Chapter 402 I'm Not Going Anywhere
Elissa slapped his hand away. "Go play your cards."
She then turned around and called her friends over to start.
Uma handed her a lollipop and whispered, "I've never seen Francis act like this before. He used to be so cold, like he didn't care about anyone. And now look at him."
Anne chimed in quietly, "When he saved me, he looked down at me and called me stupid. After that, he barely spoke to me. Everything I said got a cold response."
Elissa had seen Francis during his distant phase too, and she smiled at their words. "You're exaggerating. Didn't he just talk to you?"
"That was only because of you, Elissa. Even Willard doesn't have that kind of influence. When he saved me, he didn't know I was Willard's wife. When he found out, he went to Willard to ask for a favor," Anne said.
"I'll never forget the shrewd glint in his eyes. Honestly, I was impressed—few people can get the better of Willard," she added.
They were right next door, so no matter how softly they spoke, it still wasn't quiet enough.
Besides, those two men had sharp ears.
But all anyone else saw was the amusement and affection in their eyes.
Elissa was having a lucky day.
Her starting hand was great.
But she felt bad about winning too much.
Anne was younger, like a little sister.
So, she deliberately broke up some good hands.
Francis had somehow ended up standing behind her.
Not only that, he held her hand as she was about to play a card and chose another one to discard.
Elissa glared at him, "Do you want to play instead?"
Francis patted her head, "Just making sure you don't play the wrong card."
Francis must have figured it out; he was always sharp.
Elissa said, "Leave me alone, I know how to play."
This time, Francis didn't listen to her.
The hand she was going to ruin, he turned into a big win.
They ended up winning nearly a million dollars.
Elissa was careful with money; she didn't want to waste hard-earned cash.
Anne also earned her own money and was even less willing to spend it like this.
But Uma and the other girl were from wealthy families.
Throwing around six or seven figures was nothing to them.
"It's fine, it's just for fun. I can't take your money," Elissa said.
She had just met Anne, but from her straightforward personality and actions, she knew they were kindred spirits.
Losing a million dollars in one hand, Anne must be heartbroken.
Thinking of this, Elissa elbowed Francis. "It's all your fault, you ruined my hand."
Francis countered, "I helped you win a million dollars, and you say I ruined it?"
Elissa's eyes widened, "You did ruin it. Get away from me, what are you doing here?"
Uma saw through it and chimed in, "That's not fair. Even if it's for fun, we agreed at the start. No backing out now."
Anne took out her phone, "Elissa, I'll transfer the money to you."
Elissa felt like crying.
Just as she was about to speak, Francis covered her mouth.
Then she saw Willard take Anne's phone. "Put it on my tab," he said.
Anne protested, "This has nothing to do with you."
"We're not divorced yet."
"We're about to be."
Anne tried to grab her phone, but Willard held it high out of her reach.
She ended up pressed against him.
Elissa scoffed.
Men's tricks, they might fool young girls, but she saw right through them.
She wanted to say something, but Francis had her mouth covered tightly.
Then it hit her—there was a partner in crime here.
Willard held Anne by the waist, his eyes darkening. "You owe me money now. Until you pay it back, no divorce."
Anne was furious and stomped on his foot, grinding her heel. "I can pay you back right now. Let's go get the divorce papers."
Willard looked like a wolf luring a rabbit into his den.
He smirked. "Anne, I'm the creditor. How you pay, when you pay, that's up to me."
Elissa couldn't help but clap.
Willard wasn't fazed, "See, your friend agrees."
Elissa was speechless.
Anne turned to Elissa, "You can't take his dirty money."
Elissa couldn't shake off Francis's hand and couldn't speak.
She just shook her head vigorously.
Then Francis spoke up, "I'll take the money for her."
Elissa couldn't take it anymore and stood up abruptly.
It was so sudden that Francis wasn't prepared, and her head hit his chin.
He let go in pain.
"Why do you get to take it for me?" Elissa argued.
Francis composed himself, "It's marital property. It's reasonable for me to take it."
Elissa laughed angrily, "We're not married yet."
"It's only a matter of time."
Before Elissa could retort, Willard said to Francis, "I have to go. You guys carry on."
Francis acknowledged him.
Elissa wanted to chase after him, but Francis held her back. "That's between a married couple. You shouldn't interfere."
She retorted, "Why is it okay for you to interfere?"
Francis spread his hands, looking innocent, "I'm not interfering. I'm just helping you play cards. No need to thank me."
Elissa realized she had made a mistake.
She shouldn't have flirted with Francis on a whim.
Now she was in the wolf's den and couldn't escape.
"Want to grab a late-night snack?" Francis asked.
Elissa ignored him and called Finn to leave.
Finn was at another table, deep in conversation, unaware of what had happened.
But when Elissa called him, he left immediately.
"What's up?" Finn puzzled.
Francis caught up, putting an arm around Elissa, and said to Finn, "We're having a little spat."
Finn gave a knowing look, "I was just discussing some ideas. I need to go home and jot them down and make a presentation. I'll leave you two to it."
He hailed a cab and left.
Elissa wanted to call him back, but Francis covered her mouth again.
She elbowed him hard in the stomach.
Francis didn't flinch and led her to the car.
He asked again, "Want to grab a late-night snack?"
"Get lost!" Elissa was furious.
Francis just laughed, "I'm not going anywhere."
They didn't get the late-night snack.
Francis had some urgent business to handle.
But he did buy her some food.
Elissa angrily chewed on some barbecue while video chatting with Hope, venting her frustrations.
She drank heavily out of anger.
Hope found it amusing and asked, "If he really marries you, would you go through with it?"
Elissa swallowed her food, "Absolutely not!"
Hope just asked, "Was the gift you gave him really just to thank him for taking you to see the petroglyphs?"
Elissa froze. "What do you mean by that? Even if I have feelings for him, I wouldn't marry him. His father's position, it would be too easy for him to get rid of me."
Hope always knew Elissa still had feelings for Francis.
The reason she gave up initially was because of Jessa Greer and Francis's indecisiveness. Later, Francis's grandmother's words really scared her.
She wanted to break up, mainly to see if she could love Francis enough to stand against the world. But after visiting the Peterson family, all she felt was fear. Growing up relying only on herself, she naturally valued her life.
"Francis's trip to Seaside City, I only found out about it early the morning after the birthday party, while you had planned your trip to Seaside City long before. I'm not sure if Francis went because he got wind of it or if it was part of his work schedule," Hope said.
"I didn't tell you because I thought Seaside City was too big for you to run into each other. Now it seems that fate can be orchestrated," she added.
Elissa was a bit confused, "No way... Are you saying he came to Seaside City for me?"
"I think so. Our ancient culture project never intended to collaborate with the Larson family, we just wanted to test the waters. But now, we've suddenly partnered with the Larson family."
Hope analyzed, "Firstly, our project is very stable now. Secondly, as a partner of the Larson family, the Peterson family can't touch you."
Elissa froze for several seconds, "But, what if they do it secretly..."
"Willard and Francis have a good relationship. Although that might not be enough for him to protect you against the Peterson family, Francis saved Willard's wife, Anne, the one who took our photos. Willard owes him a favor, so the Peterson family won't move against you secretly."
Elissa opened her mouth but couldn't say anything for a long time.
Hope said, "I'm not trying to persuade you to reconcile with Francis or anything. I still maintain my stance: as long as you're happy, I'll support whatever choice you make. I just want to comfort you, so you don't feel so anxious because of the Peterson family. I feel like your smile hasn't been genuine lately."
Elissa was indignant, "That's all because of that bad man Francis. I can't shake him off, I'm scared, how can I smile?"
"Can you smile now?" a voice chimed in unexpectedly.
Elissa turned around and saw Francis leaning on the back of the sofa, looking at her with a half-smile.
"You...you have no morals, eavesdropping on my phone call!"
Francis walked around the sofa, grabbed her hand, and bit into the last piece of meat she was holding.
Elissa wanted to stab him with a bamboo skewer.
"Who said you could eat my food!"
Francis bent down close to her, "Want me to give it back?"
"You're disgusting."
Elissa pushed him away, grabbed her phone, and went into the room.
But Francis snatched it away, "Hope, hang up."
Hope didn't even have time to respond before the video call ended.
He really wouldn't say much to others.
"If you're angry..." A sudden male voice startled Hope, even though it was familiar.
"You walk so quietly?" Hope asked.
Jerry gave her a hug to comfort her after startling her.
Hope was only startled for a moment, then she was fine.
She asked, "What did you just say?"
Jerry's eyes flashed mischievously. "I said, if you can't stand Francis, tell Elissa. Your good friend will naturally help you vent."
Hope knew Jerry well and poked his abs.
"Alright, they're having a hard enough time. Stop watching the drama," she said.
In a hotel room in Seaside City.
Elissa climbed onto the sofa, trying to snatch her phone back from Francis.
"My call with my friend has nothing to do with you. What right do you have to end my video call!" she shouted.
Francis held her, moved his wrist, and the phone landed steadily on the sofa.
Elissa realized they were too close; she could feel his body heat.
She quickly struggled to get out of his embrace.
Francis tightened his arms, "Let's talk?"
"I have nothing to talk about with you."
"Aren't you going to thank me?"
Elissa gritted her teeth, "I'd like to thank you with a meal. If you want anything else, forget it!"
"A meal works too."
Francis seemed to compromise and nodded.
Elissa was about to relax when he grabbed her thigh and lifted her up.
"Francis!" she called out.
When he placed her on the bed, she tried to run.
But he grabbed her ankle and pulled her back.
"If you touch me, I'll call the police and accuse you of assault."
Francis loosened his tie and slowly wrapped it around her wrists.
A triumphant smile played on his lips.
He smirked. "You agreed."
"When did I..."
Francis tightened the tie, pinning her hands above her head.
He leaned in close.
"Ever heard the phrase?"
Elissa didn't respond, sensing a trap.
Francis chuckled and slowly said, "A feast for the eyes."
He then leaned closer, his voice low and teasing, "You said you'd treat me to a meal. Well, I'm already enjoying the appetizer."
Elissa was furious, "Francis!"
In the end, she couldn't escape.
At first, she managed to curse him, but soon she melted into his embrace.
She didn't even have the strength to glare at him; it looked more like she was batting her eyelashes at him.
Francis fetched a glass of water and helped her drink, then carried her to the bathroom to clean up, dried her off, and put her back in bed.
After tucking her in, he dried her hair.
Once he finished taking care of her, he tidied himself up.
Elissa was exhausted and sleepy.
But she didn't fall asleep.
She waited for Francis to get into bed and hold her.
A warm kiss landed on her forehead, Francis's voice was tender and gentle. "Do you have something to say to me?"
Elissa looked up at him, staring but not speaking.
"Sleep first. If you want to hit me or curse me, do it after you wake up," he added.
Elissa climbed up and lay on top of him.
Francis moved his legs to make her more comfortable, pulled the blanket over her to keep her from catching a cold.
Elissa took it all in.
Actually, she could clearly feel that Francis liked her.
But liking someone has stages.
It might be affected by family background, or someone else interfering, or other reasons.
It would eventually wear out.
And they hadn't known each other for long.
How could they already be so deeply in love?
She even thought Francis's persistence was just because she broke up during the honeymoon phase.
Francis was so proud.
How could he accept that?
But now, she wasn't sure.
"Francis, why… why are you so…" She hesitated, then softly asked, "Why me?"
Francis's eyes lit up with joy. Her question showed she cared—she was wavering, not pushing him away as fiercely as before.
He pressed her waist down, drawing her closer. The joy in his eyes gave way to intensity as he asked, "What do you think?"
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