Chapter 243:
After Brook finished speaking, he added, "You know, I'm bringing a friend. You can catch up with her." Jayden sensed an ulterior motive but didn't take it seriously. "Looking forward to it," he replied.
Debora urged Brook to clear his things from his office. With a grim expression, Brook complied and left with her. Jayden headed for the elevator. He checked his phone for messages from Elyse, but found none. He pursed his lips. Was she still upset?
As the elevator doors opened, a man with a laptop bag waited. He said respectfully, "Mr. Owen, I'm here to pick you up." Exiting the elevator, Jayden continued to stare at his phone, musing, "Tobin, did you send the gift as planned?"
Tobin Carman replied, "It's en route. Mrs. Owen will receive it before the party begins." Jayden hoped the gift would please her.
"You have a meeting in forty minutes, sir. We should leave promptly," Tobin said, checking his watch.
Exiting the Owen Group building, Jayden entered the car and murmured, "We must arrive on time for the birthday party." Tobin noticed Jayden's genuine concern for his wife.
Elyse, in a white bathrobe, sat before the dressing mirror, staring at her phone.
"If you're going to text him, just do it," Tracy remarked, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. "No need to stare at your phone like that."
"Who said anything about texting him?" Elyse put away her phone.
"Stop fibbing. It's written all over your face that you miss him," Tracy observed.
Noticing the tension between Elyse and Jayden, Tracy asked, "What's going on? Did you two have a fight?"
"Nope," Elyse replied, pursing her lips. She wished for an argument, but Jayden didn't understand her frustration.
After a moment, Elyse sighed, "We can't start a fight."
Tracy blinked in confusion. Unaware of their disagreement, she could only offer comfort. "He's throwing a birthday party for you today. Even if it's not your actual birthday, he cares about you. Cheer up. You can't dazzle everyone looking like that."
Elyse patted her cheeks and declared, "You're right. I should be happier. After all, I was appointed concertmaster yesterday. I need to dazzle everyone at the party."
As evening arrived, the party began. In the dressing room, Elyse glanced at Driscoll in the mirror and asked, "Where's Jayden? Hasn't he returned yet?"
Driscoll felt a cold sweat beading on his nose. "He hasn't shown up yet."
Elyse furrowed her brow. She'd spent the day preparing and had received a black pearl crown from him, perfect for her dress. But she'd received no message from him. "What could he possibly be doing? Are you keeping something from me, Driscoll?" she pressed.
As Driscoll was about to explain Jayden's visit to Peyton, Elyse said, "Don't tell me Jayden went to see Peyton. Peyton called me an hour ago, promising to be here on time."
Driscoll fell silent. Hadn't Jayden and Peyton coordinated their stories? Why create another excuse?
Seeing Driscoll's expression, Elyse's heart sank. She suspected Jayden was attending to business, but no one had told her.
Driscoll hesitated. He followed Jayden's instructions; if Jayden wanted Elyse uninformed, Driscoll couldn't defy him.
Jayden truly seemed to be excluding her.
Drawing a deep breath, Elyse continued, "Can you reach Jayden? He's the party's host. What if he doesn't arrive?"
Driscoll shared her concern and anxiety. He sympathized with Elyse. "What was Jayden thinking? Why prioritize work on such a significant occasion?"
"I'll try to reach him," he assured her, then left the dressing room with a somber expression.
Alone, Elyse gazed at her reflection. Her attire was opulent; the black pearl crown alone was worth one hundred million. She'd never imagined such splendor, yet felt strangely unfamiliar with herself.
The dressing room door creaked open. Was Jayden returning?