Chapter 150:

Elyse changed her outfit and went to the garden for lunch. Entering the living room, she saw Driscoll. His face lit up.

"Did you have a nice rest?" he asked.

Despite aching legs and weak knees, Elyse managed a reluctant smile. "Yes, I rested well."

Driscoll smiled knowingly. "Please go to the garden. There's a surprise for you."

Elyse was puzzled. "What's that?"

"You'll see," Driscoll replied, heading to the kitchen.

Curiosity and confusion swirling, Elyse entered the garden. Its beauty struck her: blooming flowers, pink and white ribbons woven through them, small trees adorned with red bows. Overwhelmed, she continued toward the lawn.

A long table laden with food was encircled by pink balloons. Jayden sat in a wheelchair, watching her astonished expression.

He grinned. "Do you like this little surprise?"

"I didn't even realize you set this up," Elyse responded.

Jayden chuckled. "Of course not. You were asleep when I had the servants decorate the garden. I tried waking you, but you wouldn't budge."

Elyse laughed, embarrassed. She was deeply moved. As a child, despite her accomplishments, she'd felt overshadowed. Her parents favored Mabel. Even with Theo, she'd been second to Kaelyn. This was one of the few times she felt genuinely cherished.

Noticing her tears, Jayden gently suggested, "Take a look at the table."

Confused, Elyse approached the table. Her cartoon image was printed on the plates and bowls! She inspected a plate repeatedly, unsure if she was hallucinating.

"Is this cartoon supposed to be me?" she asked.

Jayden looked at her as if it were obvious. "Who else? It's you!"

Tears welled in her eyes. "Did you organize all this?"

Jayden leaned back, casually responding, "Isn't a custom piece truly unique? Something off the shelf wouldn't be special enough."

Elyse bit her lip, sniffling. "How did you know this would mean so much?"

"I spent a day or two finding someone to design it. It arrived this morning. I planned for you to see it at breakfast, but you slept in, so…" Jayden looked around, smiling. "I want you to know how important you are to me. I also want the staff to see that you're the one I love."

Elyse's mouth dropped open. "Did you overhear the staff?"

Jayden rubbed his chin. "Yeah. At first, I dismissed their comments, but then I thought about your misunderstandings. If you keep misjudging my intentions, you'll feel wronged and leave."

Annoyed, Elyse turned away. "If you know I'd feel hurt, why do you keep Judy around? If you genuinely hate Joanna, why don't you show disdain for Judy, her cousin?"

Jayden laughed. "Who says I don't? Haven't you noticed Judy hasn't appeared today? Normally, she'd confront you."

Shocked, Elyse realized she hadn't seen Judy. "Where is she?"

Jayden played with his ring. "I sent her to a more appropriate place. I wanted to uncover her reasons for being here, but since she was upsetting you…"

"Where did you send her?" Elyse asked.

"She's happy to serve my family, isn't she? A maid at my grandpa's mansion quit, so I arranged for her to take over."

Elyse's jaw dropped. "Isn't Judy from the Foster family? How can you just do that?"

Jayden shrugged. "She agreed to the contract willingly. I didn't force her."

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