Chapter 421 We Are Legitimate
Hayden, hearing Francis's intimate insinuations to Elissa, fumbled to hang up the phone.
On the other end, Elissa tiptoed, resting her chin on Francis's shoulder, and asked, "Did Aiden run away?"
Francis responded with a nod, shrugging his shoulder. "I'll start cooking."
Elissa let go of him and grabbed a cucumber to munch on.
"So, you know his escape route?" she asked.
Francis fried some fries she loved, feeding her one with a smile. "If he wants to leave the country without leaving a trace, there's only one route."
Elissa was about to ask more when his phone rang.
"Can you get that for me?" he said.
Elissa saw the caller ID was Willard, answered, and put it on speaker.
Willard's deep voice came through, "Is this a good time?"
Francis was brief, "What's up?"
Willard hesitated.
Francis guessed it had to do with Anne.
Only Anne could make Willard so indecisive.
"Spit it out or I'm hanging up."
Willard sighed and explained what had happened.
Francis chuckled, "Weren't you just deceiving Anne? Why the sudden change of heart?"
Willard was at his wit's end.
Those tactics worked occasionally.
Using the same trick repeatedly, Anne had become wary.
Besides, he didn't want their relationship to be built on lies.
"Force isn't the answer. Got any bright ideas?"
Francis raised an eyebrow.
Hearing Willard ask for advice was rare.
"If you're free, why not fly to Serindia?" Francis said casually.
Willard's eyes lit up, and he immediately turned back to the airport.
He applied for a flight route, and his private jet headed to Serindia.
Elissa hung up the phone and teased Francis, "You're so clever, Francis."
"Stop flattering me."
"You won't let me help Anne, but you keep helping Willard."
Elissa playfully pinched his waist.
Francis turned to her, his gaze becoming tender.
Elissa grinned playfully, "Only you can tease me like that?
Francis chuckled. "Anne and Willard have different needs. Anne wants a divorce, Willard just asked me how to win her back. Can you help her get a divorce? If not, why get involved?"
Elissa couldn't, so she leaned closer to Francis with a sweet smile.
Francis saw through her. "I can't help Anne with a divorce either. Breaking up someone's marriage isn't something I can support. I've asked Jesus to bless our union, and that means I need to live according to good principles."
Elissa angrily bit into her cucumber, mumbling, "You men are all in cahoots."
Francis looked innocent, "What do you mean? I didn't marry you and then ignore you for three years."
Elissa focused on the key point, "But why are you helping Willard?"
"I'm not helping. I sent him away. He won't reconcile with Anne just by going to Serindia. I just don't want him bothering us."
Elissa swallowed her cucumber, "Do you know why he suddenly doesn't want a divorce?"
Francis asked back, "What did Anne say?"
"Anne doesn't know."
Francis paused, "I'm not entirely sure either."
Elissa punched his shoulder, "Come on, he must have told you the reason."
Francis smiled helplessly, "He thought Anne was too young to understand love, so he stayed away for three years after they got married, thinking she'd grow up and understand her feelings. But now that Anne really doesn't like him, he feels insecure."
Elissa said, "So, Willard actually has some feelings for Anne, but thought she was too young, so he stayed away. But now that Anne doesn't like him, he realizes his feelings and doesn't want a divorce, right?"
"Yes."
Elissa exclaimed in shock, "That kind of thinking is fine for business, but not for relationships."
Francis plated the food and handed it to Elissa, "Take it out, it's time to eat."
When Willard landed, he immediately found Anne's location and went there.
Anne was staking out in the field.
There were many mosquitoes, and she was wrapped up tightly.
She stayed still in the grass.
But Willard recognized her instantly.
He didn't disturb her, waiting nearby.
His assistant sprayed insect repellent around him.
Hours passed.
Suddenly, there was some movement ahead.
He saw Anne get excited and press the shutter.
After taking a few photos, she emerged from the grass.
She shared them with her team.
Willard saw her head close to her teacher's and narrowed his eyes.
Anne sensed something was off and looked up, meeting Willard's gaze.
She immediately ran over, pulling down her mask, her beautiful eyes filled with anger. "You're here to mess things up again!"
Willard glanced at her teacher and replied calmly, "Did I stop you from taking photos?"
Anne was at a loss for words.
He hadn't.
She awkwardly scratched her face.
Willard's sudden change was something she wasn't used to.
"Ann, who is this?"
"Ann?"
Willard's demeanor turned cold, his brows furrowing.
He looked at Anne, his voice icy, "How does he know your nickname?"
Anne shrank back but then stood her ground. "He's my teacher, so what if he calls me by my nickname?"
She was a bit scared of Willard's anger and whispered, "It's none of your business."
"Fine." Willard stood up, glaring at Anne's teacher. "I'm Anne's husb..."
Anne quickly tiptoed and covered his mouth, awkwardly smiling at the team watching them. "He's an elder of mine."
Willard tried to remove her hand, but she glared at him fiercely.
Ernest greeted, "Nice to meet you. I'm Ernest Torres, Ann's teacher."
Ernest extended his hand, but Willard didn't move.
Anne let go of his mouth and quickly pulled his hand to shake Ernest's.
"Mr. Torres, don't mind him. He's just like that, not very talkative."
Ernest smiled warmly, "I understand. He must be worried about you, coming all this way."
Anne nodded obediently, "You're absolutely right, Mr. Torres."
Willard's gaze grew colder.
Anne shivered.
Ernest looked puzzled, "Ann, are you cold?"
Anne couldn't answer.
Though Willard was gentler with her, he was still the head of the Larson family, exuding an intimidating aura.
When she was young, she was afraid, but as she grew up, she became less fearful. Yet, deep down, there was still a lingering sense of timidity.
It had become instinctual.
Anne explained, "Feels like there's a bug, let me shake it off."
"Really?" Ernest reached for her collar, "Let me check."
But a large hand came across, swatting Ernest's hand away and pulling Anne forcefully into his arms.
Willard said, "I'm Anne's husband, legally."
Willard's words shocked everyone on Anne's team.
Ernest's expression changed, but he managed a smile, "Ann never mentioned she was married..."
"We've been married for over three years..."
Anne panicked and stomped on Willard's foot, "Shut up!"
Even during the three years he avoided Anne, Willard had investigated when he heard the name "Ernest."
Though Ernest's private life was clean aside from his photography, and he seemed like someone trustworthy, Willard didn't think Ernest was right for Anne.
And no matter how he looked at it, he found Ernest displeasing.
"We're legally married, why can't I say it?"
Anne exploded, "Willard! We're getting divorced, what's there to say!"
Willard's grip on her waist tightened slightly.
He had intended to handle things gently.
Now, he was full of anger with no outlet.
He restrained himself, "I said, we won't divorce."
"What gives you the right to make all the decisions!" Anne's eyes reddened with frustration, "Ignoring me was your decision, saying we'd divorce because of Grandpa's death was your decision, and now not divorcing is still your decision."
She added, "I'm a person, not your subordinate, not a disposable or toy accessory! I have the right to decide if I want a divorce!"
Willard's eyes showed pain as he reached to wipe her tears, but she dodged.
Anne rubbed her eyes vigorously, struggling to break free from his hold.
"Let go!" she shouted.
Willard released her.
Anne grabbed her equipment and hurried away.
Ernest immediately followed.
The confused team members quickly followed suit.
"Ann, are you okay?" Ernest handed her a tissue and patted her shoulder to comfort her, "If there's a problem, talk it out. Fighting won't solve anything."
Anne didn't want to fight. The worst argument she'd had with Willard was when she confessed her feelings and he lectured her.
During the three years of neglect after their marriage, she hadn't called or messaged him to ask why.
She was busy with her career, just waiting for the day Willard would return to finalize their divorce.
She had never imagined the scene of their meeting.
It was Willard holding her hand, apologizing, and saying they wouldn't divorce.
But during the time they argued about not divorcing, the fights had only increased.
This solidified her desire for a divorce.
Anne sighed, "He's unable to be pleasant or speak nicely to others. Forget it, let's not talk about him. Everyone's worked hard, I'll treat you all to dinner."
Ernest smiled, "Getting you to treat us is rare, everyone should enjoy tonight."
The atmosphere instantly became lively.
Willard stood not far away, listening for a while, then watched as Anne's car slowly drove away.
After dinner, Elissa and Francis were curled up on the couch.
Both were handling their own business on their phones.
The group chat was filled with Anne's complaints.
Elissa suddenly remembered something and asked Francis, "Did you send Willard to Anne knowing they'd argue?"
Francis replied to a message and chuckled. "They argue all the time."
"Do you know Anne's teacher?"
"Somewhat."
Elissa sat up, "Tell me more."
Francis tidied her messy hair and said, "That guy likes Anne, has silently protected her for many years. He's clean, the complete opposite of Willard."
Elissa lay on top of Francis and asked, "Did he confess his feelings?"
"I don't know," Francis replied.
Elissa rolled over onto her back and continued chatting in the group chat.
She tried to subtly ask Anne about Ernest.
Anne sent a confused emoji and texted: [He's my teacher, a great person. I respect him a lot and hope our teacher-student relationship lasts forever.]
Unrequited love.
Meanwhile, Francis received a message from Willard.
Willard: [You did this on purpose.]
Francis: [What, I'm helping you and that's wrong now?]
Willard: [I changed my approach, and you ruined it.]
Francis: [You weren't calm.]
Willard: [Can you stay calm when you see a rival?]
That was true.
Willard: [Remember when you went crazy over Elissa's pursuer?]
Francis didn't reply.
After a while, Willard sent another message: [What now? You need to take responsibility.]
Francis glanced at Elissa's phone screen and replied: [Relax, Anne just respects her teacher.]
Willard felt a bit better but still not great.
He stood outside the restaurant.
For the first time in a long while, he lit a cigarette.
"Ann, your husband is standing outside," a team member said.
Anne lost her appetite, "Let him be."
The girl was curious, "Why are you getting divorced?"
Anne didn't want to discuss it, "We're not compatible."
The girl wanted to ask more but was stopped by a look from Ernest.
She pouted,
Anne slammed her utensils down.
Ernest wanted to intervene, but she didn't give him a chance.
Anne retorted, "Are you interested? How about I give him to you?"
The girl suppressed her excitement, pretending to be moral, "You haven't divorced yet. I have standards."
Anne had never liked this girl.
To be precise, this girl had always targeted her.
If it weren't for professionalism, Anne wouldn't bother working with her.
"I think you're quite capable. Why don't you talk to him and convince him to divorce me?"
The girl feigned reluctance, "I don't meddle in family matters. Besides, I was trying to reconcile, not ruin your relationship. Don't think I'm that bad."
Anne saw right through that girl's act. Her gaze turned cold, and she dropped a bombshell.
She said, "His last name is Larson."
A gasp went through the room.
The girl's eyes lit up. "Larson? Which Larson? Is he from Seaside City?"
That wealth was unimaginable.
The girl pinched her thigh to maintain some composure.
She exclaimed emotionally, "Ann, you're divorcing such an outstanding man? If you'd mentioned it earlier, we wouldn't have wasted days waiting for a star. Having such great resources unused while struggling alone is foolish."
Anne thought this girl was pitiful.
In this day and age, still relying on men.
She was wrong for relying on herself.
How laughable.
She replied coolly, "I said, if you like him, I'll give him to you, as long as you can convince him to divorce me. All that wealth and luxury will be yours."
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