Chapter 423 Driving Oneself Crazy
Elissa's gaze became mischievous. "How are you different from him?"
As she spoke, her hand slid downward. Francis held her hand in place and gave a muffled groan. Yet there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Just then, Willard's call came through.
At first, Francis didn't want to answer. He figured Willard would understand. But today, for some reason, it was one call after another, non-stop.
Elissa nudged him. "Answer the phone. It must be urgent if he's calling like this."
She rolled over and pulled the blanket over herself.
Francis cursed under his breath, trying to keep his temper in check, and took the call out on the balcony to cool off.
He muttered under his breath, "This better be important."
Willard's voice was hoarse, and he spoke in broken sentences, a far cry from his usual composed and logical self. It took Francis a while to piece together a coherent sentence.
"You said, I tried my best, didn't want to push, but she... Is the age difference too much? I can't figure out what she's thinking, Francis. I kissed her forcefully, and she got mad and left..."
"What happened to her? When did you become so shameless?"
"Someone said she spent the night alone with Ernest in a room."
Francis was speechless. "Where are you?" he finally said.
"At a bar."
Willard had Quinton with him, who could handle twenty guys without breaking a sweat. There was no real danger. But clearly, emotional issues were a bigger problem than physical safety tonight. And Francis didn't have time to play relationship counselor.
"You're not in your twenties anymore. Why get so worked up over what others say?" Francis's voice was cold. "Besides, no one can force a divorce. If you really can't make it work, just give Anne what she wants. Maybe if you change the relationship, it'll be easier to pursue her again."
Willard immediately rejected the idea. "Without this relationship, I might not even get to see her."
"How is that possible? You know where she is." Francis's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Didn't you put a tracker on her?"
"That was for her safety."
"Fine," Francis checked the time. "It's late here. Please consider the time difference and call me during the day."
Willard seemed to snap back to reality. "Ask Elissa to talk to her."
Francis grunted in response and hung up, then put his phone on silent.
He returned to the room, where Elissa was wrapped in the blanket, only her head peeking out. She asked what was going on.
Francis waited until he warmed up a bit before getting under the blanket with her and holding her close. "What else could he be anxious about?"
Elissa grabbed her phone. The group chat with her friends was eerily quiet. Since she met Anne, no matter what happened, Anne would vent in the chat. Especially about Willard. If Willard was desperate enough to call Francis multiple times, it was strange that Anne hadn't said a word.
"Is it another fight about the divorce?"
Francis let out a cold laugh. "He kissed her forcefully."
Willard might have an intimidating presence and ruthless methods. He seemed very domineering. But from what Elissa had seen, that was just a facade, a necessity for someone in his position. In private, his personality didn't seem like the type to force a kiss. He would more likely try to seduce Anne into kissing him.
"So, he was really desperate?"
Francis shook his head. "Willard's got a violent streak deep down."
"Why?"
Willard wasn't some illegitimate child of the Larson family. He was the legitimate heir and very accomplished. At just over thirty, he held significant power and immense wealth. His rocky love life was his own doing. He couldn't blame anyone else. What was there to be violent about?
Francis, on the other hand, hadn't mentioned being violent. Though sometimes, he could be annoyingly domineering.
"Are you cursing me in your head?"
Elissa quickly shook her head. "No, I just don't understand why Willard is like that."
Francis's eyes narrowed slightly. "Liar. Not being good, no gossip for you today."
That was too harsh! For Elissa kissed him sweetly. "Come on, honey..."
Francis's eyes flickered. "What do you call me?"
Elissa leaned close to his ear. "Honey."
Francis's Adam's apple bobbed. The interrupted mood slowly returned, and he rolled over, pinning her down.
Elissa quickly pushed him away. "You can't make love until you finish talking."
Little did she know, her body was fully exposed. Elissa noticed Francis's lustful gaze and hurriedly pulled the blanket over herself. But she was a step too late.
"Francis, you..."
Later, Elissa could barely form a complete sentence. All that was left were soft, melodic moans.
Willard drank until the early hours, then pulled out his phone and opened Anne's chat. He hesitated for a few seconds but didn't send a message.
Maybe he should really listen to her. Let them both keep some dignity, for the sake of their grandfathers. Fine, he'd let her go. He was the one who broke her heart.
Thinking back to those three years, she might have wanted to reach out to him. Just like now, feeling utterly confused.
Anne left Willard's room but didn't return to the hotel booked by her team. She sent Ernest a message and then headed back to Seaside City overnight.
Elissa and Hope had their own families, and she didn't want to disturb them. Nor did she want to burden them with her troubles. Ultimately, she had to solve this herself. They couldn't help her get a divorce. And over the years, she didn't have many friends.
She spent a day at her grandfather's grave. She also paid her respects to Willard's grandfather. Then she went to the Larson Villa. She expressed her intentions clearly.
Anne said, "All these years, I know you've treated me like your own daughter. But I really can't continue with Willard. I'm at my wit's end. I hope you can talk to him. I definitely want this divorce."
Willard's parents exchanged a glance. The Larson family didn't need to solidify their status through marriage anymore. It was all about the kids' happiness. If they found someone suitable, great. If not, as long as they were happy, the family welcomed them.
Willard's mother had health issues and couldn't have more children after Willard. When Anne was brought into the Larson Villa by her grandfather as a child, she immediately liked her and took her in as a goddaughter. The grandparents also hoped for a closer bond. Whether as a daughter or daughter-in-law, she was happy.
But over the past three years, she had seen it all. Anne made all sorts of excuses not to come back. Clearly, Willard had hurt her deeply.
Willard's mother gently grasped Anne's hand. "Ann, I can talk to him about the divorce, but be honest with me. Do you really not like him anymore, or are you just angry because of what he did?"
Anne couldn't explain her feelings. But she was sure she didn't want to be tied to Willard in a marriage, so she said, "I really don't like him anymore."
Willard heard that last sentence as he reached the front door. He had rushed back overnight. He found out Anne had gone to the Larson Villa. And now, he was just torturing himself.
Quinton watched Willard hurry back, his usually immaculate suit now wrinkled. He didn't even go inside, just turned around and left. Quinton sighed inwardly. If Willard really liked Anne, why pushed her away? Now that he wanted to pull her back, the thread had snapped. If he weren't a subordinate and Willard his boss, he would have loved to say, "Serves you right."
Willard's father glanced towards the door and nudged his wife. Willard's mother looked at Anne, who had her head bowed. Her voice was firm and resolute. Clearly, she had made up her mind. This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Willard's mother finally gave in. "Alright, I'll talk to Willard, but you're still my goddaughter. Since you're here, at least stay for a meal."
Anne nodded.
Willard went to find Francis. Francis was cooking and missed the call. Elissa was still asleep. The doorbell kept ringing, eventually waking her up.
"Francis?" She walked into the kitchen. "Didn't you hear the doorbell? Why is it ringing and no one handling it?"
Francis hadn't heard it. He was plating the food and looking for his phone. Elissa handed it to him. "Willard's been calling you non-stop. I bet he's at the door."
"You handle it. I'm going back to bed."
Francis pulled her back and fed her a piece of fried egg. "Eat something first."
Elissa, with her mouth full of oil, kissed his cheek playfully. "A reward for you."
Francis didn't mind, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Elissa went back to the bedroom. She closed the door behind her. Francis's smile faded as he went to open the door.
Willard, being polite, didn't step inside. "Why didn't you answer your phone?"
"Do you have an emergency or not?"
"Didn't you say I could call during the day?"
Francis rubbed his forehead. "I can't help you with your problem."
Willard asked, "Didn't you ask Elissa?"
"What do you want to know?"
"What Anne really thinks."
Francis was speechless. "You could have texted me. I would have asked and replied when I had an answer."
"I came to you so you could ask now. Once you do, I'll leave and not bother you."
"Willard, you're being a bit rude."
Willard was desperate. Anne's words had left him unable to stay calm or patient. "Please."
Francis's patience was wearing thin. "Matters of the heart can't be meddled with by outsiders. It only makes things worse. When Elissa and I had issues, Jerry didn't interfere. Instead of having Elissa ask, why don't you ask Anne yourself?"
For the first time, Willard looked defeated. "I just came from the Larson Villa."
Francis checked the time. "You flew back overnight?"
"Yes, I thought if she returned, I had a chance. But she went to ask my parents to persuade me to divorce. She even said she really doesn't like me anymore."
Francis had never seen Willard like this. Who would have thought that someone so strategic and cunning would be so helpless in matters of the heart?
"Not liking someone is normal. No one will keep trying to please someone who doesn't love them back. If you make mistakes, you have to face the consequences. I still say, ask Anne directly. If she insists on a divorce, then let her go. Maybe a different approach will help you."
Willard calmed down, realizing he had been abrupt. "Sorry."
Francis nodded. "You should see a doctor when you have time."
"I will."
Watching Willard leave, Francis closed the door. Turning around, he saw Elissa peeking from behind a screen, winking playfully. Francis smirked but kept his eyes straight as he headed to the kitchen.
Elissa hadn't heard any gossip last night, and she was too tired to think about it. Now, well-rested, she was dying to know the details. She hugged him from behind, trying to charm him. "Look at you! So good with business and amazing in the kitchen... I totally lucked out with you!"
Francis lit the stove, cooking. He didn't respond.
Elissa pouted, "Come on, tell me! You're always so good to me. You wouldn't let me suffer not knowing all the gossip, would you?"
Francis gave a light chuckle but still didn't respond.
When sweet-talking didn't work, Elissa tried a different tactic. "If you don't tell me, I'll be mad."
Francis's smile deepened, his eyes full of affection. "Let me finish cooking, and I'll tell you while we eat."
Elissa patted his waist and sauntered out of the kitchen. Francis called after her, "You just wait."
Elissa replied, "I'm waiting, starving here."
The food was soon on the table. Elissa eagerly served Francis. "You worked so hard making all this. How about a massage after we eat?"
Francis raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear how you'll do it. A regular massage won't do."
Elissa didn't have much strength, just saying it for fun. "Of course, it has to be special. But I can't tell you now. A little suspense will make it more enjoyable."
Francis felt a tickle in his heart, urging her to sit down and eat. "Hurry up and eat."
Elissa pouted, "Bad man."
Francis served her soup, immune to her complaints. "Drink your soup."
He was calm, but Elissa was getting frustrated. "Just tell me already! Why does Willard need to see a doctor? Does he have a mental illness?"
Francis replied slowly, "He brought it on himself."
Elissa didn't understand. Francis continued, "Didn't I tell you? Willard thought Anne was too young and that their sibling-like relationship couldn't turn romantic. The marriage was just to fulfill their elders' wishes."
"He restrained himself, but the things only got worse the more he suppressed them. Those years he neglected Anne, he wasn't happy either. So he drove himself crazy."
"He had almost come to terms with it, but when his grandfather passed and he returned to see Anne, she asked for a divorce. They've been fighting ever since, with Ernest in the mix. His condition is getting out of control."
Elissa was shocked. "If he really cared about the sibling relationship, why would the elders let them marry? That's nonsense. He thought Anne was too young to understand love and wanted her to see more of the world, which is understandable. But driving himself crazy, I just can't get it."
Francis couldn't understand it either. He had been surprised when he first heard about it. But it had happened.
He smiled and said, "Why don't you subtly ask around? Willard's favor isn't something everyone can get."
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