Chapter 380 Leaving Maple Valley
When Elissa saw Simon again through the video doorbell, she cursed irritably.
She didn't plan to pay him any attention.
But the doorbell kept ringing.
She called the security guard to ask about the situation and received a shocking response.
"You said he moved into my neighborhood?" Elissa asked.
"Yes, Ms. Wilson," the security guard responded politely.
Anger surged through Elissa, making the bump on her forehead throb. "Right across from me?"
The security guard didn't expect such a situation either.
Rich people really did have enviable privileges.
"Ms. Wilson, I'm sorry, but he's now a homeowner. I can't kick him out. If he keeps harassing you, I suggest you call the police, or if it's inconvenient for you, I can call them."
"No need, I'll handle it myself." Elissa hung up the phone and opened the door. Then she said to Simon, "Where's Francis?"
Simon pointed across the way, and Elissa immediately walked over and knocked on the door forcefully. Her unhesitating actions revealed her impatience. The door opened suddenly, and her hand almost hit Francis in the face.
Elissa withdrew her hand, not feeling apologetic at all, and asked him expressionlessly, "Why are you living across from me?"
Francis adjusted the belt of his robe, unhurriedly. "Where I live doesn't need to be reported to you. After all, we have broken up."
Elissa glanced at his black robe, then her gaze moved up to his dry hair. She thought, 'Francis is really good at pretending!'
"Mr. Peterson, it's just a breakup. Stop pestering me. It only makes me want to stay away from you more," she said nonchalantly.
Francis remained expressionless, seemingly indifferent, though his nerves were tense and his fingers gripping the belt were turning white. "Ms. Wilson, are you not over me?" he asked calmly. "Otherwise, why react so strongly just because I live across the hall?"
Elissa couldn't deny that she wasn't completely over Francis, so she didn't want to see him all the time. Knowing he lived just across the hall meant she'd likely run into him whenever she went out, maybe even share the same elevator. How could she stay calm and face her feelings?
She was all too familiar with the awkwardness of breaking up but still seeing each other often. What if one day, after a few drinks, they ended up back in bed together? She couldn't control Francis, so the only option was to find another place to live. Besides, this home held too many memories of him. A change of scenery would do her good.
"Mr. Peterson, you might want to see a doctor. Daydreaming in broad daylight could be a sign you need professional help." After saying that, she turned around and went back home decisively.
She didn't let the masseur leave immediately after finishing but had him stay to watch a movie with her.
In the evening, she went out with the masseur.
She didn't take any luggage but carried a black backpack with some cosmetics and a change of clothes.
If she took a suitcase, that bastard Francis would definitely come looking for her.
She had come to understand his behavior over this period.
Simon was originally there to deliver dinner. Seeing Elissa and the masseur leave, he hurried to report to Francis.
Francis grabbed his coat and chased after them.
He was about to catch up when a call from home made him return.
Elissa drove the masseur back to the store. Not seeing Francis catching up but feeling a car follow, she turned towards Tranquil Haven. This way, she wouldn't have to see Francis every day.
But while waiting at a traffic light, she received a call from Efren.
Learning that Efren was downstairs at her place, she had to drive back.
She parked the car in the underground garage and went out to meet him.
"Have you finally decided to tell me the truth?" Elissa asked.
Efren, however, answered irrelevantly, "Elissa, would you be willing to leave Maple Valley with me?"
Francis returned to the Peterson Mansion and entered to find the living room full of people, with only Jessa absent. His family and the doctor appeared to be in discussion.
"What's going on?" Francis said.
Vance said, "Mr. Peterson, early pregnancy, especially at one month, is unstable. Ms. Greer's bleeding is from exhaustion due to trying on wedding dresses. While the baby is fine, she needs rest. It's best to postpone your wedding until she reaches three months, which is the safest period, as losing this baby could make it hard for her to get pregnant again due to her fragile health."
Francis's first reaction was whether Jessa was using this to test him.
He had suggested having the wedding and trying on wedding dresses, but being one month pregnant was unstable, as Vance had mentioned before.
If she cared about this baby, she would be very careful.
Based on her behavior at the time, it seemed she might have been intentionally risking a miscarriage.
But if Jessa couldn't get pregnant again because of this, the consequences would be just as serious as keeping the baby to prove it was his. If he waited until the baby was stable, they could do a DNA test, making a wedding unnecessary.
"Got it," Francis replied.
There was nothing more for Vance to do, so he returned to his place.
Rainey said to Francis, "The baby is still the most important."
Francis gave a brief reply, then went upstairs calling for Jerry.
After listening, Jerry paused and analyzed, "This baby probably isn't yours. You can wait and see if she tries to get rid of it. Stay at the Peterson Mansion more and keep an eye on her. It's best to corner her so she'll slip up."
Francis listened and responded indifferently, but Jerry didn't mind. Francis had always been cold, especially since Jerry's advice led to his breakup with Elissa.
"Why not try seeing it from her perspective? If your relationship is strong, you'll get back together. Hope and I have been through a lot, as you know," Jerry added.
Francis didn't respond and just hung up the phone.
Jerry rubbed his head, and turned to Hope. "Francis is really mad at me this time."
Hope had received a message from Elissa on Facebook.
Elissa said she was going out of state for a while and asked if Jerry could keep Francis from finding out her whereabouts.
Hope looked at Jerry. "What are you going to do?"
Jerry knew well.
Francis seemed indifferent to everything.
He always gave the impression of being emotionless.
But this time, he was genuinely in love with Elissa.
Although Jerry didn't know why Francis's attitude towards Elissa had suddenly changed so seriously.
But they had broken up during their passionate period.
If he suppressed Elissa's news, Francis would definitely go crazy.
"Hope, can we just let things take their course?"
Hope asked, "What do you mean?"
Jerry hugged her. "Now Francis is at the Peterson Mansion, thinking about Jessa's baby. Elissa can take this opportunity to leave Maple Valley. I can only say that when Francis asks me to help find her later, I won't be diligent."
Hope couldn't help but give a thumbs up. "Mr. Hammer, you're so bad."
Elissa decided to leave Maple Valley with Efren, not because she trusted him much.
But she suddenly felt that even if she stayed at Tranquil Haven, there was still a chance she would run into Francis.
Jerry wouldn't completely block Francis.
So, she wanted to get further away from Francis.
Of course, going with Efren to his hometown had another reason.
She wanted to know the truth about that night.
She could wait for Francis to investigate, but the timing was uncertain.
She could feel that Efren wanted to tell her.
He just had some concerns.
Once they got to his hometown, she would find a way to get him to talk.
Regal City was a picturesque and comfortable city.
Efren returned to his hometown because his grandmother, Cinda Graves, had an incurable illness.
Cinda wanted to spend her last days in her hometown.
Also, part of the movie he was filming was set in Regal City.
Maple Valley was about to snow, but Regal City was still warm.
Except for the cool mornings and evenings, sitting in the courtyard at noon with the sun out was not too hot, just warm and cozy.
Cinda had gone out early.
When Elissa got up, she was the only one in the house.
Efren was probably off filming.
They both trusted her quite a bit.
Also, this small courtyard, besides being beautiful and comfortable, had nothing worth stealing.
"Elissa," Cinda pushed the door open, "I dug up some potatoes and mushrooms. I'll make you some mushroom soup and roasted potatoes for lunch."
This was the countryside, and Cinda cooked using a wood-burning stove.
Cooking on top and roasting potatoes below.
The roasted potatoes were especially fragrant.
Elissa recalled her childhood.
Most of the time was tough, but the elderly neighbor also cooked this way and would roast potatoes for her.
However, she had no talent for cooking.
But she was good at starting a fire.
"Let me help you."
Cinda washed the mushrooms and brought them in with the potatoes.
Entering the kitchen, Elissa had already started the fire.
Cinda's previous understanding of Elissa came from Efren.
It was only after she gave up treatment and returned to her hometown that she began to interact with Elissa.
Elissa had a great personality. Although she understood the complexities of the world and human relationships, she wasn't influenced by these worldly matters, maintaining a pure heart and noble character. She was indeed a good girl.
No wonder Efren liked her so much.
"Efren keeps saying he messed up and broke someone's trust. I told him to explain and apologize, but he thinks it's not the right time. Elissa, you're his only real friend. If you know what happened, could you tell me? I don't want to see him unhappy," Cinda said with a worried look.
Elissa wasn't the type to take out her anger on others.
Efren made a mistake, but she wouldn't blame Cinda.
Moreover, Cinda was kind, friendly, treated her well, didn't ask why she came, and made her delicious food.
Cinda was old and nearing the end of her life.
But Cinda wasn't disheartened, didn't blame anyone, and still treated the world with kindness.
But people must grow old and leave; they can't live forever.
So, Elissa spoke honestly.
After listening, Cinda said, "Indeed, Efren was wrong in this matter. Elissa, when he returns, I'll advise him to apologize to you and tell you everything about that night in detail."
Elissa nodded. "Thank you, Ms. Graves."
"I'm ashamed for raising Efren to be so inconsiderate."
"Ms. Graves, don't say that. I've spent some time with Efren, and I can feel his kindness. He must have been deceived that time."
They didn't know that Efren had quietly returned and was standing at the kitchen door.
He heard everything they said.
Things were harmonious here.
But Maple Valley was in chaos.
Francis waited at the Peterson Mansion for Jessa to wake up, had Ainsley give her some water and food.
He didn't ask her anything, just said, "Rest well," and then left her room.
Jessa didn't cling either.
Francis went downstairs, grabbed his coat, and was about to leave when Rainey called him softly, "Is the wedding still on?"
The wedding dress was ordered, and the invitations were written, ready to be sent.
Who knew Jessa's pregnancy would suddenly become unstable?
Francis just said, "It's off."
Then he quickly left.
Returning to Elissa's neighborhood, he asked Simon about Elissa's situation.
Simon said, "Ms. Wilson hasn't come out since she returned home."
Francis glanced at Elissa's door and went back to his place.
The next morning, Simon delivered breakfast as usual, but no one answered the doorbell after ringing for a long time.
He thought Elissa was ignoring him.
But by noon, he still hadn't seen any food deliveries.
Elissa couldn't cook for herself and wouldn't go without ordering food.
Worried something might have happened to her, he entered the house using the password.
He found no one inside.
Simon was shocked.
He felt his career was over.
"I saw with my own eyes that Ms. Wilson returned home," Simon said.
This was the 22nd floor; it was impossible for her to leave through the window.
Francis immediately checked the surveillance footage.
He saw a girl with a similar build to Elissa.
A beret covered her face, and she wore Elissa's favorite red sweater dress. If not looked closely, it was easy to mistake her.
Simon only realized the mistake after seeing the footage.
He weakly defended himself, "Mr. Peterson, you told me not to follow too closely, fearing Ms. Wilson would get angry. It's my fault. Please punish me."
Now wasn't the time for this.
Francis ordered, "Find out where she went."
Simon immediately took people to investigate.
Francis went to Tranquil Haven.
At this time, Jerry and Hope were in the middle of making love.
Jerry came out looking very annoyed after being interrupted.
Francis directly asked, "Did Elissa come?"
Jerry's attitude was very cold. "No."
Francis turned and left.
With so much time, Elissa could have gone abroad.
He had to hurry, or it would be even harder to find her.
What he feared most wasn't Elissa avoiding him.
But that something might have happened to Elissa.
He returned to the Peterson Mansion, first asking Rainey and Jacob, who were still awake.
Receiving negative answers, he was about to ask his grandparents, who were already asleep.
"You're being ridiculous." Jacob scolded, "For Elissa, you've already made the Peterson family a mess. Now you're disregarding us? Francis, you've grown up and are capable, but you're not that powerful yet. If you continue like this, I'll make sure you never see her again."
Jacob's reprimanding voice grew louder as his pent-up anger became uncontrollable.
Finally, when Wesley and Elysia came back from their classes and heard what Francis was asking about, they were also confused.
Elysia said, "You've already broken up with her. Why should we do that?"
Francis went straight upstairs to find Jessa.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
