Chapter 1354:

With a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, his silhouette cut a striking figure against the setting sun, his rugged charm momentarily mesmerizing. Elyse found herself briefly lost in the sight.

Chloe, quick to notice, playfully nudged Elyse’s arm. “Quit daydreaming and go talk to him.”

Annoyed by the interruption, Elyse snapped, “Chloe, enough with the teasing!”

With a chuckle, Chloe moved toward Jayden, announcing clearly, “Mr. Owen, I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy your evening.” She then swiftly exited.

Jayden, extinguishing his cigarette in a nearby bin, opened his arms wide for Elyse.

She approached hesitantly, her heart fluttering as she nestled into his embrace. She whispered, “You’re back from Owen Group? Everything okay there? No one gave you a hard time?”

Chuckling softly, Jayden assured her, “Who would dare? Now that I’ve cut ties with the Owen family, they can’t touch me.”

Looking up into his eyes, Elyse inquired, “So, any plans to swoop in and save Owen Group?”

“I’m a businessman first and foremost, with a family to think about,” Jayden responded pragmatically. “I make decisions based on what’s best for my future, not family obligations.”

“Moves only when there’s something in it for you,” Elyse pressed, focusing on his pragmatic side. “So, you would consider helping them if the terms were right?”

“Equal exchange, fair enough, wouldn’t you say?” Jayden replied evenly.

“That does make sense,” Elyse conceded, nodding slowly. When Enzo went against Jayden, the other Owens stood by, offering no support. Jayden thought about their cold indifference, branding them ungrateful egoists polished to a deceptive sheen.

Given this backdrop, Elyse could hardly blame Jayden for his guarded stance.

Their journey home was abruptly interrupted by the stark ring of Jayden’s phone—a call from the hospital that sliced through the car’s silence like a sharp intake of breath.

After a terse conversation, Jayden ended the call, his complexion ghostly, his brow creased with worry.

“What happened? Who was that?” Elyse asked, noticing his pallor.

“It was the hospital. Shaun’s awake,” Jayden replied, his voice a blend of relief and apprehension.

“That’s fantastic news! Shaun waking up is a miracle!” Elyse beamed, her eyes sparkling with optimism.

“Yes, but it’s complicated,” Jayden sighed heavily. “The doctor says there’s a problem with Shaun. We need to go there right now.”

Elyse’s heart sank as she pondered the possibilities. Had Lowell and Dolores visited Shaun, further complicating matters? . . .