Chapter 398 Consider It My Plea
Sylvia noticed the red marks on his neck.
There was even a bite mark on his Adam's apple.
All of it screamed about his wild time with Elissa.
Her worst fear had come true.
"And it happened twice in less than a day," Francis spoke again, his voice cold enough to send shivers down her spine.
Sylvia met his piercing gaze and instinctively took a step back.
But then she thought better of it and stepped forward to face him.
"What are you talking about? I don't get it."
She reached out to grab his arm.
Francis sidestepped her, and Felix immediately restrained Sylvia, kicking her behind the knees and forcing her to kneel.
"Francis!" she said, somewhat annoyed.
Sylvia had never been so humiliated.
All her life, everyone had catered to her.
She got everything she wanted.
Even without asking, people would bring her what she desired.
Francis was no exception, delivered to her by her parents.
If it weren't for their matching family backgrounds, she wouldn't have had this chance.
A chance Elissa would never have in her lifetime.
Yet, Elissa had won Francis's love.
And it was a love that surpassed everything.
She couldn't tolerate it.
Even drugging him had been done with Rainey's tacit approval.
"Your mother handed you over to me. If you want to settle scores, it shouldn't be with me," Sylvia spoke up.
Francis looked down at her, his gaze as cold and dismissive as if she were trash.
"I'll deal with her. But now, you have two choices: either tell your family you won't marry me, or I'll make sure the Hamilton family never has the capital to ally with the Peterson family."
Sylvia thought of Melinda's fate.
She had mocked Melinda for not seizing the opportunity to get pregnant with Francis's child, which would have been the most important thing.
Just like Jessa before, even if she wasn't qualified to marry Francis, having his child would ensure the Peterson family protected her.
And Sylvia was qualified to marry Francis. If she could have a child, her relationship with Francis would be even more secure.
But she was so close!
Why did Elissa have to show up?
"Francis, what happened before was because of the Wright family's interference. You were also weakened. If you use the same tactics again, the Wright family will definitely take advantage and attack you. It won't be good for you."
"I just want to marry you and have an heir. If you don't want to touch me, I can do IVF. That way, you won't have to deal with the Peterson family arranging someone else for you. I'll raise the child well, and the Wright family will be more likely to back off seeing our families united."
Francis had heard similar arguments before.
He couldn't understand.
Where did these women get the confidence to think that marrying them would stabilize the Peterson family's position and keep enemies at bay?
Without their family backgrounds, they wouldn't survive a day.
He was tired of their schemes.
Unlike Elissa, who lived freely and genuinely, even without a powerful background.
Thinking of Elissa, his eyes softened a bit.
Sylvia thought she had convinced him.
Excited, she tried to stand, but Felix's grip was unyielding.
Sylvia's health wasn't great to begin with.
With a bit more force, the sound of bones cracking was audible.
"Francis..." Sylvia looked at him with tear-filled eyes.
Francis, not wanting to waste time, waved his hand and stood up to leave.
"Francis! Think carefully. If you go after the Hamilton family, the Wright family will seize the opportunity to defeat you!"
The door to the room closed, cutting off Sylvia's angry shouts.
Francis made a call, giving instructions.
Then he returned to the hotel.
Entering Elissa's room, he was immediately hit with a pillow.
Francis, in a good mood, caught the pillow and sat on the bed.
He placed the pillow behind her back and asked gently, "What do you want to eat? I'll have someone prepare it."
Elissa glared at him. "Get out!"
Francis held her hand. "There's a banquet tomorrow. Come with me."
Elissa pulled her hand back, coldly replying, "You're insane."
"Yeah, maybe."
Elissa raised her hand to slap him. "Get out!"
Francis caught her wrist and smiled.
Elissa thought he was crazy and decided to run.
But as soon as she lifted the blanket, the cold air made her cover up again.
"Turn around!"
She was gritting her teeth, wishing she could bite him.
Francis's gaze slid up and down. "What are you covering?"
"I..."
Elissa covered his mouth. "Stop being a pervert."
Francis held her hand. "Tomorrow's banquet is related to why you're here. Are you sure you don't want to go?"
"How do you know why I'm here?"
Francis didn't answer, just gave her a meaningful look.
Elissa realized her question was stupid.
Even if Seaside City wasn't his territory, it would be easy for him to find out why she was here.
"What did you do to Finn?"
Francis's smile faded, and his voice turned cold.
"You don't need to see him anymore. I'll handle the cultural festival business for you."
"I don't need that. I can handle my own affairs."
Francis replied, "Let's eat first. We can argue after you're full."
Elissa felt like she was back to the old days.
When he was impervious to reason.
But her stomach growled.
Elissa felt embarrassed, and Francis chuckled. "What do you want to eat?"
Elissa, not wanting to give in, said, "Looking at you makes me nauseous. I'll order room service myself. Now get out of my room!"
Francis simply said, "If you don't want to eat, then sleep. If you get hungry later, you'll just have to endure it."
Elissa, frustrated, grabbed a pillow and pressed it against his face.
She even sat on him, trying to smother him.
But then she felt his erection.
Realizing what was happening, she tried to escape, but it was too late.
His hand on her waist was burning hot.
"You're such a beast," she said through gritted teeth.
Francis was unbothered. "I was pure with you. You awakened me, and now you expect me to abstain. After all this time, isn't this normal?"
Elissa didn't want to talk to him anymore.
They were on different wavelengths. To avoid further intimacy with Francis, she decided to play nice.
"But I'm so tired and uncomfortable," Elissa said.
Francis sat up with her in his arms, pretending to check on her.
Elissa panicked, realizing she wasn't wearing anything.
"Get away!" she blurted out.
Francis pulled the blanket over her. "I'll go buy medicine. If you don't tell me what you need, I'll buy whatever. But if you don't take it, I'll find a way to make you."
Elissa was straightforward, even in intimate matters.
But given their past relationship, this was really awkward.
She knew Francis meant what he said.
"Spaghetti," she gave in.
Francis left, satisfied.
Elissa quickly dressed and grabbed her suitcase to leave.
But she was stopped at the door by Hayden.
Leaning against the doorframe, Elissa asked, "Where were you when Francis was drugged?"
Hayden half-heartedly explained, "Last time with Melinda, Mr. Peterson's biggest enemy, the Wright family, tried to harm him. Now that Mr. Peterson is on this high-risk path, not just the Wright family, but many others are watching. And Seaside City isn't Mr. Peterson's territory, so it's hard to guard against attacks."
"I was handling some matters just now, but I can't tell you. Please understand," he added.
Elissa seemed to believe him and nodded. "I see."
Hayden nodded as well. "That's right."
Elissa smiled. "You were handling things, but what about the others?"
"They all have their own tasks to handle."
"So," Elissa's gaze turned sharp, "you were all busy, and no one was guarding the hotel entrance. Aren't you afraid that while he's in bed with me, his enemies might come and kill him?"
"After all, a man is most vulnerable in bed. You should know that, being a man yourself," she continued.
Hayden had a moment of confusion, as if he saw Francis calmly asking him what he had done wrong, then coldly sending him to Solstice, just like Simon.
The more he explained, the more mistakes he made, so he stopped and simply said, "Ms. Wilson, it's not safe outside. Please wait for Mr. Peterson in the hotel."
Elissa didn't believe it was unsafe. She needed to check on Finn and then quickly return to Maple Valley. In this unfamiliar place, with so many of Francis's enemies, someone might take advantage of the situation.
She didn't want to die.
"If you don't move, I'll scream for help. There are cameras everywhere, and," she stepped closer, "what do you think Francis will do if he finds out you laid a hand on me?"
Hayden thought the Peterson family's concern that Elissa, without a strong background, would drag Francis down was unreasonable. Melinda had a good family background but was still taken by the Wright family and ended up begging Francis for help. Jessa had schemed against Elissa, and even Francis, as smart as he was, had been tricked. How could they blame Elissa alone, thinking she wasn't smart enough to help Francis on his thorny path?
She seemed quite capable.
Hayden said, "Ms. Wilson, Simon was sent to Solstice. Mr. Peterson now only has the four of us. If I go too, the remaining three will struggle to handle Sylvia's drugging incident. You liked Mr. Peterson once. You can't just watch him lose half his life, can you?"
Elissa was indifferent. "That's not my problem. I'm not his mother or his girlfriend. Besides, being with him puts me in danger."
"That won't happen. Mr. Peterson would rather die than let you die."
"I don't want that!"
Elissa shouted, "I don't need him risking his life for me!"
Hayden was stunned, but what scared him most was that Elissa started crying.
If Francis saw this, he was dead for sure!
He found a tissue in his pocket and handed it to her.
"Ms. Wilson, I think you should sit down and have a calm talk with Mr. Peterson."
"There's no need." Elissa walked past him.
Hayden blocked her. "I understand you have your reasons, but please understand mine. I work for Mr. Peterson and must consider everything for him, standing firmly by his side."
"So, I'm sorry, but I can't let you leave."
"Also, Jessa's whereabouts are unknown. This hidden threat is very dangerous for you. Please understand."
Elissa reached out, but a large hand grabbed hers.
"You can't beat him. Don't hurt yourself."
Hayden backed off, not daring to fight.
Seeing the person in front of her, Elissa got even angrier and kicked him. "Let go!"
Francis pulled her into the room.
Hayden pushed the suitcase in and quietly closed the door.
Francis pressed her onto the bed and started to take off her pants.
Elissa held his hand. "I'm fine."
"I saw. Be good, let me apply some medicine."
"This isn't your job."
"I caused the injury, so I should handle it."
"I'll do it myself!"
Francis held her hands. "You can't see, and your nails are long. You might hurt yourself again. Let me do it."
Elissa was speechless.
Francis ignored his words and continued speaking, "I bought the spaghetti. It'll be delivered soon."
Elissa couldn't fight or argue, so she started crying.
Francis paused.
Elissa immediately escaped from his grasp and sat on the other side of the bed.
"Do you enjoy seeing me suffer?"
Francis's lips tightened. "No."
"Then why do you force me to do things I don't want to do? I'm a person, not a toy for you to treat however you want."
"Is that how you see me?"
Francis looked at her, his eyes darkening. "I like you. You can't possibly not feel it."
Elissa shook her head. "You don't like me. You're just embarrassed because I broke up with you. Then I'll let you announce the breakup. I'll even tell everyone it was you who didn't want me. Is that enough?"
"I won't let you go." Francis approached her, squatting down in front of her, lowering his stance. "I tried to let you go, but I can't. Elissa, can you tell me what you're afraid of?"
Elissa remained silent.
Francis guessed, "Was it when you visited the Peterson family? Did they scare you?"
Elissa pressed her lips together, still not speaking.
Francis held her hand, burying his face in it, and sighed deeply. "I know you value your life, and I value it too. I won't let anyone take it away from you. Can you give me a chance? Let's try again. If it doesn't work out, I'll let you go. But if it's due to external reasons, I'm sorry, I can't accept that."
Elissa suddenly laughed. "But Francis, Melinda almost killed me. And your family. If I insist on being with you, they'll come after me. What can I do against them? I'm completely powerless. They could kill me so easily, and no one would even know. They could make it look like an accident and just... make me disappear."
She had no attachments.
But she hadn't lived enough yet.
She wasn't foolish enough to risk her life for love.
Since childhood, she knew only she could love herself.
Over the years, only Hope made her willing to give everything.
Others...
Even Francis, she couldn't do it.
Francis immediately said, "No..."
"Francis." Elissa interrupted him, "I saw it."
"What?"
"The murderous intent in your family's eyes when they looked at me."
The room fell into an eerie silence.
Elissa saw his shock but didn't pull away.
She just sat there, quietly meeting his gaze.
After a long time, Francis buried his face in her lap, his shoulders heaving with a laughter that bordered on mania.
Elissa had never seen Francis so emotionally volatile.
But she knew when he went crazy, he was reckless.
So she spoke again, "Francis, I don't need you to go against your family for me, nor do I want you to get hurt for me. Breaking up is the best decision for both of us. Please, I'm begging you, let me go."
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