Chapter 389 Deal with Her on the Spot
Elissa was already at the church entrance.
She turned around and didn't see Hope.
Garry came over first and said, "She took Elsa to the restroom."
Elissa understood and waited at the door.
Suddenly, someone came to give her a flower.
She thought it was some kind of blessing here and accepted it.
But Efren felt something was wrong, especially when another person came shortly after.
One by one, the roses in Elissa's hand increased until they formed a large bouquet.
"Wait a minute." Efren stopped one person and asked in the local language what was going on.
The person said, "I don't know either. The priest asked us to give flowers to this lady."
Another person chimed in, "A gentleman donated money to us, so the priest asked us to help him fulfill a wish."
Elissa had a bad feeling and quickly wanted to throw the flowers away. "Where's the trash can?"
The person stopped Elissa. "Miss, that gentleman donated ten million dollars. Our priest said he had never seen so much money in his life and asked us to make sure you stay. If we can't keep you, he will personally come to beg you to stay."
Elissa was shocked. "How much did you say?"
He replied, "Ten million dollars."
Elissa hesitated for a moment, and the red carpet was rolled out from inside the church.
A group of kids pushed her inside.
Why were there so many kids in this church?
Elissa wanted to ask Efren for help, but he was held by kids and couldn't move easily.
"You guys are being naughty. Don't make things hard for us," Efren said.
He could only seek help from Garry, but when he turned around, Garry was nowhere to be seen. But he couldn't use force and risk hurting the people who were blocking him. Then he watched as Elissa's figure disappeared.
Hope came up after taking care of Elsa and saw Efren surrounded.
Efren said helplessly, "Francis plans to propose, and these children have been persuaded by him with ten million dollars."
Ten million dollars also shocked Hope.
"Are you sure?"
"Elissa has already been taken inside."
Hope quickly ran inside.
Elsa was in Madison's arms, and Jerry immediately followed.
"Slow down, or you'll fall." Madison held Elsa and followed behind.
She stepped over the stairs and saw Garry, asking him what was going on.
Garry put a bracelet on her wrist. "To keep you safe."
He took Elsa in his arms and said, "Francis is proposing."
Madison looked at the bracelet and asked him, "Don't you have a bracelet?"
Garry looked at her meaningfully. "It shows sincerity if you get it yourself; that's the true way to show love."
Madison felt a bit uncomfortable and diverted her attention, "We're middle-aged, still learning young people's tricks."
Garry said, "Love knows no age."Elsa giggled to herself.
"Look," Garry shook Elsa's little hand, "Elsa agrees."
Madison gave him a sidelong glance but still went to get him one.
When the two walked inside, they saw Francis already facing Elissa.
But the atmosphere seemed a little off.
Elissa really didn't want to show any softness or kindness at that moment. She tried to struggle out of the crowd's blockade but was half-pushed and half-shoved to the end of the red carpet, in front of Jesus.
Francis walked out from behind, and the kids immediately dispersed.
She looked at Francis's slightly smiling face and really wanted to slap him, but she held back.
"You..." She was about to speak but was covered by him.
"In front of Jesus, you can't curse."
Elissa glared at him and forcefully slapped his hand away.
Then she watched as he knelt on one knee.
He handed a small square box to her and opened it.
"Elissa, I am proposing to you here, before Jesus. My sincerity is clear to all. We'll face the unknown and any obstacles together. Elissa, marry me."
Elissa suddenly realized.
Francis didn't misunderstand her words.
He just didn't want to do as she wished, so he deliberately misinterpreted and followed his own will.
"I won't marry you," Elissa said.
Elissa originally came to pray for peace and smoothness.
Now it was a mess.
She was in a dilemma.
"I don't want to argue in front of Jesus. Francis, if you really like me, please leave now," Elissa added.
Francis was rejected but didn't show any anger.
He stood up, grabbed Elissa's hand, and forcibly put the ring on her left ring finger.
Elissa couldn't break free, and after he put it on, she couldn't take it off.
At this moment, Francis said in a faint voice, "They say if a ring can't be taken off, it's true love. We are in front of Jesus, and Jesus won't deceive us, right?"
Elissa was in a difficult position.
At this moment, she definitely couldn't say no, as it would be disrespectful to Jesus.
She saw through it now.
Francis chose this place to propose, not because she was coming to the church today, nor because there was no time to prepare.
But because he used her respect for Jesus to force her to agree.
"Is this a proposal? This is coercion," Elissa retorted.
"How is it coercion?" Francis responded calmly, "The conditions you set for marriage, and I can meet every one of them. We are already engaged. And knowing you wanted a proposal ceremony, I gave you one. Everything is according to your wishes. How am I forcing you?"
He really had a point.
Elissa was so mad she was grinding her teeth.
Before she could think of a way to respond, Francis spoke again, "If you don't agree to marry me, you owe me a billion dollars."
Elissa struggled with all her might to keep from cursing him. "Francis, isn't this coercion?"
"No." Francis was much calmer than Elissa. He gradually guided her through his reasoning. "Your condition for marrying me was a billion dollars. I have it ready. If you don't marry me, then you owe me a billion dollars. No problem, right?"
No problem?
This was a huge problem!
Elissa could barely control her fists. If they were anywhere else, she would have punched Francis in the face until it was swollen.
"I haven't even seen the money." Her teeth were grinding, and Elissa's cheeks were tense with anger. "Francis, don't push me. I can do anything."
Francis pulled her close and whispered, "Marry me."
"I don't agree!" Elissa refused again.
Efren separated the two.
Francis was quicker, pulling Elissa behind him.
He looked at Efren, the warmth and smile for Elissa completely gone.
His eyes were sharp and cold. "You're not in my league when it comes to Elissa."
The rights Francis possessed were something Efren could never attain no matter how hard he worked in his lifetime.
Such disparity, mentioned repeatedly by Francis, was an invisible slap to his face.
But even so, he still wanted to help Elissa.
"You don't understand why she doesn't want someone as rich and powerful as you, but instead chooses to be with a young man like me who has nothing and even plotted against her," Efren said.
Francis indeed didn't understand, and his brows furrowed upon hearing this.
But he didn't want to lose face in front of Efren.
"She will eventually be my lawful wife."
Efren retorted, "She will be unhappy."
Francis replied, "You are not her; she will be happy."
"You are not her either, so how do you know she will be happy?"
Francis didn't want to argue over such childish questions. "Don't think that because Cinda's life is coming to an end, there's nothing to be threatened with. Efren, if I were in your situation, I would behave and not cause trouble."
"Shut up!" Elissa came out from behind Francis. "What nonsense are you spouting in front of Jesus!"
The main reason she came today was to pray for Cinda.
She wanted Cinda to live the rest of her days without pain.
"Francis, I need to pray today. Let's put everything else aside."
"Okay."
Seeing him agree, Elissa breathed a sigh of relief.
But before she could fully relax, she heard him say, "After the prayer, we will go back to Maple Valley to get married."
Elissa was annoyed, thinking that they wouldn't be able to get married anyway, so she gave up struggling. "Fine."Efren was somewhat upset, but Elissa gave him a reassuring look.
Efren remembered what Hope said last night and didn't say anything more.
The group began to pray sincerely.
When they left, everyone had a bracelet on their wrist.
Elissa had two.
Of course, Francis didn't want the bracelet Efren had prayed for to be on her wrist.
But thinking that they would be getting married soon, he didn't say anything, just looked cold.
On the way down the mountain, Hope pulled Elissa into the restroom.
"Earlier, when I wanted to speak, you gave me a look. Is it because you think your issues will trouble me?" Hope said.
"I really don't want you and Jerry to be caught in the middle of our issues anymore." Elissa replied.
Elissa held Hope's hand. "You've helped me enough, and I remember it. But I think, after all, it's a conflict between me and Francis, and we should handle it ourselves."
Hope nodded. "Alright then, but remember, I'm always behind you."
"Okay."
They whispered inside.
Outside, Jerry and Francis also spoke in low voices.
"Are you sure you can get married when you return to Maple Valley?"
"Not sure, we'll see when we get there."
Jerry seemed to think of something and said, "I don't recommend constantly forcing Elissa; it will only make her resent you more."
Francis simply said, "It won't."
In the church, Jerry saw Elissa giving Hope a look.
Since they didn't want them to interfere too much, he didn't say more.
After coming down the mountain, Francis took Elissa to his car and headed straight to the airport.
Without Elissa, Hope and her group didn't go to Efren's house to disturb them.
Hope had Madison take Elsa to the car first, and she spoke to Efren alone, "Elissa told me everything about that night in Oceancrest City. I believe you didn't mean to hurt her, but love cannot be forced. Since you knew from the start that Elissa was using you, you should have expected it to end. Your relationship was never normal."
"As a friend, I advise you to let go of Elissa. Spend your last moments with Cinda well, then focus on your career. You will find your own happiness in the future," she added.
Efren forced a bitter smile. "Hope, I remember what you said."
Hope said one last thing, "You plotted against her, and she used you, so you're even. No one owes anyone. I left some money under the pillow in the guest room. Thank Cinda for cooking. Even though we only stayed one night, we are very grateful. Hope all is well with you!"
Efren felt a deep ache in his heart but still managed to smile.
"Hope, you too. Wishing you and Elissa happiness ."
"Okay."
Efren watched the luxury cars leave.
He opened his palm and looked at the thin bracelet.
Elissa had prayed for it for him.
Suddenly, he clenched his palm tightly.
But then he smiled with relief.
If the day he became successful and Elissa and Francis were not happy, he would risk everything to take Elissa away.
Maple Valley.
As soon as she got off the plane, Elissa shivered.
The sky was gray and heavy, about to snow.
She was about to wrap her coat tighter when a blanket was draped over her from behind.
Then she was held close.
The car was not far away, just down the steps.
The car's heater was already on.
Elissa was only cold for a moment.
It was Francis who told her to wait, but she didn't wait and came out first, getting cold.
To be honest, her feelings were very complicated.
Before the plane took off, she received a message from Hope.
Hope had persuaded Efren to let her go.
Efren also sent her a final farewell message.
She didn't reply to him.
She felt that replying wouldn't mean much.
This time, Simon was driving for Francis.
The reason was that he lost at rock-paper-scissors.
The car was warm, but the atmosphere in the back seat wasn't.
They left the airport and headed straight for City Hall.
But they were stopped by a convoy of armored vehicles halfway.
Elissa saw a very unfamiliar middle-aged man walk to the car.
He knocked on Francis's window.
Francis rolled it down halfway, letting in a bit of cold wind, which swirled around his slightly heavy brows.
The middle-aged man bent slightly and spoke respectfully, "Mr. Francis Peterson, Mr. Jacob Francis Peterson has asked me to invite you home for dinner."
Francis didn't expect Jacob to send his most capable and secretive subordinate to bring him back. "I'm not hungry."
The middle-aged man smiled, "Mr. Francis Peterson, Mr. Jacob Francis Peterson also said to bring Ms. Wilson with you for dinner."
Francis's voice turned cold, "Impossible! Move now!"
The middle-aged man still smiled. "Mr. Francis Peterson, my orders are that if you refuse, I will deal with Ms. Wilson on the spot."
With that, he shook the gun in his hand.
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