Chapter 1196: Noveldrama
Elyse paid close attention to Hardy’s words and then thanked him again. This was Hardy’s first encounter with such a striking woman, causing him to stutter slightly. “I-I hope everything turns out well for you and Jayden,” he stammered, his cheeks flushed as he retreated timidly. Elyse, rubbing her nose, appeared slightly embarrassed, caught off guard by Hardy’s unexpected blessing. Nonetheless, as Jayden had previously mentioned, the farce was almost over.
Elyse went into Jayden’s room, and soon Jayden returned. She covertly observed his demeanor as he entered, noting his apparent satisfaction, which suggested his meeting had been fruitful. Jayden set down his paperwork and said, “The meeting ran long, and it’s well past dinner time. How about we head to the cafeteria?”
Elyse checked the clock and responded with a hint of surprise, “It’s almost eight. Are you sure they’ll still be serving food?”
“Don’t worry, they definitely will,” Jayden assured her confidently. “You haven’t seen the cafeteria yet, have you? It’s the perfect opportunity to show you around.”
Elyse considered for a moment before agreeing. They rose and walked to the cafeteria together. When they arrived, they saw that the cafeteria was bustling with diners engaged in lively conversations. Finding a seat, they were soon approached by a group of intrigued onlookers.
“So this is your wife, Jayden? We’ve heard so much about her. It’s great to finally meet her.”
“Your wife is absolutely stunning. It’s no wonder you think of her so often. If she were my wife, I’d never leave her side.”
“Hey! You can look, but remember she’s Jayden’s wife, not yours.”
The group burst into laughter, teasing Elyse, who blushed deeply, her gaze dropping to the table. Jayden intervened firmly, “Enough with the teasing. She’s shy, and you’re overwhelming her. We’d appreciate some space to eat.” The group didn’t dare linger and dispersed quickly.
Once they had left, Elyse slowly looked up, covering her flushed cheeks with her hands, and asked, “What’s happening here? When did I become your wife? Please, stop saying that to others.”
“Regardless of our arguments, you remain my wife,” Jayden replied with a mischievous wink. “Honey, I’ll get us some food. Please wait here.”
“Don’t call me honey!” Elyse retorted, visibly upset, trying to hit Jayden, who swiftly dodged her.
As Jayden made his way toward the food counter, the playful teasing from the onlookers elicited a smile from him. Amanda watched all these interactions with clenched fists. In her eyes, Elyse stood between her and the idyllic moments she envisioned with Jayden. Without Elyse, she believed she would be the one Jayden affectionately called “honey” in front of everyone. Fueled by jealousy, Amanda’s desire to replace Elyse grew stronger.
At that moment, Hardy, seated across from her, spoke. “Don’t even think about doing anything foolish. Jayden and Elyse are a couple. If you try to meddle, I won’t hesitate.”
Amanda turned sharply to face Hardy, her face etched with confusion, and asked, “Whose side are you on? It’s absurd how you always defend Elyse. Are you that smitten with her? If you are, I can help you pursue her.”
Hardy took a drink of water, and his expression grew stern. “I’ve told you before. Don’t cause trouble and keep your tricks to yourself.”
Amanda snorted dismissively. “You’re just afraid. You obviously have feelings for Elyse, but you’re too scared to go after her. And yet, you stand in my way of pursuing Jayden.”
With that, Amanda picked up her tray and started to leave. “Stop!” Hardy’s voice boomed, cutting through the noise as he glared at Amanda. “I told you to stay. Now, sit down and don’t move.”
Amanda’s eyebrows furrowed in defiance, but seeing Hardy’s unyielding gaze, she reluctantly lowered her head and sat back down.
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