Chapter 485 Finally Meeting
By the time Michael was done, the room had finally quieted down, and Elizabeth was barely holding on.
She was slumped over the sink, her legs trembling uncontrollably.
Michael let out a satisfied sigh, scooped her up, and brought her back under the shower.
Elizabeth had no strength left. She nestled into Michael's arms, letting him wash and dry her.
She kept her eyes closed the entire time, not moving an inch.
Michael chuckled softly, carried her to the bed, and tucked her in.
He lay down beside her and kissed her forehead. "Get some good sleep."
Elizabeth was completely exhausted, her eyes already shut, and she quickly drifted off.
She didn't know how long she had slept when she suddenly woke up, feeling both thirsty and hungry. She gently moved Michael's arm off her and quietly got out of bed.
The room was dimly lit, but she immediately noticed a piece of paper on the nightstand, covered in writing.
She didn't have the energy to read it. She slipped on her slippers and went to the other room to get some water.
In the light from the other room, she saw Michael sleeping soundly.
No wonder, she thought. He had used up so much energy earlier; he wouldn't wake up anytime soon.
Elizabeth's heart was pounding. She grabbed her phone, quickly changed clothes, picked up her shoes, and quietly left the room.
She took the elevator down and called Louis from the hotel lobby.
Louis answered quickly.
"Elizabeth, are you free now?"
"Yeah, Louie. I don't have much time and can't make it to the pharmacy. Can you come near the Velvet Sands Hotel?"
"Sure. Eloise is asleep anyway. There's a late-night spot near your hotel that sells barbecue and soju. Wait for me there; I'll be right over."
"Okay."
Elizabeth put away her phone and asked the front desk for directions to the place Louis mentioned.
The staff pointed her in the right direction. Elizabeth thanked them and headed straight for the spot.
Louis was right. The place was close, less than a ten-minute walk.
Even though it was almost midnight, the place was still bustling with customers. Elizabeth found a seat and signaled a waiter to order.
She ordered enough barbecue and grilled oysters for two and asked for it to be packed to go.
The doorbell jingled. Elizabeth looked up and saw Louis.
She waved at him energetically.
Louis saw her and headed straight to her table.
Once he sat down, Elizabeth spoke first. "Louie, I finally get to see you!"
Louis kept his head down, avoiding her gaze. "Elizabeth, I'm sorry. It was my mistake from the start that led to this mess."
Elizabeth was anxious. "Louie, let's not talk about whose fault it is. I know you didn't do this for yourself. I understand you. If you had any other choice, you wouldn't have gone this far. After all, the ones who benefit are Francis and me, so I have no right to blame you."
Louis looked up, his eyes lingering on her neck. "Michael, is he treating you well?"
He quickly looked away after asking.
"Elizabeth, I know Michael will blame me. I'm just worried he'll take it out on you."
Elizabeth seemed a bit anxious. "Louie, let's talk about Eloise's condition first."
Louis realized something. "You snuck out without Michael knowing, didn't you?"
Elizabeth nodded vigorously. "He's asleep. But once he finds out I'm gone, he'll come looking for me fast."
Louis got serious. "Alright, let's keep this quick."
Elizabeth nodded. "Michael and I are on our honeymoon. But as you guessed, we're also here to find you and Eloise."
"You mentioned finding Eloise's biological brother to see if he'd donate a kidney. Have you asked him?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "Not yet. Quinn is staying with William and Anthony. They might not want Quinn to contact me. I need to talk to them first. Michael is very possessive. I can't message other men in front of him, especially Anthony."
Louis looked worried. "Eloise can't wait any longer."
Elizabeth had another question. "Louie, why did you tell Michael that Eloise was dead in the first place?"
Louis lowered his head. "After Eloise donated blood, I took her to a remote hospital. She was in a coma for days, kept alive by IV fluids. One day, the doctor declared her dead. I was devastated and didn't think to check myself. I just sent Michael the death certificate."
Elizabeth thought, Louis must have been heartbroken and in a daze back then. Otherwise, he wouldn't have trusted the local hospital's report so easily.
Louis continued, "I refused to have Eloise cremated locally. I bought an RV and left the town with her body. On the bumpy road, she suddenly woke up and said, 'Louis, I'm so thirsty.'"
Louis was still lost in his memories. "I was overjoyed. Even though her voice in the dark night sounded like it came from another world, I wasn't scared. Even if she had become a ghost, I would have wanted her to stay with me. I felt so lonely back then. I couldn't share my confusion and helplessness with anyone."
Elizabeth could imagine his helplessness.
"Louie, it's all because of me. I'm sorry. If I hadn't given birth to Francis, none of this would have happened."
Louis immediately stopped her. "No, Elizabeth, this isn't your fault. It's Margaret's crime. If she hadn't kidnapped Sarah, you wouldn't have had a premature birth. You couldn't have known Francis would turn out this way."
"I'll find a way to contact William and Anthony soon, find Quinn, and help Eloise."
"Those two will definitely make outrageous demands. They're always greedy. Now that they've fallen out with Michael, they won't go easy on you."
Elizabeth gripped her water cup, frowning. "If I have to, I'll give them The Jones Group. That should satisfy them, right?"
Louis was shocked. "Elizabeth! The Jones Group is your and your father's hard work! And now Dean's too! If he finds out you gave it to the Thomas family, how heartbroken do you think he'll be?"
Elizabeth's frown deepened. "Losing The Jones Group means starting over. Dean might be sad, but if it means Eloise can get better, isn't it worth it?"
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