Chapter 240:
“You say you have no feelings for Corrie, but your concern for her was evident the moment you encountered her. Why does her disastrous blind date matter to you?” Elyse challenged.
Hearing this, Jayden sensed her jealousy resurfacing. “I merely asked a question. You’re overthinking it,” he explained helplessly.
Elyse’s heart sank. “Overthinking? Corrie is clearly targeting me, trying to embarrass me. Didn’t you notice?”
Jayden remained silent. Elyse felt disheartened, turning away with sadness clouding her eyes. “Forget it. It doesn’t matter.”
Her emotions were constantly dismissed, and he remained indifferent. Seeing her desire to end the conversation, Jayden felt a surge of frustration.
Outside, bystanders were oblivious to the conflict between Elyse and Jayden. After escorting Corrie from the room, Clive ignored the curious onlookers as he practically dragged her out of the restaurant.
Corrie was a mess, her high heels slipping off as she was pulled along. She struggled to keep them on. The moment Clive released her, she hastily put them back on and snapped, “Are you out of your mind?”
Clive retrieved a tissue to wipe his hands, his disgust evident. Pushing him away, Corrie demanded, “Say something.”
Clive met her gaze, discarding the tissue as carelessly as he had dismissed Corrie. “You’re repulsive. Stay away from us,” he declared before leaving.
Stung by the insult, Corrie reached out to grab him. Anticipating her move, Clive easily evaded her. Peyton approached, exasperated. “Why are you both fighting?”
Corrie scoffed. “Ask him. I’ve done nothing.”
“Nothing, huh? We all know you’re a bitch.” Maintaining his composure, Clive asked, “Have you forgotten Louis Walker?”
“Louis Walker?” Corrie didn’t hesitate. She smiled and asked, “Who the hell is he? Why should I remember him?”
Clive’s anger was palpable, his veins bulging. At Clive’s words, Peyton’s expression darkened; Louis was also a good friend. With a solemn tone, Peyton said, “You’ve crossed a line this time, Corrie.”
Corrie shrugged nonchalantly. “Think what you will.”
“What a cold and heartless woman,” Clive’s accusation hung in the air as he strode back into the restaurant. Peyton, his anger evident, followed without a word to Corrie.
Though seething, Corrie’s mood lifted slightly at the memory of Elyse’s earlier frustration. As Peyton and Clive re-entered the private room, they sensed the tension between Elyse and Jayden. Their eyes met, and they resumed their seats in silence.
“The dishes are ready. Let’s eat,” Elyse declared, taking a bite. The others followed, but after Corrie’s outburst, a heavy silence fell over the room.
After the meal, everyone departed quietly. Elyse and Jayden returned home. Driscoll approached, ready to congratulate Elyse on her flawless performance, but seeing her disappointment, he was confused.
“Sir, what’s wrong with her? Did you two have another disagreement?” he inquired.
Jayden’s anger simmered. “She insisted on picking a fight.”
Driscoll sighed. Lately, Jayden and Elyse seemed to argue constantly. “Sir, aren’t you going to appease her?” he asked hesitantly.
“Appease her?” Jayden responded unhappily. “This is entirely her fault.” He felt he had done nothing wrong; Elyse was just being overly sensitive.
Driscoll felt uneasy. “Should we still proceed with the birthday party?” he ventured.
“Why not? Let’s go ahead with it,” Jayden declared, his tone laced with anger.
Driscoll was relieved; he had feared Jayden might cancel it in anger. Jayden clenched his fists. Hadn’t Elyse always accused him of not appreciating her? He would show her how much he cared.
Meanwhile, Elyse sat quietly in her room, deep in thought. Eventually, she picked up her violin and began to practice “Erlkönig.”
(The final lines ".noveldrama" and the website address were removed as they seem out of place in the cleaned-up text.)