Chapter 130:

Richie's remark startled Jayden and Elyse. They exchanged glances before simultaneously turning away, an unspoken agreement passing between them. Although silent, their mood subtly improved.

Seeing their lack of contradiction, Richie became more enthusiastic. "So you are Mr. Owen's wife! I must be blind not to have noticed. I'd like to formally invite you to dinner next time. Please don't refuse."

Elyse offered a reluctant smile and nodded. Richie then urged, "You should probably head back now. Your maid looks quite displeased. She might be muttering under her breath."

Judy was startled, wondering if Richie meant her. Realizing he did, she managed a forced smile. "You're mistaken. I'm not a maid," she corrected gently.

Richie scrutinized her skeptically. "That's hard to believe. You don't seem like you come from a wealthy or influential family."

Judy felt a surge of anger. Richie's careless words, spoken in front of Jayden, threatened to undo the positive impression she'd worked so hard to create. "I am not a maid. You're wrong," she insisted.

Still puzzled, Richie asked, "If you're not a maid, why are you following them around?"

His bluntness left Judy speechless. "Mr. Owen, please defend me. How can he speak to me like that?" She looked to Jayden for support, hoping he would intervene.

However, Jayden barely glanced at her and responded impatiently, "You are a maid, aren't you? He's not wrong."

Judy was stunned. Despite their close relationship, Jayden hadn't defended her. Why?

Elyse approached, took Jayden's wheelchair, and bid Richie farewell before leaving with Jayden. Judy hurried after them, eager to take over pushing the wheelchair. In her mind, this was a wife's duty, and she considered herself Jayden's true spouse, unwilling to yield the role to Elyse.

Just as Judy was about to intervene, Richie stopped her. "Where do you live? Let's go together." Believing himself thoughtful and considerate, Richie treated Judy as an outsider.

As Jayden and Elyse distanced themselves, Judy grew anxious to catch up, but Richie held her back. "Enough. You're just a third wheel. Stay away from them. I'll see you home."

Frustrated, Judy protested, "I'll go back with them."

Richie paused, then responded with a sarcastic smile. "I understand you reject the title of maid, but let's face it, your self-importance is truly unparalleled."

Judy's anger exploded. Pointing at Richie, she exclaimed, "What is wrong with you? How is my relationship with Jayden any of your concern? I was his companion long before any of this. Why can't I follow them?"

Turning around, Judy realized Jayden and Elyse were gone. Her heart sank. Had Jayden really left her behind?

Richie, stepping back, retorted, "You're delusional. You claim you're not a maid yet act like one, and now you even think you're Mr. Owen's woman. If you were, what does that make Elyse?"

After a pause, Richie dismissed her. "Forget it. I'm not taking a lunatic home. You can go back by yourself." He walked away.

Fuming, Judy hurried to find Jayden and Elyse, but they were nowhere to be seen—not even their car. Feeling humiliated, Judy clenched her teeth. For a moment, she considered going home, but she soon regained her composure. She'd only been at Jayden's house for a day. It was natural for him to overlook her.

"As long as I stay with Jayden longer, he'll remember me," she reassured herself, convinced she could eventually replace Elyse.