Chapter 438 Man Proposes, God Disposes
His heart was different from others', with depths few could fathom.
And men's words? Best taken with a grain of salt. Absolute honesty was rarely their forte—she herself couldn't claim such virtue.
Elissa leaned back into the sofa, fixing her gaze on him.
Francis felt a chill run down his spine under her scrutiny. "Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, clearing his throat awkwardly.
Elissa offered a forced smile.
Francis was at a loss for words.
He glanced tactically at his watch. "Tired?"
"Not at all."
"Hungry?"
"Not hungry."
Elissa reached out and patted his cheek. "You're lying to me, aren't you?"
Francis struggled to compose his expression.
His lip twitched slightly. "I was just trying to discuss things with you."
"Right," Elissa nodded. "I totally believe that."
He realized his mistake—he should never have tried to help Willard.
Francis embraced her, his tone placating. "He deserves what he gets. I won't even mention his name again. Don't be upset. It's not good for your health."
Elissa didn't really care whether Anne and Willard divorced or not.
She just wanted Anne to be happy.
She said, "What are you doing? Apologizing or making amends?"
Francis wouldn't dare upset her now. "Both."
Elissa smiled. "Words alone won't cut it. Don't you think some actual compensation is in order?"
Francis caught the mischievous glint in her eye.
Resigned, he stood up and grabbed his phone. "I'll call and ask right now."
Satisfied, Elissa picked up his unfinished porridge.
Seeing this, Francis hurried over to reheat some food for her.
Elissa, separating issues neatly, praised him, "You're wonderful."
Francis could only respond with a wry smile.
After heating her meal, he went to make the call.
When he returned, he shared the gossip about Coralie and the Armstrong family.
Elissa was so engrossed she couldn't even finish her porridge.
She asked, "So you're saying Coralie was supposed to be the aunt-in-law to the Armstrong brothers?"
Francis replied, "Exactly. She was Louis's uncle's student. After the Armstrong family tragedy, when Louis and his twin brother were still young, Coralie helped Louis's uncle shoulder the responsibility. They naturally grew close, but unfortunately, Louis's uncle passed away from exhaustion before they could marry."
This gossip was absolutely riveting.
Elissa grew so excited that Francis feared for her health and urged her to take deep breaths to calm down.
After several deep breaths, still excited, she grabbed Francis's hand and continued questioning, "How old is Coralie?"
"Coralie is about Louis's age. Louis's uncle had children late in life, not much age difference between them."
Elissa observed, "No wonder Coralie doesn't mention her identity or the father of her child. It's like something out of a drama."
Francis explained, "When Louis's uncle died, Coralie could have walked away from the Armstrong family. But Louis only knew medicine, and Yves Armstrong couldn't manage alone. Coralie stayed to help, honoring what Louis's uncle had tried to build. The child was unexpected, but Yves had admired her for some time."
Elissa quickly asked, "What's the situation now? Does Yves know about the child?"
"He knows, and he's been pursuing Coralie persistently."
"That must be difficult for him."
Francis replied, "That's their business. Now that I've shared all this gossip with you, am I forgiven?"
"Yes," Elissa patted his head. "Such juicy gossip deserves forgiveness. But I'm warning you—no more lies."
Francis raised his hand. "I promise."
Satisfied and now full and drowsy, Elissa went to bed.
Francis tucked her in and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'm going to the hospital."
"Okay."
At midnight, Hayden released the paternity test results.
Initially, people had lost interest in Ollie's case.
With so many daily happenings, plus Francis's behind-the-scenes work, the public attention had waned.
But when the paternity test results came out, interest exploded.
[Those who defended Ollie, come out and apologize.]
[God, this monster is still alive and playing victim online? Don't let me see him—I'll beat him every time.]
As discussions heated up, Simon released evidence of Ollie buying children.
Plus proof of his involvement in trafficking women.
His runaway wife had been trafficked. When the case had caused an uproar and investigations began, it was misleadingly reported as "taking in" someone in need.
The Wright family had had a hand in covering it up.
Francis discovered that the Collins Family and Hamilton family weren't innocent either.
A black market operation, plus dozens of deaths in a mining accident.
The Wright family collapsed completely. The already-struggling Collins Family, together with the Hamilton family, fell as well.
Learning the truth, people online condemned everyone involved.
[Ollie deserves to die. Couldn't get a wife so he trafficked one. Couldn't have a son so he bought one—ended up getting tricked into buying a girl, then took his anger out on that innocent child. How that poor woman survived all these years is beyond me.]
[Anyone defending Ollie is defending a criminal and deserves the same fate.]
[Thank goodness Elissa met Mr. Peterson, otherwise none of this would have come to light.]
[The Wright family, the Collins Family, the Hamilton family—such powerful dynasties. An ordinary person could never have challenged them.]
This operation not only eliminated opponents but won public favor.
The Peterson family's stocks soared.
Previously, some had called Elissa a stain on Francis's political career.
Now, everyone envied their love story.
Francis walked into Rainey's hospital room during the height of the online discussion.
Everyone was there, still awake.
Rainey put down her tablet, her eyes rimmed red. "You've gone to extraordinary lengths for her."
Francis replied calmly, "Of course. She's the love of my life."
Rainey smiled, tears at the corners of her eyes. "She's your love, and am I no longer your mother? I gave birth to you with such difficulty, raised you with all my heart—was it all so you could break mine?"
Francis picked up an apple and began peeling it. "I haven't forgotten how difficult my birth was for you, nor have I forgotten all the Peterson family invested in my upbringing. That's why I haven't abandoned the Peterson family. Even knowing what you've done, I haven't acted against you."
He pressed on, "Tell me, is the Peterson family really too exclusive to include my wife?"
Rainey began coughing. Jacob quickly helped her, offering water.
Rainey pushed the cup away, coughing until her face turned red. Francis didn't even flinch.
If it had been Elissa coughing even once, he would have been beside himself with worry.
Rainey said, "Even if Ollie isn't her real father, how can you guarantee her real parents are good people? What if..."
Francis cut apple pieces onto a plate and handed it to Rainey.
Unhurriedly, he said, "I'll accept whatever the truth may be. As I've said before, it's her or no one."
Rainey didn't take the plate of apples. Francis set it aside.
Left uneaten, the apple slices gradually oxidized, turning yellow.
Francis nudged them with his fruit knife and said to Rainey, "I have more than one path forward."
Rainey tried to speak, but Francis interrupted.
He handed her a photograph.
"The Peterson family has another potential political star besides me—my 'sister'."
Rainey was confused. "What sister?"
Francis produced an agreement. "The goddaughter I just arranged for you to adopt—my 'sister,' with no blood relation to me."
Elysia and Wesley rushed over immediately. All four stared at the photograph, their faces frozen in shock. Rainey tore the photo to shreds in a fit of rage.
"How could she possibly be my goddaughter? I refuse to acknowledge her!" she fumed.
Francis carefully collected the pieces, tucking them into his pocket. "As the head of the Peterson family now," he said calmly, "I decide who joins and who leaves."
"Her name is Ondine Peterson. She's already married to the Garcia family's son from Everglade City. The future political aspirations of the Peterson family rest with her," he explained methodically. "Meanwhile, I'll be taking over all the Peterson family businesses."
He turned to his parents and grandparents. "You're all getting older and your health isn't what it used to be. It's time for you to enjoy a peaceful retirement."
They had been so focused on his marriage to Elissa that they had completely missed his behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
Rainey, still defiant, questioned him. "The Garcias have such high status in Everglade City, with so many eligible daughters from prominent families available to them. Why would they agree to marry into our family and take a goddaughter with no blood relation?"
She pointed out that the Peterson family had never even interacted with the Garcias of Everglade City. Even Jacob, with his position, was barely on nodding terms with the head of the Garcia family.
"Where there's a will, there's a way," Francis replied coolly.
This had been Francis's plan all along. He had secretly recognized Ondine as his sister, and when Jerry went to meet Ryan, it was to facilitate the next step in Francis's scheme—building a connection.
Ryan had close ties to the Garcia family. Additionally, Ryan's wife had been an orphan herself and, despite eventually finding her biological parents, had suffered greatly due to her background. She had a soft spot for girls looked down upon because of their origins.
She had convinced Ryan to help Francis and Elissa, and Ryan always listened to her. Thus, he served as the intermediary between Francis and the Garcia family, who were happy to agree to the alliance.
Francis saw no need to elaborate further on these details. The outcome was unchangeable.
"Just so you know, I'm getting the marriage license tomorrow. You're welcome to attend our wedding after the baby is born," he announced.
Rainey wanted to protest but felt outmaneuvered by his calculations. The Peterson family's lack of influence hadn't affected Francis. He had managed to secure a tight connection with the untouchable Garcia family using Ondine as his chess piece.
What more could she say? It would make no difference anyway.
Having achieved his objective, Francis turned and left the room.
After the door closed behind him, Rainey grabbed a yellowing apple and bit into it.
Elysia sighed. "We raised him well."
Wiping away a tear, Rainey still couldn't bring herself to like Elissa. But Francis was her only son, and at this point, she couldn't stop him. The only thing left was to distance herself from the situation.
She turned to Jacob. "Maple Valley is too cold. Take me to Emberfall City as you promised."
Maple Valley was already enjoying spring weather—hardly cold. But Jacob immediately arranged for tickets.
Francis and Elissa's wedding was still months away. This break would give Rainey time to relax and eventually come to terms with the situation.
Jacob looked at his parents. "Mom, Dad, come with us. The climate there is pleasant year-round."
As soon as they boarded the plane, Francis received the news of their departure. He dispatched Teddy to monitor them.
"Make sure they're back for the wedding," he instructed. He didn't want them absent, knowing Elissa would feel rejected and blame herself for causing a rift between Francis and his family.
He wouldn't allow her to suffer. Since he had pulled her into this complicated situation, it was his responsibility to protect her.
Elissa remained blissfully unaware of everything that had transpired. She slept peacefully, not even noticing when Francis returned and held her in his arms.
It wasn't until morning that she awoke to find herself in his embrace. Seeing his handsome face first thing in the morning filled her with joy.
She gently traced his features with her finger, only to have him catch her hand.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
Elissa smiled. "You're so handsome, I couldn't resist touching you."
Francis guided her hand beneath the covers, where she encountered his arousal. She pulled back, feigning distress.
"You don't care about me at all," she pouted. "In my condition, and you still expect me to exert myself. Typical man, thinking with your..."
Before she could finish, Francis abruptly got up and rushed to the bathroom.
Elissa blinked slowly, then followed him in.
Francis had just turned on the shower when he felt her slender arms wrap around his waist, her hands wandering mischievously.
He quickly turned off the water and wrapped her in a bathrobe.
"The water's cold," he warned. "The weather may be warming up, but you could still catch a cold."
"Get out," he instructed.
But Elissa clung to him. "Let me help you."
Francis gently pushed her away. "Weren't you just accusing me of not caring about you? What are you doing now?"
"Give me a break," he pleaded. "At least let me handle this myself."
Elissa embraced him again. "I was only teasing you earlier. You're going through so much for me, even experiencing morning sickness. It's only right that I help you."
Francis tried to guide her out of the bathroom again, careful not to be too forceful given her pregnancy.
Instead, she pulled him onto the bed and straddled him.
Francis was at his wit's end. When he spoke again, his voice was husky with desire and warning. "I'm giving you one last chance to back out. After this, no matter what you say, I won't stop."
Elissa responded by playfully biting his shoulder.
Francis swore under his breath and firmly grasped her waist.
An hour later, Elissa regretted her boldness. Her arms felt like they might fall off.
But there was no escape now...
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