Chapter 1111:

Jayden let out a short, mirthless laugh. “Are you really trying to save her from danger, or do you just want her far away from me?” His gaze bore into Edward’s, daring him to drop the pretense. “You might fool everyone else with your little act, but don’t waste your breath pretending with me. It’s pathetic.”

Before Edward could respond, a groggy voice interrupted, “What are you two arguing about?”

Both men froze as Elyse, still half-asleep, leaned against the doorframe. Her eyes were closed, but her annoyance was crystal clear. “Do you have any idea how loud you’re being?”

Edward, spotting Elyse, quickly exclaimed, “Elyse! I’ve come to take you back. Pack your things quickly; everyone misses you.”

Elyse, without a second thought, firmly responded, “I’m not going back. I just want to sleep. Don’t bother me again.” Tomorrow, she was set to pick up her beloved violin. Without that, she had no plans to leave.

With her intentions clear, Elyse retreated to her room for the night, leaving Edward lingering helplessly at the door.

Heartbreak overtook him. He pondered when Elyse had ever treated him with such indifference. She hadn’t even spared him a glance before disappearing into her room.

Brooding over this, Edward’s gaze suddenly hardened as he turned to face Jayden.

Jayden, eyebrows arched, countered, “Why the glare? She’s the one who shut you out.”

Edward’s voice cracked with emotion. “This is all your doing! If you hadn’t been poisoning her thoughts about me, she would never dismiss me like this.”

Laughing lightly, Jayden retorted, “Oh please. If I were really slandering you, she would have thrown you out long before tonight.”

Fed up, Edward snapped, “Enough! Come outside. We need to settle this once and for all.” His agitation was reaching a breaking point; he was desperate to release his pent-up anger.

Suddenly, Jayden pushed Edward back and slammed the door in his face before he could react.

From behind the closed door, Jayden’s voice came through, muffled but clear. “You think I’m foolish enough to brawl with you at night? Let me sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Edward, leaning heavily against the door, yelled, “Why should you sleep beside Elyse? Not happening! Come out here; I’ll take your place.”

After several persistent knocks, Edward listened intently at the door, hearing footsteps approach. As he opened his mouth to speak, the door swung open. . . .