Chapter 161
After going to the study, Jayden didn't return to the bedroom. Unable to sleep, Elyse fidgeted before rising and going to the living room sofa to wait for him. Sleep eventually overcame her, but a sudden tilt of her head jolted her awake. Groggy, she checked her phone and saw it was past 2:00 AM. The study was still lit, and she wondered how long Jayden had been there.
A mix of confusion and concern prompted her to get up, knock on the study door, and, receiving no reply, open it. The room was empty. "Could he have gone back to our bedroom while I was asleep?" she whispered. She bypassed the wheelchair beside the desk and climbed the stairs to the bedroom, only to find it empty.
"How odd. Where could he be?" Elyse mused, remembering the day's earlier tensions and suspecting Jayden might be sulking. She wrapped herself in her shawl and began searching the vast, cold villa. The silent, sprawling house felt more imposing at night, especially with the servants confined to their quarters.
As she ventured into a seldom-used part of the house, her anxiety grew. For the first time, the villa's grandeur felt unsettling, as if an intruder might emerge from the shadows. Elyse was on edge when she heard approaching footsteps. It was late; who else would be wandering the house?
Glancing down at her fluffy slippers, she quickly removed them, stepped barefoot onto the cool floor, and found a place to hide. In the darkness, she held her breath. When the figure appeared, she was startled—it was Peyton. She almost called out but stopped when she saw him carrying a leather suitcase. Tonight, he seemed like a stranger.
Unaware of her presence, Peyton continued toward the basement. Elyse paused, then decided to follow, driven by a feeling that Jayden might be there.
Although she'd never explored this part of the house, she knew about the basement; Driscoll had mentioned Jayden's extensive wine collection, but she'd never been interested in seeing it.
Entering the basement, Elyse was struck by its well-appointed decor and the eerie silence amplified by the sound-dampening carpet. She put her slippers back on and wandered through the basement. Reaching the innermost part, she noticed a lit room and heard voices.
Listening intently, she recognized Jayden's voice, straightened, and marched toward the room, anger rising. He was secretly drinking wine in the basement, wasn't he?
"Elyse!"
"Aaah!" Elyse jumped as someone patted her shoulder. Clutching her heart, she spun around in a panic, only to see a strange man smiling at her. Fear gripped her, and she collapsed to the floor.
Clive, noticing her distress, winked at Peyton, who had appeared after hearing the commotion. Clive bent over and offered his hand. "Sorry, Elyse, I didn't mean to startle you."
Still shaken, Elyse didn't take his hand and asked tensely, "Who are you? I don't know you. Why are you in my house?"
"I'm Clive Yates. Nice to meet you," he replied.
"Are you Jayden's friend? Why are you here so late?" Elyse asked, her realization dawning. With a scowl, she marched toward the brightly lit room.
"Jayden!" she called, pushing open the door to find Jayden lounging on a sofa, casually smoking a cigarette. He looked up with a piercing gaze.
Jayden flicked ash from his cigarette and smiled. "Why did you wake up? Can't you sleep without me nearby?"
His words stunned Peyton.
Elyse's cheeks flushed. "You! Stop talking nonsense. I did fall asleep earlier," she retorted, then paused, confused. "Where's your wheelchair?" She scanned the room, wondering how he'd gotten to the sofa.
Peyton was also surprised by her question. They were so accustomed to the arrangement that they hadn't anticipated Elyse discovering the room without the wheelchair being present.
"The wheelchair is still in the study." …