Chapter 249

Corrie noticed Elyse wearing a fashionable dress and a stunning, priceless pearl crown. While Corrie supported Jayden in stabilizing the company, she acknowledged she hadn't done it alone. This made her even more reluctant.

"That's a relief," she said, her voice uneasy. "I was worried you'd be angry I'm dating your ex-girlfriend." Brook smiled warmly. He held no affection for Corrie; quite the opposite. His dislike intensified, especially believing she'd been romantically involved with Jayden.

Complicating matters, Deborah Owen had usurped his position. A critical, potentially damning meeting loomed, so he needed to secure his influence. His solution: a blind date with a Bates girl, designed to solidify his standing and appease stakeholders.

His arrangement with Corrie was purely strategic, a temporary alliance. Once in power, he planned to end their relationship. Meanwhile, he tolerated her, partly to irritate Jayden—an added bonus. Jayden, however, seemed indifferent to his ex-girlfriend's new involvement; his emotions were stirred only when Elyse faced adversity.

To Brook, Corrie was a means to an end, valuable only for her resources and connections. Yet, he feigned interest when it served his purpose.

As music filled the banquet hall, elegant couples took to the dance floor. Elyse watched dispassionately. Her friend Tracy leaned in, whispering, "Are you going to ask Jayden to dance?"

Caught off guard, Elyse's gaze found Jayden across the room; their eyes met. Contemplating his disability, she responded awkwardly, "I don't think it would be appropriate."

Tracy's anxiety was palpable. Earlier, with Jayden absent, whispers circulated suggesting Elyse was insignificant, merely the companion of a "cripple," as some disrespectfully called Jayden. Tracy considered such comments ignorant. Unbeknownst to the gossipers, Elyse and Jayden shared a deep love.

Tracy persisted anxiously. "Why not? You and Jayden are a perfect match, and it's your birthday. Shouldn't he be the one to dance with you?"

Brook, in a good mood, chimed in, "It's Elyse's birthday. Come on, Jayden, show her some respect."

Jayden remained silent, conflicted. He wanted to dance with Elyse, especially after returning and learning from Driscoll about upsetting events at the banquet.

Despite their recent argument, he faced her seriously. "Do you want to dance with me?"

Elyse struggled to contain her anger. She didn't want to cause a scene or embarrass him. She extended her hand. They moved to the dance floor.

Seated in his wheelchair, Jayden wasn't an adept dancer, but they moved slowly, attracting attention.

"I've never seen Jayden dance before." "He must truly love Elyse." "But if he really loved her, why was he late? I don't think he cares as much as we think."

Surrounding murmurs continued, but they didn't sway Elyse or Jayden.

"Do you think I embarrass you?" Jayden asked, his concern evident.

Elyse's response was firm. "If I were easily embarrassed, I wouldn't marry you." Her calm, unemotional voice cut through the noise.

After a heavy silence, Jayden acknowledged, "You're still angry."

"Why can't I be angry?" Elyse retorted. She'd expressed her feelings repeatedly, but he didn't seem to understand.

Trying to contain her frustration, she said unhappily, "It doesn't matter what I say. You don't need to listen to me. I don't want to know about your affairs either."

"You really don't want to know?" Jayden asked tentatively.

...