Chapter 220:

“You’re laughing at me!” Bryce exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table in fury. Tess, equally incensed, snapped, “Elyse Lloyd, you’ve crossed a line! Bryce is your brother-in-law. How could you make fun of him like that?”

Elyse’s smile faded. “I’m sorry, Bryce,” she said, offering a heartfelt apology. “It was wrong of me to laugh, especially on your birthday. Can you forgive me?”

Bryce’s anger subsided. He reflected that Elyse, despite her modest background, should show him more respect. Tess, too, seemed relieved, as if Jayden had also reconciled with her following Elyse’s apology.

“How’s your work going?” Tess inquired, her tone firm and matronly.

“Everything’s going smoothly,” Elyse replied.

As Tess peeled a tangerine, she asked, “I heard you’re about to embark on a national concert tour. Are you the concertmaster?”

Elyse shook her head, regret evident in her voice. “I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’m not.”

This response enraged Tess, who threw the tangerine peel at Elyse. “Useless! How did you not secure the position? I thought you had some musical talent, at least! You bring shame on our Owen family. You’re just mediocre.”

Bryce smirked. “You couldn’t even become concertmaster? What makes you think you’re worthy of being part of our family?”

Brushing off the peel, Elyse controlled her frustration. “Since when did you care about my career? Just the other day, you criticized me for pursuing a pointless job that supposedly tarnished the Owen family’s reputation.”

Tess’s anger intensified. “How dare you talk back! I’m going to make sure Jayden divorces you!”

Standing, Elyse poured a glass of tea and handed it to Tess with a deliberate gesture. “There’s no need for threats. The future of my marriage to Jayden is for us to decide. Please have some tea and relax.”

This further provoked Tess, who silently accused Elyse of lacking manners.

As Elyse was leaving, Bryce surreptitiously stuck out his leg to trip her.

Elyse, however, saw his maneuver and skillfully avoided it, stepping firmly on his foot instead.

Bryce yelped. “You did that on purpose, you witch!” He shoved Elyse aside, cradling his foot and wailing pathetically.

Elyse blinked, feigning innocence. “Oh, Bryce, this is a misunderstanding. I didn’t see your leg.”

Tess caressed Bryce’s cheek. “And you claim it was an accident? My poor boy is in tears!”

Elyse, standing aside, expressed dismay. “I truly didn’t mean to step on his foot.”

The door opened, and Jayden, maneuvering his wheelchair inside, heard the end of Elyse’s explanation. Their eyes met.

Elyse’s expression turned sorrowful. She approached, took his hand with exaggerated tenderness, and gave it a playful shake.

Jayden, having reconciled with her the previous day, was sensitive to her feelings. He whispered, “What’s wrong? Did someone upset you?”

Without hesitation, Elyse responded, “Your mother said she’d make you divorce me. It hurt me.”

Tess, overhearing this, felt her anger surge. “So, Elyse Lloyd, you think you’ve got your protector now? How dare you dismiss me!”

Elyse’s voice was calm. “I’ve never dismissed you. You’ll always be respected as my mother-in-law.”

Jayden barely suppressed a chuckle, subtly signaling Elyse to ease up. He sat at the table, poured her tea, and said lightly, “Mom, please don’t treat my wife harshly in my absence. Unlike you, she holds a special place in my heart.”

Tess slammed her hand on the table. “So, your own family ranks below an outsider? She’s bewitched you!”

Jayden retorted, “Mom, have you forgotten our family principles? Remember how you treated me after my accident, when you thought I was useless? I know who truly cares for me.”

. . .