Chapter 420 Trapped with No Way Out
Francis didn't answer Willard, instead instructing Sebastian to check for the bus at the highway toll station.
Willard understood. Some buses didn't require ID, making it difficult to track passengers. If they missed Aiden now, once he reached the border or took a private boat, finding him would become nearly impossible.
"I didn't expect Aiden would stoop this low," Willard remarked.
At forty years old, a man accustomed to chauffeur-driven cars everywhere was now suffering through a bus journey.
Francis stood up, and Willard followed him out.
Inside the elevator, Francis glanced at him through the elevator wall with a sardonic smile. "Are you bored?"
Willard cleared his throat. "Let's pretend I'm not obvious."
Jerry arrived to take Hope home, coincidentally running into Francis. His eyes landed on Willard's face, and he chuckled. "Is Mr. Larson retiring soon?"
Both men teased him about his availability despite knowing exactly why he was there. Willard ignored Jerry and attempted to walk past him, but Francis blocked his way.
"My fiancée's home isn't appropriate for other men to enter," Francis stated.
As Francis turned to go in, Willard blocked him. "What if my wife is in her pajamas? You shouldn't go in either right now. Call first."
The two tall men completely obstructed the doorway.
Jerry stood watching with folded arms. "Anne has been demanding a divorce from you. Besides, entering Francis's fiancée's home right in front of him seems inappropriate, don't you think?"
Hope tapped Jerry's arm and told Willard, "You can come in. Everyone's properly dressed."
Francis looked Willard up and down, clearly suggesting he move aside.
Willard's lips curved downward, but he eventually stepped away. It wasn't appropriate for him to barge into Elissa's home.
As soon as Francis entered, Willard followed closely behind.
Elissa came over when she heard them, offering Francis slippers.
Seeing Willard, she looked uncomfortable. "Mr. Larson, I don't have enough men's slippers."
Unfazed, Willard replied, "Ladies' will do fine." He removed his shoes and walked in without hesitation.
Elissa sighed with resignation.
Francis changed into slippers, took her hand, and pulled her close.
Hope, sensing the atmosphere, quietly closed the door and left with Jerry.
Once in the car, Jerry embraced Hope, nuzzling her neck while she attempted to push him away.
Steven, pretending not to notice, silently raised the privacy partition.
Upstairs, Elissa halted Francis's advances. "We have company," she reminded him."We have company," she reminded him.
Francis, displeased, was ready to chase their visitor out.
Just then, they saw Willard carrying Anne over his shoulder. He slipped on his shoes and strode out with determination, Anne's colorful cursing audible even as they entered the elevator.
Francis covered Elissa's mouth, kicked the door shut, and lifted her onto the low cabinet in the entryway.
"Did you miss me?" he asked in a husky voice.
Elissa poked his forehead. "We broke up. Why would I miss an ex-boyfriend?"
Francis smiled. "Then, can I have a chance to apologize?"
Elissa cupped his face, swaying it playfully. "No."
Francis's expression softened with amusement. "That's fine. As long as you're happy. You must be hungry. I'll cook something delicious."
Elissa smiled.
Realizing she couldn't help with Anne's situation, she wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging to him. "Food can wait. First, show me how much you missed me these past two days."
Francis's eyes darkened instantly as he carried her to the bedroom.
Soon, passion engulfed the room.
Willard grabbed her ankle and pulled her back.
Anne kicked at him. "Get away, you pervert! Touch me again and I'll call the police!"
Willard helped her sit properly and instructed the driver to start moving.
"I'm not going with you. Stop the car!" she protested.
"I need to talk to you," he replied.
"I don't want to listen!"
Willard tried to persuade her calmly. "Aren't you curious? About the Wright family?"
Anne shook her head. "Not at all. I can ask Elissa and Hope. Stop the car now or I'm calling the police."
Willard remained composed. "Elissa and the others aren't available to talk right now. Give me some time, I'll tell you everything, which will help when you chat with her later."
Anne still refused to listen.
Willard let out a resigned sigh. "Then call the police. Consider it a field trip to the station."
Anne wasn't legally ignorant. She and Willard were still married, and he hadn't physically abused her. Though his behavior was domineering, it didn't constitute harm. Even if they went to the police station, with his status and position, they'd only receive brief mediation. Afterward, he would continue pursuing her.
Willard watched as her doe-like eyes darted back and forth. It seemed she'd learned something from Elissa and Hope these past two days.
Finally, she said, "I think we should talk properly."
Exactly as he'd hoped. "Yes, we should," Willard agreed.
They returned to the hotel. A single room had been booked.
Anne didn't want to share a room with Willard, but she hadn't had a chance to say so, having stayed at Elissa's these past days. Since they were just talking, there was no need for separate rooms. After their conversation, she had work to do.
"What would you like to drink?" Willard asked as he removed his coat.
Anne shook her head and sat down in a single armchair. "I'm in a hurry."
Willard smiled and brought her a yogurt drink before sitting on the long sofa.
Anne liked peach-flavored yogurt. After a moment's hesitation, she took it and started drinking.
Willard watched her with affectionate eyes. "What did you want to discuss?" he asked gently.
Anne chewed on the straw for a few seconds before asking directly, "What will it take for you to divorce me?"
Willard leaned back against the sofa, resting one hand on the armrest, his index finger tapping intermittently.
After a while, he changed the subject entirely. "Haven't you had lunch yet? What would you like to eat?"
Anne nearly bit through the straw in frustration. "If you're not being sincere, there's nothing to discuss," she said through gritted teeth.
Willard raised his hand, tapping her smooth forehead lightly with two fingers.
"How is it that you have such patience when stalking animals and photographing cloud seas, but can't spare any patience for a conversation with me? Ann, haven't I been good to you except for those three years?"
Anne hadn't heard Willard use that nickname in a long time. After she had expressed her feelings for him, he began distancing himself. Later, when they were forced to marry, he'd been cold for three years, not even returning to the Larson Mansion. It was as if he was afraid of running into her, avoiding her worse than the plague.
But in her complex emotions now, anger dominated.
"You have no right to call me Ann."
This statement caught Willard completely off guard.
Anne angrily threw away the yogurt bottle and stood up to leave.
Willard quickly grabbed her hand, his tone somewhat humble. "Fine, I won't call you that. Please don't be angry."
Anne shook off his hand. "I don't think we have anything to discuss. If you won't agree to a divorce, I'll file a lawsuit. I don't believe you can manipulate everything to your advantage."
Willard frowned slightly and caught her hand again, pulling her into his arms.
A man whose casual words were usually attended by thousands. A man who never had to carefully weigh his words, distinguishing between what could and couldn't be said. A man whom no one dared challenge, regardless of what he said or did.
Yet now, he chose his words with great care. "Then what do you want me to do to make you stay married to me?"
Anne couldn't understand why Willard suddenly liked her, suddenly refused to divorce her.
On their wedding night, he had coldly told her that the marriage was for his grandfather's sake. He would divorce her as soon as his grandfather passed away.
People said women's thoughts were hard to guess, but she felt men were no easier.
"I don't want to discuss anything except divorce. If you insist on harassing me, I can't stop you. Do whatever you want, but I'm definitely getting this divorce."
Willard was about to say something when a phone ring interrupted.
Anne took out her phone with her free hand and, seeing the caller ID, immediately answered, "Professor."
Willard's eyes grew colder.
Anne's face, however, broke into a smile. "Really? You found the endangered Sora?"
"Yes. Where are you now? We're flying to Serindia."
"Go ahead. I'll fly directly from Maple Valley to Serindia and meet you there."
"Alright. Be careful, and send me your flight information. Call me as soon as you land."
"Don't worry."
Satisfied, she hung up and went to grab her black backpack.
But after taking one step, she felt resistance. Only then did she remember Willard was still holding her.
"Let go!" she demanded.
Willard hesitated, then released her.
Anne immediately rushed over, checked her equipment, and booked a flight.
Willard's expression shifted. "I know people there who can help you with your photography."
Anne immediately became defensive. "You're not going to stop me like you did last time, are you?"
Willard was very busy, and in his spare time, he looked for her. But the world was vast, and with her constant travels, she wasn't easy to find.
In Seaside City, he could deploy people to intercept her from all directions. But in other cities, such methods weren't feasible and could potentially threaten her safety.
So, he had to resort to extraordinary means.
That last time,, it had been a long time since he'd seen her. She even refused his invitation to dinner.
But now, he understood. Constant pressure wasn't the solution; it only pushed her further away. Especially with her professor, whose personality was completely opposite to his—warm and attentive. With his past mistakes, Willard's odds weren't good.
"I want to make it up to you. What happened last time was my fault. In the future, you can ask me for anything you need."
His sudden change in attitude left Anne bewildered.
Before she could respond, he added, "Would you like my private jet to take you there? And your friends too?"
Anne wouldn't use a private jet, nor would she let her friends use one.
Outside her marriage, she wanted no connection to "Willard." She hadn't even told people she was married, since they would eventually divorce anyway.
Suddenly arriving in a private jet would create many complications.
"No need. I've already bought tickets."
Willard nodded and picked up his coat. "I'll take you to the airport."
On the way, Anne kept thinking but couldn't make sense of it.
She had created a group chat with Elissa and Hope, but her messages went unanswered for a long time.
By the time they reached the airport, Elissa finally responded: [Changed tactics]
Anne immediately understood.
So when they got out of the car, she grabbed her bag and ran off, not wanting to exchange another word with Willard.
Willard waited until her plane took off before leaving the airport.
Sitting in the back seat of his car, he rubbed his temples, confused. "Tell me, what do young women want these days?"
Steven didn't know either. "Mr. Willard Larson, you should ask Ms. Uma Larson. Mrs. Anne Larson was quite close to Ms. Uma Larson before."
Uma was more interested in drama than helping. Plus, with her own failed relationships, she wouldn't sincerely help others with their romantic issues.
It would be better to ask Elissa and Hope.
"Back to the hotel," he instructed.
At Suncrest City's highway toll station, traffic was backed up like a parking lot on an ordinary Saturday.
Aiden felt the bus stop and looked out the window. Seeing the dense mass of vehicles, his right eyelid began twitching uncontrollably.
"What's going on?" someone asked.
"Probably some kind of inspection. I see people in uniforms."
Aiden saw them too, but the Peterson family's men weren't visible. Could this just be a routine check?
The bus driver went to inquire and returned to reassure the passengers. "Nothing serious. They're just checking for overloading and prohibited items."
Aiden moved to the front of the bus, scanning the area before adjusting his mask.
He had a feeling Francis was behind this.
He slipped money to the bus driver. "Take a side road."
Though the driver operated illegally, he wasn't brave enough to commit more serious offenses.
He said, "Sir, if they're looking for you, I suggest you surrender rather than involving me."
As the inspectors approached, Aiden got off the bus.
He climbed over the guardrail and headed for the small path below the highway.
Hayden lowered his binoculars and signaled his men to follow.
Francis had said to let Aiden suffer a bit before crushing his hopes at the border.
Aiden pushed through the undergrowth until he reached scattered houses.
After paying for a call, he dialed an overseas number.
Once connected, he immediately said, "I've been spotted. Can't take the bus anymore. What options do I have? I'm still far from the Serenity Manor border."
"There's a dock in Suncrest City. Make sure you're not followed, go there, and a boat will pick you up."
Aiden hung up, asked for directions to the dock, and paid a premium for someone to drive him there.
Along the way, he constantly looked in all directions, confirming he wasn't being followed, which eased his anxiety.
At the dock, someone was already waiting. He boarded immediately.
As the boat departed, he saw no one pursuing them on shore. He seemed to have evaded detection.
From a high tower, Hayden watched through binoculars as satisfaction flashed across Aiden's face. He laughed. It was just a matter of time before they trapped their prey.
After a satisfying interlude, Francis bit into a cigarette as he cooked for Elissa in the kitchen.
His phone lay nearby on speaker. He merely grunted in acknowledgment after hearing Hayden's report.
Just then, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind.
Soft hands played across his chest.
"What's this? Still want?" he teased.
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