Chapter 199:
The driver said, “He left this morning and hasn't returned.” Elyse refrained from further questions. She opened Jayden’s chat on her phone and sent a message: “Will you be home for dinner tonight?” She received no reply. She put down her phone, leaned back against the seat, and sighed wearily.
Upon arriving home, Driscoll approached her respectfully. “Mr. Owen won’t be home for dinner tonight. He asked you not to wait for him.” Elyse nodded silently, went into the dining room, and ate alone.
“What’s been keeping Jayden so busy lately?” she blurted out. “He’s not even coming home for dinner anymore.” Driscoll found himself in a difficult position, unable to reveal Jayden’s activities, especially since Elyse was unaware of his feigned disability.
Observing Driscoll’s discomfort, Elyse decided not to press further. After dinner, she returned to her room. Jayden still hadn’t responded to her message. She sighed and gazed out the window in frustration.
Just then, her phone rang. It was Tracy. Trying to remain calm, Elyse answered. “I’ve joined a crew to film a show tomorrow,” Tracy said hopefully. “I’m quite nervous. Could you join me on set?”
Considering the upcoming weekend, Elyse replied, “Okay, I’ll be there to support you.”
Tracy asked cautiously, “Your husband won’t mind if I take you away, will he?”
Elyse paused, momentarily surprised, then remembered Jayden’s absence. With a reassuring smile, she said, “Don’t worry. He won’t mind. Just send me the location, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” After ending the call, Elyse messaged Jayden that she would be joining Tracy on the film set. Jayden replied quickly: “Go ahead.”
His brief reply was disappointing. She yearned for more. Feeling empty and uneasy, she went to bed, her mind racing. She eventually fell asleep, unaware of Jayden's return.
Waking early the next morning, Elyse found Jayden asleep beside her. She watched him for a while, then gently touched him, feeling his warmth.
Her touch woke Jayden. He recognized her and relaxed. “Why are you up so early?” he asked.
“I promised Tracy I’d be with her on set today. She’s already applying makeup,” Elyse explained.
Jayden, still holding her hand, replied sleepily, “You can go later.”
“No, she’s anxious. I need to be there soon,” Elyse said, pulling her hand away and getting out of bed. As she dressed, Jayden watched her. “When will you be back? I can pick you up,” he asked.
Elyse hesitated, then asked, “Would that really be convenient for you? Haven’t you been preoccupied lately?”
Jayden propped himself up on one hand, waiting for her to elaborate, but she remained silent. He had expected her to ask about his recent activities, but she didn’t. He frowned. “There’s an issue with Clive’s project I need to address,” he explained. “It’s almost finished, so I’ll be less busy soon.”
It was a lie, a convenient excuse. Clive’s project had problems, but they didn’t require Jayden’s involvement. He was deeply involved with the Bayzee Group’s investments. Only a select few knew that Jayden was the mastermind behind the Bayzee Group. He kept his role a secret, even from Elyse.
She accepted his explanation, regardless of its truth.
Concerned, she turned to him. “Is everything alright with Clive? Can he handle the problem himself?”
“It’s challenging for him alone, but I can manage it easily,” Jayden replied intensely. Elyse felt intimidated by the intensity in his eyes. She quickly looked away and continued dressing.
“Have I made you feel neglected lately?” Jayden asked, seemingly reading her thoughts.
Elyse firmly denied feeling neglected. “No. We both have our responsibilities.”
“Why then did you go to bed so early last night?” Jayden asked, a smirk playing on his lips. “I thought you’d be home waiting,” he teased.
Elyse blushed, overwhelmed by the day’s events which had led to her falling asleep at eight o’clock. Trying to sound casual, she explained, “I was simply too tired from practicing the violin.”
The extraneous website address has been removed. The ellipsis at the end suggests more text follows; this has been retained.