your favorite ice cream. Want some, Grandpa?" Francis offered.
Wesley glanced at Elysia, cleared his throat, and grumbled, "What nonsense. I don't eat kids' stuff."
Francis shrugged, pulled up a chair, and sat across the table.
The family was all neatly arranged on the sofa.
Francis took a bite of his ice cream and got straight to the point. "First off, I'm only marrying Elissa."
Wesley was the first to object, both for the dignity of the Peterson family and, apparently, for that ice cream.
Francis ignored him, "Second, Jessa has to go abroad."
Jessa, sitting alone on a single sofa, had her head slightly lowered and was curled up. When Francis said this, she started to cry, looking pitiful.
Jessa sobbed, "Rainey, going abroad was my idea. Don't blame Francis."
Rainey was puzzled, "You just got back. Why do you suddenly want to go abroad? I asked you what happened, but you didn't say anything. Last time, you were sent abroad to study. Now that you've finished, why go abroad alone again?"
Jessa glanced at Francis, then shook her head, "Rainey, I know you care about me, but I want to go abroad."
Rainey didn't get it, "Are you planning to settle abroad and never come back?"
Jessa shook her head, tears streaming down, her eyes swollen from crying, as if she had some unspeakable secret.
Francis ate his ice cream, his gaze as cold as the ice cream.
Wesley swallowed secretly and tried to cover up, "Why suddenly send Jessa abroad? Didn't you go on a trip together? Did something happen?"
Before Francis returned, he thought Jessa had told Rainey they had shared a bed, which made Rainey insist on keeping her.
But Jessa's hesitant and evasive behavior made it seem like something big would be revealed if pressed.
Previously, Francis hadn't seen this side of Jessa's scheming.
But she grew up in the Peterson family, so it was understandable.
However, this wasn't enough to make Francis angry. What made him furious was that she had hurt Elissa.
Jessa wanted Elissa's life, and he was only sending her abroad, considering the guilt he felt for her suffering alone abroad because of him.
Francis spoke up, "Sending her abroad doesn't harm the Peterson family's dignity or interests. Why oppose it?"
Francis finished his ice cream, wiped his hands with a wet napkin, and said slowly, "I'm here today to make things clear. When I was younger, I didn't understand, and you worried for me. As a junior, I should listen and obey. But now I'm older and know my own affairs. If you insist on meddling in my matters, I'll let everyone see the Peterson family's joke."
Jacob slammed the table, his face stern, "Are you going against us? Your mother is just asking for a reason. What are you doing? As for that woman of yours, you can't marry her!"
Francis didn't bother to argue. He raised his hand, and his men came to take Jessa away.
Rainey blocked them and said to Francis, "If you don't explain clearly, I won't let you send her abroad."
Francis and Rainey were at a stalemate, and the atmosphere was tense.
Elysia glanced at Jessa and broke the deadlock. "Francis, you can decide who to marry, but don't forget you carry the Peterson family on your shoulders."
Francis frowned slightly.
This statement was telling him that the person he wanted to marry had to be beneficial to the Peterson family and had to get the approval of the Peterson family members.
Elysia might look like a gentle and easy-going elder, but unfortunately, she wasn't.
Neither was Wesley.
Everyone in the Peterson family, including Francis, prioritized rationality.
Before meeting Elissa, Francis indeed followed their wishes and was an obedient person.
It was precisely because Francis knew what he wanted that he decided to be with Elissa.
Otherwise, when Elissa distanced herself from him, he could have just become a stranger to her.
"How about I sever ties with the Peterson family?" Francis said.
Jacob slammed the table again, "You must be crazy to say something so childish. Sever ties with the Peterson family? Have you thought about the fact that you wouldn't even be able to protect that woman? She just got with you and was already targeted. Haven't you learned your lesson?"
Elysia stopped Jacob, "Have some water and calm down."
Elysia then turned to Francis, "I appreciate the coffee, but let's get to the point, Francis. You have a lot of power and respect outside, but that's only because your last name is Peterson."
Elysia went on, "Even if you think you have the ability to sever ties with the Peterson family or even change your last name, we won't let that happen. You are the only heir of the Peterson family. The family raised you not to oppose us but to lead the Peterson family to greater glory."
Francis had never thought of severing ties with the Peterson family before.
He knew he had to shoulder the Peterson family and understood the benefits it brought him.
But if the family continued to oppose him, Francis needed to have his own countermeasures from now on.
"Are you all done? If so, I have other matters to attend to." Francis raised his hand and looked back.
Simon immediately stepped forward and pulled Jessa over.
"Francis!" Rainey was anxious, "If a relationship makes you willing to become our enemy, isn't it right for us to oppose it? And if you don't give me a reason, I won't let you send her abroad."
Rainey also called her people in, making the large living room feel cramped.
Francis stood among the crowd, his expression indifferent. He adjusted his cuff and spoke coolly, "Mom, if you had protected her like this back then, she wouldn't have almost been harmed abroad."
Rainey's face turned pale.
Francis acted as if he didn't see it, "You're just her godmother, don't act like you're her biological mother. No matter how well you treat her now, she still resents you."
The living room fell into a tense silence again.
Jessa spoke up, "Rainey, don't argue with Francis because of me. It's my fault that made Francis angry. I didn't want Francis to continue hating me, so I volunteered to go abroad. He didn't force me."
Rainey had heard Jessa say this several times but never got to the point, making her suspicious.
After all, during their teenage years, she and Francis had feelings for each other.
Back then, although Francis was relatively calm, he still caused a fuss for Jessa.
Francis said he didn't like Jessa, but they thought it was just a tactic to keep her.
With such close interaction, how could there be no feelings at all?
Rainey said, "Jessa, you'd better tell me the truth. Otherwise, I won't know how to help you."
Jessa looked at Francis and then shook her head frantically at Rainey.
Everyone present could see that there was more to the story, but Jessa was afraid of Francis and didn't dare to speak.
Rainey insisted, "Don't look at him. Just tell me the truth so we can all hear whose fault it is."
Jessa bit her lip and took a long time to speak.
Francis didn't stop her; he also wanted to hear her version of that night's events.
"Rainey, it's actually my fault." Jessa stammered, "One night, Francis was upset because Ms. Wilson brought her boyfriend, so he drank a lot and got himself drunk."
Everyone's faces turned grim.
They had already investigated everything about Elissa when they heard about her entanglement with Francis and had people watching her recent activities.
They knew about Elissa's close relationship with a young man.
But they didn't expect that the development would lead to Francis confirming a romantic relationship with her and now insisting on marrying her.
Jessa glanced at everyone's faces and continued timidly, "Francis might have been too drunk and mistook me for someone else. He pulled me into the room, and we..."
Jessa hesitated, "I resisted and kept telling him I wasn't Ms. Wilson, but he lost his reason, and I wasn't strong enough to push him away."
Hearing this, Francis's scrutinizing gaze fell on Jessa, and he sarcastically said, "Jessa, the Peterson family didn't teach you in vain. You've learned very well."
Jessa shrank back, looking very afraid of Francis, and said with difficulty, "Francis, I told you to just send me abroad. You were the one who sent me back to Maple Valley first. When Rainey came to see me and found me packing, I couldn't lie."
Francis's voice was cold, "So, it's my fault for allowing you to come back and pack?"
Jessa's voice was tearful, "Francis, if it hadn't come to this, I wouldn't have mentioned that night. I even took birth control pills and said I wouldn't use this to threaten you. But you accused me of trying to harm Ms. Wilson. I couldn't bear it anymore."
Francis frowned, as if he had never known Jessa.
But he didn't say anything and directly pulled Rainey away.
Simon cooperated and took Jessa away.
"Wait." Wesley stood up. He was tall and had spent his life in politics. When he looked stern, his presence was suffocating.
Wesley said, "If you really had a relationship, Francis, you have to take responsibility."
Francis seemed to hear a joke, "Grandpa, if you hadn't separated us back then, you'd have a great-grandchild by now."
Francis said this to provoke Wesley.
He had clearly stated that he had no feelings for Jessa, but Wesley didn't believe him.
Insisting on sending Jessa away led to her almost being harmed abroad, which made Francis feel guilty.
After Jessa returned, Francis didn't refuse some of her small requests to make up for it, which directly led to that night's incident.
Now talking about responsibility seemed laughable.
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