Chapter 426 I'm Pregnant
Rainey rubbed her neck, still feeling the sting from where Francis had grabbed her.
She said, "My own son, the one I raised with so much love and care, wants to strangle me over another woman."
Elysia fiddled with her bracelet. "If you hadn't been involved in Elissa's kidnapping, he wouldn't have touched you. Looking back, Francis has done everything we've asked, except for insisting on Elissa. He hasn't turned into a tyrant after gaining power. I regret talking to Elissa yesterday."
Rainey was shocked. "Mom, what are you saying? You can't just switch sides and accept Francis marrying Elissa."
"They're not even married yet. If they do get married, everyone will know Elissa is the wife of the Peterson family's leader. It'll cause so much trouble for Francis. She doesn't have what it takes to handle these situations," she added.
Elysia might have softened with age.
Although she was initially against it, after fainting this time, she had a change of heart.
Elysia said, "You can't stop it, so why not accept it? How can you be sure that Francis will only face trouble and not find happiness, leading the Peterson family to greater glory?"
Rainey was stubborn. "With a wife dragging him down, how can he achieve greatness?"
Elysia retorted, "But the Peterson family hasn't suffered any losses. Francis has dealt with our biggest enemy, the Wright family."
She continued, "Elissa might be a problem for Francis, but Melinda and Sylvia aren't much better. If something happens, their backgrounds and parents aren't as capable as Francis in handling things."
Rainey couldn't listen anymore. "Mom, are you trying to convince me?"
"Yes, and I'll also try to convince my son and husband to accept Elissa."
If Elissa could come back alive this time.
If something happened, she didn't dare to think about it.
Rainey was unhappy, but Elysia didn't give her a chance to speak.
Elysia said, "I'm feeling dizzy. Think about it yourself. I've said all I can."
When Elissa woke up, she felt the wind all around her.
As her vision cleared, she realized she was on a bamboo raft.
Lying on her side, her hands and feet were tied.
The water splashing over the sides of the raft soaked her clothes.
Even though it was spring, the wind was still cold.
Her teeth chattered uncontrollably.
A figure stood at the front of the raft. It was too dark to see his face, but he was tall.
She instinctively knew it was Aiden.
"Almost there."
He was on the phone.
Sensing her gaze, he hung up and turned around.
He took a few steps toward her.
Elissa saw his face and sneered. "So it is you."
Aiden crouched down with snake-like eyes, cold and venomous. "Don't expect Francis to save you. We didn't take a helicopter. That was a decoy. We took you out during the commotion among the girls. He was just released. He won't catch up in time."
Elissa didn't bother arguing.
Looking at the endless darkness around her, she shivered from the cold.
Aiden thought she was scared and laughed. "I'm taking you to a 'nice' place. You'll never get out. By the way, when Francis follows the trail I left for him, I'll make sure he stays there forever too."
He had been to Eldoria before and managed to get out. He must have some skills. Elissa figured the place he mentioned was Eldoria. That place might not affect Francis much, but for a woman, it was a living hell.
There was no point in thinking about it now. She said, "Since you want to use me to lure Francis, you can't let me freeze to death. I'm soaked. Give me a coat."
Aiden tossed her a coat, not to keep her alive for Francis, but because even if she died, Francis would still find her body. Keeping her alive was to give Francis a surprise, to make him watch his beloved suffer, powerless to do anything. That would be fun.
Francis punched through the car window when he learned Aiden hadn't taken the helicopter. Too much time had passed, from dawn to dusk. It was too late to block him now.
Hayden knelt in front of Francis, feeling the weight of his failure. He had been careless, failing to see through such a simple trick. Francis didn't even look at him. They had to follow the trail Aiden had left.
When they reached the border of Serenity Manor and confirmed Aiden had taken Elissa to Eldoria, Francis clenched his fists. His hands were covered in cuts from the glass, blood dripping down. Simon tried to help, but Francis pushed him away.
"Do you want to die first?" a male voice came through.
Jerry and Hope arrived in a hurry. Jerry glanced at Francis's hands.
"How are you going to save anyone like this?" Jerry continued, taking the medicine and bandages from Simon to treat Francis. "I contacted some people on the way. Elissa hasn't entered Eldoria yet. She's probably taking the water route, which is slower than the land route."
Francis's voice was hoarse. "We've checked everywhere. We can't find the water route she took."
Jerry tied a bow on the bandage, satisfied. "If we can't find her domestically, we'll intercept her abroad. Aiden hasn't been there long enough to establish a network."
Francis laughed coldly, his eyes icy. "Jessa knows someone high up in Eldoria. Whatever she did, that person will do anything for her."
Jerry frowned. "That's tricky. We don't have connections in Eldoria. Getting local information is hard enough. The police there aren't very reliable. We can spend money, but Jessa has the upper hand."
Francis checked his phone, still no calls or messages. Aiden and Jessa were targeting him. Why hadn't they contacted him after taking Elissa?
Jerry knew Francis well, guessing his thoughts. "Maybe they have another plan."
Hope was frantic but couldn't help. She didn't interrupt their discussion. When they finished, she asked, "How did Aiden and Jessa time it so perfectly? Even if they knew you were under investigation, Elissa going to buy clothes was spontaneous. Going to the mall was random. Such a meticulous plan couldn't have been made on the spot."
Francis lit a cigarette, the red glow brightening in the night before fading. "My mom..." His voice was even hoarser from the smoke.
Hope almost didn't hear him. She hesitated before asking, "You think Mrs. Peterson was involved?"
Francis's Adam's apple moved slowly. "Yes."
Hope pressed her lips together, unsure of what to say. Jerry patted her head and said, "Finding Elissa is the priority."
Elissa was carried off the bamboo raft like a sack of potatoes and thrown into the trunk. She landed heavily, almost falling apart. The trunk closed, plunging her into darkness, the space tight and oxygen thin. She tried to free herself, but the bindings were expertly tied, tightening with every movement. Her wrists stung, knowing they were rubbed raw, she stopped struggling.
The road seemed uneven, causing her to bounce around. Luckily, she hadn't eaten much before being tied up. If she vomited, the confined space would suffocate her. When she was carried out of the trunk, her head was dizzy, her mind blank.
Aiden said, "Put her in my room first."
Elissa didn't understand what Aiden was saying. But as soon as he spoke, a female voice chimed in, "In your room? Planning to go first?"
The voice was so familiar it made Elissa shiver. Jessa? She quickly got confirmation. A slap landed heavily on her face.
Jessa shouted, "You ended up in my hands after all."
Jessa was dressed in local attire, making Elissa momentarily think she was a native. But judging by her demeanor, she seemed closely connected to the place.
Jessa continued to speak, her eyes fierce, "You were quite talkative before. Cat got your tongue now? Scared?"
Of course, Elissa was scared. A regular person, tied up. If Jessa did anything to her, she couldn't resist. Dying quickly would be a mercy. But in Eldoria, the methods of torture were endless. Even dying might not be an option.
"Still not talking?"
Elissa knew talking wouldn't help, and she didn't want to waste energy. She hadn't eaten or drunk anything since morning, she was exhausted.
"Then save your voice for screaming."
Elissa didn't understand the comment, Jessa was already talking to Aiden. "If you want to try, you can go first. You're my partner, you get some privileges."
Aiden was always curious about Elissa. Why did Francis care so much about her?
Jessa added, "I'll send her over soon."
Jessa smiled and left with her people. Aiden carried Elissa to the bathtub. Cold water poured over her, nearly freezing her to death.
"Sorry, I'm not used to this place yet," he said, but didn't adjust the water temperature. Elissa was already feeling unwell, the cold water made her shiver despite Eldoria's warm climate. Aiden held the showerhead over her, pretending to adjust it. "Strange, no hot water."
If Elissa had any strength, she'd kick him. After the cold water, scalding hot water followed. Elissa couldn't bear it, screaming with no place to hide. Aiden's smile was sinister, saying, "Sorry, didn't adjust it right."
He was deliberately torturing her. "Francis will go mad seeing you like this. Too bad I can't see his reaction now. But he'll see you like this, that's something."
What? Elissa looked up sharply, staring at Aiden. She didn't understand his meaning.
Aiden smiled and pointed. Elissa saw a phone set up nearby. She panicked. Aiden enjoyed her reaction.
"It's live."
On the other side, Francis's hand trembled, gripping the phone tightly. The screen cracked, he loosened his grip, afraid the phone would break and he'd lose sight of Elissa. But his hand couldn't control the strength, muscles stiffening. The treated wounds reopened, blood flowing again.
Jerry worried his hand would be permanently damaged, reached for the phone, but was pushed away. The force made Jerry stumble.
Hope held Jerry's hand, her fingers brushing his palm. As a friend, she wanted to tear Aiden apart. Francis loved Elissa deeply.
Jerry leaned in, whispering to Hope, "I won't try to convince him, he'll go mad soon. Willard hasn't given us any results yet..."
His phone rang. Hope gripped his hand, excited. But the call wasn't from Willard. Jerry answered, "Mr. Martin."
A cold male voice replied, "I can help you, but the previous exchange terms are void."
Jerry had gone to Everglade City to negotiate with Ryan, exchanging help for future benefits. It was all for Francis's future—the higher he climbed, the more dangerous it became. He always needed a safety net or two to rely on."
"Mr. Martin doesn't lose out." Jerry's lips curved, though casual, his tone was serious. "The person is very important to my friend, Mr. Martin, taking advantage isn't right."
Ryan hung up. Hope's eyes widened, "Is that the guy Uma likes?"
Jerry nodded, "Colder than Francis. That's one stubborn ice block."
Hope didn't care about that, "If he says he can help, agree."
Jerry called back, "I didn't get a chance to speak. You want to negotiate."
Jerry was doing it for Francis. But it was worth it. Future plans weren't as important as Elissa.
"Mr. Martin, we appreciate it."
No reply, another hang-up. Jerry wasn't used to this treatment, but had no choice, needing help. They weren't close. But he couldn't help but complain, "Uma has terrible taste."
Just as he finished, someone came to pick them up. At the same time, Willard called, "How did you get Ryan to help?"
"Exchanging benefits."
Jerry recalled. Hard to imagine someone like Ryan celebrating anniversaries, secretly ordering dresses for his wife. For a surprise, he found a distant Maple Valley designer for the dress.
"I'll meet you there."
"Got it."
Jerry hung up, about to speak to Francis. Seeing his bloodshot eyes. The phone screen had gone dark. The live stream was cut. Abroad, they couldn't block the stream, many people probably saw it. He patted Francis's shoulder. Nothing he said would help now. They had to find her quickly.
Aiden wanted to keep Elissa to himself. And make Francis watch, helpless. When he went mad, it would be more entertaining.
Aiden smirked mischievously, "The water's just right, I'll help you undress for a proper wash."
Elissa's hands were tied, legs bound. She couldn't maintain balance. Let alone stop Aiden. Seeing his hands about to touch her. She panicked, blurting out, "I'm pregnant."
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