Chapter 1183:

Underneath, his black undershirt was even grimier, emitting a rank odor. Jayden braced himself for her disgust, but surprisingly, she just continued helping him undress without displeasure. She pointed at his pants next. “These need to go too. They’re a mess. I’ll find the laundry room and get them cleaned,” she declared, undeterred by his mess.

Feeling suddenly self-conscious, Jayden crossed his arms. “Didn’t you plan to be with Edward? Why are you fussing over me? I don’t need your help,” he protested, his tone a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.

Elyse’s anger flared. Having heard about the brawl between Jayden and Edward, leaving both men bruised and battered, she was beyond frustrated. Even worse, Jayden had tried to keep the details from her.

Far from satisfied, Elyse punched Jayden, then punched him again. “You dare bring that up? Edward already spilled everything. I know all about your antics, so drop the act. I gave you a chance back then, and you clammed up. Don’t blame me for going out with Edward.”

Jayden was speechless.

“What about me? Am I wrong?” Elyse retorted sharply. “And another thing—I got the death glare from a woman here as if I’d wronged her entire family. What’s that about?”

Jayden faltered, his voice a strained whisper after a tense pause. “Just ignore her. Keep your distance.”

Elyse scoffed, her laughter tinged with bitterness. “Still keeping secrets, huh? Her name’s Amanda, right? You played the hero, and now she’s infatuated. She hates me because I’m your ex. Would it kill you to just explain?”

Jayden remained silent, his demeanor sheepish and evasive.

Fed up with his silence, Elyse slapped him again and commanded, “If you’re not going to talk, at least go shower.”

Jayden resignedly picked up his clean clothes and retreated to the bathroom.

Still seething, Elyse took out her frustration on his dirty clothes before storming out of the room. As she exited, she nearly collided with Amanda, who had been listening.

She grabbed Amanda’s arm, her eyebrow arching provocatively. “A mercenary caught eavesdropping? I thought you didn’t stoop to such levels.”

Caught off guard, Amanda bristled but stubbornly refused to acknowledge eavesdropping or common ground with Elyse.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping!” Amanda asserted defiantly.

Elyse let out a soft chuckle. “Oh? Then what exactly were you doing lurking around here?”

Amanda faltered, momentarily speechless. Gathering her composure, she shot back, “Just because you’re close to Jayden doesn’t mean your intentions are pure. How do I know you’re not a spy sent to harm him?”

Raising an eyebrow, Elyse replied with amusement, “Accusations flying thick and fast, huh? Trying to sway public opinion against me now?” Leaning in closer, her voice lowered. “Garret counts me as a friend. By accusing me of espionage, are you suggesting Garret is complicit in betrayal?”

Amanda clenched her teeth, her frustration evident. “You can’t possibly be friends with Garret. I don’t buy it. Prove it.”

Elyse’s laughter was light and mocking. “You demand proof of my friendship with Garret, yet you baselessly label me a spy. Perhaps you should present some evidence of your accusations first.”

Amanda sneered, her tone cold. “I’m a mercenary. It’s my job to be wary. I have every right to suspect you.”

With a sly smile, Elyse countered, “Interesting. As a mercenary, it seems you ignore protocols and make your own rules. That makes me wonder if you’re the one planning to defect and sell information to our enemies.”