Chapter 1351:

Seth faltered, stunned by his daughter’s uncharacteristic outburst. His anger sputtered, and though he scowled, he didn’t press further.

After much coaxing and whispered reassurances, Debora managed to usher her father out of the office, his fury simmering but contained. She turned back to Jayden, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

Jayden crossed his arms. “So I see. No wonder you were so reluctant for your parents to meet me. You knew they’d never come to me for help.”

Debora’s shoulders slumped, as if the weight of the world had doubled. Her voice, weary and tinged with defeat, came out. “You’re right. They wouldn’t. But I know you’re the only one who can save Owen Group.”

Her chest tightened as tears of frustration pricked at her eyes. She drew in a shaky breath. “Jayden, I’m not like you. I can’t just walk away and start over. Owen Group is everything to me. If it collapses… I’ll be nothing. Call me shallow. Call me whatever you want. But I can’t face living an ordinary life.”

Jayden’s lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. “Well, at least you’re honest.”

Debora bit back the retort burning on her tongue. What else was there to say? She had laid herself bare, and his response had been cold.

Without warning, Jayden reached out and patted her shoulder lightly. “Keep up the good work,” he said, turning on his heel.

For a moment, Debora couldn’t move. She watched him go, her mind struggling to process what had just happened.

His casual dismissal hit her like a punch to the gut. Was that it? Was Jayden really going to ignore the decline of Owen Group?

When Seth and Greg finally returned to the office, Jayden was already gone.

Greg strode in, practically bouncing with energy. “So,” he asked eagerly, “did Jayden agree to help?”

Seth scoffed, his voice dripping with scorn. “That traitor. If he doesn’t step in to save the company, he’s heartless. He doesn’t deserve the name Owen!”

Debora clenched her fists, the endless accusations scraping against her mind like nails. She’d endured this blame game for days—everyone pointing fingers at Jayden, demanding he shoulder the burden they couldn’t carry. But why should he? He’d left the family behind and cut ties with them. What right did they have to demand his help?

“Enough!” she snapped, clutching her head. “Just stop it! You’re not helping! If you can’t do anything useful, then at least stop making things worse!”

In truth, she was done with them all. If she were Jayden, she wouldn’t have helped either.

Elyse joined Chloe on a brisk walk to the broadcasting and TV station for her scheduled work assignment. The agenda for the day was straightforward yet exhilarating: get acquainted with the cozy confines of the studio, slip on the sleek headphones, and dive into a live exchange with the charming host. Listeners had the golden opportunity to tune in and even engage directly with Elyse.