Chapter 230:

As soon as Driscoll finished speaking, he noticed Jayden's uneasy expression. Piqued by curiosity, Driscoll wondered what Jayden was thinking. "Don't tell me you don't know what she likes," he mused, reassuring himself that Jayden must be aware of Elyse's preferences. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that Jayden might not. After all, Jayden had never been one to show concern for others, sometimes not even for himself.

Jayden's expression darkened as he contemplated this. It dawned on him that he didn't actually know Elyse's likes or dislikes. He couldn't recall her favorite foods, drinks, or even the color of her favorite dress. He was clueless about her hobbies and interests. It struck him that all he knew were her vulnerabilities and how to exploit them in bed. Beyond that, he knew nothing about her.

Driscoll likely sensed this and sighed inwardly. He had harbored concerns about their relationship since their marriage. Despite their frequent quarrels and quick reconciliations, he had assumed they would gradually grow to understand each other better. He hadn't anticipated they would still be at square one when it came to knowing each other intimately.

Driscoll couldn't hold back any longer. "As her husband, you should know everything about her."

Unhappily, Jayden retorted, "Why do you assume I don't know? I learned everything about her past after marrying her."

Jayden's simplistic reasoning revealed his lack of understanding to Driscoll. Patiently, Driscoll explained, "Knowing her isn't just about knowing her history. Do you know how she felt after her college entrance exam? Can you tell if she was nervous or excited when she first started college? Her emotions aren't documented on paper."

Frowning, Jayden dismissed this. "It doesn't matter."

Driscoll persisted earnestly, "It's crucial. Only then can you truly understand her."

Jayden remained silent, refusing to acknowledge Driscoll's advice. He believed he knew Elyse better than anyone else. In his mind, he could provide Elyse with a life of luxury and protect her from harm. Her occasional melancholy was simply a woman's disposition, a result of his indulgence and her arrogance. Jayden concluded that Driscoll didn't comprehend Elyse as well as he did.

Meanwhile, in the room, Elyse sneezed unexpectedly. She rubbed her nose and glanced at herself in the mirror. After admiring her reflection for a moment, she removed her ruby necklace with a smile. Indeed, the ruby complemented her perfectly, enhancing her beauty.

But her hand clutching the necklace hesitated. Doubt flickered in her eyes. Who could have given it to her? And who knew she had a fondness for rubies?

After putting the necklace away, she grabbed her phone and messaged Tracy. Tracy, her closest friend, was aware of her affinity for rubies. After a brief wait, Tracy called her directly.

"Honey, I didn't give you a ruby. I sent you money as your birthday present this year. Didn't you check your bank account? I transferred some funds to you."

Upon hearing this, Elyse hurriedly accessed her bank account. Seeing a substantial sum deposited, she was speechless. "Did you transfer your entire salary to me?"

Tracy boasted, "Almost. I'm doing quite well in the entertainment industry. Once this TV show wraps up, I'll move on to the next one."

Seated in her chair, Elyse hugged her knees tightly. "Congratulations. I'll be counting on you to support me, the future star."

"Don't worry. I'll pamper you and make you stunning," Tracy assured her.

After their conversation, Tracy inquired curiously, "But why haven't you asked Theo about the necklace? What if it was from him?"

A hint of uncertainty crept into Elyse's smile. "Why would I ask him? Do you really think he's the one who gave it to me?"

Tracy speculated, "What if it was him? Despite his flaws, he was your boyfriend for three years. He must know about your love for rubies, right?"

Elyse shook her head. "He doesn't. He doesn't even know my favorite drink. How could he know about my affinity for rubies?"

Tracy was taken aback, unsure of how to respond. After a moment's hesitation, she admitted, "Then I'm stumped. I have no clue who could have sent it."

"It doesn't matter. I just wanted to check with you." After ending the call, Elyse found Theo's number on her blacklist. After a moment of contemplation, she dialed Theo's number. If it was indeed from him, she had no intention of keeping the necklace.

The extraneous ".con" and "..." have been removed. The writing is improved for clarity and flow.