Chapter 429 Will Not Stand By Anymore
Elissa rarely saw Hope get mad.
In fact, she could barely remember a time when she had.
Hope was always the calm and rational one.
Elissa spoke up, "Hope..."
Hope didn't want to talk about Rainey's involvement.
Elissa and Francis had already been through so much to get to where they were.
The last thing she wanted was to add more obstacles between them.
Hope said earnestly, "Elissa, let me say it again, you did nothing wrong. It's the bad guys' fault."
"Even if Francis had a different fiancée, the same thing would have happened because Aiden and Jessa are just bad people. They were bound to target Francis sooner or later," she added.
After talking to Elissa, she turned to Rainey. "Mrs. Peterson, I respect you as an elder, but don't use your status to pressure others. You know better than anyone what's really going on here. If you hurt Elissa again, I don't care if it's a Peterson family matter."
Rainey wanted to say something, but Jacob stopped her. "Francis needs to rest quietly."
Hope led Elissa away and gently pushed her onto the hospital bed. "You need to rest too."
Elissa opened her mouth but ended up just giving Hope a small smile.
After all these years, they were closer than family.
There was no need for sentimental words.
A single glance, and they understood each other.
Jerry and Willard took care of the aftermath.
Jessa's citizenship here caused some complications.
Aiden hadn't had time to change his citizenship, so Jerry handed him over to Simon to keep an eye on him.
Jerry stressed, "Make sure you watch him closely."
Simon cursed, "I'll lock myself up with him. Felix can bring us food. I don't believe he can escape."
Aiden was left for Francis to deal with.
With Jessa here, Willard would make sure she didn't have it easy.
"I'll take Louis back. He's got a lot on his plate." Willard unbuttoned his suit as Quinton opened the car door for him.
"Call me if you need anything," Willard added.
Jerry waved him off casually. "Okay."
When Jerry returned to the hospital, he ran into Jacob on the phone.
It sounded like Elysia and Wesley were worried about Francis and wanted to come over.
Jacob was trying to reassure them.
When he saw Jerry, he quickly ended the call and called out, "Jerry."
Jerry stopped, a smirk playing on his lips, "Mr. Peterson, what are you doing here? I didn't even notice you there! Maybe I'm getting old."
If Jerry was old, then Jacob must be ancient.
Jacob knew Jerry was upset.
He had always been protective of Hope, and with Hope's best friend in trouble, there was no way Hope would be happy, and neither would he.
Previously, he had helped Francis a bit but hadn't fully intervened.
He knew Francis could handle things himself.
But this time was different.
If it weren't for Rainey's behind-the-scenes work, Elissa wouldn't have ended up here.
And Francis wouldn't have taken that bullet.
He had indeed considered dealing with Elissa before, but now he regretted it.
Francis could protect himself and the ones he loved.
If the Peterson family, who knew him so well, couldn't easily take Elissa away, how could outsiders?
"Some things should wait until Francis wakes up. We can't make decisions for him."
Jerry laughed, leaning against the wall, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Mr. Peterson, isn't it a bit late for that?"
"I..."
Jerry cut him off, "But don't worry, this is between them. I won't interfere in the Peterson family matters. But if Francis decides to take Elissa and disappear to the ends of the earth, don't blame me for helping them cover their tracks."
Jacob was speechless.
He knew they hadn't gone too far before.
Jerry had just been watching from a distance.
Now, he wouldn't stand by idly.
Anne flew straight to Eldoria after finishing her work.
Thank goodness, Elissa finally answered her phone.
Elissa said, "Why didn't you give me a heads-up? It's not safe here. You should go back."
"Don't worry, I've traveled all over by myself before..."
Elissa interrupted her softly, "Did you forget the time you had to be rescued?"
Anne sighed, "Don't say things that hurt."
Elissa was serious, "Listen to me, go back. We're all fine. I'll find you when I get back."
Anne was about to say something when a familiar male voice came through, "Together."
Anne didn't want to, but Elissa heard Willard's voice too and urged her, "Go with him. It's safer."
"Alright." Anne reluctantly agreed and hung up.
Hope peeled an orange for Elissa and asked, "What's up?"
"Nothing."
Elissa put down her phone and took the orange, "Someone's got protection, so I'm not worried."
Hope understood.
Soon, Anne arrived at the hospital room, her eyes reddening when she saw Elissa.
Elissa stuffed an orange slice into her mouth, "See, I'm fine."
Anne chewed, "I should have stayed with you longer in Maple Valley. I shouldn't have gone back to Seaside City in a huff. Then you wouldn't have been kidnapped."
"It has nothing to do with you. Eat your orange." Elissa handed her a few more slices and asked, "Have you eaten?"
Anne shook her head.
Elissa glanced at Willard behind her.
Elissa said, "I'll have someone get some food."
Willard spoke up, "I'll call someone."
Anne's expression changed, but she didn't say anything.
Elissa and Hope exchanged a look, avoiding the topic of divorce, and just asked about Anne's recent whereabouts.
Anne said, "Nothing much, just went to take some photos."
She asked, "How's Francis? When will he wake up?"
Elissa had already learned from Hope that Francis wouldn't be in a coma indefinitely.
Before Louis left the country, he had instructed that if Francis didn't wake up within a month, they should bring in his family for treatment.
Although she didn't know why it had to be a month, she wished he would wake up now.
Even if he had to stay in bed to recover, at least she would know he was alive and could get better.
Unlike now, lying there motionless, relying on a ventilator.
Even if it was part of a plan, it still made her sad.
"I'm sorry..." Anne noticed her low spirits and patted her mouth, "I shouldn't have brought it up..."
"It's not that," Elissa sniffled, holding back tears, "I just got lost in thought. The doctors say they don't know when he'll wake up, but he's not in any immediate danger."
Anne sighed in relief, "That's good. Francis saved even a stranger like me back then. God will surely protect him."
Rainey had been by Francis's side, with Jacob bringing her meals and even feeding her.
Hearing these words, her feelings were complicated.
If she had known Francis would end up like this, she wouldn't have done it.
But she never imagined that when Francis said he didn't care about his life, he truly meant it.
Anne gestured towards the curtain.
Elissa nodded, mouthing, "It's okay."
They were in the same room, so Elissa was aware of Francis's condition every day.
She didn't need to hover around Rainey.
After all, Rainey was Francis's mother. She didn't want to argue with Rainey under these circumstances.
Anne understood, "The worst is over. From now on, it's all happiness and peace."
Elissa nodded. "I'll take your word for it."
But Francis didn't wake up as quickly as they had hoped.
Elissa suggested Anne return home, but she insisted on staying.
She even said it was a good opportunity to take some documentary photos.
One day, while Rainey went to the hotel to freshen up, Elissa sat by Francis's bedside.
Hope stood guard at the door, giving them some privacy.
With Francis in a coma, Jerry had to return to Maple Valley to manage their business and keep an eye on the Peterson family.
As soon as Hope closed the door, she received a message from Jerry.
Hope assured him everything was fine and sat down on a nearby chair.
In the hospital room, Elissa held Francis's hand. Her eyes welled up instantly as she saw his haggard face. "You're so foolish, risking your life when you have so much that others could only dream of..."
She didn't know what to say, and whatever she said wouldn't get a response.
Unlike other comatose patients, Louis hadn't instructed her to talk to him to try to wake him up.
She rambled on about random things until Hope opened the door and came in.
Elissa let go of his hand and returned to her own room.
Then Rainey walked in.
Separated by a curtain, it was like a barrier between them.
Elissa and Rainey managed to coexist peacefully for a month.
When the month was up, Elissa asked Hope to contact Jerry.
Before Jerry could call Willard, Willard arrived at Francis's room with Louis.
Everyone gathered outside the room.
Elissa was both nervous and confused.
Wasn't Louis supposed to bring in his family?
Louis examined Francis and said, "His physical condition is improving."
Rainey anxiously asked, "When will my son wake up?"
Louis replied, "Later, my family will be here soon, and she'll inform you."
With that, he turned and left.
Brief and to the point, exuding an air of cold professionalism.
It was Elissa's first time meeting a doctor like him.
Maybe all great doctors were like this.
She quietly asked Willard, "Will his family really come?"
Willard nodded. "Yes."
Everyone waited.
It was nearly midnight, and they were all drowsy when a crisp voice broke the silence.
A little girl ran in, heading straight for Elissa. "Mommy!"
Elissa was taken aback. "What?"
She softened her surprise and asked gently, "Did you get separated from your mom?"
The little girl shook her head.
Well, that meant she was lost.
Elissa was about to ask Arthur to find her mother when Rainey, who had been holding back for days, spoke sarcastically, "You were always so indiscreet. Now you're pretending? If she's yours, just admit it. Don't make the child suffer with an irresponsible mother."
If it weren't for Francis, Elissa would have had a big argument with Rainey.
How could someone with such intelligence be a businesswoman?
"Don't you think her eyes look familiar?" Hope, shocked, speculated, "Mr. Armstrong said his family would come. Jerry mentioned his brother has a daughter. Don't her eyes look like Mr. Armstrong's?"
It was normal for family members to resemble each other.
Elissa stared at the little girl.
The girl wasn't afraid, her big, bright eyes looking back at Elissa.
She even smiled, her dimples making her look adorable.
Elissa thought having a daughter like this wouldn't be so bad.
Elissa asked, "Is Louis your uncle?"
The little girl covered her mouth and giggled, "Guess, Mommy."
Elissa was about to speak when the door opened.
A beautiful, unfamiliar woman walked in.
Her gaze fell on the little girl, and she smiled helplessly, "Brielle, are you playing pranks again?"
The girl ran to her, hugging her legs, "Mommy!"
Even before the girl called out, Elissa and Hope had guessed it from the woman's dimples.
They looked so alike.
"Hello, I'm Coralie Bishop."
Elissa quickly walked over to shake her hand, "Are you Mr. Armstrong's family?"
For some reason, Elissa sensed a hint of coldness in Coralie's eyes.
She didn't answer the question, only saying, "Let me check on the patient."
Elissa stepped aside, pointing to Francis.
Coralie walked to the bed and checked Francis's pulse.
She knew Louis's medical skills well.
And he was a friend.
He would do everything to save him.
The pulse was normal.
But he wasn't waking up...
Coralie's eyes shifted slightly.
She understood and then said, "I'll try something. If he wakes up tomorrow, then it's fine."
Elissa breathed a huge sigh of relief, "Thank you."
"It's my duty. I'm a doctor."
Coralie hadn't spoken to Rainey since she entered, even though Rainey had tried to speak several times.
She took a needle from her bag, and Rainey seized the opportunity, suspiciously asking, "Are you really Louis's sister-in-law? I heard she never got a marriage certificate with Louis's brother and has been drifting around. She rarely shows up. Even I haven't seen her. Could you be an imposter?"
"Let's verify your identity before you treat him. This isn't a joke. One mistake could paralyze him," she added.
Coralie's eyebrows furrowed slightly. She looked at Elissa. "As his fiancée, can you make the call?"
Elissa bit her lip, "She's Francis's mother..."
Coralie put the needle away, "In that case, forget it."
"No!" Elissa gritted her teeth, "I can make the call. Please treat him."
Rainey was displeased, "You haven't even married my son. You can't even sign the surgery consent form. What gives you the right to decide?"
Elissa didn't want to argue, "If you don't want to save Francis, don't stop me from trying."
"I'm just being cautious. This is my son we're talking about. You trust anyone who comes along. No wonder you got him into this mess!"
Elissa held back, but Hope couldn't. She pulled Elissa aside and spoke coldly, "Francis is in this state because of you. You should stop before you push us too far."
Elissa was confused. "Hope, what do you mean?"
Hope shook her head. "Let's treat Francis first."
Elissa didn't ask further and turned to Coralie, "Please, I can make the call and take responsibility. Please treat him."
Rainey tried to stop her, but Elissa called Felix to restrain Rainey.
Rainey shouted, "You've gone too far!"
She struggled and slapped Felix. "You listen to an outsider and lay hands on me? You, who are so ungrateful, don't deserve to work for the Peterson family. Get out now!"
Felix said nothing, pressing Rainey into a chair.
When she resisted, he finally spoke, "Because of you, I didn't get to finish my durian. If you don't cooperate, don't blame me for tying you up. Then I can go back to eating my durian.""
Rainey nearly fainted from anger. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
Felix replied casually, "To you."
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