Chapter 180:

Bryce protested loudly. "It was just an accident last night! Actually, I'm quite brave. It won't happen again, even if I'm scared."

Jayden responded with a smile. "Since you're so brave, you can sleep alone tonight. I hope not to hear from the servants that you've wet the bed tomorrow."

Determined not to be looked down upon, especially by Jayden, Bryce clenched his teeth. With a burst of excitement, he declared, "I can sleep alone. I don't need anyone with me."

Pleased with Bryce's response, Jayden told Driscoll, "That's settled then. You can go ahead and set the table."

Driscoll nodded and headed to the kitchen.

Elyse remained silent, but understood Jayden was provoking Bryce. Jayden said, extending his hand to her, "Don't be upset. Let's go have dinner." His tone was even, neither harsh nor gentle, merely stating a fact.

In his view, any jealousy from Elyse was unwarranted; after all, he hadn't provoked it directly. Yet he failed to see that his marriage harbored many unpredictable elements. Elyse had always lacked a sense of security, where even the smallest incident could unsettle her.

Elyse gazed at Jayden for a few moments before relenting and placing her hand in his. After they had eaten, she returned to her room to prepare for the next day's selection.

With the important day ahead, she went to bed early. However, she awoke suddenly at midnight. Reaching out instinctively, she found Jayden's side of the bed empty.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Elyse was about to head to the study when Bryce's scream pierced the quiet house. "I saw a ghost! Help!" his voice echoed.

Completely unnerved, Elyse murmured, "Why is Bryce screaming about a ghost again? Could there actually be something supernatural in the house?" She didn't truly believe in ghosts but decided she needed to see for herself. The darkness seemed to close in around her as she moved forward. After a dozen steps, she felt an eerie sensation, as if something were following her.

Spinning around abruptly, she saw nothing and breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to continue, two hands suddenly wrapped around her from behind. Before she could scream, a large hand covered her mouth.

"Didn't anyone tell you it's best not to wander at night?" The man's voice was close, his breath cold against her ear. He playfully bit her earlobe, sending a shiver through her.

Startled, Elyse quickly realized the man was not the ghost Bryce had screamed about. But who could be playing such tricks in the dark?

Unknown to her, it was Jayden, who had caught her in the hallway. He hadn't expected Elyse to disregard his advice to rest in her room. Remembering his earlier instructions, he gently held her closer, frustrated. If it weren't for the important selection tomorrow, he might have taken her tonight.

Feeling his hands, Elyse panicked. She struggled in vain, eventually growing tired and breathing heavily.

"You smell nice," Jayden asked, his voice calm, "Is that a new perfume?" The change in her scent intrigued him, drawing him closer to discover its source. Suddenly, he felt a tear drop onto the back of his hand.

"Huh? Was she crying because she was scared?" Jayden chuckled softly. She seemed more frightened than he'd thought. How brave of her to venture out alone.

He kissed her cheek affectionately, with a hint of amusement. "Good night."

Soon after, a sharp pain at the back of her neck overwhelmed her, and she lost consciousness. Jayden carefully carried her back to the bed, tucked her in gently, and left the room.

His earlier actions had been a deliberate attempt to provoke Bryce into proving himself. However, Bryce was so terrified by Jayden's antics that he fled to the basement—a place Jayden knew he shouldn't be, because of something significant stored there. Determined, Jayden knew he had to bring Bryce back.

The next morning, Elyse awoke feeling disoriented. After a few seconds, the events of the previous night rushed back to her. Panicked, she threw herself into Jayden's arms and exclaimed, "Jayden, there was an unknown man in the house last night. He tried to assault me!"

Jayden, having anticipated this reaction, responded calmly, "You were beside me all night. Perhaps the commotion with Bryce led you to have a nightmare?"

Confused, Elyse questioned, "Was I asleep the whole time last night?"

"Yes," Jayden confirmed soothingly. "I held you in my arms as you slept. I assure you, you were safe."

...