Chapter 1185:

Confused, Amanda called out, “Where are you taking those? I just said I could help Jayden cut in line. Didn’t you hear me?”

Elyse gave Amanda a cold look. “I prefer not to mix his clothes with yours.”

Amanda was stunned, not anticipating such a blunt retort.

Elyse shot her another cold look. “I see you as filthy. If Jayden’s clothes get mixed with yours, I’ll be done with him.”

Amanda stood frozen, slowly processing that Elyse was actually judging her cleanliness. Seething with anger, she wished she could rip Elyse to shreds.

Deciding against further interaction, Elyse grabbed the clothes and left. Recalling a stream she had noticed earlier, she decided to wash Jayden’s clothes there herself.

As Elyse walked away, Amanda’s gaze turned cold, watching her go. Elyse headed directly to a nearby stream. The surrounding wilderness was untamed and raw. She carefully picked her way across moss-cloaked stones, her attention fixed on the ground as she neared the water.

Trailing her by about ten meters, Amanda moved stealthily. Finding a cozy spot along the stream, Elyse began washing Jayden’s clothes, engrossed in her task and completely unaware of Amanda’s silent approach.

Amanda, knife in hand, had managed to sneak up right behind Elyse without a sound. The knife’s intent was lethal. Going outside alone to wash clothes was a gamble in these parts, where dangers lurked around every corner and even the bravest mercenaries thought twice. Undeterred, Elyse boldly stepped out by herself, challenging the risks without hesitation.

To Amanda, this moment seemed like destiny lending a hand. Once Elyse was out of the picture, she believed Jayden would turn his affections towards her, leaving his memories of Elyse behind.

As Amanda was poised to strike, Elyse suddenly drew a gun, expertly aiming it backwards under her arm at Amanda. Startled, Amanda stumbled back, her eyes wide at the unexpected turn. She blurted out, accusingly, “Where did you get that? You must have stolen it, right?”

Elyse dropped the dirty clothes and rose to her feet, flashing a taunting smile at Amanda. “Stolen? You never tire of throwing baseless accusations my way. What’s in it for you? Trying to drive a wedge between Jayden and me? Hoping to catch his eye yourself?”

With the gun still in hand, Elyse swept her gaze around. “Feel free to report me for the supposed theft. But consider how Jayden will react, given that he’s the very one who gifted me this gun.”

Amanda’s face twisted into a sneer. “So you claim that gun came from Jayden and expect me to just swallow that? You, a feeble woman—do you even possess the skill to fire that weapon?”

In a lightning move, Elyse raised the gun, aimed directly at Amanda’s face, and fired. The shot rang out so quickly Amanda scarcely had time to blink. Behind Amanda, a man crumpled to the ground.

In an instant, Amanda whirled, her instincts flaring. The man’s telltale mercenary outfit and equipment gave him away as an enemy. Her face warped with vexation. She had just mocked Elyse’s capability with a gun, only to be shown up in dramatic fashion. This reversal was more insulting than any outright defeat.

Elyse cocked her head to the side, eyeing the rage on Amanda’s face. She posed a question, her curiosity genuine. “I’ve been meaning to ask—how did someone like you, who flouts orders, struts around with arrogance, and seems oblivious to danger, even end up as a mercenary?”

The shadow across Amanda’s face deepened. “Are you questioning my qualifications as a mercenary?”