Chapter 284 Do You Have a Guilty Conscience?
Paige really didn't intend to take Francesca's life.
But she would make Francesca understand what she had done wrong.
Unexpectedly, before Paige could take any action, Francesca had already disappeared!
Paige was quite calm about Francesca's disappearance, but Louis was very worried.
Raymond had just taken a few sips of tea when several people came in to report the situation to Louis.
Not long after, Philip also rushed over from the Carnegie Manor.
Philip was also anxious about Francesca's disappearance. Francesca was his daughter-in-law, and no matter what happened, Philip wouldn't be pleased.
Louis didn't expect that the matter would alarm Philip.
But since Philip already knew, Louis told him everything.
After hearing it, Philip was silent for a while.
Raymond asked, "You don't think this has something to do with my wife, do you?"
Philip initially wanted to ask but then shook his head and said, "No, I shouldn't suspect Paige. She is quite measured in her actions."
Raymond said, "It's okay if you want to suspect her. After all, the person who most wants to torment Francesca right now is indeed her. But you're right, it's not her. She has her plans, and we've already discussed them."
Raymond felt a bit uncomfortable with Paige being suspected.
However, out of respect for Philip, he let it go.
Just as Raymond finished speaking, Charles came running in hurriedly from outside.
The urgent footsteps caught their attention, and Raymond, seeing Charles's expression, roughly knew that there was a lead.
Charles immediately reported as he walked over. "Mr. Carnegie, we have news."
Louis, who had been standing far away, immediately came over when he heard Charles loudly announcing that there was news.
He was more anxious than Raymond and asked, "Did you find my mom? Where is she?"
Charles said, "Don't worry, we just have some information. We just sent people over, and we'll get back to you as soon as we find Mrs. Carnegie."
Raymond said, "Get to the point."
Charles said, "We found out that Mrs. Carnegie met with a priest at a high price a few days ago and then went to a secluded church to live a monastic life. We just don't know if she's still there now."
Philip's face was stern, clearly unhappy.
After Louis finished speaking, he immediately went to get the car keys.
Raymond stopped him, "You don't need to go. It won't help. Since she didn't tell you or anyone else, it means she doesn't want anyone to know about this. Even if our whole family goes, it might not work. Think of another way."
Louis stopped in his tracks, his mind in a mess.
In Louis's memory, Francesca had always been on guard against Raymond, fearing he would take her place.
But such an ambitious person would go to a church to live a monastic life.
This inevitably made Louis think it was because of Luna's death.
How deeply was she involved in Luna's demise?
What was the relationship between her and Xena?
Louis really didn't dare to think about it now.
Probably, the person who most wanted Francesca to come back now was Louis.
After returning home, Raymond told Paige about Francesca being at the church.
She asked, "Is it far?"
Raymond said, "What?"
Paige repeated herself, "I mean, is the church far from Northwind?"
Raymond said, "It's just outside Northwind. It seems they've already found her, and unless something unexpected happens, Louis should have already gone over. Why?"
Paige said, "Let's spend today at the church."
As for Xena, Paige just needed to make sure she was still alive; the rest wasn't that important.
Since Francesca went to live a monastic life, it showed she had a guilty conscience. Whether it was because of Luna's death, Paige didn't know, but as long as she grasped Francesca's weakness, Paige could torment her.
Raymond roughly guessed Paige's thoughts but knew Paige wouldn't take action, so he agreed.
Charles drove directly to the church outside Northwind. When they arrived, they could already see Louis's car parked in the parking lot.
Louis was already there.
After explaining their purpose, Raymond donated a large sum of money, and dinner was arranged at the church.
A table full of vegetarian dishes, all exquisitely and beautifully prepared.
It was during dinner that Louis and Francesca came over to eat, and they finally met formally.
Francesca and Louis walked over together. The moment Francesca saw Paige, she stopped in her tracks, stunned.
She had guessed that Raymond and Paige would know her whereabouts since Louis had already found her.
But what Francesca didn't expect was that both Raymond and Paige would follow.
Louis also didn't expect it. He used to want to see Paige every day. But seeing Paige in this situation today, he was inexplicably nervous.
After all, he knew that Paige still hated Francesca.
Given what Francesca had done, Louis was genuinely worried that Paige would confront Francesca directly here, which would be really awkward.
He didn't even know what to do or which one to help.
In the end, it was Paige who spoke first. She had come to see Francesca and take the opportunity to probe.
Seeing Francesca standing there frozen, Paige said, "Francesca, join us for dinner?"
Francesca moved slightly, like a puppet being pulled by a string, her body somewhat stiff.
Louis looked at Francesca and then reminded her, "Paige is inviting us to join them for dinner."
Francesca heard it, but she was a bit afraid to face Paige and didn't expect Paige to follow.
With no other choice, Francesca had to brace herself and walk over.
Paige made room, and after Louis sat down, Francesca hesitated, looking as if she was very afraid of Paige.
"Francesca, you look much thinner after just a few days. You don't seem to be in good shape." Paige's gaze was openly fixed on Francesca. In the church, Francesca was completely bare-faced.
Most importantly, Paige noticed that Francesca looked exhausted as if she hadn't rested well for a long time.
She thought, 'Isn't this quiet place supposed to be perfect for a peaceful life? So, she really had a guilty conscience, couldn't eat or sleep well?'
After hearing Paige's words, Francesca touched her face, a bit flustered, "Really? Maybe I'm not used to the monastic life yet."
Louis also noticed Francesca's unease, deeply puzzled, thinking, 'When did Francesca start speaking like this?'
Raymond also gave Francesca a few meaningful glances. This was not the Francesca he remembered.
She suddenly seemed like a different person.
Paige, being so perceptive, couldn't possibly miss Francesca's odd behavior. She said casually, "Really? So you're not used to life here. I thought it was because you had a guilty conscience."
However, as soon as she said this, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.
Paige didn't care at all.
But Francesca's expression was indeed not good.
If someone else had said this, it would have been quite excessive.
But since it was Paige who said it, even if Louis felt uncomfortable, he couldn't refute it.
Francesca was even more embarrassed.
Now, she had no strength to explain anything.
In the end, it was Raymond who broke the awkward silence, "Let's eat, Paige, try this."
Paige didn't feel awkward at all for making others uncomfortable with her words. She continued eating without any intention of stopping.
From beginning to end, Paige only said one thing to Francesca. After that, Paige enjoyed her meal, her emotions as strong as steel, forged over and over again.
But Francesca didn't have Paige's willpower. She barely ate anything during dinner, but she still maintained her politeness, waiting until everyone finished eating before leaving the table together.
Charles had already spoken to the church and arranged the accommodation.
Just then, a nun came over and said, "The church has limited rooms, and there's only one room left. We really can't arrange separate rooms for you. Would you mind sharing a room?"
Francesca said, "Give my room to Paige."
Francesca wanted to give her room to Paige, but Paige immediately said, "Francesca, you're too kind. There's no need to give up your room. It's not appropriate for you to give up your room for me. How about I share the room with you? I hope you don't mind sharing a room with me."
Francesca didn't expect Paige to be willing to share a room with her. She was hesitating, not knowing how to respond, when Louis spoke first. "I'll sleep in the car for the night. Let Uncle Raymond and Paige have the room."
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