Chapter 1031:

Kaelyn only laughed, low and bitter. “Oh, sweet Elyse. If you think I’m lying, why not ask Theo to dig up the truth? He could find out in a heartbeat what happened to Jayden. But you won’t, will you? Because deep down, you’re terrified I’m right. Too scared to face it.”

Theo seized Kaelyn’s hair, pulling it sharply. She flinched, her face contorted in agony. His voice took on a chilling undertone. “I’m quite curious. How do you come by secrets even I can’t uncover?”

Despite her pain, Kaelyn’s response dripped with defiance. “Oh, how could I ever measure up to you? I’m merely a nobody,” she sneered.

Theo’s smile was malevolent. “No matter, I’ll peel back the layers of your history soon enough. I’m keen to discover who you really are.” Kaelyn’s complexion turned ghostly at his words.

Meanwhile, Elyse was too distracted to pay attention to their exchange; her thoughts echoed Kaelyn’s earlier revelation. It wasn’t long before Elyse snapped, grabbing Kaelyn by the collar, her voice desperate. “Where did you find out about this? How is Jayden dead? Are you lying to me?”

Kaelyn’s smirk grew wider as she saw Elyse unravel. She didn’t care about the consequences now; unsettling Elyse had been worth it. Mockingly, Kaelyn suggested, “Why not visit the war zones yourself? Perhaps you’ll stumble upon Jayden’s remains there.”

“Where did you get this information?” Elyse demanded, her fury palpable. This was a side of Elyse that Edward had never witnessed, and he stood frozen, completely taken aback.

Theo caught the change in the air and snapped, “What are you waiting for? Remove her at once! This fucking bitch is just stirring trouble for Elyse.”

Edward shook himself awake, swiftly moving to Elyse’s side and guiding her outside. The chill of the night air bit at her, coaxing tears from her eyes. Taken aback, Edward hesitated, his voice laced with concern. “Why are you crying? Is it because Jayden’s gone?”

Elyse hastily dried her eyes, shook her head, and stepped ahead, her gaze fixed on the ground. Edward watched her walk away, a tumult of emotions churning inside him. He longed to speak, to comfort her, but the words turned to ash in his mouth.

Standing against the gusts, Elyse allowed the icy wind to envelop her, seeking solace in its harsh embrace to steel her resolve against Kaelyn’s manipulations.

Was Jayden really gone, just as Kaelyn claimed? She believed someone as calculated and composed as Jayden wouldn’t succumb so easily.

Elyse slapped her cheeks lightly to banish her despair. Meanwhile, Theo emerged from the bar with Kaelyn and Mabel, directing them into a car.