Chapter 404 I Can Give You My Life
Francis's expression darkened suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Elissa asked, noticing his change in demeanor.
Francis put away his phone and shook his head. "Let me take you both back first."
Just then, Hope called.
Elissa went to meet her.
As soon as they met, Hope anxiously asked, "What happened? Why did you send an emergency call?"
Elissa took her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, it was a misunderstanding. Francis has handled it."
At the car, Francis didn't get in, instructing Felix to escort the women safely home.
Elissa made sure Hope got in first, then turned to Francis without speaking.
Francis rubbed his brow thoughtfully before finally telling her the truth.
"Aiden is here," he spoke up.
The name "Aiden" sounded familiar to Elissa, but she couldn't immediately place it.
However, she recognized the surname "Wright."
"Someone from the Wright family?" she asked.
Francis nodded. "The head of the family. He's done business with my father."
Elissa's eyes widened.
That meant they were dealing with the highest echelons of power.
"Is he here on business, or...?"
"I think he's planning to shift his operations here," Francis replied, adding, "I need to confirm some things. Willard's waiting for me."
As their car pulled away, Francis got into another vehicle.
In the car, Hope mentioned to Elissa, "Jerry told me about Aiden before I arrived."
"How old is he?" Elissa asked.
"Forty-five."
"What does his wife do?"
"He's single."
Elissa was shocked. "Single at that age?"
Hope nodded. "Though there are rumors he's been meeting with the Baker family from Emerald City."
"Does he really need such powerful alliances? Surely he has to wait his turn to move up?"
"Francis is rising quickly," Hope explained. "Aiden's probably here to establish connections for his younger relatives, who could eventually serve as his son's right-hand men."
Elissa rubbed her temples. "It's so complicated."
Hope smiled. "You don't have to get involved, but you should understand it. At least know who your boyfriend's enemies are, to avoid being manipulated."
"I understand that. I won't be a liability to Francis."
Seeing Elissa's genuine smile, Hope felt happy for her.
"I didn't approve of some of Francis's past actions either," Hope admitted, "but honestly, his love for you is genuine. He's taken a roundabout way to ensure your safety, and he's protecting you well now. Don't worry—just live your life normally."
Elissa sighed at this. "I'm still causing him trouble. Someone like Melinda or Sylvia would probably be more useful to him than I am."
"That's not true," Hope shook her head. "Melinda ended up in the Wright family's hands; the Collins family couldn't get her back without begging the Peterson family for help."
"And if Sylvia wasn't being held by Francis as leverage, she'd probably have fallen into the Wright family's hands too."
Elissa started. "Sylvia is still with Francis?"
Hope nodded. "Yes."
"Is that... for my sake?"
"Yes."
Hope clasped Elissa's hand. "I'm absolutely on your side, but I can't deliberately misrepresent or hide what Francis has done. You're an adult with more relationship experience than me. I trust you to make your own judgments."
"As always, whatever decision you make, I'll support you. If you need help or someone to lean on, I'm here."
After processing this for a moment, Elissa said, "So essentially, the Wright family wanted to isolate the Peterson family from allies, and Francis used that to create a protective circle around me."
"And now the Wright family is making moves because they've recognized Francis's abilities and are planning preemptively?"
Hope nodded.
Elissa ran her fingers through her hair. "What can I do to help?"
"Just live well and work well."
"How does that help him?"
Hope smiled. "Protecting yourself is crucial. You must prioritize your safety."
Elissa made a face. "I'm not that clueless."
Then she sighed, "I've chosen this path. I'll see it through, even if it's difficult."
Hope tilted her head. "You sound like you've made up your mind about him."
"What else can I do? I can't shake him off. Seeing how good he is to me, I might as well accept him."
Elissa glanced at Felix before continuing, "As long as he doesn't break up with me, I won't break up with him again."
At a red light, Felix recorded this statement and sent it to Francis.
When Francis received it, his eyes lit up with happiness.
Even his usually cold face broke into a smile.
Across from him, Willard was irritated by the sight. "Could you not do that?"
Francis put away his phone without even looking at him, took a sip of tea, and calmly said, "Don't be jealous."
Willard gritted his teeth. "You might not even see your demise coming. Sylvia can't be her human shield forever. Aiden isn't stupid; he'll figure out who you really care about."
Francis responded, "He can know. He still won't be able to touch her."
Willard couldn't stand seeing him so lovesick.
He sighed, "It's fine for you to date Elissa while Aiden is single, but now that he's about to marry into the Baker family, you might lose your advantage. He'll be much harder to deal with then."
Francis replied calmly, "No, he won't."
Willard was exasperated by his confidence.
But he had to admit, Francis had an exceptional mind.
Elissa and Hope enjoyed local cuisine before visiting a rock painting exhibition.
They stayed until eleven, only realizing how late it was when Francis came to pick up Elissa.
"Want a late-night snack?" Francis asked.
Having eaten early in the afternoon, they were indeed hungry.
They found a barbecue place.
Watching Francis wiping the table, Elissa teased, "Is it okay for someone of your status to eat here?"
Francis discarded the napkin, a slight smile on his lips. "I just like things clean, don't read into it."
"So you're saying I'm not clean?" Elissa challenged.
Francis wiped her side of the table and sterilized her utensils with hot water.
He chuckled. "One neat freak in the family is enough."
Elissa gave him a side-eye.
Hope was pouring water and nearly spilled it on herself watching their interaction.
Suddenly, a long-fingered hand steadied hers and took the teapot.
She noticed the watch she'd given him on his wrist.
She didn't need to look to know who it was.
Jerry sat down without ceremony.
Hope sterilized his utensils too, saying, "Didn't I tell you not to come?"
Elissa teased, "Mr. Hammer, you're so clingy."
Jerry leaned back in his chair, draping an arm behind Hope's seat. "We're married. You two should be mindful of that."
Francis shot back, "Keep pretending."
Jerry retorted, "Only married people get to talk to me like that."
"That's enough," Elissa and Hope said simultaneously. "You're both as bad as each other."
Jerry wasn't one to drop a subject easily.
He said, "Don't forget, you owe me on that bet. Watch what you say—you never know what I might make you do, and I won't care about your pride."
Jerry had beaten him to dating, marriage, and having children.
And given Elissa's personality, if Francis had a son who became related to Jerry's family by marriage, that would be another loss.
At the moment, Francis couldn't compare.
Francis responded with a terse, "Fine."
Jerry, satisfied, said, "You're paying tonight. Let's see what to order."
Hope nudged Jerry's waist, signaling that he'd made his point.
They had just reconciled; a joke or two was enough.
Jerry backed off.
Elissa exchanged a glance with Hope, then leaned over to whisper something in Francis's ear.
The gloom in Francis's expression immediately vanished.
"Really?" he asked.
Elissa tapped his head lightly. "Yes."
Francis embraced her, his eyes overflowing with emotion. "I'd give my life for you."
Elissa was almost embarrassed, pushing him away. "Mind your manners in public. Don't make me look bad."
Francis replied, "Alright."
Across from them, Jerry frowned, about to make a sarcastic comment when a soft hand covered his mouth.
He looked over.
Hope winked at him.
Well then.
He and Francis were cut from the same cloth after all.
After dinner, the four went boating on the small lake.
The southern region had its own special charm at night.
Back on shore, Elissa and Hope walked hand in hand up front, each with a toffee apple.
Behind them, the two tall, handsome men followed at a leisurely pace, carrying various snacks.
Jerry asked, "What's the deal with Aiden?"
When Francis answered, his gaze remained on Elissa.
"Let's just say, for now, Seaside City isn't his to command."
Jerry only glanced at him briefly, his attention focused on Hope ahead.
He watched her don a rabbit ear headband, his eyes softening with affection.
"This mask is nice," Elissa said, buying a black feathered one for Francis. "Try it on."
Francis bent down. "My hands are full."
Elissa knew exactly what he wanted but played along, reaching up to put it on him.
Then she took a photo with her phone.
"Very cool," she exclaimed.
She put her phone away and continued shopping with Hope.
"It's too late today for you to try on the traditional cultural clothes," she told Hope. "In a few days, before we return to Maple Valley, let's dress up and take lots of photos."
Hope agreed. "Sounds good."
Behind them, Francis gave Jerry a smug look.
Jerry wasn't one to take that lying down.
"Looks like Elissa's tired of seeing your face," he taunted, "that's why she covered it up."
Francis was about to retort when he realized Elissa was no longer in sight.
He immediately signaled to his security team.
Similarly, Jerry couldn't see Hope anymore.
During the cultural festival, Seaside City was filled with tourists.
This street was the busiest in Seaside City, and even past midnight, it was crowded.
Despite their height advantage, the two men couldn't spot their companions in the dense crowd.
"So much for showing off with that mask. Look where it got you," Jerry said.
Francis's lips formed a tight line, his gaze ice-cold.
For once, he didn't counter Jerry's jibe.
He had been confident that Aiden's arrival wouldn't matter.
Now, unable to see Elissa, anxiety gripped him.
Yet he didn't dare call out loudly.
In over thirty years, he'd never felt so frustrated and helpless.
"We can't search like this. Call Willard to clear the area," Jerry suggested.
Jerry's words dispelled some of Francis's panic. He quickly dialed Willard.
Just as the call connected, someone tapped his shoulder.
He turned to find the face he'd been searching for.
Immediately, he pulled her into his arms.
Elissa was bewildered. "What's wrong?"
Hope, also caught in Jerry's tight grip, saw the tension in his eyes and guessed what had happened.
She explained voluntarily, "Restroom," pointing diagonally behind them where a sign indicated facilities down a small alley.
Jerry's taut nerves relaxed. "You could have told me."
Hope hadn't expected him to be so worried.
"I was about to..." she hesitated.
She felt slightly guilty.
Jerry saw through her immediately. "Playing a prank, were you?"
Hope coughed. "Some things are better left unsaid."
Hope wouldn't have come up with this idea on her own; it had to be Elissa's doing.
Looking over, she saw the other couple still embracing.
Jerry scoffed, "Enough with the sentimentality. Elissa was just pranking you. Stop acting like it was life and death. It's nauseating."
Francis released Elissa, his eyes impassive as he looked at her.
He said nothing.
Elissa rubbed her nose awkwardly. "Well, nature called... okay, I was wrong. I shouldn't have played around at such a tense time."
In truth, Francis couldn't blame her.
It was her nature, and he had promised that even in a relationship with him, she wouldn't have to change or cater to him.
She shouldn't have to live in constant fear because of the dangers he brought.
"You're not wrong. It's my problem," he said.
Jerry felt like cursing.
He'd never realized that someone as intelligent as Francis could be so lost in love.
Jerry said, "That's not how you indulge someone. Dangers and consequences need to be clear. Don't wait until something happens to regret it."
Elissa also thought Francis was being too indulgent with her.
She could feel his love, but he didn't need to compromise on everything for her.
A mistake was a mistake.
There was no shame in acknowledging that.
"I don't want to cause you trouble, so even if you don't blame me, I'll be more careful. After all, we have a lifetime ahead of us."
Francis held her hand tightly.
"Be careful, yes, but don't trade your freedom for it. Be yourself, and leave the rest to me."
Jerry couldn't watch anymore and left with Hope.
It was getting very late, and Elissa had a strategy meeting with Finn tomorrow.
They headed back to the hotel too.
Once inside, Elissa was pressed against the door, caught in a fierce, passionate kiss.
There was no room to breathe.
Falling onto the bed, Francis didn't continue but instead held her tightly.
As if he might lose her at any moment.
Elissa found it both touching and amusing. She stroked his head gently and said seriously, "Francis, if—and I'm saying if—something were to happen, remember: don't sacrifice everything for me, especially not your life."
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