Chapter 453 Family
Sunlight streamed through the doorway, highlighting Willard's dejected silhouette as he left.
The once-proud Willard now seemed hollowed out, each step heavy with defeat.
Quinton felt a lump in his throat watching him. Yes, Willard had made mistakes, but he was trying to make amends. Didn't he deserve another chance?
Then again, Anne had suffered terribly. When she was being humiliated by that group, Quinton had momentarily wanted to defy orders and intervene. But...
That incident alone was enough for Anne to stop loving Willard.
Anne noticed the shadow in the doorway. In truth, she had married with a heart full of joy, while he had likely done so out of obligation.
Seeing Anne's melancholy expression, Thora changed the subject. "What's our next project, Ms. Waverly?"
"Nothing at the moment," Anne replied thoughtfully. "I need to visit Maple Valley for a few days. Watch the place for me."
Thora flashed an "OK" sign.
Anne immediately booked a flight and headed to the airport. She hadn't expected Willard to return after what she'd said. A man like him, who valued his pride above all else—why did he keep coming back despite how she trampled his dignity? Did he really love her that much?
She had to admit the irony to herself. If so, where had he been all those years?
Anne walked past him without acknowledgment. While waiting for her taxi, she glanced back, relieved he wasn't following.
Yet no sooner had she settled into her airplane seat than she caught that familiar scent of pear blossom. Turning, she found none other than Willard.
Anne had realized talking was pointless, so she chose to ignore him, donning her eye mask. Out of sight, out of mind.
Willard remained silent throughout the journey, quietly trailing behind Anne until they reached Elissa's place.
Finally, Anne confronted him in the elevator. "Willard, we're divorced."
"I know," he replied calmly, his expression unchanged.
Caught off-guard by his composure, Anne struggled for words before asking, "Why are you following me to Elissa's?"
She immediately regretted the question, but before she could retract it, Willard answered evenly, "I'm here to see Francis."
Anne wished she hadn't spoken to him at all. She turned to ring the doorbell.
Francis, seeing the two faces on the monitor, narrowed his eyes, reluctant to open the door.
Elissa, having just woken up from a nap, came over when Francis didn't return. "Why aren't you opening the door?" Before he could stop her, she had already seen the visitors and went to let them in.
"Anne!"
"Elissa!"
Francis exchanged a meaningful glance with Willard, who deliberately avoided his gaze.
"Come in," Elissa said, pulling her inside and searching for slippers.
Before she could bend down, a strong hand stopped her.
"I got it," Francis said, handing her a pair of women's slippers.
As soon as Anne put them on, Elissa dragged her away for a chat, leaving Francis no time to warn them to slow down.
His cold gaze landed on Willard, still standing at the door.
Willard, confused, asked, "Where are my slippers?"
Francis smirked. "Aren't you worried I'll spill your secret?"
Willard was. He replied calmly, "I can't stop her. She never listens to me."
Francis didn't buy it. He knew Willard could easily keep Anne away if he wanted. Willard, sensing Francis' suspicion, changed the subject. "Aren't we here for a DNA test?"
Whether Anne and Elissa were sisters mattered to him, too.
"My wife's pregnant," Francis said coldly. "We'll wait until after the baby's born."
Willard frowned. "A hair sample won't hurt your wife or the baby."
Francis replied flatly, "I'm just worried the result might upset her."
Willard asked, "So you're convinced they're sisters?"
Francis had Simon investigating Elissa's birth parents. The clues matched Anne's background—he was 90% sure they were sisters, but a test would confirm it.
Willard pressed, "Why wait for Simon? Just do the test and don't tell your wife yet."
Francis smiled faintly. "You seem in a hurry."
"No kidding," Willard shot back, realizing Francis was stalling on purpose. "I can't exactly stop Anne from coming here. Is it really fair to put the blame on me?"
"Oh? Are you saying you really want a divorce?"
The realization hit Willard: he and Anne weren't actually divorced. In Francis's eyes, that meant he was still Anne's husband, and so the responsibility naturally fell to him. If he refused to accept it, it would be tantamount to admitting he no longer saw himself as Anne's husband.
He gritted his teeth. "You're impossible."
The two men stood at the door, oblivious to the lively conversation inside. Elissa had already changed and was heading out with Anne.
At the door, Francis stopped Elissa from bending over to change her shoes. "Let me do it," he insisted, kneeling to help her.
Elissa found Francis' fussing a bit much. She was pregnant, sure, but not helpless.
Francis, unaware of her thoughts, asked, "Going shopping? I'll drive."
Elissa waved him off. "Hospital."
Francis instantly tensed. "What's wrong? Are you feeling okay?" He scooped her up, slippers forgotten, and rushed to the elevator.
Elissa had no chance to answer before Francis barked orders at Felix to drive.
Felix, unhurried, finished his food before starting the car.
Francis fumed, "Am I not in charge anymore?!"
Felix nodded innocently. "You said Mrs. Peterson's orders come first."
Francis nearly exploded.
Before he could argue, Elissa turned his face toward her and gently patted his cheek.
"I'm fine," she said. "I'm just going to the hospital with Anne for a DNA test. We looked in the mirror and realized we look alike."
Anne soon caught up. Elissa nudged Francis out of the car.
Francis, reluctant to let Elissa go through with the test, hoped Willard would intervene. Willard ignored him.
Elissa already didn't think much of him. If she really was Anne's older sister, going against her would only make it even harder for him to win Anne back.
Francis deliberately mouthed "fake divorce" at Willard, and Willard immediately lost his nerve. Then he followed Francis into another car.
On the way, Francis got a call from Arthur. "Ollie's dead, sir."
Francis didn't flinch. "Noted."
Arthur added, "Jessa wants to see you."
Francis' voice was cold. "She's giving in already?"
Arthur shivered at the tone.
Jessa was beyond their legal reach now, but Francis always found a way. She'd suffered for months, tried to end it more than once, but survived. No one expected her to last this long.
"Take her out," Francis said, the meaning clear.
"Yes, sir."
Francis hung up.
Willard felt a chill run down his spine. 'Francis is ruthless,' he thought.
At the hospital, Francis barely waited for the car to stop before helping Elissa out. She gently brushed him off, taking Anne to the elevator.
Willard shot Francis a look; Francis glared back and hurried after them. Willard slipped into the elevator at the last second.
On the way, Elissa had learned about Anne's divorce. If she really was Anne's sister, she'd make sure Willard paid for every hurt he'd caused.
Willard could feel the chill in the air and didn't dare meet their gaze. It was almost funny—he'd never been this intimidated before.
Francis, unable to stop Elissa, had arranged for the DNA test in advance. Samples were taken from Anne and Elissa; results would be rushed.
Francis fetched warm water for Elissa. Willard followed suit, but only Elissa accepted the gesture. Anne ignored Willard completely; he just drank the water himself.
Anne barely recognized him now. Whatever he became, it was no longer her concern.
Francis leaned in to whisper to Elissa, "Honey, I need to tell you something important."
Elissa smiled, seeing through him. Francis swore, "Really, I mean it this time."
She shushed him, rolling her eyes.
He grinned, holding her hand. "I'm not trying to help anyone else."
Anne was confused, but Willard pieced it together. 'So much for loyalty,' he thought.
Francis caught his look and shot one back—no words needed.
Willard felt more out of his depth than ever.
Francis turned serious. "Honey, don't get too worked up… I wanted to wait, but I think this will make you happy."
"Could you just say it for once?" Elissa snapped, tired of his roundabout ways.
Francis finally said, "Ollie's dead."
Elissa hadn't heard that name in a long time.
And she didn't care to.
Francis would take care of things, as always. She didn't need to concern herself.
Hearing it now, she felt nothing—just as she'd expected.
She shot Francis a sidelong glance. "Why are you telling me this? He means nothing to me."
Francis reached out and gently patted her head, reassuring her. "It's just to put your mind at ease. That name won't appear in your world ever again."
Elissa kissed his cheek. "Thank you, darling."
Francis hadn't really satisfied his desires in a while, so when Elissa kissed him, it instantly sparked his longing for her.
But with others present, he forced himself to hold back. Still, he made a silent promise to himself: tonight, he would have her.
Meanwhile, the test results arrived. Elissa grew nervous, unable to look. Anne, too, was anxious.
Francis, seeing Elissa tense, flipped to the last page.
Before he could read it, Willard snatched the report, eyes fixed on the result.
Anne, seeing Willard's expression darken, grabbed the report from him. "Stop being so dramatic!"
She was already annoyed with him. "Who said you could look—"
Her words caught in her throat as she saw the result.
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