Chapter 397 I Will Hate You
Hospital.
Once Francis was sure everything was fine, he headed straight to the airport.
Jerry glanced at his watch. "You're leaving tonight?"
Francis nodded, looking exhausted.
Jerry, holding Hope's hand, walked out of the hospital with him, only to see two cars waiting.
He asked, "Is Sylvia going with you?"
Francis nodded again.
Jerry was puzzled. "What's going on here?"
"Let's go," Francis said, opening the car door and getting in without further explanation.
As the two cars drove away, Hope asked, "Did you get involved in something last night?"
Jerry rubbed his chin. "I don't think so..."
"What do you mean?"
"I can tell who he likes."
They went home to pack a few things before heading to their respective offices.
Hope noticed Elissa's dark circles, barely concealed by makeup. "Did you go to a bar last night?"
Elissa shook her head. "I had trouble sleeping, probably still adjusting to the time difference."
Hope knew she was lying. They'd been back from Oceancrest City for days, and she only had trouble sleeping last night.
"Did you see the news?"
Elissa nodded.
Hope changed the subject. "Are you still going on the business trip to Seaside City?"
Elissa nodded. "I'll sleep on the plane."
"Alright."
Hope personally drove her to the airport.
"Let me know when you land."
Elissa gave an OK sign and went through security.
There was a cultural festival in Seaside City, and they were planning to incorporate some elements into their clothing line.
Elissa had a friend who was one of the organizers.
She was going ahead to check things out.
Once she had a good idea, Hope would join her to avoid a wasted trip.
After all, Hope still had to work on the design drafts.
This plan had been set in Oceancrest City.
Coincidentally, Francis was also heading to Seaside City today.
Jerry hadn't known until Francis's birthday party last night.
Watching the plane take off, Hope thought that if they met in Seaside City, it would truly be fate.
Elissa landed, and her friend Finn was already waiting.
They checked into the hotel Finn had arranged and then went out for dinner.
"It's your first time here, so I have to treat you to something fancy."
Elissa didn't hold back. "When you visit Maple Valley, I'll treat you to the most expensive meal."
"That'll cost you. Seaside City and Maple Valley have different living costs."
Elissa waved it off. "No big deal."
She didn't expect to run into Francis.
Her first thought was that he had followed her.
But seeing the gentle woman beside him, she realized she was overthinking.
She had been a bit on edge from his constant attention before.
"What's wrong?" Finn asked.
"Nothing."
Finn put an arm around her shoulder. "I know you like handsome guys, but tonight, please pay attention to me. Even if I'm not good-looking, at least look at me, not others."
Elissa joked, "If I look at you too much, I might lose my appetite."
They had been in the same drama club in college.
They often joked around like this, and it had become a habit.
But Finn was usually the one getting teased.
He had a good temper.
"With your temper, it's surprising you don't have a partner," Elissa continued.
Finn gave his number to the waiter, who led them to a private room.
He sighed. "Organizing these cultural festivals doesn't make much money. It's hard to ask someone to share that burden."
"I've dated, but when it came to buying a house, it ended," he added.
Elissa was surprised. "But you're the organizer now, and aren't these cultural events supported by the government? By the way, people do like them, and I see them often in live streams."
Finn poured her a cup of tea. "Thing is, they're not settling for just any house on the market."
Elissa knew buying a house wasn't easy. It had taken her a while to get her own place.
If it weren't for Hope's help, it might have taken even longer.
"Don't worry. If I think this is good, we'll incorporate it into our brand. With the promotion, you'll make enough to buy a house."
"That would be great. I know the influence of your brand."
They chatted happily in the private room.
Next door, the atmosphere was cold.
Sylvia, seemingly oblivious, kept adding food to Francis's plate and peeling shrimp for him.
"I grew up in Seaside City. I have a lung condition and can't handle Maple Valley's weather."
"This restaurant has been around for nearly a century. It's a Seaside City specialty. Try this shrimp; it's different from Maple Valley's."
"It's simply boiled, without water or seasoning. It tastes fresh and sweet."
She kept talking, regardless of whether Francis responded.
Francis rubbed his coffee cup with his thumb.
His handsome face showed no emotion.
Always with a calm expression.
But inside, he was far from calm.
He went to the restroom midway.
He heard laughter from the next room.
When he returned, he noticed his tea had been refilled. He drank it without a word.
Sylvia's eyes flashed with determination.
She had failed once yesterday; today, she had to succeed.
It would be best if she could get pregnant with Francis's child.
Elissa and Finn had a bit of wine.
After dinner, they felt it wasn't enough and decided to go somewhere else.
Finn went to pay, and Elissa went to the restroom.
But before she could enter, someone covered her mouth and pulled her into a private room.
She didn't think she'd encounter a criminal here.
Besides, she recognized the familiar scent.
'Francis!' she thought.
She then removed his hand from her mouth and turned to scold him, but he silenced her with a kiss.
Elissa kicked him.
She didn't expect the usually agile Francis to get hit this time.
He clutched his abdomen and slowly squatted down.
Elissa hesitated.
She was worried that if she really hurt him, he might hold it against her.
After a moment, she nudged his foot. "Stop pretending. I didn't even kick that hard."
Francis squatted on the ground, silent.
Elissa saw sweat on his face.
No way.
She didn't think she had kicked a vital spot.
After a while, she squatted down.
She noticed he didn't look well.
She touched his forehead. It was burning.
"Are you sick? Where are Simon and the others?"
Francis didn't respond.
He looked very uncomfortable.
They had broken up, but last time, Francis had risked himself to save her.
She couldn't just leave him here.
"Alright, I'll take you to the hospital and then contact Simon," Elissa said.
She grabbed his arm, trying to lift him, but failed.
She moved behind him, put her hands under his arms, and tried to lift him.
After failing, she panted, "Stay here. I'll get my friend to help."
She had just taken a step when he grabbed her ankle.
Elissa was getting annoyed.
"Francis, either stand up yourself or let me get help."
"Don't think you can act up just because you're sick."
"If you don't choose either, then you can stay here and fend for yourself!" Elissa's words had barely faded from the air when she saw Francis stand up on his own.
But then he started to collapse onto her.
She quickly caught him.
Francis leaned on her shoulder, his breath hot against her neck.
"Where are your people? Aren't they supposed to be with you all the time? How did you end up alone and burning up like this?"
She heard Francis's weak voice, "Back to the hotel..."
Elissa was exasperated.
He didn't even mention the hotel's name. How was she supposed to know which one to take him to?
With no other choice, she reached into his pockets to find his phone.
She searched both pockets of his trousers but found nothing.
He was only wearing a white shirt, no coat.
That meant his phone wasn't on him.
No wonder he hadn't contacted his subordinates.
But something still didn't add up. His subordinates were always with him.
Before she could figure it out, her hand was suddenly grabbed.
"Don't touch..." Elissa blurted out, clearly annoyed.
But seeing he was delirious from the fever, she held back.
"What's the name of the hotel?"
"Serenity Springs Hotel."
"What?"
That was the same hotel she was staying at.
Elissa pulled his arm over her shoulder and helped him walk out slowly.
She didn't see Finn at the front desk.
Thinking he might be waiting outside, she stepped out of the restaurant but still didn't see him.
She took out her phone to call him.
Finn's phone was off.
Elissa felt that tonight's events were too coincidental.
With Francis's capabilities, it wasn't impossible for him to arrange this...
"Cold, Elissa..." Francis murmured.
Elissa gritted her teeth and flagged down a cab, taking Francis back to the hotel.
He didn't have his room key either, so she asked the front desk. They required a passport, which Francis also didn't have.
"He's Francis, a guest at your hotel. Can you just check and let us in?" Elissa said.
The front desk clerk replied, "I'm sorry, ma'am. This is a high-end hotel. We must ensure our guests' privacy and security. Without a passport to verify his identity, we can't let you in."
Francis might be a big shot in Maple Valley, but his name didn't carry weight in Seaside City.
In the end, Elissa had no choice but to take him to her room.
She laid Francis on the bed, intending to get a cold towel to bring down his fever and then go out to buy some medicine.
But Francis grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto the bed.
Elissa's eyes darkened. "Faking illness? Is this all about getting me into bed?"
"No... I was drugged."
Elissa squinted. "Mr. Peterson, are you trying a new tactic because the old one didn't work?"
"No..."
Elissa nodded. "I'll take you to the hospital. They can treat you there; you don't need to have sex to get better."
Francis held her down. "I can't go to the hospital."
"Then give me Simon's number. I'll call him to handle this."
"Simon's in Solstice."
"There's still Jerry."
Francis hugged her, his face buried in her neck. "Help me..."
Elissa pushed him away. "What about the girl you came with? I'm sure she'd be happy to help you with the drug."
"She's sick."
Elissa was speechless.
She had only had a little to drink tonight, and after all this commotion, she had sweated out most of it.
So she was very clear-headed.
"Francis, you're lying to me. This is all your setup, isn't it?"
Francis hugged her tighter. "For old times' sake, help me. Or consider it repayment for when I saved you."
Elissa asked, "Didn't you say you'd save a stranger too? It wasn't just for me?"
"I wanted to repay you before, but you didn't want it. So this is what you've been waiting for. Francis, do you enjoy playing with me?" she added.
Francis lifted his head, his eyes filled with deep desire. His arm muscles bulged from restraint. But this time, he wanted her willing consent.
"Am I that despicable in your eyes?" he asked.
Not entirely, but he had forced himself on her before.
"You can't possibly be out of contact with your subordinates."
"Seaside City isn't my territory. Someone here doesn't want me around."
Elissa didn't want to know or analyze his business affairs. She simply said, "I'm not the right person to help you. Why don't you take a cold shower? I'll go buy some cold medicine."
Francis's eyes lowered, looking somewhat pitiful. "Is it that hard to help me?"
Elissa nodded. "I don't think we should have any more physical interactions, even in an emergency."
Francis thought of Finn holding her. Already filled with anger, he was about to lose control.
"Because you want to stay pure for your new lover?"
Elissa knew he was talking about Finn. He had seen Finn with his arm around her neck earlier. She didn't bother to explain.
"Yes."
Francis was losing it. All the suppressed emotions erupted like a long-dormant volcano. Everything he touched felt scorching. Elissa shrank back from the heat. She tried to push him away, but he tore her clothes.
"Francis, I'll hate you."
"Hate me then." Francis held her tightly. "Just don't forget me."
Elissa shuddered and bit down hard on his shoulder. Francis's movements became more intense. Elissa let out involuntary sounds of pleasure.
Meanwhile, a drugged Finn was taken to his home. Back at the restaurant, Sylvia had trashed the private room. She even started cursing. Gone was her gentle and ladylike demeanor. Felix stood at the door, eating, ignoring her. If he hadn't lost a bet, he wouldn't have to deal with this crazy woman. Sebastian and Arthur, after dropping off Finn, went out for drinks, having a great time. Hayden stood guard outside Elissa's room. Everything settled down after the hotel incident.
Francis emerged from the room, disheveled. Hayden handed him a coat. Francis put it on and headed back to the restaurant, while Hayden continued to stand guard.
Sylvia, after smashing things, started banging on the door. But even after her hands were swollen, no one opened the door. Just as she was about to break down, the door suddenly opened. Francis walked in, giving her no time to compose herself or hide her emotions. The forced change in expression made her face look twisted.
"Francis," she called out.
Francis pulled out a chair and sat down. Felix ordered a cup of coffee for him, and Francis sipped it slowly, saying nothing.
Sylvia composed herself, putting on her usual gentle and ladylike demeanor. Her face wore a well-practiced, appropriate smile.
"Francis, where did you go? I was locked in this restaurant and couldn't find you. I got worried and lost my temper."
Francis finished his coffee and leaned back in his chair. He lifted his eyelids and gave her a cold glance. His thin lips parted, and he spoke with icy words, "This is the second time it has happened."
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