Chapter 1165:

Seeing Edward’s confident smile, Elyse chuckled. “Exactly. If I didn’t reciprocate your love, that’s on me, not you.”

Edward looked at Elyse with sincere, warm eyes. “I won’t trouble you further. Let’s be friends, shall we?”

Elyse nodded and smiled. “Alright, we’re good friends then.”

Edward returned the smile, saying joyfully, “Being friends is wonderful! It’s enough for me to protect you as a friend. I’m honored to be considered your friend.”

Elyse responded, and Edward let out a hearty laugh. “Well, you should be! After all, I am the esteemed and remarkably talented Edward McCoy!” He lifted his glass. “Shall we toast to friendship?”

Elyse agreed, raised her glass, and they toasted.

After sipping his wine, Edward said, “I’ve always thought that, with me pursuing you, you couldn’t tell what was in your own heart.”

Elyse looked surprised. “What do you mean?”

Edward elaborated, “Even though you have feelings for me and turned me down, I kept chasing. You might have been using my pursuit as a way to avoid confronting your own feelings.”

Elyse chuckled awkwardly. “How could I possibly do that?”

Sensing she wouldn’t confess, Edward shifted the conversation. “Did you know? Jayden’s current assignment could be fatal.”

Elyse’s fork clattered onto her plate.

“Are you okay?” Edward inquired with concern.

Elyse quickly retrieved her fork and managed a smile, nodding. “I’m fine, really. Don’t worry about me.”

Edward perceived her true feelings but remained silent.

He continued, “Jayden knows he’s facing a life-or-death risk, which is why he didn’t bring you along. Do you think he’d have let me look after you if he had any other option? He’s been trying so hard to keep me out of the picture. Wouldn’t he cling to any opportunity to keep you safe?”

Elyse took a large sip of her wine, then asked, “Who told you he might die?”

Edward replied, “He’s allied with Garret and is aware of some confidential information. Jayden teamed up with Garret to eliminate a certain—”

Edward stroked his chin and added, “Before teaming up with Garret, Jayden and I joined forces to challenge Charlie Hudson.”

“So, is his collaboration with Garret also about taking someone down? Who could it be that requires such extreme measures?” Elyse inquired.

Edward shrugged. “Maybe Garret knows, but he hasn’t shared that with me. My relationship with Garret isn’t that close.”

“Alright,” Elyse murmured, then seemed lost in thought, her interest in her meal fading.

Noticing her disinterest, Edward reminded her, “You need to eat well. I promised Jayden I’d take good care of you and won’t let you skip meals.”