Chapter447 It's a Matter of Life and Death
"What?" Elissa said. "But I refuse to hear anything about Willard."
Hope tried a different approach. "I sent Jerry to Seaside City. I know Anne went to see Ernest."
Elissa's eyes darted around. "The gossip about Anne and Ernest is exactly what I wanted to tell you. Seems you already know."
Hope followed her into the study. "Since you don't want to hear about Willard, tell me what you know."
Finally, Elissa asked, "Is he really sick?"
Hope nodded. "He had surgery for a kidney tumor."
Elissa couldn't muster any sympathy for Willard. "After everything he's done, even God couldn't stand it anymore."
Hope didn't disagree. "Which dress do you want to wear?"
"I'd like to try them all, but Francis won't let me."
"It's just a matter of time. Once you're stable, or after delivery, you can wear whatever you want."
Elissa sighed. "He's been overly anxious lately. I'm actually fine."
Hope said, "He's so worried he's getting morning sickness himself. Don't be too hard on him. After the baby comes, I'll design something special for you. How about that?"
Elissa hugged her. "You're the best."
"Now, pick one."
Elissa chose a pink dress she rarely tried.
Hope styled Elissa's hair with a simple updo using hairpins.
"How did people survive summer in these clothes? They're so thick." Elissa adjusted her collar. "The undergarments are excessive."
Hope knelt to fasten her buttons. "I've simplified it to just two layers. They used to wear three or four."
Anne had been waiting patiently, not wanting to rush Elissa.
But Francis's cold demeanor in the living room was unbearable. She crept to the doorway and peeked into the study.
"Elissa, are you ready?" she asked cautiously.
"Yes, ready."
As Hope helped Elissa out, she whispered, "Francis is making Anne extremely uncomfortable."
Elissa looked at her. "See? Isn't he being overly anxious?"
Hope replied, "He is a bit much, but it proves how much he loves you. After what happened before, he probably blames himself and is afraid of missing something important."
Elissa understood, which was why she hadn't argued with him.
She'd gone along with his wishes on many things.
But she was bored to death. If this continued, she'd likely become depressed.
Taking a few photos for entertainment, and he even prevented that—it was frustrating.
Hope sensed her mood and reassured her, "Things will improve by the third month. Just hang in there for one more month."
"I've never felt time pass so slowly," Elissa lamented. "Eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating. I'll waste away like this."
"Many people wish they could live like you do. Try to look on the bright side—if you stay positive, your son will be handsome."
Hope smiled. "Just so you know, Elsa likes handsome men."
"Then I'd better keep my spirits up. If my son isn't handsome, he won't be able to marry Elsa."
Seeing Elissa's mood improve, Hope felt better too.
"I'll just observe the photoshoot. Anne will handle it."
Anne brought a chair for Elissa. "Let's start with seated poses."
As she was about to help Elissa, a cold breeze swept by.
Someone beat her to it, helping Elissa into the chair. "Careful."
Elissa pushed him away. "Go do your own thing. Don't disturb us."
Francis's brow furrowed. "I'm not busy..."
Elissa gave him an exasperated smile. "I want to spend time with my friends. Is that okay, sweetheart?"
Francis reluctantly retreated to the balcony, looking back several times.
Anne gave a thumbs up. "Impressive."
Elissa brushed aside a strand of hair from her face, saying proudly, "Oh, it's nothing."
Anne and Hope exchanged glances, both smiling.
The photoshoot proceeded smoothly.
Meanwhile, on the balcony, Francis called Willard, "You're useless. You can't even keep your own wife in check."
Willard was confused. "Have you lost your mind? What did I do to you?"
"Anne is here."
"What?"
Willard knew Anne had gone to see Elissa. As long as she wasn't seeing other men, he wasn't monitoring her closely these days.
So he didn't understand Francis's point.
"She can't come to your place?"
Francis didn't waste words. "I heard she visited your rival. I couldn't tolerate that if I were you."
Willard likely understood what was bothering Francis.
Since Elissa's pregnancy, he'd been extremely anxious.
Even the slightest disturbance made him panic.
Anne visiting Elissa probably triggered his concerns.
"You couldn't tolerate it?"
"That's right."
Willard scoffed. "If I recall correctly, Efren was your wife's ex-boyfriend, wasn't he?"
Francis replied dismissively, "Are you particularly eager to get divorced? Don't worry, I'll help you."
Willard clenched his jaw. "Think about your karma, for your wife and child's sake."
That worked. Francis replied, "I do think about karma, but I can use others to do my bidding without getting my hands dirty."
Willard believed Francis could do exactly that. "Just say what you want."
"Get your wife out of here."
As he suspected. Willard sighed. "Francis, I just had surgery. My wound hasn't even healed. How can I come? If I could go out, would I let her visit Ernest's house?"
Francis insisted, "You'll figure something out."
Willard cursed as he looked at the disconnected call.
After thinking for a few seconds, he made a phone call.
Meanwhile, Anne was happily taking photos.
They had finished the seated poses and were about to help Elissa stand when Anne's phone rang.
She answered, "Gia, what's matter?"
"There's an emergency job. The photographer had a car accident, and we need you to fly overseas for a shoot." Gia reluctantly lied, "It's for a friend of mine, otherwise I wouldn't ask. I know you've been sick."
Anne was feeling better now, except for some body aches. Her dizziness had subsided.
Besides, it was just a common cold.
Much better than the time she nearly lost her life for a photoshoot.
"I'll go right away. I'm in Maple Valley."
"Great, I'll reimburse your flight."
"Of course you will. Did you think I'd pay myself?"
Gia quickly hung up after agreeing, afraid she'd give herself away if they talked longer.
"Mr. Larson, is this acceptable?" she asked.
Willard raised his hand slightly.
Hayes showed Gia out.
Willard instructed Quinton to follow Anne.
Anne apologized to Elissa. "I'll make it up to you when I'm done."
Elissa envied her busy work life.
She helped pack Anne's things. "Go ahead, and be careful."
"I will. Take care of yourself, Elissa," Anne said, shouldering her bag.
"I will." Elissa walked her to the door.
Hope said, "I'm heading back anyway. I'll drop her at the airport."
She knew what was going on.
Anne had been sick and said she had no work.
No matter how urgent a job was, even for a friend, there were always alternatives; the world had more than one photographer, though Anne's talent was exceptional.
It was too coincidental that right after Francis made a phone call from the balcony, Anne suddenly needed to fly overseas for a shoot.
It wasn't hard to connect the dots.
Not wanting to overstay her welcome, she left too, giving the couple some space.
Elissa didn't ask questions. She saw them into the elevator, then returned home.
As soon as she closed the door, her smile vanished. "Did you do this?"
Francis tried to take her hand, but she avoided him.
Too many emotions surfaced, and Elissa snapped, "Don't touch me!"
She had been bottling up her feelings, trying to process them herself.
But now, she couldn't hold back anymore.
"I know you love me, but aren't you going too far? I'm just pregnant. Yes, I'm uncomfortable, but it's not life-threatening..."
Francis pulled her into his arms. "It is life-threatening."
Not just her life, but his too.
Elissa couldn't help rolling her eyes.
She had intended to complain, but Francis was playing the victim.
She patted his head.
"Alright, stop being so cautious and seeing dangers everywhere. Don't you realize it affects my mood?"
Francis nodded, then lifted her and gently placed her on the soft couch.
He knelt before her and asked softly, "Are you hungry? What would you like to eat?"
Elissa didn't want anything, but she knew he needed to do something to feel useful.
"Cut me an apple into small pieces."
Francis immediately went to do it. that apply to personality too?
"What's wrong, darling?"
Francis called several times before Elissa responded. She put down her phone and bit into the apple piece he offered.
"How is it? Does the apple taste good?"
Elissa nodded. "It's delicious. Your cutting technique makes it even better."
With a gentle smile, Francis stroked her hair.
Meanwhile, Anne landed overseas.
Following Gia's address, she found a fashion show venue.
Upon arrival, she put on her credentials and was immediately pulled backstage by the designer.
"Did Gia brief you? You must follow all instructions carefully. We can't afford any mistakes."
Anne assured him, "Don't worry, I'm a professional."
The designer replied, "The last one said the same thing, and look what happened."
Anne had no response to that. She'd have to prove herself through her work.
In the front row, Quinton found the perfect observation spot.
This way, he could immediately report Anne's movements to Willard.
Backstage, Anne took some preliminary photos.
Models gathered around to see her work.
Even these casual shots showed her technical expertise.
"Do you have a studio or work for a company?"
"A company."
"Can I book you now for my wedding travel photos? I'd like you to document the entire process."
Anne declined politely. "Wedding photography isn't my specialty. I can't accept that job, but I can recommend other photographers."
A model asked, "What about personal portraits?"
Anne rarely did those either. "I'm sorry, I mostly photograph wildlife, then runway shows. I don't have time for personal sessions."
Suddenly, someone picked up Anne's credentials.
"I thought you looked familiar. You're Ms. Waverly!"
"So you're Ms. Waverly! No wonder even your casual shots look amazing."
Meeting Anne was a rare opportunity, and the models were eager to be photographed by her.
Anne was overwhelmed by their enthusiasm.
She could only say, "During the show, I'll make sure to capture everyone beautifully. I can take extra shots for your personal portfolios, okay?"
Before the models could respond, the designer called them to the runway.
They had to accept Anne's offer for now.
"We'll pay you for the extra shots."
Anne nodded repeatedly. "Just focus on walking the runway. Leave the rest to me."
The models began the show.
Quinton filmed with his phone, then realized something was wrong.
He couldn't see Anne.
Of course! Anne was the photographer, not a model.
But even craning his neck, he couldn't spot her.
Anne liked to find unusual angles.
If Quinton had looked lower, he would have seen her.
"Miss, where did you learn to take photos like that?"
A man suddenly approached, reeking of body odor.
She chose to ignore him.
But the man persisted.
He grabbed her arm. "Stop taking pictures. I have money. I can take care of you."
Anne tried to pull away but couldn't. She said coldly, "I can take care of myself. I don't need anyone's support."
The man's fingers rubbed against her delicate skin.
She struggled forcefully and tried to kick him.
But the man easily dodged while maintaining his grip.
Anne was frustrated once again.
Why was the strength difference between men and women so great?
What she didn't know was that Quinton had spotted her through binoculars the moment she was grabbed.
He wanted to rush over immediately, but getting through the crowd wasn't easy.
Seeing the man about to kiss Anne, he quickened his pace, eventually flipping over the runway to reach her.
Thanks to his professional training, he didn't cause much disruption.
Quinton demanded, "Let her go!"
The man glanced at Quinton but wasn't intimidated. "Do you know who my father is?"
Anyone who raised such a thug couldn't be a good person.
But Quinton needed to know so he could report back to Willard.
"I really don't. Why don't you tell me?"
The man proudly tossed his sparse hair.
Quinton found him utterly disgusting.
"My father's name would scare you to death. My father is..."
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